The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Mary Wells

During the 1950's or 60's, Mary Wells was supposedly a witch
that burned down half a small southern town called Yazoo City.
Chains were placed around her grave to keep her spirit from
returning from the dead. Children during the 1970's and 80's had
a superstition that her spirit could be called from the dead. The
procedure for doing this was to go into the restroom, turn off the
lights, look into the mirror and say Mary Wells' name ten times and
her face would appear in the mirror.

Submitter comment: I'm not sure whether this is true or not because I've been
always too afraid to try it; even up to this date.

Where learned: MISSISSIPPI ; Louise

Keyword(s): SPIRITS

Date learned: 01-01-1978