KANSAS UFO ca 1960's

The following sighting comes from Wellington, Kansas in about the year 1965 (the respondent could not be certain). She believes it was in the summer or early fall. A noise drew the family's attention to the backdoor of their house on the northern part of the town. The back yard was awash in a red-orange glowfalling from the sky above. No details could be discerned - only this strange red-orange glow. The object creating the light made no sound. The respondent remembered hearing dogs barking and her family murmuring as they looked out into the back yard. Her brother opened the screen and went out on the small concrete porch and then.....nothing. The next thing remembered was the family back inside the house and no mention was made of anything happening. The respondent asked about the "light" and her family looked a little blank and said "The light? Oh, yes that was strange." It continued to be only vaguely recalled for many years for all but the respondent. Note: in August of 1965 there was a large UFO flap covering much of the mid-west. Could this be part of that flap?

Haunted Oklahoma

One the questions people have concerning alleged haunted houses is why the haunting? Usual explanations (a violent or tragic past) fail to measure up when the place is a brand new residence or shop or street. This has caused some to speculate that places are not haunted only people. 

Others express different explanations involving classifications of "ghosts", "residuals", "manifestations", 'dark or negative spirit/entity"and "spirit echo". Some - borrowing heavily from 'string theory' even suggest that such events we call haunting are really thin portals into another reality that, in some ways, mirrors our own. When reviewing the literature of the history of humanity, there is a frequent image of just such a situation. The ancients recognized the "thin veil" dividing the dead from the living, this world from the next, and one reality from another. The ancient Celts also referred to this shimmering walls, these thin spots, in time and space. 

Some people have found that there are certain places where the normal rules do not seem to function normally: Spook lights dancing through dark forests in eastern Oklahoma, gravity hills that challenge our ideas in Bartlesville, disappearing people in Bethany, and strange haunted houses that provide sounds hard to explain in Norman. Perhaps the ancients had a greater grasp on the mysterious than is often supposed. It may be that our understanding of the rules of operation need to be more fluid than current science allows. 

Haunted Oklahoma may be the new frontier, a nexus where time, space, and reality intersect to provide important information about the nature of the universe.

RUN FOR THE HILLS! BRAIN EATING ALIENS HIDING NEAR ADA

Or, at least, that is the rumor. According to some there is an alien underground base in or near Ada, Oklahoma. These are not the cute E.T.'s of Hollywood. No. these are the malicious, evil reptilian creatures whose goal seems to be world domination. These include the familiar "grays" but also more classic reptile looks hidden by various disguises. (And you wondered where the extras from "V" the Movie" went, didn't you?).  Originally, a tale told to Brad Steiger (apparently, never one to too closely check sources or facts) and reported in one of his books.

Another story has been uncovered that suggests that the "activity " going on in Ada, Oklahoma is not aliens - but the secret government of the Illuminati.  They are at work on cloning projects deep under ground. Anyone with a gamma detector should be able to locate the source - despite its being hidden some 7 levels down- as the "process" apparently uses large amounts of gamma radiation.

"Ada, Oklahoma’s underground facility is being used to clone humans. The other cloning facilities are turning out weird creatures. Due to the processes involved they give off lots of gamma radiation (Gamma is at the far end of the electromagnetic wave spectrum--it is even a longer wave than ultraviolet). Because they give off Gamma radiation, these facilities must bedcep (sic) underground. The cloning is done at level 7. The average depth (according to one of the men who built these Deep Underground Facilities - D.U.M.) is 5,600’.---- Source at http://www.davidicke.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3097&page=68

It becomes clear that no one in Ada need even see anything. They probably created a tunnel that takes them to the fast food spots in a nearby town.

These 'bases' are turning out clones of movie stars and political leaders - as if there were not enough of them already. The first run in the reserve parts business? A mad plan for world domination? The brain child of a high school student in Ada after a kegger?? Who knows.....who can be sure.....

I am, however, keeping my eyes open for increasing numbers of "twins".

[for those unaware, the tongue is firmly in the cheek]

Murdered By Human Wolves

The other day on a nature program was a fascinating first-person account of a 21st century wolf attack.  It was gripping, especially when one realized the wolves we know today in North America and in the few remaining pockets elsewhere around the globe are far smaller than those known in the middle ages or to the ancients who chose the suckling twins and the mother wolf as symbols of Rome.  Although abbreviated in size, they retain a strong determination and intent when stalking their prey - as the young man who was nearly carried off by the wolf could attest. Although nearly ten years later, his head and face still retained the scars of those fangs digging deep into his scalp and face.  Some say the menace of the wolf was the silence in which they hunt, often slipping in out of the shadows to clutch a morsel (small child, stock, or meat waiting to be cooked) and then are gone.

In that context, it is a little easier to understand the strange tombstone in a small Oklahoma cemetery.  Its bizarre inscription has stirred more than imagination "murdered by human wolves."   One blog detail this grave of Katherine Cross who died in 1899.

Most believe she died at the hands of a local doctor, who was probably responsible for at least one other death of a young women. He was said to have performed an unlawful operation.  Given the time period, the operation may have been an abortion, but could have been something else.   In the end, Katherine and and another young woman were dead.

Some say the menace of the wolf was the silence in which they hunt, often slipping in out of the shadows to clutch a morsel (small child, stock, or meat waiting to be cooked) and then are gone.  Sometimes, however, the only difference between a human two-legged wolf and a werewolf is only the amount of fur showing.

WHICH COMES FIRST?

 One theory of sightings related to paranormal or out of the ordinary events is that they are sparked  by media events.  A movie will create sightings of UFO's, Bigfoot, or Ghosts.  Researchers are quick to suggest that impressionable audiences then 'see' things in the sky, the woods, or in the dark.

It appears to be selective, if that is indeed what is happening, as was shown in a recent study conducted by myself.   I examined how often the term "werewolf" emerged in one  news source from 1910 to 1979.  As expected, in the 1930's and the release of "The Wolfman" there were increased instances of the word but not as sightings or related to unusual deaths or events.   In the late 1930's, the German war machines "Wolfman"  units were ruthless released on European populations.   In the 1960's, teen movies appear but no stories of sightings or death and costumes sells soared.  In the 1970's, the myth was being explained away by a strange skin condition that explained the ancient misunderstandings about people with the condition.

Yet, no legends came to light of strange howling at the moon, manlike beastial murders, strange large sized wolfen tracks, and no spikes in the making of silver bullets.  I could have missed something, but it does appear as if the movie in no way generated 'wolf sighting waves.'  

Which is something interesting to contemplate about those UFO, Bigfoot, and Ghost waves.  Interest may be peaked, people may be reminded to look up, look out, and look around more and they may take more notice - but apparently only when something is there do people remark about it.  

Anyone remember when the last great American "Werewolf" sighting was?   Anyone recall a time when local legends about fur-faced humans with long canines sent delighted shivers over youthful skin?  I will guess that any such stories are contained within very specific people groups or locations and have no connection to any outside influences.

Maybe - just maybe - a second look should be taken at the suggestion all outbreaks and phases of anomalous sightings are presaged by movies, television, or books.   

HAUNTED BY HISTORY

Haunted by History (c) - 

One of the real pleasures of urban exploration, investigations, and legend tripping is the chance to see real history still clinging to life.  Despite neglect and abandonment or simple age they remain to delight those observant enough to see and appreciate what is found.

Do all you can to help locales preserve their important history and make it survive for future generations.

Anyone can destroy, spray paint, or trash someplace - it takes special people to build or rebuild.

Hallway to Hades

It Was A Dark and Storied Night....

Using notebooks participants in a field trial explore a historic and empty building.

OKLAHOMA AUTHOR WITH SPECIAL FAN?

Cullan Hudson, author of the popular book Strange State: Mysteries and Legends of Oklahoma, was photographed during a conference in Oklahoma City's film district.  The fulsome orb in the upper corner: a fan from another dimension or just a particle of dust?

BLOOD SPOTS OR SOMETHING ELSE?

"The blood stains are still there. They get cleaned but come back." That was the story told while investigating this alleged haunted locale in eastern Oklahoma. Said to be the site of cruel and senseless violence decades earlier.

In the darkened site the spots were pointed out and a photo taken (with a camera strap in the image for some scale).

The color of the spots was a deep rust and could have been blood...or paint.  

The problem with these types of claims is the lack of any ability to verify - through testing using scientific means - if they are true blood stains forever stained into the wood or something more benign.

Photo Fake

A demon child with glowing eyes?  No, a product of bad Photoshop job.  Again, a lesson for any to accept at face value what might appear to be a really fascinating bit of evidence.

COME TO CHURCH

This image from a location in eastern Oklahoma, privately owned, was taken during a visit to what is believed to be an old haunted church. Stories of phantom church goers trudging into service in the midnight hours are numerous.  As we sat in the dark during the investigation, an imperceptible glow seemed to arise near the bench, appeared to be a figure just left of the window.  When the photo was later examined was nothing there.  An orb appears in the upper right but may be only a dust particle caught in the flash.

Seeing Things

In this photograph a face peers out from the middle of the wall,  Or does it?

In a location in eastern Oklahoma, privately owned, is this building. A lot of investigations have occurred there, many physic mediums, and a lot pictures taken.  

The story is that this face shows up in many images.  The question is: is it a face psychically burned into the wood  or just an irregularity in the old paneling?  Perhaps just a trick of light and shadow?

The image, taken by me, is an example of just how the eye can sometimes see what it wants to see and that may have no connection to reality at all.

A good lesson for anyone going into the field.

MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDARS

Some Reportedly Haunted Places in Oklahoma

The following are some of the most common spots listed as haunted in Oklahoma:

SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA:
Ft. Gibson
Ft. Washita
Dead Man's Gulch, Atoka area

CENTRAL/WESTERN OKLAHOMA:
Ft. El Reno
Black Jail - Guthrie
LaBady Mansion- Bartlesville
Kulli Tukilo Methodist Church - Idabel

OKC/METRO/CENTRAL OKLAHOMA AREA:
Carey Place - Oklahoma City [URBAN LEGEND]
Kitchen Lake - SE OKC/MWC area [URBAN LEGEND]
Old women's dorms/ AGR Frat House- OSU, Stillwater [URBAN LEGEND]
"Dead Woman's Crossing" - Weatherford
County Line Resturant - OKC [Now closed]
OKC Zoo - OKC
Walls Bargain Center- Shawnee
Music Store - Shawnee
Cate's Center - OU

TULSA AREA:
Cain's Ballroom
Brady Theater
Tulsa Little Theater
Tulsa Garden Center
Sparky's Cemetary
Riverside Park
The Cave House
The Gilcrease house
Labadie Mansion
The Brady Mansion
The Camelot Hotel
The Mayo Hotel
Peace of Mind Bookstore
Old Bellview School (Jason's Deli 15th & Peoria)
Empire Bar
Brady Mansion
Hex House Lot
Club Majestic
Lola's & Fox Hotel
Philbrook Mansion
The White House - Jenks, OK

'STAGE FRIGHT EVENT', Ponca City, Oklahoma

INSight Paranormal Investigations hosts a "STAGE FRIGHT EVENT" at the lovely and historic Poncan Theater in north central Oklahoma on Sat. Oct. 23, 2010.

"Spend an evening in one of Oklahoma’s most beautiful historic theatres, while being presented with informative and interesting sessions relating to the field of paranormal research.  After the informational sessions, it’s time to put your own investigative skills to the test!  Investigate the theatre alongside INsight investigators, for your chance to experience first-hand the mystery and beauty that make the Poncan Theatre a true Oklahoma gem!  (For more information about this beautiful 1927 Vaudeville and silent movie theatre, visit www.poncantheatre.org.)"

OKC'S 'GHOULS GONE WILD'

The annual OKC bacchanal, aka "GHOULS GONE WILD" will be Saturday Oct. 23, 2010. The Grand Marshall will be the well known personality, COUNT GREGORE.   Visit the webpage for more information.

COLD SPOTS: Research

Public Parapsychology has a scholarly report on the use of temperature readings in paranormal investigations. Cold spots, dips in temperature, and anomolous breezes are important in research because they are measurable and quantifiable.

It is important to establish a baseline temperature reading on an investigation.  This means mapping the space or structure, noting doors, windows, vents, traffic patterns (someone passing by can leave a space disturbed). 

NATS, Oklahoma Paracon, Oct.30th, 2010

Lovely southwest Oklahoma, historic Medicine Park,  is the location for the Native American Truth Seekers Paracon 2010. 

Special speakers:
Keith Age
Steven LaChange
Jacqui Carpenter
Arrian Scalf
Tonya Hacker

Read more about speakers, location, etc. here.

April 2011 "OK Ghost Convention"

According to the G.H.O.U.L.I. website. Mark your calendars.

'WHITE WOMAN' GHOST

Some tales are merely that - tales.  They have no true paranormal aspect to them, other than the ability to live forever as each new generation comes of age and the tale is retold.  One of the most prevalent themes in all of paranormal reseach is the 'lady in white', 'the woman in white', and other similar descriptors.

Wilkie Collins in 1859 published what is considered to the the first mystery novel, The Woman in White.  Other tales and reported sightings could fall into the category of the classic woman in white tale; a women wronged or harmed who restlessly wanders around in perpetual grief or remorse.

He no doubt drew inspiration from tales through out the British Isles of such women dating from medieval times.  The Irish Banshee may be a version that dates further back and reflect an older tradition still.

Hispanic cultures may reflect the motif in their weeping mother or similar tales associated with the violation of innocense.

The famed "resurrection Mary' version from Chicago, and its many locale variants, may be inspired by ancient tales, Collins ,or be a manifestation of some ofter process at work in society.  The resurrection Mary story emerged at a time when young ladies were first gaining freedom to go out without chaperones and in wild automobiles to dance to hot music and drink cold liquer.  There may be a tinge of a morality tale created to keep them 'down on the farm'.

One local version in Oklahoma is set near Conners College, near Warner, Oklahoma.    There is supposedly (I  have not verified any of this in the tradition of sharing a good story....) a College road that runs past the institution and passes a cemetery.  There, a 'white woman' has been seen by generations of people....

The informant told me the story "has been told for many years."

Marilyn A. Hudson, Historian and Storyteller....

IMPRECISION

It very important in any type of research to be as accurate as possible. For example, in an interview with a person from SE Oklahoma there was mention made of the 'Bug Tussle cemetery."  Yet, in reflection and researching most sources will say the nearest cemetery to that community, located on a spur into Lake Eufala, is really Oak Hill cemetery in nearby McAlester.  Someone trying to verify the location of such a spot would be greatly confused without specifics as to just where this location was to be found.

The person had a good story - said to be well known in the region - that a witch 'hag' comes out of one graves in that cemetery and then goes into another.   Without better location information it is impossible to verify the event or to debunk it as mere local legend.

IT LOOKS HAUNTED SO IT SHOULD BE!!

Scan the pages of any Internet site and you will find phrases such as "it looks haunted!" or "it is a creepy place - I bet there are ghosts there!" The truth of the matter is that a haunting can -and often do occur - in very prosaic places. Modern suburban houses filled with bric-a-brac and office buildings in strip malls. How something looks is no gauge of its value or merit or haunted-ness. There are, however, some places that sensitives can identify (and sometimes others) as having a "feel" or a "mood". Sometimes there is a sense that "something lingers on." There can also be places "tainted" by emotions, actions, or negative spirits. So - despite what all the horror novels and movies have enjoyed telling us for decades - if it looks spooky - it probably is not.

LEGENDS AND LOCALES

In northeast Oklahoma is the tale of the Labadie Mansion.  The legend goes (with some disputing them of course) that a man killed his wife and another man, Enos Parsons, in 1935. The facts are that the remains of stone house of some size is found outside of Copan. A gravestone for a Frank Labadie (1860-1935) and a Samantha Labadie (1857-1935) have been found. There is a Frank Labadie listed on the 1920 census as being 19 and born in Arkansas - but none are listed on Heritage Quest census database for 1930 and no Enos Parsons either!

In addition, the Oklahoma City papers did not carry any news of such a crime or event and it is supposed that as it is an unusually bad news it would have traveled. The facts are that numerous people have admitted to using the place as a spot to scare girls, party, or do other recreational activities. So - given the fact that older citizens have said that the couple died peacefully from smoke in a fire - this is probably another sample of what folklorist call "contemporary legends" (i.e., urban myths).

What is needed: Census or official records stating the people were alive in the area in the time period; some official record (newspaper, funeral records, etc.) of the cause of the death of the man and the woman, some record of the existance of Enos Parsons, and some type of proof of haunitng activity via photos, audio, or other evidence.

Here are some sites that repeat the "story":

http://www.angelfire.com/scary/labadie0/

Labadie – Copan, OK

http://spiritchat2217.proboards34.com/index.cgi?action=recent

http://spiritchat2217.proboards34.com/index.cgi?board=PENISE&action=print&thread=53

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-USz6DL87f7Qg6NmBd6gk5A--?cq=1&p=42

ANATOMY OF AN URBAN LEGEND

Sometimes local legends are merely that.  The product of fevered imaginations with too much time on their hands? In the early 1990's accounts of a "Hatchet House" with accompanying awful murder and porch painted red to hide "all the blood", began to appear in local OKC newspapers. Soon tales of swings moving in the moonlight.....and ghostly voices of children playing..... began to flesh out the vague and lurid premise. Now, every Halloween local haunters flock to the historic district of the Gatewood Neighborhood to find the notorious house with hatchet cutouts...or the red painted porch....or the driveway where 'they found the body.' This seemed like an easy find....track down the dastardly crime....solve the mystery...provide some background for this legend. So far...however, no such crime has come to light. The area only dates back to the 1920's when it boomed along with various other areas of the city. Its classic hometown feel and its historic homes kept it a special place for many decades. There was tragedy as children, go to and coming from the local elementary school (Gatewood Elementary) were struck by automobiles...a few random crimes....and some natural deaths. Findng a grim and ghastly crime worthy of such a horrific legend....has so far drawn a blank. It is similar to the tale in the Don Knotts comedy, "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken" with its tale of murder, blood stained organ keys ("and they used Bon-Ami!"), and generally bad reputation. Unless, and until, something definite is discovered this is no doubt another OKC Urban Legend. So, drive through the area and enjoy the neighborhood that is on the national history registry.....but give the folks there a rest because there is really nothing else to see there.

IMPROVING YOUR RESEARCH

It is very important to learn as much as possible about the history of a location as it is to gather data of a scientific nature. It will be necessary to verify legends, rumors, and commonly held "truths" about a location and the reasons for a possible haunting. Remember, despite common mythology, not everything is on the Internet - some old school research is required to do top quality work.

Keep a notebook for your research trips, record where you found the information (name of the library and location) and the general bibliographic information (author, title, publisher, date, and call number - in case you need to re-check it). The notebook can be a simple spiral bound school notebook or a laptop.

Libraries will generally have information related to local history (old newspapers, local history books, etc.). Some libraries now offer, with a library card, access to genealogical databases to search census records, deeds, newspapers (to a limit). This link lists all Oklahoma Public Libraries. Library cards are usually free in the location to area residents since they are funded by tax dollars (property or other tax bases). Visitors from out of town or state may need to pay to access local databases, but use of other materials is usually free to visitors. Special collections (archives) may have limitations as to use or access. In Oklahoma, students and staff of universities can apply (via their school library) for the OKShareCard. This is honored by member libraries at other institutions. It allows limited checkout of books - but often does not allow access to databases.

Courthouses & City or County Clerks offices can provide information related to ownership of land, previous occupations of an area, and other pertinent information. The link lists state courthouses and their addresses.

Local museums can also sometimes provide some information about local legends or history. The lists all museums in Oklahoma. Some are staffed by volunteers and be prepared to leave bags or cases with an attendant, sign papers to use, etc. They may not be sympathetic with a paranormal investigation, but then sometimes the people staffing these places aren't sympathetic to any researcher! So be polite, friendly, and have a plan as to what you want to find out. You might discover they want to help.

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Census records (Free - not complete but a help) ; http://www.censusfinder.com/ ;

http://www.census-online.com/links/ ; a subscription service Ancestry.com allows access to census films and many other local history resources online ($100 to $300 a year) but many larger libraries offer access to this in their libraries via their computers.

County Clerk Public Records-OK

http://okcountyrecords.com/index.php

Good General Introduction to using Court House Records

http://www.arkansasresearch.com/g-court.html

 

Census Bureau Flyer on Availability of Census Records for an Individual / US Privacy Act,etc.

http://www.census.gov/prod/2/gen/cff/cff-9702.pdf

remember:

Expect misspelled names, hard to read writing, and changes in street names and housing developments.

Expect history books to cover only the well-known, wealthy, or notorious people or events of any community.

Think of alternative ways of learning information. If a book on the town makes no mention of the haunted house....look at biographies of local people....or family genealogies, etc. Somebody may mention legends or places in passing.

--MH Research, 2007