Slowly trickling in, and few and far between, official reports are offering us little documented insight into the alleged Witch’s Den found on Cold Knob. Reportedly, a local ginseng hunter, startled by a fiery glow atop a neighboring ridge, stumbled across the establishment in the late evening hours of September 19.

Upon further inspection the following day, a large ceremonial cauldron was found unattended in a well-hidden limestone cavern. Situated near the source of the previous evening’s unusual and bright lighting, and still warm to the touch, the cauldron had noticeably been used within the last several hours.

Historically linked to the maleficent and ancient practices of witchcraft, this particular find created the initial theory of a bonafide den site. Suspicions of the cauldron’s ownership was later confirmed when one of the investigators noticed an odd insignia on the bottom of the artifact, in addition to barley legible script that read, “Witches Rule!”

One can only theorize, but it appears the witches have flocked to Greenbrier County, in part due to the area’s vast nature, and its rural, yet slightly refined culture and food offerings. Empty containers of local Chinese food from China Palace, farm-raised beef packaging from Bella the Corner Gourmet, empty spirits bottles from Smooth Ambler Distillery, paw-paw seeds, and one box of used kazoos were found scattered on the floor alongside the cauldron. Apparently, these Greenbrier County based witches like to have a good time.

Unlikely to return to their once secret whereabouts, the investigators ponder that the witches will seek new living quarters in the general vicinity, most likely in the downtown Lewisburg area. This story will be updated as new details emerge. Until then, keep your broomsticks close, and your bottles of Smooth Ambler even closer.

– Mystery Writer 2000. LBSPY #58. October 2014.