Lilly Ann Brown –
David Carpenter, building and facilities management specialist of the Tennessee State Capitol, stated in a recent interview, “Many people do not realize that we have four bodies buried on the Capitol grounds.” Upon further investigation, I found that the bodies in question include the following four individuals: William Strickland, Samuel Morgan, and, in the east garden of the Capitol, President James K. Polk and his wife Sarah Childress Polk. This unique combination of individuals shouldn’t be a problem, I mean, they’re dead right? Well, the long history of ghoulish activity says differently. As lucky as we are to have our Youth in Government convention in the Tennessee State Capitol, here are a few supernatural things to look out for and a final answer to the question on all our minds, “Is the Tennessee State Capitol Building Really Haunted?”
Architect William Strickland – who designed and oversaw the construction of the Greek- revival structure, was the first person to be buried within the Capitol. Strickland passed in 1854, before the building’s dedication, but made sure everyone knew where he wanted to be buried. However, he should have clarified who he wanted to be buried next to.
Samuel D. Morgan – the second interment – joined the same southeast corner of the Capitol in 1880. While the building was under construction, Morgan was chairman of the Capitol Commission, working with Strickland to manage the project. The two couldn’t agree on anything and would always fight over expenses and building costs. Legend has it, their feud continued even in the afterlife, especially after being buried at the same location.
One of the best-known ghost stories of the Capitol is the clearly-audible quarrel between the two, usually starting at 9 p.m. Some say the two scream at each other so loudly, you can hear them fighting from outside the building.
Legislative Librarian Eddie Weeks verifies these tales, claiming, “two men engaged in a heated argument…yelling and cursing in a most heated manner.” Later, Weeks continued with more detail, “For some reason, the sounds always began around 9 p.m. when a loud argument would erupt seemingly in the area of the north foundation wall and continue for several minutes.” Think about it, how annoying must it be to have to put up with your enemy even in death.
The 11th president of the United States, James K. Polk, is also said to haunt Capitol grounds. According to several accounts, a man dressed in a dark suit has been seen kneeling in front of James and Sarah Polk’s tomb. Apparently, as passers-by get closer, the man seems to slowly dissipate, until he disappears completely.
Those who have witnessed the occurrence swear it’s James Polk staring at his gravesite, including downtown ghost tour operator Frankie Harris. Harris claims, “most common is to see Polk in a darker suit kind of kneeling here at the base, and then as people walk down the path getting closer to that spot, the image sort of evaporates.”
Considering all these ghoulish tales, I think it’s safe to say our beloved Tennessee State Capitol really is haunted. Keep this information in mind as you work this weekend, and dress your best – you may meet a former president.
I just hope there’s no one buried in the DoubleTree.
Department of Public Information 