The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE WEEPING WITCH

ABOUT 1950, THERE WAS A WOMAN WHO LIVED IN THE SIX MILE - JOHN R
AREA. SHE HAD LOST HER HUSBAND AND SONS IN WWII. SHE WOULD DRESS
COMPLETELY IN BLACK, HER FACE COVERED BY A HEAVY VEIL, AND KNEEL ON
HER FRONT PORCH, LEANING OVER THE RAILING, WAILING AND MOANING AND
WEEPING.
I DON'T KNOW WHEN SHE STARTED THIS, BUT ABOUT 1950 ALL THE TEEN-AGER
USED TO DRIVE SLOWLY DOWN HER BLOCK. THIS CAUSED SEVERAL MAJOR
JAMS. FINALLY THE POLICE HAD TO PROHIBIT OUTSIDE TRAFFIC UNTIL
THEY COULD PERSUADE HER TO DO HER MOURNING IN PRIVATE.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Date learned: 00-00-1950