Man Who Wanted Seven Wives: The Greenbrier Ghost and the Famous Murder Mystery of 1897

Many West Virginian’s will recognize this story because they have seen the historical mile marker dedicated to the Greenbrier Ghost, described as the "only ghost to testify in a murder trial." In January 1897, young Zonie Shue was discovered dead in her home in Greenbrier County, apparently of natural causes. Some weeks after her burial, her ghost appeared at the bedside of her mother, Mary Jane Heaster, telling her that she had in fact been murdered. The appearance of the ghost led to the case being re-opened. The body was exhumed, new evidence was gathered, and ultimately Zona’s husband, Trout Shue, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.