Ghost Trackers Newsletter - Vol 15 No 3 - 1996 10

Magazine Overview

Title: Ghost Trackers Newsletter
Issue Date: October 1996
Volume: 15
Issue: 3
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 updates for enthusiasts of the paranormal. Founded in 1978 by Martin V. Riccardo, the GRS publishes this newsletter in February, June, and October, edited by Dale D. Kaczmarek.

Ghost Research Society Information and Membership

The Ghost Research Society is dedicated to the study of ghosts, hauntings, poltergeists, and life after death. The newsletter outlines several membership options: Regular ($20.00/year) includes the newsletter, a GRS button, membership card, discounts, and photo analysis service. Sustaining Memberships ($25.00/year) offer the above plus opportunities for ghost research and attendance at field excursions. Contributing Memberships ($30.00/year) add a newspaper clipping service for a specific state or country. Back issues of the newsletter are available for purchase.

The GRS is actively seeking new members, officers, State Coordinators, Field Investigators, and Area Research Directors for various states and countries. They also solicit photographs, newspaper clippings, articles, personal encounters, and anecdotes for publication, promising credit and a free issue of the newsletter.

Current Chain of Command

The leadership structure of the GRS is presented, with Dale D. Kaczmarek serving as President & Editor, and Tom Perrott as Area Research Director. Maurice Schwalm and Richard Senate are listed as Regular Columnists.

Editors Page

Dale D. Kaczmarek, the editor, discusses the current busy Halloween season filled with tours, lectures, and interviews. He notes a shift in the GRS's bi-monthly meeting location to the Oak Lawn VFW Hall, which has unfortunately led to lower attendance, necessitating a $3.00 cover charge for non-members and guests. To compensate, meetings now feature a regular topic of discussion and mini-presentations. Kaczmarek expresses concern that if attendance doesn't improve, meetings might be reduced to quarterly or eliminated altogether. He thanks contributors like Linda Haluska, Randolph Liebeck, Richard Senate, Karmen Smith, Derek Sutphin, Neil Yoder, Elaine Dohnal, and Dave for their submissions. A correction is made regarding a web site address in a previous issue. The editor also reports the addition of 7 new members and 17 renewals, and reminds active members to submit photographs for upcoming ID cards. He is seeking help to create a World Wide Web page for the GRS.

Ghost Research Society News and Updates

Ed Okonowicz is congratulated as the newest State Coordinator for Delaware. He is also noted as a seasoned paranormal researcher and author. Okonowicz is organizing the 1st Annual Ghost Gala on October 5, 1996, in Elkton, MD, featuring dinner, a program, and ghostly storytelling.

Randy Liebeck, New Jersey State Coordinator, is teaching a course titled 'Ghosts, Hauntings and Poltergeists' at St. John's University in New York City and Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey, starting in October 1996.

New Contributing Members include Bobby Britz, Karmen Smith, Ellen Robson, E. Smith, and Mark Weaver. New Sustaining Members are Arsenio Mendez, April Smithers, and Chris Roberts. Cinda Eagon is welcomed as a New Lifetime Member.

The 'newsletter of the Quarter' is identified as Ghostwatch from Birkenhead, England, which features reports on spooks from Romania, Bad Vibes, and TV Watch.

Kaczmarek expresses frustration over the consistently low attendance at Field Excursions and Special Investigations, citing an instance where only one investigator attended a planned event. He emphasizes that these investigations are a mandatory part of Active membership and warns that if the trend continues, Field Excursions may be held less frequently due to the significant planning involved.

The Ghosts Of Arlington House

By Richard Senate

This article recounts the history and reported hauntings of the Custis-Lee mansion, located in Arlington, Virginia, overlooking the Potomac River. Built by George Washington Parke Custis in 1802 and completed in 1817, the mansion was the social center of the area. Mary Custis married Robert E. Lee there in 1831. During the Civil War, the property was confiscated by the federal government in 1864 and later became a national cemetery. The family regained ownership in 1883 but sold it back to the government. The house was restored and opened as a monument to Robert E. Lee in 1955.

Reported paranormal activity includes the sighting of a little boy dressed in brown who rushes past and vanishes. Park Service staff have heard the sounds of children laughing and playing in the dark. A guide reported hearing sounds of children in the mourning room that disappeared when she entered, only to return when she left. The most persistent ghost story is that of a phantom cat, a large tabby, seen on both floors of the house, which vanishes when staff attempt to catch it. An employee reported a candle being blown out by an unseen force while all doors and windows were closed.

Senate encourages readers who have visited Arlington House and experienced anything unusual to share their stories and suggests asking guides for ghost tales, as they are not part of the general tour.

The Tragic Story of the Ghost Slayer

By Todd Womack

This article details a bizarre murder case from December 1937 in Vesper, Wisconsin. Henry J. Nead, a 19-year-old laborer, his 15-year-old wife Luella, and their six-week-old infant were living in a small flat. On Christmas Eve, Henry claimed to have heard three eerie knocks and saw the ghost of his father, who taunted him. He then found himself beating the infant to death. After failing to get help from a doctor, Henry and Luella took the dead child to his parents' home. Henry was taken into custody.

Initially, Henry concocted an alibi about the baby falling, but under pressure, he confessed to a 'spirit-haunted life,' claiming his deceased father's ghost had made him do it. Luella and Henry's mother corroborated aspects of his story, with Luella mentioning similar experiences and her parents reporting a mysterious light and a premonition about Luella. The infant's death was ruled a murder.

Henry was found to be insane and sent to Waupun State Hospital for observation. Later, his plea was changed to guilty of second-degree murder, as his 'haunted alibi' was deemed unbelievable by a jury. He was sentenced to 14 to 20 years in the state penitentiary. The article notes that Henry's tale aligns with patterns of apparitional sightings described by researchers like G.N.M. Tyrell, Andrew MacKenzie, and Dale Kaczmarek, particularly the 'at home-feeling secure' state and the appearance of the ghost, though the death tokens and dog howling are distinct elements.

Questioning The Unknown

By David L. Goodwin

David L. Goodwin, a deputy sheriff and investigator of the unknown, discusses the importance of unbiased questioning in paranormal investigations. He argues that leading questions, which fill in gaps for witnesses, can compromise the credibility of their statements and lead to misinterpretation. Goodwin suggests that investigators should use open-ended questions to allow witnesses to describe their experiences in their own words, thereby avoiding the subconscious association of events with the paranormal when natural explanations might exist.

He proposes a set of unbiased questions, such as "Tell me what the ghost looked like?" and "What was your physical/emotional reaction to what you saw?" He emphasizes that presenting factual, unbiased information is crucial for paranormal investigators to gain credibility with scientists outside the field who may be skeptical.

Grave Concerns

A cartoon by Richard Senate titled 'Grave Concerns' depicts a figure who has just received their horoscope for 1996 from an astrologer, implying a humorous take on predictions and the paranormal.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on paranormal investigations, haunted locations, and personal accounts of ghostly encounters. The Ghost Research Society actively promotes membership and participation in its activities, including meetings and field excursions. There is a strong emphasis on collecting and publishing member contributions. The editorial stance, as expressed by Dale D. Kaczmarek, highlights the challenges of maintaining engagement and attendance for GRS activities, while also advocating for rigorous and unbiased investigative methods, as discussed by David L. Goodwin. The inclusion of historical cases like the Arlington House hauntings and the 'Ghost Slayer' case demonstrates an interest in both contemporary phenomena and documented historical accounts.

Title: Total Eclipse
Issue: 12
Volume: 1
Date: 1996 (indicated by '1996 EDITION!' in an advertisement)
Publisher: Total Eclipse
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of "Total Eclipse: Illustrated Journal of the Occult, Bizarre and Unusual!" presents several compelling accounts of paranormal phenomena, including hauntings, mysterious lights, and poltergeist activity.

Abby's Room

This article, submitted by Ellen Robson, recounts the story of Abby's Room at the Hotel Vendome in Prescott, Arizona. The room is reportedly haunted by Abby, the former owner of the logging house that became the hotel. Abby lost the property due to unpaid taxes and, after her husband failed to return with medicine, she reportedly starved to death in her room in 1921. The hotel owner, Rama Patel, refers to the room as "Abby's Room," and it is a popular request among repeat visitors. The article mentions a group of women who held a séance and located Abby's cat's grave. A couple, Ann and John, who stayed in the room, reported psychic experiences, including Ann's husband feeling something brush against his ankle, which they identified as the cat, Noble, who had died in the closet. Ann also noted cold spots and heard a faint meow.

Play Ball!

Submitted by Shelley Sykes, this article details encounters with an unexplained phenomenon at the Old White Church Cemetery, also known as Collins Graveyard. On two occasions in 1993 and 1994, a group of people witnessed a "Ball Thing." The first sighting involved a "sphere-like" object, described as orangish-brownish-white, low to the ground, and "gnome-ish or impish," which flitted between trees. Later, a similar object was seen in a flashlight beam, appearing to duck out of sight. In a subsequent visit in 1994, Angie described a similar object as "short, round, orange-brown" and "cartoonish," like a "spy-like trench-coated guy." The article discusses the possibility of this being a spooklight or a UFO probe, noting its interactive and playful behavior, which distinguishes it from typical ghost apparitions.

The Astral Shell Game

Authored by Maurice Schwalm, this piece reports on a haunting at the Strawberry Hill Chapel and Museum in Kansas City, Kansas. The haunting involves "The Lady in Red" (TLIR), who is said to appear asking, "Where is the priest?" and is described as wearing 1940s red clothing with red hair and trailing red blood. The story suggests TLIR died in a botched abortion, a subject considered taboo by the community. Other phenomena reported include a haloed form seen in a closet and lights that repeatedly turn on after the building is locked. Schwalm also experienced a lucid dream where he communicated with TLIR, who stated, "It was the only home I knew. They took care of me when I was down." When asked about abortion, she responded, "She haunts me. I need a priest."

Alphonse Capone

Written by Linda Haluska, this article touches upon the grave of Al Capone at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. The author notes that during a visit, four of Al Capone's siblings' grave markers were missing. The article speculates whether they were stolen and questions if Al Capone's ghost might haunt the perpetrator.

Report on the Bell Case

This extensive report by William Hauck details the infamous Bell Case, which began in 1817 on a 1,000-acre farm in Adams, Tennessee. The haunting started with sightings of strange animals and progressed to physical manifestations like scratching, gnawing, and thumping sounds. The entity, known as the "Bell Witch," primarily targeted 13-year-old Elizabeth "Betsy" Bell, causing her seizures and bruises. The spirit eventually spoke, claiming to be from everywhere and predicting John Bell's death. The article details the minister's failed exorcism attempt and the involvement of parishioners and even Andrew Johnson. The Bell Witch is believed to be the spirit of Kate Batts, a woman John Bell had once proposed to. John Bell was eventually beaten to death by the spirit on December 21, 1820. The witch promised to return, and historical accounts suggest it did, with further manifestations and predictions, including the Civil War and the Great Depression. The report notes the spirit's complex nature, exhibiting both malice and respect for certain family members, and its ability to expose hypocrisy and greed. It is regarded as America's greatest ghost story.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained phenomena, particularly hauntings and apparitions, with a focus on documented cases. The magazine appears to present these accounts from a perspective of serious inquiry, encouraging further study and exploration of the paranormal. The editorial stance seems to be one of open-mindedness towards supernatural events, presenting them as intriguing mysteries rather than dismissing them outright. The inclusion of a directory for New Age and Alternative Publications further reinforces the magazine's focus on the esoteric and unexplained.

STRANGE MAGAZINE, Issue 5, is a publication dedicated to exploring unexplained phenomena, presenting in-depth investigations and 'weird world news' with an open-minded and entertaining style. The magazine is described by Film Threat as 'the hottest and weirdest magazine in the solar system.' The issue features a variety of content, including articles, book reviews, and video reviews, all centered around paranormal topics.

Content Highlights

Bell Witch and Haunted Places

The issue begins with a submission from Dennis William Hauck, California State Coordinator for the GRS, discussing the 'mercurial Bell Witch' and comparing its power to ancient Greek oracles and other alleged channeled presences. Hauck, also the author of 'The National Directory of Haunted Places,' is promoting his book and upcoming appearances in Chicago.

Newport's Ghostly Presence

A press release highlights Eleyne Austen Sharp's book, 'Haunted Newport: Spectral Sightings of the Nearly Departed.' Sharp interviewed over a hundred residents about their supernatural experiences in Newport, Rhode Island, a location described as a 'paranormal playground.' The book covers legends and testimonials from various haunted locations in Newport, including Admiral Farragut Inn, Belcourt Castle, and Salve Regina University. The release also mentions Ed Warren, a known ghostbuster, and Randy Fabricant, an inn owner who has experienced increased ghostly activity.

Author Request for Psychic Phenomena Stories

Debra Munn from Brighton, England, is seeking stories from writers who have experienced psychic phenomena or ghost encounters related to writers.

Book and Video Reviews

The majority of the issue consists of reviews, primarily by Dale Kaczmarek, covering a range of paranormal-themed books and videos:

• Seeing Ghosts with Richard Senate: A how-to video on ghostbusting techniques, rated 7/10.
• The Amityville Horror Conspiracy by Stephen Kaplan: A book debunking the Amityville Horror story, reviewed by Maurice Schwalm. The review suggests the Lutz family fabricated much of the story.
• More Civil War Ghosts by Susan Crites: A book exploring ghost encounters near Civil War skirmishes, rated 4/10 due to a factual error regarding the Battle of Gettysburg.
• Kentucky Ghosts by William Lynwood Montell: A collection of eight stories about hauntings and folklore in Kentucky, rated 4/10.
• Haunted Tennessee by Charles Edwin Price: A book covering haunted locations in Tennessee, including the Bell Witch haunting, rated 7/10.
• Pulling Back the Curtain by Ed Okonowicz: A regional book of true stories and legends from Delaware, rated 6/10.
• World of Strange Phenomena by Charles Berlitz: A collection of diverse paranormal topics including UFOs, poltergeists, and spontaneous combustion, rated 6/10.
• Ghosts Of Galena by Daryl Watson: A book about the haunted history of Galena, Illinois, rated 7/10.
• Ghosts Of Gettysburg II Video: A video about the ghosts of Gettysburg, rated 10/10.
• From Beyond: The World of Spirits Video: A video criticized for its misleading title and poor production, rated 1/10.

Other Advertisements and Listings

• Weird N.J.: An advertisement for a new issue of 'Weird New Jersey' magazine, listing various paranormal and strange topics covered.
• Classifieds: Listings for 'CATALYST,' a New Age Directory, and a 'GRS APPEARANCES VIDEO' featuring Dale Kaczmarek.
• Haunted Decatur Book Series: Information on a series of books chronicling the haunted history of Central Illinois.
• Rez Mary: An advertisement for a performance or event related to a ghost in the Chicagoland area.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are predominantly ghosts, hauntings, and paranormal investigations, with a strong emphasis on book and video reviews of these topics. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry into the unexplained, as suggested by the magazine's description. The reviews often provide a critical assessment, including factual accuracy and entertainment value, with ratings on a 1-10 scale. There is a clear interest in local folklore and historical hauntings across various regions of the United States.

This document is an advertisement for a "how-to" video titled "Seeing Ghosts" featuring host and guide Richard L. Senate. The video is aimed at the amateur ghost hunter and promises an opportunity to "Explore the Unknown!".

Video Content and Host Expertise

The advertisement highlights Richard Senate as an expert in the field of ghost research, with a personal encounter in 1978 sparking his interest. He has reportedly conducted hundreds of investigations at notable locations such as Alcatraz Island and the Queen Mary. Senate was also recognized as the first Ghost Hunter to be featured in People magazine and has made television appearances on shows including "Merv Griffin," "Paranormal Borderline," "Mid Morning LA," "AM San Francisco," and "Sightings."

The nearly one-hour-long "HOW-TO" video is designed to teach viewers how to conduct their own ghost hunts using simple and inexpensive tools and instruments.

Ordering Information

Interested individuals can order "The Seeing Ghosts Video" for US$29.95. An additional $4.00 is charged for shipping and handling within the US. For overseas orders, the shipping and handling fee is $10.00. California residents are required to add 7.25% for sales tax. The video is available in NTSC format only.

Orders can be placed by sending the viewer's name, address, ZIP code, and phone number along with a check or money order to Peter Kuehn Productions, Inc., PO Box 5269, Ventura, CA 93005. Credit card orders are also accepted by calling 805/647-4905. The accepted credit cards are VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX, and DISCOVERY.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The advertisement strongly promotes the paranormal and ghost hunting as an accessible activity for amateurs. It emphasizes the expertise of Richard L. Senate and the practical, low-cost nature of the information provided in the video. The tone is persuasive, urging potential customers not to miss this "Opportunity to Explore the Unknown."