Mississippi is a historically and culturally rich state with stunning scenery. However, it also has a sinister side that is rife with mysteries, curses, and spirits. The McRaven House in Vicksburg is one of the most eerie locations in Mississippi, even though many other locations are also said to be haunted.
An Overview of McRaven House History
Dating back to 1797, the McRaven House is the oldest building in Vicksburg. The home was constructed by highwayman and pioneer Andrew Glass, who utilized it as a hideout and a place to keep his booty. Later, the home was added to by several owners, each of whom added their own architectural flair and background to the structure. During the Civil War, the home saw the Siege of Vicksburg and was utilized as a field hospital by both sides. The house was the scene of many soldier deaths, and remnants of their blood may still be seen on the walls and flooring.
Tragic and scandalous incidents also happened in the residence on occasion. John H. Bobb, one of the owners, was a prosperous businessman who wed Mary Elizabeth Howard, a young lady. Mary married Bobb when she was just 15 years old, and she passed just two years later while giving birth to their son. Bobb never got married again after burying his wife in the backyard. He and his wife are rumored to haunt the house. He passed away in 1911, and he resided there till then.
In the late 1800s, William Murray, a well-known politician and lawyer, was one of the house’s other owners. His family resided there as well. He had a falling out with another attorney named John G. Cashman, who had charged him with deceit in a land transaction. Murray accepted Cashman’s challenge to a duel, and they eventually met in front of the house on the street.
Murray instantly killed Cashman by shooting him in the chest. Murray was detained and put on trial for murder, but a sympathetic jury found him not guilty. He stayed in the house until he died in 1934, and it is rumored that both he and his victims’ ghosts haunt the premises.
The Ghosts of the McRaven House
People say that the McRaven House is one of the most eerie homes in the country and the most haunted home in Mississippi. In the past, it has been on TV shows like Ghost Adventures, Ghost Hunters, and A&E’s Haunted Houses. A lot of paranormal investigators and tourists have said that they have seen and heard strange and scary things in the house, like
- Seeing ghosts of people who used to live or own the property, like Mary Elizabeth Howard, John H. Bobb, William Murray, and John G. Cashman. There are some that are nice and some that are mean and hostile.
- Hearing voices, footsteps, bangs, knocks, and other sounds that don’t come from anywhere else.
- Having cold spots, drafts, touches, and pushes from hands I can’t see.
- Not being able to smell smoke, perfume, or other smells by sniffing.
- Realizing that things move, disappear, and return on their own.
- Having electrical items like flashlights, cameras, and batteries stop working.
- Feeling sick, having headaches, feeling dizzy, and other physical complaints.
The nursery, where Mary Elizabeth Howard died, the parlor, where John G. Cashman was shot, the dining room, where William Murray held his political meetings, and the bedroom, where John H. Bobb slept with his dead wife for several days, are some of the most haunted places in the house.
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In Summary
There is a lot of history and mystery in the McRaven House. That spot has seen both the best and worst of people, and it still holds the memories and ghosts of those who lived and died there. It’s not a place for the faint of heart, but it is for people who want to find out more about things they don’t understand. People say it’s one of the scariest places in the United States.