Time: 2230 - 0230
Location: Mississippi Belle Restaurant, 101 E 2nd St, (under the bridge) Hastings MN.
Clear Sky, Approximately 65 degrees, Light breeze, Full Moon
Members Participating: Judy, Juli, Erin, Rich, Jessica, Josh, JJ, Kevin, and Tim
Background:
This was a follow up investigation at this location. The initial investigation took place on August 25th, 2007. The location was originally contact by Juli and Erin while on tour of downtown businesses. Juli and Erin had several unexplained occurrences relayed to them to include employees witnessing shadows, doors moving, glasses on a table moving, etc. An investigation was coordinated between Hastings Paranormal Team and the business owners Hope and Bill. During the course of the initial investigation numerous devices were employed to capture any evidence. Devices consisted of audio and video recording devices, infrared thermometer, probe thermometer, digital cameras, compass, and dowsing rods. These devices were either carried by team members during the course of the investigation or were stationed in various areas within the dining room, basement, and banquet rooms. Numerous HPT team members reported incidents to include what they believed were entities touching them or their clothing, shadows moving around them, tightness in the chest, a sensation of being choked. During the evidence review, over 50 Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP’s) were collected to include “entities” apparently responding to team member questions, and EVP’s being found within members conversations. Due to the amount of past and varied incidents to include human interaction and physical manipulation of items, the high number of EVP’s, and team member experiences, a determination was made that the location was indeed “Haunted”.
During the evidence reveal, it was recommended that a follow up investigation be conducted to try to obtain further proof of activity and to better attempt to determine the identities of the entities if possible. A copy of the master and supplemental reports were provided to the owners during the reveal. A copy of all evidence collected was also provided to the owners. At the time of the reveal, the owners also agreed that HPT should conduct a follow up investigation at a date to be determined later. The date of October 25th 2007 was later agreed on with the team being informed that they were also to investigate a wine cellar overlooked during the first investigation and also some apartments above the restaurant.
Additional Background Information:
It was determined that since the investigation would be of a larger scale then the initial one, a different investigative assignment approach would be employed. Juli, Judy, and Erin would all serve as team leaders investigating specific areas within specific time frames. It was also ratified that “sensitive” individuals would carry notepads and pens to write down specifics about any entity they detected. This additional duty was employed to minimize any contamination between sensitive individuals. Only generalized information would be shared with other members in their respective teams. Josh and Tim would travel throughout the building utilizing a boom microphone, digital recorder and video camera to document the investigation.
Structure and Location:
The building appears to be constructed of bricks, consists of two stories with the entire first floor and a section of the second floor dedicated to the business. There are also apartments on the upper floor of the building. The building is situated next to the Highway 61-river bridge and appears to share a common wall with another business. There is an electrical substation located behind the building and also high-voltage power lines nearby. This proximity to the substation and power lines may account for some of the extremely high EMF readings, but more research should be done to confirm this. Traffic on the bridge can be heard within the building especially large trucks or vehicles with loud exhaust.
Investigation:
It was determined that the team members would assemble first in the Banquet room for a briefing by Juli and for team and location assignments by Judy. During this briefing, Josh and Tim would go to various locations within the building and begin setting up equipment. Kevin supplied two way radios for the team to use and Rich brought along an advanced digital camera. After the equipment was set up, the team members broke off into their predetermined teams and moved to their initial locations.
Team one consisting of Judy, Jessica, and Rich moved to apartment #1. Team two members Juli and JJ were stationed in apartment #2 and team three consisting of Erin and Kevin moved towards the wine cellar area as their first assignment. Josh and Tim finished setting up equipment and then moved to the wine cellar where Erin and Kevin were located. They asked if there had been any activity in the area to which Erin stated there had not. Josh and Tim then moved down a narrow hallway to document the area, after which they moved back upstairs and down into the boiler room.
Once inside, Tim stated to Josh that on the first investigation, Judy and him were in the same area and Judy was picking up a male presence. Tim then asked Josh if he was detected any presence. Josh stated that he was picking up a male presence, someone in their 30’s that appeared to be towards the far side of the room. Josh and Tim moved towards the left side of the room where a large floor safe stood and began asking questions. There was a tapping or light banging that they attributed to vent pipes. Tim then began asking direct Yes or No questions with a request for the “entity” to reply with one tap for “Yes” or two taps for “No”. As different questions were posed, both investigators heard what sounded like responses in regard to the questions. (Note: This exercise was captured on the video camera Tim was carrying, and also much fainter on the digital recorder and boom mike that Josh was carrying.) After a short period of time, Tim asked the entity if it wanted the investigators to leave, to which a response of one tap was given, indicating “Yes”.
Josh and Tim then departed the boiler room and moved back upstairs to the bar area to ask the owners if they could get up into the apartments. Bill escorted Josh and Tim out and opened the door to the apartments above the restaurant. When they reached the top of the stairs they saw Kathy, restaurant employee sitting in the hallway. They asked where the other investigators where to which Kathy replied that there was a group in the rear apartment and another team in her apartment. Josh and Tim then moved towards the rear apartment where Judy and her team of JJ and Jessica met them. Tim asked if they had had any activity in the area to which Judy replied that they should go to the loft area of the apartment. Tim then informed Judy that her and her team should also go to the boiler room and investigate. Josh and Tim then moved through the apartment and into the loft area where Judy had her video camera and an audio recorder running. Tim asked Josh if he was able to detect any presence in the area. Josh stated that he was picking up what he described as a “giggly” presence, almost like a child sleep over atmosphere.
Josh and Tim then left the apartment and met Kathy waiting out in the hallway by the apartments who relayed a story to them. She stated that she had gone back down to the restaurant one night after coming home to retrieve something. She stated that it was after business hours and no one was in the restaurant, but she heard music playing. She stated she went to where the sound system was and found that it was turned off. She stated she retrieved what she needed to and left.
She went on to say that she has also heard music playing during the night while in her apartment. She stated it was basically non-descriptive, but could be likened to softer, big band era music. She also stated that she has late at night, been awakened by either the sound of music playing or what sounds like a female voice.
Josh and Tim then went into Kathy’s apartment to investigate and document the area. Tim then asked Josh if he was picking up on anything, to which he stated he was feeling a little bit of pressure on his head and a sad feeling. Tim also stated that he was feeling some slight pressure on his chest. Tim then met up with Judy and her team briefly who were heading to Kathy’s apartment while Josh and Tim moved back towards the end apartment. Josh and Tim met up with Juli and her team who were exiting the apartment with a suggestion to head back up to the loft area.
Once on the loft area, both Josh and Tim stated that the floor seemed uneven and wondered if that could account for a feeling of uneasiness while up there. They then attempted calling for a short period of time. Josh went into a walk in closet and stated that while he was standing there, it felt like his upper body and head were being pulled back toward a shelf. He moved out of the way and Tim went and stood in the same spot as Josh. Once there for a few moments, he too stated that it felt like he was being pulled back. Shortly after stating this, the video camera he was carrying shut off and turned back on for no apparent reason. Both investigators then stated that they were feeling as though the temperature was dropping also. They tried to follow the cold spot, but lost it. After a minute or two, Josh went back into the closet and stated that the sensation of being pulled backwards was not as great. Tim and Josh then went to the opposite end of the room to see if there was something peculiar with the floor. They both looked and found that the floor seemed to slope away from the shelf slightly. Again, Josh stated that he felt a cold breeze on his face that moved past him rapidly. Josh then stated that he thought he saw a flash of light by the closet door. Tim and he both moved back and examined the room and found that a car moving across the bridge would flash the headlights into a mirror causing a reflection to move across the doorway to the closet.
As they were debunking the light, Tim again stated that he was feeling a cold spot. Josh stated that he was also getting a feeling that someone was present almost wondering what the two investigators were doing, or like the presence was following them. Tim began calling when Josh stated he felt like someone had his or her hand on his left shoulder. Tim aimed the camera at Josh’s shoulder and asked if there was someone present to please tap on his shoulder. There was no reply to his request. After the sensation on his shoulder subsided, the two again began calling in an attempt to gain a response. Josh again moved into position inside the closet and stated that he was getting the sensation of being pulled back again. Tim stated that when viewing Josh in the closet, he could see that his upper body was being pulled backward slightly.
Josh moved into the bathroom and stated that he did not detect any presence in there, but as soon as he moved back onto the loft area, he again felt the presence. The two investigators then moved down the stairs towards the kitchen area of the apartment, when Josh asked if Tim heard a noise that sounded like a door slamming. The two moved back up to the loft area. As soon as they got up there, Josh again stated he was getting a feeling of a presence. Josh also stated he heard something that sounded like very faint whispering. Then both investigators heard a faint tap in the room. Josh asked if there was someone present to please tap again. There was no response to this request. Josh again stated that he was feeling a pressure in his chest and Tim stated that he thought he heard something like a footstep coming from down in the stairway area. Both investigators moved down the stairs into the apartment and began moving through the various rooms. Josh then told Tim, he got the impression that whatever was there was relaying the word “Thanks” to him, as in thanks for stopping by.
Tim and Josh then exited the apartment and moved back downstairs to the restaurant. They walked around the side of the restaurant under the bridge and moved back towards the rear of the building and down the alley a ways past the restaurant. They then walked back into the restaurant where they met Juli and Rich by table #11. Juli was using the dowsing rods and directing questions toward and entity believed to be at the table. Juli stated to Tim she was asking pointed questions about the identity of the entity. She asked if the rods would cross if it was one former owner, they did not. She then asked if it was another former owner. After asking this question, the rods did cross in the affirmative. Tim then asked a few questions of his own, if the entity liked what the current owners were doing with the restaurant and why she moved wineglasses. Tim asked the entity if she could move the wineglasses in the presence of the investigators. Juli then stated she was putting the rods down so the entity could focus their energy on the task of moving the glasses. The investigators then stated that if she needed more energy, that she could draw it from the investigators or their equipment. The glasses did not move. Tim asked the entity if she would like the investigators to leave, at which point the rods crossed again. The team then moved aware from the table.
Juli, Josh and Tim then engaged in a short conversation about how the investigation was going and exchanging limited information about the investigation when Josh stated that if felt like someone had just touched his back. Josh was standing in nearly the same spot Tim was during his first visit with the owners when something pulled at his shirt. There was no one behind Josh or anything that he could have backed into accidentally. Tim and Josh then headed back down to the boiler room where they met Judy and her team exiting the area. Tim asked if she had picked up anything to which she stated “Yes”. JJ then informed Tim that when she was in an area with the Ghostmeter, she felt something slap it out of her hand. Josh and Tim first stepped into the office area to document it on video. Tim sat in the chair and began calling. They checked the recorder and reset it on the shelf in the office. After a short time, they left to go back into the boiler room. Josh and Tim again began calling, but got no response. Tim asked Josh if he was able to detect anything, he stated no. Josh did say that he was getting a feeling something may be on the right side of the room, so Tim moved into the area and began calling again. Tim asked if there was someone named William in the room. Josh stated that he got the name of “Bill” just before Tim tried using that name. Josh stated that he thought he heard something back on the other side of the room by the water heater. Both investigators thought they heard something similar to water dripping. There was an overflow by the boiler. Both investigators looked around the boiler, hot water heater, water softener and could find no evidence of any liquid. The then checked the vent pipe for the hot water heater, found it was warm, and thought that the sound that they heard could have been attributed to the pipe expanding from the heat.
Both of the investigators then went over to the other side of the basement to check on the other camera that they stationed there earlier. After checking on the devices, Josh and Tim went to the small dish room to see if there was any residual activity from the first investigation. Both investigators commented that the room did not seem as oppressive as it was on the first investigation. They surveyed the ceiling where they saw the red light flashing last time and could find no evidence of any device or a hole in the ceiling that could have accounted for the light. Tim and Josh then surveyed the room to see if they can remember the placement of the members from last investigation. Josh stated that he did not detect the “entity” that was in the chair any longer, and felt a very weak presence from the other entity. Tim then asked Josh if there were any cobwebs hanging from the ceiling as he got a sensation of something brushing his arm. Both investigators looked and found no evidence of them. They then moved back down to the far end of the hallway in the basement and checked again on the cameras.
They changed out the tape in the video camera and turned it back on. They also switched batteries in the roving camera at this time. Josh and Tim also switched equipment duties, Josh took over taping and Tim carried the boom mike. They then headed up into the dining where they met up with Erin and Juli’s teams. Juli was using the infrared thermometer to take temperature readings around table #11. Tim, Juli and Erin then discussed where the teams should go. It was decided the Juli would lead her team down into the basement and Erin would then go up to the loft area with Kevin for a while. Kevin then mentioned that we should go down to the wine cellar area. Erin stated that she thought she saw a shadow move down there and also heard what sounded like a door close while in the area also.
Tim and Josh then went and reset the camera that was placed to record the dining room area. After resetting the camera, Hope and Bill asked if they we would like to hear about an incident that occurred after the last investigation. Hope went on to state that neither her nor Bill were that that day, but one of the servers was going to pour some wine for a customer at table 14 when the glass started moving across the table. She stated that there was no water in it or anything. She stated that the customer, who was their with his wife celebrating their anniversary looked up at the server immediately. The server then asked the customer if she could please wipe off the bottom of the glass. The customer agreed and the server picked up the glass. She could find no evidence of water condensation on the bottom of the glass or on the table. She proceeded to wipe both the bottom of the glass and the table both off to make sure. The server then went on to inform the customers about how this occurs at table #11. She stated that both of the customers thought that this was “pretty cool.” She went on to tell Tim about the last night of the downtown classic car show Hastings has during the summer. She stated that the restaurant just got “slammed” with customers that night. She stated that both her and Bill were helping out and that she was busing tables over by the set-up station, and that she felt someone “pat” her on her behind. This alarmed her in that the restaurant was full of customers and she felt it would be inappropriate for Bill to do this. As it turned out, he was on the other side of the restaurant working and no one else was near, or behind her. Hope said she stated immediately, “Knock it off, there are customers around.” Bill then looked at her and wondered who she was talking too, since there was no one else near her. She then went over to Bill and asked if she could speak to him for a second. After she told him what happened, he found this amusing and started laughing. She stated when this incident occurred, it got really cold in the area very quickly and then the cold sensation dissipated rapidly afterwards.
Tim then asked if the “ghosts” were more active since the investigation. Bill, Hope and Kathy all responded that there had been an increase in activity recently. Tim explained to them that there is a theory where between the months of October and February that there can be an increase in paranormal activity. Tim went on explain that one of the best ways to combat this is to simply tell the “ghosts” to “knock it off.” Hope stated that she really did not mind the increase in activity at all. Kathy added that she did not believe anyone there was really bothered by the activity. Hope went on to stated that also she had gone down to the dish room also since the last investigation, which was the first time she had done that in months. She went on to point out a picture that the Chef had painted as his interpretation of the entity that he believes he sees while working in the kitchen. They have the picture displayed prominently in the bar room and have a light above it for illumination. The painting is of a woman who is wearing a long flowing light colored dress. Hope and Kathy both stated that the Chef painted this picture of the woman as how he sees her. There was a bit more discussion about the picture and Tim informed Bill, Hope, and Kathy that one of the sensitive's, Juli, gets a feeling that one of the entities that normally is found in the basement comes up to the top of the stairs and then stops. According to Juli, this could be the image that the Chef has seen while working in the kitchen. Tim also explained that sometimes entities only reside in a certain area within a building, and that this could be the edge of this entities domain.
Hope then asked Tim if he were sure that an entity could not follow someone home. She went on to describe an incident that occurred to Bill one night after work. When he got home, he secured all the windows in his vehicle before he went into the house that night. When they went out to the vehicle the next morning, they found that the windows were all down in the vehicle. Hope also added that the sunroof was also found ajar. Tim went on to reaffirm that, with the exception of a few entities that seem to come in visitation, all of the other entities are grounded within the building.
Hope and Kathy also relayed a story about another employee who got a feeling that she was being followed on the way home when she walked home from work. Kathy and Bill added that she does live in a house that replaced a structure that was built about 1863. Tim went on to add that a few days before, Josh and Erin were walking around the downtown area and also both picked up on something. Hope then asked if something demonic could follow someone. Tim stated that if it were something demonic, it would probably not stop with just following someone, and that there would be escalation in the activity around that particular person. Hope then asked if there was something remaining in the dish room. Tim stated that there was still some residual energy in the room, but no where near the level that was found during the first investigation. Kathy went on to add that to her, the room almost seems bigger now, like the back wall was pushed out farther.
Hope then mentioned that there has been an increase in activity in the boiler room lately. She said she would close the door, then come back a short time later and find the door open all the way. Also, this door is difficult to open and close on it’s own since it drags on the floor. Kathy also mentioned that due to the damp weather lately, that could have affected them. Hope also stated that there are employees who do not want to go into the room, simply because they do not feel comfortable in there. Tim also mentioned that some night HPT could drop some recorders that Hope and Bill could turn on before they leave. Kathy also asked if it would be possible to drop a recorder in her apartment. Again, the subject of music playing after hours was discussed, especially from Kathy.
After a short time longer conversing with Hope, Bill and Kathy, Josh and Tim headed towards the banquet room. Before leaving, Kathy asked if we would like to see a doorway that is usually not accessible to the apartment areas. Kathy led Josh and Tim up to the area and opened up the doorway so the team members could get to the apartments. After opening the entrance, Josh and Tim followed Kathy up to the rear apartment in the loft. After a brief look around the area, Josh and Tim changed film in the roving camera and went back down to the basement to retrieve another battery for the roving camera. Back through the banquet room, Tim met up with Judy who stated that while she was in the banquet room, she believed she got an entity to work with her in dropping the temperature. Judy stated she was working with the infrared thermometer and kept asking the entity to drop the temperature down to a designated temperature. She stated that she sat on a chair in the center of the room, with the temperature stating at about 80 degrees and by asking the entity to drop the temperature, she got the temperature down to 70.1 degrees. She also stated that she had this all recorded on tape and was in the presence of other team members.
Tim and Judy then conferred for a while on how the investigation was progressing thus far. Judy also informed Tim that JJ had to be escorted from the area to outside because she was not feeling well while in the room. Jessica came into the room and asked if we had a video camera stationed in the wine cellar. She stated that she was just down there and could not get the flash on her camera to operate at all. She stated it was working correctly before she went down there and again after, but not during the time she spent there investigating. Judy also stated that there was another camera that failed to operate during the experiment that Judy was conducting with the temperature. Jessica also showed Tim some pictures, one in particular that Jessica took that appeared to show a face on an appliance. Upon closer inspection, the team members found that there was a small dent in the appliance that, when photographed, appeared to show a face. Judy stated that this picture would be good for training purposes.
Judy and Jessica then departed to go up to the loft to check on her video camera. Juli entered the room to report that when her and Rich went into the basement area and shut off the camera, they saw small red flashes of light emitting from farther down the hallway. Tim then asked where Kevin and Erin were, to which Juli replied that this team was up in the loft area. Tim then asked Juli and Rich that if they encountered Erin and Kevin, to have them go into the basement where they had just come from so they too may get a chance to experience some sort of phenomena. Tim then informed Juli that Jessica had experienced some significant equipment problems while in the wine cellar. Tim also informed Juli it may be a good idea to utilize the infrared thermometer in the area, and did not elaborate on anything else. Josh and Tim then went into the basement area to retrieve a new battery for the roving camera.
Once they got into the area, Josh and Tim decided to turn off the light and see if they could detect any presence. Tim began the vigil by calling and asking for a sign if anyone was in the area. Suddenly both investigators detected a shadow that moved rapidly in front of both of them. Again, Tim tried calling to obtain some response. Both team members then verified their positions, and Josh stated that he felt as if something was very near them. Again Tim tried calling when Josh stated that something was grabbing his arm. He stated it was real soft and cold, like a hand wrapping around his arm. Tim asked if Josh wanted him to turn the light on to which Josh stated no, that he was actually enjoying the experience. Tim then stated that he was seeing something like a shadow that appeared to be coming in close to his face and then backing off for the past few minutes. Josh then echoed that it was similar to the last experience they had here. Again Tim stated that something appeared to move between him and Josh again. Josh again stated that whatever was there was still holding his arm and was now grabbing his hand. He stated that he could see something shadowy between him and Tim. He stated that his entire right side was very cold. He stated that his hand and arm were very cold. Tim again tried calling, after which Josh joined in thanking the entity for its sign. Josh then stated that he saw a small light flash and was feeling something touching his right shoulder. Tim then reported that he too saw a small light flash and again detected shadow movement. Josh stated that he felt as if something was trying to sneak up behind him from an adjacent storage hallway. Josh asked if the entity liked that the team was there, and they acknowledged their existence. Both investigators kept asking questions to the entity, how long it has been there, if it liked it there. Then Josh stated that something was touching his left shoulder and then felt his shirt being pressed against his shoulder. Tim asked Josh what impression he was getting. He stated that he was getting the impression of an older guy, excited, loving, happy, with the personality of a kid at Christmas time. Then, almost in unison, the investigators both asked, “Did you see that?” There was a large flash that appeared at the end of the hallway by the stairs. They both called out and got a response from Erin who was at the top of the stairway taking pictures.
Erin and Kevin then came down the stairs while Josh and Tim walked towards them. Tim asked if they had been in this area yet, to which Josh stated that it is a good time to be in this area. Tim then informed the team that something had been grabbing Josh’s arm while they were there. Erin then snapped a picture of the hallway where Josh and Tim were and her and Kevin then moved down the hallway to the end buy Josh and Tim. Josh and Tim then departed the basement area leaving Erin and Kevin to investigate the area. While walking through the kitchen, Josh informed Tim he got an impression of a face during his encounter. Tim then stated that he thought he also saw a face for a brief time during the incident. Tim described the face as being a light gray, a little taller then Josh. It was not a full profile, but close to it. Josh then added that he saw a slight face that was about the same height as Tim. Tim later described it as a male, with high cheekbones, a gaunt face, with what appeared to be wavy hair.
Josh and Tim then moved towards the banquet area where Juli was sitting in the center of the room working with the dousing rods
Just as then entered the room, Juli was thanking an entity for communicating with them. Juli then asked Josh and Tim if there was anything that they would like to ask. Josh asked if Juli had asked if the entity had died there, Juli responded that at the time she originally asked the question, the answer was no. Again Juli asked the entity if she died in this building and to cross the rods for yes. Tim then asked the entity if she passed away in the building that was here before the present one, and to cross the rods for yes. There was no response to this question. Tim then asked if the entity used to work in a building that was here before the present structure. Juli stated that she had previously asked the entity if she worked there when the building was still a hotel, and she stated that the rods did cross in response to that question. Juli then asked Tim if he recalled when she mentioned she was getting an impression of the number 24, to which Tim replied “Yes”. Juli stated that the number 24 meant something to the entity, but she was not 24 when she died. She did not work there in 1924, but she did not know what the number 24 meant. She stated the fire in downtown Hastings affected her, but there was not a fire in the building. Juli then asked if there was a fire in the building that was here before the restaurant, and to cross the rods for yes. She then asked the entity if she worked here when there was a fire in the buildings around here, and to cross the rods for yes.
Tim then stated to Juli that there was some significance to the number 24. Again Juli asked the entity if the number 24 meant something to them, and to please cross the rods for yes. The rods crossed. Tim then asked if the entity was 24 years of age when she worked there and to cross the rods for yes, the rods did not move. Tim then asked if the entity worked there for 24 days, the rods did not move. Juli then asked if the entity if she worked there for 24 months and the rods did cross. Josh then asked if the entity knew how many people died in the fire. The rods failed to move. Tim asked if she was once a maid or a helper at the hotel, and to cross the rods for yes. The rods began to move towards each other and Tim remarked that it appeared as though the entity was struggling. Juli stated that she got an impression that the entity was very shy. Juli then stated that she did ask if the entity felt like she had unfinished business there, she did not cross the rods, but when asked if she felt she had obligations to the people or spirits that worked here, Juli stated she did cross the rods.
Juli then thanked the entity for communicating with them. Tim informed Juli that Erin and Kevin were in the basement hallway area and was hopeful that they would experience something down there. Suddenly all the investigators heard a loud noise, like a tray of silverware dropping on the floor to which Juli stated, “Well, that was interesting.” The team members then left the banquet area and went down stairs to the dining room where they met up with Judy’s team. She stated that while in the cooler room, JJ was talking about how it was strange that they could not take pictures down there when there was a loud boom on a door that had an old clip latches on it with a board going across it. This startled the team, so they snapped a couple quick pictures and then left. When they came up into the bar area, Judy told Bill about the noise and he stated that there was an old chute for sliding supplies that has a metal grate on it outside the building. So Judy sent Jessica and JJ back down to the room and was interrupted by Erin and Kevin coming up from the basement where Erin asked if someone had fallen down because then heard a loud crash while they were in the basement. Erin stated that just prior to that, they asked for a sound, to which Judy added that Bill was outside banging on the grate to see if they could recreate the sound the team heard in the area before. All the team members were now assembled in the dining room discussing what they had all heard. The description ranged from Tim stating glasses to Juli stating it sounded like silverware. Josh agreed that it did sound like silverware being dropped. Erin added that it was loud where her and Kevin were stationed. Judy then added that maybe everyone on the team all heard the same thing at the same time.
The team kept discussing the incident with Kevin stating that he and Erin took off from the basement area to see what had happened. The team then began looking for a possible cause for the loud noise that they had all heard. The team then began confirming the whereabouts of all team members when the noise was heard to try to find the source.
Tim picked up a tray of silverware and dropped it on the counter and asked if that was the sound. Kevin stated no that it sounded like someone was carrying a tray and fell down a series of three stairs, like the ones leading to the basement. Again, the team tried to locate the sound, at which point Erin and Kevin stated that it sounded like it came from right above them. Judy then suggested that all team members go back to where they were when the sound was heard and that she would see if she could get Bill to jump on the grate outside again. Tim then asked Erin and Kevin if they had any experiences in the end of the hallway to which Kevin replied “No”. Tim asked that they again go back down there. Kevin then stated that before, he told Tim not to tell them what he and Josh experiences, but now wanted to know. Tim informed him about there was something that was literally in Tim’s face. To which Josh added that it seemed like something was moving right in between them. He also added that he had been touched or grabbed there. Juli also stated that her and Rich saw shadows moving while they were in the area also.
Erin stated that while her and Kevin were in the area that they tried provoking an entity. As soon as they did this, they heard a loud “Crash, bang”. Kevin then stated that he and Rich would have to depart shortly and that they were in the area in the basement for about 20 minutes with no results. Josh and Tim then headed back up towards the apartment with the loft. As soon as Josh got on the loft he stated that he was getting a sensation of being pushed, to which Tim agreed that he was also feeling a similar sensation. Josh then stated that he was getting a real cold feeling, to which Tim agreed. Josh also stated that he was getting short of breath. Tim then stated he saw something dark move in the room below the loft and Josh stated that he saw an orb move behind Tim. Josh stated he felt uncomfortable going up to the loft, so Tim went up there with Josh following. Again both investigators stated that they were very cold. Josh then stated he was getting an image of a male. He stated he could see the hairline, but not really the eyes. He had thicker, short hair. An older looking male, darker skin, like he was around dirty areas, with a kind of smart aleck smile. He stated that he was also wearing a dark coat. Tim suggested that he could have worked on a barge, to which Josh agreed. Josh and Tim then moved down towards the banquet room where everyone else had assembled. The team had been collecting equipment and packing it up.
The team then assembled for a group picture since all members were present. Afterwards, the team continued going around the building picking up equipment. Tim and Josh went down into the office area to pick up a recorder when they noticed that a large shelf held up with brackets had collapsed in the office area. Josh went back up to the banquet area to inform the rest of the group on what had happened. The brackets were not pulled out of the wall as what would be expected, but the brackets themselves were bent downward. The brackets were approximately 6 inch shelf brackets held onto the wall with 3 screws and also had 3 screws holding the shelf. Erin went down to take some pictures and found that there was no evidence of the screws failing, but the brackets had been bent downwards. Erin stated it appeared as though someone or something had grabbed the shelf and pulled it downward with such a force as to bend the brackets. Erin also stated that the shelf falling could have been what her and Kevin heard while in the basement.
The team then finished packing up their equipment and departed for the evening.
Occurrences or Experiences:
Multiple investigators witnessed shadows move around or near them in the basement area
Sensitive Team Member detected multiple entities within the building
The Owners relayed stories and reports, which indicated an elevation in activity recently
Numerous EVP’s were recorded throughout the location
Video of orb activity was obtained in the loft area
Two investigators had the sensation of being touched in the basement area
One investigator had a sensation of being touched in the dish room
One investigator while in the banquet room was successful in requesting an entity to lower the temperature while in the company of another investigator
Investigators heard what sounded like doors being opened in the wine cellar
One investigator got a sensation of being touched in one of the apartments
Several investigators got sensations of queasiness, or chest heaviness in one apartment
Investigators heard audible vocalizations in the apartment area and boiler room
One sensitive utilizing dowsing rods, communicated with a female entity in the dining room and another in the banquet room
One investigator saw what he believed was the face of a male in the basement area, which was also described by another investigator in the same area
All investigators heard the sound of an otherwise stable shelf collapse in the office area, upon inspection, the shelf brackets were bent downward and not pulled from the wall as would be expected
Conclusion...
As with the first investigation, multiple incidents were reported by Team members to include hearing audible vocalizations, the sensation of being touched, unexplained cold spots, and shadow movement. The owners had also shared events that had occurred since the last investigation and what they believed was a slight elevation in activity. They still report that they do not feel any entity that may remain in the location has exhibited any malice or ill intent to any employee.
While the exact identity of all entities is not known, one entity has, through work by a Team Sensitive is believed to be that of a former female owner. Another female entity has been identified as that of a former worker, or possibly maid from a time near the turn of the 20th century.
An increased presence has been detected in the boiler room area, and was detected by multiple investigators. Communication with this male entity was also captured on a video recording and audio recording. This communication was tapping in response to direct yes or no questions.
This location continues to be the site of significant paranormal activity by multiple entities, some of which appear to be grounded while others appear to come in “visitation”. While there has been a slight escalation in activity, which may be attributed to the particular time of year, it is not such that it is disruptive to employees or guests. Since the last investigation and “releasing” of one entity, a room that once caused distress for one Owner does not appear to be as oppressive. Another employee and team members who investigated the area echoed this sentiment. While this room is not entirely free of paranormal activity, it has diminished to a point where it is more of a weak residual type.
As stated at the conclusion of the prior investigation, this location is the site of varied, unexplained phenomena for which the only reasonable conclusion can be that it is haunted.
Click on the EVP's to Listen... |
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*We are now adding the name of the team member who carried the device that picked up the EVP*
Investigation Photos...
The following photos were taken by Erin shortly after the team heard the crash. During the reveal, this incident was discussed at significant length. One item that was brought to our attention that was overlooked when this incident was discovered was some information Hope provided us. When Josh and Tim walked in and discovered the shelf collapse, they immediately went up and notified Kathy, who in turned notified Hope. Hope, Kathy, Josh and Tim then all went as a group down to the office area.
During the reveal, Hope asked us if we had locked the office door when we first saw what happened and went back up to notify them. Tim stated that we did not. Hope then asked us if we had taken possession of a set of keys that night to allow us into other areas that normally remain locked. Tim and Erin both stated no, that we needed the assistance of either Kathy or Bill to access some areas. This statement was validated by both Bill and Kathy who had been the persons to grant us access that night. As we found out at the reveal, the ONLY way the office door COULD have been locked was with a key. She distinctly recalled having to unlock the office door when she went down to view the disarray in the office. Kathy echoed this sentiment, and after some thought, so did Tim. So, question, who locked the door, and how did they obtain a key?
Also, as you can see by the above photos, these are, while fairly common shelving brackets, very rigid in construction. Numerous persons at the reveal that night all admitted they had never seen one, let alone three of these brackets bent in the manner we found them. The general consensus was that it would be more likely that the mounting screws either in the wall or the shelf would pull loose and fail, then for the brackets themselves bend. Whatever caused them to bend would have required a substantial amount of force.
Is this the result of an entity who was tired of being bothered and challenged to show themselves in one way or another?
You decide...
Videos...
