Deena West Budd

Before the swampy land of southeastern Missouri was drained to become the rich farmland of today, sightings of an immense, hairy humanoid responsible for killing livestock, were reported often. After a hunter reported shooting at the black hairy beast, it disappeared for nearly thirty years.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Ms. Carolyn Williams at Stonecroft Manor in Hannibal a few years before her death in 2010. She was a delightful lady, and shared many of her life stories with me including the paranormal activity she and her mother experienced during the time they were renovating Stonecroft...

The Gallery Salon at 220 South 5th Street next to the public library in Hannibal is owned by Stacy Roland Roach. She recently met with me to share the story of a spirit called “Shippa” first encountered there that seemed to attach itself to her daughter for a while.

Anyone growing up in Hannibal during the late 1950's, 60's and 70’s has heard the tale of Screaming Johnny’s. According to the local legend, a young boy suffered a tragic death in the church building long ago, and his screams can still be heard coming from inside the abandoned Bear Creek Baptist Church late at night.

Java Jive in downtown Hannibal is a favorite gathering spot for locals to talk about topics ranging from politics to the paranormal. Tourists in the Main Street area are also drawn to the relaxing ambience and tasteful décor of the building. I first heard about a haunting at this location during the time that it was part of Haydon’s Hardware, and the ghost lingering at the location was known to be