Type
Vehicle bridge over water
Legend
Buckle up, because this is easily one of the most disturbing variants of the Crybaby Bridge legend I have ever heard in all my years of research!
The story begins in traditional Crybaby Bridge fashion: In the early 1940s, a young couple begins dating. The girl becomes pregnant and before they can marry, her boyfriend is drafted and sent overseas. Unable to deal with her boyfriend being gone, as well as the fact that she was about to have a child out of wedlock, the girl decided to take matters into her own hands. Literally.
It is said the young woman went out to the bridge one night and attempted to perform a “self-abortion.” Since she was well into her 3rd trimester, when the woman attempted to remove the baby, it began to cry. This did nothing to stop the woman and she simply threw the baby off the bridge and into the water. Then she started walking home, bleeding to death along the way.
Some time later, a man fishing along the banks of the creek hooked the baby’s remains. Ever since then, according to legend, visitors to the bridge at night have been able to make out the sounds of a small baby crying.
Ritual
None known as of this writing.
Location
Unknown as of this writing, however the bridge is said to “cross the north fork of Massie’s Creek”.
Notes
Ghost stories, not just those associated with Crybaby Bridges, tend to get gorier and bloodier as they mutate over time. For that reason, I personally believe this particular story is a new edition. And truth be told, while I have spoken to 3 individuals who said they knew the story, that was in 2013, three years after the story appeared in an January 2011 article in the Examiner, written by Justin Williams. In fact, all 3 individuals stated they were first made aware of the story after reading Williams’ article.
When reading Williams’ version of the legend, it follows the typical format a good urban legend does, right down to adding just enough unverifiable specifics so as to appear to ring true. For example, while several specifics are given regarding the young couple’s relationship—the girl became pregnant in February of 1942, the boyfriend was shipped overseas when the girl was in her 3rd trimester, the boyfriend is killed in action—some of the most important specifics are absent. Like the first and/or last names of the boy and girl. And as far a woman being able to perform a “self-abortion” during her 3rd trimester and pull out a living, crying baby, well, let’s just say I don’t care to entertain that grisly thought a second longer.
Concerning the location of the bridge, there’s some confusion there, too. The individuals I interviewed described it as a small, one-land bridge, while Williams states “it is a steel beam tressle (sic) style bridge”. Williams’ article does make reference to photos of the bridge, but the links to those pictures have been dead for years. However, all parties seem to be in agreement that the bridge crosses the north fork of Massie’s Creek.
Here’s hoping you guys can shed some light on this perplexing, blood-stained tale. If you can, then write to me here!
Personal Experiences
None as of this writing. Tell me yours!
Additional Information
The Examiner: Crybaby Bridge In Cedarville
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