Social - June 2002

Barefoot explores the supernatural

Haunted Hundred

By DIANE TURBYFILL, LTN Staff Writer

June 21, 2002 - Blue blood, haunted hearths and spooky spectres fill the pages of Dan Barefoot’s latest work, “North Carolina’s Haunted Hundred.”

Barefoot’s three-volume, soft-cover set is a collection of legends and ghost stories gathered from the 100 counties of his home state.

“A lot of research has gone into finding stories for all 100 counties,” he says.

The series is divided regionally: “Seaside Spectres,” “Piedmont Phantoms” and “Haints of the Hills.”

The Lincolnton author, a practicing/former attorney who represents Lincoln County in the N.C. House, will return from Raleigh this weekend for a 2 p.m. Sunday publication party at the Lincoln Cultural Center.

Barefoot is excited about the release of “North Carolina’s Haunted Hundred,” his first venture into the supernatural.

“I’m elated at the way it looks and the way it reads.”

Due to an usually long session in the House, Barefoot wrote at odd hours.

“A lot of it was done late at night,” says Barefoot.

Between covers depicting North Carolina scenes are found stories Barefoot heard while working on five earlier novels.

The author made research visits to some of the sites he writes about, including a day trip to Ashe County’s Devil’s Stairs where locals claim a headless man roams after nightfall.

“It really seems to be a scary place,” Barefoot says.

Lincoln County’s own Woodside is featured on page 90 of Volume 2, “Piedmont Phantoms,” with the story of “Malvina of Woodside” — the tale of a broken-hearted 19th century woman whose sorrowful apparition is said to float down the grand staircase.

In the set’s Volume 1 preface, Barefoot writes of a life-long interest in science fiction, sparked by childhood hours viewing “The Twilight Zone.”

Combining history — another passion — with tales of the unexplainable was a natural progression, he says.

“It was a nice way to blend in the supernatural with my interest in history.”

Barefoot admits he has no first-hand experience with the haints, spectres or phantoms but is open to their existence.

“I’ve never seen a ghost personally but that doesn’t mean I don’t believe in them.”

After Sunday’s publication party, the author will begin a three month tour, signing books and appearing on TV shows on weekends.

Barefoot’s published novels include:

“Touring the Backroads of North Carolina’s Lower Coast”

“Touring the Backroads of North Carolina’s Upper Coast”

“Touring North Carolina’s Revolutionary War Sites”

“Touring South Carolina’s Revolutionary War Sites”

“General Robert F. Hoke: Lee’s Modest Warrior”

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“North Carolina’s Haunted Hundred” is published by John F. Blair, Publisher  of Winston-Salem. The set will be available at the publication party and in area bookstores at $23.95 for the set or $7.95 per volume.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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