The tale is sad, centering around a group of boys long ago who wanted to dip in the waters of the French Broad River when things were more relaxed and before bathing suits were something that every American owned. They were on what was then the western edge of the city, just south of where present-day I-240 crosses the river.
A few days prior, severe storms hit the area, causing the usually calm waters to surge more swiftly. As the boys continued swimming, they drifted further and faster down the river. When they noticed the light fading in the distance, they were close to the bridge pilings where Craven Street crossed the French Broad.
Realizing one of the boys was missing, the remaining members scoured the waters in a desperate search to locate him, sending one for help. As the neighbors came down to assist, a frantic search began with boats, and lanterns flickered up the river, but his body was never discovered.
Soon after the boy disappeared, people traveling the bridge reported seeing a naked boy running across the bridge, but when they called for him, he kept running, vanishing into thin air.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
Image: Jamey Abernathy
