Outside The Media. Beyond the News. Live from Greensboro, NC.

I dont think the Lawson murders are related at all, except that their proximity to each other. I have been to Payne Rd 3 times, and all 3 times have seen and heard things unexplainable. The ghost car and hand prints are for real. I know that much. Other things that happened seemed very sinister in nature, and i hesitate to go back. I agree with other postings that state that there is a negative or evil force that seems to be there. I was a "ghost hunter" at one time, and this was definitely a very active sight. If you decide to go, quiet and respect seem to conjure up the most "energy". But I do warn all those who go to be careful.

Seriously, Dejoy, I've been all over that place. I've ridden a sled on the road after a good snow, at night, I've driven it probably a hundred times both day and night. I've camped there, or rather crashed after an all night party we had on Payne Road. I've target practiced from the road with a 30-30 and I've even done hallucinogenics multiple times in multiple doses ( this was in the 70's you know) and still didn't see anything.

Compelling as the Payne Road legend is, there seems to be no evidence to support it. We've had several people on here posting some interesting stories but when asked for corroboration, they never return. One person stated she has a friend with a diary of Mr Payne's with references to murder and "satanic" sacrifices? Why not unveil the evidence? And how come all ghost hunters are scaredy cats?

Went to Payne Road all the time in high school, when the old house was still standing. A friend and I even sneaked inside the empty house! Nothing happened, but I think we may have scared some unsuspecting passersby—only adding to the legends and stories!

We saw lots of damage there caused by other “trespassers” but nothing I would consider paranormal. The only weird thing is that the radio in my car would shut off right as I passed the house, and then come back on instantly as the house disappeared from view. I’m sure that can be explained somehow—but it did put a little thrill into the stories.

My friend and I also got the car stuck there once, and some friendly locals helped us out. ‘Course, it could have easily turned into a scene from “Deliverance”—it had all the ingredients!—but we were fine.

Anyone know what the haunted/murder house in Jamestown is called? We use to talk about it all the time at Ragsdale?

Liv wrote:This morning on the radio they were talking about a ghost story on payne rd but it's not coming up on Yahoo Maps? Anyone know where it is? I want to go and investigate.

Hello,
My name is Amy and I am a part of a local paranormal team Project Ghost Find, I am just wondering if the lady whom posted about her and her friends adventure and then the friend whom has said Mr. Edward Paynes Diary. I would love to review it with my partner and founder of Project Ghost Find. He is a local author and historian. We have been trying to bring light to the real truth of payne road. Considering that there are so many tails of the place.
Our email is [email protected]. Here is my personal email as well [email protected]. I'd love to see the great piece of history that can clear up a lot of none true stories and other near area stories that have been long to messed up.

If your friend thinks the place is of the devil which I myself won't say it isn't even. Why keep something of historic record. I can see her value and her wanting to keep it but with that kind of history at hand she may could help herself even. Doesn't she know how many just would like to review it to hopefully put an end to a so long battle between Historians and Paranormal Teams. The place scars me and I too have seen some none explainable oddities and intense feelings. A few miles away the land is still yet tainted it all is. Though your friend could help to make a lot of questions come to light.

This is in reply to Crystal and everyone. The house that once stood on Payne Road was not, and NEVER was, the "Payne" House. The house and property belonged to the EDWARDS Family, and had for SEVERAL generations. Incidentally, that diary you found could be considered stolen property, because the property was NOT abandoned at the time you were there, but was owned by one of the Edwards descendants... A STOKES COUNTY DEPUTY!!!!
In ALL my research, I could not find DOCUMENTATION of any EDWARD PAYNE. The only DOCUMENTED violent deaths I could find were the alleged prostitute who was killed and tied to a tree by the creek, in 1992, and the grandfather of the deputy, who blew himself up with a stick of dynamite behind one of the barns. This is HISTORICAL FACT. There were in fact fires on Payne Rd. many years ago, and I am looking into whether or not a child died in one of those.
This diary was probably placed there by someone. I'm not saying that nothing happens out there, because there are plenty of legitimate paranormal occurrences. But until I can find DOCUMENTATION of this Edward Payne, and his supposed sacrifice of his family, I must consider this a MYTH! If someone can offer proof positive that this man existed, they should do so. AGAIN. IT IS THE EDWARDS PROPERTY, and has NEVER, that I can document, been the PAYNE PROPERTY. ALL rumors, including the family sacrafice, family murdrs, and even the slave myth can be considered complete myths until absolute proof can be found. The Edwards Family, by the way, gets VERY upset with all this stuff. Tread GENTLY. You CAN go to jail.
I DO applaud the distinction Crystal made between the Lawson Murders and this story. I have been trying to dispell for years the myth of Lawson living on Payne Road. Charlie Lawson's Farm, the place of the Christmas Day murders, was located off Brook Cove Road, at Watts Road. The driveway still goes up into the trees from the corner of Brooke Cove and Watts. The property is now posted, and the new owners are AGGRESSIVE in protecting that post. They WILL call the law on you, and will HOLD yoiu there til they get there.
There is ONE, and ONLY ONE, connection between the Lawson Farm and Payne Road. Town Fork Creek runs through both properties. THIS IS IT! NOTHING ELSE. The misplacement of the Lawsons onto Payne Road has become the "vampire you cannot stake" of NC legends.
Please don't misunderstand. I'm not saying a diary was not found. And I'm not saying that people do not experience the supernatural out there. What I'm saying is, you CANNOT ignore historical facts. If the Payne Family did not own the house, then they didn'y own it. Sorry. I believe that diary was probably placed there by someone trying to scare people. And, by the way, you COULD access the second floor. Close friends, including my XO at PG-F, have been up there, AND experienced something. Whatever is out there, I just don't believe it's the spirit of a log-dead devil worshiper. I am looking for Emily Watson too. So far, no dice there either. I will have a government friend see what she can find too.
Michael
Author & Paranormal Researcher.

Liv wrote:Anyone know what the haunted/murder house in Jamestown is called? We use to talk about it all the time at Ragsdale?

I believe you're talking about the Mendenhall Plantation out there.

As good a story as Payne Road is, much of what you hear is either made up, or misplacement of tales. I can find only TWO verifiable true stories. One of a woman murdered and left tied to a tree by the creek, and one suicide by dynamite in the mouth. The Lawson Murders took place several miles away, and have absolutely no connection to Payne Road. I would like to see this "diary." I believe it is something put there to scare people since there doesn't seem to have been an Edward Payne (see my other post above).
As for "all ghost hunters being scaredy cats, you haven't come out with us. Though most are new members now, there are a couple still around who faced off with an evil entity in college. We DID win, and it DID leave, but we were NOT unscathed.

[quote=[onion][/onion]"Nfidel"]Seriously, Dejoy, I've been all over that place. I've ridden a sled on the road after a good snow, at night, I've driven it probably a hundred times both day and night. I've camped there, or rather crashed after an all night party we had on Payne Road. I've target practiced from the road with a 30-30 and I've even done hallucinogenics multiple times in multiple doses ( this was in the 70's you know) and still didn't see anything.

Compelling as the Payne Road legend is, there seems to be no evidence to support it. We've had several people on here posting some interesting stories but when asked for corroboration, they never return. One person stated she has a friend with a diary of Mr Payne's with references to murder and "satanic" sacrifices? Why not unveil the evidence? And how come all ghost hunters are scaredy cats?[/quote]
[onion][/onion]

Just realized I didn't tell you who I am. I am Michael, author of ROADSIDE REVENANTS AND OTHER NORTH CAROLINA GHOSTS AND LEGENDS. I am also co-founder and President of Project Ghost-Find, a North Carolina paranormal research group, and a historian. We are NOT a "Ghost in every corner" type of group. While my books detail the stories as they are told to me, I do research history, and investigate hauntings. We use the scientific approach, as well as relying on our feelings and instincts. We have several sensitives in our group. I dislike the word psychic, as it has a negative connotaion in most circles. The group's email is: [email protected] We also have our own site, http://pgfnc818.ning.com Anyone with questions may contact us. If you need help, or seek an investigation, ask. We do NOT charge any fee for our services. If there's a ghost, we can find it, if we can't find evidence, we'll tell you strait up.
Thanks!

michael818 wrote: I dislike the word psychic, as it has a negative connotaion in most circles.

As does "sensitive" among the more skeptical.

If there's a ghost, we can find it, if we can't find evidence, we'll tell you strait up.
Thanks!

How do you know when you've found every ghost, in say, a house? How can you prove your claim that all ghosts at a location have been located? What is the scientific data you use to verify a ghost's presence? Its absence? I'm just asking.

Thanks for the link to the website. I'll check it out when I have the time.

It's not about specific ghosts, really. Using instruments such as EMF detectors, IR thermometers, gauss meters, etc..., we can detect or debunk paranormal activity at a location. If you'll note, I said if we can't find evidence, we will tell you. Lack of evidence does NOT mean that nothing paranormal has ever taken place in a location. However, if it is an active site, there should be SOME indication of activity. You sound quite familiar. Do I know you from another forum... say the LAWSON one?

Nfidel wrote:

michael818 wrote: I dislike the word psychic, as it has a negative connotaion in most circles.

As does "sensitive" among the more skeptical.

If there's a ghost, we can find it, if we can't find evidence, we'll tell you strait up.
Thanks!

How do you know when you've found every ghost, in say, a house? How can you prove your claim that all ghosts at a location have been located? What is the scientific data you use to verify a ghost's presence? Its absence? I'm just asking.

Thanks for the link to the website. I'll check it out when I have the time.

You sound quite familiar. Do I know you from another forum... say the LAWSON one?

Nope, this is about the only place I post. Well here and HighStreet.org. I didn't know there was a Lawson message board.

Yep, there sure is. Look for the breakofdawn website, and the forum is on there. They're the guys who did the film, and have NO connection to the infamous books by Smith & Jones.

michael818 wrote:It's not about specific ghosts, really. Using instruments such as EMF detectors, IR thermometers, gauss meters, etc..., we can detect or debunk paranormal activity at a location. If you'll note, I said if we can't find evidence, we will tell you. Lack of evidence does NOT mean that nothing paranormal has ever taken place in a location.

Tell me, whould you happen to have a methane detector of some sort? I believe my hall bathroom may be haunted by a restless spirit with an extreme case of chronic flatulence. We've tried leaving Beano out on the counter for him/her, and even a couple of Tums once, but to no avail. The stench and the noise can be quite horrific at times, and it has sometimes lasted all night long. Our cat is afraid to go in there. She just gags and runs away when we try to make her. My wife has a "sense" for these things, too, and believes it could very well be the spirit of a dead plumber with a fondness for chili burritos who suffered a massive heart attack.

We're at the end of our rope with this situation and could desperately use your help.

These prankster spirits CAN be annoying. It's a hard call. If it IS some dead plumber, try simply ignoring everything he does, and hold to that, no matter what. He might simply get bored with it all and move on if you ignore it. You might also try telling him to go away, firmly, and with determination. Though I'm not big on the Spiritist stuff, saying something like "It's time to move on into the Light" may, just MAY, work. Or you could try a deal. If he'll shut up and not stink the place up, you won't gag him to death with Lysol!!!
If it is a elemental ( a spirit that has never lived , at least in the sense WE mean it!), you might have a real problem on your hands. Honestly, a farting ghost just isn't at the top of our priority list to come for. If he were THROWING feces, it would be more detrimental to your health, and I would suggest someone who could exorcise it. As it is, I'd just ignore it as best as you can, or try to lay down the law.

michael818 wrote:These prankster spirits CAN be annoying. It's a hard call. If it IS some dead plumber, try simply ignoring everything he does, and hold to that, no matter what. He might simply get bored with it all and move on if you ignore it. You might also try telling him to go away, firmly, and with determination. Though I'm not big on the Spiritist stuff, saying something like "It's time to move on into the Light" may, just MAY, work. Or you could try a deal. If he'll shut up and not stink the place up, you won't gag him to death with Lysol!!!
If it is a elemental ( a spirit that has never lived , at least in the sense WE mean it!), you might have a real problem on your hands. Honestly, a farting ghost just isn't at the top of our priority list to come for. If he were THROWING feces, it would be more detrimental to your health, and I would suggest someone who could exorcise it. As it is, I'd just ignore it as best as you can, or try to lay down the law.

Well played.

Okay, serious question: what have you personally experienced that convinces you that there >are< ghosts? Anything besides "cold chills", a "sense of unease", "orbs', that kind of thing? You seem like an intelligent guy, and you're obviously a good sport, so I promise to listen respectfully to your answer and not poke fun.

When I was 13, I saw my maternal grandfather standing at the foot of my bed... two days AFTER he died! I was NOT aslpeep, in fact, I was sitting up in bed reading. he spoke a personal message to me, then vanished before my eyes. I also saw evidence of unseen things when I was at ASU, including faucets turning on and off (you could SEE the knobs turn!!!), and what appeared to be human bite marks, teeth clearly delineated, dead center of a man's back... there was no one else around to have caused this. Besides this, I NEED no evidence, though, but I still seem to find it MOST of the time. My Christian faith says there is an afterlife, and the first ghost story I remember is in the OLD TESTAMENT, so I believe on faith alone. Our group, though, even though we have people who are attuned to things, including me to a limited extent, we use scientific methods, so people cannot simply dismiss what we find out of hand.

michael818 wrote:we use scientific methods

Can you explain this? What do you use as your 'base'? I see you've used EMF detectors etc. but there has never been any credible scientific evidence that a strong EMF field was nothing more than a natural magnetic/man made caused event. Certainly nothing that has proven Ghosts cause it (since Ghosts haven't been proved). So how can you run around with those devices claiming detection? Seems like a lot of fun, but a terrible representation of the Scientific method. No offense, I guess I just question your methodology.

Oh, and why not just go ahead and register here?

michael818 wrote:When I was 13, I saw my maternal grandfather standing at the foot of my bed... two days AFTER he died! I was NOT aslpeep, in fact, I was sitting up in bed reading. he spoke a personal message to me, then vanished before my eyes. I also saw evidence of unseen things when I was at ASU, including faucets turning on and off (you could SEE the knobs turn!!!), and what appeared to be human bite marks, teeth clearly delineated, dead center of a man's back... there was no one else around to have caused this. Besides this, I NEED no evidence, though, but I still seem to find it MOST of the time. My Christian faith says there is an afterlife, and the first ghost story I remember is in the OLD TESTAMENT, so I believe on faith alone. Our group, though, even though we have people who are attuned to things, including me to a limited extent, we use scientific methods, so people cannot simply dismiss what we find out of hand.

Interesting. Thanks.

I thought I'd replied already, but it apparently didn';t take. Sorry for the delay. I saw my granddad when I was thirteen, two days after he died. I was sitting in my room, reading when he appeared, and gave me a personal message. I always sort of believed. After that, it was a given. I am also a Christian, with a deep belief in the afterlife already.

A base reading is where you sweep the room or area to see what levels of emf are steadily there. Spikes in emf readings DO occur when paranormal activity is on. However, you have to be careful, as electrical surges in appliances can also cause spikes. EMF is absolutely useless around areas of high electricity and emf. That is one reason you see the tv groups gop "lights out." Perhaps you misunderstand. When I say "scientific method," i mean applying logic. We rule out ALL possible natura causes that are known before we consider it paranormal. We do this by study and observation. Remember: all paranormal or supernatural means is that we don't currently understand the cause. You are entitled to your opinion, as is everyone. It changes nothing about my own belief, or my day-to-day activities. Things like this are something most people do NOT believe in... until they have an experience themselves that leaves no doubt. Some refuse to believe even then. Honestly, I don't go ahead and register here simply because my plate is full already with other activities, including my ghost stuff, and my model photography, not to mention my research for my writing, AND a regular job.

Sanjuro wrote:

michael818 wrote:we use scientific methods

Can you explain this? What do you use as your 'base'? I see you've used EMF detectors etc. but there has never been any credible scientific evidence that a strong EMF field was nothing more than a natural magnetic/man made caused event. Certainly nothing that has proven Ghosts cause it (since Ghosts haven't been proved). So how can you run around with those devices claiming detection? Seems like a lot of fun, but a terrible representation of the Scientific method. No offense, I guess I just question your methodology.

Oh, and why not just go ahead and register here?

As a child of the 80,s I and my friends spent many nights exploring around Rural Hall N.C. as well as all points North, South, East and West of Payne Rd. At the time that this happened the White house was still there with it's lights on even tho no power lines ran to the house and the road it's self was dirt and gravel with ruts running down both sides.

On the night this happened there was a bright moon out and clouds moved in and out some times making the road and woods black as pitch. We were trying to out brave each other. Doing stupid stuff seemed to be a good idea at the time,and being as dumb as a stick at this time in my life I decided to hang out the window of the car as we drove down Payne Rd.

Well at 17 it seemed a good idea. Anyway we started at the top of the road where it turned to dirt. We had just passed the Old Barn on the other side of the house and I was hanging upside down outside the car. We were going about 40 miles an hour when I heard something running beside the car. What ever it was was keeping up with us, running in a field next to the road. Now this may not seem to bad except that there were fences in those fields back then, mostly barbed wire. I never saw what it was or heard it jump over a fence, but what shocked me the most was I know in my heart that it was running on two legs not four like a horse or a dog. And I have never heard of a man running at 40 miles per hour over a distance of a mile. It stopped coming near the Old Dixie Bridge.

Well thats my story and I know a lot of people would say I was crazy.But no one I have ever heard of ever hung out the window of a 67 Buick four door like I did that night. Maybe I am crazy. But I know what I heard. And this is a true story. Have a great Halloween.
Popa63...

hey all. my name is max. I am a investigator in asheville, nc. I just visited payne rd visiting my sister which her bf had been to this road a long time ago. This was when there was really nothing out there. For when I was just down there, had an experience. It was not on edwards rd, but payne rd. That is if it was edwards where his house was and everything??? I would like to go back, and try to have a full investigation. And document it. If that is of getting permission. Is anyone planning on going to the road here in the near future? If anyone knows about how to get permission to go where edwards house is, I would be greatful. Also is edwards rd the one that has a gate, and a cemetery to the left? Or is there also another cemetery where edward payne is burried? Thats what my brother in law tells me.... Please respond with any info. Thx...

It be a lot easier to converse with people if they'd bother to make an account.