Boogie Woods - Dexter, MO




On April 25,2009 Paranormal Task Force had the privilege of assisting the Sikeston Career and
Technology Center (SCTC) Adult Education Department in instructing a Ghost Hunting Class which
included classroom instruction and an interactive ghost hunting tour of some well known and not
so well known haunted locations in the Southeast Missouri Area  These locations included the
Enchanted Holmes House and Boogie Woods.




Boogie Woods “Holly Ridge Conservation Area”

Legends abound about the mysterious 990 acre stretch of forest in Dexter MO known as “Boogie
Woods.”  Like most legends, the haunts of Boogie Woods are difficult to substantiate.  Boogie
Woods is actually Holly Ridge Conservation area, and is home to several cemeteries.  Not the least
of which is a large Civil War cemetery where Union and Confederate soldiers rest side by side.   
One of the most interesting tombstones in the civilian area claims that a man was born in the 1790’s
and died in 1903.  

Boogie Woods is a serene daytime landscape with a bounty of fauna, and plethora of flora.  The area
does however instill an eerie feeling of isolation.  Boogie Woods is said to have been a meeting
ground for the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan before WW2.  It is said that a hooded wanderer is often
seen patrolling the area.  No one has gotten a good look at the person because their face is said to
be void of any features at all.   

Alleged serial killer William Dale Abel once roamed these woods.  He stood a meager 5’4” but had
the blood lust of a demon.  In 1978, he raped and murdered recent high school grad Linda Johnson.  
She was by all accounts, a wonderful young lady who had her whole life in front of her.  Her body
was found in Triplett Cemetery behind Pleasant Valley Church.  Mr. Abel later confessed to the
crime, but was released from prison in the 90’s.  He is now serving a life sentence for 2nd Degree
Murder, Felonious restraint, and Armed Criminal Action at Western MO Correctional Institution.  
Linda is buried in Essex cemetery but some say they have seen a beautiful entity fitting her
description in Boogie Woods.

Kinder cemetery lays about 40 yards back into the woods off of a horse trail.  It has all but been
completely reclaimed by the surrounding forest.  This is allegedly the site of an old church where a
supposed “witch” was burned alive.  The woman was put to death after she pushed, or threw her
husband out of a second story window.  A similar story recalls the namesake of Triplett
cemetery…Joseph.   It is said that he had severe psychological problems after serving the U.S.A. in
World War I.  He slit his throat,, shot himself, then jumped to his death out of a second story
window.  This occurred in the Bolin house near Boogie Woods and the legend says his blood stain
lasted fifty years.

Paranormal activity in Boogie Woods isn’t limited to witches, ghosts, and the like.  Numerous
credible witnesses claim to have seen a bipedal animal in these woods.  Avid outdoorsmen from all
different generations, and even a Preacher lend validity to the story.  There is a landfill near Boogie
Woods which some think is an easy food source for the creature(s).  Skilled hunters have refused
to return to the area even to take down tree stands.  One hunter claims to have seen something
black and hairy, about the size of a deer, and just as fast.  The Conservation Dept. says black bears
are known to inhabit Stoddard County, but have not been reported in Holly Ridge.   Another witness
claims to have hit “something” while driving through Holly Ridge that left a “handprint” on the hood
of their car.  Yet  another claims to have had rocks and sticks thrown at them on a walking trail at
night in Boogie Woods.

Like most “haunted” areas, Boogie Woods is controversial.  It is difficult to convince a skeptic who
won’t set foot in a place that has had activity.   




Paranormal Task Force, Inc.
PARANORMAL TASK FORCE
REPORT OF BOOGIE WOODS
History and Profile of Area

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