Interview with a Cemetery Groundskeeper: The Haunting of Bachelor’s Grove
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Mr. Caleb Hayes. You’ve been a groundskeeper at Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery for over 15 years. Can you start by telling us about the history of the cemetery?
Caleb Hayes: It’s my pleasure. Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, located near Midlothian, Illinois, dates back to the 1830s. It’s a small, abandoned burial ground nestled in a forest preserve. Over the years, the place has gained a reputation for being one of the most haunted cemeteries in America. It was originally a family cemetery but later became known for vandalism and strange occurrences.
Interviewer: You’ve had your fair share of experiences there. Can you share one that left a lasting impression?
Caleb Hayes: Certainly. It happened about eight years ago, on a particularly misty October evening. I was locking up after some maintenance work. The sun had set, and the fog rolled in, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead. As I approached the old caretaker’s shed to gather my tools, I noticed a faint light emanating from the woods.
Interviewer: A light? What kind of light?
Caleb Hayes: At first, I thought it might be kids with flashlights—we’ve had a lot of trespassers over the years. But this was different. It wasn’t a beam; it was more like a floating orb, glowing faintly blue. It seemed to move with purpose, weaving through the trees.
Interviewer: What did you do?
Caleb Hayes: I decided to follow it. I’d heard stories of the “phantom lights” seen at the cemetery, but I’d never encountered one myself. As I got closer, I heard what sounded like whispers. They were faint but distinct, like multiple voices overlapping.
Interviewer: Were you scared?
Caleb Hayes: At first, no. I was more curious than anything. But as I got closer, the air felt heavier, colder. The orb led me to a part of the cemetery I’d rarely visited—an old section where the headstones are crumbling and half-buried. That’s when I saw her.
Interviewer: Her?
Caleb Hayes: Yes. A woman in white. She was sitting on a headstone, looking directly at me. Her face was pale, almost translucent, and she had this mournful expression. I froze. I’d heard about the “White Lady” before—a spirit said to appear to those who disturb her rest—but seeing her was something else entirely.
Interviewer: Did she say anything?
Caleb Hayes: Not at first. She just stared. But then, in a voice that felt like it was coming from all around me, she said, “Why have you come?” I couldn’t respond. It was like my voice was caught in my throat.
Interviewer: That’s chilling. What happened next?
Caleb Hayes: She stood up and started walking toward me. My legs felt like lead, but I managed to take a step back. Then she vanished. Just like that. The orb disappeared too, and the whispers stopped. But the cold lingered. I left my tools and ran straight to my truck.
Interviewer: Did you ever return to that spot?
Caleb Hayes: It took me months to work up the courage. When I finally did, I found something strange. The headstone she’d been sitting on belonged to a woman named Eleanor White, who passed away in 1923. I’d never noticed that grave before.
Interviewer: Do you think she was trying to communicate with you?
Caleb Hayes: I believe so. I’ve done some research since then, and Eleanor White’s name doesn’t appear in any local records. It’s almost like she’s a part of the cemetery’s fabric, a spirit tied to the land.
Interviewer: Have there been other encounters since then?
Caleb Hayes: Plenty. Bachelor’s Grove is a magnet for the unexplainable. There’s the phantom farmhouse that people claim to see—it appears in the distance and vanishes as you approach. And then there are the disembodied voices, shadow figures, and the occasional sensation of being watched.
Interviewer: How do you cope with working in such a haunted place?
Caleb Hayes: You learn to respect it. The cemetery has its own energy, and as long as you don’t disturb it, you’re usually fine. I always say a small prayer before and after I work. It’s my way of acknowledging the spirits and asking for protection.
Interviewer: What advice would you give to visitors curious about Bachelor’s Grove?
Caleb Hayes: Be respectful. Many of the spirits there are tied to tragic pasts, and the cemetery is still a sacred place. If you do visit, avoid going alone or after dark. And if you see or hear something strange, don’t provoke it. Some things are better left undisturbed.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing your story, Mr. Hayes. It’s been fascinating and spine-chilling.
Caleb Hayes: Thank you for having me. It’s important to share these stories, not just for their eerie allure but to remind people of the history and mystery that places like Bachelor’s Grove hold.
Author’s Note: Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery remains one of the most haunted locations in the United States, drawing paranormal enthusiasts and curious visitors alike. If you’ve experienced something extraordinary there or at another haunted site, share your story with us at www.thechroniclesofjinn.com. We’d love to feature your tale!
