Urban Legends of the United States. Part 13

1. The ethereal, mysterious light known as the Gurdon Spook Light, seen in a wooded area by railroad tracks in Gurdon, Arkansas, has been described as blue, green, orange or white and looks as if it's bobbing from a cord. Like many urban legends, the story of the Gurdon Light has several variations. In one, a railroad worker was hit by a train and decapitated. His spirit can still be seen today, searching for his lost light. In another, the railroad worker bore a violent grudge against his boss, who had fired him. He murdered his former employer with a railroad spike, and the victim now wanders the tracks. While the Gurdon Light is well documented, no one has been able to offer an explanation as to what it really is, besides local folklore trying its best. Have you ever seen any type of "spook light"?

2. There are many versions of the Char Man of San Antonio Creek, California. The most told story says that a father and son were trapped in the Ojai Valley fire of 1948. The fire destroyed many homes, including that of this father and son. The father perished, and the traumatized son lost his mind. According to legend, he strung his father up, skinned him and then ran into the forest. Now, known forever as Char Man, described as having a blackened, burnt body is said to attack motorists on Creek Road in Ojai as he seeks more human skins. Had you ever heard of this gruesomely sad tale before this survey?