Appalachia Mysteries, Unexplained Stories of Cades Cove in The Great Smoky Mountains 

I became friendly with one of the last (quite possibly the last) person allowed to live in Roaring Fork, due to the lifetime lease of the land. She was very old 30 year ago, and unfortunately she is gone now. She had a similar story or a reappearing cabin somewhere deep in the Roaring Fork area as well. Her stories were always so incredible, she never left the area in 90 some years, because she said there was no need to ever leave the area. I learned so much about mountain life from her.

OMG thanks Donnie. I swear I've seen that cabin in the woods. Twice! I've stayed at CC many times. While cycling the loop l distinctly saw a cabin in the woods. I couldn't find it on any of the literature. So l decided to check it out the next day. I never could find it again. A few years later while driving, l saw it again. I made a mental note of where l was at using landmarks. That afternoon l returned. I never could find it again! I had no knowledge of the legend till this very moment.

I'm a 45 Yr old British gal who just loves to, listen to your wealth of real history and voice thank you Donnie xx

Today would have been my daddy’s 90th birthday. I came to hear a story like he told. Thank you for the comfort and the blessing. 💙

I live in N.West Georgia in a rural area. I am a bit of a night owl and my husband was working night shift. I was sitting up in my bed reading a book one night. I had my bedroom window open. All of a sudden I heard the most blood curdling scream that scared me half to death. It sounded like a woman screaming that was so curdling it made the hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stand up. It sounded just like what you had on this video about the panther. I heard it one more time a couple of weeks later. Never heard it again. I will never forget how it sounded!

Love these mountains! I was lucky enough to be born and brought up in em’. I love hearing your stories Donnie, In my town we had a whittle & spit. Where all the old timers would whittle sticks and sit around telling stories to the younger generations. Not many of them are around today, and If it wasn’t for people like you a lot of Appalachia’s history would be lost to time. You can guarantee I’ll be passing these stories onto my grandchildren one day, and this dying breed might survive after all. Thank you Donnie!

Cades Cove will never, ever get old for me. I’ve been going since I was a kid, and now my husband and I take our boys. We live in GA, but the Smoky Mountains have my heart! Thanks for these stories! ❤

That story about the moonshiner's horse stopping and refusing to go forward is something! Reminds me of the donkey in the bible who did the same thing cause he saw an angel! Good thing the moonshine wised up and didn't beat the horse or the Lord may have spoke through the horse like he did that donkey! Great stories Donnie!!! 😁

Thank you for the stories Donnie! I remember most people called them granny women, they were women who could see spirits. One woman used her flour sifter to see spirits, believe it or not. Another lady could see spirits above their graves in different states of decomposition. This came in handy because a young man was looking for his mother's grave and he couldn't find it. So he asked this lady to help him. She did, but it took a lot of energy out of her and I think it took two full weeks before she recovered from it. She asked the young man what his mother looked like. He told her and she said yes, I see her. She showed him where the grave was and he was able to get a stone for her grave. I know it sounds crazy, but I believe people are born with different gifts of the spirit, that's my belief.

I remember the video you made at Cades Cove you didn't hear anything at the time, but when you started listening later you heard voices and played them for all of us to hear! Love your stories! Patricia Gambino Harrington

Donnie, I thank God for people like you and Jerry Harmon for keeping these stories alive. As far as I know you two are the only story tellers left. Thank you Brother. God bless you.

Donnie you are a true Appalachian treasure. What a blessing to listen to you talk about our heritage in those mountains. Thank you for what you do.

The combination of your research and story telling expertise make you an expert of passing on history! I'm not from Appalachia, I'm from Indiana, and we have some stories of our own, but sadly we don't have an expert story teller like you keeping our history alive. I have spent time in the Appalachia's hunting, and it's fascinating to hear the history of some of the places I've been, and our church has worked with some churches in Appalachia to help the poor, and they've told some stories (not like you though) I'm more than hooked on the history of Appalachia, they are some of the smartest, hardiest people on the face of the Earth, and you sir are a master storyteller. Thank you for keeping the history of Appalachia alive!

Donnie, when I was a little girl in the delta country of Northern California, my grandma, who was from Dustbowl Oklahoma, used to tell me old haint stories. Now, she wasn’t from the Appalachians, but her great grandparents came directly to Oklahoma from Kentucky and western North Carolina, respectively… Grandma’s stories sound so much like yours! It’s uncanny! I would come to visit Grandma and Grandpa some summers. Grandma would have a “sleepover” with me in the living room, and as we would get relaxed on the futon in the living room, the lights would be out, and Grandma would start telling these haint stories. I would look out through the plate glass window at the night and the countryside back behind their house…and the combination of the haint stories and the big scary night sky and country gave me the most delightful “chicken skin” or goose flesh. I’m now having a “sleeepover” in my living room with my 18-year-old daughter, trying to recreate a memory of what it was like with my Grandma for her. Thanks for becoming a part of that memory for us both. Very grateful for your dedication.

You are a wonderful story teller. I could listen to your voice all day. Such amazing stories you tell. Thank you so much. 💜☮️

Cades cove is truly a spiritual experience. I've been many, many times and it's always been mystical.

Was told by a local to go there, and I’m glad I did. Did the loop road and stopped at the cabin and barns, walked through some fields, and seen tons of wildlife. Turkey’s, bears, deer, and some raccoons. Absolutely beautiful place!!! Can’t wait to go back again.

Thank you Donnie, I took my girls to a rock quary that had turquoise colored water in it. You could see huge paw prints in the dirt around it. I told my girls we didn't want to stay out there too long because when it starts getting dark a big bobcat or mountain lion might want us for dinner. 😃👍

Thanks again for this story. I've never really heard someone talk so in-depth about the Appalachians, and all the stories that go with them.

I love that story about the fella quitting all his bad habits after a relative died. I love all these old stories Donnie. Thank you so much for sharing so much with us!

I grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains and I love hearing ur voice tell these stories.

My grandpa's died before I was born, but I also remember my uncles telling me strange things that would happen when they were curing tobacco with fire wood

The work you put into these videos is not lost on me, Donnie. Much appreciated!

These ol mountains hold mysteries that we will never know the answers to. I'm so glad I grew up in my beloved mountains

I often reflect on all of the times in my life - both the good, and the not so good - and I know that one day soon, when my time is up, all of those memories will be lost and gone forever. All of the knowledge we gain over time, and then it's just gone. You always have the best stories, Mr. Donnie. Especially these old and otherworldly ones, which I consider more real and worthy than this fake world they try to condition us into, so that we lose our traditions. But they'll never take from me my way of life and grand memories of how it used to be. Those memories are leaving with me, safe and sound. Thank you.

Nice stories, while I've never heard the cabin in the woods story my relatives from S/E Kentucky have had stories about ghosts, a headless man that was a bad omen, a hairy tall apeman, and panther stories. It seems the same things happen throughout the Appalachian mountains with just some regional or specific area differences. Appreciate the video, it was excellent as always! Take care!

I grew up summers around the Ellijay/Blue Ridge GA. Area. A panther had a normal path behind the house. It was horrible to hear it. The neighbors told me that if the panther was ever following me, pull off a piece of clothes at a time and throw it on the trail. The idea was that it could cause the panther to stop at the scent on the clothes and might provide you time to get home. I never had to do that, but I never forgot it either.

I can't help but picture you in my mind as an old paw paw. I just want to hug you and listen to your stories all night long by a camp fire!❤😊 Thank you sir for these fantastic videos!

Your voice... Your accent and your stories are always captivating!! 💕🌷💕

Hi Donnie. There are stories that tell about Jaguars, Leopards and other big cats like those that roamed the Appalachian mountains hundreds of years ago, and most likely, they still roam around there today. I would not doubt it. Thank you my dear friend for these wonderful videos. God blessings on you.

4-5 years ago maybe 6 I was coming down a backroad on Standing Stone State Park. I’d got a Turkey that morning and was headed to show my uncle. I got bout even with a place we all knew as the Twin Oaks right above the Cole Spring. Well I look up the road a bit and a panther crossed the road in front of me and was setting on a pine tree that had fallen in the woods. It was black as coal and its tail was probably 3 feet long. Before I could get a shell in my shotgun it was gone. It’s was big now really big.

donnie!! i love your content! i’m a local and these topics are so close to my heart! they’re informative too, and i love learning about the things you appreciate. keep going!

Once again you’ve pleased us with your stories that we’re passed down. I believe that there are a lot of things in this world we will never know about. We’re only 1 planet and who but God knows what roams in the woods. Blessings always my friend! ❤️✝️

These were some great stories, those big cats , my brother and dad saw one. They thought it was a burned stump across a little hollow, till it got up and walked away. They were deer hunting that day and United over where the saw it. Then there in the mud was some cat tracks as big as your hand. Then in the same area my brother saw him again, he came down the opposite hill and jumped the creek not to far away from him and walked off. Thanks for sharing theses stories Donnie , I just love these kind of old stories that are part of our history. Cant wait till the next up load , take care and God bless 👍🏻👍🏻👋👋

I descend from John Oliver through his son William Oliver. Proud of my ancestors. I still live within a rocks throw from the Smoky Mountains. I don’t think I could ever imagine home being anywhere else.

What a treat to take a coffee break and enjoy one of your Cade’s Cove videos. God bless you and yours.

These stories are so great! I felt like I was there! Thanks for sharing. I think that they are all true . The black cat one is true for sure, because even down here in Alabama we have seen them!

Awesome video as always sir. I love the stories of Cades Cove, my favorite place on earth. I spend a lot of time myself in the woods and no doubt you hear and see some crazy things.

Wow! Great stories, Donnie. My Mamaw would tell of a man who killed his wife on a Sunday morning out on the Grandfather Mountain as they walked to church. For six nights in a row, a 'painter' would circle his house screaming until dawn. The seventh day was a Sunday and the man went to church and confessed his sin in front of the whole congregation before going out into the woods and hanging himself. Yep, many a unhappy and unsettled soul walk the night paths in our mountains. Thank you for all the time you put into research and editing these great stories.

Appreciate you again Mr Donnie for the mystery video. You never can tell what goes on in them hallows and mountains as you know my friend. Thanks again

Down home, relaxed, rural, peaceful, old fashioned... Can't get better than that! Thanks!

Hey Donnie. I love those stories. Could listen to them all day. I think that's part of why when you look at them mountains, they have a mystic to them you can't explain and wanna keep going back. Thank you friend and have a great evening.

Awesome stories Mr Donnie.

This is wonderful. I will always love the Smoky Mountains. Thank you!

For better than 15 years, my late wife and I visited Townsend, the GSMNF, and Cades Cove twice a year. It was just our little "getaway". Some of her ashes reside in Cades Cove. Read the story about the cabin, as well as some other stories about the area. Enjoyed your storytelling... well done, sir...

I’ve lived my whole life in the desert where you can see for miles in any direction until your eye encounters the horizon or a mountain. When I visit a wooded area it always creeps me out because it’s never quite and you can’t see past the trees. It’s beautiful and alive in a way the desert isn’t, but it would be so easy for something to hide in there.

Your first story reminded me of something I saw a long time ago. My friend and I were coming home after being in the Linville Mountain most of the day. We drove past a partial clearing that allowed us to see the whole side of the mountain. After some convincing we pulled off the road onto an overlook. Suddenly out of nowhere we spotted a light swaying from one side of that mountain to the other side. We asked at the same time 'who in the world'? Well, the light moved in and out of the few tree that were left but it moved rather quickly, much quicker than anyone could have moved. We looked at one another and my friend said " it's time to go". I agreed and we got down that road as quickly and as safely as we could.

That panther survivor was a legend! Love how he got vindicated in the end and there was proof!

MORE GHOST STORIES, DONNIE!! I LOVE 'EM!!🙏🏻❤️❤️😁👍🏻👍🏻

I love the stories of strange things. I’ve heard of the orb lights and Sasquatch many, many times. That’s one of my interests. The orb lights are particularly intriguing to me. It’s said they are controlled somehow, that they move with purpose. Thank you!🤗❤️🐝

There's no feeling quite like following the sound of your dogs through the woods at night. I haven't got to do it since I was a kid but I'll never forget it even if I never get to do it again.

I grew up in central Ohio and spent time down in the Ohio River Valley and the Appalachians. I now live in Arizona, and i love it out here. But a part of my heart will always be in Appalachia. In hills and valleys, the creeks and hollers, the quiet green of the wood and the cool waters. Listening to this was like going home. Spooky, maybe, but like home.

The Smokey Mountains is a very haunted place. I've lived near them all my life and heard some crazy stories.

I like ur old wisdom and knowledge. It's like being back at my grandfather's house when there was black and white tvs. I enjoy it.

I hope you are compiling some good stories for next October, lol....chills ! ty Donnie love it

Donnie, have you ever researched Union County, Big Ridge Park? They do a "ghost tour" of my ancestors' former property there. It's pretty wild! People still report seeing things up in those woods.

God bless the missing and their families. Thank you, I have heard mountain stories all my life and enjoy the everyone. From stories of ghost, bears, cat's and medicine woman to fires and brimstone , miracles from God and on n on. Thank you Mr. Laws, appreciate you always. God bless you all.

Enjoyed this one reminds me of stuff I seen growing up I don't tell it much anymore. Experts say a rattlesnake only gets about 6 foot long back in the early 1970s we killed a 11foot diamond back in east texas a lot of old folks in that area told how they seen them that big for years.

Thanks to you Mr. Donnie Laws I know a lot more about the history of Cades cove and a lot of other places and old stories and stuff thank you for all this information it's very intriguing educational and informational

Loved this video. So many interesting stories of cades cove. Thank you Donnie for your video's and God bless.

I love these stories. Hope you never stop telling them.

Born and raised in Tenn! Visited cades cove more than once and it's wonderful to see someone talk of these mysteries that I never knew of. I love your accent too :-)

Thank You For Sharing Donnie, I've heard the Panther My MwaMaw said get in and let the Windows down and shut the doors. That's a sound you'll never forget. I worked with a woman and her and her husband was sitting on the porch late one evening and he looked up and saw it coming down the road and he said be be quiet get up and get in the house then she saw, she said it scared her so, they got inside and watched it go on down to the creek, it started crying as they said.

I don't know if I believe in ghosts or green eyed monsters, but I believe in an afterlife. I enjoyed this video because Mr. Laws' voice is just BEAUTIFUL. I love to hear him speak. Thank you for sharing your stories, Mr. Laws. ❤

Love your stories, and your animal friend videos❤️

I always look forward too the mystery story’s you share!

Thank you for another awesome video! Love your content. Whether or not the elusive black panther exists is a mystery I wish could be solved. Of course I know people who insist they or their Granddad saw one. I know what the authorities say but they also told me there are no coyotes in the town I live when I came face to face twice with one carrying off a kitten. Neighbors saw it too.

I love hearing these old stories. Thank you for documenting them. You have a nice southern US accent. Your way of speaking and tone is very relaxing & soothing to listen to (no loud sound changes/ noises in the video).

I REALLY hope you do more A LOT more of these videos! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE hearing them! Thank You thank you thank You for today’s video!

Thank you Donnie I never tire of your stories about the appalaches where you grew up ❤❤❤

Not only are your stories so interesting but your voice brings me peace.

Love Cades Cove ! Thanks for sharing your wonderful stories God Bless

Thank you Donnie. God bless. Was a cool rainy day in Austin. Take care friend.🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Thank you Donnie, I love the old stories.

Love these stories I hadn't seen yet! God bless you & heal you soon Donnie🙏🙏🙏Take care, rest & recuperate.

I heard stories about Cades Cove, from my ex-boyfriend's grandma, I will always remember that woman. I admire her and many other wonderful elders throughout my life. Wonderful old stories. Guess, since I'm a grandma, it's my turn. Please keep the oral traditions alive. And thank you Donnie Laws for doing so.

I really liked your story. I saw a black panther in Murphy North Carolina around 2010 to 2012 somewhere in that time. I was working security at a local hospital and had to drive down the road and saw it cross the road in front of me

Thanks Donnie for sharing another great story about Appalachia mountain.

I am an old man in his 70's but just about every summer I camp for several days in Cades Cove so I can either walk, bike or even run the Cades Cove Loop when it is closed to car traffic. I start before the sun is up and it is majestic every time. Like going to a place one has never been to. Back to nature as it was designed. Last year at age 70+ I biked the loop (11+ miles) then recovered and then jogged it. Can't get enough.

I love your old stories!, I used to visit Cades Cove a lot, I felt so at home there, its exait's like you said, its breathtakingly Beautiful!, Ive always loved old log cabins, I've taken pictures of every cabin in the Cove, even framed my favorite cabin. I don't remember a vanishing cabin. The cemeteries there and the old church's are so neat, my ( maiden name) is on a lot of the headstones, I heard that Germans lived there back then. Anyway, thanks for sharing the very interesting stories, have a blessed week. 😊🌺🌻

Thank you again Donnie for keeping the Appalachian mountains stories on going to be heard ❤

Donnie, you're the best story teller. I enjoy listening to your voice.

This is absolutely fascinating. Thank you so much for sharing these stories and God bless you.

I could listen to your outdoors type voice forever. Your voice is unique and wonderful. I enjoy your stories too. I'm a big fan!

Thanks Mr. Donnie! I belive these things and many others too. Why? Because I’m not arrogant enough to belive that I know everything. There are things going on, that we as humans can’t understand. After my Dad passed, I was devastated, he was my best friend. He contacted my Mom, Sister and me by writing in dust. No one believes it, even though I have many pictures. I don’t care, I know that he did.. God blessed us... God bless you too Mr. Donnie

I love a good mystery. Thanks for sharing these. Lots of places have mysterious stories. I've seen things that no one believes what I've told them but that's ok. Keep them coming. You never know you keep listening and you might just get the truth.

These stories are awesome, the stories themselves as well as the way you tell them remind me of some of the stories my grandfather (he was from eastern Arkansas) would tell the kids when i was little (well the ones who would actually sit down and listen to them) Thank you for making this channel and keeping the stories and history alive!

Mr. Laws, I cannot tell you how much I enjoy every aspect of your videos- I could sit in a candle lit room all night, smoke my pipe and still be refreshed in the morning! Hope to do some real exploring of your enchanting area one day but in the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through your amazing stories. Also, can’t help but correlate many of these to things that happen all over the world, pretty interesting indeed. God bless you and your Loved ones- Jerry from Boston

I love your stories and your sister's as well! Thank you 🥰 God Bless you and your family

THANK YOU DONNIE FOR THESE WONDERFUL TALES. MY RELATIVES IN N CAROLINA HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE BLACK PANTHERS IN THOSE AREAS FROM TIME TO TIME. THOSE MOUNTAINS ARE BEAUTIFUL BUT ANYTHING CAN ALSO BE HIDDEN THERE AND NEVER SEEN TOO. MY GRANDFATHER WAS A CLOCKMAKER AS HIS HOBBY AND HE MADE A KITCHEN CLOCK FOR ME WITH A DETAILED BOOGER MAN AS HE CALLED IT CARVED OUT OF THE WALNUT WOOD. WILDMAN OR BIGFOOT, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT. I STILL HAVE THAT CLOCK TODAY. FOR SURE THINGS WE CANT EXPLAIN LIVE IN THOSE WILDS. THANKS AGAIN DONNIE AND GOD BLESS. 😃

I grew up camping in the smokies and we now have a vacation home over in Blairsville GA about an hour and a half from the smokies. I start watching your videos just like right now before we head up to the mountains for some r and r. Your videos always get me in the Appalachian mood. I always have to go to Cades Cove every time. No matter how many times I have been

Really enjoy your channel, Donnie. Can’t wait for the next time I can visit your side of our state. It is indeed, a mysterious and fascinating part of the world. Thanks!

I love the narrator’s voice; reminds me of my grandpa, who was intimately familiar with Appalachian lore.

My heart and soul are in the mountains and I love hearing the stories and history

Thank you Mr. Donnie for sharing those Stories very interesting and I enjoyed them 🐻🐾🐾

I love all 4 stories! Thanks for your videos!

Listening to you takes me back to my childhood, sitting in front of the fire in the Outback Australia with my Dad while he told me stories of his life. Thankyou for bringing back those memories xxx. And the strange balls of light...Dad used to tell me he had them follow him along the road sometimes, he would think it was a car coming in the opposite direction, but would disappear...and the Aboriginals would called them MinMin lights.

Thanks for sharing! Cades Cove is my happy place! I look forward going every year!

I love Cades Cove. I spent so much time there and took anyone who visited us on the ine way loop. We stop at every church, cabin, grave etc. A california girl who ended up in Seymour, TN for 11 years. I love TN. I felt like I was transported back in time. I hiked every trail and visited everything from old churches to abandoned cabins. Barely scratched the surface. Family still in Seymour so good thing I can return to visit more. I love hearing your stories from those who grew up there.

Thank you Donnie ! I have watched ever Video you have made. I look forward when I have a new video notification on my phone. But I wait until I get home so I can watch it on the big Screen. Thanks again for the entertainment and History. 100 likes 👍 if is was possible.