"A Ghost in Our School" and "Burned As A Witch" by Kay Hamilton

I attended the recent Battletown Witch Festival in Brandenburg Kentucky.  I was particularly excited to meet author Kay Hamilton, who is kind of the keeper of the legend, while at the event.

Kay has put out a couple of books people who are interested in ghosts, witches and folklore will love.

Her first volume, "A Ghost in Our School-  The True Story of Battletown Elementary" was published in 2015.  It is her documenting stories of ghostly activity that happened at the school (which closed in 2012).  Kay was employed there for a long time, and she collected a ton of stories from various staff and students.  For those who enjoy reading various stories that are unexplainable about one place, this is a very enjoyable read.  Of course Kay does tie in the Battletown Witch (Leah Smock) in to these stories.

"Burned as a Witch:  The Legend of Leah Smock" is a more complete look at the entire legend of Leah Smock, who was burned by locals who felt she was a witch in 1840.  This may be the only time a "witch" was burned in America.

Documentation of Leah is actually very scarce, but the locals of Battleboro have known and passed down information on the legend.  Kay has several family members who have passed their stories, and what they know down to her.  She has put those stories in this book, along with various other tales involving sightings of Leah's ghost, and strange things that have happened to people who visit her grave.

 

Brandenburg Kentucky Confederate Monument 2024

The Confederate Monument that used to be in Louisville is now in Brandenburg!

Battletown Kentucky 2024

After attending the Battletown Witch Festival, I took a bit of time to drive through Battletown Kentucky!