Ghost Stories VOL I
Ghost Stories: A Collection of the World’s Scariest Haunted Locations, Paranormal Encounters, and Demonic Possessions (Paranormal Locations Series Book 1)
By H.J. Tidy
The Sexton’s musings (spoilers are likely):
Pre-read thoughts: I am interested to see how this author approaches the stories connected with haunted locations (especially after reading 20 books by Richard Estep who is very much research and truth seeking in his approach). I’ve mentioned in previous posts that while I understand that there are stories connected to most locations and that they can be very entertaining and creepy that does not make them true. So I’m curious to see how this author approaches them. Depending on how it goes this could be a short post or a very long one.
Tidy presents the known stories and lets the reader draw their own conclusions. This first volume is not just locations but also examines haunted objects, communications from beyond, and other tales of the supernatural that have had an effect on people.
Justice From Beyond
This first story is about a visitation that a mother has from her deceased daughter in order to help catch a killer. Her killer. It’s a really interesting and of course tragic story. One that went down in the history books as the first murder trial where the star witness was a ghost and they got a conviction. I mean he did it based on the evidence and his history but I think this story is amazing.
The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall
Photo: Wikipedia
I’m just going to say it…why did no one help this lady? There was no reason for her to have died the way that she did. I know that times were different but depending on which story was true another woman was behind the scheme in the first place. So I don’t want to hear women had no power. I will say that if I were treated in this manner I would probably remain here as a pissed of ghost too.
Emails from the Other Side
I hope that this is legit because it leaves open the possibility for so much. I have never actually heard of someone who has passed interacting through technological means. At least not quite this directly.
To Raise the Devil
Photo: Wikipedia
We have visited this location before. Taunton State Hospital in MA is where we first met Jane Toppan who was sentenced to life at the asylum for allegedly killing over thirty people. She is considered to be Americas first female serial killer. This is where she needed to be. These facilities were not nice places for the most part, and many of these institutions were worse than prisons. Families would dump their problem members there to be forgotten. Psychology/Psychiatry, as a field, was in its infancy and some horrific treatments were implemented out of ignorance and exploration.
The Peculiar Case of Julia
Dr. Richard Gallagher
Photo: Harper Collins Publishers - Creator: CYNTHIA McINTYRE - Copyright: Cynthia McIntyre Photography
I know this case specifically because of recognizing Dr. Richard Gallagher. I believe we became familiar with “Julia” in one of Zachary Knowles’s books. I believe I said something along the lines of “she brought this on herself” through her involvement with Satanism. Honestly she’s lucky that there were people who were willing to risk their lives and reputations to help her.
The Roosevelt Hotel
Photo: US Ghost Adventures
The high drama and intense emotion of the Hollywood elite has to be the reason for this haunting. If indeed there is a haunting. It would make sense after all considering the spirits that they suspect are there not only lived there during times of happiness but died tragically, ie Marilyn Monroe. The Hotel is still in operation and still considered a luxury hotel.
Robert the Doll
Photo: Wikipedia
I’ve seen the movies and I have also read things about the “real” Robert and seen pictures. He is one creepy looking dude! Tidy mentions “Child’s Play” as having a basis in this legend but now there are movies actually based on this doll, “Robert the Doll”. I am familiar with the story of Gene Otto but I was not aware that his obsession with the doll was life long. That is some crazy shit! The origin story of the doll itself is unknown but there is a lot of speculation and some stories of cruelty and curses. Either way you slice it…the doll is unnerving.
Never-Ending Construction
Photo: winchestermysteryhouse.com
This is the story of the Winchester family and the house that grief built. I think that it’s safe to say that many people have heard of the Winchester House but have you looked inside? It’s a marvel. I believe that “Rose Red” by Stephen King was inspired by this story. It is incredibly fascinating and tragically sad. I am happy that the house still seems to be in in good shape and well taken care of. It is a one of a kind physical representation of extreme grief and is a unique look into the human psyche. Or was it just a woman moving on with her life after the death of her husband and only child and she kept herself busy with the constant renovations, which is allegedly something that she had an interest in? I don’t know. I read an article that stated that the oddities were mistakes due to Winchester not working from blueprints. I’m not really buying that. She seemed to be an intelligent woman in her own right. Plus one mistake, maybe. A couple, okay. But the renovations are full of these “mistakes” which I suspect many were deliberate based on spiritual advice. Now whether the family was actually haunted/cursed is up for discussion but let’s face it, it’s not unheard of for “spiritualist advisors” to take advantage of the bereaved. Especially the rich bereaved.
Lost At Sea – The Real Pirate of the Caribbean
It’s true that sailors are a superstitious lot. I feel that it’s for good reason. While the sea may be their mistress, she is a fickle bitch with many secrets. Interesting that the Flying Dutchman was a legitimate cargo ship that was lost at sea. I’m not super familiar with pirate stories but this one I know. I did not know that she was a real ship. It’s actually super cool.
Darkness Beneath the City of Light
Okay so I feel like there are enough stories and movies based on these catacombs that people are familiar with them. What I was not aware of was how extensive they were. Somewhere around 200 miles long and being the resting place for around six million people is crazy. Many of these folks were transferred from overcrowded cemeteries to the catacombs but they were not placed so that they were individual resting places. Dare I say, some of them were just discarded down there to be forgotten. There is also the possibility that there are individuals living down there as well, so any explorers could be considered a next meal. I have watched the footage myself and it really could go either way. There is no denying that it gives you some feels. I say check it out and see for yourself. There are several YouTube posts that talk about it and show the footage.
Haunted Ebay Painting
Photo: Wikipedia
“The Hands Resist Him” by William Stoneham is the painting in question here. We have visited this painting in previous books and lets just day it…it gives you a feeling of unease. The painting was sold to an actor who, along with the gallery owner that sold it and the art critic that first gave it publicity, died suddenly within ten years of having contact with the painting. Now this may have just been coincidence but could it have been something else? Hell even the artist himself has made statements that it wouldn’t surprise him if the painting were haunted.
The Real Annabelle
Photo: Haunted Rooms
I ADORE the Conjuring universe but I also know that they are movies and that it’s art not reality. This said, sometimes art imitates life and in the case of Annabelle there is a basis of truth to the stories. The main story is one that the movies show briefly at the beginning of a couple of the movies. The two nurses. It’s interesting because if you watch the movies there are several elements of the real story spread throughout the movies involving Annabelle. Keep your eyes out for it.
Doris Bither
This is the story that inspired the movie “The Entity”. I was not really familiar with this story until reading it here. There are some interesting theories regarding what was occurring in that house. If the story about her past was true then being troubled could have either made her the perfect target or made her emotional state strong enough to produce thought forms. Interesting to think about.
Amityville Horror House
Photo: Biography.com
I already have my own feelings about this case. I have read multiple things, written by multiple people, sharing differing opinions on both the DeFeo murders and the Lutz family experience. I have also seen most of the movies, some good, some entertaining and some that just use the Amityville name to get their (mostly bad) film out there to the world. This has led me to form my own opinions on what happened there and that’s what you need to do. I will say that no families that have lived in the house after the Lutz family left have experienced activity. In this case I don’t think it was ever the house, I think that it was an attachment to a person. Specifically George Lutz. As for the murders…I don’t believe that Robert DeFeo acted alone. In fact I suspect that his sister was the main culprit here and that she was the only person that Robert killed after finding the rest of his family dead by her hand. This is simply my own opinion of the tragic and terrifying events that have happened here. I was not there for any of it; thus, I will never really know what actually happened. As always I keep an open mind to further evidence of the truth.
Gateway Between Worlds
Photo: “Mystery of Scottish 'dog suicide bridge' where hundreds of pets have eerily jumped off” by Alexander Smail for the Daily Record
This story takes place across the pond in Dunbartonshire Scotland. The location in question is a bridge known as the Overton Bridge which was built in 1895. This bridge is thought to be a vortex, where the veil is thin and the spirits that have passed on can cross over. The dog thing is astronomically upsetting to me. Ultimately that behavior does not makes sense. And as for the other tragedy that is mentioned…yikes!
Shapeshifting
This chapter mentions Jeffrey Dahmer, who interests me. The story here states that he had a relatively normal childhood but this is not really true. Dahmer’s mother for whatever reason never formed a bond with him, so at a very early age she essentially had a distain for him. Never showing affection to him. That has a knock on effect on a person. I suspect that this, combined, of course, with other things had a direct influence on what he did as an adult. I don’t believe that it was all about sex either. While that element was there I also think it was connected to his very deep sense of loneliness. There are so many elements to the mind of a true serial killer. It is not as cut and dry as some authorities would like the world to believe. It is very much like shapeshifting in that these people can compartmentalize their lives like no other. Regular people can barely chew gum and walk. The term Serial killer is used too loosey goosey for me. I believe many of the murderers that have been labeled serial killers should really be called mass murderers. I don’t believe that Dahmer was possessed. The surviving victim was terrified out of their mind, who wouldn’t be. This terror can do crazy things to the mind and body. Hell, thinking Dahmer a demon was probably not that far from the truth for the poor man. My opinions on Dahmer do not make condone the atrocities that he committed. He was definitely in need of locking up. He was a danger to those around him and he knew it. While the X-files may have based one of their episodes on Dahmer so did Law and Order Criminal Intent. It’s a great episode!
The Black-Eyed Children
Photo: “Curse of 'black-eyed child' that haunted British countryside leaving locals terrified” by Chiara Fiorillo and Kelly Ashmore for the Mirror
This chapter looks at Cannock Chase in the UK. A place of serene beauty and a whole mess of paranormal experiences. One of the more known and experienced phenomena surrounds the legend of the black-eyed children. This haunting has a rather unsavory history behind it. One that involves child rape and murder by a man named Raymond Leslie Morris. The bodies of several little girls were found in the wooded area of Connock Chase. He was caught when one of his soon to be victims evaded kidnapping, an attempted kidnapping that was witnessed by another person. It is suspected that the black-eyed children are connected in some way to the horrible acts committed by this man. Interestingly enough activity actually ramped up in 2014 when Morris died in jail. Now that gives you something to think on.
The Carolyn Stickney EVP
Photo: Wikipedia
Carolyn is the name of the entity here and the location is the Mount Washington Hotel in New Hampshire. It was here that the “Ghost Hunters” crew got a very impressive class-A EVP. I suspect that Carolyn loved the hotel and it makes perfect sense to me that she would want to continue to reside there even after passing on. The frame of mind that all hauntings are negative in nature is just not true. I’d argue that many of them are the exact opposite. We just see them as violent or negative because of the manner in which the entities communicate. But I suspect that options are limited. What if it’s not them needing energy to communicate but out distinct lack of ability to perceive them. Let’s face it, the living are not exactly the most plugged in of entities. The confines of what we perceive to be solid matter I think is a significant barrier to our ability to discover the next adventure. Perhaps this is by design. Don’t want to reveal too much. It would spoil the surprise.
The Goldfield Hotel
Photo: Goldfield Historical Society
The Goldfield Hotel, located in Goldfield Nevada closed its doors in 1945. It has sat abandoned for some years. The stories connected with this haunting are questionable as there is no documentation to support any of the claims. However, as we all know there is always some grain of truth to these stories even if they have been passes around like an old dish cloth. Lesson…never get involved with a married man. You’re only setting yourself up for heartbreak.
X-Ray Vision
I feel bad for this girl. That would be a burden that I would not want. However it seems that she has made lemonade from her lemons. I wish her all the best.
Closing thoughts:
Yes there are many famous cases here that individuals with an interest in the otherworldly have probably read about and heard of before. I will say that there were a couple that I did know that I learned a different piece about. There were also some that I only vaguely knew about that I learned more for. Everyone presents information in their own unique way so even though you had heard many things before you never know what a new researcher may enlighten you with.
