Episode 7.2: Haunted Ripley County, Indiana

In this special episode of Hoosier Myths and Legends, we explore the folklore and hauntings of Ripley County, Indiana. 

Researched by students from the 10th Grade Honors English class at Milan High School, this episode examines local legends including Gordon's Leap, the Resurrectionists and grave robbing at Versailles Cemetery, the Hanging Tree, and other stories that continue to haunt the county's history.

Sources 

Bailey Bree, Drenden Bowman, and Tracey Bowman. Cabin on Bloody Run Road. Unpublished student research, Milan High School, n.d.

Guenther, S. “Vigilantism in Versailles: Examining the 1897 Lynchings and Rural Perceptions of Justice.” Indiana Historical Bureau, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, https://www.in.gov/history/files/Guenther-S.-Vigilantism-in-Versailles-Examining-the-1897-Lynchings-and-Rural-Perceptions-of-Justice.pdf 

“Grave Robbing Scandal.” Indiana Historical Bureau, https://www.in.gov/history/state-historical-markers/find-a-marker/find-historical-markers-by-county/indiana-historical-markers-by-county/grave-robbing-scandal 

Jillianne Heard, Katelin Murray, and Zoey Griffith. The Versailles Lynchings. Unpublished student research, Milan High School, n.d.

Hunter, Alan. “Versailles Lynching Tag.” Alan E. Hunter, https://alanehunter.com/tag/versailles-lynching/ 

Martin, Deb. “Bloody Run Road.” 13 Aug. 2009.

Karlie Pippin and Brooklyn Smith. The Resurrectionists. Unpublished student research, Milan High School, n.d.

“Resurrection Men or Resurrectionists.” Indiana Historical Bureau, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/IndianaHistoricalBureau/posts/resurrection-men-or-resurrectionists-were-men-or-women-who-stole-corpses-from-gr/1877289358963668 

“Resurrectionists: Body Snatching in Indiana.” Willard Public Library / Vanderburgh County Historical Society, https://www.willardlib.org/2024-11-21-resurrectionists-body-snatching-in-indiana-presented-by-the-vanderburgh-county-historical-society 

Taylor, Stephen Jesse. “1880 (Gordon’s Leap / Ripley County Folklore Post).” 19 Mar. 2015, https://stephenjessetaylor.wordpress.com/2015/03/19/1880/ 

“Versailles Hanging Tree (HMDB Entry 100057).” Historical Marker Database, https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=100057 

Woodyard, Chris. “The Shapeshifting Ghost of Bloody Run.” Haunted Ohio, 6 Apr. 2013.

“YouTube Video: Versailles / Ripley County History Content.” YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAhyYuPGi2c