# Legacy of the Battletown Witch | Encore Episode

An episode of [Southern Gothic](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1348392537), 21 Sep 2026, 52 min.

Audio: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.megaphone.fm/SGMKL4814235217.mp3

For nearly two centuries, folks in Battletown, Kentucky, have passed down the story of Leah Smock, a young woman who legend claims was accused of witchcraft and burned alive by her neighbors in 1840. Stories say Leah could predict the future, communicate with wild animals, and even place curses on those who crossed her. After her death, some claimed her spirit remained in the woods surrounding her lonely grave, earning her a place in local folklore as the Battletown Witch. But behind the stories of witchcraft and hauntings was a real young woman whose life ended under mysterious and violent circumstances. In this episode, we explore the legend of Leah Smock, the accusations that surrounded her, and the generations of stories that transformed a young woman from rural Kentucky into one of the region’s most enduring supernatural legends. This episode is made possible through the support of our sponsor: Elevate your summer bedding with Quince. Go to quince.com/sogo for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Want to Listen to Southern Gothic Ad-Free? • Patreon: Ad-Free Episodes, Premium Releases, Bonus Content & More • Southern Gothic Premium on Spotify • Southern Gothic Premium on Apple Podcasts • Into History: History Without Interruption Connect with Southern Gothic Media: • Website: SouthernGothicMedia.com • Merch Store: https://www.southerngothicmedia.com/merch • Pinterest: @SouthernGothicMedia • Facebook: @SouthernGothicMedia • Instagram: @SouthernGothicMedia • X: @SoGoPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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