Legends of West Central Ohio: The White-Glove Man
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Micro cache hidden along a 'haunted' location in Mercer County. Terrain is flat but side ditches are very steep, so I suggest pulling slightly off to the side of the road.
Some of you may recognize this location as Crybaby Bridge. Perhaps the most common of the Ohio hauntings, there are no fewer than 24 such legends throughout the state.
You're probably familiar with the tale. I could tell you, as I was told so many years ago, that a distraught young mother shockingly tossed her infant into the icy water below-- but you've probably heard that before. I could tell you that visitors to this location can hear, if they are quiet and patient enough, the doomed, abandoned child's pitiful wails as he/she cries out for a long-departed mother, who offers no refuge from an icy grave-- but you probably already knew that, too. I could also tell you that anyone foolish enough to stop on the bridge and turn off their engine will not be able to re-start their car-- again, everyone knows that, don't they? (For more information about this specific location, check out www.ohioexploration.com/palmerrdbridge.htm)
There are many geocaches around the state that cite the Crybaby Bridge legend. I've found a couple myself. Is that the reason I brought you here?
No.
The story I'm about to tell you is more sinister...
And true.
That's right.
True.
"Back roads,
no phone.
My friends just left me,
and I'm all alo-one.
Run for
my life.
'Cause I don't really
wanna die-ie-ie.
Start running
just as fast as I can.
'Cause everyone's scared
of the White-Glove Man."
- lyrics by D.M.
One night, many, many years ago, a car full of teenage boys was out cruising the back roads of Mercer County looking for a bit of excitement. They stopped here, and a couple of the boys stepped out to examine the Crybaby Bridge legend for themselves. A friend of mine (D.M.) was one of the two boys on the bridge on that fateful night. The boys in the car decided to pull a prank and began to drive away, leaving the other two alone in the dark. Feeling a bit uneasy, my friend started walking towards where the other boys, rather pleased with themselves, had pulled aside. He was then startled by a horrifying scream and saw his companion sprinting past him, towards the safety of the waiting car. Not needing an explanation, my friend took off running as well. Once safely inside the car, the terrified teenager pleaded with the driver to pull away as fast as he could. He stammered that a shadowy figure had emerged from the darkness, reaching for him. The only specific detail that he could offer was that the figure wore a white glove on his outstretched hand.
After hearing this tale, I made a visit of my own to the bridge one night but was unable to find the White-Glove Man...although I'm not sure what I would've done if I would have seen him. But I know a couple of guys that swear the story I've just shared with you is true and that the White-Glove Man is real....
And that is good enough for me.
After placing this cache, I saw a glove in the ditch, near my parked car. A warning perhaps? Or maybe a friendly calling card from the White-Glove Man, letting me know that he saw me on the bridge that night and is sorry he didn't come up to introduce himself. Or maybe a message reminding me that he still exists, prowling these premises after dark, lying in wait for the bold and foolish who linger here.
Either way, I recommend grabbing this cache in the daylight...and leave your engine running.
Geo-friends, I'd love to hear your Legends of West Central Ohio. Let's make a series!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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