The Tale of Emily Draughn

Appalachia is known for its wide variety of stories. Whether they're meant to scare the younger generations or to keep those who hear them safe, story telling is one of the oldest mountain traditions. Lees-McRae is very familiar with its share of ghost stories, taking into consideration that the school itself is well over 100 years old. The most well known story and campus legend is that of Emily Draughn. 

In the early 1920s what was formally known as the Grace Memorial Hospital, housed about 1,300 patients in just one year alone. Years after the hospital had shut down and become what is now known today as Tate Hall, students living in the building had reported seeing a paranormal entity roaming the halls late at night. Patient Emily Draughn had lived at Grace Memorial Hospital in the early 1930's, fighting her battle with tuberculosis. She sadly lost that battle in 1935 and is said to haunt certain places on campus today. 

Some reported places that she's been seen are Tennessee and Virginia Halls, Tate Hall, and even the cafeteria. She has multiple different ways of showing herself to those who encounter her. She may appear as an orb of light, a woman dressed in outdated clothing, or a young girl wearing a long white dress. However you may see her, let it not be confused that she is a malevolent spirit. Those who have had run-ins with Emily have described her as a playful spirit who likes to play light-hearted jokes, such as making the lights flicker on and off, draining the battery of electrical devices, or even making loud and unexplainable noises. 

Just outside of the Banner Elk United Methodist Church cemetery is a grave marker that states, she is "not dead but sleeping." Some skeptical students might hear of her story and think nothing of it. But believers who have had first-hand experiences with Emily remember her for years to come. 

The Paranormal Club of Lees-McRae

Standing right in front of the Historic Commons rooms of Lees-McRae is the World War I and World War II memorial. The memorial stands to celebrate the lives of students, teachers, and facutly who had served in the wars and honors their lives. The three stone cottages better known as the Historic Commons area, are places where students and clubs can go to study, host club meetings, and put togther events. Lees-McRae values their student body, as well as the many different interets that their diverse group of people have. From fly fishing to Nerd club, Lees-McRae has it all. One club in particualar seems to stand out in terms of Appalachin folklore: the Paranormal Club. 

The Paranormal Club at Lees-McRae dives into the realm of everything folklore, ghost stories, and creatures that go bump in the night. While there are almost too many stories to count, there are a couple that stay true and relevant to the area that surrounds them. 

The Phantom Hiker of Grandfather Mountain 

Just down the road of the Lees-McRae campus, is the beautiful mountain range and scenic hike of Grandfather Mountain for anyone who feels adventurous enough to take it on. While being a popular tourist attraction, the mountain itself is almost 300 million years old with rock formations that date back to being almost 1.2 billion years old. The old age of Grandfather means that the mountain comes with much history that only trees may remember. An entity that may be commonly seen by tourists or local hikers is the Phantom Hiker of Grandfather Mountain. He shows himself as a scruffy old man with clothes looking to be something from another century. While the sight of him may be one that spooks the unsuspecting travler, he does not speak or even acknowledge the exsistence of other people. He just simply keeps on walking before vanishing in the blink of an eye. 

The Sop Doll

The Sop Doll is an old Appalachian retelling of the story "Jack and the Beanstalk." This story gained its popularity from renowned story teller, Orville Hicks, who grew up on Beech Mountain. The story goes that Jack has become low on luck and is looking for a job and a place to stay. As he's travelling he comes across an old corn mill and strikes a deal with the owner to become his new corn grinder. The owner warns Jack that not many of those he hires stay alive past their first night. Jack, being as poor as he was and as hungry as he was, couldn't pass up on this offer. As Jack starts to settle down in the old corn mill he notices a cat living with him. As time goes on throughout the night the cats begins to grow restless, and out of nowhere, attacks Jack! The battle is vicious and long but with quick thinking, Jack ends up cutting off the paw of the mysterious cat he is forced to battle. The cat screams and cries referring to the paw as her "Sop Doll." Once the fight is over and Jack proves himself triumphant, he leaves the battle with the sop doll in hand and the newfound knowledge that the cat was the mill owner's wife who was a witch all along.

The Demon Dog of Valle Crusis

In the small town of Valle Crusis not far from Lees-McRae lies the cemetery of St. Johns Church. Three rivers converging in the form of the Holy Cross flow beside the church, and must be crossed by a bridge to enter the sancturay. The surrounding area seems as if it is everything good and holy, but unkown to most, this cemetery habors a dark secret. Multiple accounts by folks passing through this part of town late at night tell the story of a Demon Dog that guards the cemetery. The dog has a supernaturl build to it. With a body that almost amounts to the size of a human and eyes that glow bright red, the Demon Dog is a creature that comes straight from the depths of hell. The dog can gain speed that no ordinary human or animal could reach, and chases out any unwanted visitors that may be curious of the cemetery at night. Anyone who has been unlucky enough to encounter the Demon Dog and lived to tell the tale can count themselves lucky they made it out of the ordeal with their lives. 

Skinwalkers of the High Country

One of the more famous creature tales of the Appalachia's are the skinwalkers that reside deep in the vast wilderness. Made popular by media and pop culture, the Skinwalker is an entity powerful enough that escaping from their clutches is a miracle in and of itself. The stories of Skinwalkers in the Appalachian Mountains orginate with Cherokee storytelling. Skinwalkers are malevolent spirits that can take the form of any animal they please. The most common forms of Skinwalkers tend to be bears, coyotes, deer, and even cats. Skinwalkers are created when a medicine man or sorcerer performs an act that is considered unforgivable or taboo in Native American culture. In return they are forced to remain on Earth as a tortured soul that has the power of shape shifting. Their killing tactic is that of mimicking human voices, mimicking hurt animals, or calling out the name of their victim to lure them into the woods. The goal for skinwalkers is to confuse their prey and fill them with fear so they can feast on their bodies and feed their insatiable hunger. 

Tufts Tower

Tufts Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks on Lees-McRae campus and one of their older historic buildings. Named after founder, Edgar Tufts, the tower was built in 1924 as a water tower to match the other various stone buildings scattered across campus. The tower was also used as a lookout in WWII and even a radio station. Most of the usage of this building is utilitarian and practical, but at one point in time, the tower served as a candy shop. Right now the Tufts tower is being used as a home to the Order of the Tower Honor Society on campus. The slow evolution of the tower is a good example of how over the course of time, Lees-Mcrae has changed drastically but retains a rich history that is honored and discussed to this day. A gentle reminder of this to the students, faculty, and teachers who reside on campus are the calm wind chimes that hum a campus tune for all to hear.