In my last post I wrote about a little town that lies within the hills of West Virginia. A place with a peculiar name: Booger Hole. Booger rhymes with cougar. It turns out, this egregious moniker hides a dark and criminal history.

Back in the late 19th century, a notorious figure by the name of Margaret Moore rose to infamy as a horse thief in this region. Moore became a legendary outlaw, leaving a trail of stolen horses and frustrated authorities in her wake.

Born in the late 1800s, the details of Margaret’s early life remain scarce. Some speculate she was raised in poverty, while others suggest she came from a respectable family plagued by tragedy. Regardless of her background, Margaret eagerly embraced a life of crime.

In her early twenties, Margaret gained notoriety for her skill as a horse thief, making her one of the most infamous outlaws of her time. With a combination of cunning, agility, and an intimate knowledge of the mountain terrain, Margaret successfully evaded capture for years. Her daring exploits and ability to disappear, seemingly without a trace, earned her a reputation as an elusive and fearless criminal.

Rumors of her exploits spread far and wide as she targeted wealthy ranchers and their prized horses. When authorities came to call, Margaret cleverly hid the stolen horses in tiny sheds deep inside the haystacks on her property. More than one officer of the law made the trek to Booger Hole in hopes of finding the stolen animals, only to return empty-handed.

One local officer, disguised as a traveling preacher, visited Margaret and was graciously received when he requested lodging in her home. It was only after it snowed that he noticed the steam rising from the haystacks on Margaret’s property and decided to investigate.

While her prowess as a horse thief was previously unmatched, his subsequent report of his findings eventually led authorities to arrest Margaret. She and her gang of thieves were jailed and awaited trial by jury.

Margaret’s attorney went to great lengths to present her before the jury as a woman who had suffered greatly. He even went so far as to stain her face with walnut to make her look destitute.

Margaret was found innocent and released. Today, Margaret Moore remains a legendary figure in the annals of West Virginia’s history. Her origins may be hazy, but her life as a horse thief and her association with the infamous Booger Hole have solidified her place in folklore. The power of her story lies in the mystery that surrounds her, captivating both the curious and the adventurous.