Ghost Trackers Newsletter - Vol 18 No 1 - 1999 02

Magazine Overview

Title: GHOST TRACKERS NEWSLETTER
Issue: Volume 18, Number 1
Date: February 1999
Publisher: Ghost Research Society
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the Ghost Trackers Newsletter, the official paranormal publication of the Ghost Research Society (GRS), offers a diverse range of articles and information for paranormal enthusiasts. Founded in 1978 by Martin V. Riccardo, the GRS publishes this newsletter quarterly in February, June, and October. The publication is edited by Dale D. Kaczmarek, President of the GRS.

Membership and Subscriptions

The newsletter details various membership levels for the GRS, including Regular ($20/year), Sustaining ($25/year), and Contributing ($30/year), each offering different benefits such as discounts, services, and publications. Information is provided on how to subscribe and the costs for back issues, which are available for members and non-members alike, with additional postal charges for non-members.

The GRS actively seeks content for publication, including photographs, newspaper clippings, articles, personal encounters, and anecdotes, promising full credit to contributors and providing a free issue. All submitted materials become the property of the GRS, and items for return must include a SASE.

Editorial and Staff

The current chain of command includes Dale D. Kaczmarek as President & Editor, and Tom Perrott as Area Research Director. Columnists for this issue are Tom Perrott, Maurice Schwalm, and Richard Senate. The newsletter also provides contact information for subscriptions and inquiries, including a PO Box address, phone numbers, FAX, and an email address ([email protected]), along with the official GRS website: www.ghostresearch.org.

Editor's Page

Dale D. Kaczmarek welcomes readers to the new edition, reflecting on a busy Halloween season filled with lectures, public appearances, and an ongoing haunted house investigation. He thanks contributors for Halloween and Christmas cards and acknowledges several individuals for their contributions, including Tom Perrott for journals and books, Suzy Driver for case histories, John Cachel for a cemetery map and photographs, Patricia Havasi for photographs, Stanley Suho and Karen Kramer for clippings, and Howard Hight for assistance.

Kaczmarek also announces plans to update and upgrade the GRS website with additional case histories, pictures, and links. He mentions changing internet providers from America Online to IBM due to persistent issues, noting a significant improvement in service and a reduction in junk mail. His new email address is [email protected], and he urges members to update their email and mailing addresses to prevent lost newsletters.

He highlights new ghost videos acquired, including "Haunted Gettysburg" and a series hosted by Patrick MacNee, and considers selling a six-cassette series. Sadly, he reports the closure of "Invisible Ink," a mail-order catalog for regional ghost books, due to the founder Chris Woodyard's decision to focus on ghost writing.

Ghost Research Society Updates

New sustaining members are welcomed: Dawn & Chris Young and Lifetime member Kaye Wagner. Jim Graczyk is thanked for upgrading to Patron membership. The GRS has added 11 new members and received renewals from 11 veteran members.

The American Ghost Society is organizing a ghost conference for late July 1999 in Alton, Illinois, with tentative speakers including Dale Kaczmarek, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, and Dennis Hauck. Information can be obtained by calling 888-GHOSTLY or visiting www.prairieghosts.com.

Dale D. Kaczmarek was featured in the Autumn 1998 edition of "Ghosts of the Prairie Magazine" with an article on spirit photography. He has also purchased a new computer to improve the newsletter production and analysis of spirit photographs.

Paranormal Investigations

The GRS is involved in an investigation of a north-side home where "floating balls of lights" have been captured on night vision cameras. The occupants report that their pets react to unseen phenomena, and the lady of the house has seen apparitions. A particularly frightening incident involved a male figure in a blue uniform appearing at her door, smiling, and then melting away. The investigation has focused on the upstairs area where visual phenomena have been observed.

Curious George: The Myth of the Ghost of George Washington At Gettysburg

This article by John J. Lamb debunks the popular legend of George Washington's ghost appearing at the Battle of Gettysburg. Lamb argues that the story, often attributed to Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, is likely a myth originating from camp rumors, propaganda, or misinterpretation. He points out that Washington had no known connection to Gettysburg, and the accounts lack concrete evidence. The legend may have been fueled by the need to boost morale among weary Union troops during a critical period of the Civil War. The article suggests that the story was kept alive through the writings of Chamberlain and has evolved over time.

Haunted Catalina

Authored by Richard Senate, this piece explores the haunted locations on Santa Catalina Island, drawing from the book "Haunted Catalina" by Anne Nathan and Rob Wlodarski. Several sites are detailed:

• The Catalina Country Club: A former spring training site for the Chicago Cubs, rumored to be haunted by a baseball player.
• The Casino Building: Known for a cold spot near the bar, odd sounds, and a strange atmosphere in the ballroom.
• The Holly Hill House: Said to be haunted by a child who leaves footprints, and experienced with cold air and the feeling of being watched.
• The Zane Grey Pueblo: The former home of author Zane Grey, where moving shadows and "odd events" are reported.
• The Glenmore Plaza Hotel: Haunted rooms (17 and 401) are reported, with phenomena including the smell of smoke and phantom parties.
• Hotel Catalina: Cottages 'C' and 'D' are said to have ghosts manifesting in winter, with doors opening and closing, and ghostly forms appearing.
• The Banning House: Haunted by a man who wanders the main room and stairway, operated as a bed and breakfast.

The article notes that "Haunted Catalina" can be purchased on the island or through G-HOST Publishing and the Phantom Bookshop.

The Ghosts of Order Number Eleven

Written by Maurice Schwalm, this article delves into the historical context of money and its impact on Kansas City during the Civil War, leading to the infamous Order Number 11. This order forced rural residents to vacate their homes unless they could prove Union sympathies, resulting in sorrow, haste, and buried treasures. The article suggests that the events and the order itself may have led to lingering ghosts lamenting the fate of the city and surrounding counties. The order was immortalized by George Caleb Bingham's painting and negatively impacted General Thomas Ewing's political career. It also touches upon General Price's raid on Missouri in 1864.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of Ghost Trackers Newsletter strongly focuses on debunking paranormal myths, as seen in the article about George Washington's ghost. It also highlights the prevalence of hauntings and ghost stories in specific locations, such as Catalina Island, and documents ongoing paranormal investigations. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry combined with an open interest in collecting and analyzing paranormal phenomena. The newsletter serves as a platform for sharing research, personal accounts, and membership information for the Ghost Research Society, promoting a community of paranormal enthusiasts.

This issue of THE GATE magazine, a publication focused on the paranormal, features a collection of articles detailing various supernatural encounters and haunted locations. The magazine offers a sample copy for $2.00, available by mail from P.O. Box 43516, Richmond Heights, Ohio 44143.

Haunted House in Kansas City

The first article, submitted by Maurice Schwalm of Kansas City, MO, describes a ghost in the Sunset Hills area. The ghost is identified as a 10-year-old girl from the 1860s who haunts the house of a prominent doctor. Mediumistic contact suggests she is hostile because she fears the doctor is seeking her family's buried treasures, which were hidden during the time of Order Number 11.

My Haunted House: Maggie Cooper's Story

Maggie Cooper, a GRS Contributing Member from Jacksonville, Florida, recounts her childhood experiences in a haunted house in Defiance, Ohio, purchased in 1946. The house, described as castle-like, was sold cheaply because it was rumored to be haunted. Cooper's friends told her the story of John, the first owner, who murdered his wife Ester during an argument and then secretly disposed of her body. There are differing accounts of how Ester's body was disposed of, including being burned in the furnace or dismembered and burned in fireplaces, or buried under the furnace room floor. The ghost of Ester, particularly her head, was said to haunt the house, leading to John's eventual suicide by hanging.

Cooper's family, while initially dismissive, experienced unsettling events. Her mother, though practical, once addressed a presence as "Mr. Ghost" and threatened an exorcism. Her father, a more stoic figure, often tried to rationalize the events. Cooper recounts an incident where her cat, Angel, appeared terrified and trapped in the front parlor, an area it should not have been able to access. Later, while changing sheets in a rented upstairs bedroom, Cooper and her mother felt a coldness and witnessed bed linen flying across the room, which Cooper's mother attributed to the house settling.

As Cooper entered her teens, she became more receptive to the house's strangeness, noting icy coldness and the feeling of a presence. She questioned her father's explanations, particularly regarding a stain on the floor that she suspected was blood. Years later, after moving away, Cooper experienced recurring nightmares about the house, involving a screaming man and the house collapsing. The final residents, Frank and Edna, also experienced terrifying events, including screams from the storage room and a man's agony. Frank sealed off the back bedroom and kitchen door after the incident. The house was eventually torn down, and rumors circulated about a skull being found in a closet. Cooper believes the destruction of the house brought peace to John and Ester.

Specters of Fort Clinch by Lee Holloway

Lee Holloway, a GRS member from Jacksonville, Florida, reports on the supernatural occurrences at Fort Clinch. For years, boaters have reported seeing strange lights and a ghost walking the shore with a lantern near the old fort. Jim Frederickson and two friends witnessed what appeared to be a sentry walking with a light, which would disappear and reappear at its starting point, leading them to believe it was not real. Frederickson dismisses the idea of a guard looking for enemy ships, suggesting a lack of understanding of the unknown.

Ranger Robert Barringer of Fort Clinch State Park mentions encounters with a woman in white holding a lantern, and a phantom sentry. He also recounts a story from the July phantoms, where four Civil War soldiers were seen running from a tunnel. The following year, three soldiers appeared, and when asked about the fourth, one replied, "He's sick tonight."

The history of Fort Clinch is provided, noting its construction began in 1847 and its use by Confederate and Union forces. It was declared of no military value in 1898 and later became a public park. The spirits are thought to originate from various periods of occupation. Additionally, the cries of a phantom child are heard in the southwest bastion tunnel, possibly linked to gypsies who camped there in the 1920s and suffered an outbreak of yellow fever, with a young child among those who died.

Haunted Prison: Daniel McAssey's Account

Daniel McAssey writes about the "Clemmons" unit in Brazoria, Texas, a prison known as "HELL!" during the early eighties. An associate named "Juan" was housed there and described the pervasive atmosphere of violence, including fights, beatings, theft, suicides, and murders. Guards feared entering cell-blocks due to the inmates' brutality towards each other. Juan believed the inmates were possessed by something that filled them with anger, causing ordinary men to become violent.

Inmates reported sensing a third presence in their cells, and some painted their cells black, adorning them with occult symbols. Late at night, a loud metallic sound, like banging on steel pipes, would fill the cell-blocks, despite investigations finding no source and guards being elsewhere. A loud, ear-piercing cry, described as someone being raped, was also heard.

During a field work day, Juan and other inmates noticed the unit was being pounded by rain, thunder, and lightning, while the surrounding area was dry. This led to the discovery that the entire unit was built upon a field containing multiple human skeletons that predated the prison. A captain ordered the men to remain silent about the discovery, but one inmate informed the federal government, leading to an investigation. The field and the area upon which the unit was constructed were found to be a burial ground.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of THE GATE magazine consistently explores themes of hauntings, ghosts, and unexplained phenomena across various locations, including houses, historical sites, and even a prison. The articles present anecdotal evidence and personal testimonies, suggesting a belief in the paranormal and the existence of spirits. The magazine's stance appears to be one of documenting and presenting these accounts to its readers, inviting them to consider the mysteries of the unknown.

Title: Spiritual Enlightenment
Issue: Vol. 9, No. 8
Date: August 1998
Publisher: Pagan Community
Country: USA
Price: $3.00 Sample

This issue of Spiritual Enlightenment magazine delves into the realm of the paranormal, with a strong emphasis on ghosts, haunted locations, and ghost hunting. It features personal anecdotes, extensive book reviews, and classified advertisements for related communities and resources.

Content Highlights

Personal Accounts

The magazine opens with a story about a haunted prison in Texas, where gravestones mysteriously disappeared before the prison's construction. The story notes that a Catholic Bishop even blessed the site, and the unease within the prison walls reportedly faded once the secret was out. This piece was submitted by Daniel McAssey.

Following this is an "Animal Ghost Story" from Gina, who recounts hearing her deceased dog, J.D., in her room after he was put to sleep. Her sister also heard the sounds, confirming the spectral presence. Another contributor, Summerash, shares a story about her mother's dog, Timmy, in the Philippines. She heard Timmy's chain and breathing in the hallway long after his death, experiencing a sense of loss rather than fear.

Book Reviews

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to book reviews, primarily focusing on paranormal and supernatural themes. Dale Kaczmarek is the primary reviewer for many of these books.

• Haunted Indiana by Mark Marimen (Thunder Bay Press): Described as one of the best in a supernatural series, it covers tales from Indiana and Chicago, including the Ghosts of Cline Avenue, the Faceless Nun of Foley Hall, and the Legend of Stiffy Green. Rated 7/10.
• Haunt Hunter's Guide to Florida by Joyce Elson Moore (Pineapple Press): An excellent guide for ghost hunters in Florida, dividing stories by region and providing practical information like hours of operation and directions. Rated 8/10.
• Plausible Ghosts by Joshua P. Warren (Shadowbox Publications): This book explores theories, explanations, and methods in ghost hunting, covering topics like energy, life, death, parallel realms, and psychic imprints. Rated 7/10.
• Mountain Ghost Stories and Curious Tales of Western North Carolina by Randy Russell and Janet Barnett (John E. Blair, Publisher): This book contains more curious tales than actual ghost stories, covering Bigfoot, witches, fairy crosses, and the Brown Mountain Lights. Rated 4/10.
• Haunted Island: True Stories from Martha's Vineyard by Holly Mascott Nadler (Down East Books): A book devoted to a single area, it presents firsthand encounters with the supernatural on Martha's Vineyard, including ghostly entities, psychic imprints, and unexplained events. Rated 8/10.
• The Ghost Hunter's Handbook by Troy Taylor (White chapel Productions): A comprehensive guide to ghost hunting and research, covering what ghosts are, how to find them, tools of the trade, and investigation methods. Rated 9/10.
• Presence in the Parlor by Ed Okonowicz (Myst and Lace Publishers): Part of a series on ghostly encounters in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey, featuring stories like the haunted USS Constellation and Hessian ghosts. Rated 6/10.
• Haunted Houses of Michigan by Karen Hoisington Donaldson (White chapel Productions): A collection of short stories about haunted locations in Michigan, including haunted lighthouses, mansions, inns, and woods, with some intriguing ghost photographs. Rated 5/10.
• Ghosts of Gettysburg IV by Mark Nesbitt (Thomas Publications): The fourth in a series about Gettysburg, focusing on battlefield sightings, including a ghost in a wheelchair and psychic photographs. Rated 7/10.
• Haunting Mysteries of “Monte Cristo” by Olive and Reg Ryan (Self-published): A booklet about a sprawling mansion in Junee, New South Wales, Australia, and its ghost stories, including a guide booklet on its history. Rated 4/10.
• Haunts of the Upper Great Lakes by Dixie Franklin (Thunder Bay Press): Explores ghosts and haunted places in Northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, featuring stories about the Watersmeet Ghost Light, the Delta Queen, and various haunted homes and inns. Rated 6/10.

Other Content

The magazine also includes a section on "Classifieds" which lists various publications and services for the New Age, Metaphysical, and paranormal communities. These include:

• CATALYST: A New Age Directory.
• STRANGE MAGAZINE: A publication exploring unexplained phenomena.
• Weird New Jersey: A publication focused on weird, obscure, and ghostly items in New Jersey.
• GRS CAPS & T-shirts: Merchandise from the Ghost Research Society.
• ANNUAL GRS BOOK SALE: Offering paperbacks, hardcovers, and back issues of paranormal publications.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are clearly ghosts, hauntings, and paranormal investigations. The magazine adopts an open-minded and entertaining approach to these subjects, presenting personal accounts and reviewing a wide array of books that explore these phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of curiosity and exploration of the supernatural, providing resources and information for those interested in the field. The inclusion of book reviews suggests an aim to inform readers about available literature on the subject.