White Bluff Tennessee is a small town in Dickson County.  With a population of just over three thousand people, the town is often quiet and reserved.  Everyone knows each other and just like any small town, there are certain quirks and stories that old town residents are happy to pass down with those interested enough to listen.

(images:randyblaylock/flickr)

The town itself are out of a Civil War Union Army encampment was initially constructed as a fort in 1806, and later an iron forge.  After a few years, the firm had grown and included mills and businesses.  The town quickly built for only spanning about six square miles of land.  Visitors are often drawn to the area to visit the Montgomery Bell State Park and the Interstate Packing Arboretum.

While stories commonly circulate about the war and efforts made by the town, one story that quickly catches any listener’s attention is that of La Llorana, or the White Screamer.  While the origin of the creature woman is unknown, many of the stories remain the same.  The strange woman had a scream that would drive anyone unlucky enough to hear it straight into a mental breakdown.

Some speculate that the White Screamer is an exotic animal that escaped when a traveling circus was passing through town.  Scared of the repercussions, when they could not quickly restrain the beast they opted to leave it and hurried to the next town.  Others say there is no early creature that could cause the damage of the White Screamer and instead suggest that it is an unearthly apparition that wanders aimlessly.  Others say it is a banshee that emits the horrible cries.

The White Screamer haunts the White Bluff area, often terrifying hikers and hunters who stumble upon it.  Even drivers and walkers have had experiences with the strange creature.  They all describe the same type of beast.  It is usually hunched over, but can stand completely erect.  Often it is found hunting or discovered after the deaths of dogs or calves.

(images:k0d3x/flickr)

Despite the origin, a misty form seems to appear and screams like a woman in great distress.  Those unlucky enough to hear it can only listen for a matter of seconds before they are driven completely insane.  Those lucky enough to escape have returned with non believers, only to find a spot of charred grass where the figure had once appeared.  Many were not lucky and suffered greatly at the hands of the horrible beast.

In the early 1920s, a young man established a small home and farm with his wife and seven children.  On occasion they would wake up to the sound of a blood curdling screaming.  The children would be inconsolable.  When the man could no longer handle the nightly calls, he headed out one evening, carrying his rifle.  He climbed the nearby hills where he had heard the sounds but found nothing.

When he decided to give up and turn back, he did finally hear screams.  Unfortunately, these were not the screams that had led the man on his search.  He ran as fast as he could back to the house, but it was too late.  The screams he heard were those of his family and now their bodies laid strewn all over the cabin, pieces scattered everywhere.  Their house and graves can still be found in the hollow of White Bluff.