Ghost of Peter Dromgoole

A student named Peter Dromgoole entered the University of North Carolina in 1830. A scion of a Virginia family, Dromgoole was fond of gambling, drinking and horse racing. By the end of his second year at UNC, Peter was in love with a Chapel Hill girl named Miss Fannie. Trouble was, Miss Fannie had another devoted suitor. In early summer 1832, Droomgoole and his rival spoke violent words, leading to a meeting at Piney Prospect to let their pistols decide who would claim Miss Fannie. Miss Fannie learned of the duel and arrived just as the shots rang out. Peter Dromgoole fell across a large rounded rock, his blood staining the surface of the rock. Frightened students who'd gathered to watch the duel dug a hasty grave for Dromgoole and the next day left the university for their distant homes. As the summer wore on, Miss Fannie became weaker and weaker. One evening she was heard to whisper, "I'm going to him--he's sad--alone, alone." And then she died. The site of the tragedy is now the location for the medieval-like Gimghoul Castle. The red-stained rock in front is said to cover Dromgoole's grave. At midnight in early summer when the moon is full, ghostly apparitions of Miss Fannie and Peter Dromgoole have been seen, walking arm in arm together under the tall pine trees.