Naomi Wise was a young orphan girl who lived with the Adams’ family, just north of Randleman, North Carolina, in the early 1800s. The young Wise became smitten with a handsome fellow named Jonathan Lewis, who happened to live just a few miles from where she was living at the time.
Naomi was warned about Lewis, who was known to have a bad temper. Lewis worked for a wealthy storekeeper in Asheboro and would pass by the Adams’ house on his way to and from work.
Jonathan Lewis was said to come from a powerful family in the area. It wasn’t long before the two became an item, and Naomi became pregnant. Lewis was also seeing his employer’s sister, Hettie Elliott. Johnathan was very opportunistic and saw an opportunity for advancement if he could make the relationship work with Hettie. But only one problem existed.
Naomi was pregnant, and Hettie would never take Johnathan’s hand in marriage if she found out about the pregnancy. Johnathan concocted a plan in April 1807 to lure Naomi to Adams’ spring one evening to marry him. The two met and both rode towards Randleman, where they arrived at the Deep River ford.
As they went across, Johnathan lashed out against the young Naomi Wise, throwing her from his horse into the water below. He jumped on the defenseless woman, drowning her with his own two hands.
Johnathan Lewis was captured and jailed for the crime, but he eventually escaped and headed west. Years later, he would stand trial again, but many associated with the case had either died or moved away.
It is said that on his deathbed, Lewis saw the apparition of Naomi before him, and he confessed to her murder before he took his last breath.
People who have traveled to the bridge through the years have also reported seeing Naomi and feeling her presence.
Written By John G. Clark Jr.
