Blog
Blog 12/21/2025
Jesse the Butcher of Savannah
Jesse R. McKethan
A young man convicted of the gruesome murder and dismemberment of 17-year-old George Luther Aids in 1945. The case is a notorious, though often hushed, referred to as the "Butcher Murderer". The two young men, who were seeing the same female, had an argument over a picture of the mutual acquaintance found in Luther's wallet. McKethan had claimed the picture had been stolen months prior. Jesse McKethan strangled Luther Aids. Following the murder, McKethan dismembered the body under his house and disposed of the parts in various vacant lots. The victim's head was found buried in the island at Daffin Park. McKethan was arrested, confessed to the crime, and was executed by electric chair approximately 10 months later.
The story was largely suppressed at the time due to the social climate of the 1940s in the "Bible Belt." City officials and the media downplayed the story because of the individuals' "abnormal sexuality," as the city did not want to be known for a "Homosexual Murderers" case. The case is detailed in some local true crime resources and ghost tours, such as the book Behind the Moss Curtain by Murray M. Silver Jr. and episodes of podcasts like Scary Savannah and Beyond.
Blog 1/15/2026
Witchcraft
In Savannah
Savannah, Georgia, is known for its deep supernatural roots, blending historic hauntings with a thriving modern pagan and mystical scene, featuring witch tours, metaphysical shops like Cosmic Corner and Conjure, and strong local traditions like Gullah Geechee "haints" & "hags," offering a unique mix of folklore, ghost stories, and contemporary witchcraft. The city's rich history of burials and spectral tales fuels its reputation as one of America's most haunted cities, attracting those interested in spiritual exploration, tarot, herbalism, and Hoodoo.
Blog 1/16/2026
How to prepare
Absinthe
The traditional absinthe ritual, known as the French Drip, involves slowly dripping ice-cold water over a sugar cube placed on a slotted absinthe spoon resting on a glass of absinthe, creating a milky, opalescent "louche" effect as the water dissolves the sugar and releases essential oils, balancing the drink's bitterness. It emphasizes patience and balance, transforming the strong spirit into a palatable, flavorful experience without/or perhaps with hallucinations.
The Traditional French Ritual (The Drip)
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Pour Absinthe: Add about 1 ounce (30ml) of absinthe into a special absinthe glass (often with a reservoir).
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Place Spoon & Sugar: Rest a slotted absinthe spoon across the rim of the glass and place a sugar cube on the spoon.
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First Drizzle: Slowly drizzle a small amount of ice-cold water over the sugar cube until it's just wet and starts to dissolve.
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Continue Drizzling: Keep slowly adding more cold water over the sugar, allowing it to drip through into the absinthe below.
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Watch the Louche: As the water mixes, the liquid will turn cloudy and opalescent (the "louche").
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Stir & Enjoy: Once the sugar is dissolved and the desired dilution (about 3-4 parts water to 1 part absinthe) is reached, gently stir and drink responsibly.
Blog 01/17/2026
The Castle
A hats off to our South Carolina Low Country friends.
The well-known Lowcountry ghost story involving a mansion and a jester-like figure
centers on "The Castle" (also known as the Dr. Joseph Johnson House) in Beaufort, South Carolina, which is haunted by the spirit of a French dwarf jester named Gauche.
The Legend of Gauche, the Jester Ghost.
According to local lore, a French explorer named Jean Ribaut brought a dwarf jester named Gauche with him when he arrived in the Beaufort area in 1562. Gauche's fate is a mystery, but his spirit is said to have remained in the area and is particularly associated with "The Castle" mansion, built centuries later in the 1850s.
The ghost of Gauche is known for a variety of paranormal activities that involve communication and specific gestures.
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Tapping out messages: Guests and residents have reported the ghost tapping out messages, reportedly in archaic 16th-century French, to communicate his identity or his discontent.
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Physical movements: He is said to move furniture, open and close doors, and has been sighted as a wisp of fog rising from the nearby tidal creek that takes the form of a small man before vanishing into the house.
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Handprints: Gauche is rumored to leave red handprints on the windows of the mansion.
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Sound: The faint ringing of bells, which would have been part of his jester costume, is sometimes heard when his presence is near.
The story is a prominent part of the local lore, and his spirit is an integral part of Haunted Beaufort Ghost Tours offered in the area.
There is so much more to this story. To learn more, book our tour at
