The Haunted Cemeteries and Legends of Whitewater, WI

[@StrangeandSinister1]

📽Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to the Second Salem 00:39 Hillside Cemetery 1:50 The Scientific Spiritualist 4:13 The Graves of Hillside 5:11 The Legend of Mary Worth 6:06 The Receiving Vaults 6:31 The Sundial 7:04 The Poison Widow's Victim 8:29 Calvary Cemetery 9:07 A Strange Light Was Seen 9:42 Grave Robbery 10:17 Nellie Poisoned Her Family 12:16 The Ax Murder Victims 14:11 Oak Grove Cemetery 15:05 The Graves of Oak Grove 15:32 Vandalized Graves 16:10 The Witch's Tower 17:55 Is Whitewater, WI Haunted?

[@edwardhoyler3692]

I live on the reservation at my one cousins house I didn’t know about 200-500 feet in his backyard there was a old cemetery up in Salamanca ny

[@BareThomas84]

I've lived my whole life in SE Wisconsin, currently about 40 minutes from Whitewater. I see Wisconsin content, I click and watch. This was well done, thank you.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you very much! 👍

[@Veronica.A.]

There has been a lot of in-depth research carried out by you about Whitewater town, which is great! What I feel is that there must be some reason as to why the town is called as second Salem. Also, there is an ancient book kept in Anderson library which is kept under locker because it's believed to be cursed.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Yes, the library book you're referring to is just an old Latin hymn book. The legend says you'll die when it's opened or read lol. Second Salem is a nickname derived from the Mary Worth legends and folklore.There are no documented cases of witches in Whitewater who murdered anyone or performed witchcraft in the 1800's. Of course there could have been a witch there but I believe a lot of those legends were fueled by the history of the Spiritualist's who lived there. They had nothing to do with witchcraft, but it's creepy and no doubt fueled the town's spooky reputation.

[@Veronica.A.]

​@@StrangeandSinister1 Well it says the book is so cursed that it led to suicide attempts by 2 college going students and 1 professor ( don't know how much of this is true, they must be having their own problem which are unrelated) and also drove one person insane. And you're right but, since you asked what viewers feel about the place, I expressed my opinion.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Absolutely, thank you for sharing your thoughts 👍.

[@Veronica.A.]

@@StrangeandSinister1 Thank you for this informative video🙏

[@StrangeandSinister1]

👍 My pleasure. Thank you!

[@ElFlaccoBlanco]

“Strange and Sinister” has, in a matter of minutes, become my favorite new YT channel! I’m glad I have nothing else to do today except catch up on your awesome videos!!!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Wow, thank you! 👍 I made a few playlists if you want to check those out. There's one for haunted cemeteries.

[@ElFlaccoBlanco]

@@StrangeandSinister1 Awesome! I’m on it like snot…🫡

[@idaslapter5987]

I went to college in Whitewater in the 1980s, and then stayed on as a resident there for several years working at the local print-shop. I enjoyed my time there very much.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

It's a really interesting town. Did you visit any of the cemeteries or have a paranormal experience there? The Wells student building is allegedly haunted.

[@idaslapter5987]

@@StrangeandSinister1 I was an RA in Wells Hall when a student fell to his death from the 10th floor (1986 or 87). It wouldn't surprise me if a haunting story developed from that incident.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Omg that's horrible. Was it a suicide? That's a big building. I actually filmed the outside of it and was going to include it in the video but I didn't have a lot to work with in terms of stories.

[@idaslapter5987]

@@StrangeandSinister1 No, it was a horrible accident. He and his roommate had built a bunkbed structure that butted up to the window. He came home drunk, sat on the bed and tumbled out of the window.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Wow that's crazy and really sad. The window must have been open or he broke through it. Ten stories! Man that's a horrible way to go.

[@Mcfishmeister]

Quickly becoming my favorite paranormal channel on KZbin. Keep up the awesome work!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Wow, thank you! That's awesome!👍😊

[@professordracula]

I teach a class on paranormal stories and legends at UW-Whitewater; I didn't know about the Fanning and Horhan murders, so thanks for the new information.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

That would be a cool class to take. I'm glad you found the information useful. Thanks for watching.

[@Ephemeropteraa]

I went to college at UW whitewater my freshman and sophomore year of school. Stayed in Wells west hall, could see the witches tower right out my window. Definitely experienced some surreal feelings and paranormal activities there. Wouldn’t ever go back.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Another viewer said a student fell out a window to his death. He fell nine or ten stories. I was going to include the Wells tower in the video but I didn't have a lot to work with in terms of stories.

[@Ephemeropteraa]

@@StrangeandSinister1 totally understandable. Video was great, nonetheless. Keep it up😊

[@melanieiwasko6010]

Dang! You are AMAZING! The way you make your videos is fantastic! You are different from all the rest. Your voice is spectacular! I am hooked! Just can't get enough of ☺️ ❤️

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you Melanie! A lot of time goes into it, and it's great to hear the positive feedback.

[@James-x4f7v]

I went to school at UW Whitewater. I was interested in whitewaters history. I did a report on it for a class. A student apartment building. called Wells Hall. It’s a large building and I forget how many stories there are. It’s in the Devils Triangle. Not sure which room it was but it was reported to be haunted. Students would throw themselves out the window and met their demise. Thank you for the video. Brought back many memories and stories. I still live close to Whitewater.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Another one of my viewers said a student fell from a window on the ninth or tenth floor.

[@alfonsosalinas3026]

Another banger! I really gotta visit the Midwest. Been in Texas all my life lol

[@StrangeandSinister1]

👍 Take a summer trip to Wisconsin! Madison is really nice.

[@randyhebbebusche3644]

I have relatives buried at Hillside Cemetery. It's a thrill going on some of those roads. One is so steep you can't see where you are going till you get to the crest.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Yes that hill was making me nervous. It's a little dangerous because the road is narrow and you can't see if another vehicle is coming. Besides the sketchy road, the cemetery itself is beautiful.

[@Wisconsingirl47]

I grew up in Whitewater!!! I have to say it’s definitely haunted. I’ve had a lot of strange experiences myself. There’s a lot of other legends on top of the ones you went over in the video! Allegedly the witches would use a tunnel system they created underground to get between houses so they wouldn’t be seen from the locals. An old friend of mine used to live in one of the houses that indeed had a tunnel. The basement was all dirt and of course the tunnel was blocked off and we were too chicken to go inside. But the house was haunted itself. For example, the cabinets and pots and pans would be put away and shut one moment and then you would come back to the room and all the cabinets would be open and the pot and pans would be everywhere. There are also Indian mounds in town and houses that were built near or on them are haunted. There is also legend of a monster in whitewater lake and there was allegedly an eyewitness encounter of three people in cloaks chanting doing some sort of seance on whitewater beach and a large figure slowly started to come out of the water. Then there is also the witches book. That’s locked in the Anderson library basement. There’s a story of three college students who found the book and one who went crazy by reading whatever was inside. It’s said that whoever reads the book will go insane and off themselves. Lots of crazy stuff in that town! Whether some of these legends are true or not it’s still a very interesting town in regards to the paranormal! Great video !!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Wow thanks for sharing this. The tunnels are so interesting. It would be so cool to go inside them. I believe they were used for the underground railroad but I don't know for sure. I read about the legends of the library book you're referring to but it's to my understanding that it's just an old Latin hymn book. I was unaware of the lake monster legends.

[@erinsennett7424]

I’ve been a part of a ghost hunt in whitewater as a student, we went to the tower and then the cemetery on campus after and heard evps through the spirit box, and the man conducting closed the box at the end quickly when he heard a demonic voice say “remember me” he thinks he followed us from the tower. It was super creepy / cool to me, I feel like I’ve picked up on the witch vibes and they brought me back to the area. Really cool video!!! Thanks

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Wow that's creepy! Was the voice loud and clear?

[@erinsennett7424]

@@StrangeandSinister1 I was not close enough to hear it clearly, but I did hear a lower tone kinda quieter, Definitely had a very eerie vibe the entire hunt

[@kerprice]

Thanks!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you for the donation! I really appreciate that. 👍

[@RoadTripsWithYogi1968]

I've been meaning to get to Whitewater and doing a episode about Second Salem. Nice job! I too have an interest in the paranormal. Subscribed👍

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you!

[@EX7Sonic]

Went to UW Whitewater. I lived in the 6 pack and my friends lived in Wells hall so in order to get to their dorm, I'd have to walk through the path that was right next to the cemetery. I'd always end up walking back late at night by myself and it always gave me the creeps.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

That would be a creepy walk at night. The cemetery looks so out of place in the middle of the campus. A long time ago it was completely surrounded by farmland.

[@RJStylee]

i remember that sighting in 2003. I was living on campus at the time.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

The light over the cemetery?

[@Gritino]

Such an underrated channel man! Love seeing an upload from you in my subs feed. 😎

[@StrangeandSinister1]

I appreciate that! Thank you! 😊

[@rgarlinyc]

Another great retelling - who knew Wisconsin was so haunted? Not I! Really appreciate all your research and commentary here, the tales of witchcraft and axe murders are really chilling, not to mention the sister-you-never-want-to-have, Nellie! Thanks for taking me on your ride-along!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you! I read once that Wisconsin is the most haunted state in the country. I don't know if that's true, but there are a lot of interesting places with stories behind them.

[@coffee-co8gk]

Thank you

[@StrangeandSinister1]

You're welcome! 👍

[@coffee-co8gk]

I'm honored.

[@addemater]

Whoa, I live here and had no idea.

[@RM-mm4jr]

Another great video. Very interesting. Thanks. Id not heard of this cemetery before. 💖

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@IronClawGaming]

I never knew I needed Dan Aykroyd telling me about historical haunted sites in my life but here we are. Great videos, have watched all of them Thanks!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

😅 Thanks for watching!

[@kenholst3541]

John Belushi attended the university of whitewater

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Interesting. I didn't know that.

[@mark8337]

Yeah, I graduated from UW-W. Never heard of any of this in my life leading up to college, and while attending UW-W. The scariest thing was all the drunks and drunk drivers on Thursday night and through the weekend. That was really taking your life in your hands.

[@yvettevitacaponigro]

Thank you Sinister for the post! ✌🏼😊

[@StrangeandSinister1]

My pleasure! Thank you for coming back to watch my videos!

[@yvettevitacaponigro]

@@StrangeandSinister1 👍🏻😊

[@CovertCulvert]

I'm really enjoying your videos after having found your channel while making plans for my upcoming visit to Chicago. Your in-depth research and style of presentation make your videos very enjoyable to view. I look to seeing new ones from you in the future.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

👍 Thank you for checking out my channel! If you have time during your trip, I highly recommend doing the river boat tour downtown.

[@CovertCulvert]

@@StrangeandSinister1 Thank you, I will put that on my list.

[@bethklena45]

Very interesting. Like the fact that you actually investigate the legends and don’t peddle them as fact. Nice job!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you Beth. 😊

[@bethklena45]

@@StrangeandSinister1 Hey I just want you to know I watched the Al Capone video also but I had to complete it in two nights because he had so many cronies and enemies I was exhausted halfway through and had to go to bed🥱. I’m not sure how long it took you to do all that research but EXCELLENT job! Very informative. 👍

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thanks Beth. Yes, that video involved a ton of research for each gangster as well as finding their graves. Some of the graves were tricky to find. I filmed the whole thing in one day and visiting like 15 graves.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you. A lot of research goes into my videos, especially the Capone one. I researched like 15 gangsters for that video plus locating the graves, which was actually pretty easy except for one or two graves.

[@user-mr3nq6uq5d]

Thank you for a great video. I live a couple hours away from white water.. I am a new subscriber to your channel. Looking forward to watching more of your videos!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you for subscribing. I'm working on a new video now that I should have out tomorrow.

[@madtrucker0983]

Thanks for all your hard work and actually doing some research.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you! A lot of research went into this one.

[@Bob-dc6bo]

The best part of any day is when I get a notification that you have another video out. Always delivering great stories that are thought provoking. Is it an urban legend or real???

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you Bob! I try to make it as interesting and engaging as possible. And creepy.

[@slashman2758]

I've experienced a couple of paranormal actives in whitewater I live here. I used too live in a apt on Walton Dr and remember one night when i was 14 i was in my moms room chilling when all of a sudden My speaker falls from table and the speaker was on the middle of the table and then I heard really loud breathing next too me and i held my breathe and still heard it! crazy scary stuff. Then I remember sleeping in the living room one time late a night when my dad would work night shifts. I remember I was dreaming and it was really strange my dream was just me laying down in the same exact postion in the living room exactly where I was. since the couch was in the corner of the living room in front of the kitchen. I saw a black figure pop out with red eyes staring at me. I eventually woke up and just remember having this feeling that I was being watched. I was really sleepy though I just fell right back asleep lol! Then i went too the first cemetery in the video mentioned late a night one time i felt really uneasy i was driving on roads there I never saw anything I even stopped my car and turned it off stayed for about 5 minutes waiting. but I never heard or saw anything I just felt really really uneasy being there. It was like 2AM as well

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Creepy story. Thanks for sharing. It would be scary driving through that cemetery at night.

[@MosesGomez-o7e]

Wisconsin is a very frightening place . I was born in wautoma and heard many stories from my brothers and family when we lived in Plainfield . I'm so glad that we went back to Texas . Tho a packer and cowboy.❤❤❤❤❤

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Wisconsin is said to be one of the most haunted states in the country. There are so many stories to cover.

[@mark8337]

The most frightening thing in Wisconsin is a blizzard, or a tornado, or a drunk driver. Other than that, it’s good to go.

[@davidpuls7224]

Another excellent video!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Glad you enjoyed it! 👍 Thank you!

[@melanieiwasko6010]

Oh yeah! Great choice!🎉🎊

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you. I've been wanting to cover Whitewater for a while.

[@andreajanota6258]

Thanks for sharing! I was out in that area last weekend and I wish I knew about this when I was out that way. I will check it out next time.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

It's a cool town. I wouldn't mind going back there again for another video or just to explore the town more.

[@andreajanota6258]

@@StrangeandSinister1 that would be great 👍

[@TarahMatson-zz2hj]

This was a truly fascinating video. I too believe in the paranormal. I do not believe that there were witches in this town however. I do believe in witches having lived for 22 years in Salem, Massachusetts. Your research is very much appreciated. 😊

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you. I don't believe witches lived in Whitewater either, although it's certainly possible. The real history of the Spiritualist movement there is more creepy and interesting to me. I went to Salem a long time ago. I'd love to go there again and make a video, it's such a cool town.

[@TarahMatson-zz2hj]

If you have any questions about the city, please feel free to let me know. I was an historical tour guide for the first ghost tour company in Salem. I would be happy to help you with great locations. 😊

[@StrangeandSinister1]

I'll definitely keep that in mind when I decide to go there. Thank you.

[@kendalson7100]

Mary Worth was the name of an old newspaper cartoon.

[@jeffreyriley8742]

Whitewater is home, man!!! I went to college there. There's a small cemetery back of the gym we used to go to from time to time. Can't remember going to any other local cemeteries.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Did you ever experience anything paranormal in the cemetery?

[@jeffreyriley8742]

@@StrangeandSinister1 Sadly, no!!! It was a very small cemetery, to be fair.

[@kimglass4851]

@@jeffreyriley8742 I believe someone hung themselves on one of those trees in that small cemetery. I was there years ago and that one gave me a creepy vibe and I dont usually get vibes like that from any cemetery

[@StrangeandSinister1]

@@kimglass4851 What's the name of the cemetery you're referring to? Oak Grove?

[@kimglass4851]

@@StrangeandSinister1 I cant remember the name but its the small one behind one of the buildings on campus so Im assuming it was the one Jeffrey was referring to. Its on a little hill

[@kerprice]

Love this channel and the historical but scary stories. Have you considered Galena or Joliet with the old prison?

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you. Yes, I've considered the Joliet prison, and they have self-guided tours there. Galena is a really cool town I'd love to cover. I know the DeSoto Hotel has haunted stories behind it but I'd like to make a video in one of the cemeteries there. I believe there are one or two cemeteries there with haunted legends behind them. Have you gone on any ghost tours there?

[@kerprice]

@@StrangeandSinister1 Yes I have about 10 years ago, it seemed to be mostly folklore except for the Desoto Hotel which was sufficiently creepy

[@kevin_736]

Great job on the video!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Glad you like it! Thank you for watching!

[@S4WYERonPC]

I attended UW Whitewater from 2005-2009. I heard so many stories about the water tower, but I never personally experienced anything there, other than feeling fairly unsettled when near it. The oldest dormitories are said to be haunted, and I am inclined to agree.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Are you referring to the Wells student building? I was going to include it in the video but I didn't have a lot to work with in terms of paranormal stories.

[@S4WYERonPC]

@@StrangeandSinister1 I've heard stories about (nearly) every dorm on campus - my experiences were in Knilans Hall. I was a resident during my freshman year, and had several experiences in the building that could be defined as paranormal.

[@kimglass4851]

I have been to all these cemeteries as I live close by and never seen a thing but I dont go at night. Im sure they are all haunted as Ive heard all the stories. Some day I WILL see something lol Great video!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you. I talked to the groundskeeper at Hillside Cemetery and he said he's never seen any ghosts in his 27 years of working there.

[@tommyhaar1002]

I've had ghost sightings in Lac LaBelle cemetery and Eagle Wisconsins cemetery

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you for sharing. During the day or at night?

[@tommyhaar1002]

@@StrangeandSinister1 at night for Lac LaBelle cemetery and Eagle I did in the early evening. Lac LaBelle cemetery is a block away as the crow flies

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Are you referring to LaBelle cemetery in Oconomowoc?

[@tommyhaar1002]

@@StrangeandSinister1 yes, I live on Oakwood Ave only a couple blocks from Grove strt, although you shouldn't be in there at night because the police can give you a trespassing ticket

[@tommyhaar1002]

@@StrangeandSinister1 if you do go to LaBelle cemetery in Oconomowoc go to the southern part of the cemetery down by baby hill where there are newborn babies buried there and some times you will hear a baby crying in real time, you don't need an evp to hear it. There are some key spots to visit when you are there 🖤

[@jbthor9032]

That was very interesting to know about White Water. I never knew it. Have you ever taken the haunted tour of the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California? I did in 2006, and I did experience paranormal activities. It was a fun tour. The rest of the ship is actually a hotel and restaurant.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

No I haven't but it sounds interesting. I plan to make videos in other parts of the US.

[@jbthor9032]

@StrangeandSinister1 Just to let you know, on that tour of the Queen Mary, I can swear that something touched me like a finger on the back in 2006. It felt cold and damp on the back of my neck.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

😦

[@marywood7813]

I was going to Whitewater in 1970, and I remember the dug up coffin incident

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Did it really happen?

[@marywood7813]

@@StrangeandSinister1 Yes. The whole campus was on edge. At first we heard it was two coffins. I didn’t see, because it was removed before my first class, but people were talking about it all day. The campus police decided it was a prank and were trying to find out who did it. I don’t remember if they did.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

That's sick. Hopefully they caught the weirdo who did it. And hopefully the coffin was placed back in the grave.

[@jamessharpe6699]

Ever asked yourself why you haven't seen the groundbreaking or construction of a new cemetery in your lifetime where exactly is everyone going

[@borkrug]

Another great video! I wonder why there is so much vandalism in cemetaries. I find that extremely disrespectful.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Thank you. My thoughts exactly.

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

I've never understood vandalism. It's so disrespectful no matter where it occurs, but especially so at gravesites. Interesting that it took so many deaths to wake up authorites to the murders and then the murderess got away with it...

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Me too. This was the worst vandalism I've seen so far at a cemetery other than Bachelors Grove. Very sad. Yeah it's crazy she wasn't investigated after the death of her mother.

[@mark8337]

Young people with too much spare time on their hands and too much immaturity.

[@jimjohnson724]

so that one lady wiped out her whole family and the authorities were like... "hmmm i wonder what happened?" LOL Btw I love cemeteries, they're clean, serene, and peaceful... I've always been respectful when I'm there so I have no reason to feel uneasy. In my culture there's a belief that if you go to a cemetery, make sure to leave your shoes outside the house, or else you might bring bad vibes to your home.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Yes, unfortunately, she was acquitted of all charges. It's crazy, too, because the coroner found a small amount of strychnine in her sister's stomach. I also read that she confessed to poisoning her family on her death bed, but I also read the confession never happened, so who knows. Either way, it's terrible she's buried next to the people she poisoned. It reminds me of Ed Gein's grave.

[@johnryder1713]

A girl I knew went with her friend to a spiritualist who made them hear many voices in a seance which they recorded, she heard her cousin who died by his own hand not long before, and said he was fine. However one said it was her grandfather who died before she was born and said he wanted her to play the tape to her father later. She did, and could make out nothing herself of what the voice said, only her dad burst out crying after he heard it and would say nothing. When she and a sister tried the tape later, it was blank!

[@StrangeandSinister1]

😦 That's creepy and sad at the same time.

[@johnryder1713]

@@StrangeandSinister1 Think of how her, her mom and sis felt when they realized it was blank, they were more than speechless

[@StrangeandSinister1]

For sure. It's definitely sad and strange. Thanks for sharing the story.

[@semigoth299]

😮 oh no summerwind house was there ?

[@StrangeandSinister1]

No the Summerwind mansion was way up in northern Wisconsin on West Bay Lake.

[@semigoth299]

@@StrangeandSinister1 okay thank you

[@Dulcimertunes]

Isn’t is pronounced cal va ree? As in the cross where Christ was crucified?

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Probably, but not sure.

[@christosvoskresye]

It's Calvary, not cavalry. You spell it correctly in the pinned post, but you consistently pronounce it like soldiers on horseback.

[@StrangeandSinister1]

Yes, unfortunately, I didn't catch it while editing otherwise I would have re-recorded those parts. It is what it is.

[@damarysdingui]

I like when you find interesting and chilling content like this.. Thanks for the upload, Strange and Sinister.. Or I rather call you Friend..😁💖

[@StrangeandSinister1]

😊👍 You're the best, thank you for coming back to watch my videos!

[@damarysdingui]

@@StrangeandSinister1.. You're welcome..😊👍💖