Lore: Legends 49 - Scars
Release Date: March 17, 2025
Host: Aaron Mahnke

Introduction

In the episode titled "Scars," Aaron Mahnke delves into the haunting legacies left behind by historical events and the physical and supernatural scars they have imprinted on certain locations. Through exploring the rise and fall of a mining town and the ghostly tales surrounding military forts in New York, Mahnke illustrates how traumatic histories linger, manifesting both environmentally and spiritually.

Picher, Oklahoma: The Most Toxic Ghost Town in America

Picher, Oklahoma, once a booming mining town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, is central to understanding the concept of lasting scars. The discovery of lead and zinc around Tar Creek led to rapid population growth, peaking in the 1920s with nearly 20,000 residents. However, greed and neglect of proper excavation practices resulted in environmental degradation:

• Environmental Collapse: Massive cave-ins and contaminated groundwater became rampant as mining operations cut corners. Studies revealed that a significant percentage of the town’s children suffered from lead poisoning.

• Mass Evacuation: Recognizing the dire environmental hazards, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state of Oklahoma orchestrated a mass evacuation. By the mid-2000s, abandoned buildings lay on the brink of collapse, succumbing to sinkholes, and acidic groundwater posed severe health risks.

• Last Holdouts: Remarkably, in the mid-2010s, six households and one business remained despite the dangers. By 2015, almost all structures were destroyed, leaving Picher a cautionary tale of environmental neglect and its enduring scars. As Mahnke poignantly states, "Some scars will never go away," highlighting the irrevocable damage inflicted on both the land and its people.

Haunted Military Forts of New York: Echoes of Violence

Transitioning from environmental scars, Mahnke explores the haunted military forts of New York, emphasizing how the violence and tragedy associated with these sites have left deep, lingering marks.

Fort Ticonderoga: Duncan Campbell's Vengeful Ghost

At Fort Ticonderoga, Mahnke recounts the tragic story of Duncan Campbell, a Scottish military officer haunted by guilt and vengeance:

• Historical Context: Fort Ticonderoga, completed in 1758, became a pivotal site in the French and Indian War, witnessing brutal battles with nearly 2,500 casualties.

• Duncan Campbell’s Haunting: Initially, Campbell faced a moral dilemma when he sheltered Stewart of Appin, the killer of his relative Donald Campbell. Visited by Stewart's ghost demanding vengeance, Campbell was later killed in battle at Ticonderoga. Mahnke narrates, “Blood has been shed. Blood must avenge blood” (Timestamp: [10:45]), illustrating the relentless pursuit of justice by restless spirits.

• Final Rest: Campbell’s death fulfilled the ghost’s demand for vengeance, symbolizing how unresolved trauma can perpetuate spiritual unrest.

Fort Ontario: The Ghosts of Soldiers and Children

Fort Ontario stands as another haunted landmark with a rich tapestry of ghost stories:

• Historical Turmoil: Constructed in 1755, the fort endured multiple destructions and reconstructions through various conflicts, from the Revolutionary War to the War of 1812.

• Notable Ghosts:

  • Basil Bassey: A British lieutenant killed in a duel in 1759, still seen in his redcoat uniform.
  • George Fikes: Died in 1782, his spirit oscillates between loyalty to his king and truth, captured in accounts where he states, “I am simply George Fikes, formerly a soldier of my country” (Timestamp: [17:30]).

• Ghostly Children: The fort is also home to the spirits of children, believed to be the offspring of soldiers who perished there. Reports include sounds of children playing and sightings of a ghost girl named Abigail, fostering a haunting yet innocent atmosphere.

• Legends and Lore: Mahnke shares local legends, such as the curse tied to stepping on George Fikes' grave, which can result in lifelong hauntings: “If you step on his grave, then you will be haunted by him for the rest of your life” (Timestamp: [20:15]).

Fort William Henry: Betrayal and Its Aftermath

The siege of Fort William Henry provides a grim narrative of betrayal and its supernatural repercussions:

• Betrayal by the French: After a fierce six-day siege in 1757, the British surrendered to French forces who broke their promises to Native American allies, leading to massacres as retribution.

• Native American Retaliation: Feeling deceived, Native warriors attacked fleeing British troops and desecrated graves in search of promised spoils, inadvertently spreading smallpox and causing further devastation.

• Paranormal Activity: The fort now reportedly harbors spirits of those who perished, with phenomena such as:

  • Uneven Footsteps: Linked to the ghost known as "the limper," an amputee soldier (Timestamp: [25:40]).
  • Disappearances of Names: On a chalkboard listing soldiers' names, only Private Jacob Hardy remains visible as others erase.
  • Visible Apparitions: Visitors have witnessed soldiers in daily activities, reflecting the fort’s traumatic past.

Fort Niagara: John Carroll and the Hobgoblins

At Fort Niagara, Mahnke explores the eerie experiences of soldiers confronted by folkloric creatures:

• John Carroll’s Tale: In 1804, a young army piper stationed at the remote fort faced solitary confinement in a "black hole," where he encountered hobgoblins—malicious beings from English folklore. Forced to compose the hymn "Carol's Thoughts on Eternity," Carroll's ordeal ended with his release, but not without lasting fear.

• Subsequent Encounters: Other soldiers reported similar experiences, such as a man in 1812 who fled in terror after seeing a hobgoblin, only to find his canteen filled with liquor—linking his visions to intoxication (Timestamp: [29:05]).

• Folklore Integration: These stories blend military history with local folklore, enhancing the supernatural allure of Fort Niagara and emphasizing the psychological scars left by isolation and discipline.

Conclusion: The Enduring Scars of Violence

Aaron Mahnke concludes by reflecting on how places built for warfare and subjected to violence inherently carry scars—both visible and invisible. These scars manifest as environmental devastation, abandoned towns, and haunted landmarks, serving as constant reminders of past atrocities. As Mahnke aptly puts it, “Our history of violence has a way of leaving scars. And even generations later, those scars can still be felt” (Timestamp: [34:50]).

Through "Scars," the episode underscores the profound and lasting impacts that human actions—be they environmental or martial—have on both the landscape and the collective memory, ensuring that the suffering and turmoil of the past are neither forgotten nor easily erased.

Notable Quotes

• Aaron Mahnke on Picher's Legacy:
  “Some scars will never go away, whether they are from a relationship or an accident. Our wounds tend to stick around, reminding us of the pain and the past.” ([05:50])

• George Fikes' Ghost:
  “I am simply George Fikes, formerly a soldier of my country. When a resident of the earth, I was loyal to my king. Now that I am no longer bound to it, I trust that I am loyal to truth.” ([22:10])

• Mahnke on The Fort's Haunted Past:
  “Soldiers dying violently and leaving behind tortured ghosts is nothing new. Violence, after all, always leaves a scarlet.” ([28:00])

Production Credits

• Producer: Aaron Mahnke
• Writing: Alex Robinson
• Research: Cassandra de Alba

For those intrigued by these tales of historical trauma and supernatural legends, "Scars" serves as a compelling reminder of how the echoes of the past continue to shape and haunt the present.