Sydney Grimlett
Encyclopedia
Sydney Grimlett is an "Alabama Ghost", from the popular book series by Kathryn Tucker Windham
. He is claimed to have originally haunted the Auburn University Chapel
, but now is said to occupy the Telfair Peet Theatre on the Auburn University
campus in Auburn, Alabama
.
soldier fighting for the Confederate
side of the Civil War
. In 1864, he was injured during battle by shrapnel from a cannon. In attempt to get rid of his gangrenous
leg, they tried to amputate it, but he bled to death during the surgery. He then was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery.
to find out its identity. They reported seeing other manifestations, such as floating orb lights, moving props, whistling in the attic when no one was up there, and the sound of a foot tapping.
One of Auburn Theatre's traditions during stage productions was to blame the ghost for things that go wrong during performances. However, in 2008 the theatre department "killed" Sidney by encouraging the students to take responsibility for their own successes and failures. Students no longer blame Sydney, but keep the legend alive to scare incoming freshmen.
Kathryn Tucker Windham
Kathryn Tucker Windham was an American storyteller, author, photographer, and journalist. She was born in Selma, Alabama and grew up in nearby Thomasville....
. He is claimed to have originally haunted the Auburn University Chapel
Auburn University Chapel
The Auburn University Chapel is the second-oldest building and oldest building in its original location on the campus of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. The chapel was built in 1851 as a Presbyterian church in the Greek Revival style...
, but now is said to occupy the Telfair Peet Theatre on the Auburn University
Auburn University
Auburn University is a public university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 25,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state. Auburn was chartered on February 7, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts...
campus in Auburn, Alabama
Auburn, Alabama
Auburn is a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is the largest city in eastern Alabama with a 2010 population of 53,380. It is a principal city of the Auburn-Opelika Metropolitan Area...
.
History
According to legend, Grimlett is a BritishBritish people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
soldier fighting for the Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
side of the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. In 1864, he was injured during battle by shrapnel from a cannon. In attempt to get rid of his gangrenous
Gangrene
Gangrene is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that arises when a considerable mass of body tissue dies . This may occur after an injury or infection, or in people suffering from any chronic health problem affecting blood circulation. The primary cause of gangrene is reduced blood...
leg, they tried to amputate it, but he bled to death during the surgery. He then was buried in Pine Hill Cemetery.
The legend
In the 1920's, when a theater group named the Auburn Players took over the chapel reports of hauntings began. Several separate members of the theater group reported seering the ghost on separate occasions. This spurred interest on finding out who he was so they contacted him through a Ouija boardOuija Board
Ouija Board is a Thoroughbred mare racehorse owned by Edward Stanley, 19th Earl of Derby and trained by Ed Dunlop. In a career spanning four seasons, she won 10 of her 22 races, 7 of them Group 1s, including the Epsom Oaks in 2004 and the Hong Kong Vase in 2005...
to find out its identity. They reported seeing other manifestations, such as floating orb lights, moving props, whistling in the attic when no one was up there, and the sound of a foot tapping.
One of Auburn Theatre's traditions during stage productions was to blame the ghost for things that go wrong during performances. However, in 2008 the theatre department "killed" Sidney by encouraging the students to take responsibility for their own successes and failures. Students no longer blame Sydney, but keep the legend alive to scare incoming freshmen.