The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE UNFILLABLE HOLE

IN NEWTON, ALABAMA, THERE IS A HOLE IN THE GROUND WITH A
STRANGE LEGEND BEHIND IT. DURING THE WAR BETWEEN THE
STATES, A MINISTER WHO WAS FIGHTING FOR THE CONFEDERACY
RETURNED HOME WITHOUT LEAVE BECAUSE HIS WIFE WAS VERY ILL.
THE TOWNSPEOPLE BECAME ANGRY AND ACCUSED HIM OF DESERTING.
THEREFORE, THEY HANGED HIM FROM A LOW TREE. IN HIS DEATH
THROES, HE KICKED OUT A HOLE IN THE GROUND. TO THIS DAY
THE HOLE IS THERE, AND ANYONE TRYING TO FILL IT IN WITH
DIRT WILL FIND THE HOLE DUG OUT ANEW THE NEXT DAY.

Where learned: GEORGIA ; ATHENS

Date learned: 07-21-1968