Road Trip
Located in the middle of the historic section of Glenwood Cemetery, Yazoo City’s public cemetery, is a grave surrounded by chain links known as, “The Witch’s Grave”. The legend of the Witch of Yazoo became famous in Willie Morris’ book, Good Old Boy published in 1971. This story is an example of the unusual folklore surrounding Yazoo County. Many have pointed out that the grave and the legend were there long before Morris was born, and that the chain had been broken for a long time.
According to the legend, the old woman lived on the Yazoo River, and was caught torturing fishermen who she lured in off the river. The sheriff is said to have chased her through the swamps where she was half drowned in quicksand by the time the sheriff caught up with her. As she was sinking, she swore her revenge on Yazoo City and on the town’s people. “In 20 years, I will return and burn this town to the ground!” No one thought much of it at the time. Then came May 25, 1904…
The Fire of 1904 destroyed over 200 residences and nearly every business in Yazoo City - 324 buildings in total. Many theories evolved as to how the fire started, but none were conclusive. The most popular theory is that the fire started in the parlor of a young Miss Wise who was in preparation for her wedding to be held later that day. While this is quite possible and certainly innocent enough, it is the strange and fierce winds that were blowing on that fateful day, unusual for the time, that lead many to blame the witch. The flames were said by witnesses to have leaped through the air, as if driven by some supernatural force.
A group of citizens made their way into Glenwood on the day after the fire, and found the large chains around the grave of the witch broken in two.
theres a lot to see in this little city
interesting......
ok asuming this is the black fountain, the witch should be around here somewhere
yes!!!! found my witch
found my stones.......
Beautiful
one of my favorite past times is walking through Graveyards.
so much to see so little time......
don't really know why I do this but I always have. i pick up a few stones while I'm
wandering about the Graveyard and before leaving the premises I leave the stones at the gate.
According to the legend, the old woman lived on the Yazoo River, and was caught torturing fishermen who she lured in off the river. The sheriff is said to have chased her through the swamps where she was half drowned in quicksand by the time the sheriff caught up with her. As she was sinking, she swore her revenge on Yazoo City and on the town’s people. “In 20 years, I will return and burn this town to the ground!” No one thought much of it at the time. Then came May 25, 1904…
The Fire of 1904 destroyed over 200 residences and nearly every business in Yazoo City - 324 buildings in total. Many theories evolved as to how the fire started, but none were conclusive. The most popular theory is that the fire started in the parlor of a young Miss Wise who was in preparation for her wedding to be held later that day. While this is quite possible and certainly innocent enough, it is the strange and fierce winds that were blowing on that fateful day, unusual for the time, that lead many to blame the witch. The flames were said by witnesses to have leaped through the air, as if driven by some supernatural force.
A group of citizens made their way into Glenwood on the day after the fire, and found the large chains around the grave of the witch broken in two.
theres a lot to see in this little city
interesting......
ok asuming this is the black fountain, the witch should be around here somewhere
yes!!!! found my witch
found my stones.......
Beautiful
one of my favorite past times is walking through Graveyards.
so much to see so little time......
don't really know why I do this but I always have. i pick up a few stones while I'm
wandering about the Graveyard and before leaving the premises I leave the stones at the gate.