Surrounded by the Chattahoochee National Forest is the former site of a brick mansion, now lying in partial ruin. Hand-built in 1977 by Dr. Charles L. Scudder, a retired professor at Loyola University in Chicago, and his partner Joseph “Joey” Odom, the mansion served as the couple’s dream home until their deaths.
In December of 1982, the pair were gruesomely murdered, along with their two bull mastiffs, as a result of an attempted robbery by two acquaintances, Avery Brock and Tony West.
West and Brock ransacked the house searching for the hidden fortune. They left with only a handful of dimes and nickels, bits of jewelry, silver candelabras, and a gold-plated dagger. The gold harp was too large to take with them. Less than two hours after arriving, the visitors left, splitting up between West’s red 1970 AMC Javelin and Scudder’s black CJ-5 Jeep with white pentacles painted on the doors.
Raymond Williams visited Corpsewood two days later to notify the couple of the passing of a friend in Rome, Georgia. He noticed bullet holes in the green kitchen door and called the police. West and Brock fled, but each was apprehended without incident.
While in jail, Brock attempted suicide. At trial, he was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to three consecutive life terms. He is currently serving his sentence in Georgia State Prison. Samuel T. West was convicted of double homicide and sentenced to die in the electric chair. The death sentence was repealed and he is currently serving out his life sentence at Augusta State Medical Prison.
There was a small private funeral ceremony held at Corpsewood. Odom’s ashes were scattered in his rose garden. Scudder’s body was sent home to Milwaukee at the request of his sister.
Even during the police investigation, officers reported a feeling of being watched and a strange presence at Corpsewood. People who took souvenirs from the crime and house home with them reported bad luck and felt the objects were cursed. Even today, people visiting the site report shadows and apparitions believed to be Odom and Scudder. Gunshots, barking dogs, and shattering glass—as well as haunting melodies played on Scudder’s golden harp—have been heard there. After nightfall, some witnesses have claimed to see the glowing eyes of Beelzebub, one of Scudder’s mastiffs, staring at them from the woods.
Come join Adventures United as we explore this darkly infamous location.
Directions - Turn onto Mountain View Road from the main highway (a right turn, if you are coming from Summerville). Mountain View Road ascends the mountain and becomes a gravel road. Black Springs Road is a sharp right turn off of this road, unmarked save for a small metal mile marker. After going through a few sharp curves on Black Springs Road, look to the left for a narrow gravel drive, there are 2 large stones here side by side. Park here and proceed by foot down the driveway. This trek will take you through the woods and will occasionally detour to bypass parts of the path blocked by fallen trees and debris. Continue to follow the path, and after about fifteen minutes of walking, you will see a very small clearing to the left. At this spot, look to the right, and you will see two crumbling brick columns, about three feet high. This is the entrance to the property. Turn right and proceed forward. Please be respectful of the property as you explore. Despite being private property, visiting is allowed, and local law enforcement has no problem with explorers, as long as they are responsible and respectful.
