Visited Ottie...~1891 - 2014~

Every year or so I make the hike to the top of Bluff mountain which is SouthEast of Buena Vista just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and along the Appalachian trail to visit the marker for little Ottie Cline Powell. 

Back in 1891 Ottie and his schoolmates were instructed by their teacher to return with some wood for the schoolhouse stove after their recess period but Ottie never returned. The town came out in force searching the mountain areas for the boy but were not able to find him. Ironically one of the families friends brought a dog that knew Ottie well and the dog insisted in heading upt towards the top of the mountain but the searchers disregarded the dog thinking that there was no way Ottie could\would have headed for the top of the mountain. Ottie's body was found a year later and returned to the town for proper burial. Very good write up of this also posted here...

The hike up to Bluff Mountain is not a long one at about 1.8 miles but with a considerable elevation climb in a short distance. Nothing compared to the 7 miles that Ottie hiked from the schoolhouse... 

In the several hikes that I have made to this spot I have always found items left by the Applachian Trail hikers at the marker and have heard that several Thru-hikers doing the entire 2,227+ miles of the trail carry something to leave Ottie as a present of their visit. Also note that the neame "Ottie" is usually worn & shinny from the hikers rubbing the name. It is also common to see coins left on the marker to record the hikers visit and Dimes are common. This is a variation to the tribute used by many military friends to companions graves....

According to some, leaving coins on a headstone has very specific meaning for military burials. Generally speaking, a visitor who did not know the deceased well enough to be considered a friend might leave a penny. Someone who went through boot camp or a training class with the deceased might leave a nickel. A friend who served in another platoon within the same company might leave a dime. A buddy who served in the same outfit, or was with the deceased when he died, might leave a quarter.

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