Jackson County, Florida
Jackson County, Florida
History, Genealogy, Historic Sites, Points of Interest, Caves, Historic Homes,
Cemeteries, News, Events, Weather & More!
Cemeteries, News, Events, Weather & More!
Local News
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| Local News for Jackson County |
HEADLINES
Sunday, October 23, 2011 - The U.S. Department of Justice has
launched a new investigation into the lynching of Claude Neal, a black
farm laborer who was killed 77 years ago after he was accused of
raping and murdering a young woman near Greenwood.
Sometimes called the "Marianna Lynching," the Neal incident became
the focus of an effort by the NAACP and other organizations to
secure the passage of a national anti-lynching law.
While the Justice Department neither confirms nor denies ongoing
investigations, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
have been in Jackson County over recent weeks looking into the
long-ago lynching.
The agents have interviewed local officials, inspected archival records
at the Jackson County Courthouse and spoken to some of Neal's
family members. While it will not address specifics, the Justice
Department has confirmed that it is investigating more than 100 such
old murders and lynchings as part of a new focus on unsolved crimes
of the Civil Rights era. Click here to read the full story of the Claude
Neal lynching.
The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge
Sunday, October 23, 2011 - Jackson County's most popular ghost
story is undoubtedly the tale of an spectre that supposedly haunts
the vicinity of Bellamy Bridge, a historic iron frame bridge that spans
the Chipola River several miles north of Marianna.
As the story goes, the ghost is that of an unfortunate young woman
named Elizabeth Croom Bellamy. Story tellers say that she died in a
tragic wedding night fire, but real history tells a far different story!
As historian Dale Cox learned when he dug into the legend, sometimes
fact can be far more interesting than fiction! While his research does
not disprove the ghost story, it definitely gives it a new twist.
Click here to read the real story of the Ghost of Bellamy Bridge.
The Wild Man of Ocheese Pond
Sunday, October 23, 2011- Was a "Bigfoot" captured in Jackson
County more than 100 years ago? If reports in newspapers of the
time are to be believed, the answer is... YES!
The incident happened at Ocheesee Pond, an expansive, beautiful and
mysterious body of water south of Grand Ridge and Sneads near the
southeastern corner of the county. Residents of the area were stunned
during the spring and summer of 1884 by the sudden appearance of
what they called a "wild man."
Covered with hair, emaciated and able to speak only in grunts and
growls, the creature was seen swimming from place to place in the
swampy reaches of the pond. So concerned were local citizens that
they launched an expedition to capture him!
Please click here to find out what happened next!
Ghosts of the Russ House
October 23, 2011 - Marianna's best known landmark actually may be
more active after hours than it is during the day! Those who believe in
such things say it is haunted by an array of ghosts!
The beautiful old Russ House is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places and is now home to the Chamber of Commerce.
Stories of strange happenings in the house abound, especially each
October when Halloween is in the air.
Is it really haunted? Groups of so-called "ghost hunters" say that it
is. They've taken strange photographs, felt unusual "cold spots" and
heard voices that they say are from beyond the grave.
Please click here to read more....
Other Local News of Interest...
Continuous News Desk from the Jackson County Floridan
Weekly News from the Jackson County Times
Foster Folly News - Chipley & Washington County
Chipley Banner - Chipley & Washington County
The County Record - Blountstown & Calhoun County
The Post-Searchlight - Bainbridge & Decatur County, Georgia
Rickey Stokes News - Dothan & Houston County, Alabama
Local Weather
Live, Local Weather for Jackson County, Florida
launched a new investigation into the lynching of Claude Neal, a black
farm laborer who was killed 77 years ago after he was accused of
raping and murdering a young woman near Greenwood.
Sometimes called the "Marianna Lynching," the Neal incident became
the focus of an effort by the NAACP and other organizations to
secure the passage of a national anti-lynching law.
While the Justice Department neither confirms nor denies ongoing
investigations, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
have been in Jackson County over recent weeks looking into the
long-ago lynching.
The agents have interviewed local officials, inspected archival records
at the Jackson County Courthouse and spoken to some of Neal's
family members. While it will not address specifics, the Justice
Department has confirmed that it is investigating more than 100 such
old murders and lynchings as part of a new focus on unsolved crimes
of the Civil Rights era. Click here to read the full story of the Claude
Neal lynching.
The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge
Sunday, October 23, 2011 - Jackson County's most popular ghost
story is undoubtedly the tale of an spectre that supposedly haunts
the vicinity of Bellamy Bridge, a historic iron frame bridge that spans
the Chipola River several miles north of Marianna.
As the story goes, the ghost is that of an unfortunate young woman
named Elizabeth Croom Bellamy. Story tellers say that she died in a
tragic wedding night fire, but real history tells a far different story!
As historian Dale Cox learned when he dug into the legend, sometimes
fact can be far more interesting than fiction! While his research does
not disprove the ghost story, it definitely gives it a new twist.
Click here to read the real story of the Ghost of Bellamy Bridge.
The Wild Man of Ocheese Pond
Sunday, October 23, 2011- Was a "Bigfoot" captured in Jackson
County more than 100 years ago? If reports in newspapers of the
time are to be believed, the answer is... YES!
The incident happened at Ocheesee Pond, an expansive, beautiful and
mysterious body of water south of Grand Ridge and Sneads near the
southeastern corner of the county. Residents of the area were stunned
during the spring and summer of 1884 by the sudden appearance of
what they called a "wild man."
Covered with hair, emaciated and able to speak only in grunts and
growls, the creature was seen swimming from place to place in the
swampy reaches of the pond. So concerned were local citizens that
they launched an expedition to capture him!
Please click here to find out what happened next!
Ghosts of the Russ House
October 23, 2011 - Marianna's best known landmark actually may be
more active after hours than it is during the day! Those who believe in
such things say it is haunted by an array of ghosts!
The beautiful old Russ House is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places and is now home to the Chamber of Commerce.
Stories of strange happenings in the house abound, especially each
October when Halloween is in the air.
Is it really haunted? Groups of so-called "ghost hunters" say that it
is. They've taken strange photographs, felt unusual "cold spots" and
heard voices that they say are from beyond the grave.
Please click here to read more....
Other Local News of Interest...
Continuous News Desk from the Jackson County Floridan
Weekly News from the Jackson County Times
Foster Folly News - Chipley & Washington County
Chipley Banner - Chipley & Washington County
The County Record - Blountstown & Calhoun County
The Post-Searchlight - Bainbridge & Decatur County, Georgia
Rickey Stokes News - Dothan & Houston County, Alabama
Local Weather
Live, Local Weather for Jackson County, Florida
| Bellamy Bridge |
FBI Investigating 1934 Lynching
| Scene of Lola Cannady Murder 19-year-old Lola Cannady was murdered near a hog pen that stood by the trees in the distance. |
| Was a Bigfoot captured here? |
| Russ House |
Video on the Claude Neal Lynching