Ghost Trackers Newsletter - Vol 18 No 2 - 1999 06

Magazine Overview

Title: GHOST TRACKERS NEWSLETTER
Issue: Volume 18, Number 2
Date: June 1999
Publisher: Ghost Research Society
Type: Official Paranormal Publication

About the Ghost Research Society (GRS)

The Ghost Trackers Newsletter is the official paranormal publication of the Ghost Research Society (GRS). Founded in 1978 by Martin V. Riccardo, the newsletter began publication in September 1982. It is published and edited by Dale D. Kaczmarek, President, with issues released in February, June, and October.

The GRS is a membership organization dedicated to the collection, analysis, and research of paranormal phenomena, focusing on ghosts, hauntings, poltergeists, and life after death. They actively seek individuals for roles such as officers, State Coordinators, Field Investigators, and Area Research Directors across various states and countries.

Membership Options:

• Regular Membership: $20.00 per year, includes three issues of the newsletter, a GRS button, membership card, discounts on GRS events and tours, free photo analysis, and discounts on books.
• Sustaining Membership: $25.00 per year, includes all Regular benefits plus the opportunity to assist with ghost research and attend field excursions (Midwest members only, subject to interview).
• Contributing Membership: $30.00 per year, includes Sustaining benefits plus a free newspaper clipping service for the subscriber's state or country.
• Multi-year, Patron, and Lifetime memberships are also available upon request.

Back Issues and Subscriptions:

Back issues of the newsletter are available for $5.00 per issue for members and $6.00 for non-members. Discounts are available for purchasing three issues. Non-members must also pay postal charges. The GRS welcomes submissions of photographs, newspaper clippings, articles, personal encounters, and anecdotes for publication, with full credit given to the contributor and a free issue provided. All published articles are copyrighted.

Contact Information:

Inquiries and subscriptions can be sent to: Ghost Research Society, c/o Dale D. Kaczmarek, PO Box 205, Oak Lawn, IL. 60454-0205. Contact numbers are (708)425-5163 and (708)425-3969 (FAX). Payments can be made via check, money order, VISA, or Mastercard. The GRS website is www.ghostresearch.org.

Current Chain of Command

• President & Editor: Dale D. Kaczmarek
• Area Research Dir.: Tom Perrott
• Regular Columnists: Tom Perrott, Maurice Schwalm, Richard Senate

Editors Page

Dale D. Kaczmarek expresses hope that readers are enjoying the summer weather, which often brings vacation and research trips. He mentions an upcoming meeting with the New Jersey State Coordinator, Randy Liebeck, to visit haunted locations in New Jersey, with a report to follow in the next newsletter.

• Kaczmarek thanks several individuals for their contributions:
• Tom Perrott for the book "Hauntings"
• George Steitz for his videotape "Haunted Lighthouses"
• Ellen Robson for her book "Haunted Highway: Ghosts of Route 66"
• John Cachel for a map of Mount Thabor Cemetery and ghostly photographs
• Randy Miller for ghost photographs
• Bill Lee from AlphaLabs for an Air Ion Detector
• Stan Suho for newspaper clippings

GEIST System Update

Stan Suho has been working on updating the GRS's computer monitoring system, tentatively named GEIST (Geophysically Equipped Instrument of Scientific Testing). This system is designed to monitor areas for paranormal activity and currently includes devices for radiation, negative ions, and electromagnetic fields, with plans to add smell, infrared, and ultraviolet light detection.

AAA-Chicago Motor Club Partnership

Starting in July/August, Kaczmarek will partner with AAA-Chicago Motor Club to offer discount rates for "Excursions Into The Unknown" tours to AAA members. His tours will be featured in the September/October edition of the AAA magazine "Home and Away," with an initial feature in the July/August edition.

American Ghost Society (AGS) Conference

Kaczmarek encourages readers to sign up for the upcoming AGS Ghost Hunters Conference in Alton, Illinois. He will be giving two lectures: one on a haunted house investigation and another on ghost lights. Other speakers include Dennis William Hauck, Loren Coleman, Mark Merrimen, Stephen Walker, and Troy Taylor. Tickets can be purchased at 1-888-GHOSTLY or via www.prairieghosts.com. Many after-hours events, such as ghost tours, are also filling up rapidly.

Ghost Research Society Updates

Kaczmarek welcomes new members: Nancy Arnold (Patron), Ellen Robson (Contributing), and Bob Aminoff and Kimberly Penkava (Sustaining). The GRS has added five new members and received thirteen renewals since the last newsletter.

Television Productions:

• Michael Hoff Productions: An independent film crew is working on a study of the GRS at a haunted house in Chicago, with the project intended for the Discovery Channel.
• Daniel Noah and Christina Varotsis: This production team is focusing on Kaczmarek and the GRS, interviewing experts and planning to tag along on investigations. The project aims to be sold to PBS or cable TV.

Investigations and Equipment:

The GRS is involved in an ongoing investigation at a haunted house in Markham, Illinois, where they have captured moving images using state-of-the-art nightvision cameras. Kaczmarek plans to incorporate some of these images into his lecture at the AGS Conference.

Kaczmarek will also present a lecture on "The Enigma of Ghostlights," detailing his investigations into "spooklights" around the country, including videotapes and slides. Some of these phenomena have been debunked by the GRS.

The GRS has purchased Cobra two-way radios for approximately $79 per pair, offering a range of about two miles, to improve communication during investigations.

Florida's Phantom Ships and Pirate Ghosts

This section, submitted by Lee Holloway, explores several legends and reported sightings of spectral vessels and pirate-related hauntings in Florida.

The Phantom Ship of Tampa Bay

In May 1984, Wilmer Parks reported seeing an old-fashioned ship under full sail materialize out of nowhere on a hazy night in Tampa Bay. He described it as looking like "drawings of old Spanish galleons." The ship moved westward with its sails billowing despite the lack of wind, and a plaintive melody, sounding like a harp or violin, was heard. Parks' aunt, Margaret Barrett, believes the sighting was a premonition of his death, which occurred a few months later.

The spectral vessel is said to be associated with Jose Gaspar, a notorious pirate known as the "Terror of the Gulf." The legend recounts how Gaspar encountered a young Spanish lady in white, clutching a violin, on a ship he and his crew had boarded. Gaspar protected her from his men, and she played a mournful tune as the ship sailed into the night. The phantom ship is sometimes heard and seen on dark, moonless May nights.

The Headless Pirate of Seahorse Key

Seahorse Key, a small island near Cedar Key, is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a pirate named Pierre LeBlanc. Legend states that LeBlanc was left by his crew to guard Jean LaFitte's treasure. A snake hunter befriended LeBlanc and, after intoxicating him, discovered the treasure site. The hunter beheaded LeBlanc when caught stealing the jewels. The ghost is described as a headless horseman.

Seahorse Key's Other Hauntings

Another spirit on Seahorse Key is a young woman who appears as a white mule. Folklore suggests she was a Cedar Key woman whose prize mule was killed by her sailor husband. After her husband threw her overboard near Seahorse Key, her body washed ashore, and since then, a phantom white mule has been seen near the spot.

The Seahorse Key Light was decommissioned in 1915 and is now used by the University of Florida's marine biology research department. The island is also a wildlife sanctuary.

Mayport's Ghost Ship

In Mayport, Florida, there are reports of a phantom ship, described as a three-masted schooner. The first sighting was in the 1920s by fishermen on the St. Johns River. The ship has not been identified, but numerous shipwrecks in the area make it difficult to pinpoint.

"The 1735 House"

Located in Fernandina Beach, "The 1735 House" is an inn said to be haunted by a pirate associated with Blackbeard. The inn, built in the 1920s, has a detached lighthouse suite. Jacksonville beautician Michelle Bracken reported a paranormal encounter in this suite in March 1993, describing a man in a green coat and black hat.

Mrs. Bracken described seeing a man in the bathroom mirror, who was not very tall, wearing a green coat and a black hat. The experience scared her intensely, and she and her husband were moved to another room. She believes the owners were aware the place was haunted.

Black Caesar's Children

The Florida Keys are said to be haunted by the "ghosts of Black Caesar's children." Black Caesar, a notorious pirate associated with Blackbeard, kept prisoners, primarily women and children, on a small island. After his capture, his captives were left to starve and reportedly developed into wild creatures who communicated in a unique language. Boaters near Black Caesar's Rock report hearing disembodied voices.

Haunts of Indian Key

Indian Key, an island founded by wrecker John Housman, was once a thriving settlement. It was burned in August 1840, possibly by Indians, though the post office was spared. Visitors today report seeing apparitions of buildings that are not present upon arrival, suggesting a possible time-warp phenomenon.

A phantom ship, believed to be the San Pedro (which sank in July 1773), is sighted south of Indian Key as a harbinger of bad weather.

Spectral Cruise Ship

Since the early 1980s, fishermen and boaters have reported sightings of a modern cruise ship that appears at night and then disappears into thin air. One documented encounter involved Bill Prosser aboard the research vessel Undersea Hunter, who described a "glowing illumination" and a large vessel that moved 45 degrees and vanished. The phantom cruise ship remains unidentified.

The Headless Riders

This section, written by Richard Senate, explores the folklore of headless riders in the United States, with specific accounts from Ventura County, California.

Sleepy Hollow and Beyond

The story of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow is a classic of American literature, often implied to be a rival of Ichabod Crane. However, the tale is based on real 19th-century encounters with mounted and headless specters. The United States is filled with folklore of headless riders, both male and female, with every state having at least one tale.

Ventura County Accounts

• Oak Park: Local families report encountering a ghostly horseman dressed in black, riding a black horse, who would block the road. One witness in the late 1920s described the figure as having "no head."
• Mr. O.'s Experience: Twelve years after the Oak Park sighting, Mr. O. encountered the black rider on a rain-soaked night. He initially thought it was a drunk person but then noticed the figure had no head. He drove away rapidly and never used that road at night again.
• Orcutt Road: In the fall of 1957, Mr. G. saw a dark horse with a headless figure in a silver-trimmed saddle. The figure appeared to be waiting and then rode after him at approximately "forty miles an hour" before vanishing.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Ghost Trackers Newsletter are paranormal encounters, particularly ghosts, phantom ships, and spectral riders, with a strong focus on regional folklore and historical legends. The editorial stance, as conveyed by Dale D. Kaczmarek, is one of active research, investigation, and documentation of these phenomena, encouraging reader participation through submissions and membership. The newsletter serves as a platform for sharing reported sightings, historical accounts, and ongoing research within the paranormal community.

This issue of "Grave Concerns" focuses on paranormal experiences and investigations, featuring a collection of personal accounts and legends from across the United States. The cover art depicts ghosts and poses the question, "What Magazine Do Ghosts Hate?" The issue is presented as a compilation of stories submitted by readers and consultants.

Grave Concerns: Headless Specters and Haunted Highways

Richard L. Senate, Special Consultant to the GRS, contributes an article discussing the phenomenon of headless specters. He references a frightening story from Creek Road near Ojai, California, about a specter mounted on a black horse, said to be Satan's own Saddle Beast, that seeks out individuals who have committed terrible sins. The specter is described as being armed with a gleaming rope capable of pulling souls to the infernal regions. Senate notes that while Ventura County may not have the historical battles associated with figures like the Headless Horseman from Washington Irving's story, the prevalence of headless mounted figures suggests they are more than just Halloween tales. He invites readers who have witnessed mysterious highway phenomena to contact him.

Photographer at the Family Reunion: Barbara Huyser's Experiences

Barbara Huyser recounts her move from Chicago to Monmouth, Illinois, a small town where she found a community interested in the paranormal. She highlights the accessibility of rural cemeteries at night for ghost research, contrasting it with the fenced-off cemeteries in Chicago. Huyser describes her friendship with Karen Vance, owner of the metaphysical bookstore "By The Book," and their joint paranormal investigations. During a visit to a rural cemetery in July 1998, Huyser took 25 photos, 10 of which contained "energy orbs." A particularly significant photo captured an orb next to Karen Vance sitting on her father's tombstone, which Huyser considers strong evidence that family lines are not broken after death.

A follow-up investigation in September 1998, with Karen Vance inviting her departed relatives, yielded even more striking results: 15 out of 25 photos showed energy orbs. Huyser theorizes that these spirits were present because Karen was there, acting as a "guest photographer at the Vance family reunion." A subsequent solo investigation in October 1998, without Karen, produced only two faint orbs, leading Huyser to conclude that the spirits were indeed responding to Karen.

Ghostly Shorts: Haunted House Experiences

This section presents several short accounts of paranormal encounters.

One contributor describes the restoration of an old house where a workman refused to continue due to a "man there" who bothered him. This figure was described as tall, bearded, wearing a black suit, and watching him work. Another construction crew member heard voices, leading to his dismissal. The homeowner's dog, Gus, also exhibited fear towards an unseen presence on the stairs.

To investigate these occurrences, a psychic was consulted. The psychic identified a "dark-suited, bearded man" as a doctor who had lived in the house and committed indecent liberties, with the closing doors being a symbolic attempt to hide the crime. The psychic also identified a child spirit, a girl who had been pushed down the stairs by her sister and was crippled and unhappy.

Another account details the experiences of a couple who bought a house in Ventura County that was once owned by a prominent dentist, Dr. Charles O. Perkins, who died in 1901. After restoring the house, the couple experienced poltergeist activity, including rattling stove legs, opening and closing closet doors, and lights turning on and off. The husband, Richard, felt the dentist's presence and heard him bumping around the house for three years. Despite the activity, the couple felt only curiosity, not fear. During a stormy night, an intense conversation between a man and a woman was heard near the skylight.

Reader's Encounters: Animal Spirits and Haunted Homes

Linda Haluska shares a dream she had about her deceased mother calling her from "the other side" to reassure her that her cat, Rusty, who had recently died, was "O.K. with me." This message provided comfort and lessened her grief.

Debbie Davis recounts experiences with the spirits of her pets. After her cat, "Mocha," died, she frequently saw a dark image the size of a cat, often on the stairs. She feels a strong love for Mocha and finds his presence comforting.

Another contributor shares the story of "Grandpapa," the deceased grandfather of her husband, who built a large Jersey shore house in 1910. Grandpapa died between 12 AM and 2 AM in Bayhead a year after his wife, Maria, passed away. Several people, including a cleaning woman, a plumber, a maintenance man, an artist, the contributor's children, and her dog, have seen Grandpapa. The contributor, also an artist, has had several encounters with him.

Jennifer Morrell, an undergraduate at UC Berkeley, describes her sensitivity to the supernatural and her fear of a building called Mulford Hall on campus. She felt an overwhelming sense of fear upon entering the building, which she attributes to a supernatural presence, despite no apparent reason for it. She seeks advice on how to prove her feelings are real and understand the cause of her fear.

Letters to the Editor

J.L. from Forest City, North Carolina, writes about a log cabin with ghosts that has been active for over a year. After two cleansing attempts, a new set of ghosts appeared, leading J.L. to wonder if the cabin is a vortex. They have experienced object movement and lights acting up, and one ghost spoke. J.L. asks for advice on how to deal with approximately twenty spirits, six of whom are considered evil.

The editor advises contacting a reputable psychic or ghost researcher and avoiding "house cleansings," suggesting the spirits might be attracted to certain personality types.

Another letter is from a writer, actor, and researcher who is interested in entering the professional field of parapsychology. They ask for guidance on how to become an assistant or journeyman in the field, given their passion and minimal formal training in related sciences.

Ron Blair suggests joining a club or organization dedicated to paranormal research, attending classes, or workshops as ways to get involved.

John Stevenson from Toccoa, GA, expresses interest in researchers in the Atlanta, Georgia area and mentions a cemetery there with potentially many spirits. He also recounts feeling despair and sadness at Lookout Point in Maryland, a former POW camp known to be haunted.

Kathy G. Black from St. Louis, Missouri, inquires about joining the organization and asks if there is a representative in her area and if there is a research team. The editor informs her that David Goodwin is the GRS State Coordinator for Missouri and lives in Florissant.

Karen shares two stories. The first involves her husband, a photographer, whose camera repeatedly jams when photographing a specific window at his family's homeplace in Virginia. The second story describes a photo from her sister's daughter's baptism in Florida, where a smear of light appeared across the image of the baptism itself, taken shortly after the death of their grandmother.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around personal encounters with ghosts and paranormal phenomena, including hauntings in homes and cemeteries, the appearance of energy orbs, and the perceived presence of spirits. There is a consistent thread of curiosity and a desire to understand the unexplained, rather than fear, among many of the contributors. The magazine appears to support the idea that paranormal activity is real and worthy of investigation, providing a platform for readers to share their experiences and seek advice from experts and fellow researchers.

This issue of the Ghost Trackers Newsletter, dated approximately July 1999, delves into various aspects of the paranormal, with a strong focus on ghost sightings, haunted locations, and related book reviews. The content includes personal accounts, photographic evidence, and promotional material for paranormal events and publications.

Reader Contributions and Sightings

North Carolina Ghost Story

Mike Sloan from Washington, North Carolina, shares an account of a photograph taken near Bath, NC, which allegedly depicts a 3-masted ship shrouded in fog. This photo is linked to local folklore about the pirate Blackbeard, whose girlfriend reportedly lived in Bath. The discovery of Blackbeard's ship, 'The Queen Anne's Revenge,' in 1997 near Beaufort, NC, adds to the historical context. Sloan expresses interest in an analysis of the photo, noting that it startled many when published in the local newspaper.

Vancouver Ghost Story Inquiry

Sharolyn Wiebe from Vancouver, BC, Canada, is seeking information for a website story about ghosts in Vancouver. She is looking for specific locations where ghost sightings have occurred and the associated stories.

Northeast England Ghost Sightings Request

Kathryn Ripley from Co Durham, England, is soliciting details of recent ghost sightings in northeast England.

Minnesota Personal Account

Mary from Lakeville, Minnesota, writes about her lifelong interest in paranormal phenomena, stemming from childhood experiences of a supposedly haunted house. She expresses a strong desire to pursue this interest further and seeks guidance on how to get involved in paranormal research.

Spirit Photography Page

This section features two photographs taken by John Cachel, a Patron member of the GRS, during a Field Excursion to Mt. Thabor Cemetery on June 5, 1999. The top photo shows an orangish streak, and the bottom photo displays several large, disfigured orbs floating around tombstones. Notably, neither of these phenomena were visible to the naked eye at the time.

Book Reviews

The newsletter includes several book reviews, primarily by Dale Kaczmarek, covering a range of paranormal and ghost-related literature:

• Ghosts Of Millikin by Troy Taylor: Reviewed as an excellent book detailing the history of Millikin University with an emphasis on ghosts. Rated 7/10.
• The Ghosts of Nantucket: 23 True Accounts by Blue Balliett: Described as a good book retelling encounters from Nantucket Island, with tasteful illustrations. Rated 5/10.
• Close Behind Thee by Frank Ward: Written by a parapsychologist, this book details cases investigated by the author, covering haunted locations in various geographic sections of the US. Rated 7/10.
• Haunted Highway: The Spirits of Route 66 by Ellen Robson and Diane Halicki: Praised as a unique and well-illustrated guide to the spirits along Route 66, providing addresses and contact information for sites. Rated 9/10.
• Ghost Stalkers Guide to Haunted California by Richard Senate: Considered a great book compiling a large collection of ghost stories from California, with many personally investigated by the authors. Rated 7/10.
• Hoosier Hauntings by K.T. MacRorie: This book focuses on Indiana ghost stories and is part of a series published by Thunder Bay Press.
• Haunted Happenings by Robert Ellis Cahill: A small but interesting book featuring infrared shots of haunted locations, mostly public ones, in Salem, MA. Rated 5/10.
• The Haunted Reality by Sharon A. Gill and Dave R. Oester: This book offers insights into how researchers conduct investigations and includes ghost stories and encounters. Rated 5/10.
• Where The Dead Walk: The Haunted History of Greenwood Cemetery by Troy Taylor: Described as a remarkable book detailing the history of Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur, Illinois, noted as a very spooky place. Rated 8/10.
• Battlefield Ghosts by B. Keith Toney: A book focusing on Civil War battlefields and their connection with spirits, providing addresses and phone numbers for visiting sites, though lacking photographs. Rated 5/10.

Editor's Note and Submission Guidelines

The editor solicits book reviews from readers, requesting specific information such as title, author, publisher, format, page count, year, price, and ISBN. Readers are advised to check for previously reviewed books to avoid duplication. Authors wishing to have their books reviewed are encouraged to send a copy.

Classifieds and Merchandise

This section includes advertisements for various paranormal-related publications and organizations:

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

1999 American Ghost Society National Conference

Announced is the 1999 American Ghost Society National Conference, scheduled for July 23-25 in Alton, Illinois. The event features speakers like Dennis William Hauck, Loren Coleman, Dale Kaczmarek, and Troy Taylor, covering topics such as ghosts, hauntings, ghost hunting, and investigations. The conference price is $50 per person until June 23, and $65 thereafter.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are ghost sightings, haunted locations, spirit photography, and the investigation of paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded exploration and documentation of the unexplained, encouraging reader participation through submissions and reviews. The newsletter serves as a platform for sharing experiences, promoting paranormal literature, and announcing related events.