The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

MOANING OAKS

THESE TREES ARE ON THE TOP OF A HILL IN BETWEEN TWO KNOLLS, AND
AS THE WIND BLOWS THROUGH THEM YOU CAN HEAR A HUMAN MOAN. THE
LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE PLACE IS HAUNTED BY THE SPIRITS OF SOME
INDIAN WOMEN. IN AMONGST THE TREES THERE IS A SMALL HOLE THAT
LEADS TO AN UNDERGROUND CAVE THAT THE INDIANS USED TO MAKE THEIR
ARROW HEADS IN. THE WOMEN WOULD GO INTO THE CAVE AFTER SUNSET TO
MANUFACTURE THE ARROW HEADS. ON ONE SUCH NIGHT A HOSTILE TRIBE
CAME WHILE THE MEN OF THE VILLAGE WERE OUT HUNTING AND BARRIED
THE WOMEN ALIVE. THE WOMEN NEVER WERE FOUND AND ARE SUPPOSEDLY
STILL THERE.

Submitter comment: I HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN THE CAVE AND THE ANCIENT ARROW HEADS THAT
HAVE BEEN FOUND DOWN IN THE CAVE. ALTHOUGH THE TREES DO MAKE A
LOUD NOISE WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING, IT DID NOT SOUND LIKE MOANING
TO ME.

Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT LOUIS

Date learned: 00-00-1964