Wyoming County "Wago Owanhan"

Wago Owanhan? Wyoming County, WV Image created with ChatGPT

If you’ve never heard of the Wago Owanhan, don’t worry. Even those who have lived in the southern coalfields of West Virginia in and around Wyoming County (the alleged home of the phenomenon) have no idea what the heck this is. That’s because…it doesn’t exist. 

I feel pretty confident in saying that. Often with alleged paranormal phenomenon, I try to give the benefit of the doubt and entertain the idea that there may be something behind the claims. However, with the Wago Owanhan, there are just too many red flags. 

The story appeared in newspapers across the country in 1896. And then again in 1897. And once in 1903 for some reason. The story was the exact same copy and paste text for each different newspaper, yet oddly I couldn’t find any newspaper in West Virginia that carried the story, despite the eerie phenomenon taking place right here in the Mountain State. So what is this phenomenon that supposedly occurred in Wyoming County?

According to the article, the Wago Owanhan was a mysterious light of ancient origin. Dating back to prehistoric times, the Wago Owanhan could be spotted over the river (I’m guessing the Guyandotte?) within Pat Wess Canyon (I can’t find any mention of such a place existing).  It’s source wasn’t anywhere along the canyon walls, but rather, just seemed to be a floating mist or fog that illuminated the river valley below. The light was said to be so intense that one could read a book or newspaper by it in the dead of night. 

On February 15th and 16th (year unknown as the article appeared across MANY months in different years), an expedition was led by I.E. Christian of Oceana, WV. Accompanied by Professor Tohlure, the men observed snowflakes falling over the canyon. When they reached a height of about 200 feet above the water, they would “blaze out with dazzling brightness” and remain illuminous until they reached the surface of the river. 

Someone reading this in the late 1800′s might not find this too unbelievable, as there could be several scientific explanations for what was interpreted as a supernatural sight. However, journalism during this time was a little…iffy. Sensationalized stories appeared in newspapers across the country. Touted as being actual news, these fictitious tales were used for a number of reasons—for entertainment, to fill space, to attract readership, and in many cases, to make a thinly veiled commentary on a political, moral, or social issue. Someone in Connecticut reading this story isn’t likely to know that there’s no such location as Pat Wess Canyon in rural West Virginia. They aren’t likely to look up the credentials of Professor Tohlure. And they sure aren’t going to seek a follow-up to the claimed upcoming scientific inquiry. 

The Day (New London, Connecticut) 26 October 1896