Locklins claimed to have seen ‘Ghost Riders of McConnico’ during wagon ride near Perdue Hill, Alabama

My son James and I got up early on Labor Day to wet our hooks in the Alabama River at Claiborne. On the way home, we cut down County Road 1 at the Masonic Hall at Perdue Hill, taking the back way home. Eventually, we passed by the Old McConnico Cemetery, and while we did not stop, I could not help but think about the “Ghost Riders of McConnico.”

Stories of these ghostly riders vary, but the most popular version of this spooky tale says that travelers near this cemetery late at night claim to have seen 12 ghostly cavalrymen mounted on grey horses. They ride side by side in a long column, and they are dressed in full cavalry uniforms with sabers, harness, the whole nine yards. However, the riders are said to wear no headgear.

Witnesses say that the riders wear white gloves, folded across the pommels of their saddles, their reins hanging loose. Witnesses describe these riders as “corpse-like” and say that each rider has a white cloth tied around his head. It’s said that this method was used in the 1800s to prepare corpses for burial. Witnesses go on to say that these riders move silently up the road, not even the hooves of the horses make a sound.

James, who is 14 years old, listened in silence as I recounted this tale and didn’t say a word until I finished. “You really believe that stuff?” he asked, giving me a sideways look. “It’s just an old story,” I answered, shrugging my shoulders as we continue on toward the house.

For those of you interested in reading more about this story, you can find more details about it in Kathryn Tucker Windham’s 1982 book, “Jeffrey’s Latest 13: More Alabama Ghosts.” This book dedicates an entire chapter to the “Ghost Riders of McConnico” and talks about how Mr. and Mrs. Charles Locklin saw the 12 ghostly riders. The Locklins supposedly encountered the riders as they traveled down County Road 1 in a wagon.

Windham’s version of the tale describes the riders as “Union horsemen.” In her story, it’s theorized that the cavalrymen were the victims of Confederate raider Lafayette Seigler, who would ambush Yankee patrols and cut off their ears. Supposedly, this is why the riders are seen wearing white bandages around their heads.

I believe that the Charles Locklin mentioned in Windham’s story to be Capt. Charles William Locklin Sr., who is buried in the McConnico Cemetery. Nicknamed “Steamboat Charlie,” Locklin died in 1905 and is buried alongside both of his wives. His first wife, Martha, died in 1885, and his second wife, Olivia, died in 1905, about two months after Charles died. Which of these wives was with Charles when the “ghost rider” encounter occurred is up for debate.

In the end, let me hear from you if you have any additional information about this unusual Monroe County ghost story. I’m especially interested in hearing more about Lafayette Seigler and the Locklins. Of course, I’d love to talk with anyone who has personally seen these “ghost riders,” so let me hear from you if you’ve had any firsthand encounters with these spectral cavalrymen.