THE WITCH, THE SHADOW, AND THE SECRETS OF BLOODS POINT CEMETERY

Whispers of witchcraft, a grieving mother, and a horrifying secret — the true story behind Blood’s Point Cemetery may be darker than the legend itself.

As heard in this Weird Darkness episode…

The Legend of Blood’s Point Cemetery in Rockford, Illinois has been shared for many generations and is one of the most discussed legends in the area. People often tell a story about a witch named Beulah who supposedly lived and died near the cemetery during early settlement days. The name “Blood’s Point” actually comes from Arthur Blood, who purchased the land in the 1840s to establish his farm, which soon became prosperous.

The legend of Witch Beulah is connected to both the cemetery and the entire road, and has been passed down for generations. However, this particular legend remains difficult to verify. Despite extensive research, no records of a witch named Beulah in this location have been found, nor is anyone by that name buried in the cemetery.

Over two decades of research, dozens of people have shared their experiences at Blood’s Point Cemetery. These stories include encounters with demon dogs, mysterious voices, glimpses of an elderly woman at the cemetery’s edge, and a dark shadow that seems to lurk in the back corner where a shed once stood. The goal isn’t to dismiss these experiences, but rather to investigate what might have happened here that could have inspired these stories. And as is often the case, the true story behind Blood’s Point is more fascinating than the legend itself.

Charles Chena and his wife Jane came to the area from Michigan looking for good farmland to establish a home for their family. Charles became a respected, successful farmer who helped develop agricultural groups called Granges in the area. These Granges were fraternal organizations that gave small-town farmers a voice in national agricultural policy decisions.

Charles and Jane had three children – two daughters and a son named Fred. In 1895, Fred married a young woman named Mary Peal. The couple was excited when they had their first child in 1900, but tragedy struck when their baby girl, Francis, died at only 4 months old. Mary was devastated, and Fred didn’t know how to help his grieving wife. Mary began spending considerable time at the cemetery to feel close to her daughter, while Fred turned to alcohol. This caused many problems in their marriage. Fred repeatedly promised Mary he would stop drinking, but he always broke these promises. Eventually, he became better at hiding how much he was drinking, but darker secrets began to grow inside him.

Fred and Mary purchased their own small farm and hired a young man to help with the work. The families knew each other, and the boy would stay overnight while helping Fred. The boy’s mother, Jennie Hoyt, appreciated the extra money the Chena family paid her son.

On a hot August morning in 1902, Fred went into Belvidere. He knew his wife would be visiting the cemetery where their baby was buried, but instead of joining her, Fred went to a bar. After drinking heavily, Fred’s darker side took control on his way home. He visited Jennie Hoyt, knowing she would be alone.

Fred attacked the young woman. She fought him off, and momentarily, Fred seemed to regain his senses. He apologized and started to leave, but something stopped him. When Fred turned back, Jennie later reported that she didn’t recognize the man who stood before her. She became terrified as Fred, without acknowledging her pleas, attacked her again.

Afterward, Fred returned home. His wife Mary was surprised to find him in bed when she returned from the cemetery at 6:00 that evening. She tried to wake him but realized he had been drinking again. According to Mary, Fred tossed and turned all night. The next morning, he got up early. Mary noticed he took the gun from behind the kitchen door and found it odd that Fred went back upstairs with it. She thought perhaps he was going to wake the Hoyt boy to start work, so she went to the barn to do her own chores.

When Mary returned to the house, she smelled gunpowder and became frightened. She ran upstairs, and when she opened the bedroom door, she discovered a horrific scene. Fred lay on the bed with his head completely gone. It took Mary a moment to comprehend what had happened. Later, investigators determined that Fred had sat on the edge of the bed, removed his shoes and socks, placed the shotgun’s muzzle under his chin, and used his toes to pull the trigger.

Meanwhile, another drama was unfolding in Belvidere. Police Chief Richardson was waiting in town for Fred to attend church. Richardson had issued an arrest warrant for Fred following the attack on Jennie the previous day. Officials had decided it would be safer to arrest Fred at church, where he was less likely to be armed.

The news of both the attack on Jennie and Fred’s suicide shocked everyone who thought they knew him. Some people said his suicide spared his family the shame of his actions. In truth, however, Fred only spared himself that shame. He was buried at Blood’s Point Cemetery a few days after his death.

Some wonder if Fred truly rests in peace. Perhaps the darkness that some people claim exists at this small cemetery is Fred’s spirit, still hiding in the shadows, still hoping no one discovers what he kept hidden from even those closest to him.

(Cover photo: Rockford Register Star)