Author Archives: The Haunted Librarian

Book Review: Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Books, Cemeteries, Famous Locations, Historic Oakland Cemetery, Photography, Statues and Monuments

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Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery book

Cover Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery by Ren and Helen Davis

Book Review: Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery: An Illustrated History and Guide

By Ren and Helen Davis

Every book about cemeteries should be this stunning. (Actually, every cemetery in America should strive to be this tranquil.) Visually appealing, this book matches the actual cemetery. It is well organized into four distinct sections. Each section begins with an illustrated map denoting the gravesites discussed and important structures. A brief overview provides the reader with enough information to pique her interest. The authors pack as many stories into the book as possible. The final chapter details the importance of the cemetery and its role in the Atlanta community. And quite a role it has. History lives on while visitors stroll through this beautiful cemetery. Preservation is paramount. Through annual events and memberships, funds are reinvested into maintenance and education. Oakland Cemetery is more than the final resting place to Atlanta’s population. It exemplifies the garden cemetery plan prevalent in the nineteenth century. The Introduction by Timothy J. Crimmins details the popularity of rural garden cemeteries and their importance in American history. The book does justice to the numerous mausoleums and statuary located throughout the grounds. Stories of great wealth, and sorrow, reside within this cemetery.

Nuts and Bolts: This book contains everything that makes a good book great. It is well-researched. Crisp photographs are accompanied with historical images. The writing style is casual and appealing. The Appendices are clearly structured and relevant to the content. Although not a proper bibliography, the Notes section does provide enough information for the reader to continue on. Finally, the Index is thorough.

Conclusion: Visit Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery. It is a subtle reminder of our history and challenges us to honor the dead. Before you leave, stop in the adorable gift shop (the former bell tower) and purchase this book.

Archer Paranormal Radio

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Ghost Hunting, Live Paranormal, Media, Paranormal, Radio Show

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Archer Paranormal Investigations

Archer Paranormal Investigations.

Archer Paranormal Investigations (API) consists of three female investigators: a daredevil, a researcher, and a physical medium. Together with a support crew, API investigates paranormal activity in the Metro-Atlanta area. Visit us at www.archer-pi.com; like us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Archer-Paranormal-Investigations; follow us on Twitter @JMSpear, @HauntedLib, & @MagnoliaPsychic.

Tune in every Thursday night at 7 pm EST to Archer Paranormal Radio on www.liveparanormal.com.

Would I Lie for You?

21 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by in Conspiracy Theories, Famous People, Ghost Hunting, Hoaxes

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Monk Ghost

A 1956 picture supposedly depicting a monk sitting in the pews at Eastry Church, Kent, England.

Would I Lie For You?

Would I lie about a “haunting” for my 15 minutes of fame? No. I am not a skeptic; I’m a believer. However, I am so deeply rooted to my beliefs that I don’t have to lie. I’m also a seeker of truth.

Don’t get me wrong. I blog to be read. I co-host a weekly radio show (Archer Paranormal Radio) to be heard. And I hope to convert just one person. Dangle the reality TV carrot and I will bite. Hint that I should over-embellish and I’ll refuse to swallow.

There is absolutely no reason to embellish and to stretch the truth. Some places are simply not haunted. When the Ghost Radar is silent, it’s S-I-L-E-N-T. Rarely do I capture EVPs. I get a lot of orbs; however, I usually take pictures only when the Ghost Radar displays a blip. So, really, it’s not most of the time. Even though some locations are not haunted, it does not diminish the history tied to the location. And those stories should be told. It is unfortunate that it does not make for “sexy” TV viewing.

Paranormal investigators should have dud cases. Helps us learn to use the tools and to root out the hoaxes (btw, topic of discussion next week on the radio show). Ghost hunters need to properly debunk evidence. If in doubt, throw it out. When we debunk, we gain credibility in the field. And this is a field of study!

Recently, my paranormal investigation group had to make the decision: Do we go along with the urban legend or promulgate the deception? Or do we turn down the TV appearance opportunity? We did the latter. Instead of simply saying no, we peppered our response with solid reasons why the location was bad choice. We took it a step farther and suggested a better (in our minds) location, a choice location with lots of evidence and great history. The production company passed. (Shocker!) They have their priorities and Archer Paranormal Investigations have ours. And I’m okay with that—well, sort of. Heck, I even believe they will call us back. Did I mention I’m an optimist, too?!

Mary Todd Lincoln Faked Image

Famous faked image of Mary Todd Lincoln posing with the deceased president.

Note on Title: I cannot get the song “Would I lie to you?” out of my head. Whenever I am confronted with perpetuating an urban legend haunting, that song goes through my head. Only I revise it to sing “Would I Lie for You?”

Amityville Horror = HOAX

19 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Conspiracy Theories, Famous Locations, Famous People, Hoaxes, Live Paranormal, Radio Show

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Crowd Outside 112 Ocean Avenue

Crowd Outside 112 Ocean Avenue

Amityville Horror = HOAX

Amityville was a hoax. There. I said it. I only wished that potential clients believed it and would stop trying to equate their experiences with those of the Lutzes.

Coroner Removes Dead DeFeo Family

Coroner Removes Dead DeFeo Family

The Amityville Horror story was promulgated to solidify the defense for Ronald “Butch” DeFeo, Jr. Mr. DeFeo was accused of slaughtering his family on November 13, 1974. Suspicion quickly turned to DeFeo, who was 24 years old at the time. The motive was simple: life insurance money. DeFeo’s defense attorney William Weber concocted the demonic possession defense in an effort to prove DeFeo was insane. It backfired. However, it propelled George and Kathy Lutz into the international spotlight—thanks to writer Jay Anson.

Newspaper Story

Newspaper Story

Melvin Harris aptly explains the plot in his non-fiction book Investigating the Unexplained. I’ll hit the high notes:

  • Long Island Press interviewed George Lutz for an article published on January 17, 1976.
  • The article detailed “tame” subjective experiences.
  • Good Housekeeping published an article in April 1977.
  • That article claimed a Roman Catholic priest warned the family about a bedroom.
  • The article also stated that Kathy’s aunt, a former nun, berated George for over 3 hours.
  • Jay Anson’s book was published in 1977 declaring “A True Story.”
  • The movie based on the book opened in 1979.
  • Paranormal investigators deemed the incident uninteresting and declined to investigate.
  • Police Sgt. Cammorato later denied visiting the house, contrary to what George stated.
  • Father Pecorara also denied entering the home.

George’s original story morphed into a tall tale of demons and levitations. Little has been corroborated. Even less has been authenticated. The real victims are the house at 112 Ocean Avenue and the subsequent owners, who successful settled a lawsuit related to these events.

I’m amazed at the number of people who contact Archer Paranormal Investigations (www.archer-pi.com) and report similar occurrences. It is almost as if there is a checklist for demonic possession. Black flies? Yep, by the hundreds. Glowing eyes in the windows? Yes, looks like a pig. Or a boar. Or maybe even a hog. Clergy warn you about the house? How did you know? Just after we had it blessed.

The point is: Don’t believe the hype. Most of the stories are just that—stories. However, there is a small percentage of cases that are real. Every case is different. Treat them that way.

Tune in this Thursday, March 20 on Archer Paranormal Radio on www.liveparanormal.com as we discuss Conspiracy Theories.

Movie Poster for The Amityville Horror

Movie Poster for The Amityville Horror

 

Have I Been Scared? Short Answer: Yes, But…

16 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by in Cemeteries, Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Orbs

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Cemetery Orbs

Cemetery Orbs

Have I Been Scared? Short Answer: Yes, But…

A couple weeks ago I was participating in a career talk at the local high school. I’m a Rotarian and love, love, love my club. I also like talking—I am a lawyer after all. So, basically the Rotarian sits in a circle with 8-10 students. We share how we got to where we are. For me, that’s difficult. Professionally, I am taking time off. I am enjoying my hobby—ghost hunting. And that’s what I told them: Everyone needs a hobby.

The question came up if I’ve ever been scared. I have. But there is more to the story. I’ve previously blogged about a cemetery not far from me that is supposed to be pure evil. Urban legend has it that satanic ceremonies were held there back in the 80s. Maybe even longer. Visitors are warned not to wear anything religious. No crosses or crucifixes. If you do, beware: You may be burned! This location is so evil that no one will disclose the locations for fear of injury.

I’m a former librarian. Further, I’m a researcher. And I’m nosy. It didn’t take me long, but I found the cemetery. Our team API scheduled an investigation. Our cameraman grew up in the area. He had heard the stories and he wasn’t going to risk bodily harm or anything else. He backed out. Jenn and I went.

We were so amped up from the stories, and there are plenty of them in print, that we were extra diligent in our protection. Our plan was to scout out the location. No attempted communication. Observation was the goal. We were going to walk around and to record anything that occurred.

Immediately upon entering, the orbs were everywhere. I have never seen so many orbs. Nearly every picture had something. Our Ghost Radar was running and very busy. It was identifying lots of energy blips, and quite a few were “red.” DEREK, our digital voice recorder, was recording. All was good. Jenn and I walked 20-30 feet in and then Jenn stopped. (Here is where I point out that Jenn is by far more experienced in exploration and she knows a lot about demons and the like.) My heart is racing. Remember, my mind is overrunning with tales of devil worship and human sacrifice. Jenn has stopped and she hears something. I don’t know this at the time, but the band with my cross that she is wearing is heating up. I about catch up to her when she asks: “I’m good. How about you?” (Hell, to the yes.) I reply: “Yep. I could leave.” I turn around and hustle to the road.

At the road, Jenn shows me her wrist. I feel it. Yep, it was warm. However, I think all of the outside influences—the stories and mystery—made me more afraid then the actual event. I was already pumped up to be scared. And scared I was. Reflecting back, I realized what happened. I talked myself into it. Ultimately we went back and did a daytime investigation. Our conclusion: Urban Legend. Life Lesson: Mind really is over matter.

 

Tune in Thursday, March 20th

16 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by in Artists, Books, Disasters, Famous Locations, Farms, Ghost Hunting, Live Paranormal, Media, Paranormal, Prisons, Radio Show

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Laundry at the Atlanta Prison Farm

Laundry at the Atlanta Prison Farm

This week on the Archer Paranormal Radio:

1. Abandoned in the ATL: The Atlanta Prison Farm. Is it haunted?

2. In the News: Conspiracy theories and lost airplanes. The latest on Flight MH 370.

3. There are a ton of paranormal books out there. What are the API Gals reading and what do they recommend?

Tune in to Archer Paranormal Radio every Thursday evening at 7 pm EST on www.liveparanormal.com.

 

This Week on Archer Paranormal Radio

11 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Conferences, Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Hospitals, Hotels & Motels, Live Paranormal, Paranormal, Radio Show, Universities

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Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Waverly Hills Sanatorium

This week on the Archer Paranormal Radio:

1. Owners of Waverly Hills Sanatorium want to convert it to a 4-star hotel. Would you book a room?

2. In the News: Lost to History. University discovers 2,000+ unmarked graves in construction expansion.

3. Parting thoughts from GhoStock 2014.

4. Why attending paranormal conferences enhances your education.

Tune in to Archer Paranormal Radio every Thursday evening at 7 pm EST on www.liveparanormal.com.

Lost to History

09 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by in Cemeteries, Hospitals, Radio Show, Universities

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Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum

Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum

Lost to History

Abandoned cemeteries are lost to history. I’ve previously blogged on this topic; however, the subject-matter has made headlines in the past month. The University of Mississippi Medical Center broke ground for an expansion and discovered the mother lode of coffins. Before it was not uncommon for construction workers to uncover a few gravesites. In fact, this university has had its fair share of discoveries, but the numbers hovered well below 100. This recent discovery is in the thousands—roughly 2,000 unmarked pauper-type coffins.

History: The Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum was constructed based on the Kirkbride Plan, where patient areas were to be bright and open. The facility opened on January 8, 1855. One hundred and fifty (150) patients were housed there then. In 1892, a fire broke out; however, only one person was killed. The Kirkbride Plan was abandoned at the turn of the century. At its peak, the asylum housed over 2,500 patients—well above the proscribed limits of care. The facility was antiquated and lacked sufficient funding when it closed in 1935. The building was demolished in 1954.

Kirkbride Plan

Kirkbride Plan

Questions quickly mounted as who were these people and where did they come from. Historians dismissed the possibility of Civil War soldiers being buried there. Although the institute was seized and the property pilfered, the area did not see significant battle. State archives also eliminated the possibility that it was a slave cemetery.

A team of anthropologists determined that the graves were connected to the asylum because the remains lacked personal effects. The bodies were either pitched into the wooden coffins in the nude or with a simple shroud. Initially, the number of coffins was estimated at 1,000. Ground-penetrating radar was used to survey the area. More coffins were discovered. Today the number sits at 2,000.

Re-interment of the bodies is cost prohibited. Officials state that the cost would surpass $3 million dollars. For the time being, the bodies will remain where they are. The expansion project has been halted while another viable location is identified. But ancestors are still seeking answers.

Although the building is gone, the asylum records remain. The state archive has 16 bound volumes of handwritten records detailing every patient. Digitizing the records will take years. Some answers will have to wait.

 

Unmarked Graves

Unmarked Graves

 

Tonight on The Archer Paranormal Hour

06 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by in Famous Locations, Famous People, Ghost Hunting, Hotels & Motels, Live Paranormal, Media, Paranormal, Radio Show

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Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Waverly Hills Sanatorium

Tonight on the Archer Paranormal Hour:

1. Zak Bagans (Ghost Adventurers) purchases “demon” house. Are the “Portal to Hell” House claims falling apart?

2. Owners of Waverly Hills Sanatorium want to convert it to a 4-star hotel. Would you book a room?

3. Final thoughts from Jenn before her session “Demonic Possession as Defense to Murder” at GhoStock 2014.

Tune in tonight at 7 pm EST on www.liveparanormal.com

 

Abandoned GA: Atlanta Prison Farm

04 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Famous Locations, Farms, Ghost Hunting, Orbs, Prisons

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Atlanta Prison Farm Graffiti

Atlanta Prison Farm Graffiti

Abandoned Atlanta: Old Atlanta Prison Farm

In the Metro-Atlanta area sits approximately 400 acres of abandoned land. The Old Atlanta Prison Farm (APF) operated as a correctional facility from 1945-1995. The APF was a 700+-bed detention facility housing minor criminals with the potential for vocational training. The area included a large main building with a smaller administration building. The land was used for agricultural purposes. At its peak, the APF housed 1,000 inmates. The working farm ran a dairy, raised livestock, and canned vegetables. There was also a commissary and barber shop on the grounds.

In 1940, a bumper crop of 7,000 bushels of corn was harvested. Further, Superintendent H.H. Gibson is pictured calling the hogs and stating: “…this year 12,954 pounds of fresh pork have been consumed and 44,609 pounds have been sold to packing houses, while 240 pigs are being fattened on kitchen waste and corn.” Every able-bodied incarcerated person was required to work on the terraced farm and pasture land. Operations ceased in 1995.

Atlanta Prison Farm Crop

Atlanta Prison Farm Crop

Superintendent H.H. Gibson

Superintendent H.H. Gibson

 

Today the predicament is that the land is owned by the City of Atlanta (Fulton County); however, the acreage is situated in DeKalb County. Apparently, neither governmental entity wants to take ownership. When a fire broke out in 2009, it was reported that the DeKalb Fire Department refused to respond and let the fire rage until it burnt itself out.

With any abandoned property, the rumors and half-truths run rampant. According to an Atlanta Journal Constitution article an elephant named Maud and Willie B., an early gorilla, both from the Atlanta Zoo are buried on the property. There is an unsubstantiated claim that an unnamed giraffe is also buried on the property.

Plans for a possible green space have stalled. And that’s unfortunate. If realized, the green space total more than Piedmont Park (189 acres), Grant Park (131 acres), and Centennial Olympic Park (21 acres) combined!

Investigation: The weather was extremely cooperative the day I visited. There were other people walking through the buildings as well. It seems to be a popular place for photo shoots. Limiting our time to the two main buildings, we were able to capture some orbs down in the back hallway where individual cells are. My Ghost Radar was extremely active in the main entrance and stairwell. I collected 25 words. And the radar detected over 240 signals!

The best part of the investigation had nothing to do with the paranormal. Some of the graffiti is stunning. Some humorous. Most juvenile. Delve deep to find the true gems—and maybe the homeless man sleeping on one of the metal bunks.

Visits: The Old Atlanta Prison Farm is located on Key Road SE. Depending on your point of entry, two large spooky trees sit by a dirt road. This is the road that leads to the main buildings. I recommend going during the daytime since there is a great deal of debris on the ground.

 

Atlanta Prison Farm Orb

Atlanta Prison Farm Orb