LISA MARCHESONI, Senior Writer
Posted: Sunday, October 18, 2009 7:31 am

If you thought Murfreesboro was just a sleepy, boring town, consider the city was once nicknamed “Chicago of the South.”

Through research, the BoroTellers uncovered the nickname, some crazy deaths and weird true crimes, said Diana Hague, founder and president of the storytellers’ group.

One story they found was Murfreesboro’s affiliation with organized crime, Hague said, explaining, “We had some mob stuff trying to come here.”

Hague, who speaks in a dramatic voice, and other BoroTellers will share those hidden secrets of Murfreesboro as part of the Haunted Halloween event with one-hour, one-mile walking tours around the downtown square.

“We’re not the innocent little town you think we are,” Hague said, with a hint of mystery in her voice. “We’ve had some happenings.”

Tours begin at 7 p.m. and  every 15 minutes until 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 and 30 and Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Vine, a BoroTellers supporter for years, at 118 Vine St. across from the Linebaugh Public Library. Tours will be held even if it rains, which adds to the spookiness.

Cost is $5 per person. Children should be at least age 12 or 13.

“We don’t censor it for the kids,” Hague said, warning, “Some of the stuff is gruesome.”

The art of storytelling

The BoroTellers formed about 10 years ago.

“We are a group of people who love telling stories,” Hague explained. “We love the art of the story, the craft of the story.”

They weave stories for the Free Day in May when tourist attractions don’t charge for admission, Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation programs and Uncle Dave Macon Days.

About five years ago, they decided to participate in the Halloween Haunted Murfreesboro program by telling stories. Members talked to people and researched history at the library.

“We found all kinds of weird snippets, weird articles and obituaries we crafted into stories,” Hague said.

Several of the stories deal with mysterious deaths, such as James A. Dearing, with the stage name of Ray Royce, 26, of St. Louis, who claimed to be the “Human Fly.” He climbed to the weather vane of the Courthouse, but he lost his balance near the clock and toppled to his death in April 1923.

In other death tales, the storytellers describe how a man died with his throat slashed and police called it suicide. Another man plucked a whisker from his nose and died.

BoroTellers describe strange happenings from the past.

“Some true crimes are really strange,” Hague said.

About 10 storytellers will lead the tours with their own adaptation of the stories.

“Individual storytellers make it our own,” the founder said. “If you go with one person, you’ll get a different story than another. We’re all our unique storytellers.”

They chose to participate in Haunted Halloween because the stories mesh with the creepy air.

BoroTellers don’t charge for most of their stories but the group needed a fundraiser to rent sound equipment for Uncle Dave Macon Days. They decided to charge $5 for the Halloween tour.

All the funds collected are used for storytelling events, including sponsorship with MTSU of a professional storyteller.

Members don’t wear costumes but usually wear black clothing and BoroTellers’ T-shirts and comfortable walking shoes during the tour.

People taking the tour like it so much they return year after year.

Skills of a storyteller

To be a storyteller, one must be able to speak comfortably in front of people and talk on the spur of the moment. Storytellers don’t memorize the stories   they remember it.

“You don’t have props,” Hague noted. “It’s just us. You’ve really got to enjoy it to get down to the basics.”

For the downtown tour, storytellers are encouraged to practice by doing a walk through the area to know where to stop and tell stories.

“Another key thing, we have to be flexible,” especially if a motorcycle roars by during the tour.

Depending on the size of the crowd, storytellers might give three tours a night, with each tour different from the others.

People who enjoy telling stories and wanting to become a storyteller may contact Hague at a_pinch_of_fairydust@yahoo.com. Membership is free.

It’s a mistaken idea storytelling is just for children. It’s an art for all ages.

And the storytellers will reveal for older children and adults the “hidden secrets” stories of Murfreesboro during the Haunted Halloween tour.

Lisa Marchesoni may be reached at 869-0814 or at lmarchesoni@murfreesboropost.com.