Most urban legends have at least a shred of truth, and the story of the Candy Lady is no exception. This terrifying tale, which is one of the creepiest urban legends in Texas, centers around a woman named Clara Crane. After being released from the psychiatric hospital she was committed to for killing her husband, she continued to terrorize the small town of Terrell. Can you guess why she was called “The Candy Lady?” Keep reading to find out…if you dare.
The sleepy town of Terrell, Texas was once home to Clara Crane, a woman born in 1871.
Wikimedia Commons/Renelibrary Her husband was an older gentleman by the name of Leonard Gilbert Crane, and the two had a little girl, who they called Marcella.
Leonard was a farmer, and tragically, Marcella died in an accident out in the fields when she was just five years old.
Sergiy Trofimov Photography / Moment Collection / Getty Images Clara blamed Leonard for her death - even more so after she found out he had been drinking at the time of the accident.
Two years later, still stricken with grief, Clara decided to take revenge.
Juj Winn / Moment Collection / Getty Images She laced a few caramels - her husband’s favorite candy - with poison and offered them to him. He died as a result of eating the lethal candy. The following day, a neighbor came by to check on Clara after noticing her “shaken and frenzied state.”
Clara was taken into custody after becoming aggressive towards County Sheriff Fred Springer, who the neighbor had called.
tirc83 / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection / Getty Images The sheriff discovered what had become of Leonard, and Clara was placed on trial for first-degree murder.
Instead of receiving life in prison, Clara was incarcerated in the North Texas Lunatic Asylum - now known as the Terrell State Hospital.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown author She was released in 1899 due to overcrowding, and that’s where the urban legend begins.
According to local lore, children began to go missing near the old Crane property in 1903.
quavondo / E+ Collection / Getty Images Other children found candy wrappers on their windowsills signed by “The Candy Lady.”
The local sheriff also vanished, and his body was later found in a ditch. Forks were stabbed into his eyes and his pockets were stuffed with candy.
Manny Rodriguez / Getty Images Additionally, a town farmer came across rotten teeth out in his field - teeth so small, they could’ve only belonged to children.
Have you ever heard the legend of the Candy Lady? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! For more spooky urban legends in Texas, check out our previous article.
Wikimedia Commons/Renelibrary
Her husband was an older gentleman by the name of Leonard Gilbert Crane, and the two had a little girl, who they called Marcella.
Sergiy Trofimov Photography / Moment Collection / Getty Images
Clara blamed Leonard for her death - even more so after she found out he had been drinking at the time of the accident.
Juj Winn / Moment Collection / Getty Images
She laced a few caramels - her husband’s favorite candy - with poison and offered them to him. He died as a result of eating the lethal candy. The following day, a neighbor came by to check on Clara after noticing her “shaken and frenzied state.”
tirc83 / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection / Getty Images
The sheriff discovered what had become of Leonard, and Clara was placed on trial for first-degree murder.
Wikimedia Commons/Unknown author
She was released in 1899 due to overcrowding, and that’s where the urban legend begins.
quavondo / E+ Collection / Getty Images
Other children found candy wrappers on their windowsills signed by “The Candy Lady.”
Manny Rodriguez / Getty Images
Additionally, a town farmer came across rotten teeth out in his field - teeth so small, they could’ve only belonged to children.
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Address: Terrell, TX, USA
