The Candy Lady of Terrell, Texas - Urban Legend

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"Did you hear? Jacob has gone missing. Just up and vanished."

 "That's not true," Emily and other the kids kept shouting. All five of them trying to ignore Daniel, although deep down they could all feel it in their gut the rumors must be true.  

 “Parents lie all the time,” Daniel said. “They say he moved because they don’t want to scare us, but I’m telling you right now, the Candy Lady got him. My brother and his friends told me all about her and how she lures kids with candy. I bet Jacob couldn’t pass up on free candy.”

 All six kids sat in silence. Wondering who was next. Wondering whether the next piece of candy would be enough to entice them to follow the Candy Lady back home. Clara Crane may have died over a hundred years ago. That doesn’t mean her ghost still won’t leave a piece of candy for you to find. 

 All it takes is one bite, and you won’t be able to resist following the trail of candy leading back to her house. That’s how it happens. One appears. Then another. Then another. You lose all control and the only thing that matters is the next piece. Where you end up is a mystery. Where exactly does a ghost live? No one knows where the Candy Lady’s home is because they never came back from it to give directions.

 Think twice the next time you find a piece of candy. It might be the first that leads to your last.

Terrell, Texas

Terrell is 32 miles away from Dallas and let me be the first to say there's absolutely nothing headed that way. Well, as far as I know. That part of the metroplex is foreign to me. From what I understand is it's mostly farmland. Compared to the big city, Dallas, Terrell is rural. 

I wish I could tell you more about the landscape, but again it's no big city so I have no reason to visit. I came across the Candy Lady when looking for legends outside of Dallas. Although, 32 miles isn't exactly outside of Dallas. Anyone from the DFW metroplex understands travel plays a huge role in our lives. Nonetheless, let's move on to how Clara Crane became the Candy Lady.

Clara Crane AKA The Candy Lady

Clara Crane was born in 1871, in the rural town of Terrell. She married Leonard Crane, an older man who may have had a drinking problem and had one child, Marcella. Drinking will play a significant role in all this. 

In 1893, Marcella's life was cut short. She died in a farming accident, which is believed to be Leonard's fault. Clara noted Leonard had been drinking when the accident occurred. I currently do not have children, but I can understand Clara becoming depressed and reserved after this incident.

What happens next is how Clara became infamously known as the Candy Lady. After two years of depression, and coming to the conclusion all her pain was Leonard's fault for the accident because of his drinking, she could no longer allow Leonard to live. She poisoned him with candy. Odd choice in my opinion. Or should I say, it was a bittersweet choice. Pun intended.

She was tried and found guilty of the murder although she pleads insanity and grief. The court admitted Clara to the North Texas Lunatic Asylum.

A doctor for the asylum made a note about how Clara would sing and talk to a doll she made from torn sheets hidden in her room. Other than that, the soft-spoken woman was an ideal candidate for release.

After the asylum

In 1899, Clara Crane was released from the North Texas Lunatic asylum because of overcrowding. The charming woman was let go as though she never killed her husband. During this time, after care did not exist. Which means no one knows exactly what happen to her. 

There's speculation, however.

Around 1903, Terrell began experiencing missing children incidents. Rumors spread that someone was placing candy on windowsills at night. If the child took the candy from the windowsill, the next night another piece would appear. After they took a few, notes would start appearing on the wrappers. Eventually, the kid would go missing.

According to stories, the townspeople and law enforcement got involved and began investigating more into the missing children. They found teeth in one farmer's fields. And they found the sheriff dead with forks in his eyes and candy in his pockets. 

My take on the Candy Lady

My first thought after reading about the Candy Lady is Hansel and Gretel. Stories like this are cautionary tales meant to scare kids into not taking candy from strangers or going to someone's house.

The forks in the guy's eyes and candy in his pockets is a nice touch I can appreciate as a horror fan.

Clara Crane existed. What happened was tragic and also questions alcohol on the job. My blog is about drinking with the unknown. However, I am a firm believer in drinking responsibly. Especially if you are operating farm equipment.

This takes on a scorned, depressed woman who murders uniquely. Then she is sent to an asylum who is then released back into society with no follow up. She was obviously unstable, unless you have a doll you talk to. In that case, you are perfectly normal and don't come looking for me.

It has the makings of a good urban legend.

Pairs well with

This margarita is for you Clara AKA, The Candy Lady. Since you lived, and maybe died, in Texas there is nothing more fitting than a margarita. Not any margarita, a candy margarita. 

Here's the recipe for a Watermelon Jolly Rancher Margarita.

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 oz Simple Syrup
  • Watermelon Jolly Ranchers
  • 1 oz Lime Juice
  • 2 oz Jolly Rancher infused Tequila
  • Garnish: Salt/Sugar for rim


  1. Create jolly rancher tequila by dropping candies into a small bottle and filling with tequila. Allow to infuse overnight.
  2. Rim edge of glass with lime juice and a mixture of salt and sugar. Set aside.
  3. In an ice-filled glass combine watermelon jolly rancher tequila, lime juice and simple syrup. Shake well to mix.
  4. Strain mix into prepared glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
Enjoy your drinks with the unknown.

What do you think of the Candy Lady? Does your town have a similar tale? 

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