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ATHS Meeting: Topic: The legend of Leah Smoc
October 3, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Speaker: Gerry Fischer, local historian, author, and director of the Meade
County History Museum. A retired educator with degrees in anthropology,
history and teaching, he has published several books regarding local history.
Topic
:
The legend of Leah Smock,22, from Battletown in Meade County, was
accused of being a witch and was executed by fire in August 1840. Leah
was placed in a coffin and wagon and carried to what is known now as the
Betsy Daily Cemetery. According to research She was the unlucky first grave
in that cemetery because no churchyard would welcome a witch. Her father
interred her on his land for her to stay until time ended.
Smock frightened
her neighbors, while garnering a reputation explained by accusing her of
occult powers. She was thought to be able to hex people and animals,
causing their death.