The Woman Who Was Arrested For Witchcraft in 1976

In 1976, the witch Joann Denton of Morganton, North Caronlina would accurately predict the death of another woman, and would become the first person in modern American history to be arrested and publicly tried for witchcraft. Thank you so much for watching.
Twitter: / praise_shadows
Email: inpraiseofshadows1:gmail.com
Patreon: / praiseofshadows

[@InPraiseofShadows]

Happy Halloween! I hope you are doing well, thank you so much for watching this new video. It really means a ton to me, this is the most personal project I have ever taken on and has been a little surreal making it. Strange videos like this are hard to gain traction on the internet, so I would ask you that if you liked this please share it around and tell people you know who may like it. It is important for me that this one does well, I’m extremely proud of how it has turned out and I think it is something that should be seen. I hope you are having a great fall, and that your upcoming Halloween is excellent, stay safe! Two corrections need to be made about statements in the video: !!! SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS !!! At one point I say that I didn’t know who lived in Gray Shadows. At the time that I said that I believed that to be true. The interviews I did for this as well as all other document evidence suggested that Gray Shadows had been sold some time in the late 90’s, but that is not true. I learned two days ago that the family still owns it and at that point it was too late to change that section of the video. The other is that Joann’s mother is not named Clarence but instead is Jina. Clarence used to be a gender neutral name in the south, and when she is referred to in print she is always called Mrs. Clarence Denton, but that was referring to her husband and Joann’s father. The rest of the events surrounding her are accurate to what was published at the time. Thank you again so much, and I’ll see you again soon.

[@franklaferriere5754]

Blessed Samhain.

[@mikewren8952]

🌛❤️🌜

[@LordfizzwigitIII]

Appreciate the openness with corrections, dude! Your willingness to correct yourself quickly and completely cements you as one of the most reputable horror authorities on KZbin.

[@TheDiabeticGameMaster]

I just wanted to tell you now that I'm a little ways into the video: Great Work. You really did an excellent job encapsulating the feeling that so many of us from small towns in the South have that we have to get out before we're suffocated by everything going on around us and that once you get older you start to realize that no matter what you do you always bring a part of that with you. You did a fantastic job here and I hope that this video gets the success you want for it and that it rightly deserves.

[@hannahlarge5738]

great video. although it has me thinking i'd love to see a sit-com based on the adventures of ghost elvis and Joann. they could go on all sorts of adventures trying to save morgantown from facism and have a fraiser style comedy of errors at the end of every episode.

[@FigmentJedi]

The Ghost of Elvis helping a witch run for mayor is like a 70s live action Disney comedy premise.

[@rememberpickles]

I would totally watch that movie.

[@Tosspoet]

I'm compelled to help manifest this into the world

[@theendisthebeginningistheend]

I was laughing out loud the whole time he was talking about that.

[@whatabouttheearth]

Bubba Hotep was a documentary 😂

[@Ner0mancer]

@@whatabouttheearth dude I love Bubba Hotep 😂 watch the movie review by AVGN, it's great too haha

[@rgs8970]

The closing song is "Witch's Love Song" by Barbara, The Gray Witch, for anyone else who is wondering. It's credited within the music credits, but just wanted to put it in comments, in case anyone else felt haunted by it and wanted to know too

[@ghoulianna6188]

thank you so much!! I tried to find the source by myself and failed miserably.

[@shaktipriestess2553]

Why thank you! Born in 65 this song missed me till I saw your comment, and looked it up for a listen! Enchanting !

[@DelapierceD]

@@ghoulianna6188 Thank you!

[@Elebuu]

oh sweet thank you i was just looking for this!

[@JimmBeem]

This is surreal. This is one of my favorite youtube channels and I just watched a video that is based in my hometown about a woman that I thought was just a local celebrity.

[@mercedesplay_more_kof8488]

Almost 2 hours into this documentary and you pull out a full in-person interview with her, you absolute legend.

[@arm0ur_099]

Spoiler :(

[@haze5538]

hey thx for spoiling it lol

[@ElimGarakSpoonHead]

I swear women can’t help but ruin things or ever keep their mouths shut. 😂

[@haze5538]

@@ElimGarakSpoonHead ?

[@snorkmimimimi]

@@ElimGarakSpoonHeadshut up

[@kathawkins403]

As someone who also grew up in the Appalachian region, this video really hit home for me. Not only because I’m familiar with small town mountain life but I also had an aunt who always claimed she had visions of the dead . I swear your interview at end with Joann reminded me so much of her “ramblings” and just the accent and choice phrases that generation used. It makes me miss her and feel homesick. I really love your channel and wanted to say , keep making videos you feel passionate about.

[@whatabouttheearth]

You may be interested in the Appalachian witch Rabecca Beyer, you can find videos of her or about her book on You Tube

[@arianaink100]

Same! It’s weird to move out and not hear stories of not-deer because there are no deer in that area and the locals who know what you’re talking about are back home. The small town vibes are on point but in the Appalachians you also have the towns you don’t go to no matter what, the incest villages on the outskirts, and the weirdest shit deep in the woods where no ones around. Not to mention the endless mines and old decaying factories. It’s wild next to the cities and those issues around it and everything is surrounded by beautiful seasons and wild people and dying towns.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

@@arianaink100 never saw incest villages and my mom is from Cherokee Co- doesn't get any farther south and west, and deeper into the NC Smokies than that

[@arianaink100]

@@lockandloadlikehell up north where it gets to cold to travel and the cars break down to rust there’s a lot of little families and little farms in isolated areas. Places where people live and settle and no one ever leaves out or it’s too difficult to do so by any means. Where could you walk in two feet of snow, down a mountain in the woods surrounded by ice, lions, and bears? You have the body for it and the footing? Do you know where you’re going or what’s out there. We’re the paths built for cities or are you living around rock-cuts? You have to deal with other people and society and legal systems or court systems things you know nothing about and can’t afford because all you’ve ever known is a few square feet and a few acres or even worse everyone in town knowns everyone else and or the fact that they’re all distantly related. So who do you talk to that isn’t talking to your father that they grew up with? Or in some way very estranged family members due to older families having 6 kids each and everyone’s running around town together near the exact same mini mall/shops for idk nearly 50 years? That’s where you’ll find people stuck to a place like they’re trapped in ice. And every one around starving or cold and some people seeking out warmth pleasure and stability by any means. Where the well running and trees for firewood is all that matters for months. The deer were caught in the spring in the shed, the chickens are out back, and everything else that was once green has been stored in the basement. It’s been settled, it’s been secured, it’s ready to a storm but nothing is changing it’s every day every year every months the same cycles for the same goal of just existing in the same spot and maybe maybe having something a little extra at the end of it for pleasure. There’s cabin fever too but sometimes the families are just trapped on the mountain too long by themselves. The men of the family make a lot of choices and sometimes they make a lot of mistakes and tragedies. There are towns you do not go to because you know it’s been the same people there for generation on generation and the populations size has been staying the same every single year with no one moving in or out. It’s a red flag but it’s so deep in the woods it can be mistake as another leaf.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

@@arianaink100 pure, real evil and violence exists in Lumberton Wait till you go out every morning in -35° windchills, while walking over a half marathon per day; uphill, up stairs, and through 2-3 feet of snow, wet all day, handling water buckets, and carrying 160 lbs of bales. NC farms get their bales from the far north; solid, hvy, and nutritious.

[@FakeSugarVillain]

I am from South America, as South as it can be, from a small town in Chile and there's not a single day that I don't have the feeling you describe in this video, small and forgotten towns can feel like prisons sometimes, I kinda wish we had our own witch sometimes, someone to conjure spirits and talk strange tales in the local paper. Amazing video as always.

[@happyzombiikitti]

I am boricua and mexica! We had Walter mercado a respected brujo and psychic on tv often! The community respected him!

[@vicenteortegarubilar9418]

Del mejor país de Chile, que buena. Bueno técnicamente tenemos distintos tipos de hechiceros y brujas dependiendo de la parte del país. Los brujos de Chiloe son bien conocidos, algunas logías de brujos incluso fueron perseguidas por los tribunales chilenos y también hay mitos de aquelarres en cuevas en el norte del país. Aún tenemos a machis que aún realizan antiguos ritos medicinales

[@whatabouttheearth]

Become that person that creates the mystery

[@FakeSugarVillain]

@@whatabouttheearth homie I'm a trans woman in a fully catholic town with a skinhead gang, if I start doing witchcraft I'm gonna get beat up and killed Edit; I felt like I had to explain this, the town has a skinhead gang, I'm not part of it

[@whatabouttheearth]

@@FakeSugarVillain God damn. You already are the mysterious one friend. Fuck them Nazis, and backwards religious authoritarians, stay safe.

[@lexiwexiwoo]

Just a little factoid, pink carnations are given in times of death to say "I'll never forget you", or as a thank you for being in my life. It was a genuinely kind gesture, in my opinion. Flowers, especially in the past, have such intricate individual meanings when given (yellow roses being a sign kindness, affection and therefore q great chouce to give for a close friendship/family member) so there's a lot people have communicated through the flowers they've chosen to give. If I sent my mother in law a bouquet of flowers, she could infer my intentions from those flowers.

[@kgraham5820]

I’ve heard it referred to as "the language of flowers." Your comment jarred my memory...

[@Schoohness]

Yes the Victorians were really into this

[@aperry3869]

Around two hours in I was not expecting to hear and see her. I honestly thought you were going to talk about the aftermath of her death or something but then there she is. Amazing Fantastic video. Thank you for all of the effort you put into your videos. Also the intro of you talking about your old town had a certain...magic and yet dread to it. Just so well done!

[@joejones9520]

she is 91 now

[@blumrich1970]

Brave words about that town. I grew up in Tennessee, and while I have met the sweetest, most honest people in the world down South, I have also met the most close-minded and stubborn there, as well.

[@mightytaiger3000]

It’s almost like they’re just humans and you find the same mix you find everywhere else where humans reside. Wow.

[@redvodka1933]

@@mightytaiger3000 I've lived all over the Eastern United States and I still swear the southern states are the nicest and most welcoming by far. I've experienced nothing but negativity in the northern states, and the farther north you go the worse it gets. I guess it's whether you prefer some rare racism to people who hate everyone equally and twice as viciously.

[@sirdidymus24]

Same from a fellow Tennessean!

[@BtDunce]

@@redvodka1933 Never really been to the south, but I can't help but disagree with you on the north. I don't think we're especially overly nice, but we're polite enough. I lived in vermont for a while, and I found east coasters to be very pleasant. And the few times I was in New York City, I had bizarrely kind people help me out. The first taxi I took, the guy riding with me paid for my ride and gave me advice on how to get where I needed to go. I dunno. Different experiences I guess.

[@thelaughingman4791]

@@BtDunce Southerners tend to be nice but not kind, Northerners tend to be kind but not nice.

[@vallum12100]

Hearing this story, the further into it goes, the more it reminds my mother. She was a spiritualist but devout God believing person who heard voices that would predict what would happen that fed into her erratic behaviors. These voices cause my mom to run away from home during her freshman year of hs, and supposedly moved me upwards to 40 times in my life. My mother has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and though this titular women was able to hold herself together with great strength, it still brings me to my childhood of all these spirits and voices of God telling my mother what to do. Some good, allot bad, but shaped me to the person here today, a person who can now see why im such a counter culteralist who strives to find meaning behind the weird from norm. Seeing the live interview at the end, makes me think this is what my mom will become in her later years. It's been 6 years since I've cut my mother out of my life to push her to get help after trying everything I could to help her. I miss my mother dearly and want her to get back to a state where she's not abusing everyone around her to appease these voices. I think her condition was formed from certain kinds of trauma from her childhood that really messed her up, worse stuff than was talked about in the video that I don't wanna trigger for other readers. Did this get personal? Maybe too much? Probably, but that's how life tends to be, and the weird little things that can pull us together. Better to live your life unabashed than full of regret not doing it.

[@brielleanyez7113]

My goodness, what you say hits home for me with my mother as well but she has Borderline Personality Disorder and will never accept help because she is NOT the one with the problem. It's everyone else. I grew up being afraid if getting radiation poisoning from the microwave, never being able to eat any any friends houses, as I could be poisoned, that all men are disgusting cheaters and cannot be trusted( my father was a wonderful man, a teacher that finally left her when I was 18), that Satan is trying to gather the souls of children so most music and normal children's, and later teen events like parties, dances, field trips, etc were off limits. She believed she was much more intelligent than most everyone else and talked terrible behind others backs, even those she professed were her friends, was openly racist against anyone who wasn't white and accused her loved ones of plotting against her, hiding cameras to record her, tao her phone and it goes on and on. I have very little communication with her and when I do I keep the conversation on rational topics and she knows now that I will not tolerate her trashing other people nor will I feed her delusions. She only saw a therapist once who diagnosed her with BPD with psychotic features and of course she never went back because apparently my dad hired this therapist to gaslight my mother... I will always love her but you have to put yourself first. Hope you are well 💞

[@victoriadiesattheend.8478]

it sounds like both of you, especially the original poster, have mother's with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is genetic. You cannot be MADE schizophrenic, or catch it. If you have inherited the gene, it WILL eventually show itself, though a difficult childhood fraught with conflict will simply bring symptoms on quicker. All I'm saying is, your mothers were ALWAYS going to become the way they are now. It may have taken longer under other circumstances but it was always going to happen.

[@vallum12100]

@@victoriadiesattheend.8478 The reason I said she was diagnosed as Schizophrenia was because she recieved this diagnosis prior to Disassociative Identity Disorder's classification in DSM-5. I dont know if it can be one or the other, as she refuses to get care for herself and have it properly identified. Whether induced by trauma or her pre-existing conditions worsen, it has left her a mess with traits that can fall under both conditions and be comorbid with other conditions that make what little I've learned hard to diagnose, (I only dual majored in my bachelor's degree in psych, but my biase makes it difficult to distinguish, so i default to what I have been told by herself and family members). I want to believe that, someday, she will want to be in an inpatient program and finally get the care she needs in order to live a more fulfilling life not dictated by her disorder. Medication can help, and therapy can help treat the trauma that exacerbates her condition.

[@naftalibendavid]

You were very sweet to her. I was worried that she might have some psychotic features or seem obviously delusional. She’s had quite an eventful life but she is just a rebel in a novel environment.

[@TheWonkster]

She's quite old, unfortunately it's probably predementia or early stage dementia

[@JigglyPuff777]

She a family member of my ez husband. I sit with her in her home many times. Very nice lady,but absolutely NOT crazy!

[@JigglyPuff777]

​@@TheWonksterNO! She is very much there! This is just how she is.

[@naftalibendavid]

@@JigglyPuff777 so glad! I am similar myself!

[@crypticcorgi8280]

Wendigoon recently made a video about Morganton, The Brown Lights, and Table Rock. Of course the town's history was not the center focus of the video but referenced here and there. He definitely didn't mention it was the place where the first white woman was hanged in the U.S. or that it was the last place where some one was trialed for being a witch. It was interesting to get the perspectives of some who passed threw it and some one who was raised there.

[@FingerinUrDaughter]

yeah, but wendigoon is the embodiment of the word douchebag.

[@FrostRare]

Wendigoon is the definition of Milquetoast. It’s like he makes videos trying to NOT offend anyone, thus stripping his content bare of any sort of liveliness, personality, or profundity whatsoever. His monotone doesn’t help either. I think his audience is predominantly high school girls who wouldn’t understand or misunderstand any sort of in depth examination of the contexts around the stories he covers.

[@j.2512]

@@FrostRare "noooo he doesn't virtue signals communist politics noooo he can't do that, Wendigoon can't do that!"

[@FrostRare]

@@j.2512 wtf?

[@FrostRare]

@@j.2512 “when your cities are full of American blacks, you need American cops” Dude Quit the “communist” bs and just call me a n I g g e r. Be honest for once.

[@lokizmom9843]

I applaud your honesty and bravery. Make no mistake, speaking out in such a demographic is a dangerous business. It's horrifying to realize how prevalent hatred remains in the southern states. So much has changed, yet so much remains the same, or worse. Here in Jacksonville, we like to think that things are getting better-to think that acceptance, tolerance and brotherly love fill our hearts. But the battle isn't over. Stay safe. You have friends in Florida.

[@brianpj5860]

As one generation dies, another more tolerant will be born. Lets them all seep in their graves

[@dukstedi]

Jacksonville is a little wild

[@JJones-cl4dm]

the rest of the country thinks everyone in Florida is nuts. sorry.

[@arietta.c]

Fellow sufferer of Jacksonville here. It doesn't help these last few years the influx of out of state people whom bring their localized hatred into this streached out town.

[@orxy5316]

People should feel hatred towards people like you, it is only natural

[@joshmay2944]

Growing up in a small town in Eastern KY, I can relate to so much of this videos intro and the experience growing up in Morganton. This, good sir, might just be your masterpiece. We are enriched for having you in our lives thru this channel.

[@paulsecrest9427]

I feel you my dad moved to pulaski county Kentucky . id go visit in the early 90s i was a punk rocker with a green mohawk. Man the looks i got. A lot of good people tho. My wifes family is from Casey county . Man the cooking from her cousin top notch.

[@sirdidymus24]

This is the best video I’ve ever seen on KZbin ever. I’m from TN and was raised Mormon so I relate to the yearning to break the mold and escape the “prison” you were born into. Beautiful, captivating, honest, and fun. Wonderful work here.

[@bigsmellbad1187]

Oh my god yes. The fact that he got this video out before Halloween is such a serve. For my movie marathon 31 for 31 this year I actually chose a bunch of movies that he recommended just so I could go back and watch the videos again with new eyes. Hope you have a very spooky Halloween!!!! Edit: holy shit this video is 2 hours long? Crying screaming yelling ect THANK YOU!!!!!!!

[@phoebewu9346]

I saw the notification this morning and i’m still crying screaming yelling 😂

[@Riverside_23]

Honestly I kinda relate to feeling of being trapped in a town… I’m only 17 but I feel like I’ll be here forever if I don’t leave as soon as possible. It’s such a boring place. And ever person here was born here people never come they only leave. There’s a quiet sadness to where I live everyone seems drained and hollow.

[@bubbadoo10]

I know the feelin dude, back in High School when I lived in a tiny little town in Nevada I remember one comment one of my peers said around that time "There's nothing to do here, except drugs" and it's just such a sobering and sad statement. I do hope for the best though, the main thing I can reccomend is just don't be like me and try to focus on getting a driver's license. It took me until like 23 until I could get out of the small town hell just because if you can't drive you can't do anything, struggle for work and a struggle to get out. You can have an easier time getting work without it being limited to jobs locally, if there is even any available in that small town. That or focus on trying to get scholarships for college, if you can find some place with dorms outta that town that's also another good out. Being in the city of that college, living in the dorms, you can have an easier time establishing more of a permenant residence there after your studies are over. It's tough, it's really fuckin tough man. I wish you the best on gettin out when you do graduate, assuming if you are still in high school.

[@mightytaiger3000]

That’s literally everywhere. It’s called modern life. Big cities aren’t utopias with lively characters.

[@Rynewulf]

@@mightytaiger3000 Trust me, small rural towns are just something else entirely. I grew up in a small town, moved to an inner city, then moved now to a suburbs. The small towns really are empty, unless you have the money to casually leave as you please there really is no where to go, nothing to do, nothing to see. In a city suburb Im a bus or car ride away from something interesting, but back home there was nothing for hours in every direction

[@Woman_In_TX1206]

We all deal with very similar issues in this world. In big cities or small towns. It’s all about how we manage our life around the roadblocks. Decide every morning that you will look for beauty in the day and you will see it - it’s there in abundance. Decide that you will look for filth and you will find it because there’s plenty of that as well.

[@mightytaiger3000]

@@Rynewulf whats so interesting about Targets and Apple stores that look all the same? Oh wait, is it the pubs full of drunk cublicle workers playing the same “anthems” every weekend what makes it exciting? If you’re boring, you’ll be bored anywhere. I’ve lived in one of the mostly populated cities in the world, and in small towns and in wealthy suburbs. It’s not that different when push comes to shove. The demonizing of people from small towns is just corny at this point. The highest crime rates are in cities, so it doesn’t even add up. Oh no, the don’t like pride parade, so awful! Boohoo.

[@scathescratch288]

Listening to the first ten minutes of this I cant help but empathize. I'm from a terribly similar Appalachian region myself and am treated a bit like a witch for my own "eccentricities". Stand tall, brothers and sisters.

[@RallyTheTally]

just what do you mean by 'eccentricities'?

[@chrisnelson6663]

I feel for ya, especially since grifters like JD Vance are trying to capitalize on their Appalachian upbringing.

[@zapazap]

Did you see age your own funeral and claim 'hexes' on lawyers and public officials?

[@R-Lee-]

Stop crying, no one cares. You probably dress different than most people in your town and get occasional stares. How awful! We can all be victims.

[@whatabouttheearth]

You may be interested in the Appalachian witch Rabecca Beyer, you can find videos of her or about her book on You Tube

[@jasonseacord]

I appreciate how patient but also non judgemental you conducted the interview with Joann Denton. I probably wouldn’t vibe with her, and she seems tricky to gage at times but I still found her very fascinating in your video, and I bet she is a breath of fresh air compared to most in Morgantown. Happy Halloween 🎃

[@funkyweapon1981]

I would've called her delusional.

[@Skittenmeow]

@@funkyweapon1981 not at the interview yet, but the township is far more delusional to actually take this to trial. It's excusable for her to have some mental health issues and weird beliefs, she was tried for witchcraft! If she was from a religious family she would hold beliefs about witches from the bible, they would have been as real to her as Jesus. She is likely traumatised. I had a Magistrate's Court hearing for being $27 behind in rent and my landlord tried to evict me, and that was deeply shameful and hugely stressful. I was vaguely dissociating and stopped sleeping. If I'd been tried for witchcraft it may have broken my brain.

[@direcircumstances]

I bet Joann was thrilled when a nice young man showed up at her door and wanted to listen to her talk about her wacky life.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

@@funkyweapon1981 about what?

[@hippygravy240]

I wouldn't mind some subtitles tbh during the couch interview. There were times when I couldn't make out what she was saying unfortunately :/ I'm fascinated though!

[@glueplay]

Oh my god, it's you again! The quality and the time in which you deliver these is unparalleled and I watch a LOT of essays.

[@chairmannom9507]

Came here expecting a quick video about a witch trial in the 70's, stayed for the mountain of history I learned

[@ian8694]

Incredible piece of independent documentary. Your channel gets better with every release and I am so glad that I have the privilege to watch.

[@xhxhhdbdb7765]

This is insane the work that mustve gone into this. You're one of the only reasons I'm still on KZbin. Funny how in the castle freak video you mention watching castle freak more and more when you're feeling down amidst covid and the changes of the last few years. That video has become my comfort when I'm feeling out of place. Really hope you keep making content like this. Your documentation is always a treat.

[@alexredell5046]

I frequently revisit that HP Lovecraft video as well. IPOS has become a great consistent comfort in my life through his content. Glad I’m not the only one lol.

[@renemies78]

Masterpiece of a video. Holy shit! This needs to be on Netflix. Incredible video and the reveal at the end was incredible. Loved this so much.

[@kimclark5736]

I grew up in Morganton and went to a seance at Joann Denton's house in 1976. The table shook a bit but I don't recall anything else unusual happening. But the evening was quite memorable because of Joann's showmanship and the general atmosphere of her house. I was a high school student and I had the feeling that she let me and my friend experience a little spookiness and sent us on our way. There were two gentlemen there, one of whom had come from Philadelphia to see her, and I think they got more into some deeper stuff after we left. My mother had known Joann from youth and thought she was just an attention-seeker. We used to see her around town all the time and she was always playing up the witch thing. Some Burke County residents may remember a public-access cable TV show she did in the early 1980s with two friends. It was called "Voices From Gray Shadows" and was a hoot. Joann would bring in articles from the Weekly World News and they would comment on them. Oh how I'd love to see some of those episodes again! It was unintentional side-splitting hilarity. I always found Joann to be intriguing yet friendly. This video makes it seem like the entire town was in an uproar about her for a time but that wasn't the case. Some people got worked up but for most it was an attitude of "It's just Joann being Joann". Bemusement and amusement mostly. The Appalachian foothills have a long tradition of unique characters and spooky stories, and Joann was the 1970s installment of that.

[@LiteBees]

As someone also from (and sadly stuck in) one of the areas mentioned, thank you so much for making this video! I'm glad you called out a lot of the not-so-good things about the place (putting it mildly). They're beautiful areas in terms of scenery, but it's just a shame about how a majority of the people can be, but I do have hope that things are changing, or at least will change soon.

[@gabrielchristian2727]

my friday just got so much better

[@jedd.0322]

Saaaaaammmmmee

[@juice8566]

this was such a fascinating vignette of a person and place that you did an amazing job of getting the feeling of

[@emilyrose7484]

You are 100% one of my favorite youtubers, I'm been obsessed with your videos for forever and always recommend them to people. Would LOVE to see a podcast from you !!!!!

[@InPraiseofShadows]

Thanks! I would love to do a podcast at some point. I’ve had an idea of one for a while now that would tie in with the channel that I would eventually like to get off the ground.

[@roodwarrior]

I lived in NC in the 90s and I remember that New Bern had a large Wiccan community. Between that and this story, I find it really wild-and kind of cool-that in the Bible Belt there are these people who walk a wildly different path. I'd never heard of Joann Denton before this video, but I found this whole thing really interesting. Thank you

[@SamanthaCZimmerman]

the discussion of morganton was incredibly fascinating, it reminded me so much of where i grew up, thousands of miles away, in central wisconsin. small towns that only wanted to attract rich elderly people and are subsequently dying culturally. this was a beautiful video, thank you so much for making it.

[@clairemull9744]

This was an insane journey. Even though I grew up in Morganton (which you know lol) there was so much information, and story here that I knew almost nothing about. 2 hours flew by. Glad you got to do the interview with her.

[@5Detective]

I've only watched the first dozen minutes, but I wanted to say, I appreciated you being honest about your hometown like this. As someone who grew up and lives in a similar place in Alabama, I can relate to everything you're saying. I find that, too often, people try to gloss over and romanticize these small towns, even when they disagree with the core of many things wrong with them. I think there are people like yourself who find themselves completely at odds with their upbringing, usually because of the media they consume, and I think that that juxtaposition of the values they cultivate with the values of everything around them ends up forging a stronger sense of self and right and wrong. I think that many people who grow up in more progressive areas are sometimes naive or blind to their own biases and the biases of people and places like your hometown, and this can lead them to unintentionally supporting ideas they shouldn't. When you're confronted with the banality of 'evil' on a daily basis and have to confront where you stand in relation to it, I think it forges a strong sense of self in opposition to it, or you fall into it.

[@5Detective]

I only got to finish the video today, and I was happy to watch it on Halloween - I wanted to come back and say how much I enjoyed this video, and how much of a kick I got out of your reveal at the end! Haha. I doubt anyone expected her to be in the video, I know I didn't.

[@ghostinthemachine5821]

It's quite a bit sensationalized. He framed a very negative narrative that is heavily biased. And some simple utter nonsense.

[@H45556]

Your b-roll is just beautiful - I’ve lived in NC my entire life and am leaving soon for LA. I’ve seen almost this entire state, drove it back and forth, and your images just fill me with longing. I’ll miss this beautiful state but also am happy to escape it. Been to Morganton a handful of times, more often than not passing through. I’m from Chapel Hill but have friends in Shelby, Goldsboro, Albemarle, and pass through Morganton every time I go back home from college in Asheville. It’s a wonderful state always shrouded in a certain sunset haze but certainly not without its flaws.Thanks for the video and thanks for telling important stories. Joanne seemed overjoyed to talk with you about her life, like it was just good for her to just have someone to talk to. She’s lived a full life and I know from my passed grandparents that older people value nothing more than being able to give their experiences to younger people. I’m sure it meant a lot to her. Bless you man

[@alexredell5046]

This guy only makes bangers. Because of you, I have discovered a wealth of new entertaining horror themed films and pieces of art. Thanks so much IPOS.

[@PurpleDuck86]

This was so well done. Morganton is very reminiscent of my own small, Appalachian hometown. The whole time I was hoping we'd get an interview with Joann at the end, and I wasn't let down. She reminds me of the eccentric regulars at the antique store I worked in high school.

[@denisfedotov3414]

Your content is of immeasurable value to my soul. Cheers from Russia.

[@elizabethgracehendrix979]

I am so grateful for this documentary. I am from Yadkin County, born and raised (but now living on the coast for the last decade). This is one of those small moments that has changed my life because, yes, I got out, but I still visit home. And it's more and more difficult to do so and yet feels increasingly important to bear witness to. It's complicated to describe the fine copper wire of sadness that wiggles hard within my heart when I go "up home" or when this doc ended, but I bet you felt it so very many moments while filming, writing, researching, editing, recording, and I imagine most of all sitting with her in her house, listening to what we all listen to when we go to visit our elders: the musings of a very lonely person in an isolated town. She raised you in her own way, and people like her raised me. Though of course she was and is a pariah, she's not one there on her own couch. The locals and the "ones who stayed" ironically, or maybe within some sort of poetic justice I wouldn't wish on anyone, sound just like her. Their stories sound just like hers. Their bitterness sounds just like hers. Oh, that I hope that i can forgive even the cruelest of worlds, and that my stories on my couch (if anyone comes to hear them) aren't bitter, aren't full of hurt.

[@JasonBeam7]

This is by far the best video you’ve done! Joann is a fascinating woman and her story is so interesting! And I love the interview with her! Very well done! As a fellow small town southern resident, your hometown reminds me of my own little burg.

[@theotherone7988]

Honestly this hits so close to home. I lived in a similar place near Springfield in Illinois and it honestly is sort of comforting hear someone with similar views of their hometown

[@vanwinkleelizabeth]

St Louis, babee! With family in Thayer, Springfield and Peoria.

[@banquetoftheleviathan1404]

I had nothin to lose in christian school so I wasn’t stuck with them, they were stuck with me!

[@stephenpmurphy591]

I'm from Vermont a lovely rural region my parents are Quakers so no crazy Christian misinterpretations. However winters are long & cold leading to some rather odd situations in "the backwoods"as we called it.

[@meligoose9413]

Heyo heyo I grew up in a small town outside of Springfield. 1200 people. Confederate flags waving. Really messed up place. Really glad I got outta there, especially since I'm gay.

[@Saffron-sugar]

I actually grew up in the creepy house in the neighbourhood. We were the weird family. When my mother passed away, people were scared of it and it took years to sell it. Always hated it. I enjoy beautiful gothic drama, but our house was NOT like that. It was more disturbing and off putting. more like rot than mysterious. So glad I never have to go there again.

[@hansjuker8296]

Maybe the housing market was bad and you were asking too much for it. Loser.

[@kekosunny6202]

I so want that creepy house omg the beautiful history to it

[@Rahshu]

I loved your descriptions of the town itself. When you mentioned Kin'g "It" and the way the town was brought to life, I was just thinking of that as comparison to your descriptions. It really brought the place to life. Your photography and the scenes you captured were beautiful. North Carolina looks like a lovely place, and the lighting had a haunting quality to it no matter how bright things were.

[@kgraham5820]

Joann Denton was a lovely woman and sounds like she was the excitement of town. She gave people something to talk about, whether good or bad. Without her, this excellent documentary wouldn’t have happened. I also want to say your honest outlook and opinions on growing up in small town USA is much appreciated, even a bit comical, because of the truths you bravely included. Great work! Keep doing what ya love!

[@cripplingbreadsticks9333]

I have yet to finish this video, but I am enjoying how personal it is, and how you reveal your seemingly picturesque hometown has an unsavoury past and a hostile present. Thank you for the amazing video, and if you're reading this I hope you have a wonderful day^^

[@ddumbbee]

I enjoy your content and regularly rewatch your old videos, but this may be my favorite piece you’ve done. There’s so many layers to this story and you pieced it together so seamlessly, I didn’t realize that 2 hours had passed until it ended. Thank you for sharing your work

[@WolfHreda]

I grew up in a tiny town in a tiny county in eastern Oregon. Every word you spoke about such towns is so unbelievably true. It's kinda eerie, honestly. Edit: Oh, hey. I'm an Eagle Scout too. Crazy.

[@danacapodarco1363]

Great job on cultivating and presenting this story. Incorporating an interview with the actual woman was amazing. A side note: some Joann's information can been seen during the interview, blurring or cropping out portion of the coffee table could help protect her.

[@Kevinjbeta]

Loved seeing some of your own videography in this one, hope to see more of it in the future! The real world investigative approach to this story was exciting, even though it largely didn't get you the answers you were seeking. Each video you do is better than the last. Much love, and all the good stuff.

[@taber871]

The interview at the end really came as a shock that excited me. I love your videos and ive been a fan for a while, but this video somehow holding the small town urban legend vibe all the way through made it so relatable. I Grew up in the midwest and I understand the small town vibe very well and you nailed it. I think this is my favorite video youve done. Thank you for putting so much work into these videos.

[@Lawlthatisfunny]

Excellent video as always! It was nice having an intimate look into your hometown. Really makes you wonder how many other small-town places have interesting people and stories that have been largely forgotten. Never stop doing what you're doing!

[@stephenmauricegraham8341]

This is fantastic, thanks for taking risks and making what interests and moves you, your work and outlook is always so interesting. Also, sweet 'stache dude

[@adashofbitter]

The sheer effort you put into these is astounding and inspirational. Glad you're starting to get a good subscriber count going... Long overdue.

[@marcelborg2825]

This is probably my new favorite video of yours. So well researched and scripted. I've lived in NC for most of my life and I had never even heard of almost any of this. Someone should write a book on this woman because this was one crazy story. Thanks for always putting out quality content, always enjoy your videos a lot.

[@grigorikarpin]

I you had a coffin in your possession, who wouldn't want to lay in it sometimes??

[@ttaylor7381]

This is absolutely incredible. The amount of effort you put in is mind-blowing.

[@freddword1083]

Oh snap your from Morganton!! I'm from Hickory. It's not far like you said and yea I do feel that kind of vibe with the people whenever I'm there. Although it can be a great setting for a horror movie. I didn't know there was an asylum and witch. Man what a small world. I do think Morganton is changing year after year so who knows we will see when we are older. Great video, keep up the good work.

[@filmvagabond7032]

I'm glad you were able to be so honest about the place you grew up

[@tonybell2801]

Wow, what a great video. I clicked on it not looking at the length so I was surprised and delighted by the depth and detail. Well done!

[@SuperRexProductions]

I absolutely loved the interview. She was a treat to listen to.

[@marysonderegger2426]

Same!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@VamshiOhgs]

This was such a cinematic and heart touching experience, kudos to you a fellow enjoyer of horror!

[@pinkheartgamers5007]

One of the most well made and fascinating story telling videos I have seen for a long time. Having a story that is somewhat in the middle of a human and with enough mystery of Denton's story shows us what happens when a bit of Fantasy and realism constructs a surrealist effect that will age this video like a fine wine. The neutral and honest perspective of the communities and people make this a great watch on Halloween

[@TheRiotousMind]

Thank you for taking the time to create this. It's your best work yet and the cinematography is beautiful.

[@CursedCryxn]

Amazing. Your content is so fricken good. I have met so many strangers who watch you too and it binds us for a moment. You make me interested in content I never cared about before. Every video is a success.

[@REAL.T0AD]

This is a masterpiece of a video and you should be proud of the research and dedication you put into it. Thank you for sharing this with us all. Happy Halloween 🎃

[@SakuraAsranArt]

The Morganton Witch story was fascinating and all BUT I need to know about Steve, the guy who asked Santa for 3 dozen monogrammed hankerchiefs via the local paper. I have so many questions! Why does he need so many hankerchiefs? Why three dozen specifically? Is it allergies? Or just an abundance of caution with regards to nasal hygiene? Why monogrammed, does he lose his hankerchiefs on the regular? Is he expecting the good(?) people of Morganton to return them whenever they find one of his missing pocket dwellers? Because that's just carelessness and neither Santa nor the townsfolk are responsible for your inability to keep track of small embroidered squares of fabric Steve! Santa gots better things to do! Who is supposed to monogram them for you? Mrs Claus? Cos she's probably gots better things to do too!! Seriously Steve? SERIOUSLY?? And don't even get me started on why you would advertise your irresponsible attitude with regards to hankercheifs!!

[@WillowRat]

Agreed.

[@basilmemories]

Asking the real questions here

[@oroborousqueen1590]

😂😂😂

[@kekosunny6202]

Are you crazy or do you just like to ramble bout silly bs

[@basilmemories]

@@kekosunny6202 yes

[@jackskellington7099]

Incredible video. Love your channel and all the care and effort you put into these.

[@chaosmatic404]

I really love how your videos have evolved, i really love these long form videos and i find myself rewatching the old ones multiple times.

[@SpenceBeGarbage]

Was was fantastic! Very exciting to see an interview at the end. Didn't know you were in North Carolina! I lived in Winston-Salem, and then Greensboro for a long time. I remember visiting a buddy of mine in Hickory, and he took me to play Disc Golf (stupid game) in Morganton at some place called Catawba Meadows. It IS a nice town, but similar to many (seemingly most) places in North Carolina, I got the feeling there wasn't much going on any given day.

[@KnjazNazrath]

Strikes me as Borderline Personality Disorder mixed in with just the kind of birth timing and setting to create such a person. Nature nurture et al.

[@AmelyaStaiano]

this is such a thorough and wonderful documentary! thank you for sharing this piece of your hometowns history for everyone, the good and the bad parts

[@francisfishing4913]

I related to this so much. Thank you so much, you are such a thoughtful creator and I appreciate everything you do.

[@reapercushions9372]

Even without the documentary itself, the portrait of the town is mesmerizing. Mesmerizing might be too strong a word, but it certainly kept me watching and listening. The essayistic prose, with or without the pictures, is of a very high quality.

[@helter1234]

I spent about three years in my mid-twenties living in an area of Tennessee that was not too different from Morgantown. I came to a similar conclusion that you and apparently Ms. Denton did. I indeed met some truly lovely people but they were outnumbered by the closeminded and the ignorant. Drug use was rampant, homelessness was chronic for many people, lots of children raised by their grandparents or aunts because their parents were always in and out of one of the area's many chronically overcrowded jails. And most young people left as soon as they were old enough to, which was a constant concern for city council. All this nestled in the gorgeous highlands of the Appalachian mountains. Only real differences was the Klan didn't have as big a presence, there was less overt racism and there were actually about as many confederate flags flying around as where I grew up in PA. Still really soured me on living in the south, I couldn't move away fast enough once the pandemic hit.

[@kkenyc]

This was an absolutely incredible video -- well researched and richly contextualized. I was expecting a fascinating story to begin with, but the personal interjections really rounded everything out.

[@natema5927]

Loved this video. I was very surprised about the interview near the end. Such an interesting story

[@katrinamorhart1850]

🎉 congratulations on releasing this film of a video 🎉 you have a way of drawing me into worlds and stories I’ve never heard of, Happy Halloween!

[@BlazePiffington]

Phenomenal, I thought the comics video could not be surpassed but I am taken aback. Not to mention you personally interviewed her?? Much kudos and congrats on this production, it was quite a tale. No greater video for the holiday and month. Keep your eyes peeled folks, all 3 of ‘em

[@DanDantheMagicMan]

Maaaannnn this is a great video, one of my favorites you’ve ever made, informational, entertaining and personal.lots of heart in this. Thanks for sharing my friend

[@TheWarrrenator]

This is an invaluable piece of documentary filmmaking about folk paganism and spirituality in latter-20th century Southern USA. BRAVO!

[@shaddonon]

Your vids are so heartfelt and earnest 🎃

[@MauricioPereiradaFon]

man this is a great video, i cant even imagine the amount of effort u put in making this. Amazing job

[@BulldozerBilly]

I immediately have to say, even before finishing the video, your footage and pictures of your hometown are great. Great job creating the tone of your video!!

[@ivebeenswank]

I love this woman. It is so difficult for many people to be true to themselves, especially in the oppressive environment which you described. I can't image the kind of scrutiny Joann faced back in a time where woman legally could not have financial independence and most definitely had very different social roles, considerations, and judgements than today.

[@willmistretta]

Characters like Joann fascinate me: Half cunning grifter, half true believer in their own supposed powers, with all the messy contradictions that implies. It's like they get to play the triple role of hero, villain, and comic relief in their own biopics.

[@Leomafrogo]

It always amazes me that these type of towns and communities exist- not in a 3rd world country tucked away somewhere far away, but right in the middle of the world's leading global superpower of a country. Crazy stuff.

[@shelbysmith3712]

This is one of your best videos! Bravo, well done, and I wish you a very happy Halloween! Congrats on such fantastic work!

[@reiiilly]

the “introduce yourself” had me gasping!!

[@alinaballerina27]

what a true girlboss...may her legacy not be forgotten! this video is so well done & in depth. I hope to see more similar ones from you soon I’m so excited to have found yr channel

[@crispedraptorstudios8729]

It's always a treat when you upload, especially since you up the game with every video. Well done. I'm glad I'm a subscriber.

[@ms.voicer3214]

What a gem I’ve found! Thank you for such a great video. From the way you tell this story, to your narration, to your film, editing and research. This is a work of art.

[@albertjonny991]

Wonderful !!! I’m from Denmark , and we have nothing like what you describe , but your sure do know how to paint a picture of a place and time and character in that place and times . Thankkk you

[@harrisonlee9585]

Absolutely amazing to learn that this didn't happen in Utah.

[@smrtfasizmu7242]

It did though. Utah is a state of mind

[@irishjoe9195]

This channel always deliverers!

[@amightyadam]

You always make my day when you release a video, thank you!

[@fukidosan]

Wendigoon: I am the only person in the universe to cover the Brown Mountain Lights. At the very least the only KZbinr, and at the very very least the only one to cover it this week. IPOS a few days later: X-files beat us both to it, anyway that was a fun prelude to my awesome witch video.

[@AntiKira20]

You know, if you're looking for another...run down town masquerading as a retirement location for a vacation, you could always come to Savannah Georgia.

[@Jerri.Blank.9674]

Best video yet. Honest, scathing, amazing ❤

[@claressadubs]

Came for the interesting title, stayed for the 15 minute scathing roast of a small town.

[@anima6035]

😂 same 😂 I was sold 10 times over by that point.

[@pazzrihen]

only 10 minutes through but my god those shots are really beautiful. Did you take them? and if so which camera did you use?

[@InPraiseofShadows]

Thanks, I appreciate it! Yeah everything in the video was shot by me. It was done with a Sony a6400.