Westminster’s 'Most Haunted' Number 3: The Old Jail House

In 1844, staff at the local jail came to know their frequent visitor Tom Parkes as “Big Tom”.  A large man, Tom had been arrested four times in four months and proved to be increasingly violent.  As it took two deputies to control Big Tom on his most recent charge of disturbing the peace, the Sherriff began to wonder if it would be in their best interest to send Big Tom to the Baltimore Penitentiary.  

On Christmas Eve of 1844, the Sherriff was discussing the possible move with his deputy when Big Tom overheard their conversation. 

Becoming distraught, Big Tom committed suicide by cutting his own throat.

When Dr. Zollickhoffer was summoned to the jail to examine the body, he asked if could take Big Tom’s head to use for his research in Phrenology (the study of bumps on the head as compared to the person's personality).  

Zollickhoffer was given permission and Big Tom’s body was buried without its head in the local cemetery. 

Since that day, many claim to have seen a large, lumbering, headless figure stumbling along in and around the Old Jail House.

Those who know the tale, know the figure to be Big Tom's body, in search of his lost head.

This story was recounted from the Carroll County Ghost Walk Tour brochure, located on www.westminstermd.gov. Visit the site to get more details and read about other haunted places in Carroll County.

Check the Westminster Patch tomorrow to see the second most haunted place in Carroll County.