Mississippi is a state with a rich history, culture, and natural beauty. But it also has a dark side, a side that is filled with ghosts, curses, and mysteries. There are many places in Mississippi that are known to be haunted, but one of them stands out as the most terrifying of them all: the McRaven House in Vicksburg.
The History of the McRaven House
The McRaven House is the oldest structure in Vicksburg, dating back to 1797. It was built by Andrew Glass, a pioneer and highwayman, who used the house as a hideout and a place to store his loot. The house was later expanded by several owners, each adding their own architectural style and history to the building. The house witnessed the Siege of Vicksburg during the Civil War, and was used as a field hospital by both sides. Many soldiers died in the house, and some of their blood stains are still visible on the floors and walls.
The house also saw its share of scandalous and tragic events. One of the owners, John H. Bobb, was a wealthy businessman who married a young girl named Mary Elizabeth Howard. Mary was only 15 years old when she married Bobb, and she died two years later while giving birth to their son. Bobb buried his wife in the backyard, and never remarried. He lived in the house until his death in 1911, and his ghost is said to haunt the house along with his wife’s.
Another owner, William Murray, was a prominent lawyer and politician who lived in the house with his family in the late 1800s. He was involved in a feud with another lawyer, John G. Cashman, who accused him of cheating in a land deal. Cashman challenged Murray to a duel, and the two men met on the street in front of the house.
Murray shot Cashman in the chest, killing him instantly. Murray was arrested and tried for murder, but he was acquitted by a sympathetic jury. He continued to live in the house until his death in 1934, and his ghost is also said to haunt the house along with his victim’s.
The Hauntings of the McRaven House
The McRaven House is considered to be the most haunted house in Mississippi, and one of the most haunted in the nation. It has been featured on several TV shows, such as Ghost Adventures, Ghost Hunters, and A&E’s Haunted Houses. Many paranormal investigators and visitors have reported experiencing strange and frightening phenomena in the house, such as:
- Seeing apparitions of former owners and residents, such as Mary Elizabeth Howard, John H. Bobb, William Murray, and John G. Cashman. Some of them are friendly, while others are hostile and aggressive.
- Hearing voices, footsteps, knocks, bangs, and other noises that have no source.
- Feeling cold spots, drafts, touches, and pushes from unseen hands.
- Smelling perfume, tobacco, and other scents that are not present.
- Witnessing objects moving, disappearing, and reappearing by themselves.
- Having electrical devices malfunction, such as cameras, flashlights, and batteries.
- Experiencing nausea, headaches, dizziness, and other physical symptoms.
Some of the most haunted rooms in the house are the nursery, where Mary Elizabeth Howard died; the parlor, where John G. Cashman was shot; the dining room, where William Murray held his political meetings; and the bedroom, where John H. Bobb slept with his wife’s corpse for several days.
The Conclusion
The McRaven House is a place that is steeped in history and mystery. It is a place that has witnessed the best and the worst of human nature, and has retained the memories and the spirits of those who lived and died there. It is a place that is not for the faint of heart, but for those who seek to explore the unknown and the unexplained. It is a place that is known as one of the scariest places in America.