Whispers in the Darkness: The Haunting of Whispers Estate
Whispers in the Darkness: The Haunting of Whispers Estates (Investigating the Haunted)
By Richard Estep
The Sexton’s musings (spoilers are likely):
The forward is written by the current owner of the house Rich Ballard, who appears to be a psychologist, or at the very least he has taught psychology classes at the college level. He was also a very big skeptic until he caught the otherworldly interest bug.
Whispers Estate
Photo: Paranormal Investigators of Milwaukee
Chapter one of course is the history of not only the house but also a brief history of the town of Mitchell Indiana itself. Then chapter two, though short, is a lovely atmospheric description on Richard’s first impressions of the house. Then in chapter three the team of three (Richard, Susan and Jason) get a tour of the house from the onsite caretaker, Sondra, who expands on the history and some of the legends and lore attached to the place. Just a side note: occasionally having the sense of humor of an immature pervert, did anyone else giggle at the name “Big Black”? Anyone? Anyone?!
Photo: 103gbfrocks.com
Allegedly this is a photo of Rachel Gibbons, the adoptive daughter of Dr. John and Jessie Gibbons, who died in a tragic fire on Christmas when their tree caught fire.
Unfortunately there is no record or Rachel ever existing. Nor is there any documentation of a fire.
Photo: 103gbfrocks.com
Doctor John A Gibbons
Photo: oldhousecalling.com
Chapter four is a long one and it’s the team’s first night at the property. You have to read the book to know what activity is chronicled. Chapter five follows the “Ghost Stalkers” series premier where they go to Whispers. The premise of this show is pretty amusing. We had heard from this corner of the paranormal investigative TV world during “A Grave Undertaking” where we get to meet John Tenney in the flesh (so to speak). An amusing kind of guy. And this episode produces some interesting theories. There is also an interview with Tenney in this book which is detailed in the last chapter (15).
Photo: Realtor.com
Chapter six starts off the teams second day of investigation (This second day spans chapters six through nine). Sondra joins in on some of the sessions. They conduct some EVP sessions, Estes sessions, and an attempt at table tipping. They also conduct an interview with JC Rositas, who made a documentary about Whispers Estates called “When the Walls Talk”. The team does a pendulum session in Jessie’s room and then Richard gets a call from Len Miller (who worked with JC Rositas and has investigated Whispers Estates multiple times). He relays some of his experiences at the house. Then the team continues their investigation until they can’t keep their eyes open. Chapter 10 is an interview with previous owner Van Renier who, in the twelve years as owner of Whispers, has had and heard about some really crazy experiences.
The Attic
Photo: onlyinyourstate.com
Chapter 11, 12, and 14 details the team’s third and final day at Whispers. MJ (who we know from multiple previous books) joins in the investigation via facetime app from “across the pond” in the UK. Chapter 13 is an interview with Gwen Zieglar who has been the manager of Whispers Estate for eleven years. Her experiences are recounted here. In chapter 14 the team is joined for the last jog of their investigation by guest investigator and sensitive Michelle Martin who we met during Richard’s Monroe House investigation.
bedroom
Photo: realtor.com
Chapter 15 is Richard’s interview with John Tenney. Whispers was more unknown at the time that they visited for the show which is cool. There are some details here that were not part of the show (should you have seen it). He brings up so really good points as well as some interesting thoughts on why the house is haunted in the first place.
Whispers Estate
Photo: The Times-Mail
Closing thoughts:
The million dollar question with this house is “Why is it haunted”? What is the source of the haunting? While it’s true that in the course of being treated many people could have passed away. However this was not unusual for the time period as medical procedures and practices are not even close to what they are today. So what is it about this location that is so attractive to otherworldly entities? This is the mystery that many are trying to uncover. Just as each individual human being is a complicated multi-faceted so is this (and many other) haunted location(s). The theory that the house itself is alive is an interesting one. Who’s to say that this is not the case? A fascinating morsel to munch on Ghoulies! Enjoy!
