Specters, Spooks and Good-Hearted Ghosts Haunt Fort Concho

Fort Concho’s Annual Ghost Tours took place Monday and Tuesday night, and ghost enthusiasts quickly bought out the guided tour in hopes of catching a glimpse of Edith Grierson or Sergeant Cunningham.

Edith and the Sergeant are the most famous of the handful of spirits that are said to haunt the fort, making Fort Concho famous among paranormal groups.

One such group, the West Texas Paranormal Organization (WTPO), was a part of the Ghost Tours, set up in Officer’s Quarters One (OQ1), where Edith Grierson died.

“She’s a very playful spirit,” said Heather with WTPO, “I encounter her almost every time I come here [OQ1].”

Edith Grierson was the daughter of Colonel Benjamin Grierson who died of illness at the age of 12, and is known to love interactions with people.

Slightly less interactive, but just as popular, is the ghost of Sergeant Cunningham who haunts the barracks, where he chose to die while ill.

It is said that if you spend the night in the barracks and kick off your covers, he will put them back on you, but more commonly boot steps are heard.

“I’ve never seen him, but I’ve heard boot steps here [in the barracks],” said Sebastian Carillo, a volunteer dressed in infantry blues.

None of the ghosts at Fort Concho are anything but helpful or playful according to those who’ve encountered them.

Fort Concho is a ‘hotspot’ for spirits according to WTPO, who claim the fort is their favorite place to interact with ghosts.

After visiting Edith, the groups moved on to the schoolhouse and then the hospital were the guide told the story of ‘Dead Ellis.’

Ellis was a soldier who fell ill and was presumed dead and moved to the hospital’s ‘dead house’.

His buddies decided to go see him one last time, and as they cast their eyes upon the lifeless corpse of their dear friend, Ellis sat bolt upright, frightening his friends who sped to depart and consequently shocking Ellis in running off as well. Ever since, the soldier has been known as Dead Ellis.

Of course Ellis isn’t one of the ghosts, but the story lends its charm to the fort’s hospital.

Together the night tour and ghosts aspects create a different experience that is not normally available.

“I think it’s a fun way to see the fort,” said Roxanne Johnston, a participant in the night tour, a sentiment shared by many others participating.

While many were there for a chance to see a ghost, most were also intrigued by the history lessons not normally told.

The interest keeps the night tours going, if someday people are not interested in touring the fort at night, the ghost tours will cease. The ghosts themselves, however, well nobody knows their fate.

For more information on the fort or the ghost tours call (325) 657- 4444

The fort also lands a spot on www.militaryghosts.com.