Old Nance, sometimes referred to as Nance Dude, is a figure steeped in Appalachian folklore. She was a woman from Western North Carolina who became infamous due to a tragic event in the early 1900s. Some considered her a witch, while others saw her as a victim of circumstance. In 1913, Nance Dude, then 65 years old, was convicted of causing the death of her two-year-old granddaughter. The child was found buried in a cave in Haywood County, and the case led to widespread outrage. She was nearly lynched before being sentenced to 30 years in prison, though she only served 15 years before being paroled at the age of 80. She lived out the rest of her life in poverty, chopping wood to sell to tourists until she passed away at the age of 104 in 1952. Her story has been retold in books and plays, often portraying her as a tragic figure caught in the harsh realities of mountain life. Some believe she was unfairly demonized, while others see her as a cautionary tale. Her silence about the crime only deepened the mystery surrounding her. Sources: Georch, C. (1974, March 7). Just one thing after another. The Nashville Graphic, p. 4. Marsico, C. (2008, December 10). Nance Dude: Legend, murderer, victim. Smoky Mountain News. Omaha Illustrated Bee. (1901, July 7). Witchcraft still practiced in North Carolina mountains. Page 7.