Ghostly Happenings

I always read with interest stories about orbs.  They’ve been explained away by debunkers as dust particles or crud on a photographer’s lens.  Personally, I have some interesting orbs and streaks of colored light photos from the Brick Yard in Gettysburg.  Recently, a story appeared on the Examiner.com, referred to as “When Orbs Attack .”

This particular story about orbs took place at the Hotel Reiger in Sandusky, Ohio.  A paranormal investigation was being conducted by INPR ( In Nomine Paranormal Research), a group based in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  Many orbs were observed in this building, which last was used as a rest home.  On the fifth floor, it was used as a place to put patients as they were dying.  The freight elevator would then take the dead patients to their final destination in the building, the morgue in the basement.

While investigating the building, researchers snapped photos of the orbs, and even caught some on video.  This is where the attack portion of the story takes place.  One orb heads directly at the camera man and then makes his camera do a funky warp view before dissipating.  Was this orb a spirit that didn’t want its resting place disturbed?  If so, it is the first “attack orb” caught on video.

I’m not sure where I stand on the orb thing myself.  I have caught numerous ones on camera, and I’m fastidious about cleaning my camera equipment.  I can’t explain the crazy colored lights I catch on film every time I visit Gettysburg either (i’ll post the most recent ones taken on campus tomorrow).

If anyone has thoughts on this, please feel free to share.  In the meantime, catch this video of the attack orb here:  Orb Attack .

Obama may not have known it before, but he is now the owner of a reported ghost cat.  DC, or Demon Cat, as it is commonly known, has roamed the grounds of the White House for almost 100 years.  It has also been seen walking in the mall, usually in the evening.  It appears to individuals as a kitten, then quickly swells into a cat with red glowing eyes.

The cat has been seen when a new president takes office and moves into the White House as well as during times of national disaster, such as the stock market crash of 1929.  It was reportedly seen just prior to the JFK assassination as well.

The truth about the ghostly black cat may have its origins in a real story.  Apparently, around 100 years ago the White House area was infested with rats.  The caretakers decided to release dozens of cats in the area to help curb the rodent population.  Obviously, not every cat would survive and obviously, one black cat in particular didn’t.  It isn’t known what happened to this poor cat, nor why he or she is still hanging around the White House.  One thing is for sure though; if Obama sees the cat, it could mean certain disaster.

What happens when you cover graves with fill dirt instead of moving them?  Apparently on a stretch of road between Orlando and Daytona Beach, you get a Dead Zone.  Since 1963 there have been over 2,000 accidents reported on this particular stretch of road on I-4.  Could ghosts be the cause of the accidents?

According to author Charlie Carlson, people have been reporting ghosts, ghost vehicles, orbs, ghost hitchhikers and more.  Mr. Carlson is the author of the book, Weird Florida.

The bodies buried there are very real, not some myth.  The graves were cornered off and were supposed to be moved when an error occurred and they were buried even deeper under the burgeoning highway.  The bodies are those from a settlement known as St. Joseph’s Catholic Colony.  The individuals died during a yellow fever outbreak in the late 1800’s.  The graves include two adults and two children.

It is unknown whether or not these are the ghosts haunting travelers, or those who have been killed on this stretch of highway since 1963.  Travelers beware!

One of the most haunted spots in Wilder, Kentucky is Bobby Mackey’s Music Club.  The land this hot spot sits on has been the site of multiple murders, suicides and satanic worship.  Today concludes the three day conference that was hosted by The Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures crew.

The following are documented instances of paranormal and ghostly activity within the nightclub:

*Cell phone calls from 666-666-6666

*Zak Bagans received three bloody scratches down his spine while filming their recent episode there

*1896- Pearl Bryan was murdered in a ritual satanic sacrifice.  Her head was never found.  Her killers, who were sentenced to death by hanging, purportedly haunted the building.

*Johanna, daughter of the owner when the building was a casino, committed suicide in the dressing rooms in the basement.

*Janet Mackey has been accosted by the ghosts when she was 5 months pregnant and was pushed and thrown

*A juke box used to play the anniversary waltz, even when it wasn’t on the juke box.  Today, the song can still be heard, and the juke box is no longer in the building.

If you’d like to visit this fun night club and haunted building, check out Bobby Mackey’s Online .  Drop on by when you’re in the Cincinnati area!

You’ll see this posted at the entrance when you visit:

“Warning to our patrons: This establishment is proported to be haunted. Management is not responsible and cannot be held liable for any actions of any ghosts/spirits on this premises.”

One of the latest buildings to be tagged as haunted by a paranormal team and the owner of the establishment is the Yakima, Washington Depot Restaurant and Lounge.  It is located at 32 North Front Street in Yakima.

The owner, Karl Pasten, thinks there is something odd going on at the restaurant, though he can’t explain just what.  The area’s paranormal investigation team, PAST (Paranormal and Spirit Team - how cute is that!).  The group spent a chilly evening investigating the building and believe they have evidence of multiple ghosts inhabiting the building.

The owner isn’t worried though, in fact he thinks the ghosts will attract business rather than chase them away.  If you “ain’t afraid of no ghost,” stop on by!

Read the whole story here- Yakima Herald-Republic

Almost anyone who is a fan of ghost shows knows all about the Birdcage Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona.  This particular building has had more paranormal investigators and ghost hunters in it than you can shake a stick at.  I came across a truly unusual photo that showed up on one of my favorite websites - Shadowlands .

This picture was taken next to the the Black Moriah hearse, which by the way is always giving the security there a problem.  It continually pops open, even though it is very difficult to deliberately open the back doors to it.  I wonder if this new photo shows the perpetrator?

This photo has been examined by several individuals who specialize in debunking retouched photos.  Follow this link to view all three views of the photos:  Ghosts of Tombstone.  Maybe you’ll be able to figure out if this is real, or a pretty good fake!

Many people will say they believe in ghosts, but what about angels?  One family, and a nurse in a pediatric unit in Mint Hill, North Carolina believe in them after catching one on a floor monitor.

Chelsea Banton has been sick on and off most of her young life.  She had been in the hospital for seven weeks at the time of this occurrence.  Her family was preparing for the worst when something unusual happened.  On November 5, 2008 there may have been an unearthly intervention, judging by the photos Mrs. Banton took.  Mrs. Banton’s attention was drawn to the monitor after a nurse pointed it out.  The nurse had never seen anything like it.

The day the photos were taken was overcast- the only time sunlight appeared was when the image appeared on the monitor screen.  While to some it may appear to be a reflection, closer inspection of the photo and the reflection of it on the floor below do not match.

While we may never know exactly what caused this phenomenon, one thing is for sure, this family feels truly blessed.  After the “angel” appeared on the monitor, Chelsea made a full recovery and returned home three days later.

To view more photos of the family, visit the Charlotte Observer .

The Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington D.C. may be haunted by Marian Hooper Adams , who committed suicide on December 6, 1885. She was married to the writer Henry Adams.  The staff at the hotel has seen locked doors fly open, have heard a woman weeping and feel as if someone is wrapping their arms around them.

Marian (also known as Clover) is to believed to have committed suicide by cyanide.  It is speculated, however, that her husband may have done her in.  Committing suicide by cyanide is a horrible and painful way to commit suicide, and women usually don’t choose to kill themselves in a manner that is body-wrenchingly painful.  This could be the reason that she continues to haunt the hotel- seeking retribution for her murder.  In 1885 officials may not have pursued a murder investigation, especially when the offender was a wealthy one.  Mr. Adams destroyed all of her correspondence and never spoke of her publicly again after her death.  He even omitted any mention of her in his book, The Education of Henry Adams.

The Obama family set up residence in the hotel yesterday, waiting for another hotel to be open, the Blair House, which is also haunted.  More about this haunting tomorrow!

Yep, you heard me correctly.  The Texas Supreme Court has recently overturned a lower court decision regarding an exorcism that supposedly ended badly.  I guess how you view “badly” is subjective.  The woman claims she was hurt during a “forced exorcism” when she was 17.  According to the plaintiff, she received cuts and bruises and experienced hallucinations while being exorcised.  The defendant, Pleasant Glade Assembly of God, claims that there was no abuse.  The Texas Supreme Court overturned the $188,000 award (which had already been reduced from $300,000), because it would “unconstitutionally entangle the court in matters of church doctrine.”

In the 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the lower court erred when it rendered its decision and found the church liable for mental distress brought on by the exorcism.

You can read more about this particular case here:  Legal Newsline

I guess you can sue over anything- just wait until someone decides to sue ghost hunters for either chasing off a favored ghost, or because they stirred up a few.