Deep South Paranormal Reviewed

This review will be short and sweet. It took all of ten minutes to develop a complete viewer evaluation. To sum it up, Deep South Paranormal is Duck Dynasty meets paranormal investigation. I don't think I need to elaborate any further on the subject. 

As much as I am a proud Southerner, I was hoping from a new Southern paranormal show a little more science and logic and a little less "frog's breath wards off evil spirits". Maybe someday....

Reader Submission - Truly Bizarre: Haunting at Minnesota State University

Truly Bizarre: Haunting at Minnesota State University

By: Marlon Heimerl from HalloweenCostumes.com

It’s not unheard of for college dorms and campuses to sometimes gain auspicious reputations for paranormal happenings. As so many young minds and imaginations filter through the same halls over decades, it’s reasonable to assume that each class may twist local tales to create deeply seeded urban legends. After all, who doesn't love a good ghost story – especially one that’s possibly fabricated to bamboozle genuinely curious investigators?

At the crux of such cases, one must ask: How can we tell the difference between an urban legend and a true story? What lies at the root(s)?

In the case of Minnesota State University (MNSU) in Mankato, MN, one ghostly legend has long-persisted to catch the attention of local media, ghost investigators and students alike. Could it be more than a tall tale, some ask? Only some digging might reveal the truth.

McElroy Hall’s Most Unconventional Haunt

The MNSU co-ed dorm, McElroy Hall, is fabled to house multiple spirits (by some accounts), one of which – a panty-snatching specter – is most well-known.

No, you really heard that right...(Ghosts in your underwear drawer? Hard to believe, indeed!)

With a ghostly panty-bandit on the loose, the story seems to have all the markings of a co-ed urban legend. Yet some accounts may paint a different picture.

Accounts from On-Site

We turn to Robb Murray of the Mankato Free Press, who beat the pavement in 2006 to find out exactly what’s going on at McElroy Hall.

After several failed attempts to glean evidence for the existence of the spirit from multiple people, Murray writes: “[The ghost] is in at least three books, listed on at least one Web site. Could it be that it’s simply a recycled tale that makes for good copy? Helps sell books? Really, who can resist retelling the story of a ghost that goes on panty raids?”

While in the end no definitive explanation from Murray’s investigation broke free of “rumor” or “legend”, he was able to establish that according to one interviewee – residence hall maintenance worker, Rich Wheeler – a resident once died in “Mac” (McElroy Hall). While he could not say exactly how or when, this adds interesting credence to the story.

Pealing Back the Layers

With the possible culprit in sight, additional examination might reveal whether correlation is actually causation; or if the unfortunate and untimely death of a student decades ago was simply a convenient hook-line-and-sinker for baiting curiosity even today.

One reference in particular echoes the same cautious-curiosity reflected in Murray’s prose. The Shasta Supernatural Investigators on Spiritrealm.iwarp.com list the phenomenon at MNSU as “Unknown..[sic] possibly Visiting Spirits… possibly pranks by students…” Though perhaps even more tellingly, the following line reads, “Crawford Dorm, the main storeroom, and Crawford-McElroy Complex all claim genuine hauntings. No evidence of pranksters has been detected.” [For a map of land, which illustrates the connection of the Crawford Residence Community and McElroy Residence Community, see this MNSU map.]

If it’s not pranks, then what is it, really? Perhaps only time will tell – or maybe a more thorough investigation should be sought to definitively put this case to rest.

Whether witnesses are pealing back the veil in McElroy Hall or having the wool pulled over their eyes is up for debate. But one thing is for certain – McElroy Hall has amassed a strange reputation in regional paranormal circles and one that perhaps warrants a closer look.

Emmitt House

In the mid to late 1800s, Waverly, Ohio's way of life was heavily influenced by one man named James E. Emmitt. He was the town's main entrepreneur and self described first millionaire, earning his wealthy from hauling grain, operating a mill, making whiskey and "Emmitt's Discovery". He "discovered" his snake oil cure-all after a mule kicked a can of fuel in to a vat of spirits. Why he would want to drink it much less sell it is beyond anyone's understand.

Using his influence, the county seat moved from Piketon to Waverly. The Ohio and Erie Canal route was changed as well. If he didn't already have his hands full, Emmitt decided to build a restaurant/hotel on the site of a former hotel owned by one of his former business partners. The original wooden hotel was built in 1850.  A fire killed 3 people and destroyed much of the structure. In 1861, Emmitt rebuilt the hotel using bricks, hiring a man named Madison Hemings to do the construction. Hemings is believed to have been the illegitimate son of Thomas Jefferson by a slave woman named Sally Hemings. Whether this is true or not, it is uncertain. The hotel became popular among the salesmen, travelers and workmen. James Emmitt died in 1893 at the age 87 after losing much of his fortune. His hotel continued operating after his death in one form or another. It is also believed former visitors and owner have never left.

Stories about the hotel dictate it may have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. The discovery of bricked over hidden rooms and maze-like features of the basement support this rumor to be actually fact. Is it possible the spirits employees and guests encounter in that part of the hotel be that of slaves who died en route to freedom? There are also rumors it may have operated as a gentleman's club at some point.

James E. Emmitt has been seen but smelled mostly. Witnesses have reported smelling cigar smoke so often cigars are routinely left for him. Some have seen an elderly female spirit wearing an old-fashioned apron, cleaning things. Two children believed to be members of the Harper family roam the building. The family stayed at Emmitt House and was nearly wiped out by smallpox, the disease that killed many people in the town including two of Emmitt's children.  Other paranormal reports include voices, shadows and lights from unknown sources.

It is not certain if these are the only spirits allegedly haunting Emmitt House. The current owners are in the process of restoring the building again (It was fully restored once before in 1989). Maybe the activity will stir up more lingering spirits.

Sources:

Forgotten Ohio

Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State

Travel Ohio

Jesse Lee Home for Children

via Pinterest

This Jesse Lee Home for Children is the second of three locations with the same name. The first move was from Unalaska to Seward, Alaska for several reasons including, the Spanish Flu, overflowing and the building was in desperate need of repairs.

In 1925, the Methodist Episcopal Church opened the second Jesse Lee orphanage/school which averaged 50 to 100 children (possibly more) and 10 employees. The Jesse Lee Home was not a victim of child neglect or abuse. As a matter of fact, one of the students Benny Benson won a contest to design the Alaskan state flag in 1927.

However, it didn't escape a natural disaster. In 1964, it was hit by an unexpected earthquake, one of the worst in Alaska history. The home and school were hit hard. More than a dozen children were killed. Goode Hall, the largest Jesse Lee building, was heavily damaged and later demolished. With most of the buildings damaged beyond repair, the orphanage was moved again to Anchorage.

The remaining Seward building is believed to be haunted. Paranormal reports include giggles, sounds of children playing/skipping rope, footsteps, and spirit of a little boy about 3 years old wearing a dirty shirt is often seen.

The property has sat empty for many years but is currently owned by the City of Seward. However, there are attempts to raise money to restore and convert the remaining building in to a museum.

Sources:

Seward Historic Preservation Commission - Jesse Lee Home For Children

True Hauntings of America - The Haunting of the Old Jesse Lee Home for Children

Beauregard Parish Jail

via Pinterest

Beauregard Parish Jail also known as the Gothic Jail or Hanging Jail in DeRidder, Louisiana. The Beauregard Parish Police Jury purchased land for a new courthouse and jail. Stevens-Nelson designed the buildings while Falls City Construction Company was awarded the contract to build them in September 1913. Both were completed in 1915.

The building did not only have an unique design but it also contains a toilet, shower, lavatory, window in each cell and a spiral staircase. The jail could hold over 50 prisoners at a time. There was a jailers' quarters on the bottom floor with a kitchen and a tunnel leading from the courthouse to the jail to transport prisoners for trial.

The jail received it's nickname after a double execution by hanging in 1928. Joe Genna and Molton Brasseaux murdered a taxi cab driver named J. J. Brevelle while he was taking them to the John Miller place on August 28, 1926. They wanted money and had planned to hi-jack Brevelle. Genna and Brasseaux hit him 15 times, stabbed him with a screwdriver and cut his throat before dumping his body off a bridge. Then took the money and taxi and attempted to escape, but was arrested a few days later. Genna and Brasseaux were found guilty and hanged on March 9th. It was the first time DeRidder had seen an execution. The jail was closed to inmates in 1984. It's currently not in use, but funding is being sought to save it and the building is being considered as a location for an upcoming Disney film.

It is believed that spirits of the two inmates hanged in the jail haunt the building. Former police and inmates have witnessed figures throughout the building. Witnesses have heard footsteps, and running water. There are reports of smelling pipe smoke.

Sources:

Wikipedia 

What You Need to Know - DeRidder Jail (a more indepth account of J. J. Brevelle's murder and trial/execution of Joe Genna and Molton Brasseaux)

Stranded Reviewed

I haven't written a TV review in a while but after watching the debut of Syfy's Stranded, perhaps I should have waited a little longer. It appears finding life on Mars may be an easier task to accomplish than finding a decent paranormal show with an original concept these days.

Stranded promised to make even the most veteran ghost enthusiasts terrified. It didn't deliver. Some potential viewers, including myself, were hoping for something to rival that of Scariest Places on Earth and MTV's Fear. They may have been overly dramatic and possibly containing fake elements but at least they were entertaining. What makes Stranded different from other paranormal shows on TV? Nothing. It's amateurs wandering a possibly haunted location with cameras and the power of suggestion leading the way.

I expected more from a project involving Josh Gates. If this show doesn't improve in episodes to come, I don't see it making a return trip to Syfy's lineup.

Nathan Hale Homestead

via Pinterest

Nathan Hale Homestead in Conventry, Connecticut. During the American Revolution, Nathan Hale graduated from Yale and was a teacher for two years. He volunteered to be a spy for the Continental Army on September 8, 1776. He was captured by the British and hanged on September 22. His famous last words were supposedly “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.“ Although, some believe they weren't his exact last words but part of a longer speech. His body was not returned or ever found. He was 21 yrs old.

The house named after him is not the original house Hale grew up in. His father, Reverend Deacon Richard Hale, a prosperous livestock farmer, razed their home to build a bigger structure the same year he received word Nathan had died. Six of his eight sons served in the patriot army. Three died from wounds obtained in the war, leaving Richard to care for their widows and children. The family needed a larger living space to accommodate the expansion of their family. After fell out of the Hale family's hands in the 1820s, the house exchanged owners on many occasions, remaining a private residence. Nathan Hale's sacrifice was long forgotten until a lawyer named George Dudley Seymour became fascinated with his story. He helped get a statue of Hale erected at Yale University. Purchased the Hale family residence in 1914 and restored it to it's original beauty. He also purchased the property across the street which belonged to Hale's grandmother and converted it in to a museum. Seymour furthered his effort to recognize Hale by convincing the federal government to print a Nathan Hale postage stamp designed by artist Bela Lyon Pratt in 1925. The house was deeded to Connecticut Landmarks in 1940.

Several ghosts are believed to haunt the Nathan Hale Homestead. Many have seen the spirit of Nathan's father, Richard since the early 1900s (around the time when the house was restored). The family's servant girl Lydia Carpenter is also sometime seen, spying from the hallways. Another spirit seen and heard is Nathan's brother Joseph. He was imprisoned in the basement on a British prison ship. Witnesses have heard the clinking of chains associated with him.

Other reports include footsteps, voices, strange banging noises and unknown lights in the attic.

Sources:

Connecticut Landmarks

Examiner - Nathan Hale Homestead

Northeast Paranormal - Nathan Hale Homestead

Mathias Ham House

photo via Pinterest

The Mathias Ham House was built in 1837 by Mathias Ham in Dubuque, Iowa. The house was a small two-story, five room structure for his wife and five children. More rooms were added on after the death of Ham's wife, going from five rooms to twenty-three.

Mathias made his fortune in the mining, lumber, agriculture and shipping vessel. He would sit in the very top room of his house, keeping an eye on his ships. One day he spotted pirates on the river and alerted the authorities. As they were being arrested, the pirates vowed vengeance on him. However, when the day came, it wasn't Mathias they found.

It was the end of the eighteen-hundreds. Every member of the Ham family had passed on except for one, Sarah Ham. She was one of Mathias' daughters and the only one living in the house at the time. While she was reading in bed one night, she head someone moving around on the floor below her. She slowly made her way downstairs to investigate and found no one.

The next night she was better prepared in case the intruder returned. Previously that day, she alerted her neighbors of what happened. Informed them that if the intruder returned she would put a lantern in the window as a signal for help. But that wouldn't be the only preventative measure she would take.

That night, Sarah heard the same movement below her. She called out to the person but received no answer. Locking herself in her bedroom, Sarah placed the lantern in the window and picked up her shotgun. She waited as heavy footsteps made their way to her. They stopped before her bedroom door. Sarah fired two shots.

Her neighbors arrived shortly after only to find a bloody trail leading down to the river. They found the pirate captain who had threatened Mathias dead on the river bank.

Today the house is a museum and considered to be haunted. Paranormal reports include unexplainable lights, noises, cold chills, old broken pump organ plays on its own. Footsteps and voices are also heard. It is believed Mathias Ham and possibly the pirate captain are the ones responsible for the haunting.