Voices to Visions
Voices to Visions
March 2011 __________________________________________________________________
A Dust and Shadows Magazine
March 2011 1 Cover Photo by Alice Mary Herden
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ ABOUT US
MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTORS
Alice Mary Herden Founder of Dust and Shadows, a Paranormal Investigation and Research Group Alice is a freelance photographer and sports photographer for Hernando Today. Her experiences with the Paranormal go back to where she resided with her family in Largo. Encounters with the paranormal have been from breathing to a full black mass apparition. " The black mass was the craziest thing me and my little sister have seen, We were watching TV and I looked to the right and saw this black mass just floating towards the hallway, I turned to my little sister and asked her if she saw that and she said yes. Then we continued to watch TV like nothing happened. The breathing in my ear still to this day affects me. If I close my eyes and think back, I can still hear it." For this magazine, I wanted to share as much information about the paranormal without all the adversity. Showing ghost as creeped out artwork, like they are from some horror film, really upsets me. Don't get me wrong, I love dark gothic art, but reality for the paranormal that just doesn't fit.
Cheryl Smeed Workshop Articles Cheryl is a certified parapsychologist with over 30 years’ experience. She is clairvoyant and remembers communicating with spirit companions from a very young age. Cheryl brings to our group the ability to communicate with disembodied spirits, providing information and insight to our investigations.
“If you keep your mind open, you will see far beyond your beliefs.” I met Cheryl during our investigation of the West Pasco Historical Society and was completely drawn to her. She was like a magnet of happy energy. We bonded so fast, our friendship bloomed. I am so happy that she can squeeze time in to be in our Dust and Shadows group and write the workshop articles for our magazine.
I do hope the readers learn as much as we do with each month we put this magazine together.
Karen Bashak Article writer for Famous places Karen and I work together at the same retail establishment for over 5 years. She is talented, smart, beautiful and just a
2
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ joy to be around. I am so happy that she has time to write some for our magazine.
Photography Artwork All photography and artwork within this magazine are property of the photographer and/or artist. Interviews Interviews are conducted via e-mail. If possible some interviews are conducted in person and recorded. Our Sponsors
Jesselee Lang Concept Art for Paranormal Folklore Jesselee Lang is a superb 3D fantasy-based artist that tells astounding stories through digital art. He lives in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he provides design, artwork and graphics to the web, print, and video game industries. He offers free images for download at his website, and you can also find his art spray-painted on the sides of train cars. Jesselee enjoys crafting powerful stories, projecting them into a single work of art for others to appreciate. His works put you in the middle of the action. I met Jesselee through a stock photography site. I enjoy in
Vision-Vault LLC Merchandising Professionals LLC Action Sales and Merchandising INC Arrowwear USA Special Thanks A special thanks to my husband, Don. You have been the light of my life and I love you will all my soul. Thank you for being a huge supporter in all my goals. I could have never lived without you.
addition to this magazine.
Don Capone is a voice over actor, very talented and very funny. Thank you for all your advice and help with the radio ad.
http://www.darkgeometry.ca/
His Website:
Issue Contents
http://doncapone.com/
All material and information gathered within this magazine are researched and/or solely opinions stated by the writer. You choose your opinions and beliefs upon your own conclusion with each expressed view or article written.
Our Print Magazine is a non-profit magazine, you are only charged for printing and shipping.
artistic view and creative imagination. He is a great
3
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________
IN THIS ISSUE
Ghost Stories • Editors Views
• 101
Cemeteries-RESPECT
Investigating Cemeteries
• Interview
• PTM
Interview with Carolyn West
Dark Knights Paranormal
• Evidence
• Dust and Shadows Location
Cemeteries
Micanopy
• Encounters Spider Web Effect • Famous Places Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery • Readers Ghost Stories
4
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ Editor View Respect the Resting Here in Brooksville we have a private cemetery owned by Alyce Walker. She is the most wonderful, loving, caring, and full of so much wisdom, she is the best woman you will ever meet. What I love about her is her spit and vinegar personality.
The Spring Hill Cemetery has been hit so hard by paranormal groups, we knew about this cemetery from being in a paranormal group Don and I joined years ago called Lachesis Sight. Irene conducted an interview with Alyce while, Don, Mom, Dad and I were cleaning up around the cemetery.
Alyce is the caretaker of the Spring Hill Cemetery, which here in Brooksville, is stated to be the most haunted Cemetery. With that all being noted, it’s also the most vandalized cemetery in the County. There was one terrible and unforgiveable incident involving a teenager. This teenager actually took the head of one of the remains laying in peace, from their grave. This teenager still has yet to finish his restitution for his horrendous vandalism. When I finally got a solid group formed for Dust and Shadows, we did our first training there. Running video and digital recorders, and no this was not at night. We did catch some evps, “orbs” and an unusual photo sequence that I really can’t explain. You can view this on our website: DustandShadows.net.
Spring Hill Cemetery Interview with Alyce Walker by Irene Patino
5
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ Nestled in among majestic oak trees, the dirt road winds its way to a nearly forgotten cemetery. The African American Spring Hill Community Cemetery, located on a 3 acre parcel is carved into a secluded niche in Hernando County, Florida, one of the oldest, most historic, privately owned cemeteries in and about the city. Its recorded Black American heritage stems from the early 1800s. The lives of the people interred there represent the founding members, growth, and cultural wealth of the city of Spring Hill. It also is a testament to the pride filled memories of its current owner and industrious caretaker, Mrs. Alyce W. Walker.
having to go to the court house to get a certified copy of the original. The deed, now in possession of Mrs. Walker, is a treasure in and of itself. It is with that deed that a piece of American history will continue to live in Spring Hill. Passed from hand to hand throughout the generations, the deed is witness to the struggles and joys in the lives of Black American contributors and founders of the social network in Spring Hill today. At first look, the little cemetery is serene in its surroundings. It is secluded, quiet, peaceful. But it belies some ugly truths too. Truths that we have tried to rectify, but still deal with in one form or another even today. The gravesites are a tribute to everything from the days of slavery and bondage, the civil war, WWI and WWII. Mrs. Walker: You see that’s what I’m talking about. They put that road in, and I told you people was there. They tore up everything in the way and they just kept on going. See, see. There’s a name there, but its in pieces. You cant tell who it is or where they were before. We know that they were here (under dirt path that circles the site), but exactly where, we don’t know Entire sites have been obliterated by a bulldozed path that circles the cemetery. Smashed crypts, pushed to the side, like so much trash, scream against the atrocities perpetrated by the terrifying era of the Ku Klux Klan for, not only is this site one of final peace, it is also one filled with the pain that comes from discrimination and bigotry. Regardless, its a part of our history, and as such should not be wiped out of memory, or destroyed for the sake of surrounding development as it encroaches on the final dignity of those buried within its boundaries.
Mrs. Walker: This grave yard is more than 100 years old. I was born in 27. My grandfather, Henry Hart, died in 25, born 1872, just seven years after the civil war, but he wasn’t the first to be buried here. He was only 53 years old when he expired. Don’t know much about him. My grandmother died later. She was about 98 years old, I think. She died in 79. My father, Henry Hart Jr., was a mailman. A young man when he passed too. The deed to this property was passed down to me in 1991 after my aunt, Lester Lucille Ballard, expired in July of that same year. Luther Cason had the deed, but I ended up
6
Mrs. Walker: All I want is to save this property. I just want someone to do something to help make it look like a cemetery. You don’t have to give any money, just do something to help. I’m not trying to scam nobody or something like that. I’m retired, so this is what its all about. Not about me. Its about the respect for these folks that worked hard, and some even died for this country. We have people here from WWI and WWII. We might even have some what fought in the Civil War. We don’t know. Look here. He was buried so long ago that either the tree was planted or grew there so long ago that it pushed the headstone out of place. A lot of places where you see a tree and see the headstone buried up in the roots, well you know
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ that the tree grew in afterwards. The roots have pushed everything around. I’m trying to get electric lights out here. They’re going to put six lights out here and some of those machines to tape whoever comes in. This property needs to be preserved and taken care of. We need a chain saw to cut them trees up and put them in the dumpster. Then they can haul it off. We need somebody with a good heart and a Bobcat, wildcat, or whatever they’re called to come on out here and help get this all cleaned out. I was told that there were other sites further on at the outside of the fence, but we don’t know where, and I’m too old to go looking. We cant tell what the oldest grave is until we get a little more organized with it.
Mrs. Walker: That’s what my attorney told me, he said you know what you’re doing? I said yeah I have 4 generations out there. And he said No. You’re leaving a legacy, that’s what you’re doing. But, I figure somebody had to do it and everyone seemed to be so satisfied with things the way they were. Question: They became complacent? Mrs. Walker: That’s right. Instead of helping they’ve been fighting me. I say work together, don’t fight me. I’m not doing anything to hurt no one. I’m not trying to live off anyone.
If I could get a grant, a $100,000 grant, I would put in some lights, a restroom, a pavilion, a good security fence and water. Its peaceful out here and sometimes you just want to be alone. But there aren’t any facilities. I come out and sit for hours sometimes and just read and watch the people come in and explore. Some folks come out to visit regular, some don’t.
So, I have no animosity in my heart because of this. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel all over the world and was able to see the difference, and knowing that its individuals and its not fair to blame a whole race because of one. You never know who you can hurt with your words. I say be careful how you treat people and who you talk to cause they may be the one that can turn around and help you when you need it. You don’t know unless, like the sheriff, you catch them in the act with the evidence. I cant say you was the one, or it must have been kids you don’t know, you just don’t know. I don’t know if you’re the one that moved a crypt and moved the headstone where it shouldn’t be. That’s just disrespect. And its not fair to you. That’s what we need. People that want to help, not destroy, people that care about their families and the history that lies here.
Question: If you had one main issue that you would want people to know, what would that one thing be?
Question: I think that you’re doing a wonderful thing trying to restore this back to its original shape.
Mrs. Walker: To pull it to another level? Its to make it a historical cemetery. They have a right to see this. These people have a lot of history. They have been dedicated and had a lot of land. Where the fairground is now? My grandfather owned that 30 acres. My great grandfather, Moody Timmons, expired in 1947. His son sold it in 1957. They told me that they used to grow rice and stuff over there and took it in his horse and buggy to Tampa and swap for something he might need. He never worked for anyone. He told us You have your own business, but we lost that with this generation. He had hogs, cows, cane he used for making syrup. He made sausage from the hogs, and then he would swap. He lived on Mobly Rd. that was his farm where the school is, that was his farm.
Mrs. Walker: I don’t think it ever had an original shape. I’m just trying to take it up a level. If you don’t reach for the moon, how you gonna get anything? Its not just Hernando County history. It belongs to the United States and needs to be recorded and taken care of. That’s all I want. I want to save it for future generations to remember where they came from and where they’ve got to.
Question: Have you considered getting a grant? If you did, what would it be used for? Mrs. Walker: Well you see, I’m trying to get the physical part of it done first. There’re a lot of people trying to get the history of it already
Question: You’re leaving a pretty good sized footprint because of this wonderful thing you’re doing.
7
Question: There are a lot of stories about ghosts and different paranormal things that go on out here. Have you ever had any personal experiences of that type? Mrs. Walker: I’ve had odd situations like the Box Club that stopped here. They didn’t know that this was private property and that they were trespassing, since they hadn’t asked my permission. They had buried a box, found it, and then started to leave something in it. I asked them to take their little box and leave. This is not the place for games.
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ The bikers came out here. They said they heard stuff about ghosts and all, but he didn’t see anything. Some of them was here with the bikers and told them that you cant see anything with the naked eye, that you have to have special equipment to help you see what you’re talking about. I’ve never been out here at night because at night I don’t fancy cemeteries. Besides their timing is not like our timing so who’s to say that spirits only come out at night? There are stories about dogs barking, but were surrounded by woods, could be real dogs. Heard something about a baby crying, but the wind could carry sounds, and some animals or birds sound like the crying of a little baby. I’ve never heard any such thing, and I’m out here all the time, sometimes all day long. I hear there are stories on the computer about seeing the shadow of a man hanging from one of the oak trees, and even one about a child too, but I’ve never seen anything. So, I leave you with a rich history, a lot of conjecture and a warning. The Black American Spring Hill Cemetery Association, Inc. is a privately owned cemetery and closed at dusk. Go only during the day. There’s nothing to fear in the cemetery, however, it is surrounded by woods, and you never know what might be lurking there. For further information you can call 352-796-1283. Ask for Mrs. Alyce Walker. Donations and/or volunteer help are greatly appreciated. Address for donations: POB 12362, Brooksville, Florida 34603. Please make checks out to African American Spring Hill Cemetery Association, Inc. Question: Why are the headstones all facing East? Answer: It is so those that have passed on can face Christ at the time of the resurrection.
There are times of memories so distant to my heart, I seek to rekindle those moments with you. I sit at your rest, I relive our laughter and heartaches. I share my wine, to ease the pain of the loss I no longer can endure. Until we meet wherever we should go, I wish you peace and harmony and a light that forever glows. ~amh
Article written by Irene Patino Photos by Alice Mary Herden
8
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ MARCH INTERVIEW
farmhouse. The Simonton family moved down to the southern end of town and built their home, the Simonton House, which is still standing. Mr. Herlong, his wife and six children lived in the farmhouse and completed building this mansion in 1910, incorporating part of the farmhouse into the structure. The two out buildings were a horse and carriage house and a pump house which actually housed the pump for the water tower providing running water, indoor plumbing and electricity. These little buildings have been converted into single bedroom cottages. • What intrigues you about the Herlong Mansion? Her peacefulness and the offer of a quiet gentle retreat. The serenity she provides to those who come here to get away from the hectic world. Nature and peacefulness. *Customers walking out: We enjoyed it very much and it really gave us a very good therapy * • How much of the Herlong Mansion is the original building? All of it. From the leaded glass windows, Corinthian columns, to the quarter sawn oak woodwork, to the light switches are all original from 1910. Some of the leaded windows in the dining room, oak flooring and second floor wide plank pine floors date back to 1845. • How do feel about the era of this location?
Interview with Carolyn West Herlong Mansion • Tell us a bit about you and what you do here at the Herlong Mansion. My husband and I moved here from Key West, where we owned and operated a beautiful old inn built in 1886, so we are used to older buildings. When we sold that inn (Key West) we came up here to Micanopy and bought this. I actively run the Inn, from booking to cooking breakfast, pretty much everything but housekeeping; I am front of the house… I have a wonderful staff that takes care of the rooms, the Inn, and cleaning. •Tell us the History of the Herlong Mansion. The original footprint of the farmhouse on this piece of property dates back to 1845. When Mr. Herlong came to Micanopy he fell in love and married Natalie Simonton, one of the daughters of the family that had lived in the
9
At this time, when the world is collapsing around us out there, I am very happy to be here feeling safe. I have to tell you this, though, when I lived in Key West, where I had the Inn, and our beautiful home with the nature and beautiful water, I didn’t want to leave. I was reluctant but my husband persuaded me and all I can say now is that I am very grateful to be living here. As the world falls downs around us, we are very fortunate to find ourselves in this little peaceful oasis. That is why people come here, to get away from the madness out there. • It has had a lot of ownership, and a lot of renovations, now, do you feel they had placed everything accurately? No, what you see now has nothing to do with what was here when I purchased the Herlong. I completely stripped the place of the heavy drapes that were dusty, dark and gloomy. There was no artwork, just prints and gloomy portraits hanging as the decor. I spent the first year removing all these dated curtains, lace doilies, furniture with sinking bottoms. The original owner bought this abandoned, derelict building and created the Herlong bed and breakfast and furnished it back in late 80’s. and that was how it was still furnished some 30 years later- the same curtains, same furniture even though it had had 3 other owners. I wanted to brighten up the Herlong with the artwork and furnishings I brought with me from Key West.
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ * Did you go through a lot of disapproval from the town with these changes? Initially they were a bit worried, wondering what is she doing? Taking away what is the Old Herlong. But once they saw what was going on, everyone thought it was great. Guests would arrive and it was bright and they would feel at ease- gone was the muted dark experience; there was light and color now. It is an environment that I feel good in, and that is what I am offering people, my world. Just gentle and easy going. * Since the Herlong Mansion has a great lengthy history, have you experienced any unusual occurrences within the mansion. Referring to the ghost? I’ll tell you, the gentleman that created the ghost story did so before the day of the computer as a way to promote the inn. Inez is the name of one of the six children, and the story claims it is her ghost that "haunts the mansion". Inez did live here in her old age but went into the hospital where she passed away. The story that was created has Inez returning here after years of trying to get back her childhood home, runs to her childhood room and dies of a diabetic coma, and her ghost haunts the mansion ever since. That story is not true, and the second even more disturbing element of the lie, is that the childhood room that was created is on the third floor. The third floor was an attic. The actual childhood room is on the second floor in the rear. All the rooms up on the third floor were installed around 1990-one of these rooms was named Inez, and claimed to be her childhood room. So all of it is false. Now if anything ever happens here, we blame it on the ghost of Inez. When I did first buy this property, a lot of problems did occur. Literally, the first week an antique tub in the upstairs master bathroom had a major leak, the pipe which was copper had corroded and flooded through the ceiling. That same week another plumbing issue arose. Micanopy is not on a sewer system and the old septic tank completely flooded requiring us to install a whole new septic system and pump out station. So anytime anything major occurred, I’d say “Inez, I am not leaving, quit testing me. I love your home; I’ll take care of it.” So that is how we use Inez. People like to come here, and say they feel her presence or sense it with the smell of heavy lilac, sometimes I've had guests claim to feel her (stroking their arm) and they’ll think it’s their husband but the husband is facing the other side of the bed. They will come down in the morning and tell me these things, sometimes it might be that a light had been left turned off and it came on in the middle of the night, or they closed the window but it was unlatched and found open in the morning. A lot of people claim the spirit of Inez moves things. *So, Personally you haven’t experienced anything? I have never personally experienced anything but I do feel that there is a gentle spiritual presence.
10
* So you are open minded? Absolutely, although I have never actually seen a spirit, I have experienced odd occurrences that made me feel like saying "it’s her". * How do you feel about the paranormal groups that come in here? I have no negativity towards them and their beliefs. However, as an innkeeper/ hotel owner my priority is the comfort of my guests staying here at the Herlong- therefore I do not allow groups to come in and explore the mansion as it would disturb my guests.
Now, I will end this interview at this part.. This will be continued in our April Issue. ** This interview was recorded and transcript from that recording and edited by Carolyn West. Photos by Alice Mary Herden
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________
Herlong Mansion
Micanopy, Florida
11
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ Evidence
Cemeteries Cemeteries are believed to contain the resting souls of those who have passed. I have a passion for cemeteries, the beauty, the peacefulness and the serenity. Do spirits still linger where their bodies lay? Maybe.
Making note of their name, referencing the date, as I was born on the same day as you. Just making conversation, talk for awhile, as if they were standing right there with you. Is doing a visit at night necessary, I don’t think so. Why? Why do you have to go there at night?
Some people say that when people have died, the place of their last breathe is the place where their souls would reside. But could it be true that they could hold on to their physical form, where ever they may lay?
Ugh.. There lies the freak out essence of visiting cemeteries at night. Can you get more evidence of any paranormal activity at night then the day, No. And we have proven that.
When our group, Dust and Shadows, visits cemeteries, I usually do the shooting and take off wondering around, while the others walk around visiting the souls, talking, creating conversations while running the digital recorders.
On our website, there are 3 evps we have collected during our visit to the Micanopy Historic Cemetery. Yes, this was during the day. Frankly, I felt that someone was following Don through out the cemetery, when I was reviewing the digital recordings.
We always thank the service men for their service to this county, talk to many of them, whether its wishing them a happy birthday or asking if they are in need of something.
12
The photo above was taken by me. Knowing now that I need to have my aperture at a higher setting, but still this has been agreed upon by many people as being authentic, and as for my husband, he does not agree. I am 50/50. My
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ heart believes it’s someone longing for their lost love, or she or he is lingering over their own grave, sadden by the death of their physical form. Below is the negative image
That was edited in Paint Shop Pro. You can still see the shape as if it was in the original form. But then again
Now this looks like a portrait.. Could it be authentic? The only one who knows that is them. Many faces! When people pass spirits as being seen within the trees or within the bark of the trees, makes me shrug. Below is a sample of what I mean. I have marked them with pink outline But there maybe more. In my opinion, these are not evidence of spirits.
13
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ With the photo below.. as Mom, Irene and myself headed back to Micanopy, as stated in our D&S Location, for our second trip, we found the location on where I took this photo and where this white figure was actually kneeling. He/She is located near the 3 graves (white object just after the broken off iron pole) and not by the tree. The trees are about 20 feet or so behind the white figure. So the possibility of light/shadow from the tree trunk in not possible. This is a one and million shot capture. I really don’t think we will ever get another shot like this again. Well, maybe.
It’s all light and shadow that makes us see the shapes. The photo above, looks to appear as a little girl where a blue dress and her arms are reaching out, well, actually it’s a headstone. This is why it’s so important to take at least 2 photos every time.
14
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________
ENCOUNTERS Spider Web Effect During some investigations there are sometimes you get the feeling of going right smack through a spider web, and of course, there is none. I have personally felt going through a huge spider web during our visit at the Spring Hill Cemetery. The feeling is so overwhelming and your thrashing your arms and hands around trying to pull the web off you. Your pulling your hair, your pulling air and looking at your hand to find some sort of web threads embedded in your hand. Then your actually wondering where the spider is, if there is one. Another encounter I had with the spider web sensation was recently at the Micanopy Historic Cemetery. Don was right next to me and I knelt down to take a photo and felt this web on the right side of my head, not once but twice. One of the right and then as I stood up, on the left. It was the weirdest feeling. Is this a spirit? Could this actually be? Maybe it is. You know when you feel someone walk by you, you feel that light breeze. Could that be the feeling of a spirit that walked by you? It is said that spirits are made of energy, so the spider web sensation could be the energy breeze left behind from when the spirit actually walks by you. Now I have searched the web and found some very, ya whatever, type of descriptions or narratives on what the spider web sensations mean. The experienced users that post their terminology of the spider web effect go to ectoplasm, your own hair, eyelash, stress, back injuries to parasites (what?) and of course, it’s all in your head.
All I can tell you, take it as it is.. and where you are when this does happen. Maybe, this is paranormal your experiencing or it’s just that silly ole’ spider web.
15
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ FAMOUS PLACES by Karen Bashak
Bachelors’ Grove Cemetery Dishing the Dirt of Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery
If I was in the business of selling cemetery plots to the living, what marketing strategies would I use? In the hopes of edging out the competition and bringing home a big fat commission check; I would analyze what people seem to want for themselves and their loved ones after death. First I would select a name for my cemetery….something stately and dignified. (That rules out names such as Dennis’s Discount Digs or Clem’s Cut Rate Cemetery & Salvage Yard.) My advertising and sales pitch would also be geared towards influencing potential customers by stressing traits deemed desirable for a cemetery: serenity, tranquility, dignity, a place a person will be remembered fondly and be treated with care and respect. Sounds like a plan for success. But, as you will learn here, Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery has fallen far short of that ideal over the years. Located in Cook County, Illinois, 18 miles from Chicago, near the now defunct Midlothian Turnpike; Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery is a one acre plot donated for local burials. The cemetery lies on a piece of land that was set aside for cemetery use as noted on the title deed of Richard Everdon and his successors. The first recorded burial at the site was Mrs. Eliza Scott, (obviously not a bachelor) in November of 1844. However a newspaper account published in August of 1835 states “Pioneers in Peaceful Rest, Bachelors Grove, One of First Cemeteries; Lies Serene, Undisturbed.” An ironic statement in retrospect, but one that strongly suggests that burials had taken place there long before Eliza Scott’s was recorded in
16
1844. The actual naming of the cemetery is a subject for debate. Some claim that the name refers to the large number of single men who have been interred there, but a complete and totally accurate roster is unavailable to validate this theory. A second theory tells of a group of 4 unmarried men who settled together and built a home there called Bachelor’s Manor and supposedly the name Bachelor’s Grove caught on for the region, but according to the story, these 4 Bachelors did not settle there until 1834. The final theory I will present claims that the cemetery and the surrounding settlement was named for a prominent local family, The Batchelders. Communities in that era sprang up around bodies of water and stands of timberland to provide building materials and protected areas for farming. These settlements were commonly named by or for a leading family and according to historical documents the name Batchelder’s Grove was in common use prior to 1834. It is for this reason, that I believe it is most likely that the family name Batchelder evolved into the more familiar word Bachelor for the name of the cemetery. Whichever theory you subscribe to, the name Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery stuck. In it’s hayday, the cemetery located adjacent to a quarry pond, was a favorite destination for local residents to “multitask“. For it was here, in this once idyllic setting, that folks could pay their respects to departed loved ones, while enjoying a picnic and going for a swim. However, with the closing of the Midlothian Turnpike in the 1960’s all of that would change. From that time forward the isolated Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery became a hangout for wild partying, a lover’s lane and more infamously a site for satanic rituals, grave robbing and vandalism. Desecration and vandalism increased throughout the 1970’s. Grave markers were defaced, broken and stolen. Many of the missing headstones are believed to be at the bottom of the now murky and stagnant waters of the pond. A few of the gravestones were reportedly recovered by law enforcement agencies, but none were ever returned to the cemetery. Interestingly, it is from the 1960’s on, that the cemetery and it surroundings have garnered the reputation of being haunted. Bachelor’s Grove, in fact, is often touted as the most haunted cemetery in Illinois, in the Midwest, in the United States and even in the World. The events that have earned Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery its notoriety are many and varied. Documentation ranges from personal accounts, to recordings, to photographs and videos of the phenomena; and the raconteurs are of all ages and
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ walks of life. Some of the sightings described have a basis in fact, that is often unknown to the storyteller. Local legend tells of a farmer who was actually drowned after becoming entangled in the reins of his horse drawn plow and being dragged into the pond; and modern witnesses have described seeing a horse drawn plow coming up out of the pond and vanishing seconds later. Phantom cars appear and disappear near the site of the old Turnpike. A ghostly woman has been seen and photographed sitting on the base of a nameless broken off grave monument. Popularly referred to as “The Madonna of Bachelor’s Grove”, could this have been her final resting place? Disembodied sounds and voices are heard and sometimes recorded. Points of light with no obvious source are seen darting about from place to place like demented fireflies. An old farmhouse, not historically known to have existed in the area, suddenly appears and just as suddenly disappears. That the descriptions of this farmhouse are striking in their similarity, only adds to the mystery. Volumes could be filled with the records and accounts of this haunted cemetery; which makes it difficult to dismiss such an overwhelming amount of “evidence” no matter how unbelievable it may seem. So, why this place?? Why this small, unremarkable burial ground? One might expect this intensity of supernatural energy at places like Auschwitz, or Gettysburg, or Pompeii; but not in an obscure little cemetery in the Heartland of America. Lacking one defining, precipitating event, I surmise, that it must be an accumulation of events. The pond adjacent to the cemetery is rumored to be the watery grave of both accident victims and enemies of the likes of Al Capone during Prohibition. The cars and brake lights seen on the now crumbling, overgrown and abandoned Midlothian Turnpike might be those of gangsters of yore transporting some unfortunate bootlegger to sleep with the fishes. If I was the grave salesman mentioned earlier, I might attribute all the strange unsettling events to dissatisfied customers. Moreover, since the preponderance of haunting phenomena has been reported since the 1960’s, it seems more than coincidental that these events correspond to times when the desecration and vandalism began and flourished. The answer to the question of why, may just be all of the above and so much more. The randomness of the events suggest that if the dead are able to communicate, they may not necessarily be in control of when and how they are made manifest to the living.
17
What I do know for sure is that if I was an occupant of a grave at Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, I would feel disgusted, frustrated and angry about the turn of events that has changed my peaceful, final resting place into garbage dump and freak show. If possible I would make my displeasure known by any means at my disposal. My message to all who would disturb my slumber, “Show some respect and allow me to Rest in Peace”.
Karen A. Bashak Photos of Bachelors Grove © Marek Pilar | Dreamstime.com
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ FAMOUS HAUNTINGS By Alice Mary Herden Ballechin House Now the Ballechin house was built back in 1806 where the Steuart family resided, in Scotland. The property was inherited by Major Robert Steuart upon the death of his father. He retired in 1850, living in the cottage on the property awaiting until the tenants left from the main house. While in India, he became a believer of reincarnation, and upon his death he had wish to be return and occupy his favorite dog, a black spaniel. He was unmarried for over 25 years and the only occupant that resided with him in the house was that of his housekeeper, Sarah. She had died mysteriously and the Major was blamed for her death. Upon his own death, he had left his estate to his sister’s son, John. Whom he was married and had several children of his own. Fearing that the Major would come back to life as one of his dogs, which the Major had many dogs, John ordered all the dogs to be killed. Upon the death of Major Steuart, strange noises and sounds of people arguing. Sarah had died in the main bedroom, where a majority of the activity was being taken place. From knocks, footsteps to seeing 2 apparitions. Within the years from 1876-1963, this house was branded the most haunted house in Scotland. From 1932 to 1963 that house remained empty. In 1963, the house was demolished.
18
Source: The encyclopedia of Ghost and Spirits Photo by Karen Arnold: Dreamstime.com
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ Ghost Stories
In 1982, shortly after graduating high school, I moved out of my parents home and into a rental place my boss owned at the time. There was activity there almost daily. All activity was visual. I don’t remember ever hearing any sounds or voices. Most sightings would be just a glimpse of movement. Like someone standing at the edge of a doorway, looking into the room and quickly stepping back out of sight. There were however, two occasions that were much more than that. One evening as I stood in front of the bathroom sink brushing my teeth, I leaned forward to spit and rinse and when I stood back up I saw in the mirror a man standing behind me and to my left. He was a bit shorter than me. Probably about 5’ 5” or 5’ 6”. He had short jet black hair. He was wearing blue jeans but no shirt and nothing on his feet. When I looked up at him in the mirror he quickly turned to the left and headed towards the hallway. As he turned he brought his right arm up to cover his face. This happened so fast I didn’t get a look at his face. I turned around but by the time I was facing where he had been, he was in the hall and had turned the corner. All I saw was the heel of his foot as he stepped out of sight. I stepped into the hallway but he was nowhere to be seen. The second most memorable event was actually a bit frightening at the time. I had a particularly exhausting day
19
at work and was planning to meet up with some friends later in the evening. When I got home from work I took a shower and changed into some clean clothes. I had some time to kill before I needed to leave so I lay down on my couch in the living room, and being exhausted, I fell asleep. I’m not sure how long I was out but at some point I got a feeling someone was in the room. My first thought, before I even opened my eyes, was that I had left the front door unlocked and someone had walked in. But then it felt like a large dog sniffing around my nose and mouth. I opened my eyes and right there in my face was this black mass. Sort of like a cloud. I was startled, to say the least. I sat up and pushed back into the couch cushion as hard as I could to get as much space between me and it as possible. It moved away from me and stopped in the middle of the room. At this point I could see that the mass didn’t touch the floor and it was just a couple of inches from touching the ceiling. It then slowly moved further away from me towards the kitchen. I hoped it would move on into the kitchen, past the front door since I was planning to leave anyway. I thought I’d take the first chance I had to get out the door. It paused for a minute near the door, and then moved again slowly into the kitchen. It came to a stop near the middle of the room. I stood up and walked towards the door. I don’t know if my move startled it as much as it had startled me minutes earlier but at that point it started moving towards the hall faster than it had moved before. As I stepped out of the front door I looked back to see it zip into the hallway out of sight. I mentioned a little about the size of the mass when it was in the living room. As it moved into the kitchen and towards the hall, it became smaller and less dense. (more transparent) Neither of these events repeated and all encounters were of an intelligent nature. They were as much aware of me as I was of them. Tommy Barnes Photo used by permission from Tommy Barnes
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ 101
Cemeteries Photos by Alice Mary Herden
Now, you’re going to a cemetery.. What do you do? • Be Aware: You really want to be aware of everything that is around you. Always look around, always look behind you, left, right and turn around. • Spread out Depending on the size of the cemetery, if it’s small get each team member to start at a corner. If it’s a huge cemetery, group of 2 and divide up. Make sure you get a layout or map of the cemetery and have your walkie talkies on you. • Recordings Make sure you state where you are, and who you are standing in front of, whose right and whose left of you. This is important, when you ask questions you need to know where you are, so incase your doing a second trip, you know where to go, if you have picked up any evps. Always state what noises you hear.. “That was Joe coughing, or the sound you hear is us walking through the leaves.” If you are going to stay awhile, then just place the recorder on the ground or what have you and take your time to just talk. You
20
might be surprised to get someone else joining in your conversation. If you have a couple of extra recorders, then place them somewhere within the grounds. Make sure everyone knows where they are, so if they are in recording distance, they can state “We are coming up to the placed recorder number 6.” And never turn it off! • Photos Take tons of photos.. That is all I have to say.. TONS of photos….. 360 use your remote, your tripod and just shoot away. And always take 2-3 shots simultaneously. • Video Follow everyone, go from person to person and scan 360.. • Take personal notes of feelings and what have you. This will come in handy during your review. Last but the most important. • Respect..Don’t provoke, do not disrespect these places in whole.. Salute and thank the men and women that served your/our country. And wish them peace, light and happiness before you leave. Please, don’t do anything that will upset these locations… If this is a private cemetery you need to ask permission from the owner.. And do not trespass..
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________
21
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ WORKSHOP Friendly Ghosts
Have you ever had the feeling you were being watched? Have you ever “sensed” someone else was in an otherwise empty room with you? Have you ever caught a glimpse of someone out of the corner of your eye but no one was there? Have you ever actually seen a ghost? If you have experienced any of this, you are not alone, and I do mean that more literally than you might know! Ghosts, or spirits as we sometimes refer to them, have been with us forever. Sometimes they want to communicate with us, sometimes they just watch over us to make sure we are OK. Ghosts can be earth-bound, meaning they have not crossed over, or if they have crossed over, returned to fulfill a purpose. If they had died a sudden or violent death, they may not even know they are dead, in which case we might need to guide them to the light. But whatever their purpose or reason for being here, a kind spirit will have a gentle energy. And hopefully won’t have to resort to breaking things to get our attention! Sometimes our deceased loved ones have a need to communicate with us. They can give us messages or protect and guide us without letting us know they are there, or they leave us little signs that they are with us. Often, when it is time for us to make our transition, our deceased loved ones will be there to guide us to or greet us on the other side. In
22
any event, this is a kind, loving energy that we need not be afraid of. We often hear stories of “pennies from heaven” where people report finding items in places they would never be. I find pennies from my parents all the time. The dates always have some sort of special significance. It is a great comfort to know they are with me even though we do communicate quite often. My friend’s husband was an avid sailor and was always making knots out of short pieces of rope. He made bracelets and rings for all of us, and had a collection of different kinds of knots of all sizes that had been stored away. Ever since he passed away, his widow has been finding these knots all over her house—on the kitchen table, beside her chair, on her desk, in the yard, in her car, and other places she would never have left them. We believe it is his way of letting her know he is still with her. There have been instances where homeowners have spoken of strange occurrences in their homes. They have described missing items that later turn up in the most inappropriate places, moved items including furniture that they know they did not move. One homeowner shared an incident where the dining room chandelier had been removed from the ceiling and carefully placed on her dining room table. Had it fallen onto the table, it would have crashed and done significant damage, but there was no damage. The wiring had been disconnected. Yet no one had been in her home and this was something she could not have done by herself. She also recounted experiences where closed doors kept opening, open doors kept closing, kitchen cabinet doors and drawers opened and closed by themselves. We found it was her deceased mother, and once we acknowledged that, there were no further occurrences. Her mother could have moved on, but she says she still gets little signs that her mother is still there and she makes sure she continues to acknowledge her mother’s presence so she will not once again find the chandelier on the table! Some ghosts just need to get our attention and will go to great lengths do to so. Once acknowledged, they either move on, or remind us of their presence in more subtle ways. If they hide something, simply asking that it be returned will usually work well as long as you acknowledge their presence. If you want them to leave, asking them to go to the light has also been very helpful. Ghosts have been described as everything from pure energy, to a small sphere to a ball of light, and anywhere from transparent to opaque. However they appear, at some level we seem to understand that this apparition is not of this earthly plane. There are many reasons, legends, and stories as to why they would want to stay here, but my experience has been that aside from having messages for us, they simply need to be acknowledged. By Cheryl Smeed
Digital Art by Alice Mary Herden
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________
Paranormal Team of the Month Dark Knights Paranormal Dianne Nault founder, lead investigator
Having lived in a haunted house myself, I know how disconcerting and stressful it can be to share a space with an unwanted entity, and I really wanted to find a way to help others going through that situation. So I decided to simply start my own group. Thankfully I already knew Katrina and Pernille, two talented and experienced investigators, who helped me start things up and we have just kept on going from there. • Could you share any of your personal experiences before you formed the group Dark Knights? Before I started paranormal investigation, I lived in a very spiritually active house. It was commonplace to hear footsteps running up and down the hallway when no one was there, and one particular night the footsteps stopped at my bedroom doorway and both my husband and I heard a loud voice say, "Mom?" On another occasion a twenty pound cast iron cow was thrown about eight feet across a room, and a glass bowl literally exploded for absolutely no apparent reason. It was an interesting place to live. There was so much activity there, I was afraid to be home alone. I really wish I knew then what I know now! I'd love to get back there and investigate the place! But that is the main reason why I started the group; I don’t want anyone to feel the way I did. No one should feel afraid in their own home. • When at a location you and your team have been requested to investigated, could you share with us your steps to prepare for your night?
• Tell us about you and what you do. We are a group of professional paranormal investigators based out of Weare, New Hampshire. Our main goal is to help people with any possible paranormal activity happening at their location, be it at a workspace or a residence. Our team uses only scientific tools and methods to discover if what our clients are experiencing is actually paranormal, or if it can be explained as something more mundane. We always try to find the reasonable explanation for what is believed to be happening in a place. If we can't find the reasonable explanation for what the client is experiencing, we then try to find evidence of anything paranormal. If we do find evidence of a haunting, we provide our clients with support on living in a space that’s haunted, and if they wish, we can help them get in touch with someone who can perform a space clearing for them. • Tell us about how you started your Paranormal group Dark Knights Paranormal and why. Before starting up DKP, I was a member of another local paranormal group. Right from the start, I loved paranormal investigation and I loved being able to help people feel better about what they were experiencing, but unfortunately, that group was dissolved. I spent a whole year trying to find a group that used scientific methods and had a focus on helping people but I couldn't find any.
23
Aside from setting up our infrared cameras and voice recorders in potentially active areas of the location, we take base readings of both temperature and electromagnetic fields throughout the location. We take careful notes on anything that may effect the investigation at all. We speak with the client, and try to gather as much information about what they are experiencing as possible; even small details can make a huge difference in discovering what is truly going on in a place. Then of course, we make a pot of coffee- we have to have our coffee and snacks during the investigation! • What is the most important two pieces of equipment that you have during your investigations? It sounds very cliché, but our own mind is the absolute most important tool for investigating. We could have all the best equipment in the world, and it would be useless if we couldn't first use common sense and deduction to debunk whatever we can first. We always try to disprove a haunting first, and the best tool for that is careful, scientific, level-headed thinking. The one piece of equipment that I, personally, do really love is the melmeter. It's nice to have the EMF detector, temperature gauge and flashlight all in one little tool! • Was there a location that you, personally, felt uncomfortable at? If so, what made you feel
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ uncomfortable? The only time I can remember ever feeling uncomfortable during an investigation was at Wilson Castle in Vermont. We were in the attic of the castle, and as I walked in a area between two rooms, I was struck with the feeling of utter terror. I can't say what made me feel that way; we had spent many hours in the castle before without a problem, but suddenly in that one spot, I was scared! It took all of my willpower just to keep from running back to base. I was glad to have another investigator with me then to keep me grounded! • Your team; having a strong team, with different perspectives about the paranormal, is in undoubtfully essential in this field, how does your team bound the standards of respect, knowledge and experience to continue to grow with each investigation. We do have a very strong team and we do have very different perspectives about the paranormal; so simply trying to respect each others viewpoints is always an opportunity for us to grow and learn not only as individuals, but as a team. Every member of the team has a definite strong point, but we often ask that they step out of their comfort zone and try new approaches and new techniques during investigation. When someone learns something new and shares their ideas concerning what they've learned, the whole team benefits. We are very lucky that all our team members are very open minded and ready to take in in new ideas and information. We are constantly trying to improve, constantly trying to grow as a team. It really makes a difference that our team is not simply doing investigations as a hobby. We all have the focus on helping people, so that alone gives us more an incentive to continue to use what we know and build on it. • When you review your investigation videos and/or digital recordings, what would be considered not paranormal from what you have experienced? When going over video evidence, we don't pay too much attention to 'orb' type things floating around. We are a very 'anti-orb' group. Any shadows or light anomalies really need to be looked over carefully to convince us that they are paranormal. With audio, most taps, knocks or popping sounds are disregarded unless it seems like a very obvious response to our questions. Generally, if something sounds out of place, we try to get input from other team members about what it could be before calling it paranormal. • If you heard a disembodied voice state, “help me”, during your reviewing of your evidence, what would you do? I've never experienced hearing 'help me' before, but if we ever did catch something that suggested that an entity was trying to get help, we would (with the clients permission, of course) return to the location and focus on gathering
24
information about exactly what kind of help it was looking for. We are always ready to help those in need in any way we can- be it a client or a spirit entity. Photos provided by Dianne Nault
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ D & S Location
Visit 1 Members:
Micanopy Historic Cemetery
Don, Dad, Mom, Cheryl and Alice. Recorders, Don, Cheryl Photography Alice
Micanopy: 1780-1849
We spent a good hour and ½ taking photos and running digital recorders. We had become connected to one little boy called Lester. Lester passed at the age of 12. Showing his handsome, adorable photo on his tomb, along with marbles glued upon the top. A lot of the marbles were missing, so we promised to come back and glue new marbles to replace the ones that were missing. Our time was limited due to the fact that we had scheduled an interview at the Herlong Mansion with Carolyn, but we stayed long enough for capture some solid evps and what we feel is an authentic spirit photo. Our personal experiences: spider web effect, chills. Which you can listen to our EVPS on our Website: Dust and Shadows
Micanopy was the second leading chief of the Seminole Indians. He acquired a large and continued growth of land and runaway slaves. After the US acquired Florida from Spain back in 1819, the American settlers soon moved into Micanopy’s territory. Which started the 2nd Seminole Indian War. Micanopy surrender after a long battle, he finally signed a peace tready. The Historic Cemetery has little known information about it available on the internet. The graves date back to the early 1800’s. We did see a lot of younger kids.. and especially took a liking to Lester. Our First Visit The Micanopy Historic Cemetery is listed on the National Historic Registrar. Dating back to the early 1800. Residents of the Micanopy Historic Cemetery include The Herlong Family, The Powell Family.
25
After our interview we visited some of the old stores.. I wanted Cheryl to go into the Bookstore, the very first time Don, Mom, Dad and I visited there, I had a strong feeling that someone was there. Cheryl did in fact sense that someone was there. A woman. Unfortunately we did not capture any evps on the digital recorders. But the sense is still strong.
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ Visit 2 Members Irene, Mom and Alice. Recorders: All of us Photography: Alice Things happen for a reason..and this day made us believe in that. Us girls were excited and ready to go on our trip, but first we had to stop in Ocala to get Lester’s Marbles. So 5 miles left to the exit to Micanopy, a complete stop. We were stuck in traffic on 75 for 2 hours. So that really put us on a time limit on what we wanted to accomplish for the day. Finally the interstate started to clear up and things moved on. We finally arrived at the Micanopy Historic Cemetery. The greatest moment was finally gluing new marbles to the top of Lester’s tomb. Now being Valentines day, while we went into the town of Micanopy, to get some drinks before we went to the cemetery, I had bought a pink heart for Lester. After gluing the marbles and the big pink heart on Lester’s tomb, Irene and Mom went off visiting the resting places, as I was determined to seek out where I shot that photo from our last visit.
So, hunger time started kicking in, but there was another spot Irene had mention, a Railroad Depot, The Carriage House. The gentlemen from the bookstore had told her about it. It was located in McIntosh, which really wasn’t that far away. Cute and Quaint town.. We found the Train Depot but we weren’t sure if it was really open.. We saw the building next too it, which looked like a warehouse, so we stop and walked in. Which ended up being a private artist’s studio. Which took a majority part of the Carriage House that they rented out, and the far right section, was where the Historical Society kept the antiques. Unfortunately, we did not venture into, which was hard for me, because they were calling me. The artist Bill Schaaf, who connected with Cassadaga, rented the property, along with this friend, Barry Richardson. We do want to thank you for your time and courtesy to let us spend some time with the both of you. Bill drew us a map on how to get to Cross Creek and off we went.
Finally, finding the spot and all of us going over all the angles and positions, we realized that she was not by the tree, but kneeling near some tombs about 20 or so feet in front of the tree. All of us agreed that that was the place, and it was not light/shadow forming from the tree and sunlight. Who it really is, is still unknown. We continued our scenic tour through Evinston and into Cross Creek. Time was really getting away from us and our hunger was becoming overwhelming and needed to find food other then alligator or rattlesnake. Photos by Alice Mary Herden
26
So we are defiantly heading back there again in the next couple of months. New places to see, new places to research and new friends to reacquaint with.
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________ In our next issue • Editors Views
Banff Springs Hotel
Tours
• Readers Ghost Stories
• Interview
Ghost Stories
Ghost Tour
• 101
• Evidence
Ghost Tours
Video
• Workshop
• Encounters
Special Messages
Why Me
• PTM
• Famous Hauntings
* Enter your paranormal team to be featured in our magazine
Banstable House
• Paranormal Folklore Banshee
• Famous Places
27
• Dust and Shadows Location St. Augustine
Voices to Visions March 2011 __________________________________________________________________
28