Urban legends of the USA: who are the inhabitants of different states afraid of. Ten Creepiest American Urban Legends

ghosts on the road

This story is probably spread in absolutely all countries where there are cars. Its essence is as follows: on an empty night road, a motorist picks up a voting person who asks for a ride to some place. Arriving at the place, the driver discovers that his mysterious companion has disappeared without a trace, and the place where he was picked up is the place of his death.
Sometimes the fellow traveler is a beautiful girl, sometimes a man, often there are ghosts of children on the road. And the range of places that ghosts ask for a lift is quite wide - from their former home or a certain place on the road, to cemeteries or places of burial of bodies. The details, of course, differ, but the essence remains - it is better not to pick up night companions, unless you want to chat with a ghost.

Candyman

This urban legend so intertwined with modern culture, that at first glance it is not clear whether it spread after Barker wrote the story "Forbidden" or whether the story itself was based on urban folklore. In any case, the processing of Barker, and later the filming of the movie, named after the bloody hero, added to this story a kind of charm and complemented it. bright details. There is no single story of Candyman - according to one version, he was an ordinary beekeeper, who was robbed and left in the apiary, smeared with honey. According to another he was talented artist- an African American, with the help of bees, brutally killed for his love for the customer's daughter. Before leaving him in the apiary, the guy's hand was cut off and now, if you call him from a parallel dimension, he will come to the daredevil and kill him with his hook instead of a hand. You can call him by calling him five times in complete darkness, standing by the mirror. Remember the hand - the hook and the call from the mirror - they will still meet in today's selection.

Body parts in school lockers

The regional horror story is little known in Europe, but it seemed so interesting to me that I decided to include it in my personal top American urban legends. According to this legend, in one of the schools in Chicago, a ninth-grader from the school orchestra stayed after class to practice playing the flute and was killed by one of the school employees. The killer not only killed the girl, but also dismembered her body, and stuffed the parts into the students' lockers. And what would you think? Probably, the sounds of a flute are still heard around the school and the sad ghost of a dead girl wanders? But no! The sounds of the flute, of course, are heard in the very room where the murder allegedly took place, but the ghost does not wander, but lies quite to itself. Sometimes, students, opening their lockers, see severed body parts there, which, however, immediately disappear. Pretty original ghost, right?

white eyes

Stories like this one are often told by miners and diggers in all countries of the world, so here the Americans turned out to be unoriginal. Allegedly, about a hundred years ago, a group of miners was littered in a tunnel. They waited a long time for salvation, but soon realized that no one was going to rush to their rescue. Buried in impenetrable darkness, they had to drink water that seeped through the ground and fed on the bodies of their dead, and then those of their comrades. All this time they were digging a passage and, having dug it, decided not to return to those who had betrayed them. Every night they went hunting, killing and devouring people. Why is the legend called "White Eyes" you ask? Yes, because during the time spent in the darkness, the eyes of the miners changed and began to glow in the darkness with white light.

Glad you didn't turn on the light?

Probably only in America there are so many mind-blowing stories about crazy bloody maniacs. This simple story is no exception. To many, it seems rather creepy precisely because of the lack of unnecessary art and details that distract attention. In the most common interpretation, it echoes the story "People can lick too" and sounds like this:

Two girls lived in the same dorm room at the college. One of them was going on a date, and then - to a student party. The girl called her neighbor with her, but she decided to stay at home and prepare for exams. The party dragged on and the girl came at about 2 o'clock in the morning. She decided not to wake her friend. As quietly as possible, without turning on the light and trying not to make any noise, she climbed into bed and fell asleep. Waking up not at all early in the morning, she was surprised that her neighbor was still sleeping and went to wake her up. She lay under the covers on her stomach and, apparently, was fast asleep. The girl shook her friend by the shoulder and suddenly saw that she was dead, she was stabbed to death. On the wall was written in blood: "Are you glad you didn't turn on the light?". An almost identical story exists in Japan. It is not known who stole this plot from whom, but let's agree that ideas are in the air and we will continue to move on.

Slenderman or Skinny Man

Compiling the top American urban legends, I could not ignore this real - unreal character.
The trick is that initially it was not positioned as a real-life something - just as a result of one of the threads on the forum, the legend of the Skinny Man, enclosing the victims in his deadly embrace, appeared by itself. It happened in 2009, but now Slenderman has left the Internet and has every chance of becoming a full-fledged member of the team of terrible monsters from terrible tales.

Bloody Mary

American Bloody Mary is somewhat reminiscent of ours The Queen of Spades. She can also be summoned using a mirror and she will also kill anyone who disturbs her peace. Calling her is as simple as calling Candyman - it is enough to say “I believe in Bloody Mary” standing at the mirror three (or five as an option) times and she will immediately appear. According to one legend, Bloody Mary is the ghost of a burnt witch who killed girls to preserve her youth. According to another - the ghost of a brutally murdered girl. I think if you dig further in this direction, you can find a couple more options.

moth man

The legend of the mothman appeared in the mid-sixties, when a strange winged monster resembling a man was allegedly first seen. Such monsters are not exclusively American - in almost every country in the world there are legends or at least mentions of strange pale people with burning eyes flying above the ground at night. There are many versions of the origin of a person - a moth, ranging from mutations of cranes to ghosts and guests from a parallel world. Only one thing is clear that a meeting with a mothman does not bode well.

Hook

This urban legend that originated in the sixties is indeed based on real facts- at that time in America, Keryl Chessman, a maniac, was operating, watching for couples who had retired in a car and cruelly cracking down on them.

So the story is about a couple who went to the wilderness in order to indulge in carnal pleasures, but left because the girl became scared. Arriving at the gas station, the couple found a fresh scratch on the car door, apparently made by a hook.

Angel statue, clown toy and others

short and simple stories there are a lot of strange things that bring death in American folklore, so I decided to combine them into one group. The most popular of these are the stories about the killer clown and the statue of an angel. In the first case, the nanny, left alone at home with the children, calls the parents to ask permission to remove the frightening clown doll. As it turns out, there has never been such a doll in the house, and the parents, returning home, found the nanny and children dead or disappeared.

The same story with the statue of an angel in the garden. Although such a statue was never placed there. The scheme is the same, the end is predictable. And there are many variations of these stories.

1. Chambers Mansion

The Chambers mansion was built in 1887 in San Francisco (California). Its first owner, Richard Chambers, had two nieces who lived with him. One of them was named Claudia. According to the stories, she often appears there to this day. Why? It may have something to do with her death. She died because an agricultural harvester cut her in half. Today this mansion is a hotel. Many guests complain about strange things happening there during their stay.

2. Franklin Castle

Visitors to this Cleveland, Ohio castle say they hear screaming babies, constant footsteps, and slamming doors. But there is no one there...

3. House of Amity

The Amityville House of Horror in Amityville, New York, is the site where, in 1974, 23-year-old Ron DeFeo Jr. shot his mother, father, two brothers, and two sisters while they slept in their beds at night.

The family who bought the house after that said that many terrible things began to happen to them, including slime oozing from the ceiling, strange smells, moving furniture, swarms of flies in the dead of cold winter, and constant slamming of doors. Their experience spawned a book, The Amityville Horror: The True Story, and nine movies. And what about those stories? Turns out they were fictional. Other people who lived in this house did not notice any supernatural phenomena at all.

4. LaLaurie Mansion

Can LaLaurie's mansion in New Orleans, Louisiana, haunt victims of enslaved torture? In the 1830s, there were many rumors of torture and abuse with the slaves who worked in this house. The intruder was said to be Madame Delphine LaLaurie, very wealthy and famous throughout the city. society lady. Since then, talk has been pouring in from all sides about ghosts allegedly living in this house.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, Massachusetts is the site of the gruesome ax murder of Andrew and Abby Borden on August 4, 1892. To this day, no one knows what really happened. But, Lizzie, daughter of Andrew and stepdaughter Abby, has become the prime suspect in the crime.

At first she was convicted of murder, but soon Lizzie's jury acquitted her. After that, she and her sister moved to live in another place, and the house turned into a small B&B-type hotel (Bed-and-Breakfast - one-night hotels, as we call them). As many say, Andrew and Abby have been roaming the house for over a hundred years now. Maybe they are still looking for justice?

6. Myrtle Plantation

The Myrtle Plantation, in St. Francisville, Louisiana, is said to be filled with spirits and ghosts that often appear on the plantations and fields. The house itself is now a B&B. Want to visit?

7. Spraga Mansion

Sprague's mansion is located in Cranston, Rhode Island. A place frequented by the son of the first owner, William Sprague, Amas. He was beaten and shot on the way between the textile factory he owned and his mansion. People say they heard his voice in the wine cellar. Another ghost, butler Charlie, was seen descending the main staircase. He was still upset because he did not marry his daughter to a wealthy landlord.

8. Stranan's House

Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Stranan House is said to be haunted by businessman Frank Stranan, who built it between 1893-1906. When Stranan's prosperous businesses were destroyed by a hurricane, he committed suicide. Tying himself to the iron gate, he threw himself into the river. Some say they still see him and the whole family walking around the house.

9. White House

Is the White House also haunted? Maybe…

Abigail Adams, wife of second President John Adams, is the "oldest" ghost in the White House. Her lingerie has been seen several times hanging in the East Room of the house. President Abraham Lincoln is also the spirit of this house. According to reports, many former presidents and heads of state, including British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Queen William of the Netherlands, saw Lincoln or felt his presence. The Queen even fainted when she saw him one day.

10. Whaley's House

The Whaley House is located in San Diego, California. It is believed to be haunted by "Yankee Jim" Robinson, who was hanged for attempted theft. Thomas Whaley testified against him in court, and some time later, after the verdict, he bought his property. After the move, he often heard heavy footsteps " big man". According to Thomas, it was Yankee Jim. Tragedies in the family of Thomas Whaley are also associated with the history of the house - his second child died at 18 months from scarlet fever, and the fifth committed suicide in 1885.

11. Winchester House

Winchester's home is in San Jose, California. It was built over 38 years (from 1884 to 1922) and was intended for Sarah Winchester. The woman claimed that the design was suggested to her by the spirit of her deceased husband. The project of the house is made in the form of a labyrinth, with twisted corridors, dead ends, and secret places. Everything is designed to scare away and confuse evil spirits.

12. Jenny Wade's house

Rumor has it that the ghost of her mistress lives in the house of Jenny Wade. Jenny is the only civilian killed at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. She died on the last, third day of the battle, after a stray bullet, flying through the kitchen door, mortally wounded her.

13. House of Hull

Hull House in Chicago. According to rumors, the spirit of the wife of real estate magnate Charles Jay often visits there. Halla, who died in the bedroom of her house. Others claim that there is also a crippled child still living in the attic of the house.

Admit that you are still shivering about the scary stories of your youth. Every child has heard stories about maniacs, ghosts and alien abductions. And all these stories are, of course, true, because. happened to no one but your cousin's friend's girlfriend's friend. Isn't there enough evidence? While there is time and opportunity, download torrent movies for free and watch horror movies, in principle, they are no different from these terrible urban legends

10. The Suscon Screamer.

Is there anything more creepy than a dead bride? I think no. Stories about these unfortunates can be found in any country.

Suscon Road is a road in Pennsylvania, where the Susquehanna River Railroad Bridge is located. There are many legends associated with this place. Locals say that if you come to this place, turn off the engine, put the keys on the roof of the car and wait a bit, you can see in the rearview mirror the so-called "the Suscan Screamer" (from the English. Scream - piercing scream; screamer - the one who is screaming).

Most of the stories boil down to the fact that this is the ghost of a woman who was abandoned right at the altar and who then committed suicide on this bridge. It is also said that when she jumped from the bridge, she let out a piercing scream.

In another version, a certain creature appears with webbed feet, large claws and a huge head. Maybe someone should ask this dead bride what really happened when she got into the backseat?

9. Lillian Gray.

This story begins with a tombstone in the center of a cemetery in Salt Lake City, Utah. It "belongs" to a woman named Lillian E. Gray, who died in the 1950s at the age of 77. At first glance, this tombstone is no different from the rest, until you come across the inscription "Sacrifice of the Beast 666".

Now that's disturbing.

What does this mysterious inscription mean? Maybe this is some kind of accusation of the believers of one of the most religious cities in the country? Could she have been sacrificed for a satanic cult? Maybe she worshiped the devil herself? Or was she the victim of a witch hunt? But, all these are just rumors that intrigued residents came up with to explain it.

And as always, there will be someone who will come and ruin everything. The inscription was commissioned by a paranoid husband who hated the government and blamed the police for his wife's death. It's hard to tell if that makes the story less terrible, but it was.

8. The ghost of Stowe Lake.

Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California is known for its paranormal stories. If you believe the locals, then it is teeming with spirits, and you run the risk of stumbling upon one of them during your yoga class. With the same success, this park could be called the "Park of the Undead." But one ghost story was especially popular. It was published in the San Francisco Chronicle on January 6, 1908. This is a story about the ghost of Stow Lake.

Newspaper publication begins with Arthur Pidgin's name. He was driving down the road, slightly over the speed limit. He was stopped by a policeman. Arthur said it wasn't his fault, he had to drive fast to get out of the lake as soon as possible. He saw the ghost of a woman. She had long blonde hair and no shoes on her feet.

Legends say that she was a mother who lost her child, or even killed, and then committed suicide. Yeah, of course, you couldn’t think of a better excuse for your violation ...

7. Gates of Hell

Bobby Mackey's Music World is a popular bar in Wilder, Kentucky. The owner of this establishment is country music artist Bobby Mackey. Three legends are associated with this place, which have become so popular that the building is put up for sale.

First. There are the gates of hell that allow demons to enter our world. It is not yet clear why they are coming. Maybe they really like country music or beer.

As for the other two stories, they are more traditional. The first is about Pearl Bryan, a real-life pregnant woman who was found decapitated in the late 19th century. Her lover Scott Jackson and his friend Alonso Walling were hanged for her murder.

The second legend is that of a woman named Joanna who is said to have fallen in love with a singer in a club. Her furious father allegedly hung her lover in the dressing room, causing Joanna to commit suicide by poisoning. Bobby McKay wrote a song about this incident, which suggests that the girl is still stalking him in this bar.

6. Patterson Road.

In Houston, Texas, numerous urban legends are associated with memories of the Civil War. One of the most creepy is connected to Patterson Road, which is located next to Freeway 6. All the locals agree on one thing, that the ghosts that live there were soldiers civil war. Those who believe this say that if you arrive at Langham Creek Bridge on Patterson Road at night and turn off the lights, you will hear a knock or the car will be plunged into fog. More skeptical locals point out that parking a car with the lights off on a busy bridge would be a good opportunity to become a ghost yourself.

5 Goat Man

Many stories are often made up by adults to scare children when they misbehave. Anyone who grew up in a Mexican family is familiar with this method of parenting, and perhaps many are still afraid of El Cucuy (Spanish)

El Cucuy, or boogie man, or simply "evil uncle".

The stories seem to have been made up by silly older brothers who are always trying to scare the younger ones. For example, the story of the Goat Man in Beltsville, Maryland. Official version this legend does not exist, but most claim that a scientist from the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center experimented on goats. And that somehow led to him becoming part goat himself, kind of a human-animal hybrid, you know.

4. Snallygaster (The Snallygaster)

In the 1830s, immigrants in Frederick County, Maryland claimed to have stumbled upon a terrifying creature. Soon after establishing a city on the site, the inhabitants began to report sightings of the beast, which was half bird, half reptile with a metal beak and razor-sharp teeth. He also had octopus tentacles with which he grabbed people and carried them away to feed his squid-lizard bird babies.

When you hear this story for the first time, without mentioning the nickname of this creature - Snallygaster, you can easily scoff. The plot of this story was overgrown with new details, when residents reported their "observations" ranging from New Jersey to Ohio. But, let's not find fault with these states, where every second uses drugs.

3. Green man.

This is perhaps the only story on this list that is related to real person with truly horrific details.

In the Koppel area, Pennsylvania, one can easily find a horribly mutilated man wandering the dark streets at night. He was nicknamed "Charlie without a face" or "the green man" and everyone has their own story of meeting him.

This is all because he really existed! Raymond Robinson, born in 1910, tried to look into a bird's nest on the bridge at the age of eight, but had an accident. He touched a power line that electrocuted him, causing horrific facial injuries that were permanent.

As it happens, such an appearance caused people to panic, the children began to cry, so for almost all 74 years Robinson hid from people at home, and went out for walks at night. He became a living legend, and some people even went out for a ride at night to get a glimpse of him.

2. Dog boy.

Quitman, Arkansas is another place full of ghost stories. Most of the houses have their own history, and in order to stand out from "this crowd", you need to try very hard. And there is such a story. Here it is - the legend of the dog boy.

In 1954, Floyd and Allyn Bettis had a son, Gerald. By the way, this house is called the Battis house. Those who knew him in his youth claim that he caught dogs and cats, kept them at home, tortured and killed them mercilessly. But what he's really known for is that he kept his parents imprisoned in the attic for years. He was arrested after his father died.

Gerald himself died in prison from a drug overdose. Since then, people have been claiming that there are paranormal activity. Flickering lights, strange sounds and moving objects. Considering Gerald threw his father out of the window, it seems unsurprising that there are ghosts there.

1. Man-coal.

A famous Californian urban legend originates from the Ojai Valley, Camp Park. They say that the spirit of a man who was burned alive lives there, and now he suddenly appears from the forest and attacks cars and tourists. They call him the coal man.

There are several versions of the origin of "coal" man, but they all begin with forest fires that occurred in the park in 1948. The main version is that the father and son were hostages of the fire. The father died in the fire, but the son survived. When the rescue team arrived at the scene, they found that the son had hung up his father and pulled off his skin. At the sight of firefighters, the son disappeared into the forest.

Another story tells about married couple, who also became a victim of the fire, and tells us that the young man, having also fallen into the power of fire, suffered very much and also went crazy, because he could not help his wife, who was screaming for help.

And by the way, as usual, people say, if you come to this park, stop on the bridge and get out of the car, Coal Man will come to you. A badly burned person will stumble upon you and try to skin you.

Halloween is a celebration of fun, absurdity and, of course, fear. A selection of tales - urban horror stories that American Boy Scouts around the campfire are still telling each other to each other - will help you not feel like a stranger at this holiday, because as a child an immigrant was frightened by completely different characters.

Riverdale Road, Colorado

Why is this creepy: The Riverdale Road near Thornton, Colorado stretches for 11 miles (17 kilometers) and is literally teeming with legends that can frighten even the most seasoned paranormal investigator. Here they met a ghostly runner, a wide variety of demons, and even a ghost Chevrolet Camaro. But most strange place here are the "Gates of Hell". This is the name of the entrance to the old estate, in which, according to legend, the distraught head of the family burned his wife and children alive. The gate itself has long been demolished, the mansion turned into ruins, but the ashes are still in place. A woman dressed in white walks along it. And the ghosts of slaves, allegedly hung on a tree here. And even a pack of ghostly dogs! Some believe that there is a portal to hell here, which is why so much horror is concentrated in such a small area.

Where did it come from: It is not known exactly when the numerous local legends. Given the history of the slave spirits, it is logical to assume that terrible things have been happening here since the 50s of the 19th century. Every time something else terrible happened, the legend about it added to the list, which eventually became like a horror show in a provincial amusement park.

Mr. Sneeze, Delaware

Why is this creepy: In colonial times, Samuel Chu ( Chew) was a respected man - the chief judge of the state. However, even at that time and in his position, those around him laughed at his last name, pronouncing it like “Sneeze” (“apchhu!” - Ah, Chew!). This infuriated the judge so much that even after death he could not calm down, and his spirit still haunts the descendants of his offenders. The ghost appears before his victims in a judge's robe and a starched wig. The most likely to see him are those to whom his last name still seems ridiculous.

Where did it come from: Samuel Chu did serve as Chief Justice of the three districts until his death in 1743. The legends around him disturbed the people of Dover Green County so much that the ghost was even "buried" in an ornate grave. They say that after that he calmed down, but he can still properly scare the presumptuous lover of phonetic jokes.

Skunk Monkey, Florida

Why is this creepy: The Everglades swamps in Florida are known for a number of nightmarish creatures and phenomena - man-eating alligators, man-eating snakes, car accidents and road robberies, which also kill people. However, something really strange was also encountered in these places: the “skunk monkey”. The growth of this relative of Bigfoot is from 1.5 to 2 meters, and the weight is about 200 kilograms. To understand that a skunk monkey is somewhere nearby, you can by the disgusting smell, reminiscent of rotting meat. Skunk monkeys are said to feed on berries and small animals, but have been known to attack wild boar and ransacked farms. Recently, a headquarters has appeared in the Everglades in search of this mysterious creature. Of course, it is designed primarily for tourists: at the headquarters you can book a safari in the swamps. Who knows, maybe you will be able to prove the existence of this beast once and for all.

Where did it come from A: Nobody knows for sure. Some believe that this is Bigfoot, who, due to the invasion of civilization, left the mountains for the southern swamps, where it is easier to hide from hunters and find food. Others think that this is a fairy tale that the pioneers invented to scare away strangers from their lands. It doesn't matter what you believe, but if you're camping in the Everglades and you smell a strong smell, you should be on the lookout. It could be a skunk monkey.

The Curse of Lake Lanier, Georgia

Why is this creepy: A huge artificial lake north of Atlanta is intimidating for several reasons. An abnormally large number of boats and swimmers sink on the lake, and unexplained murders regularly occur along its shores. In the early 90s, a car was found at the bottom with the skeleton of a woman locked in it, who disappeared back in 1958. Since then, eyewitnesses have reported a ghostly female figure, which can sometimes be seen above the surface of the water. They also talk about a giant catfish that lives in the depths of the lake. It is rumored to be large enough to swallow a dog and even drown a diver.

Where did it come from: The creation of the lake was accompanied by a lot of problems associated with the eviction of families and businesses from the territory, which was transferred for development to the Army Corps of Engineers. The ruins of the former buildings remained at the bottom. The old cemetery was also flooded, which partly served as the reason for the terrible reputation of the lake. Of course, most of the incidents on the lake are due to the well-known combination "drinking + swimming = tragedy" (they go to the lake first of all to have fun). However, many deaths remain unexplained, leading to believe that something sinister is behind them.

Ghost Runner from Canyon Hill Cemetery, Idaho

Why is this creepy: There are many rumors about ghosts at the old Canyon Hill Cemetery in Caldwell, Idaho. The most famous of these is the "Midnight Runner". This is a legless woman who appears if you park between certain trees near the cemetery. She knocks on the window and then continues her "run", which looks more like flying. It sounds creepy, but this is far from the most terrible legend about ghost runners. How about a spirit that shits on lawns?

Where did it come from: The origin is unknown, but given another conspiracy legend, according to which the state of Idaho does not exist at all, it can be assumed that this is another invention of the government.

Goat Man, Maryland

Why is this creepy: The infamous Maryland Goatman is said to do everything you would expect from a demented half-human, half-animal: kill teenagers, eat dogs, scream like a goat, etc. But the most horrific aspect is how much the legend has been circulated. Ministry Agriculture The US was even forced at some point to publicly deny the accidental creation of such a creature at its research center in Beltsville. Another story about the appearance of the goat-man tells of a goat breeder who, upon learning that a group of rowdy teenagers had killed his herd, went crazy and turned into a monster.

Where did it come from: For the first time, journalist Karen Hosler from the newspaper wrote about the goat-man Prince George's County News in 1971. The material was devoted to the study of the urban folklore of Maryland and was accompanied by a story from one of the local families about someone cutting off their puppy's head. Of course, the family - not without a hint from the journalist - blamed the goat-man for everything. A month later The Washington Post published a long note on this legend. The goat-man instantly became known throughout the country. The legend about him remains one of the most popular in the United States. The Goatman is regularly “meeted,” and stories about him, sometimes implausibly detailed, appear in the Maryland press today.

Vampire Saint Germain, Louisiana

Why is this creepy: When it comes to scary things, Louisiana relies on more than voodoo, ghosts and Woody Harrelson's accent on the show True Detective. Jacques Saint-Germain, like any self-respecting vampire, seduced young girls and drank their blood. According to one version, he was born in early XVIII century. On the other - lived since the time of Jesus. After his "death" in 1783, he appeared here and there throughout Europe until he moved to New Orleans in 1902. Rumor has it that he is still doing his bloody business in the French Quarter of the city, but now calls himself Jack.

Where did it come from: Comte de Saint-Germain was a real person, an alchemist and a real snob from high society who was friends with all the celebrities of his time. He communicated with Louis XV, Catherine the Great and Voltaire. The latter called him "an immortal man who knows everything." He was even suspected of a series of murders. Also, he never ate in public. In the 1970s, French showman Richard Chenfrey claimed that the immortal Saint-Germain was him. True, less than 10 years later, Chenfrey died of a drug overdose. Or not?

Dog boy, Arkansas

Why is this creepy: Perhaps the name of this character sounds silly. However, you will not be laughing if in the town of Quitman, Arkansas, you suddenly see in the window of the house 65 on Mulberry Street the silhouette of a 140-pound half-man-half-beast with luminous eyes. In this case, it's better to get out of there as soon as possible, because he has a habit of chasing people on the street, biting his legs like a dog.

Where did it come from: Real story, which stands behind this legend, is much darker. Gerald Bettis, the only son of the Bettis family at 65 Mulberry Street, has always been a problem child. But not like in the movie "Problem Child". As a child, Bettis tortured animals (which is why he was nicknamed the dog boy). As he grew older, his sociopathy spilled over into his elderly parents. He didn't let them leave the house. Rumor has it that he killed his father. Bettis was eventually arrested for growing marijuana in his backyard. He died in prison from a drug overdose in 1988.

Hell Bridge, Michigan

Why is this creepy: The Michigan legends of Detroit's Red Dwarf or the Dog Warriors are nothing compared to the story of Elias Friske, the demented old preacher who is said to have tortured children in the woods that is now Algoma. He kept his victims bound and killed one by one. The remains were drowned in the Cedar Creek. When he was caught by the parents of those killed, he said that he was possessed by demons. This did not prevent his parents from hanging him. The Hell's Bridge is a narrow passage across a stream in the middle of forests. Those who dare to cross it at night can hear the cries of the victims of the mad preacher, and sometimes see his black figure with glowing eyes.

Where did it come from: There is no record of Elias Frisk in official state records, although such a family is known to have lived here in the early 1910s. However, everyone who has been on the bridge agrees that there is something there - and it most often makes itself felt at night.

Area 51, Nevada

Why is it (still) creepy: The story of Area 51 has been retold (sometimes in a humorous way) so many times that it is forgotten how disturbing the whole situation looked at the very beginning. However, the silence of the government, dead aliens and sinister experiments in the desert Nevada look more disturbing than the movie about it. There is a lot of speculation about what really happens at Area 51. They also talk about time travel, and about genetic experiments, and autopsies of aliens. However, no one except the authorities knows the truth.

Where did it come from: First of all, it is worth remembering that Area-51 really exists. This is a well-equipped military base in southern Nevada. However, no one knows her purpose. At the beginning cold war In the 1950s, President Eisenhower approved a plan to build the first aircraft based on stealth technology, the U-2. Laboratories and a test airfield were located precisely in the area, which later became known as Area 51. The experimental aircraft resembled a UFO. locals who saw him fly, of course, theorized about him extraterrestrial origin, which immediately got into the press. The scandal was further fueled by news of a "UFO crash" in Roswell. Since then, Area 51 has been the center of conspiracy theories around the US government.

Watermelon heads, Ohio

Why is this creepy: The name "Watermelon Heads" could be suitable for a dessert. However, the legend behind this name is much darker: it is about pale, sick children who were genetically experimented on. It is believed that they huge heads and sharp teeth perfect for tearing up babies (and possibly you). Doesn't sound like dessert at all.

Where did it come from: Similar stories exist in Michigan and Connecticut, but the Ohio version is the darkest. According to this legend, the "Watermelon Heads" are the adopted children of a certain doctor who tested new surgical and pharmaceutical means on them. It didn't turn out very well. Now the test subjects hunt in the woods of Kirkland, ready to flay any passer-by. According to other versions, at the sight of strangers, children simply run away. Finally, some consider them to be ordinary ghosts. One thing is for sure: one super-low-budget horror film was shot based on this legend.

Tramp Sam, South Dakota

Why is this creepy: In December 2014, a wave of suicide attempts swept across the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota - a total of 103 cases occurred. The incident is associated with the legend of Tramp Sam. Teenagers who tried to commit suicide said that they were tall and thin figure, who called herself Sam, and demanded to kill herself. A year earlier, five members of the Oglala Sioux had committed suicide. In 2015, the head of the tribe published in Facebook photo from a local forest with already prepared loops on trees. Thus, a plan of mass teenage suicide was uncovered.

Where did it come from: The figure of Tramp Sam also refers to the legends of the Boogeyman, which still work today - one has only to recall the Slenderman hysteria in 2008. The idea of ​​the “shadow people” is also so old that it is difficult to find its origin. However, Tramp Sam himself is a relatively new local legend of the Lakota and Dakota Indian tribes. Sam was first written about in 1980 by journalist Peter Matthiesen in his article The Spirit of a Crazy Horse. According to the material, Sam was first seen by the Sioux and Little Eagle Indians. Tramp is sometimes referred to as taku-he or "Bigfoot with a Straw Hat".

Rabbit Bridge, Virginia

Why is this creepy: This legend is fun to retell at night by the fire, but real events who are behind her are truly frightening. In the 1970s, police repeatedly reported people being threatened by an ax-wielding man dressed as a rabbit. Some eyewitnesses said that he threw his ax at them. To this day, dead rabbits are often reported being found in the woods around Fairfax Bridge, also known as Rabbit Bridge. There is also a story about a man in white who was seen under the bridge.

Where did it come from: According to legend, in 1904 a group of prisoners were transported by bus from the mental hospital of Clifton, Virginia, to the nearest prison. On the way, the bus overturned, many prisoners died, but some managed to escape. The next day, the police began searching for the fugitives, and caught all but one. In the course of further searches, the police began to find gnawed carcasses of rabbits in the forests near Fairfax Bridge, but they were unable to catch the one who ate them. A year later, on Halloween night, a group of teenagers went under the bridge to spend time away from their parents. The next morning they were found hanging from the bridge piers. Since then, it has been believed that anyone who finds themselves under the bridge that night will face imminent death.

Taken from the Internet, source not preserved

Americans are such tall blue-eyed people who always smile from the top of their mouths.

Lies. In California, 50% Chinese, 10% Indians, 10% Mexicans, as well as a bunch of Filipinos, Malaysians, Afro-miners, Russian-speaking Jews, and so on, a little bit of everything. In other states, I think, about the same, but I can not vouch for the accuracy of the statistics. In this connection, a girl who says that she "is going to marry an American" can easily fall, according to the laws of probability, on a short, shabby Chinese with crooked legs.

In general, America is a country of immigrants in the full sense of the word. Everyone who is not lazy comes here, so I am frightened by the statements of some personalities that, they say, "no one likes Americans, it's time, they say, to kill all Americans." Americans are you and me Dear friends, those who crossed the ocean and settled abroad.

Americans are stupid, it is not clear how they flew into space

No, citizens, Americans are not stupid. Here I saw many former teachers of Moscow State University, Novosibirsk State University, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology and other universities and academies. They move here in whole departments, as soon as one breaks through here, he begins to drag all his colleagues and friends here. I think the situation with scientists and other figures from other countries is completely similar. Now, instead of sitting in offices with worn walls and smoking Belomor, they sit here and develop networks, new technologies and hardware.

America generally behaves appropriately towards scientists. Nuclear physicists, for example, are given a green card without questions, a loan for a house, and in general they are encouraged in every possible way to move here, because otherwise they can escape to a worse country, for example, the DPRK or even cleaner, to some Pakistan. I think the solution is about the same with other promising industries.

America has everything

Yes it's true. With one caveat - Mass culture here it is quite fresh, because it is necessary to satisfy the masses.

For example, the famous joke "When do you get your first strawberries? At 6 o'clock" has two points. Yes, indeed, you can buy strawberries not even at 6 in the morning, but at least around the clock, but when you eat it, it will have no taste and will crunch in your mouth like a cucumber. But it looks like a strawberry. Berry to berry, all are cuttings in one direction, in a box, in neat rows. The same applies to peaches, coconuts (with a clear sweetish liquid inside), apricots, shrimp, lobsters and other foods.

The concept of "mass culture" is not only food, it is films, mugs, plates, shoes, pillows and everything else. There is a fairly simple explanation for all this - you need to feed the people with all of the above, and this is being done with success. Grown in pools of fresh water, tons of future shrimp with white meat that tastes no different from hydroponic strawberries are made in series on the day of the infamous series "A Woman Named Nikita", from which only the word "Nikita" remains from the film. And so on. People move their jaws, watch TV, and they have something to do.

But it would be naive to believe that there are no good strawberries in America. There is she! All you have to do is get your butts off your chair, get in your car, and drive many miles to the fields that grow your darling using artificial, but still shit. Farmers sell it directly without departing from the beds. And this strawberry will not differ in anything from our native dacha. The same goes for shrimp and everything else.

The problem in America is not that something is not here, but that this is the most desirable thing you need to find, what you can spend on great amount time.

One has only to get into this mysterious country, as all wishes come true

I've always liked films that main character throughout the series, he takes care of some girl, saves her from wild animals, shows holes in the way and generally protects her in every possible way like a weight in the chamber of weights and measures. At the end of the film, as a rule, fanfares sound, the man who managed to grow a two-day stubble during the filming, finally pulls a ring on his finger, the word “end” flashes and the viewer understands that everything, the guy is definitely over.

In general, in such films, preliminary games should be devoted to about 5 minutes, while the credits are still creeping, and the film should be shot about those eternal challenges that await a dog and a cat. Not so romantic of course, but about the war. A similar story about America.

I heard a lot of stories about the hard life of a businessman \ scientist \ politician \ weaver \ and so on, which usually ended with the phrase "well, he was tired of everything, and he finally left for America." What is clearly perceived by listeners as climax in the successful destiny of man.

Dudki! I've seen a lot of people here driving trucks after driving around Moscow in black Volgas with government numbers. Or they had businesses, and here they delivered pizza. Everything just begins after crossing the border. Or, for example, an absolutely wonderful feeling when the date indicated on the visa as the date of mandatory return is approaching, and your loer has not yet begun to do anything to extend this visa. Or you get fired and you have to leave the country within 10 days. Or at the cassette rental they ask you for a credit card as a deposit, but you don’t have it, because there is no CSN, which is issued only if you have certain type visas. Or a toothache - to treat a tooth, this is several thousand dollars without insurance, which you will not receive if you do not work or the devil knows what kind of visa you came. And so on.

In general, not getting a visa at the consulate is not the biggest disappointment. Consulates simply save a lot of people from unnecessary torment.

American women are such blondes with big breasts and blue eyes.

I have the impression that in America there is a special committee that crushes newly born girls with tanks at night, who are more or less pretty in the face and weigh less than a certain norm. Those who managed to crawl away become by default Hollywood actresses and are not subject to going beyond the limits, surrounded by barbed wire in 3 rows. The rest of the children are fattened with special fat-free feed additives, as a result of which the growing women begin to resemble extinct dinosaurs.

Poor men, due to a lack of specimens to compare, begin to marry dinosaurs, and the process is repeated again. In general, there is no beautiful women. Even the word "beautiful" can probably be removed from the previous sentence.

In America, everything is alien, it’s impossible to settle down with your own principles

Lies. If you go with such moods, then you can not take root. America does not dictate its own rules in any way, well, except for the rules of driving a car and other rules that help society get rid of personalities that will lead this society into a state of imbalance. So if you want to have fun, have fun. If you want to take a hot bath in the summer, when pipes are being changed in all normal countries, take it.

If you want to shoot a pistol - for God's sake. Just do not infringe on anyone's interests. If you want to sit at home and creak that everything is bad - sit, no one will come and take you by the hand, where it's good. If you want to drink vodka with friends from morning to evening and indulge in drunken heart-to-heart conversations - drink, I myself have done this more than once.

Do you want to learn how to dance? Skiing, skydiving? Everything is there. Take it, develop it, only, of course, here you have to do everything yourself, where in Russia it goes with the flow due to the fact that you were born and raised and there are a lot of friends here, and often parents who will always help.

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