Could a traumatic event be so powerful that the land absorbs its energy? While battlefields are well known for having this kind of phenomenon, we don’t hear it about very often on a smaller scale. Or, in this case, a train wreck that occurred just outside of Statesville, NC.
I heard about this haunting from one of my team members when we were first exploring the Trivette Clinic, which is located in Hamptonville, NC. It’s not a far drive from Statesville. Being a California native, I’m still very new to the history of North Carolina and its fascinating local legends. One of the biggest standouts for me is the ghost stories and train culture.
This particular event is so disturbing, and the subsequent events that followed are truly horrifying.
On August 27th, 1891, a passenger train in North Carolina was trying to make up for lost time. It was the Richmond & Danville engine number 9. The train was pulling six cars which included a baggage car, a second-class car, a first-class coach, a tender, a private car for R&D’s superintendent, and a Pullman sleeper. It departed Statesville (Iredell County) around 2:30 am. They were already running 34 minutes late, so the train was going much faster than it should.
Only 5 minutes later, the train lurched off the Bostian Bridge. It fell 60-feet and hit the creek below, known as Third Creek. Because the train was going so fast, survivors say that the train was actually airborne! The sleeper car ended up hitting the ground 153 feet away from where it left the bridge.
Survivors ended up walking and running back to Statesville to report the accident. The entire town dedicated itself to rescuing survivors and recovering the deceased. They cut people out of the wreckage. Approximately, 20-23 people lost their lives, and 30 people injured. If people didn’t die from the crash, they drowned because the creek waters were high. Sadly, Statesville didn’t have a hospital at the time. So the injured were treated by the locals in their homes. The deceased was laid out in the Farmers’ Tobacco Warehouse so they could be identified.
An investigation was conducted to find the cause of the accident. It was discovered that rail spikes had been removed. Others blamed it on the poor maintenance of the R&D railroad.
A Public Spectacle
When news spread of this tragic accident, thousands of people gathered to check out the wreck and search through the debris for souvenirs. Photographers gathered to take photos and sold them to various publications around the area and state. You could say this was very much a disrespectful way to handle the situation. After detectives questioned people, two men already incarcerated were convicted of the crime based on their supposed confession to fellow inmates.
A Ghostly Anniversary
Train Wreck of Bostian Bridge, Iredell County, NC. Wreck occured August 27, 1891, near Statesville. Photos by Stimson Studio, Statesville, NC
The tragedy of the this train wreck has never been forgotten. Why? Because it seems that this tragic event replays itself every year on the anniversary on August 27th. It started in 1941 when a couple were stranded by the bridge due to a flat tire. The husband left his wife alone to get help. While she was waiting, she heard the whistle of an approaching train. She saw the headlights and saw an old-fashioned train made of wood. As the train crossed the bridge, she heard a horrible crashed and witnessed the train fly off the bridge. To her horror, she heard the moans and screams of wounded people. She went down by the creek to get a better look and saw the full tragedy unfold.
When the woman saw a car approaching, she ran up and waved for help. As it turns out, her husband was in the car. She told her husband and the driver that a terrible accident took place. When they went to look. Nothing was there.
Insisting something had happened, the wife asked the husband to stop by the train station in Statesville. When the couple approached the ticket window, the wife asked the ticket agent if there was a train accident. The ticket agent explained that there was a terrible wreck on that same night, 50 years ago.
Echoes of the Past
I made a Facebook post about the Ghost Train of Bostian Bridge in July 2020, and it went viral. In the comments, I read countless stories of people who have felt weird things in the area. Those who worked near the bridge noted phantom train sounds coming from the area late at night. It seems there is still ghostly activity taking place, reminding the locals that the tragedy still resonates today.
People have also reported hearing screeching tracks, as well as seeing a ghost light on the tracks. The ghost light is seen often by locals. The ghost of a uniformed railroad employee with a golden watch has been seen as well. It is believed to be the spirit of Baggage Master Hugh K. Linster, who was found in the wreckage with a broken neck.
Since this legend became well known, people have flocked to Bostian Bridge each year on August 27th. This is all in hopes of catching a glimpse of the infamous ghost train. Keep in mind that the Bostian Bridge is still an active railroad. This means that there are still real trains traveling on this railroad, and therefore, it’s dangerous.
Sadly, on August 27th, 2010, about 119 years after the original accident, a ghost hunter named Christopher Kaiser was killed after he was hit by a real train on the Bostian Bridge. There were about a dozen people present to check out the legend. He and his team were in the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ghost train. Kaiser managed to save his girlfriend from getting hit by pushing her off the tracks. One other man fell off the tracks and was injured. Why didn’t they run off the tracks earlier? According to WBTV, they thought the train sounds were the ghost train.
On that note, if you want to check out the ghost train for yourself, do it from a safe distance and stay off the tracks.
Better yet, light a candle for the victims from the safety of your own home.
I realize I broke away from my weekly routine, but there’s a good reason for that! After this recent Gettysburg trip, I was EXHAUSTED. Just a few days after my return, I had to have major surgery. That kicked my butt. I’m just NOW feeling like my old self again. I have some limitations. But luckily, I can write and make a quick video.
Originally, I was heading to Gettysburg for the Battlefield Bash, which was supposed to take place July 24th-26th. Because of COVID-19 and event restrictions, the event had to be canceled. Such is life in a COVID world. But, the AirBnB that my team and I booked was non-refundable. So, we were going anyway!
First Time for Everything
This was my first time staying in an actual house in Gettysburg. Previously, I had always stayed in a hotel or a motel. This house is known as “Pearl’s Place” on AirBnB, and it was overall, a fantastic experience. We’re pretty sure it’s haunted as well. During my first night, while trying to sleep, I kept feeling tugs on my CPAP tube and it kept waking me up. When I checked the tube, nothing was catching it. After the third time of this happening, I said, “This helps me breathe when I sleep.” After that…nothing. I slept peacefully.
I also encountered shadows and footsteps in the hallway. During our first few nights, we were aggressively trying to debunk any sounds we were hearing through experimentation. It’s fun to go on adventures with your team! The resident ghost(s) made other appearances in different ways, but that’s a story for my teammates to tell when they’re ready.
With Gettysburg Ghost Tours, we went to the farmhouse and the McCurdy School House. We also investigated the Farnsworth House Inn as well as the Jennie Wade House and the Orphanage. Even though I’ve been to the farmhouse, Jennie Wade, and the Orphanage before, I had completely new experiences.
Why is Gettysburg Haunted?
As I reflect on this trip, it made me ponder exactly why Gettysburg is haunted. I’ve compiled a shortlist of my theories and reasons why it’s haunted.
Reason #1: A Lot Happened
Between July 1-3, 1863, a lot happened in Gettysburg. This was one of the bloodiest battles happening on American soil. And the townsfolk of Gettysburg also had their own trials and tribulations just trying to survive. This was a literal assault on the grounds and it was like a lightning strike of turmoil and death. Gettysburg was absolutely traumatized and ravaged from the battle, and it took them years to recover. That alone is enough to warrant some sort of lingering energy. Perhaps there are spirits that still wander the land, confused as to what actually happened to them.
One could even argue that a lot of the intelligent hauntings that are taking place at Gettysburg are those of spirits who don’t know who are dead, because everything happened so fast. On the other end, my friend Michelle Hamilton told me about the idea that Jennie Wade is still haunting Gettysburg and is very aware of what is happening around her. She’s even considered the town gossip of the paranormal world. I guess if she didn’t live long enough to live her best life in the 1800s, she’s doing it right now.
Reason #2: Stone Tape Theory
While the Stone Tape Theory itself is a bit of an unstable claim to base this on. I’ll go about the idea that the land itself absorbed all of that energy from the battle. For decades, people have commented that there’s a special kind of energy at Gettysburg. You can feel the difference. You can feel the trauma and the aftermath of the battle itself. With the absorption of all of that energy, it’s sure to bleed out.
In this case, since we are still feeling that energy over 150 years later. Maybe that’s why people report hearing rebel yells, cannon fire, gunshots, and seeing reenactors (even though no reenactment is scheduled)? These aren’t intelligent hauntings. Instead, this is residual energy that is replaying over and over like a broken record.
Reason #3: Retelling the Story
The story of Gettysburg has never had a chance to rest. Even after the battle, the town was focused on recovering the town and trying to get back to normal. Just a few months after the battle, Lincoln came to town and gave his famous Gettysburg Address when the Soldiers’ National Cemetery opened. The town’s identity became the Battle of Gettysburg.
Today, people are constantly retelling the story. Whether it’s the museum with its film, cyclorama, and artifacts, people taking the Auto Tour, or even just shopping around, the story is constantly being retold. That energy is being reawakened on a daily basis. Because of this, you could say that the energy from retelling is story is constantly charging up the hauntings at Gettysburg.
Reason #4: We Want it to Be Haunted
This is not only a case of self-fulfilling prophecy but also a case where we can explore the ideas of thoughtforms and tulpas. In the event of self-fulfilling prophecy, if we ghost hunters go out to look for a ghost, and in Gettysburg of all places, then usually, a ghost shall be found. This happens more often than we think. When different tour companies tell us their ghost stories before the ghost hunt or candlelight tour, we have a heightened sense of anticipation. When this happens, we may very well mistake a simple creak as a terrifying ghost. From there, more stories are created.
On a completely nerdy note, there’s also the idea that people can create their own ghosts and hauntings. Some people call these “thoughtforms” or “tulpas.” The Philip Experiment is a great example of this. However, the experiment took years with a group of people meeting once a week. A tulpa takes years of intense concentration to manifest. Because humans typically don’t spend this amount of time on concentration during a ghost hunt, I’m not completely satisfied with this idea.
Reason #5: Modern Hauntings Mistaken for Civil War Hauntings
I don’t think all of the hauntings people encounter are tied to the Civil War. I often wonder if the strength of the Civil War-based paranormal world has given strength to more modern hauntings. Sadly, I do wonder if maybe the hauntings that have started after the Battle have been automatically contributed to the events of 1863. It’s odd because while trying to preserve history, we may very well be a part of the problem that is erasing it.
After Thoughts
I have to also wonder what the percentage of hauntings and ghosts stories are from the battle and how many others are just “regular” hauntings from the most normal things. Gettysburg continues to be a place where ghost hunters will often flock to in order to have that one amazing experience that may very well prove the existence of ghosts. But, how many people will encounter a ghost when they weren’t looking for it? Like, they’re just there to be tourists and take in the history of that great battle. When this happens, I have to wonder if there will always be lost souls wandering this great battlefield, looking for someone who can hear them.
I’ve been covering Gettysburg a LOT lately. Truly, it’s my favorite place in the world, not just for history, but also for the ghosts! Whenever I talk to people about Gettysburg, the first question that comes up the most is, “So where should I go to find some ghosts?” That’s a loaded question! Truth be told, Gettysburg is a spiritually dense place. Almost every inch of it has some sort of ghostly activity. I joke all the time that you can throw a rock and hit a ghost wherever you are!
If you want to go ghost hunting while in Gettysburg, then these places should be on your list. I’ll make a note if you need to contact a specific company to arrange a tour or an investigation. Are these the only places where you can find ghosts? Of course not! I’m starting with the places I’ve already been to. I’ll be doing a part two in the future!
Sachs Covered Bridge
Built in 1854, legend says that three Confederate deserters were hung next to this bridge during the Battle of Gettysburg. It is also said that wounded Confederate soldiers rested on the banks of the creek to recover. But what many don’t know is that the day after the Battle of Gettysburg ended, it rained. From that rain, the creek overflowed and numerous Confederate soldiers drowned. What is definitely true is that both the Union and Confederate used this bridge during and after the battle.
People who have visited here have reported cold spots in the middle of summer. Others have seen bodies hanging from the trees. Other reports include smelling cigar smoke, getting tapped on the shoulder (with no one there), as well as three disembodied heads on the bridge. Finally, gunshots and cannon fire have been heard at night.
Devil’s Den
“Jesus Himself would not investigate Devil’s Den…”These were the first words I heard when I was talking about doing an EVP session at Devil’s Den, which sits at the bottom of Little Round Top on the battlefield. July 2nd, 1863 marked the second (and bloodiest) day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Union soldiers used the hill to counterfire the Confederates before the First Texas Regiment eventually took it over. Confederate sharpshooters hid in between the rocks to fire at the Union soldiers on Little Round Top. Many of the Confederate soldiers in the rocks died from the concussion of air. After the second day of the battle, the dead and wounded were spread all over Devil’s Den. What was the most heartbreaking is that the wounded soldiers were crying for their mother in agony throughout the night.
Ghost seekers who visit Devil’s Den report that their cameras and phones will glitch while trying to take a picture. Not only that, but paranormal equipment will run out of batteries or stop functioning all together. Apparitions appear moments before the tech breaks. When the ghost seekers leave the battlefield, the broken technology starts working again. On the windy road behind Devil’s Den, people have seen apparitions of soldiers, particulary soldiers waving their amputated limbs in the middle of the road.
Battlefield Farm House
You can only visit this location through Gettysburg Ghost Tours. This particular location is interesting, and it has also been the center of some controversy. While it seems the foundation of the house was built in 1830, sites like Realtor claim that the house was built in 1865. Given I’ve seen the foundation myself, that in of itself is probably 100+ years old. The rest of the house does look a lot more modern, but that could be due to renovations. Either way, it’s haunted. There is plenty of activity waiting for you. The stories told by the guides I’ve worked with over the years seem to be true. What I really like about this place is that it is located right along the battlefield near Culp’s Hill and across the street and down the road from Evergreen Cemetery.
I had a few very personal experiences at the Battlefield Farmhouse. One of them wasn’t even related to the Battle of Gettysburg at all. My mother came through May 2017. I didn’t realize it at the time, but when midnight struck during our investigation, it was Mother’s Day. The last time my team and I were there (July 2020), we couldn’t help but notice a lot of shadows running through the trees behind the black gate. We also watched lights behind the trees, as if someone was holding a lantern.
McCurdy School House
The McCurdy School House was a surprising experience for my team and me. We ran into something extremely negative that really shook one of my mediums. We kept hearing a grown man’s voice act as though it were a child. Needless to say, we know why there’s a photo of Jesus in one of the rooms. This place has a ton of history. It was built in the 1800s and it was a stone structure at the time of the battle. The white bench you see in the photo on the right has had some ghostly activity. As soon as I sat in it, I felt like I was being touched. The guide told me that people have heard the voice of a young boy, and also felt like they were being touched. If you would like to investigate this place for yourself, contact Gettysburg Ghost Tours.
Daniel Lady Farm
I had the unique opportunity to participate in a Ghost Excavation, led by John Sabol and his team at the Daniel Lady Farm. If you’re not familiar with Mr. Sabol and his work, I highly recommend checking him out! This place is so special. It was used as General Ewell’s headquarters, and about 10,000 Confederate troops were camped out around the property. Wounded officers were tended to in the house while wounded soldiers stayed in the barn. As most Civil War hospitals go, they were mainly a place for death and amputations. And in case you’re wondering, yes, cadaver dogs scoped the area and they found mass graves of amputated limbs.
During our Ghost Excavation, we focused on the attic in the house in the beginning, where ghostly children were eager to play with us. The team also did simulated amputations in the barn, and then the women scoped the land around the barn looking for lost loved ones…all while wearing Civil War attire. After we were out of the house, all of the lights were turned off, and yet, we saw a light in the second-floor window. Like the field next to the Battlefield Farmhouse, I also saw a lantern-like glow in the woods. Mr. Sabol and his team also caught incredible audio of gunshots, cannon fire, and men screaming.
Since I wasn’t a part of the organization of this opportunity, I’m not sure how it was arranged. But, it is worth a visit to the Daniel Lady Farm for its historical value alone. There are bloodstains on the floor of the house, as well as blood splatters on the walls of the barn. It was bought by the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association in 1999, who played a huge role in restoring it.
Tillie Pierce House Inn
The Tillie Pierce House Inn is so haunted that it has been featured by many paranormal television shows. Tillie Pierce was just a teenager during the Battle of Gettysburg, and she became famous after writing a book of her accounts during Gettysburg and the Civil War. Before she was even old enough to drive by today’s standards, she was amputating limbs, sewing up, and dressing wounds of soldiers.
The Tillie Pierce House Inn continues to keep its tradition of being one of the most haunted places in Gettysburg. It’s occurrence of paranormal activity remains fairly consistent. For example, in the Blue Room where Tillie treated countless soldiers, footsteps are often heard. Guests at the inn have also heard a woman singing, seen troops patrolling the area, a soldier walking up and down the stairs, seeing ghosts sitting at the edge of their bed, and countless ghost children. Luckily, the ghosts haunting the Tillie Pierce House Inn seem to be all friendly.
When I was at the Tillie Pierce House Inn, I went under the Ganzfeld Experiment in the Blue Room, you can read my account here. I felt like I had made contact with something in the house, and I was overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness.
Sadly, this property is no longer available for investigations. However, you can still visit and admire from the outside…or look for ghosts in the windows! The property sits in front of the Eisenhower Hotel, and the grounds are definitely haunted. It stood as a hospital for the Union during the Battle, and it looks like this sits right on the line of Pickett’s Charge. This means, there was a lot of bloodshed especially around this time. When I visited this place, you could only book this location through Gettysburg Ghost Tours. The story behind this location is that years after the Civil War, a girl committed suicide in the house. Black masses have been seen in corners as well as a spooky woman walking down the stairs.
While I was investigating this location, I kept feeling a cool breeze as well as seeing a black mass out of the corner of my eye. When I asked one of the guides what the deal was with that particular corner on the second floor, he said that was where the girl was found hanging after she took her own life.
Where do I begin? I’ve been investigating the Orphanage since 2011. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been here now. I had my most alarming paranormal experience at this location. To sum up the history briefly, after the Battle of Gettysburg and the Civil War, you can imagine that there were a lot of displaced kids. There was an overload of orphans. The Civil War wiped out entire families.
The Orphanage was opened in 1866, and it started off as a wonderful place. However, the first headmistress was replaced by a woman named Rosa J. Carmichael, and she wasn’t quite so nice. She ended up being a cruel person who even built a dungeon in the basement to punish children. She also commissioned a few of the older kids to carry out some of the harsher punishments. There is a legend of a murdered infant buried in the back, and the numerous children that still haunt the location can’t cross over because of Rosa.
Remember I mentioned my most terrifying experience? Well, it was with Rosa. While the orphanage is overall a fairly positive place, Rosa’s presence changes the mood immediately. She tends to stay in the darker area on the other side of the basement, but will come when beckoned. Every time I visit, I feel like Rosa is expecting me, and she never underdelivers with the creepiness.
Jennie Wade House
The Jennie Wade House is another location I’ve investigated numerous times over the years. It has always given me something a little different. In July 1863, Jennie Wade and her mother were visiting her sister at their house (who just had a baby). Jennie was kneading dough and making bread for the soldiers when a rogue bullet hit her from behind, killing her instantly. Because the Battle of Gettysburg was still going on, Jennie’s body had to be taken to the basement.
A few Union soldiers assisted the family in transport, to the point where they had to cut a hole through the wall (the house was basically a duplex) and down into the basement. There, Jennie’s family had to wait out the battle with her corpse laying next to them. Jennie was only 19 years old when she died, and she was the only civilian to lose their life during the Battle of Gettysburg.
Today, Jennie’s ghost is said to be the “town gossip” of Gettysburg. My friend Michelle Hamilton and I concluded that Jennie is living her best “afterlife” since her life was cut so short. When I investigate the Jennie Wade House, I often hear the sound of children playing on the second floor. There’s a chain on the second floor that often moves without anyone touching it, and the K2 meter goes nuts. The basement is also active, but I think that’s the spirit of Jennie’s father.
Farnsworth House Inn
The Farnsworth House Inn was an unexpected surprise for me. I’ll be upfront and say that the majority of the activity we got was inside the house and in the basement. The house is named after Brigadier General Elon John Farnsworth, who lost his life after leading the charge after the failed Pickett’s Charge. Farnsworth lost 65 of his men. During the Battle, the house was used by Confederate sharpshooters, and one of those bullets is believed to have taken the life of Jennie Wade. If you look on the walls, you’ll see over 100 bullet holes, and they still remain today.
The house served as a hospital, and the owner, Harvey Sweney, had to take shelter in the basement during the Battle. At this time, the basement was a little crawl space, and the hospital was above him. You may know that the floors of Civil War hospitals had holes in them so the blood could drain through. It’s safe to assume Sweney was living in a literal bloodbath during the Battle.
Today, there is constant paranormal activity occurring in the house and in the campground behind it. There is a ghost cat that roams the inside, nearly tripping the living. The basement is haunted by several entities that are eager to talk. If you would like to go on a ghost hunt at the Farnsworth House Inn, you can go on one of their many amazing tours, and tell them Alex sent you.
You could say that Alexander Hamilton is not only popular in the theatre right now.
I wrote an article for the Association of Paranormal Study about the ghosts of Hamilton as well as Aaron Burr. We all know Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, Hamilton, took off. I often wonder if Lin got the divine inspiration to write the show. If not from God, maybe the ghost of Alexander Hamilton himself?
What if the widespread popularity that is Hamilton has reawakened the restless spirits of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr? I’m no stranger to ghosts from the Revolutionary War. For example, the ghost of George Washington led the 20th Maine regiment during the Battle of Gettysburg. It should be no surprise that Hamilton and Burr might still be hanging around our modern times.
Turn on your Hamilton original cast recording, and let’s go on a Hamilton-themed supernatural journey.
The Hauntings of Alexander Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton has been seen around his impressive tomb at Trinity Church right near Wall Street. Given that Hamilton’s death was premature, it’s no surprise that he may be feeling a bit cheated out of a long life. He wasn’t even 50 when he died.
Hamilton didn’t die in New Jersey where the duel took place. Instead, he died the next day at the home of his friend, William Bayard. The address of this location is 80-82 Jane Street. There is a plaque on the building that marks where Hamilton passed. Before his death, Hamilton had been treated for his gunshot wound by John Francis, who lived at 27 Jane Street.
An artist by the name of Jean Karsavina has lived at 27 Jane Street since 1939 reported seeing paranormal activity like footsteps, blurs, shadows, things moving, the works. Hans Holzer even investigated these claims.
Why Here, Alexander?
Around the time that Hamilton rose to popularity, activity at 71 Jane Street started to escalate. 71 Jane Street is located across the stress and a few houses east of the infamous plaque. That house is owned by Joe Hamilton, who bought the property in 1994. Even after the home was purchased, Hamilton and her family heard crashes and other weird noises that were so bad that the family had to wear earplugs to sleep at night. Joe bought the house from Irene Connors, who believes that 71 Jane Street is indeed haunted by Alexander Hamilton. Why? She saw him with her own eyes. She described him as slim, wearing knee-length trousers, and wearing a white-powdered wig.
A medium was brought to 71 Jane Street. She didn’t pick up the spirit of Hamilton, but she saw a little boy. The medium and the crew used a Ouija board. When the medium asked the child what his mother’s name is, it answered, “Eliza.” Some have speculated that maybe this was the Hamiltons’ son, Philip, who died from a duel in 1801.
But why 71 Jane Street? Well, what’s interesting is that 71 Jane Street sits right in the middle between 27 Jane Street and 82 Jane Street.
The Hauntings of Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr’s legacy is forever known as the man who shot Hamilton. If you want to meet the ghost of Aaron Burr for yourself, visit the New York City restaurant, “One If By Land, Two If By Sea.” Legend says he’s responsible for crashing dishes and moving chairs. The staff at the restaurant rarely want to be there alone after dark.
Like Hamilton, Burr’s ghost has been found in more than one place. After the duel with Hamilton, Burr fled to New Hope, Pennsylvania and stayed with an old friend for a week. While the house was known as The Painted Lady, today, it is known as the Aaron Burr House. Burr’s ghost has been seen roaming around the house and peering around the corners. He has also been seeing going up and down the staircase and tugging on the clothes of guests. Burr has also been sighted around the town of New Hope and has been seen looking over his shoulder, as if someone was following him.
A Marriage of Convenience
Towards the end of his life, Burr married Eliza Jumel at the age of 77. Eliza was one of the wealthiest women in the country. Burr quickly drained her assets, and then he passed away. The marriage barely lasted a year. In fact, their divorced finalized on the day of his death. Ouch.
Today, a desk that belonged to Aaron Burr still sits in the mansion. He has also been seen around the house along with Eliza, who died years later at the age of 90. Today, the mansion is known as the Morris-Jumel House and is available for paranormal investigations.
Waiting for Nothing
Finally, one of the sadder parts of Aaron Burr’s life was losing his young daughter at sea when she was just 29. She was heading to New York City by ship from South Carolina and never arrived to her destination. Burr’s ghost has often been seen at Battery Park at the American Merchant Marine Memorial. It’s believed that Burr is still waiting for his daughter to return.
Do you think the ghosts of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr still lingering on this earth?
It seems so cliche…children seeing ghosts. Maybe we have that infamous scene from “Poltergeist” to thank. Remember? “They’re heeeeere.” Children seeing ghosts has been a powerful plot device in some of the most popular books, movies, and television shows. But when it happens in real life, it’s not quite so entertaining. It can be downright terrifying.
For centuries, there have been countless stories of children seeing ghosts. Some may call them imaginary friends, some call them Grandma and Grandpa. As a paranormal investigator who works on residential cases, I’m not unfamiliar with this phenomenon. Well, hearing the stories at least. I have only experienced this once.
Before We Begin
Moving forward, we’re going to go with the idea that what children are seeing is spirits. There are so many ways we can debunk these stories.
According to Dr. Kim Peirano, children have the ability to see ghosts because their awareness is much higher than us old biddies in adulthood. Children have yet to build up their walls, and therefore, notice more than we can.
Some Background
Since I got my bachelor’s degree, I’ve been in the classroom in some form or another. I’ve also run and designed camps at the local YMCA in college. I’ve been working with kids in some capacity for over ten years from all different age levels. In 2014, I found myself working as a preschool teacher for pre-kindergarten.
When you’re a preschool teacher for Pre-K with a class of 18 students, you get to know these kids pretty well. You’re with them for eight hours per day, five days per week. You get to know their families, their habits, what makes them thrive, what upsets them, are they tattle tells, are they quiet and reserved, the list goes on. I’m also aware that children at this age (four and five year olds) can be highly imaginative and make up stories.
So, what I’m saying is that by the Spring of 2016, I knew my class pretty well by this point.
“She Won’t Leave Me Alone”
It was our afternoon playground time after snack. This playtime usually lasts about 45-minutes. But on this particular day. We have three Pre-K classes. We all eat together and play together on the playground. While I’m not with all 54 kids all the time, I know every one of them and most of their names. I tend to get to know faces and personalities more than knowing their names.
So one of the kids from another class comes running to me saying, “Ms. Alex! Karen won’t leave me alone!” in his tone of when he’s tattling on one of the kids…whining inflection, pained look in his face, the whole shebang. For purposes of privacy, I’ll call him Billy.
I quickly call out Karen’s name to talk to her, and I quickly realize that out of the three classes, we do not have a Karen. We don’t even have a Karen in the whole preschool, which goes from infants to 5 years old. But the Pre-K kids play together, and we don’t mix age groups.
I stop and ask Billy, “Are you sure your friend’s name is Karen?”
Billy: “Yes!”
I confirm that he wasn’t meaning one of the other little girls. He says no.
So I ask him to point Karen out to me. I’m thinking maybe even after being in that class for 10 months (our “school year” is from August to July), maybe he forgot his friend’s names or he was stating a nickname.
Billy: It’s that girl over there in the white shirt!
I look over and there is no girl in a white shirt as all the girls are in pinks, purples, oranges, and blues. So I tell Billy to take me to Karen. He takes me to the fence and points to the woods next to the playground. I ask him if he sees her now and he whines, “Yes! Karen won’t leave me alone!” I told Billy to go play at the slide and ignore Karen, and my coworker and I just looked at each other with big eyes.
Explaining it All
Now, there’s a chance that little Billy was trying to project his issues onto an imaginary friend because he was too intimidated to point out the real Karen. There’s also a huge possibility that Karen was imaginary and he was trying to engage in some sort of social structure and explore communication.
Did you see ghosts when you were a kid? Or are you a parent of a child who has seen ghosts? Share your story in the comments!
I was alerted to the app, Randonautica, by one of my Instagram friends. It is an app that has taken the world by storm and has made people become explorers in the community around them. What is interesting about Randonautica is that it has you set an intention before your adventure begins. Not only that, but people have been finding things that you could consider paranormal, if not downright creepy.
The app made waves recently after some teens found a dead body in a suitcase in Seattle thanks to Randonautica. The video was shared on TikTok and it went viral. This is likely what gave the app it’s creepy turn and has had people scouring their towns looking for something haunted or just as disturbing.
Of course, being the curious person that I am, I decided to give Randonautica a try. I’ll share my initial thoughts later. Let’s talk about the app.
How Does Randonautica Work?
Randonautica has to have access to your GPS so that it can pinpoint very specific coordinates for you to go out and explore. These coordinates are created using a random number generator. You set an intention and the numbers come up. Random number generators have quite the paranormal history and have been said to predict major events like September 11th and one of the major tsunamis to hit Asia.
Want to Try It?
If you’re ready to try this, here’s how:
Click on the blue, “Randonaut” button to get started.
The app will ask you if you want to find an Anamoly, Attractor, Void, and Pseudo. What do all these terms mean?
Anamoly – According to an article on Medium.com, “An Intention Driven Anomaly is just a name given to describe both voids and attractors. Intention Driven Anomalies are areas of pattern found in quantum random number data. This means that these are the areas hypothesized to have been influenced by human thought.” You’re choosing a stronger point between the attractor and the void.
Attractor – Areas where quantum points are highly concentrated and most dense.
Void – According to randonauts.com, “A void-point is an area where quantum-points are sparse. Void-points are the opposite of attractor-points, which is where quantum-points are most dense. The more sparse the void, the stronger it’s power is, and the higher significance it has towards your intention.”
Pseudo – From my understanding, this point is created through a random number algorithm.
This is all supposed to work with your mind and synchronicity, where your thoughts are being manifested using the map. Setting your intent is important when it comes to using this app.
RNG: What is ANU & Temporal?
Next, the app will ask you to select RNG, or random number generator.
ANU is the random number generator by the Australian National University. You can get more information about this generator online by clicking here.
I’m not sure what Temporal means, but I’m guesisng it might have something to do with a random number generator connected to the date and time the app is used.
Set Your Intention
After you select your RNG, you will set your intention. This can be anything that is on your mind, whether it’s a sign, a message, a want, or a need.
After that, you may have to wait a few minutes while the app processes your intent and accesses the random number generator.
My First Try
Similar to my experience with TikTok, I am curious about the app and I want to see what all the fuss was about.
I had some time after dropping my kitties off at the vet, so my boyfriend and I decided to go randonauting. Yes, that is cool term the kids are using these days. I set my intention on wanting to see something weird. It was pretty general. I honestly have never used a random number generator before.
The first hit I got was a void. So, we started driving and we ended up in a residential neighborhood. All of the houses had short driveways. The coordinates were sending us to a house with a long driveway and hidden by trees. My boyfriend and I decided that trespassing was not a part of the plans, so we turned around.
After making a grocery run, I turned on the app again. This time, this sent us to an attractor in a different residential neighborhood. What was interesting with this neighborhood was that it was same type of area that we want to move to, and it was 5 minutes down the road from our apartment. Did I mention we’re looking to buy a house in the next year or two?
Again, these coordinates would have put us in someone’s backyard, so we decided to not go further.
I turned the app on one more time. This time, the attractor looked more promising and looked like it was away from any neighborhood. Cool. Let’s try it.
This third one had us going to a construction site, which was blocked off. So we would have had to get out of the car to access it. Again, I’m not about that trespassing life, especially on a construction site.
A Warning
Could all of these points mean something to us? Maybe. I feel like I could justify every one of our stops. But the common denominator here is that Randonautica took us to a private property every time. This brings me to my next point; please PLEASE please do not trespass. Don’t go through a stranger’s backyard to get to your coordinates.
I would also say that you shouldn’t go randonauting after dark or by yourself. Try to go with a group of friends, especially when you don’t know where you’re going.
Also, if you see anything suspicious, don’t touch anything and call the cops.
Have you tried Randonautica? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
When I saw this story, I was shocked. This isn’t the first time that there have been paranormal investigations that resulted in violence. As I started digging into the story, I started to see that this story wasn’t what it appeared to be. Ghost hunters screwing up can make for interesting news. But it can harm the teams that are doing it right, especially if they’re trying to get into historic places.
The Story
via KATV
On June 9, 2020, a story broke that a man was stabbed after ghost hunting in a cemetery in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette referred to it as “paranormal hunting.” Okay, that’s a new one. According to the unnamed female witness, she, Mark Galloway, and James Patterson were in a cemetery. Around 1:50 am Patterson and the female wanted to leave, but Galloway wanted to stay. As a result, the group started to argue.
But according to ABC-7 KATV, the argument started because there was a disagreement over who was going to drive back. Galloway insisted on driving, but Patterson and the woman didn’t want Galloway to drive.
They all got into a tan Ford 500, and Galloway started driving away. The woman said she couldn’t breathe, so she asked Galloway to stop. He refused. She tried to take the keys out of the ignition. Patterson tried to get control of the vehicle. Because of this, Galloway started to stab him. Patterson had stab wounds in his thigh and torso.
Police were called to a Rodeway Inn & Suites after there were reports of a stabbing. Patterson was bleeding heavily, and Galloway was arrested and charged with first-degree battery and false imprisonment. He was booked at the Pulaski County Jail.
Digging Deeper
I decided to dig deeper into this story to see what I could learn about Mark Galloway and James Patterson. Coast to Coast labeled them as ghost hunters, along with other news outlets. Were they actual ghost hunters?
First, I couldn’t find any connection to any paranormal team for Galloway or Patterson. I tried to find them in some of the larger paranormal Facebook groups I’m a part of. Based on this, I’m going to assume that these were people hanging out in a cemetery looking for something scare them.
In this case, I have suspicions based on Galloway’s mugshot and the sequence of events. Between the nature of their visit to the cemetery, the incident in the car, and the Rodeway Inn…yeah. Galloway also has a criminal record. In May 2016 for aggravated assault and false imprisonment for kidnapping his 19-year old girlfriend.
What was incredibly frustrating to read was the comments on the various postings of this story. People immediately jumped to the “demon” word and said Galloway was possessed. This doesn’t help the paranormal community at all. It only perpetuates the idea that these people aren’t responsible for their actions and we can blame the paranormal. That has to stop.
We can’t keep jumping to conclusions like this without thinking critically about the events of the story. This doesn’t help in creating a separation from amateur thrill seekers to serious paranormal investigators.
Burning Down History
This isn’t the first time that the mistakes of amateurs have made headlines. Sadly, labeling these people as “ghost hunters” doesn’t help the cause at all.
One of the most heartbreaking incidents that happened was when the LeBeau Plantation in Old Arabi, Louisiana, was burned down by ghost hunters. This group was also using marijuana and drinking alcohol. In the midst of their hazy stupor, plus the frustration that no ghosts were responding, one of the men decided it would be a good idea to burn the place down. I’m sorry, WHAT?
The seven men, ranging in age from 17-31, were trespassing. So they weren’t supposed to be there in the first place. But again, would we call these men ghost hunters? Definitely not.
However, it’s a catchy term, and the media will continue to use it.
What Do We Do?
Thankfully, there’s a few things we can do when this happens. We can speak out when these stories go public and reassure the community that this isn’t us. We can make our process known so that the community, and these historic locations, can be rest assured that we will take care of them.
Teams can also adopt a code of ethics as well as a non-disclosure agreement. Respecting the location’s wishes is a top priority. If ghost hunters can show that they can take care of and respect property, then how can they gain anyone’s trust?
I have to confess something; I make mistakes too. Maybe more than the average bear. It’s all part of the “trial and error” life of being a paranormal investigator. You try things that work, and you toss the things that don’t work. But the problem here was I was using a technique that had been VERY successful for the past several years.
When I’m out there doing a ghost hunt/paranormal investigation, I’m constantly trying to do it right. Sometimes, that ideal gets me into hot water. This isn’t with the living. But instead, it’s with the ghosts.
I got called out by a ghost for the first time.
The Background
It was my first paranormal investigation since December (ouch). It was our second time at this particular location, and since we had moderate success during our first visit, I wanted to approach the location the same way as last time. The location is rich in history with documentation to support it all. The location is honestly a dream come true!
I can’t say where the location is due to privacy reasons. This is about the lesson I learned during my latest investigation. Don’t get me wrong, the investigation was overall successful and we got some fascinating data, but I didn’t expect the response I would hear from the man of the house himself…who is a ghost.
The Interpretation
I did a lot of prep, but at the end of the day, the ghost felt like we were asking them to perform parlor tricks. They (the ghosts) thought we were looking to be entertained. While that was far from the truth, I can see why the spirits thought that way. I made the mistake of approaching the location like I approach most places; the ghosts want to talk about their feelings. Well, not all ghosts want to sit in the dark with us and talk through their emotions.
Lessons Learned
I honestly feel bad that we came across like a group of ghost hunters that wanted the spirits to perform. That has never been my intention, nor the intention of my time. We try to approach our investigations with a research perspective and bringing questions to the table from a contextual standpoint.
Because I’m an emotional person by nature, I immediately default to this approach. I try to use an empathetic approach to my investigational skills. Most of the time, the ghosts are eager to talk because they may not have had the opportunity to talk about this side of themselves in the past. It’s been a successful approach…until now.
There are ghosts who are present to get a job done. In this case, when the spirits saw us working, they respected us and wanted to join in. I even taught a VIPKid class the next morning in the location (that was a new one). The door kept unlatching and being pushed open. The area was known to have children, and they wanted to learn as well. That was huge.
Like I mentioned before, the investigation wasn’t a bust. We did manage to get some responses and have some information to follow up on to see if it makes sense.
What I’ll Do Next Time
I learned that I can’t use the same formula every time I go on a ghost hunt. Not only do I have to have a plan ready, but I have to have a Plan B ready when A isn’t working. I also need a Plan C, D, E, F…the letters go on.
I need to go back to my roots and hit hard with historical research…that’s critical. That way, I can prepare to change gears at a moment’s notice without derailing the process. Also, most importantly, I hope the spirits feel valued and respected.
How do you prep for your paranormal investigation? What do you do to get the ghosts to talk? Share your tips in the comments!
One recent morning, a friend alerted me to a new effect that was available on TikTok. They call it the Ripple Effect, and it creates multi colors around a moving thing, regardless of whether it’s a person, animal, or furniture. While many people were taking advantage of it for its intended person, there’s another audience that is using it to detect ghosts.
Because I’m curious in nature, it was time to give it a try. I already had the app installed, and quickly found the effect. I turned it on and started scanning my apartment. To be honest, I hoped it would go off where Frank the Kitchen Ghost likes to hang out. But I got nothing. Absolutely nothing. I walked to the bathroom, scanned each room, and still…nada. I was starting to think that maybe other users had rigged the app to go off on inanimate objects.
As I walked to the living room, I was intrigued to see that my bookshelf was radiating with colors. That bookshelf also happens to house my mother’s urn as well as a number of her trinkets. With the shape of the urn on the top shelf, it honestly looked like a person was standing there.
What was really interesting was that when I changed angles, the colors stopped.
The next step I made was to remove my mom’s urn. Even though my mom’s urn had been moved, the bookshelf was still triggering the ripple effect. What movement could be going on? This is where I wonder whether there were vibrations in the floor, or could it be the crystals in that bowl all creating their own little vibrations?
The shape also changed, and it completely enveloped the bookshelf, since the urn was no longer there to make the share of the head.
So, my third step was to remove the trinkets from the shelf. The trinkets included small statues as well as a bowl of stones and crystals my mom had. I did a video immediately after, and there was still movement. I almost decided that it was just the app itself making the ripple effect based on shape instead of movement. But then a friend told me to let the bookshelf breathe. I let the shelf sit for a bit without the trinkets, and I did another video.
I feel this kind of technology can be misleading for folks trying to find spirits. The way that apps like these are developed is that it’s creating to detect movement. If no movement is obvious, then the technology will work harder to create a pattern out of nothingness. It is very similar to the technology behind the SLS camera. Kenny Biddle does a great job explaining the technology behind the SLS camera and why it doesn’t detect ghosts. It’s all based on an algorithm. To keep it high level, it’s creating something out of nothing.
I’ve also considered the idea that all those stones and crystals my mom had, all in that bowl together, were creating some sort of vibration on their own. This is actual science. My friend actually managed to create a radio with crystals, without any electricity or frequency.
I also think perhaps the air vent may have had something to do with it, as the vent is right above the bookshelf. I forgot to take note of whether or not the air was on when I did the video. However, there are vents all over my apartment, and none of the other vents went off.
As more TikTok users flock to the ripple effect to try to find ghosts in their own homes, it just further proves that there is a thirst for more paranormal knowledge out there. As humans, we continue to be curious about the afterlife, and it means that many will grasp onto anything they can to get a taste of that experience.
I recently inherited the oracle card deck, “Healing with the Angels” by Doreen Virtue. I’m pretty skeptical, but I did my own reading last night and had an interesting result. So, I want to open it up to you all. We have less than 10 days left in May, but a lot can happen in those ten days!
Close your eyes, take a deep breath and ask your angels or guides what you need to focus on for the rest of the month. Then, open your eyes and choose a number. Don’t think about it. Choose the number/card you are drawn to.
If you got this card, it means that you are holding onto something tightly. Let go and allow the angels to take care of it for you. When you release this, it means that either something better will come to replace it, or it will come back to you fully restored and healed. If you don’t let go, the thing you are holding onto, whether it’s finances, career, love life, etc., it won’t have enough room to heal. The angels are telling you to stop trying to control this certain situation.
#2 Archangel Michael
If you chose this card, it means that this powerful angel is with you right now. The Archangel Michael represents power and courage from the confidence that God’s love is the most powerful love there is. He could even be making his presence known to you and letting you know that you are not alone. As you make changes and meet challenges in your life right now, Michael is letting you know that you are safe and secure. It is even suggested that you talk to Michael and unload your fears and troubles on him, and don’t worry about overloading him. He can handle it.
#3 Answered Prayer
If you received this card, it is letting you know that your prayers have been heard and they have been answered. If you feel that your prayers haven’t been answered, pay attention to any hunches, weird feelings, or something out of the ordinary that may have come to you recently. Maybe that book you’ve been meaning to read fell off the shelf. Those may be the angels telling you to read that book, as your solution is in there. The angels are asking you to be observant, and God may even enlist Earth angels to help you with your answered prayer.
#4 Emerging
If you chose this card, it means that your true self is now shining through. You are radiant, powerful, and intelligent. You are incredible and have been through an amazing journey to becoming the person you are today, in this moment. You are starting to trust and show your true self more easily than ever before. Your angels are guiding you and telling you to honor your true self and reveal your feelings to not only yourself but to others. If you are concerned about misunderstandings, the angels will help guide your words with love. You are standing on the precipice of reaching a new level of inner peace.
#5 Truth & Integrity
If you chose this card, it means that you are being guided to be honest with yourself, and to be true to yourself in your actions and activities. Remember that 98° song, “True to Your Heart”? That’s what the angels are telling you. Let go of anything that is inauthentic and anything that doesn’t reflect the highest intentions of yourself. The angels also say to expect a miracle to come to you when you are true to yourself. Once you release your worry, negativity, and trying to hide your true self, the Diving light has room to enter.
#6 Friendship
If you chose this card, it means that there are changes happening in your friendships. Appreciate the presence of true friendship in your life and being honest with yourself and your friends. Your life may be going through some changes and you fear you may lose common interests with old friends, or that you’re growing apart from your friends. While changes in friendships are natural, the angels want you to give the situation to them so that they can help you through this transition. This card also represents new friendships coming into your life with people who share your interests and ambitions.
Was the card you chose accurate to your life right now? Let me know in the comments!
