There have always been rumors and stories of witches living among us, practicing their dark arts in secrecy. Many people are fascinated by the idea of witches and the supernatural, but few have had personal encounters. However, recently I stumbled upon some information that pointed to the presence of a witch living near me. It all started when I noticed some peculiar occurrences around my neighborhood. Strange symbols were painted on walls, and there was an eerie atmosphere that seemed to hang in the air. A friend told me about a local legend of a witch who had supposedly resided in the area for centuries.
A friend told me about a local legend of a witch who had supposedly resided in the area for centuries. Intrigued, I decided to do some research and see if there was any truth to these stories. My investigation led me to a local library, where I discovered old books and documents about witches and their practices.
St. Omer Cemetery Witch Grave
Driving along one of many county roads in the miles of Illinois cornfields, a gravel road will lead you to the town of St. Omer, or what’s left of it at least: its cemetery. The ghost town might have been forgotten if not for the strange Barnes monument, the subject of a local witch legend.
The Barnes gravestone is a ball atop a pyre. While many of the other graves in this cemetery are oriented east to west, this one curiously faces north and south. Four people are buried there, Marcus Barnes, his parents Granville and Sarah, and his wife, Caroline, whose stated date of death could never have happened: February 31, 1882.
The prevailing lore is that Caroline Barnes was a witch, or at least was accused of being one. She was hanged (or, depending on who you ask, burned or even buried alive) for her magical crimes. The sphere atop her tombstone is actually a crystal ball, which is said to glow on moonless nights. The impossible date is actually a preventative measure: The witch would rise again on her death date, but if her death date never came she wouldn’t reappear.
People also claim that film photographs of the Barnes’ grave won’t develop (though digital seems to do just fine), and that secret rituals are carried out there in the dead of night. That last claim may have some credence to it, given that the ball has repeatedly been found with melted white candle wax dried atop it.
In reality, there are few facts to back up accusations of witchery. Local lore seems to have sprung out of the weird anomalies surrounding the tombstone. There is, however, some tragic history surrounding the Barnes family. Marcus Barnes died in a sawmill accident in 1881 and was buried with his parents. Just two months later Caroline would die of pneumonia at the age of 23. Her actual death date was either the 26th or the 28th of February. “February 31st” was likely just a typo too expensive to fix, not to mention that there was no one left in the Barnes family to mend the error.
In fact, there wasn’t even anyone in town. The town of St. Omer only held about 40 to 50 families, a post office, a blacksmith’s, and a general store. By the time the Barnes family had died off, the town had done the same. Now, fittingly, all that remains of St. Omer is its cemetery.
Aside from the mysterious monument, the remote and serene cemetery has many other old grave markers worth perusing. It’s a brief walk through history that Caroline Barnes is somewhat responsible for keeping alive.
Know Before You Go
The cemetery shows up on iOS GPS search under “St Omer witch cemetery,” making it easy to find. It seems like visitors leave coins on the sphere, so bring a penny if you wish.
Galena, Kansas. Not to be confused with the Galena towns in Illinois, South Dakota, Maryland, and Missouri.
One particular book described a witch who had lived in the vicinity of my neighborhood. According to the records, she was known for her powerful magic and ability to communicate with spirits. It was said that she performed rituals in order to harness the dark forces of nature. As I delved deeper, I found more evidence suggesting the witch's continued presence. There were accounts of people witnessing strange occurrences, such as objects moving by themselves, mysterious lights, and even sightings of a shadowy figure. One individual claimed to have interacted with the witch herself, describing her as a woman of great mystique and wisdom. Curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to reach out to others in the community who had experienced these inexplicable events. I discovered a small group of individuals who shared their stories and believed in the existence of the witch. They had even formed a close-knit community, eager to share their knowledge and experiences. With their guidance, I eventually located the alleged witch's dwelling. It was a secluded cottage tucked away in the depths of a dense forest. The cottage itself seemed unassuming from the outside, but there was an undeniable air of magic and mystery that surrounded it. I mustered up the courage to approach the cottage and knocked on the door. To my surprise, an old woman answered the door, confirming my suspicions that she was indeed the witch. Strangely, she neither confirmed nor denied her status as a witch, instead inviting me inside. We sat by a crackling fireplace, and she shared stories of her ancient lineage and her deep connection to nature and the supernatural. Meeting the witch was an experience unlike any other. Her wisdom and knowledge were unparalleled, and I felt a profound sense of awe in her presence. She spoke of the balance between light and dark, and the importance of respecting the forces of nature. Days turned into weeks, and I found myself visiting the witch regularly, eager to learn from her wisdom. She taught me ancient rituals and shared her insights into the workings of the universe. I discovered that the rumors and stories surrounding her were merely a reflection of her profound abilities and her commitment to preserve the ancient traditions of witchcraft. The witch near me may be shrouded in mystery, but she is a symbol of our enduring fascination with the unknown. While her practices and beliefs may be unconventional to some, there is undeniable power and knowledge in her ways. This experience has opened my mind to the possibility that there may be more to this world than meets the eye, and that witches, in their own way, contribute to the rich tapestry of human existence..
Reviews for "The Witch Graves: Myths versus Reality"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Witch Graves Near Me". The story was so predictable, and it felt like I had seen it all before. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them or feel invested in their journey. The writing style also didn't impress me; it felt rushed and lacking in descriptive language. Overall, I found the book to be boring and forgettable.
2. Mark - 1 star - This book was a complete waste of time. The plot was poorly developed, and the pacing was all over the place. It jumped from one event to another without any smooth transitions, leaving me confused and disinterested. The main character had no real motivation or personality, making it hard to care about what happened to her. The book also had a lot of grammatical errors and typos, which further detracted from the reading experience. I would not recommend "Witch Graves Near Me" to anyone.
3. Jessica - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch Graves Near Me" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story lacked originality and failed to deliver on its promise of suspense and mystery. The main protagonist made questionable decisions that were hard to understand, and the supporting characters were forgettable and poorly developed. The writing was also subpar, with clunky sentences and a choppy narrative. Overall, this book just didn't live up to the hype for me.