Category Archives: Legends

Narratives about belief.

Ax Man

Text: “I had this story about an Ax Man I was told at summer camp when I was younger if that’s a legend. It was about this guy who had an ax and apparently hid in the woods behind the cabin in the back corner, cabin 13, and one night he axed through the roof and killed the campers and you could allegedly hear the campers scream on the rock by the cabin even still I got told it when I was a first year camper and it scared me a lot. I was always scared every year I would get placed in that cabin and I never walked back towards it.”

Context: The informant recounts a spooky story he heard at summer camp about an “Ax Man” who hid in the woods behind Cabin 13. The informant remembers hearing this as a first year camper, and it made him terrified of Cabin 13.

Analysis: The “Ax Man” taps into fears of being isolated in a scary place, especially at night. The idea of hearing the screams of past victims makes the story creepier, adding lingering danger. The informant’s fear of Cabin 13 shows how stories can stay with you, even influencing where you choose to go or avoid at camp.

Haunted Lake Lanier

Age – 20
Language – English
Nationality- American
Occupation – Student
Primary Language – English
Residence – Atlanta

Text: “Lake Lanier is a lake north of Atlanta and its man made but before it was a lake it was a moonshine town. It was a predominantly black town, but these developers said they were building a lake here and you have two lakes to evacuate the area because after that we’re flooding the area. Not everyone so a lot of people drowned in the lake when it got flooded. If you go deep enough into the lake you can see old buildings and the old town was called Oscarville and it was flooded in 1912. Everyone believes Lake Lanier is haunted and nothing good happens there, you don’t go there because people have found bodies there and there’s a belief if you swim in the lake you can feel people touching your ankles and will try to pull you down and drag you under.”

Context:
The informant talks about Lake Lanier, a lake just north of Atlanta, where he lives. Before it was flooded to create the lake, the area was a black town called Oscarville, and many people drowned when they were forced to evacuate.

Analysis: The idea of the lake being haunted by those who drowned reflects a cultural trauma. It’s about the spirits of a town that was forced to disappear. The belief that people can still feel the touch of those lost in the water shows how history and folklore intersect, making this lake a combination of both real and supernatural danger.

Jersey Devil

Story:

“There is one that I think only people from Jersey know that’s about the Jersey Devil. He was this guy born a long time ago, and he was the 13th child, which made him cursed. Over time he turned into this ugly creature and grew wings and hooves and stuff and he flew away from his home. People say he flies around in the forest in New Jersey and kills people.” 

Context:

My informant is from New Jersey and claims that this is a common local legend. He does not remember where he first heard this legend. He believes that most of his family is aware of the legend, and a handful of his friends from home would recognize it, too. 

Final Thoughts: 

This is an example of a legend closely associated with a specific location, allowing a group of people to connect over it. This legend also serves as a cautionary story, and could be used to warn people from venturing into dangerous forests. 

Bloody Mary

Story

“My favorite ghost story has to be the one about Bloody Mary. My mom would always tell me to stop looking in the mirror for so long growing up because Bloody Mary would jump out and pull me into the mirror. I also heard about it, though, at sleepovers growing up, and my friends would tell me that if you stand in front of the mirror and say her name three times, she would jump out and scratch your eyes out.”

Context:

My informant has heard this ghost story in two different settings. From her mother, she heard this legend as a warning to quit looking in the mirror. She heard a slightly different version at various sleepovers when she was younger, however, that suggested that you had to actively summon the ghost. My informant claims that doesn’t believe in this ghost story, but she still thinks about it sometimes when looking in the mirror. 

Final thoughts:

My informant’s relationship with this legend is proof of how legends can be twisted slightly when passed around. Despite minor discrepancies in the different Bloody Mary stories, they all share the common themes of fear and mirrors being used as portals. Her mother’s use of this legend shows how ghost stories can be used to warn children to obey their elders’ suggestions out of fear. 

Bell Witch

Story
“I’m from outside of Nashville Tennessee, and a few times growing up we went to this cave near our house called the Bell Witch cave, and it’s named after the Bell Witch, which is like a mix between a ghost and a curse. It’s based on the Bell family, whose house was haunted. In their house, they always heard strange noises and voices and things would fly off shelves and stuff.  The legend says there was a spirit who was angry with the father and wouldn’t leave until he was dead. When he died, everyone said the Bell Witch poisoned him. When you go to the cave, everyone says you can hear his voice or even see his shadow” 

When asked if they thought the Bell Witch was real, the informant said “I mean I went several times when I was little and I never saw or heard anything, so I don’t, but there are some people who swear on their lives that they’ve seen him, so who knows.”

Context

As previously mentioned, my informant grew up near the cave where this legend is based. This legend is common knowledge in the area where she is from, but she claims that she does not believe that the legend is true. 

Analysis
The Bell Witch is an example of a legend that is closely associated with local history and a specific geographic location. Because it is a ghost story, people’s belief in its legitimacy is often dependent on their experience in the cave. If they have been to the cave and witnessed paranormal activity, they would likely believe it to be true. Similar to my informant, however, if you have not seen or heard the ghost, it is likely difficult to believe it is real.