This Ruined Florida Cabin Holds a Deadly Secret. Here’s the Full Story

LAKELAND, FLORIDA – Those who venture into the Green Marsh near Lakeland will find a strange surprise: a hollow cabin, isolated in the middle of the woods.

Although the rotting wooden shack may look quite scary, its history is even more morbid.

This property was once said to be the scene of a double murder.

Outside the structure, a plaque lists the names of the two deceased: Isham and Sarah Stewart.

According to historian David Bulit, the circumstances of their deaths are at best obscure, although he was able to clarify some details.

“Isham raised and sold livestock, depositing his money in the bank,” Bulit writes. “At the time, many people were suspicious of the town’s business, including Isham, who eventually withdrew all his money and took it home.”

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But a few weeks later, Sarah’s son from another marriage, George Browning, stopped by their cottage and spotted buzzards on the roof. When he went inside, George witnessed an incredibly disturbing sight.

“He found his mother on the floor, her left hand and leg nearly severed, and her head caved in,” Bulit added. “Next to her was an empty piggy bank, pooling in blood. Isham was still in bed, his skull crushed by an axe blow to his head. The sheriff’s report differs, saying the Stewarts were killed in their beds, but their bodies were wrapped in mattresses and buried not far from the cabin.”

Josh Browning, George’s son and Sarah’s grandson, was later arrested alongside his friend John Tucker, and the pair were charged with the couple’s murders.

According to Josh’s testimony, he and his friend had visited the couple on May 9, having dinner with them before going to bed. But as the Stewarts slept, John got up and grabbed an axe, slaughtering the Stewarts.

It turned out that Josh and John had conspired to murder them in order to split Isham’s small fortune of $1,500.

Josh eventually pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years in prison (10 years for each murder). But shortly after serving his sentence, he escaped with another inmate, who was later killed in a shootout with law enforcement.

“According to legend, (Josh) returned to Green Swamp to retrieve the money he had hidden after the murders,” Bulit said. “He turned himself in after being on the run for 10 years.”

However, when he was taken back to prison, it was discovered that Josh had not been informed of his constitutional rights and had never been asked if he wanted to be represented by an attorney. Josh was therefore released from prison in 1938, more than 20 years after the murders.

Today, the cabin where the Stewarts lived is long gone, although the ruined cabin still stands at the bottom of the eastern part of Green Marsh.

A new headstone was installed in 2006 to commemorate the site, although it is not the easiest place to find it.

If you want to see it for yourself, you’ll have to do a fairly long hike – the only roads leading to the property are usually flooded and nearly impassable for cars.

Fortunately, there are plenty of trailheads located around the 322,000-acre Green Marsh, but no matter which one you choose, the hike will likely take at least four hours.

Hikers wishing to preview the property will need to carry sufficient water for the trip.

And since it’s a swamp, insect repellent will definitely come in handy.

Upon reaching the intersection of Logging Road and Cross Seminole Trail, the farm is just a few yards off the main road.

While the Stewart Estate and Cemetery are a fascinating part of Central Florida, there are also many other strange stories to read about.

For more on the Sunshine State’s weird and wild history, visit News 6’s Florida Fables page.

Alternatively, you can share your own weird stories and unusual places with News 6 via our PinIt! page or by emailing [email protected].