A year of thinking dangerously—Part II

I can remember the grown-ups in my small hometown whispering about it. A house on Hendricks Street had become a vortex of energy and unexplained forces. Dresser drawers were opening unaided in otherwise empty rooms. A necklace would move silently from the kitchen counter to a shelf. Dimes fell from the ceiling.

Was this house haunted? Was the family? It was frightening and intriguing to my 10-year-old self. I’d always wanted to know what really happened there, and more than 40 years later, I’d never forgotten about it.

Like most Southern states, Kentucky has its share of spooky legends and stories to tell.

I took off for Leitchfield with my new focus on storytelling, excited to explore the possibilities, satisfy my curiosity, and hopefully have a good yarn to spin.

My quest started with an expert, venerable Emmy-award-winning Kentucky reporter Byron Crawford. He had originally covered this story in 1977 on Sideroads, his weekly TV show where he traveled across the state, seeking out little known human interest pieces including the scary and unusual.

Byron generously agreed to my interview, inviting me to his house where he told mysterious tales with credibility and captivating detail. As an eyewitness to the one I wanted to learn more about, he shared specifics that only served to further my curiosity.

I met with Al Cross too, recently retired Director Emeritus of the Institute for Rural Journalism at University of Kentucky. He had reported on these happenings for the local paper where he worked with my grandmother, Gladys Kelly. While his recollections differed, he agreed with Byron on many points.

While researching my story at the Grayson County library, the first thing I saw was a picture of my grandmother with a young Al Cross. Which felt like a sign to keep following this path.

What’s next

With a few interviews, more leads, and a ton of research under my belt, I’m continuing to work on this paranormal story with a goal of getting to the bottom of, and publishing it, in 2025.

What would you do if you could do Anything?

Maybe it’s closer than you think. Maybe it starts like I did.

Thinking a little dangerously.

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Before Donna Crain became a dangerous thinker and storyteller, she spent the majority of her career as an award-winning Senior Creative Director and Experience leader across Fortune 500, Big 4, and startups.

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