Phantom Horse Thief of Scaponia Park - Veronia, OR

Long ago in the late 19th century there was a man who as many drifters back in the day did, made a living by stealing horses and selling them.  The stranger who's name remains unknown, had a small dog as his companion.  After a while, locals caught onto what the man and his dog were up to.

The banks of the Nehalem River area where the ghost of a horse thief and his dog are said to haunt near Veronia, Oregon.

About 12 miles west of St Helens, Oregon near the town of Veronia, the horse thief met his end along the banks of the Nehalem River just East of town.  For some reason, the lynch mob were so overcome with anger, they shot the man's dog as well.  They buried both of them together there on the banks of the river under an oak tree.

It is said that on certain nights, a shadowy figure of a man and his dog can be seen wandering along the banks of the Nehalem River in an area what is now known as Scaponia Park located along the Scappoose-Veronia Road.  Many campers have claimed to have seen the ghostly duo in the campground there, perhaps looking for a horse or two to steal in the afterlife.

Scaponia County Park
Scappoose-Vernonia Road
Vernonia, Oregon
(503) 397-2353

Park website:
http://www.co.columbia.or.us/departments/county-parks/scaponia

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