Emily's Bridge, Stowe VT

In the nineteenth century a beautiful young woman named Emily grew up in the town of Stowe. She came from an abusive and overprotective family.

The family was so overprotective that they would not allow Emily to be courted by any of the young men in town. However, one day a handsome young man came across Emily's path while she was doing chores. He instantly captured her heart.

Madly in love Emily introduced the young man to her parents. Her parents, deciding the young man was too poor and uncivilized, forbid Emily to ever see him again. Emily's parents had the young man dragged from their home while Emily watched in despair.

The young man could not be dissuaded. He met Emily while she was away from the house doing chores. Their love deepened and the young man asked Emily to elope. Emily's heart overflowed with joy. Not only would she be marrying the man of her dreams, but he would be taking her away from this oppressive life. They rushed off planning to meet at The Gold Brook Bridge the following night.

Unfortunately, Emily's parents discovered her plans. On the night that Emily was to elope they sent a couple of local thugs to find the young man and beat him unconscious so he would not make the rendezvous. They hoped Emily would believe that the young man had gotten cold feet and abandoned her. They received their wish.

Emily made her way to the bridge and waited. The night grew cold and her lover never came to claim her. Emily collapsed and began to sob, the thought of returning to her abusive parents entered her head and she became angered. She began to pound the sides of the wooden bridge until her hands were bloodied. Unwilling to return to her living nightmare Emily untied the rope that she used to bundle her belongings. She tied one end of the rope to a rafter of the bridge, the other end she tied around her neck.

She hung herself in the cold night. In the morning her lover finally arrived. Horrified, her lover cut her down and buried her near the bridge.

Today, locals know The Gold Brook Bridge as Emily's Bridge because Emily's angry spirit haunts it. Many people have experienced a disturbing phenomenon that has resulted in large scratch marks appearing on their cars. Others that have walked through the bridge have been clawed by Emily. They described it as if a pair of long nailed hands digging their way into their back and scratch down. Upon exiting the bridge they have bloody scratch marks traveling the length of their back, yet their shirt is not torn.

Some have reported hearing the sound of something dragging across the roof of their vehicle as they drive across. Upon investigation they see nothing. It's assumed this is the sound of Emily's feet dragging across the roof.

Others have reported seeing a white apparition inside and around the area of Emily's Bridge. Typically, the apparition is seen at night. Along with the apparition people have heard sounds of Emily sobbing; others have heard a helpless voice crying 'Help!’