The Dunbar Mountains in Fayette County, PA, are a rocky, farm-covered hill area that is now mostly abandoned. These hills were once home to thriving farms and the backdrop for one of Pennsylvania’s most famous urban legends: Betty Knox.
Born in 1842 at Kentuck Knob, Betty lost her mother at age three and was raised by her father. After his death when she was seventeen, she began hauling grain on loopback, trekking 25 miles daily through the mountains. Betty carved her own path, deepened a spring still in use today, and even has a park named in her honor.
In 1862, Betty discovered a wounded Union deserter and hid him on her farm until he passed away, burying him beside her father’s grave. A few years later, Betty mysteriously disappeared without a trace despite never missing a day of work. Only the skeleton of an ox chained near her spring was found.
Today, many believe her spirit still haunts the Dunbar Mountains. Witnesses have reported seeing a glowing female figure, hearing the sounds of oxen and a woman crying, and even hearing a young man call out “Betty Knox.”
Heart-Broken and Alone
The Knox lived on a small farm atop Dunbar Mountain near present-day Ohiopyle, PA. When Betty Knox was a mere toddler, her mother succumbed to consumption. For the next 15 years or so, Betty and her father continued to strain under the farm’s daily workload requirements. Then, Mr. Knox also fell sick and perished from an unidentified illness.
Betty continued to maintain her mountaintop homestead. Betty labored daily. She maintained her property; she tended her livestock, cultivated her ground, and raised her crops. In addition, she began leading her faithful ox, who wore a noisy cowbell, on treks down the mountainside. Weekly, the pair would transport grains and foodstuff to be milled at Ferguson’s mill (near present-day Dunbar).
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At least twice a week, locals would hear young Betty fetching and driving her ox to market. The stillness of the mountainside would be frequently interrupted by the clink-clang sound of the ox’s ring cowbells.
At the Mill
Betty was described as a homegrown natural beauty. She was reported to have a gentle smile that lightened the spirits of the locals during each of her visits. In fact, the lovely Betty caught the eye of many a local man. When approached by any smitten fellow, Betty would reject any of his romantic notions. Betty would only conclude her business and start the oxen on their long 12-country-mile journey back toward the mountain-top farmstead.
Along the Beaten Trail
Betty’s trips became so regular that she and her trusted oxen forged a well-worn road through the harass forest. One day, while making her return trip, Betty discovered an injured young man by the side on the path. Some say the man was a wounded Civil War soldier who had deserted from the front. Others suggested the man was a runaway slave hurt by a pursuing bounty hunter’s bullet. Regardless, Betty loaded the man upon her ox and returned him to her home.
Death of Other Loved One
For the next year, Betty fruitlessly attempted to nurse her visitor back to health. Unfortunately, one cold winter morning, Betty’s mate passed on. Hopeless and alone, Betty was devastated.
Residents claim Betty’s sorrowful cries could be heard for miles along the ridges. Despite her inconsolable condition, Betty commenced her numerous trips down to the mill. Suddenly, locals noticed Betty had not made an appearance in town for many days.
The Mystery
A number of volunteers searched the trails and mountain passes for evidence of Betty’s presence. They found nothing! After several months slipped by, a group of boys discovered the bones and remains of an ox wearing a noisy cowbell chained to a tree.
Surprisingly, the ox’s carcass was found directly along Betty’s path. Earlier, this very same area was thoroughly combed and unsuccessfully searched by the men of the posse.
Where’s Betty?
Shockingly, there was no sign of Betty. Some say Betty was so distraught about the death of her young partner she jumped to her death among the waves of the nearby Youghiogheny River. Others report that military policemen arrested her because she harbored the deserting soldier. Others suggest slave hunters murdered her due to her protecting their prey. Lastly, old storytellers claim Betty was abducted and assaulted by a rejected, lovelorn local man.
Today, Betty Knox’s legend endures. There is no record she was ever found. However, a Dunbar park was named in her honor. Currently, a number of park visitors claim to hear Betty’s sobs among the hardwoods. Sometimes, when the cool mountain breeze blows just right, guests may witness the sound of Betty fetching her oxen with the noisy ringing cowbells as the pair trek along the overgrown forgotten path.
