History
Established in the 1850’s, one of the first people buried at the Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery was supposedly a woman accused and found guilty of witchcraft. She was sentenced to hang and her body was buried on the land that would eventually be turned into the Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery. According to official records, the story of the witch might just be a local legend. Instead, it was her son, Richard Marple, that was hung and buried at the cemetery. His mother, Anna, was known as a “gypsy” and cursed the town to burn down three times. So far, there have been two fires that have swept the town. There is a third version of the cemetery’s history in which the witch that was hung and buried there is a completely unknown person to this day. Due to its paranormal popularity, a “no trespassing” rule has been put into effect and the front gates are locked at night. However, this has not stopped people from visiting the property at night.
Hauntings
The most famous ghost at the Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery is the supposed spirit of the witch buried there. Other spirits have been reported at the cemetery but the accused witch is without a doubt the most active one there. People have reported seeing apparitions of the witch standing or walking in the graveyard. Others have heard her laughing or saying “run home”. Knocking and galloping noises have also been heard. What makes the Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery so unique is that the spirit of the witch is known to physically interact with visitors. It is said that people who stay at the cemetery too long at night will be chased out of the graveyard. Some have claimed to see her screaming and lashing out at people. Some unfortunate visitors have returned with scratches and slashes on their back, neck, and hands. Others have had their cars die at the front gates of the cemetery. Other paranormal experiences at the Lafayette Pioneer Cemetery include screaming, sounds of footsteps, heaviness in the body, cold spots, and feeling watched by something.
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