Center Ridge Hosts "Janie Sharp" Event

On Sunday, July 18, Center Ridge United Methodist Church hosted an unusual event - a commemoration of the anniversary of a murder that has remained unsolved for 100 years. Most Winston Countians are familiar with the name "Janie Sharp." Her murder in the Rural Hill Community, and the resulting macabre stories and ghost sightings have been the text of several books and children's tales for many years. As tends to happen, the story gets more gruesome, convoluted and fantastic as the years go by.


While the murder happened elsewhere, Janie was buried at Center Ridge and her grave is a favorite spot for teenagers during the Halloween season. Unfortunately vandalism has been a problem as well. In years past, the cloaked urn displayed on the top of her monument was stolen. Church members worked together to replace the marble ornament and mount it securely.


Approximately 50 people attended the event and several individuals spoke including those who had compiled books about the subject, local folks who shared some oral history of the event and even family members of Janie. In attendance was Cleta Ortloff, the 92 year old niece of Janie Sharp and her son.

While there was trial of an individual and additional deaths of principals to the affair, no one was ever convicted of the crime and the actual perpetrator is a matter of much speculation. The nature of the crime, the closeness of the communities and the bitterness that resulted has been a source of contention and debate even in modern times.


WinstonWebNews videotaped the event and will make it available for video streaming sometime in the near future. We also hope to develop a short series of articles about the murder, the trial and the circumstances surrounding the event.

One the few remaining photos of Janie Sharp

Cleta Sharp Ortloff & Don Ortloff

Niece & grand-nephew of Janie Sharp