Category Archives: Cemeteries

Spring Break Road Trip: Cassadaga, Florida

30 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by in Camps, Cemeteries, Famous Locations, Florida Mysteries, Hauntings, Historic Places, Road Trip, Roadside Attractions, Uncategorized

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Postcard

Spring Break Road Trip: Cassadaga, Florida

Spring Break is in full swing, and there are some off-the-beaten-path places worth exploring. One of them is Cassadaga, Florida. Cassadaga is 40 minutes north of Orlando, off I-4 or an hour and ½ southeast of Ocala. Here are 10 things to know before you go:

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp

  1. Cassadaga is named after Cassadaga Lake outside Lily Dale, New York, sister town to Cassadaga, New York and Florida. Lily Dale is the oldest Spiritualist community in America. It was incorporated in 1879 as Cassadaga Lake Free Association but was ultimately renamed Lily Dale Assembly in 1906.
  2. George P. Colby (January 6, 1848-July 27, 1933), a trance medium, believed his Native American spirit guide “Seneca” led him to Volusia County, Florida in search of land to establish a Spiritualist community. George was homesteaded 145 acres in the area and donated 55 of those acres to create Cassadaga. He died at the age of 86 and is buried in the Lake Helen Cemetery.

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Early Photo

  1. Cassadaga is a Native American word that means “water beneath the rocks.”
  2. Wintering psychics and mediums from the north sought a warm location to winter. The unincorporated town was established on December 18, 1894 as the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association.
  3. Cassadaga is known as the “Psychic Center of the South.” Less than 70 people reside in Cassadaga. All are psychics and mediums.
  4. The Cassadaga Hotel, the only hotel in town, was originally owned by the camp but was lost in foreclosure. It is privately owned. The original building burned down on Christmas Day 1926 but was rebuilt within 2 years.
  5. More than 15,000 people visit Cassadaga per year. There are 7 parks and meditation areas in the camp. Visitors can walk the town, book appointments with psychics, tour 2 historical buildings, shop the bookstore, or sip coffee at the hotel.
  6. Singer/songwriter Tom Petty (1950-2017) wrote the song “Casa Dega” about the town.
  7. Fiction writer and essayist Carl Hiaasen based the fictional town Grange in Lucky You on Cassadaga. In the novel, Grange is a strange town where people experience a lot of religious miracles. The main character JoLayne, and African-American woman who wins ½ of a Florida Lottery jackpot, resides in Grange.

CarlHiaasen

  1. If you visit, stop in the Lake Helen Cemetery, situated between Cassadaga and Lake Helen. In the cemetery in a family plot, there is a brick bench, a mourning bench. An urban legend has started that this is a “Devil’s Chair” whereby the Devil arrives when someone sits on the bench. Another tale states that if a can of beer is left, it will be empty in the morning. Let me know what happens.

DevilsChair2

Happy Travels!

Slander in the Age of Post-Truth: Burke Ramsey Files Defamation Lawsuit

02 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by in Cemeteries, Crimes, Famous People, Scams, Slander, Slander in Paranormal Community, The Haunted Librarian, Uncategorized

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Slander in the Age of Post-Truth: Burke Ramsey Files Defamation Lawsuit

 

JonBenet Ramsey rests in eternal peace alongside her mother and half-sister Elizabeth in St. James’ Episcopal Church Cemetery across the street from my daughter’s school. It happens to be my church’s cemetery, as well. It is a small, quiet cemetery. I pass it at least twice a day during the school year. Every time I drive by, I think of JonBenet. Her murder was a tragedy that persists because no one has ever been arrested or convicted for the crime. Americans with their fascination with true-crime books and TV shows are consumed with her death.

 

Twenty years ago 6 year old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in her Colorado home. Her parents, John and Patsy, along with her brother, Burke, were suspects early on in the investigation. All three were cleared (see http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/29/us/jonbenet-ramsey-murder-fast-facts/). However, this didn’t stop one “documentary” from naming Burke as the killer. The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey debuted to lukewarm reviews capitalizing on the public’s infatuation with this tragedy. Ultimately, CBS may pay substantially for its recklessness.

 

The 2-part production was riddled with slanderous accusations. It was clear that the network merely sought to capitalize on ratings and advertising dollars. Producers dismissed the conclusions of law enforcement and multiple witness testimony concluding that Burke, who was 9 years old at the time, committed the murder. They’re wrong, but in the age of “post-truth,” this did not matter. All CBS saw were dollar signs. Hopefully, they will pay—and pay dearly. Burke Ramsey filed a staggering $750 million dollar defamation lawsuit this past week (see http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/jonbenet-ramsey-cbs-lawsuit-1201949899/ for more information).

 

Shortly after the series aired several “news” outlets suggested that JonBenet’s body was exhumed. It wasn’t; however, it sold a lot of tabloids. According to The Oxford Dictionary, post-truth means “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Although routinely applied to political arguments, post-truth is when facts are ignored and replaced by emotional opinions. Needless to say, this is dangerous territory. By making an emotional appeal that someone—anyone—should be held accountable for JonBenet’s death, the producers believe that they can get away with framing Burke. They shouldn’t though.

 

Media is rampant with slanderous comments. There are numerous laws against and related to slander. However, law enforcement routinely avoids charging someone. Often the only recourse is civil court, which is expensive. To some, it is easier to defame and to get away with it while profiting. That is why this case is important. If Burke’s legal team is successful, they may be able to set a precedent for others seeking remedies in similar actions. Similarly, they rely on Hulk Hogan’s defamation case against the now defunct Gawker Media to bolster their case. These cases may pave the way for others with limited income to successful sue for defamation.

 

The paranormal community has its share of profiteers who slander others in order to make a quick buck. This article is meant to place them on notice. Don’t make up stories about the living or the dead. (Yes, the dead cannot sue for slander, but it’s unethical just the same.) In addition, don’t repost or share stories that you suspect to be fake. Paranormal researchers should hold themselves to higher standards. By doing so, they establish credibility and limit their exposure to potential lawsuits.

 

A Missing Corpse = Foul Play

12 Sunday Oct 2014

Posted by in Breaking the News, Cemeteries, Famous Locations, Florida Mysteries, In the News, Live Paranormal

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Florida Industrial School for Boys Postcard

Postcard of the Florida Industrial School for Boys

A Missing Corpse = Foul Play

Reports of abuse and killings plagued the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys for decades. Former detainees filed a class-action lawsuit. The State of Florida investigated determining that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate. The University of South Florida (USF) Anthropology Department received a grant to exhume the 31 known and over 55 unmarked graves. Dr. Erin Kimmerle, a professor at USF, also obtained an order allowing the excavation of another coffin in Philadelphia. Her team dug up the coffin only to find wooden planks instead of a body.

The Florida State Reform School opened in January, 1900 in rural Marianna, Florida. The state-run facility housed boys, aged 8-21. At its maximum, the school housed 500 boys. The school closed for “budgetary reasons” in 2011. These young men committed minor crimes from truancy to theft and were sent to the school in an effort to restore them to community life. Along the way, something went horribly wrong.

Undergoing four name changes in its 111-year history, the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys sits on 1,400 acres. Numerous buildings and cottages dot the landscape. Former residents described the grounds as beautiful—much like a college campus. Facilities included a pool, cafeteria, farm, dairy, and hospital. Two cemeteries, one for Caucasians and another for African Americans, exist. However, only 33 graves are marked with crosses. Through radar, another 55 additional unmarked graves were located. An additional 22 boys who died at the school are unaccounted for. Numbers vary; however, some 84-100 boys died while detained at Dozier. Unfortunately for some, the school became a place of torture.

Radar

Radar

In 1925, 17-year-old Thomas Curry was sent to the reform school. He remained for 29 days. A ledger entry at the school denoted Thomas was “killed on the RR Bridge Chattahoochee, Florida.” The Old Cathedral Cemetery, in Philadelphia, listed his death as “killed by train.” Curry’s death certificate, discovered in 2008, stated death was caused by a crushed skull from an “unknown cause.” No one from the school reported Thomas’ death to the State of Florida. A wooden coffin was sealed and transported to Philadelphia for burial. The coffin was interred above Thomas’ grandparents. There is no tombstone.

When the coffin was opened, wooden planks were discovered. No body. No skeleton. No personal effects. Where is Thomas Curry?

empty coffin

Coffin filled with wooden planks.

Although a state investigation (2008-2009) failed to find sufficient evidence supporting reputed abuse, this discovery—or lack thereof—should reopen the investigation. Bodies were illegally buried. Bodies were improperly handled. Boys disappeared. Former detainee Roger Kiser called Dozier a “concentration camp for little boys.” The idyllic images of the school posted online in the Florida archives clash with the testimony of 300 men. A missing body highly suggests foul play.

Tune in Friday, October 17th at 9 pm to “Breaking the News” on Paranormal I-Con on www.liveparanormal.com. The Haunted Librarian joins host Wes Forsythe as they discuss the latest paranormal news.

 

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.

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.

 

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

 

I’m a Believer

20 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by in Angels, Cemeteries, Churches, Ghost Hunting, Live Paranormal, Research

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The Virgin Mary

Statue of the Virgin Mary.

I’m a Believer

Recently I was interviewed on Paranormal I-Con (weekly radio show on www.liveparanormal.com) and was asked about my belief system. Short answer: I’m a believer. Now for the long answer.

I’ve always believed in the paranormal and supernatural. Further, I’ve never doubted the existence of a God. For me the two go hand-in-hand. “I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.” (Nicene Creed). I truly mean it and I’m not alone. According to the Pew Research Center, 92% of Americans believe in God. That’s 9 out of 10 adults, an impressive number even though that number is slowly declining from the 98% from 1953-1967. Specifically, 78% of adults in the United States identify themselves as “Christian.” I’m included in this number. Although raised Catholic, I identify myself as an Episcopalian. During the 1950s, nearly every American identified themselves with some form of organized religion (Gallup Poll, 2011). That number has dramatically shifted. Now 1 in 10, 10%, of those polled are not affiliated with an organized religious group.

Now for the ghosts: Almost half of all adult Americans believe in ghosts (CBS News Study 2009). More women (56%) believe than men (48%). While the skeptics rise up and proclaim the need for evidence, most believers have not had a paranormal experience (77%). They just believe, as do I. Even though researchers speculate the reasons for why people blindly believe (most notably as a calming mechanism in a chaotic world), my reason is simple: Why would God place people only on earth? And if there is a Heaven, why can’t spirits travel between the veils? I don’t require proof to believe. I believe in order to search for proof.

 

Mary with Baby Jesus

Vignette of Mary with the Baby Jesus.

Jesus with Open Arms

Jesus with Open Arms

 

 

 

Pet Cemeteries Existed Before Stephen King

13 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by in Cemeteries, Ghost Hunting, Pets

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Hyde Park Pet Cemetery

Vintage postcard for the pet cemetery located in London’s Hyde Park.

Pet Cemeteries Existed Before Stephen King

This past weekend, Archer Paranormal Investigations (API) conducted an investigation at a private residence in McDonough, Georgia. As we were going through the house taking baseline pictures, we headed outside to the backyard. As many of you know, most of the USA was overwhelmed with the Polar Vortex this past week, too. Georgia received a lot of rain. Further, a major thunderstorm raked through the state earlier that day. The ground was saturated and we were trotting along in our rain boots. Jenn was back around the rather large shed and her foot fell into a hole. Not finding much outside, we ventured back in when the homeowner said, “Did I fail to mention the pet cemetery in the back?” Ah, yeah, you did. However, now my interest is piqued. I’m sure everyone has buried a dead pet in the backyard. Or cast it to sea in the case of fish.

Ancient Egyptians mummified and buried cats along with royalty. Archaeologists unearthed 40 dog mummies in a pet cemetery in Ancient Peru. In the ancient world, the largest dog cemetery was the Ashkelon National Park in Israel. In London’s Hyde Park, an informal pet cemetery was active between 1881-1903. The first burial was a dog named “Cherry.” This cemetery hosted 300 burials. The longest continually running pet cemetery is located in Hartsdale, New York. In 1896, a grieving dog owner could not find a proper place to bury her pet. She expressed her sadness to a veterinarian, Dr. Samuel Johnson, who offered to bury the dog on his apple orchard. Thus created the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery and Crematory. Dr. Johnson was a co-founder of the ASPCA, by the way.

By September of 1905, the cemetery grounds had grown to 3 acres. Over 1,000 pets had been interred by 1914. A War Dog Memorial was erected in 1923 to honor the thousands of dogs that died in action during World War I. Most recently, Sirius the dog that died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks was interred here.

Commonly known as “The Peaceable Kingdom.” The cemetery has over 80,000 pets including dogs, cats, monkeys, horses, and a lion cub that once resided at the Plaza Hotel. Further, it is the only pet cemetery on the National Registry of Historical Places. Quite an honor!

For more information, visit http://www.petcem.com and http://www.hartsdalepetcrematory.com.

 

The Peaceable Kingdom

View of the Hartsdale Pet Cemetery and Crematory, also known as “The Peaceable Kingdom.”

War Dog Memorial

War Dog Memorial erected in 1923 honoring the dogs that died during WWI.

 

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

27 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in Cemeteries, New Orleans

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Lafayette Cemetery

The Virgin Mary greets you at the cemetery.

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

The Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is located in the heart of the Garden District in New Orleans. It is the oldest of the seven municipal cemeteries within the city and is named for the City of Lafayette, an area annexed into New Orleans, and has a park appearance. The above-ground tombs date back to the early 1800s. The diversity of the past is reflected in the names and languages engraved on the tombs. A wall monument holds almost 500 remains; however, there are few engraved plaques erected. More than 7,000 individuals within 1,100 family tombs are interred here. Society tombs consist of Hook and Ladder Companies, Poydras Orphans Home, the YMCA, and others. There are a lot of “Woodmen of the World” monuments here—more than I’ve ever encountered in one place. Author Anne Rice included the cemetery in several of her books. A number of the vaults are undergoing much needed repair and conservation. The cemetery is usually closed on Sundays.

Observations: Although the cemetery is closed on Sundays, we were able to enter. I personally feel that Sundays are the best day to stroll a cemetery. It is peaceful. I was greeted by a statue of the Virgin Mary—a good sign. Quite a few vaults are in need of conservation. The cemetery has a park-like feel, and even though the vaults are above-ground, the cemetery is tranquil. I received a few blips on my Ghost Radar and few words. I don’t think many spirits linger here but may stop in to see who is visiting.

Lafayette Cross

Cross in the Lafayette Cemetery.

Lafayette Landscaping

Landscaping in the Lafayette Cemetery.

Hook and Ladder Company Tomb

The tomb for one of the several Hook and Ladder Companies in Lafayette.

When Cemeteries Die

13 Wednesday Nov 2013

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Cemeteries are dying.

Cemeteries are dying.

When Cemeteries Die

Urban legend runs amuck with rumors of a haunted cemetery in Cobb County, Georgia that is so dangerous that police will arrive within minutes of your crossing the chains. Well, I’ve visited this cemetery and have found it overgrown and abandoned—not haunted. The company that “manages” the cemetery has stern words for the ghost hunting explorer: Keep out. Their Webpage goes on to state that the cemetery has been cleared and verified as harmless. But, still, do not enter.

So, I entered. And found the physical conditions appalling. I did not feel any evil spirits. However, I mourn those who were unfortunate to be buried there. Weeds have overtaken the area. Rampant ivy covers a majority of the property. Ants have built impressive mounds on top of some graves. This is not a haunted cemetery but a dying one. Forgotten. Abandoned. With the hopes that living relatives don’t visit and complain about the deplorable conditions.

Cemeteries need to be preserved. We need to celebrate the dead and maintain their final resting places. Programs are sprouting up in communities where civic groups adopt cemeteries and maintain them. Groups tend to the land while preserving the history. Although there are numerous Websites that have inventoried these cemeteries, the information is not complete and sometimes inaccurate. By adopting a cemetery, a group can also provide information to these Websites and help others searching for ancestors. Stop at a cemetery. Talk a walk. Sign up and adopt one.