Stull Cemetery is a reportedly haunted cemetery said to be a place with occasional paranormal activity. It is located in Stull, Kansas, a town between Lawrence and Clinton Lake in Douglas County, eastern Kansas. The cemetery has been nicknamed the Cemetery of the Damned, the Devil's Burial Ground, and most popularly the Seventh Gate to Hell.^[1]

History

There are many stories as to why Stull Cemetery is allegedly haunted. The most widely known is that the Stull in haunted by the Devil himself who is said to visit the cemetery twice a year on Halloween and again on the vernal equinox.

According to one story, the Devil had a child with a local witch that was only half human. Its mother was hanged in a tree in the cemetery from which a branch fell down and opened the Seventh Gate to Hell.^[2]

Some say a boy was locked in the basement of the church, was driven crazy, and sawed off his own hand to escape. His ghost is said to haunt the cemetery and the church grounds.^[3]

Unexplained Events

The cemetery is famous for its strange and unexplained happenings. One legend claims that you can see blood on the headstones.^[4] Another claims that a glass bottle thrown at the cemetery wall will not break or cause a sound.^[5] It is said that when it rains no water falls into the church even though it has no roof.^[6] It has been reported that visits result in the loss of time, with visitors feeling as if they have been there for a few minutes when in reality they had been there for hours.^[7] The same is said about a staircase on which time passes much more slowly as one goes down the staircase than as one goes.^[8]

Several accounts tell about a mysterious strong wind that can come over the cemetery.^[9] One man stated that as soon as he stepped on the property of Stull Cemetery he was knocked down by an overpowering wind. He was pinned to the ground for close to twenty minutes. The wind then subsided and the man ran to his car, never to return.^[10] A second account of the mysterious wind was said to have occured when two males approached the cemetery. They were frightened by a strong wind. They proceeded to run back to their car. When they returned back to their car, it had been moved to the other side of the road, facing the opposite direction.^[11] There could be many factors playing into this event, but the main paranormal cause discussed is black magic.^[12]

Abandoned Church

The cemetery surrounded an abandoned church. On March 29, 2002 the old church was suddenly destroyed due to natural causes. The ruins that remain are four walls and fragments of building material. The church was allegedly used for the work of Satan and even of witchcraft.^[13] Many of the mysterious happenings revolve around the ruins of this church.

The staircase just behind the abandoned church is covered by debris and grass. It is said to lead to the basement, some said it is the Seventh Gate to Hell.^[14] One alleged myth or reality dealing with the staircase is that you cannot reach the bottom of the staircase. When attempted you will walk and walk and walk and never find the bottom but when coming back up the stairs it will take no time at all.^[15]

Accounts by Local Residents

Residents of Stull are dismissive of the legends. They are tired of vandalism and out-of-town visitors causing a stir. Those who wait outside the gates of the cemetery on Halloween night will find police officers, typically a few minutes before midnight. Trespassers who do not leave may be arrested and spend a night in jail.

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Bibliography

http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/toptenhaunted/toptenhauntedcemeteries/ http://www.ghost-mysteries.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2564 http://www.weirdus.com/states/kansas/stories/gateway_to_hell/index.php http://www.prairieghosts.com/stull.html http://www.strangeusa.com/Viewlocation.aspx?id=3774

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