The Greenbrier Ghost

In 1897, the ghost of Elva Zona Heaster appeared to her mother in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, and revealed that she had been murdered by her husband. Based on this spectral testimony, Erasmus Stribbling Trout Shue was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison - the only known case in US history where ghost testimony contributed to a murder conviction.

The Victim

Elva Zona Heaster, known as “Zona,” married Erasmus Shue in 1896 and was found dead on January 23, 1897, initially attributed to “everlasting faint” at only 23 years old.

The Death

When Zona was found, a neighbor boy discovered her body lying at the foot of the stairs, her husband arrived before the doctor, he moved and dressed the body, and his behavior seemed suspicious.

Initial Findings

The local doctor, Dr. George Knapp, examined the body while Shue hovered over and interfered, being particularly protective of her head and neck, leading to an incomplete examination and death being attributed to childbirth complications.

Mary Jane Heaster

Zona’s mother had never liked Erasmus Shue, suspected foul play from the start, prayed for the truth to be revealed, and then the apparition appeared.

The Ghost Appears

Over four nights, Zona’s ghost visited her mother, appeared at the foot of her bed, spoke to her directly, revealed what happened, and described her murder in detail.

The Revelation

The ghost told her that Shue had abused her, he broke her neck in a rage over a minor household matter, turned her head to demonstrate the injury, and wanted justice.

The Exhumation

Based on this testimony, Mary Jane went to the prosecutor, an investigation was opened, the body was exhumed, autopsy revealed a broken neck, and murder was confirmed.

The Trial

Erasmus Shue was tried in March 1897, Mary Jane testified about the ghost, the defense tried to discredit her testimony, the jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to life in prison.

The Ghost Testimony

While unusual, the ghost testimony was allowed in court despite defense objections, the judge permitted it, the jury considered it, and a conviction resulted.

Shue’s Background

It was revealed that he had been married twice before, one wife died mysteriously, another he had divorced, and a pattern of violence was suspected.

Historical Significance

The case is unique for having ghost testimony in court leading to conviction, being the only known US case of its kind, being documented thoroughly, and becoming famous.

The Memorial

In Greenbrier County, a historical marker stands commemorating the case as the “Only known case…” and has become a tourist attraction.

Significance

The Greenbrier Ghost is significant for establishing a unique legal precedent, having a ghost lead to justice, providing historical documentation, demonstrating the mother’s persistence, and having significant cultural impact.

Legacy

The Greenbrier Ghost case remains unique in American legal history. Whether Mary Jane Heaster truly saw her daughter’s ghost or had intuition she expressed through supernatural terms, her testimony helped convict a murderer.