According to legend, a Woman in Black typically appeared to men who had misbehaved, cheated on their wives, or committed some moral transgression.
According to one tale, she appeared "suddenly and unexpectedly" in Roanoke, Virginia in 1902 to men who had stayed too long at their club, insisting they go home as quickly as possible.
Sometimes a Woman in Black was said to hit, pummel, or knock a man down to the ground or "slap him to the earth with a swish of her phantom garments" as retribution for his sins.
It was said that her alleged appearances in Roanoke had the salutary effect of keeping married men home with their wives and families rather than going out each night.
One account claims she appeared suddenly to four men of the Disciples of Christ church in Tazewell, Virginia, and scared them so badly they all ran home.