Winston-Salem author Tim Bullard will sign copies of his new book from History Press, “Haunted Watauga County,” on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2-4 p.m. The book covers a myriad assortment of tales and lore from Watauga County, from a triple murder, a suicide trucker, a headless dog riding a horse, the ghost of a baby crying, to the mafia and male witches. In a total of 21 chapters, most of the book’s tales and ghost stories have never been published, and include tales derived from folklore as well as stories based on true events.
Bullard attended Appalachian State University in the 1970s and worked for the Watauga Democrat as a journalist in the 1980s. It was during this time that he became aware of many of the stories he recounts in “Haunted Watauga County.” Since that time, Bullard has worked at the Hickory Daily Record, the Myrtle Beach Herald, the Marion Star and several other newspapers. He is married and has one son.
Bullard’s stories are quite folksy and easy to read. He starts the book with a preface that tells you what scares him and pitches for North Carolina tourism. If you’re in search of ghosts, Watauga County might be a hot spot.
Chapters include “The Ghost of Merle Watson,” which talks about Merlefest, but doesn’t include a sighting, and “Dead Interviews,” a transcript of a 1998 interview with Charlie Daniels, who is still living. But there’s plenty about Howard’s Knob and Cone Manor and other places you’ll recognize from the mountains. Northing is too scary or graphic and it includes some wonderful photographs by the late Hugh Morton, who owned Grandfather Mountain.
Literary Bookpost is located at 110 S. Main St., downtown Salisbury. For additional information about this event, call 704-630-9788 or visit www.literarybookpost.com.