Ghost Trackers Newsletter - Vol 13 No 3 - 1994 10

Magazine Overview

Title: Ghost Trackers Newsletter
Issue: Volume 13, Number 3
Date: October 1994
Publisher: Ghost Research Society
Type: Official Paranormal Publication

Editorial Content

Editors Page

The editor, Dale D. Kaczmarek, begins by explaining that the past few months have been challenging due to a shoulder injury and subsequent rotator cuff surgery. He expresses gratitude for prayers and concerns received during this stressful period. He thanks Mary Nelson, Diane Laurent, Richard Senate, and Tom Perrott for clippings, and William Hauck for articles for future editions and the 'National Directory of Haunted Places.' GRS members receive a 10% discount on this book. He also acknowledges donations, including a postcard from Andy Jarett, a cassette program from Tom Perrott, and pamphlets from Shinichiro Namiki detailing a skull-shaped design on a mountain and a triangular UFO sighting. A get-well card and crystal charm from Lucy Solis are also mentioned.

The editor officially announces new appointments: Diane Laurent as Field Investigator for Pennsylvania and David Goodwin as State Coordinator for Missouri. He encourages members to support these new officers. New Sustaining Members include Jean Kleivo, Carol Banach, Mike Schmicker, Diane Laurent, John Kahl, Kenneth Powell, and Nancy Andrews. New Contributing Members are Lou Cutaia and David Goodwin, and Patron members include Mark Weaver and Donna Boonstra. The newsletter notes the addition of 14 new members and 15 renewals since the last issue.

The 'newsletter of the Quarter' is PSI Researcher, published by the Society for Psychical Research in England. The Summer 1994 issue featured articles on haunted houses, Ouija boards, and fire walking. Subscriptions for this publication can be inquired about by writing to SKS, 20 Paul St., Frome, Somerset, BA11 1DX, United Kingdom.

Ghost Research Society Activities

The Ghost Research Society (GRS) is a membership organization founded in 1978 by Martin V. Riccardo, with the newsletter starting in 1982. It focuses on ghosts, hauntings, and poltergeists. The GRS is looking for officers, State Coordinators, and Field Investigators. Regular memberships cost $12 per year and include three newsletter issues, a GRS button, membership card, discounts, and a free photo analysis service. Sustaining memberships are $17 and include additional benefits like helping with ghost research and attending field excursions. Contributing memberships are $22 and include a free newspaper clipping service for the subscriber's state or country.

Back issues of the newsletter are available for $4.00 per issue for members and $5.00 for non-members. The GRS actively seeks photographs, newspaper clippings, articles, and personal encounters for publication, offering full credit and a free issue to contributors. All submitted materials become the property of the GRS.

The GRS is holding its next bi-monthly meetings on September 17th and November 19th, 1994, at 1pm in the Oak Lawn Rotary Room. The meetings are open to all and feature audio/visual presentations.

The GRS is also hosting its annual 'Clean 'Em Out Booksale' featuring occult fiction and non-fiction books. Special prices are available for GRS members. The society offers a free search service for occult non-fiction books.

An investigation in Elk River, Minnesota, for the series 'Encounters' is highlighted. The ghost registered on a gauss meter, though infrared and high-speed photographs showed nothing. The editor was also invited to participate in the series 'Sightings' in Ackinson, Kansas, but had to decline due to recent surgery.

The editor appeared on WLUP radio with Garry Meier and had articles published in the Southtown Economist and Teen Speaking. GRS members assisted in three haunted house investigations in Elgin, Marseilles, and Park Forest, with more planned in Glen Ellyn and Hickory Hills. 'Excursions Into The Unknown,' haunted Chicagoland tours, are active from May until Thanksgiving, costing $22.00 per person with a 10% discount for GRS members.

Tales of a Haunted Abbey

This article by Tom Perrott details an investigation at Beaulieu Abbey in Hampshire, England. The abbey, founded in 1204 and dissolved in 1538, has a history of reported spectral phenomena. During an all-night vigil with members of the Ghost Club, no apparitions were seen, and a Ouija board session was unresponsive. However, historical accounts mention chanting, monkish forms, the smell of incense, and footsteps. In 1928, a monk reportedly appeared to a visitor, leading to the discovery of bones. In 1965, a monk was seen reading a scroll, and in 1977, two monks disappeared. During World War II, anti-aircraft troops reported seeing monkish figures. The article also mentions the apparition of a 'Grey Lady,' believed to be Lady Isabella Montague, who died in 1786.

Unidentified Ghost Haunts California Family

Written by William Hauck, this article describes paranormal activity in a house in Escondido, California, starting in 1989. The family, including Susan D., experienced footsteps, thumps, extreme cold, electrical disturbances, and eerie flashes of light. The activity intensified in 1993 with the dog reacting fearfully, knickknacks disappearing, and pillows stacking. A basement window shook violently, and bedroom doors flew open. Susan felt an invisible presence and her husband witnessed a large light, after which he was found in a comatose state. Medical tests revealed a brain tumor. The husband's behavior changed, and he admitted to homosexual feelings, leading to divorce and the sale of the house. The nephew who helped pack also experienced activity. Susan herself encountered a dark, block-shaped presence and saw it materialize on the stairs. She later encountered a psychic who felt spirits needed help. The new owners of the house have reported nothing unusual.

She's Haunted Again

Authored by Maurice Schwalm, this article explores paranormal occurrences. The author discusses the challenges of PSI experimentation and the nature of 'theta agents' (ghosts). The article recounts a case of a sensitive girl who seemed to be experiencing her astral double. A more evidential case involves a man living alone in an apartment where his deceased friend's presence began to manifest through sounds and the closet door closing. The author notes that while there was a feeling of presence, it was not the same as direct paranormal occurrences.

Weird N.J. Advertisement

The issue includes an advertisement for 'Weird N.J.' magazine, announcing its new issue (#5) with 32 pages of content, including articles on haunted places, UFOs, and local legends. Subscription information and contact details are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are hauntings, ghost investigations, and paranormal phenomena. The Ghost Research Society, as the publisher, maintains a stance of actively researching and documenting these occurrences, encouraging member participation and the sharing of experiences. The newsletter serves as a platform for reporting on investigations, historical accounts of hauntings, and personal encounters with the unexplained, while also promoting the society's activities and membership.

Title: TOTAL ECLIPSEI
Issue: 9
Date: 1994 (inferred from subscription offer)
Publisher: TOTAL ECLIPSEI
Country: US
Language: English

This issue of Total Eclipse magazine, subtitled 'ILLUSTRATED JOURNAL OF THE OCCULT, BIZARRE AND UNUSUAL!', features a collection of articles exploring paranormal phenomena, ghost stories, and unexplained events. The cover highlights a wizard-like illustration and promotes a one-year subscription offer.

Article: The Haunted Council House

This lengthy article, written by Malcolm Robinson, details an investigation by Strange Phenomena Investigations (SPI) into a reported haunting in a council flat in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland. The tenant, Mark Anderson, and his girlfriend, Leah Livingston, experienced a range of phenomena over several months, including a ghostly visitor at the foot of their bed, dragging footsteps, ringing bells, and a ghetto blaster that turned on by itself. SPI's psychic consultant, Helen Walters, accompanied Robinson on the investigation. Walters reported sensing three spirits: two male and one female, and experienced various phenomena, including seeing a misty, human-shaped figure, hearing voices, and sensing a presence. The investigation also involved a live broadcast with GMTV, which estimated viewing figures of up to 8 million. The article notes that the Kirkcaldy District Council Housing Department was later prepared to pay SPI to resolve the haunting, a service SPI typically offers for free. The article is submitted by Malcolm Robinson of SPI and Enigmas.

Article: Mormon Ghosts: The Legendary Three Nephites

Authored by Richard Senate, this article delves into the legend of the 'Three Nephites' from Mormon lore. These are described as three disciples of Christ who were granted the request to remain on earth to continue their ministry. The article recounts several encounters attributed to the Nephites, including a driver in Utah who picked up two young men who discussed the Book of Mormon and then vanished, and historical accounts from the Mormon migration west. One account from 1852 describes an elderly man who appeared at a family's door, asked for food, and vanished. The article also mentions theories about their operations, such as a 'round robin basis' where two are active while one rests. It cites a story from a Mormon elder about an aged janitor at the Manti Temple who was warned not to clean a specific room used by the Nephites. The article also references an early account from Columbus's voyage in 1494, suggesting the Nephites may have witnessed the European discovery of the Americas. The piece is submitted by Richard Senate.

Article: Ghosts Who Went To Court

Written by Rosemary Ellen Guiley, this article explores historical cases where ghosts have allegedly influenced legal proceedings. Guiley, author of 'Facts On File's Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits', highlights astonishing cases where ghosts have reportedly turned trials upside down, solved murder cases, and affected real estate deals. The article notes that in earlier times, seeking advice from ghosts was not unusual. It details two specific cases:

1. The 'Chaffin Will case': In North Carolina, the ghost of James L. Chaffin appeared to his son, James P. Chaffin, in dreams, revealing the location of a second will that overturned his original will which favored only one son. This led to the annulment of the first will and the probate of the second.
2. The 'Greenbrier Ghost' case: In West Virginia, the ghost of Zona Shue appeared to her mother, Heaster, in a dream, revealing that her husband, Trout Shue, had murdered her. This spectral testimony led to Zona's body being exhumed, an autopsy confirming the ghost's account, and Trout Shue being charged with murder.

The article concludes by noting that while a ghost's testimony is technically inadmissible hearsay, these cases demonstrate the impact of spectral encounters on legal matters. The piece is submitted by Rosemary Ellen Guiley.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Total Eclipse magazine consistently focuses on the paranormal, the unexplained, and the bizarre. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded exploration and documentation of such phenomena, presenting detailed accounts of investigations, legends, and historical anecdotes without overt skepticism. The magazine aims to provide readers with compelling narratives of hauntings, spectral visitations, and encounters with the supernatural, often drawing on eyewitness accounts and the work of paranormal investigators. The inclusion of a subscription offer and the submission bylines suggest a dedicated readership interested in these subjects.

This issue of "Strange" magazine, volume 3, issue 11, dated April 1993, is dedicated to exploring various aspects of the paranormal, anomalous, and unexplained. The cover prominently features the title "STRANGE" and a subtitle indicating its focus on well-documented articles, features, and columns from top researchers and writers in the field. It also includes a subscription form for the magazine.

Articles and Features

The Heaster Case and the Haunted Mansion

The issue begins with a discussion of a case involving a woman named Heaster, who claimed her daughter was murdered by a man named Trout. Trout was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, with the evidence including the detail that the daughter's neck was broken at the first vertebrae, a fact not publicly known. Rosemary Ellen Guiley suggests this might have been a conjured dream by Heaster, but questions how Heaster would have known such a specific detail.

Another case detailed is the "Revolutionary ghosts" incident in Nyack, New York. Jeffrey Stambovsky signed a contract to buy a $650,000 Victorian mansion and paid a $32,000 down payment. He later sought to cancel the deal upon discovering the house was haunted by three Revolutionary War-era ghosts. The owner, Helen Ackley, refused to return the money. The case went to court, with Stambovsky arguing that the contract implied the house would be delivered vacant, and that ghosts were considered occupants. A Manhattan Supreme Court justice ruled that the presence of ghosts did not constitute grounds for breaking the contract, and Stambovsky forfeited his down payment.

Guiley contrasts American attitudes towards haunted houses with those in England, where they are more common and accepted, sometimes even adding "cachet." She attributes this difference partly to Hollywood's portrayal of hauntings as terrifying and demonic, whereas she believes most real hauntings are milder. Guiley states her belief in ghosts stems from a belief in the survival of consciousness after death, suggesting that survivors might return to the living world. She also posits that thoughts and desires of the living, like Heaster's desire for vengeance, can influence ghost manifestations, and that ghosts may sometimes be projections of the unconscious.

Guiley's work, including "The Encyclopedia of Ghosts and Spirits" and "The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft," is mentioned as being published by Facts On File in New York. The submission is credited to Facts On File for Rosemary Ellen Guiley.

My Supernatural Experience: An Angel Encounter

Diane Laurent shares a personal experience that was not with a ghost, but with an angel. While driving home one night after a snowfall, she hit an ice patch and lost control of her car, heading into oncoming traffic. Her steering wheel began to turn on its own, guiding the car back into its lane and stopping it safely between two parked cars. Laurent describes a feeling of peace and certainty that she was not in control of the car, attributing the intervention to her Guardian Angel. She submitted her contact information as a Field Investigator for Pennsylvania.

Reader Feedback and Subscriptions

The "Opinion Polls" section features comments from readers. Nancy Roberts of Charlotte, North Carolina, praises the magazine for its unique niche. Mary Richardson of Oak Ridge, New Jersey, finds it interesting and informative, noting a lack of similar publications. Bette Sedbrook of Juda, Wisconsin, suggests a page or two on personal ghost experiences, which the editor encourages readers to submit. Michael Anderson of Chicago, Illinois, states that "Strange" is the only publication truly investigating ghosts. Phil Reynolds of Woodbridge, Virginia, suggests featuring an analysis of the "relative level of paranormal manifest over time, i.e. ‘flaps’."

The magazine also includes a detailed subscription form for "Strange" magazine, listing prices for back issues and subscriptions, including options for US, UK, and international delivery. It also provides a list of contents for previous issues, from #1 to #9, highlighting key articles and topics covered.

Book and Product Reviews

Dale Kaczmarek reviews several paranormal-related products:

• The National Directory of Haunted Places by Dennis William Hauck: Described as a definitive guidebook to supernatural phenomena in the United States, it includes haunted locations, sacred sites, and UFO landing sites. Kaczmarek highly recommends it and notes a 10% discount for GRS members.
• Parapsychology New Age and the Occult: A Source Encyclopedia by Cheryl Klein Lacoff: This is presented as a comprehensive sourcebook for parapsychology and new age topics, listing associations, centers, spas, retreats, schools, museums, events, biographies, bookstores, distributors, products, services, radio/television, audio/video producers, music, periodicals, and newsletters. Kaczmarek found it particularly useful for its index of occult bookstores and contact information.
• Myth or Real Collector Cards by American Realist Company: These are collector cards featuring strange and unusual topics with pictures and descriptions. The cards cover subjects like the Dover Demon, Bigfoot, and Fortean researchers. Kaczmarek notes they are a unique way to collect paranormal information, especially for those with limited space.

Other Publications and Classifieds

The issue also features advertisements and listings for other paranormal publications:

• ENIGMAS: A magazine published five times a year by Strange Phenomena Investigations (SPI), covering UFOs, poltergeists, hauntings, spiritualism, and life after death. Contact information for subscriptions is provided.
• MAGAZIN FÜR GRENZWISSENSCHAFTEN: A German-language magazine covering aliens, ghosts, mysteries, and reality, with information on obtaining a sample issue and editorial contact details.
• 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.
• Dracula Fan Club: Information on joining the club and receiving their journal, bites & pieces, or letterzine.
• Spiritist Publications: Seeking a $5,000 no-interest loan to continue publishing "Voices From Spirit Magazine" due to economic misfortunes.
• CATALYST: A New Age Directory Limited Edition resource for networking and products.
• THE GHOST TRACKERS NEWSLETTER: Seeking artists for artwork and cover designs, and writers for articles and columns.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ghosts, haunted houses, UFOs, and broader paranormal and supernatural phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging reader participation and providing a platform for diverse perspectives, from personal experiences to investigative reports and academic reviews. The magazine aims to be a comprehensive resource for those interested in the unexplained, bridging the gap between popular interest and more serious research.