Pikeville, Kentucky -
Statue of Doomed Woman who was Buried Alive
Everyone has bad luck from time to time, but poor Octavia Hatcher had the worst luck of all.
- Address:
- Johnson Cemetery Rd, Pikeville, KY
- Directions:
- Johnson Memorial Cemetery. Easily visible from the highway. On the east side of US Hwy 23/119/460/S. Mayo Trail, either 2.5 miles south of the junction of US Hwy 119/460 with US Hwy 23 in Pikeville, or 2.5 miles north of the junction of US Hwy 23/119 with US Hwy 460.
- Hours:
- The cemetery is open during daylight hours.
Visitor Tips and News About Statue of Doomed Woman who was Buried Alive
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Octavia Hatcher gave birth to her first child in 1891. But the baby died, and Octavia fell into a funk and then a coma. Doctors pronounced her dead, and because it was a hot day her husband had her buried immediately.
Then other people in town started falling into comas. Realizing that Octavia might just have looked dead, her husband dug her up. Oops. The inside of the casket was scratched, Octavia's fingers were bloody, and her face was reportedly frozen into a scream.
James Hatcher had a statue of Octavia erected over her grave, holding her baby. 100 years later the Hatcher family erected a plaque next to the grave, setting out the details of the grim story. A fence was also erected around the grave to discourage vandals, who had already stolen the baby.
[RoadsideAmerica.com Team, 01/01/2010]Nearby Offbeat Places
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