So, as we were looking through mounds of research material and websites to find our next episode, we stumbled upon a legend local to Fayetteville, Arkansas up in the Ozark Mountains.  It fit our criteria to a T...Localized, paranormal, and another true urban legend.

So the story goes...

In the 1950's a family was crossing the bridge one night in a storm, and the husband(driving) was distracted by a baby's cry in the back seat.  As he looked back, the car swerved and plunged into the White River below.  All were drowned, and now if you go to the bridge you can see the apparition of a woman(supposedly the wife) spinning merrily through the pastures near the bridge.  I guess she must have hated her life.

For more on haunted bridge lore, click HERE

First, the least important stuff.

The county road commisioner up there claims to have no idea when the bridge was built or by whom.  It adds a bit of mystery and intrigue to the story.  Unfortunately, we solved that mystery...and strangely, I cant get a reply from anyone up there that seems to care.  But heres the info anyway.

I noticed when standing to the side of the bridge there was a rectangular concrete stamp that is typical of makers marks on concrete bridges.

Took some pictures, and had to decipher it from the pictures.

It reads...

1928
E.M.Ratcliff-Engineer
Lehman Bros. Const.

So there ya' go.  Then when's and who's.

Now the investigation info.

We did the normal investigation.  Hi-8s, digital pictures and voice recorders.

Long story short, it did seem eerie.  At first we chalked up the feelings of paranoia to a few factors...Its a a NARROW, LONG bridge with no railing.  The river was flooded and running very fast and turbulent.  The bridge is decrepit...its about to be demolished.  Holes in the concrete, chunks falling off.  It really has a funhouse effect to it.  Weird angles, etc.

But then after a near run in with some drunk local kids, we had some interesting things happen.

Our friend from the area, Calvin Clark came out to help investigate.  Joe was sick in the hotel room with green apple screamers.

Calvin and Jordan walked to the end of the bridge and did EVPs for a bit, and came back and reported to Keith and I that it seemed if someone was watching them.  So Keith and I went over and began taking pictures.  (cont. below)

I started to work on EVPs, and at one point I asked "What is your name?".  After about 7 seconds, I saw a white flash between my hand and my face.(my hand was extended snapping pics).  You can hear me be profane on the digital audio as I saw this flash.  Keith and I talked about it could have been a bug, however the flash was white and my head lamp was on the red led setting.  We didnt think much of it, until we left and reviewed the digital audio.

What Im about to tell you, you wont believe.

When we reached the part in the audio where I saw the white flash, right before I yelled...we heard something else.  All four of us heard it.  I had chills before I even knew what it said.  Because I knew something had responded.  This would also place it at the exact moment I saw the white flash buzz my face.  EXACT moment.

We went back and listened...and heres what it said.

You hear me ask, "What was your name?".  And about 7 seconds later, you hear a womans voice, as if in a loud whisper say "Sa-RAH".

No crap.  Apparently whomever died here was named Sarah.

we've shown at least ten other people the EVP.  Everybody hears the same thing.

Sarah.

We looked into obituaries, looked online.  Nothing.  No names.  But there is a few things I want to point out. 

The nick name of the bridge is "Tilly Willy's Bridge".  But it derives from the name "Matilda Wilson Bridge", which was so named because before it was a bridge, it was the "Matilda Wilson Ford". 

The first settlers, the Wilsons, started settling around the 1830's.  I can look in a local history book of my hometown right now, and pick out about 50 deaths associated with fording a river.  This was life at that time.

So "Sarah", doesnt necessarily have to be from a car wreck in the 1950's, nor does she even have to be from the bridge era.  She could be anyone.

But I know this:  Shes THERE.

Its kind of affected me mentally ever since it happened.

I asked a question.  And something without form or substance...that I couldnt see...That shouldnt be there...

Answered.

Sarah.

Sarah indeed.

Get 'Tilly Willy's Bridge' on DVD HERE!

How to Get There

If you're in Fayetteville, Arkansas, head to the South until you find S MorningSide Drive.  It also S city Lake Road.  Head South until the road forks, and follow the fork to your left, which is now S Wilson Hollow Road.  Follow it until you reach a decrepit concrete bridge across a really pretty river.  Thats it, Youre there.

Word of advice:  You better get it while the gettin's good.  Our last research indicated the bridge was slated for destruction sometime this year(2009) or next year.  You Know how road work goes though...it may never happen.  Just know its on the agenda.

Also, the destruction and replacement of the bridge does not necessarily mean Sarah wont be there anymore, because we're not even sure shes from THIS bridges era.