Weeping Woman Statue

The Weeping Woman is a highly frequented, magical statue in the Jackson plot of Riverview Cemetery. It is a stone depiction of a crying woman kneeling at an altar, loosely grasping a scroll that reads, “IN THE SILENCE AND TO THEE” paired with the surname Jackson; it is a memorial to Lily Jackson, a prominent Parkersburg resident. Gifts often rest atop it from visitors hoping to experience the paranormal.

Lily was an artist and arts organizer born in Parkersburg to the prominent Jackson family. She wrote poetry (most notably “From Her to You”), sculpted, and painted pictures of animals—especially her pet dogs—and floral arrangements; she was an avid supporter of the arts and remembered for her kindness and eccentricity. She died on December 9, 1928 of a diabetic coma at the age of 80 and was buried in 1929 under a shroud she made herself.

The Weeping Woman Statue is believed by most to be a paranormal entity that mourns the lost souls of Civil War soldiers—usually described as a penumbra or phantom—but this is not the case; although there are several entities attracted to the Parkersburg area (due to the Parkersburg eidola, Wentrip) and quite a few that reside in the Riverview Cemetery, the statue is a fae-touched object. Lily was a nature and animal enthusiast, as well as a gentle, altruistic resident, making her well-liked by local bands of fae; though gifted with status, wealth, a kind, generous family, and talent, she was lonely, anxious, and had trouble developing romantic relationships. Most found her be a loyal friend, charitable woman, and wonderful hostess. Though she had these positive traits, men were somewhat intimidated by her numerous accomplishments, prestige, and strange sense of humor; Lily later choose to dedicate her life to her work and art, though she did at one time desire to have children. The fae took pity on her in her old age, as she sat alone in the Carrinda manor on 519 Seventh St. — the last of her immediate family. As a comfort, the small creatures emboldened wildlife to visit her window and lovely blooms to dot her garden. As fae occasionally grow attached to humans (especially sprites), they mourned Lily’s passing; memorializing the woman in their own way, the fae impressed upon the statue that guarded her veiled body with unusual magic.

The statue was given the ability to drive away visitors who are not kind-hearted, protect those who resemble Lily while in the Parkersburg area, gift children to those that are lonely or have difficulty conceiving (though these infants are not fully human, but part fae; see ‘Metamorphae’), and grant minor wishes to the most benevolent of visitors.

Encounters with the Weeping Woman depend on one’s character, sex, and the time of the lunar cycle.

On night’s brightened by the full moon, the statue loosens from its stony position and wanders around the graveyard; in the darkness, her soft, muffled sobs and dragging feet can be heard, her face covered sorrowfully by chiseled hands in sorrow. Before the sunlight touches the ground, she returns to position herself on the stone pedestal, sometimes resting her hands in a different position than before.

The Weeping Woman judges the character of the visitors of her cemetery. Those she finds lacking are treated harshly and denied protection from local pixies, imps, goblins, or pucks. The stone lady attempts to scare unwanted guests away by tearing, pulling, or disheveling clothing, hair, tripping them mid-stride, or by whispering nonsense into their ear. Those she sees as good are protected from malicious fae, allowed to stroll through the area, and— if thought to be especially benevolent—granted a small wish if a token, like a flower or coin, is left. The statue prefers female visitors and is more likely to grant them wishes. If a woman touches the statue, there is a high chance she will become pregnant within a year.

Electronics—especially phones and cameras—malfunction in the presence of the Weeping Woman’s magical aura.

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