CROWN POINT GYPSIES
Miss Brenda, la Porte, Indiana
This is an old story from around 1800 from Crown Point, Indiana.
(about 1 hour outside of Chicago)Around 1800, a gypsy caravan came to the new-born town of Crown Point, Indiana . They were met with hostile greetings. As usual, the stereotypes of the gypsies being thieves, tramps, and evil people of witchcraft proceeded the caravan's arrival. The caravan had been traveling for many days, and needed to rest and get supplies. They set up camp on the outside of the town. It was near winter, so they had to get medicines and warm clothes and blankets from the town. The city officials refused to allow the gypsies into their town, saying things like: "Why don't you use your magic and witchcraft to cure your people?" As the days went by, the caravan became too weak to move on. Many, if not all, of the caravan died . They were buried, up until recently, in unmarked graves. As the years went by, people have reported strange behavior in the old gypsy camp, now known as the Gypsy Graveyard. People said that they have seen mysterious fireballs chase all non-gypsies out of the area. They have heard ghostly warnings and laughter throughout the area. Perhaps the most common of the happenings is the "Blood " that drips like dew from the grass and is only attracted to non-gypsies. I had to see if this place was for real! About a year ago, I drove out to this legendary site. (It's about 2 hours from la Porte). I found a small fenced-in grave site. Most of the stones were replaced with new ones. At first , I wasn't sure if this was the right place. Once inside, I knew it was. Being of gypsy spirit, I felt welcome and calm there, unlike my companion who felt as if she wasn't welcome to enter the gate. I can't say anything unusual happened when I was there, but I do know there was something there. From that night on, I've been receiving all sorts of gypsy literature and information on where to get it. It's like I need to know now. Funny, huh? Anyway, I keep a small bit of the graveyard's soil in a box with the directions around it. It keeps me in touch, so to speak, with them .