Long, long ago, when the County and those in it were still at a stage where superstitions were more firecely believed than today, there lived an old hut three miles south of what is now Leonardtown, an elderly woman by the name of Moll Dyer. Her life was a mystery to those who lived around her, for no one knew of her origin or of whence she came.
       There were, however, stories told of her in another day and in another land when she was young, which often spoke of a life of luxurywhere she was waited on hand and foot. Her tattered dress, it was said, at time revealed patches of an embroidered kerchief and bits of faded lace, which might have borne witness to days of youre when she ws younger and very beautiful.
       Of her appearance, she was said to be a tall and commanding figure, through which despite the passage of time, features of a former beauty, could still be glimpsed.
       But more prominent than any of these were the rumors and tales which whispered of her sorcery. She was claimed to be a witch, which in those days was feared more than ever by the superstitious townfolk.
       It was said that she seldom strayed from her solitary hut during the cold days of winter, but in the summer she would take to the countryside gathering samples of greens for her incantations and living in the alms of those who feared to refuse her by denying them to her.
       The name of Moll Dyer was often used to quiet the wailing of children. To cross her path while walking along the road at certain times and places was considered an omen which predicted mishaps for the unfortunate soul who passed her.
       The story is told that Moll lived in her hut for many years, although the townspeople were in no way willing to have her there and wished to be rid of her. Despite the protests, she remained right where she was until that fateful night, when the townspeople could no longer restrain their fears.
       It seems some plague or flood, the chronicles could not be specific, had taken hold of the land, and there was much desolation. It was in the thick of winter, and the winter in those days were fierce and biting. But whatever catastrophy, it was enough for it was Moll Dyers work and they decided they had taken enough from her.
       That night, thoe light of torches could be seen even through the hard winds and freezing rain as they made their way to her hut, surrounded it, and put it to flame. The woman barely had time to escape into the woods, but was not pursued by those who in their blind ignorance had struck out, as they retured to their homes, hoping they had seen the last of their afflictions.
       Several days later, a young boy was hunting for his cattle in the woods when he came upon her, kneeling on a huge stone, with one hand resting there while the other wsa stretched out to the heavens, as if she were in prayer. Her body was frozen stiff from the fierce winter cold, and the townspeople had succeeded in their task. Moll Dyer would trouble them no longer.
       However, the legend does not end there, for the run, or the spring which ran by her dwelling place, is called Moll Dyer's run to this day, and it is rumored that on the coldest night of each year, she can be seen making her way from a point south of the run, where remnants of the huts which was put to the torch can be faintly seen. Her ghostly form is said to mobe to the spot where the stone was located, to kneel in the same position that she took on that fateful night, to curse the land about her, which is said yet to be fruitless and unproductive.
       The stone itself was located several years ago in a revine and has seince been removed to the St. mary's Historical Society in Leonardtown, where the impringts of her hands and knees can be found, as they were bound forever in the same spot where the rested on in the night when the woman known as Moll Dyer breathed her last breath.