Field Reports from Raymond, Mississippi

Written by: Rick Garner
Case Filed: 03/28/01 - Raymond, Mississippi
Executive Producer: Rick Garner



Established in 1829 as the county seat of Hinds County, Raymond has a rich and colorful history. The magnificent courthouse, built in 1859 before the outbreak of the Civil War, is a fine example of Southern architecture. Raymond was also the site of a decisive battle in the Siege of Vicksburg.

We learned a great deal about the history of Raymond. Our visit uncovered much that was unexplained, but there's far more going on in Raymond than meets the eye. There's more stories to tell, if we only take the time to listen.

Meet Creek Boy | Case Notes: 10/26/2004

Has a single digital image captured proof of a ghost? You decide.

No dare had been issued, no challenge of my manhood, and nothing in my job description stated that I had to be alone on a small cement bridge in Raymond, Mississippi, after darkness had fallen. Yet, we in the television business often have intriguing assignments. Some for which we volunteer. Having been at the time a crew member of four previous paranormal investigations, I was rather confident about conducting my own research of 14 Mile Creek. It was a bloody Civil War site associated with the Battle of Raymond from May 12, 1863.

Armed with a digital camera and tape recorder, I stood on a small modern day two-lane bridge. It measured about four car-lengths across the creek and belonging to a road that was no longer traveled.

It was early March 2001 and the night critters were already buzzing and humming. I set the tape recorder on the bridge ledge, began recording, and spoke aloud to indicate my walking away from the recorder.

I'd observed Janis Raley, a dear friend to this day and co-founder of the Ghost Preservation League, take digital pictures on a ghost hunt. She fired them off often and deliberately random. Sometimes, she sensed something odd in an area or a direction and pointed the camera there. Often, the camera was randomly aimed, steadied, and fired.

So, I mimicked my paranormal investigating colleague on this lonely bridge for several minutes before beginning the next stage of the investigation: asking questions aloud.

"Is anyone here?"

"What's your name?"

"How do you feel?"

I'm certain that more question were asked. Yet, I only recall those first three due to their significance.

In reviewing the tape, no audio evidence or Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) was recorded that night. However, it's impossible to discard the point at which the image below was taken.

This is the original image. I distinctly recall taking it after the third question of "How do you feel?" I took pictures after every question.

Every picture that's taken during a paranormal investigation should be examined closely. Increasing the brightness and contrast are the quickest means of making sure nothing is overlooked within the image.

Meet Creekboy. Floating near 14 Mile Creek and clearly not a boy, this image is the single most amazing picture out of the thousands that I've taken.

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How about a closer look? 
 

Inverted to a negative...

I've viewed thousands of images and have yet to see anything that resembles ole Creekboy. Nothing that night indicated that an entity was nearby. However, I knew that I was being watched.

Creekboy's placement isn't entirely odd. Many soldiers died in that creek.

Reports from the time said "the creek ran crimson with blood." Years later when the cement bridge was being put in place, Civil War artifacts and skeletal remains were unearthed. All possibly at and near the location of Creekboy.

Since then, "Creeky" has kinda been the mascot of "Unexplained" - proof that when you're alone, you're not always by yourself.

Additional Resources:

14 Mile Creek History

Official Site of Raymond

Learn More About Raymond

Raymond Courthouse Sounds


Raymond Courthouse Tour


Raymond Confederate Cemetery Tour Video


Uncovering Creek Boy


14 Mile Creek History