Haunted Houses and Family Ghosts of Kentucky - Hardcover

Montell, William Lynwood

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0813122279 ISBN 13: 9780813122274

Publisher: University Press of Kentucky, 2001

Synopsis

Kentucky has a rich legacy of ghostly visitations. Lynwood Montell has harvested dozens of tales of haunted houses and family ghosts from all over the Bluegrass state. Many of the stories were collected from elders by young people and are recounted exactly as they were gathered. Haunted Houses and Family Ghosts of Kentucky includes chilling tales such as that of the Tan Man of Pike County, who trudges invisibly through a house accompanied by the smell of roses, and the famed Gray Lady of Liberty Hall in Frankfort, a houseguest who never left. Montell tells the story of a stormy night, shortly before Henry Clay's death, when the ghost of the statesman's old friend Daniel Boone calls upon him, and then recounts the more modern story of the ghouls that haunt the rehearsal house of the band The Kentucky Headhunters.

Included are accounts of haunted libraries, mansions, bedrooms, log cabins, bathrooms, college campuses, apartments, furniture, hotels, and distilleries, as well as reports of eerie visitations from ghostly grandmothers, husbands, daughters, uncles, cousins, babies, slaves, Civil War soldiers, dogs, sheep, and even wildcats. Almost all of Kentucky's 120 counties are represented. Though the book emphasizes the stories themselves, Montell offers an introduction discussing how local history, local character, and local flavor are communicated across the generations in these colorful stories.

About this title

About the Author:

William Lynwood Montell, emeritus professor of folk studies at Western Kentucky University, is the author of several books, including Ghosts across Kentucky, Killings, Kentucky Ghosts, Singing the Glory Down, Kentucky Folk Architecture, and Tales from Kentucky Lawyers. He lives in Oakland, Kentucky.

Review:

"Offers an amazing glimpse at just how many people claim―and truly believe―they have had paranormal experiences."―Appalachian Quarterly

"Likely to be a popular read around the fire at Halloween time."―Bourbon Times

"These eyewitness accounts of Bluegrass State residents who just can't say goodbye also include downright spooky stuff as close as Second Street in Covington."―Cincinnati Enquirer

"Now―if you're brave enough―you can explore the haunted houses of Kentucky."―Cincinnati Post

"A ghoulish companion with which to celebrate the Halloween season, as well as providing a good scare throughout the rest of the year."―Kentucky Monthly

"What's compelling about these ghoulish tales is the drama of their too-close-for-comfort settings."―Lexington Herald-Leader

"A fascinating look at Kentucky, its people and its history."―Louisville Courier-Journal

"Another exciting collection of tales from the Commonwealth, told to us as they were told to him."―McCormick (SC) Messenger

"A book that can be enjoyed by all age groups and one that doesn't have to be started at the beginning and read through to the end in any particular order."―Paintsville Herald

"Family tales as-told-to coming from all over a state which has never book on a ghost-hunter-list but should be."―Rockland (ME) Courier

"Contains real gems that haunted me for days."―Rockland (ME) Courier-Gazette

"A treasure trove of thought-provoking and sometimes unnerving vignettes detailing various encounters with the unknown."―Aaron W. Hughey, Bowling Green Daily News

About this edition

• Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0813122279
• ISBN 13: 9780813122274
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 312