Ghost Trackers Newsletter - Vol 13 No 2 - 1994 06

Magazine Overview

Title: Ghost Trackers Newsletter
Issue Date: June 1994
Volume: 13, Number 2
Publisher: Ghost Research Society

This issue of the Ghost Trackers Newsletter, the official paranormal publication of the Ghost Research Society (GRS), offers a variety of articles and information related to paranormal research and investigations.

Ghost Research Society Information

The Ghost Research Society was founded in 1978 by Martin V. Riccardo and has been publishing the Ghost Trackers Newsletter since September 1982. The publication is edited by Dale D. Kaczmarek, President of the GRS, and is released in February, June, and October. The GRS is dedicated to the study of ghosts, hauntings, poltergeists, and life after death. The organization offers several membership levels, including Regular ($12.00/year), Sustaining ($17.00/year), and Contributing ($22.00/year), each with varying benefits such as discounts, photo analysis, and newspaper clipping services. The GRS is also seeking officers, State Coordinators, Field Investigators, and Area Research Directors. Back issues of the newsletter are available for purchase.

Current Chain of Command

The leadership of the Ghost Research Society includes Dale D. Kaczmarek as President & Editor, Martin V. Riccardo as Founder of GRS, and Tom Perrott as Area Research Director. Regular Columnists are Richard Senate and Maurice Schwalm.

Editor's Page

Dale D. Kaczmarek addresses the availability of the GRS official By-Laws, which can be obtained by mail with a self-addressed stamped envelope. He thanks various individuals for their contributions, including clippings, videotapes, books, and donated equipment like a Geiger counter. Kaczmarek also notes the addition of 10 new members and 8 renewals. He emphasizes the importance of making checks and money orders payable to Dale Kaczmarek, not the GRS or the newsletter, due to the lack of a GRS bank account. He expresses gratitude to Tom Perrott of the Ghost Club in England for making him an Honorary Life Member. Robert Stoebe is recognized as the most recent Sustaining Member. The featured newsletter of the quarter is 'Psychic News' from England.

Special Investigation at That Steak Joynt

This section details a special investigation conducted by the GRS in April at 'That Steak Joynt', a reportedly haunted restaurant in Chicago. Eleven members of the GRS, along with Janet Davis from WLS-TV and a cameraman, participated in an overnight stakeout. The investigation employed specialized equipment, including a Geiger counter, Negative Ion detector, and Gauss meter, as well as camcorders and 35mm cameras. The findings included an electromagnetic burst and anomaly, and a high-pitched whine followed by guttural groans captured on video. Some submitted photographs may also indicate paranormal activity. The investigation was televised on WLS-TV and further analysis is pending. Another investigation in Chicago is being considered for the upcoming months.

The Musings Of a Ghosthunter by Tom Perrott

Tom Perrott, Area Research Director in England, reflects on his approach to ghost hunting, drawing from his memberships in the Folklore Society and the Society for Psychical Research. He advocates for a historical approach to understanding ghost stories, suggesting that many legends may be rooted in ancient traditions and historical events, such as decapitation rituals of Celtic ancestors or sightings of Roman legions. He also mentions the alleged sound of Lawrence of Arabia's motorbike. Perrott cautions against commercial interests inventing stories for tourism and emphasizes the importance of separating fact from fiction by studying historical records. He encourages a thorough weighing of pros and cons before jumping to supernatural conclusions.

The Ghost of Edgar Allan Poe Walks Baltimore by Richard Senate

Richard Senate recounts the tragic life and death of Edgar Allan Poe, suggesting his ghost haunts the Westminster Church cemetery in Baltimore. Poe died in 1849, and the legend states his ghost wanders the streets and cemetery, clutching a bottle of spirits. The article touches upon Poe's birth, education, struggles with gambling debts, military service, marriage to his young cousin Virginia, and his prolific literary output, including "The Raven." His later years were marked by mourning after Virginia's death, attempted suicide, and a decline in his mental and physical health, culminating in his deranged state in Baltimore. The article also mentions other alleged ghosts in the graveyard, including a Civil War general and a crying child.

Little Ghosts by Daphne Plowman

Daphne Plowman, Secretary of the Scottish Society For Psychical Research, discusses recent investigations involving reports of child ghosts, or "little ghosts," often attracted to living children. One case involves a boy named Mark, who appeared to interact with unseen children. The investigation included a sensitive who confirmed the presence of "spirit children." Another case describes the alleged haunting of a little girl named Annie, who died at age 7, in a hotel near Lanark. Staff members have reported feeling her presence. The article also mentions a report of two young girls in a 200-year-old house in the borders, where the younger girl sees a ghost, and the older girl saw the same figure years ago. Plowman suggests that while children may have imaginary friends, the "spirit children hypothesis" may be applicable in some cases.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently explores the paranormal through investigation, historical analysis, and personal accounts. The Ghost Research Society appears to maintain an open-minded yet critical stance, encouraging thorough research and the separation of fact from fiction, as highlighted in both the editor's notes and Tom Perrott's article. The newsletter aims to document and analyze various paranormal phenomena, from hauntings to alleged spectral encounters, while also providing practical information about the organization and its activities.

This issue of Enigmas, dated Copyright 1994, features two primary articles: "Non-Seance Encounters With The Maryville, Missouri Ghost" by Maurice Schwalm, and "Strange Events Disturb Sauchie Household" by Malcolm Robinson. The magazine also includes a personal encounter story by Michele D. Fehr and advertisements for paranormal publications.

Non-Seance Encounters With The Maryville, Missouri Ghost

Maurice Schwalm's article details the alleged haunting of Roberta Hall at Northwestern Missouri State University in Maryville. The dormitory, built in 1923, became the subject of paranormal rumors since the 1950s. A significant event occurred on April 28, 1951, when a utility gas tank explosion nearby nearly destroyed the building, causing casualties. The dormitory was later named after Roberta Steel, who died there on November 29, 1952, after a struggle.

The haunting is attributed to Roberta Steel, with reported phenomena including lights, radios, and TVs turning on spontaneously, water faucets and doors moving, and Roberta's photo appearing on the lounge fireplace on the anniversary of her death. The article recounts specific incidents, such as a Delta Zeta sorority member hearing piano music from a locked basement room and an Alpha Sigma Alpha member being awakened by an unseen presence that also turned off lights. A student named Tami Tomblin had an interactive experience where the volume of her radio decreased and then increased when she addressed 'Roberta.' The article mentions a dormitory practice of making a burn mark at doorways to discourage visits, which was discouraged by the Residential Life Office.

Schwalm interviewed seven residents, all of whom reported experiences. One felt pushed, while others were convinced it was Roberta. Miss A.N. reported seeing Roberta dance in circles and extend her hand, causing her to scream. The article notes that no one had attempted a séance or used a Ouija board.

Personal Encounters

Michele D. Fehr, a GRS member from Hellertown, Pennsylvania, shares her family's experiences in a yellow-bricked house on Main Street. Her mother and she had frightening encounters with ghosts. A minister's wife advised them to leave due to overwhelming feelings of evil. Incidents included her mother nearly jumping from a bedroom window, the strange death of the family pet, and two near-death experiences for Fehr. While serving in the U.S. Army as a journalist-broadcaster in Pirmasens, West Germany, Fehr experienced three terrifying events in her barracks room: a ghostly lion's head, a malevolent presence in her wall locker, and disembodied breathing. She commanded these presences to leave in Jesus' name, and they obeyed. She notes that other barracks rooms and residences her family occupied did not have similar paranormal experiences. She believes the spirit world includes good, evil, and earth-bound spirits, and that humans have power over them with proper knowledge.

Strange Events Disturb Sauchie Household

Malcolm Robinson re-evaluates the poltergeist event in Sauchie, Scotland, which occurred in 1960. He investigates the case of Virginia Campbell, an 11-year-old girl who moved from Donegal, Ireland, to Sauchie. The events began shortly after her arrival.

According to reports from The Alloa Journal, heavy furniture moved when Virginia entered rooms, doors opened as she approached, and then became difficult to shut. Her brother asked Rev. T.W. Lund to help, and Dr. H.W. Nisbet was also involved. Both men were impressed by the accounts and witnessed events. Virginia's mother reported being pushed off Virginia's bed, and blankets and sheets were seen to rise and fall above the child.

Rev. Lund and Dr. Nisbet refused to make public statements. The National Press became involved, leading to widespread media attention. Mr. James Henderson of the Alloa Spiritualist Church suggested Virginia had unusual psychic qualities and that a passed-on person was trying to communicate through her, recommending a responsible medium. Dr. Nisbet stated that Virginia was innocent and an outside agent was responsible, noting that the phenomena continued even when she was sedated.

Virginia was moved to Dollar, but the events followed her. The case intensified, hounding the Campbell family and neighbors. The Church of Scotland held a service in the classroom, but it did not stop the events. Margaret Davidson (formerly Miss Margaret Stewart), Virginia's teacher, recounted that Virginia was a shy but pleasant girl. The teacher first became aware of the phenomena when Virginia's desk lid rose and fell as she tried to keep it shut. Later, her desk rose a few inches off the floor. The headmaster, Mr. Peter Hill, was informed, and Virginia was sent home, with the explanation that she was unwell.

Margaret described an unnerving incident where a blackboard pointer cane and a heavy table vibrated and rose off the floor. The table rotated 90 degrees. Virginia insisted she was not causing it. A bowl of bulbs shot across the table. Objects, including school jotters, would rise and move away from Virginia. Margaret noted that strange things seemed to occur on a 28-day cycle.

Classmates were supportive, with one girl distracting the press by pretending to be Virginia. Margaret also received a letter from an African Witch Doctor. The Church of Scotland held a service, but it failed to stop the events. Margaret concluded that the events were real and unforgettable.

Mr. James Carruthers, a witness involved with the Campbell home, recounted seeing a 'rippling movement' on the bed covers above Virginia. He also observed a pillow take the shape of a head, and heard various noises like knockings, bangings, scratching, sawing, and a bouncing ping-pong ball. He suggested that the events might be related to suppressed emotion stemming from Virginia's environmental shift and personal losses, rather than ghosts or spirits. He recalled a diary entry about marks appearing and disappearing on Virginia's hands.

Robinson concludes that the events did occur and were witnessed by reliable people. He debates whether spirits or suppressed emotion were the cause, but emphasizes the fascinating nature of these phenomena.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores paranormal phenomena, focusing on hauntings and poltergeist activity. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting witness accounts and expert opinions without definitively concluding the cause of the events. There is an emphasis on the reality of the experiences, even if the explanations remain debated (spirits vs. psychological factors). The magazine also promotes paranormal research and publications, as seen in the advertisements for "Realm of the Vampire" and "Weird N.J."

This document, titled "Opinion Polls," appears to be a section or issue of a newsletter focused on paranormal topics, likely "Ghost Trackers Newsletter" as indicated by an editor's note. The content primarily consists of reader feedback, book reviews, and advertisements for related publications and products. The issue date is not explicitly stated, but the publication dates of reviewed books suggest it is from the mid-1990s.

Reader Feedback

The issue opens with reader feedback, beginning with Bader H. Altattan from Alomariyah, Kuwait. He offers nine detailed suggestions to improve the newsletter's quality. These include adding an index, more advertisements for paranormal topics (hypnotism, Bigfoot, spiritualism, etc.), incorporating reader-submitted ads and articles, increasing the use of pictures and photographs, adding a newsletter emblem, using the back cover advantageously, including miscellaneous facts (diseases, characters, food, sex, cars, movies), and adding main telephone numbers for essential services like hospitals and police. He also suggests posing questions to readers and providing answers in the next issue.

An editor's note clarifies that as long as the newsletter is called "Ghost Trackers Newsletter," it will exclusively feature articles related to ghosts, hauntings, poltergeists, and life after death.

Jan Kleivo from Worth, Illinois, provides a brief positive comment, finding the newsletter "very informative and is excellent for good reading."

Catherine Conrad from Coquille, Oregon, suggests that when xeroxed newspaper articles are sent to contributing members, the publication date and the newspaper of origin should be included. The editors respond that most clippings do include this information, but some earlier ones may not, apologizing for any omissions.

Advertisements

Two prominent advertisements are featured:

• THE WILD PLACES: Described as a "new journal of the paranormal," it covers UFOs, crop circles, ghosts, Spiritualism, visions, aliens, guides, exorcism, and more. The "Issue 4" is highlighted, featuring articles on alien intelligences, Spiritualism history, the Prison Earth Theory, Urban Shamen, and reviews of specialist journals. Subscription details and pricing are provided.
• YR REVIEW: This journal covers Ghosts, UFOs, Psychic Phenomena, Parapsychology, and includes reports on seminars and conferences. It aims to condense research papers from parapsychological journals. Sample copy information and pricing are listed.

Book Reviews

The majority of the content consists of book reviews, predominantly by Dale Kaczmarek, who is identified as the President of the GRS (Ghost Research Society) and an Area Research Director for the GRS.

• America's Restless Ghosts: Photographic Evidence of Life After Death by Hans Holzer: Originally published as "Psychic Photography: Threshold of a New Science," this book is reviewed critically. While it might be a definitive work on spirit photography, the reviewer notes numerous shortcomings, including misspelled words. Kaczmarek finds many of the alleged spirit photographs to have natural or non-paranormal explanations, attributing some to camera movement, double exposures, or flash bounce. He suggests that the photographer might deliberately leave space in the frame to add paranormal elements later. Only about a dozen photographs are deemed good. The book is rated 4 out of 10.

• Civil War Ghost Stories & Legends by Nancy Roberts: This book is praised as a good addition to a library, combining interests in ghost stories and the Civil War. The reviewer notes that several chapters cover Civil War locations he personally visited, such as Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Richmond, and Harper's Ferry. The reviewer finds it leans more towards legends than actual ghost stories but finds the book readable and enjoyable, especially appreciating chapters on specific hauntings. It is rated 6 out of 10.

• Supernatural Investigation by Michael Williams: This collection of supernatural stories from the United Kingdom is described as superbly illustrated, including pictures of the author and other GRS members. The book covers ghostly tales, time slips, ghostly music, superstition, dreams, and explanations from other ghost researchers. A chapter on the haunted Theater Royal in Bath is highlighted. It is rated 7 out of 10.

• World's Weirdest "True" Ghost Stories by John Beckett: This collection includes well-known stories and some new ones. Notable stories mentioned are the English miner from Silverwood Colliery, the phantom Roman soldiers at the Treasurer's House in York, the Rosenheim poltergeist case, Julia Buccola Peta (unearthed in perfect preservation six years after death), and "Resurrection Mary" from Chicago. The book is noted for its illustrations and is rated 6 out of 10.

• America's Mysterious Places by Hans Holzer: This book explores over 75 locales and is believed to be a reprint of an earlier title. It is praised for including many photographs, unlike the "America's Restless Ghosts" review. However, some photos are noted as outdated. The reviewer mentions that some stories are brief, with photographs filling most of the page. The book covers ghostly tales, Fortean phenomena, unusual places, sacred sites, and legends. It is rated 7 out of 10.

• Demon Deaths by Brad Steiger: This book by an internationally known psychic researcher and his wife concerns grave robbing, cult killings, and ritual torture in the name of Satanism. Chapters include the Charles Manson cult and the occult interests of Jayne Mansfield and Abigail Folger. The reviewer notes the extensive research into Satanic crimes, cannibalism, and animal sacrifice. While slightly off the typical ghost book track, it is considered interrelated and a "very good book," rated 6 out of 10.

• Ghosts, Ghouls & Goblins: Twilight Dwellers of Colorado by MaryJoy Martin: This regional collection of ghost stories from Colorado is noted for its detail on phantom blue ghost lights in Silver Cliff Cemetery. The author explains the history of Silver Cliff and covers paranormal occurrences and eyewitness accounts. The book also touches on phantom trains and headless highwaymen. It includes a bibliography and is rated 6 out of 10.

Classifieds and Other Advertisements

Several classified advertisements appear:

• BRINCADEIRAS TOKENS OF ENCHANTMENT: Offers a catalog of items inspired by nature and mysticism.
• PSYCHIC PATHWAYS NEWSLETTER: A bi-monthly publication on Metaphysical and New Age subjects.
• THE EAGLE'S SPIRIT: A monthly newsletter seeking New Age writers, poets, and artists.
• JOIN THE COUNT DRACULA FAN CLUB: Offers a sample journal and membership information.
• Spiritist Publications: A plea for a $5,000 no-interest loan to prevent the discontinuation of "Voices From Spirit Magazine."
• CATALYST: A New Age Directory of networking newsletters, publications, and products.
• THE GHOST TRACKERS NEWSLETTER: Seeking artists for artwork and cover designs, and writers for articles and columns.

Additional advertisements include:

• TOTAL ECLIPSEI: An illustrated journal of the occult, bizarre, and unusual.
• NEW MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES: A business and trade directory for the New Age/Metaphysical marketplace, 1993 edition.
• MYTH OR REAL COLLECTOR CARDS: Limited edition collector cards based on 30 years of research by Loren Coleman.
• THE GHOST: An advertisement for a life-size, lifelike, lightweight ghost figure made from realistic materials.
• Parapsychology New Age And The Occult - A Source Encyclopedia: A comprehensive guide with over 10,000 sources on topics from Astrology to Yoga.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are paranormal phenomena, particularly ghosts and UFOs, as well as New Age and metaphysical subjects. The editorial stance, as indicated by the editor's note, is to maintain a strict focus on ghosts, hauntings, poltergeists, and life after death for the "Ghost Trackers Newsletter." The book reviews predominantly cover these topics, with a critical yet engaged approach, often highlighting both strengths and weaknesses of the reviewed works. The inclusion of reader feedback suggests an effort to engage the readership and improve the publication based on their input.