Stalking Shadows: The Wampus Cat and the Mystery of the Appalachian Wilds

Alright, guys! Once again, it’s time for our Supernatural Sunday Blog post! Today, we are going to be talking about another interesting Cherokee legend, The Wampus Cat. I’m also gonna try a little bit of a different format this time around, so if you guys like it moving forward, that’s what I’ll begin each new post with from here on in. Let us know in the comments! So here we go!

Name: The Wampus Cat

Aliases: Ew’ah, Gallywampus, Whistiling Wampus, Wampus

Origin: Cherokee Folklore, with European influences

Location(s): Appalachia, Missouri, Arkansas, Idaho

Description: Feline features, often appearing with a bobcat’s face and a muscular body, described as a large black panther. Noted to have prominent yellow or green glowing eyes, elongated fangs and claws, and up to six legs. Sometimes the feet are from different animals, such as a bear or a deer. It is also said to have a long sinuous tail for balance.

Be careful if you’re ever out wandering the hills and trails of the Appalachian Mountains any time after dark… Although, unless you’re a park ranger or something, I can’t imagine why you would want to… Anyway, the Cherokee say that this is the time when the Wampus Cat is active, preying on the hearts and souls of those that would cause harm to the local tribes in the area. Legends say that you may hear it before it makes its presence known to you. It has a piercing, shrieking howl that can supposedly drive you mad if you’re unfortunate enough to be around when it is stalking nearby.

“Earplugs, anyone?”

The story from Cherokee folklore begins with the story of Ew’ah, the Spirit of Madness, terrorizing the village of Chota, near Monroe County, Tennessee. Some versions state this could also be Etowah in North Carolina. But I digress. The village elders met and disagreed on how to deal with Ew’ah. The shamans didn’t want to send braves to destroy the demon, as they had portended that this action would be the end of the tribe. The warchiefs argued that the demon could not be suffered to live, as Ew’ah would feast on the dreams of the children in the village. Eventually, they decided that a single brave would take on the foe alone.

“Good luck, am I right? You got this, buddy!”

Standing Bear, or Great Fellow, depending on the version you hear, was the man for the job. He was well-respected, and could bring great honor to himself, his family, and the tribe if he could conquer his nemesis. He took up arms from the elders, and he bid a final farewell to his wife, Running Deer. It would be weeks before anyone would see Standing Bear again. One night, he came screaming and running back into the village, clawing at his eyes. He was no more. Ew’ah had gotten the better of him. He was disgraced, and he had become a mere shadow of his former self.

Running Deer wanted revenge for what the demon had taken from her. Equipped with a booger mask and a bobcat’s face, the elders told her she could stand against Eh’wa if she could manage to surprise the spirit. She applied a black paste to herself covering both her image and her scent. Running Deer kissed her husband’s forehead, and headed out into the forest. Late one night, after several nights of searching, she heard a creature stalking down by a stream.

Once Running Deer arrived at the stream, she followed some footprints that seemed out of place near the creek bed. The massive creature had not noticed her as it drank from the cool mountain water. Ew’ah spun around and saw her in the Cat-Spirit-Mask and began to tear at itself as the spirit of the mountain cat had it’s magic turned back onto itself. Ew’ah tumbled backwards into the water, and Running Deer ran back to her village as fast as she could. Both the shamans and the warchiefs declared her the “Spirit-Talker,” and “Home-Protector.” Some people say that the spirit of Running Deer herself inhabits the Wampus Cat, protecting her tribe and their lands from outsiders, even today.

“I hope you guys heard all that. I forgot to mention to remove the earplugs from earlier… whoops!”

If you wanna read a more in-depth post about this legend, check out appalachianhistory.net, and check out “The Story of the Wampus Cat” by Dave Tabler. There is an accompanying video as well at the bottom of the page.

Thank you to everyone who continues to go on this journey with me every week, and I hope that you guys will keep supporting us and our quest to help bring you new stories every Sunday for a new look into the unknown! Please also remember to follow us on social media, and feel free to let me know in the comments if you would like me to focus on a specific subject for a future installment in the series. Once again, I appreciate all of you, and remember, “Keep Seeking Truth in the Shadows!”

- Cody, East Tennessee Paranormal Project (ETPP)

Echoes of Terror: The White Bluff Screamer

Hello again, everyone!

Today, I will be talking about a legendary apparition that has been terrorizing Middle Tennessee since the turn of the 20th century. The White Bluff Screamer, A.K.A. the Screamer, as it is referred to locally, is said to inhabit the area around White Bluff, Tennessee. White Bluff is about 30 miles west of Nashville, and it will take you anywhere between 30-45 mins of drive time from there if you want to check out this local haunt.

The White Bluff Screamer is known for its deafening screams that can be heard echoing throughout the woods at night. How would you feel if you were camping or hiking, better yet, alone, and you were suddenly accosted by the sound of blood-curdling screams in the middle of the night? I would personally be quite alarmed, to say the least! Talk about your jump scares!

The Screamer has become a local legend and subject of numerous investigations from cryptozoologists and paranormal enthusiasts alike in an effort to better understand the encounters this entity has had with the people in and around the surrounding communities. Sightings date back all the way to the early 1900s, when a group of loggers first reported hearing unearthly screams from the deep woods in the dead of night. They described the sounds as “bone-chilling” and “inhuman.” Run! Go! Faster! Leave right now!

If the eerie and terrifying sounds aren’t enough for you, hold on tight, because it gets even spookier with the eyewitness depictions of the creature/apparition. The Screamer is described as a ghostly pale figure that is typically feminine in appearance. However, my favorite description is that of a large, white-furred animal. This creature is said to be around 7 feet tall with long flowing hair or fur, and it has eyes that glow with an intense brightness straight from your worst nightmares. Of course, the White Bluff Screamer’s most distinct feature remains the same. This would be the crazy high-pitched screams, which are often reported to be a mix between a human wail and some kind of animal howl. No thanks!

Dating back to some of the first sightings, and even today, the Screamer is blamed for the disappearances of animals and sometimes people, with most folks believing that it is a malevolent spirit or some sort of guardian of the forest. There is no denying the fact that the White Bluff Screamer has become a staple of the rich folklore here in Tennessee. It has often been featured in stories, books, and even on podcasts and paranormal shows. The Screamer’s haunting cries are a stark reminder that there are still plenty of mysteries to be solved in this modern world.

If you would like to know more about the White Bluff Screamer, check out the “Scared To Death” podcast with Dan Cummins, or visit his YouTube page for a more in-depth look into this awesome and terrifying legend!

That’s it for me today, guys! If you would like to see more of our weekly content and uploads, be sure to follow us on social media and check us out on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook! Also, if you would like to add any info or have an experience you would like to share with us, please feel free to respond to us in the comments!

I hope you enjoyed this foray into the weird world of the paranormal with me this evening, and don’t forget: Keep seeking truth in the shadows!

Spearfinger: The Stone Witch of the Smokies

Hello, everyone! Welcome to our first entry for our new weekend blog post! Every Sunday, we are going to bring you a new story about local folklore, myths, hauntings, cryptids, UFO sightings, and everything in between! If anyone is familiar with these stories or has their own story to share, please feel free to share with us in the comments!

For our story today, we will be taking a look at a figure that is prominent within local Cherokee folklore, “Spearfinger.” Deep in the heart of the Smoky Mountains, the Cherokee whisper of a female entity that they refer to as U’tlun’ta. Her name means “the one with the pointed spear,” this referring to her deadly finger. She is often described as having her skin made out of stone, and she is sometimes also called Nûñ'yunu'ï, which means “Stone-dress.” Her mouth is reported to be stained with blood from the livers she has eaten from her victims (an icky meal, if you ask me!) Often, she will be seen clutching her right hand very tightly. This is because she is guarding her only vulnerable spot, her heart, nestled in her right palm.

She is said to live along the eastern side of Tennessee and the western side of North Carolina, inside the Smoky Mountains. In Tennessee, Spearfinger is said to wander the trail that joins Chilhowee Mountain and the Little Tennessee River. She is also said to pass through the area around Nantahala River. The Cherokee regard her favorite home as Whiteside Mountain, located in North Carolina, also known as the thunder mountain. Why? Because it is said that when she is walking the mountains, her footfalls sound of thunder, and her voice echoes down the valleys, scaring the birds away. The Cherokee see this as a warning sign. So, if you are ever out in the Smokies and hear thunder, beware the presence of Spearfinger, for she could be lurking nearby.

Aside from her deadly finger and stone skin, Spearfinger is also said to be able to shapeshift into the family members of her child victims, luring them in to eat their livers! She is also seen to take the guise of a harmless old lady to instill indifference in those around her.

Spearfinger was said to have at one time tried to build a great stone bridge between Hiwassee and Whiteside Mountain, located on the Blue Ridge. According to legend, this upset the higher beings because it came too close to their Upper World. They regarded her actions as arrogant, and struck it down with a great lightning storm. The Cherokee pointed out the location where they claim the ruins of Spearfinger’s Nûñyû'-tlu`gûñ'yï, or “Tree Rock,” on Hiwassee, remain, even today. The site of these remains is located in Blount County, and they’re called “U’Tluntun'yi,” which means “The Spearfinger Place.” Personally, we would like to find that place and check it out.

According to local customs, Cherokee people have traditionally burned brushfires that cover the entire mountainside so that they can easily hunt the chestnuts that fall from the trees. Spearfinger is known for being attracted to these fires. During other seasons, she is known to search for clouds of smoke that rise from the valley. In spite of these things, her most dangerous attribute is her deception. She can appear harmless and trustworthy, shielding her identity and powers while she lures unsuspecting children to their doom.

If you would like to learn more about Spearfinger, check out her wiki online or go check out “Dixie After Dark” on YouTube for a more in-depth look at the legend.

Have you felt anything eerie or supernatural in Spearfinger’s territory, deep within the Smoky Mountains? Seen the remains of her “Spearfinger Place” in Blount County? Have another legend to share? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for reading, and keep seeking truth in the shadows!