Miami Ghost Chronicles Paranormal Cases 5
Devil's Den, Gettysburg, PA
May 2006
The Devils Den is a large patch of rocks where many Confederate sharpshooters took refuge in order to exact their death toll upon Union officers atop the hills of Little and Big Round Tops.
In 1970, a tourist approached a park ranger and inquired about stories of Gettysburg being haunted. The Park Service cannot answer such questions but the ranger asked ‘why?’
The woman stated as she was taking photographs of the Devils Den, a man suddenly appeared beside her and said, “What you’re looking for is over there.” Pointing northeast toward the Plum Run, she turned to look and the man vanished.
The ranger asked for a description, and she felt he looked ragged and like that of a hippie. Barefooted with torn butternut shirt and trousers, wearing a big floppy hat. This was often the attire of Confederate Texans. A few weeks later, the same ranger was approached by yet another visitor with the same question.
The man said he was taking pictures and a man mentioned to look elsewhere and disappeared. His description was identical to the woman’s.
In 1970, a tourist approached a park ranger and inquired about stories of Gettysburg being haunted. The Park Service cannot answer such questions but the ranger asked ‘why?’
The woman stated as she was taking photographs of the Devils Den, a man suddenly appeared beside her and said, “What you’re looking for is over there.” Pointing northeast toward the Plum Run, she turned to look and the man vanished.
The ranger asked for a description, and she felt he looked ragged and like that of a hippie. Barefooted with torn butternut shirt and trousers, wearing a big floppy hat. This was often the attire of Confederate Texans. A few weeks later, the same ranger was approached by yet another visitor with the same question.
The man said he was taking pictures and a man mentioned to look elsewhere and disappeared. His description was identical to the woman’s.
Haunted St. Augustine, FL After Dark
February 2007
The Huguenot Cemetery was established soon after Florida became a U. S. territory. The cemetery, located just outside St. Augustine's north gate, was first used for the interment of victims of the 1821 yellow fever epidemic and then for the burial of members of city's Protestant population. When the epidemic hit, due to the large number of deaths in such a short period of time, the city needed a place to bury the deceased. In 1821, the council announced that the new location of St. Augustine’s “Public Burial Ground” would be just outside of the City Gate. The city agreed and paid to have the cemetery walled in. Due to the massive number of deaths, it was not uncommon to have a mass grave. It is believed that for every grave marker, there are about 16 unmarked graves. There are several stories that go along with the Huguenot. One of the most popular is that of Judge Stickney who was U.S. Attorney for the state of Florida in the late 1800s. While on a trip to the Nation’s capital, Stickney breathed his last breath. His body was shipped back to St. Augustine by train to be buried in the Huguenot Cemetery. Twenty years later, Stickney’s children wanted to have their father exhumed and shipped up to D.C. where they live. The gravedigger begins to exhume Stickney and then leaves the grave unattended, in the meantime grave robbers opened the casket and stole Stickney’s golden teeth! It is believed that you can see a shadowy figure crawling around the cemetery at night. This shadowy figure is believed to be that of Judge John B. Stickney in search for his golden teeth.
Several obs captured after nightfall on the dark streets of St. Augustine.
Several obs captured after nightfall on the dark streets of St. Augustine.
Margate Investigation with FPRF
The White Lady of Margate
May 2007
Below are pictures taken of an investigation done for clients out of Margate FL. The clients complained of various noises behind their home, and sightings of a woman walking across the lawn through the back yard (this was intuited by our psychic) and then confirmed by the clients.
The clients had just sold the home, and their main concern was that this haunting should not follow them to their house. There was extensive orb activity in the area. Psychic impressions were that the prior owners of the home had been aware of the entity and had banished her through prayer and ritual into the back part of the property, even though several family members (present owners) could see and hear her trying to gain entry back into the house. The present owners told the story that the real estate agent who had handled the sale, had told them that the sellers had made her stand in a prayer circle with them (even though she was Jewish) before they left for the closing. She said she could tell they were very scared, but of what she didn't know.
The owners had several "dead spots" in their yard where nothing would grow. Psychic impressions given were that this was younger woman possibly dating back to the 1970's who was looking for something in the area. She had been sighted several times by neighbors and friends of the family who were not aware of the haunting. She had been seen several times walking across the yard from ajoining properties. Phenomena experienced by these owners was scratching at the back windows, noises in back porch area and jiggling of sliding glass doors in the back as if someone was trying to open it.
As requested by the homeowners we conducted a cleansing of the area, and tried to cross over the entity. The owners advised they would contact FPRF again if the disturbances followed them to their new home. Over 1 year later they have not, as to whether this white lady is still haunting the new owners is unknown.
Pictured are myself, Laila FPRF (providing video tech services) and Julie (as intuitive in training).
The clients had just sold the home, and their main concern was that this haunting should not follow them to their house. There was extensive orb activity in the area. Psychic impressions were that the prior owners of the home had been aware of the entity and had banished her through prayer and ritual into the back part of the property, even though several family members (present owners) could see and hear her trying to gain entry back into the house. The present owners told the story that the real estate agent who had handled the sale, had told them that the sellers had made her stand in a prayer circle with them (even though she was Jewish) before they left for the closing. She said she could tell they were very scared, but of what she didn't know.
The owners had several "dead spots" in their yard where nothing would grow. Psychic impressions given were that this was younger woman possibly dating back to the 1970's who was looking for something in the area. She had been sighted several times by neighbors and friends of the family who were not aware of the haunting. She had been seen several times walking across the yard from ajoining properties. Phenomena experienced by these owners was scratching at the back windows, noises in back porch area and jiggling of sliding glass doors in the back as if someone was trying to open it.
As requested by the homeowners we conducted a cleansing of the area, and tried to cross over the entity. The owners advised they would contact FPRF again if the disturbances followed them to their new home. Over 1 year later they have not, as to whether this white lady is still haunting the new owners is unknown.
Pictured are myself, Laila FPRF (providing video tech services) and Julie (as intuitive in training).
San Francisco, CA
March 2006
Alcatraz
Voices in the former eating area as well as the cell blocks are heard when no one else is around. Footsteps and the sounds of cell doors opening and closing also echo throughout the corridors. People have reported feeling "cold spots" in certain areas and the feeling that they are not alone, even when they are.
The Queen Anne Hotel on Sutter Street
was built in 1890, originally known as “Miss Mary Lake’s School For Young Ladies”, the structure was a boarding school operated by Mary Lake. It had been constructed by Senator James Graham Fair supposedley for his two daughters, Theresa (Tessie) and Virginia (Birdie) Fair.
The sordid rumor was that he built the school for Mary Lake who was reputed to be one of his favorite among his 4 mistresses. She became pregnant, and her lover fearing the scandal, broke off the affair.
It's unknown whether she left San Francisco on her own or as is rumored was murdered. The school closed in 1896. Little more is known about her, except that she is reputed to haunt the 4th floor, especially Rm 410, where she lived when she was headmistress there. The most common reports are of unusual cold spots and a misty figure in the shape of a woman. Interestingly, it seems that Mary Lake’s ghost is very concerned over the comfort of the hotel’s visitors and unpacks their luggage, places dropped pillows back on the bed and, on occasion, tucks them into bed during the middle of the night.
Voices in the former eating area as well as the cell blocks are heard when no one else is around. Footsteps and the sounds of cell doors opening and closing also echo throughout the corridors. People have reported feeling "cold spots" in certain areas and the feeling that they are not alone, even when they are.
The Queen Anne Hotel on Sutter Street
was built in 1890, originally known as “Miss Mary Lake’s School For Young Ladies”, the structure was a boarding school operated by Mary Lake. It had been constructed by Senator James Graham Fair supposedley for his two daughters, Theresa (Tessie) and Virginia (Birdie) Fair.
The sordid rumor was that he built the school for Mary Lake who was reputed to be one of his favorite among his 4 mistresses. She became pregnant, and her lover fearing the scandal, broke off the affair.
It's unknown whether she left San Francisco on her own or as is rumored was murdered. The school closed in 1896. Little more is known about her, except that she is reputed to haunt the 4th floor, especially Rm 410, where she lived when she was headmistress there. The most common reports are of unusual cold spots and a misty figure in the shape of a woman. Interestingly, it seems that Mary Lake’s ghost is very concerned over the comfort of the hotel’s visitors and unpacks their luggage, places dropped pillows back on the bed and, on occasion, tucks them into bed during the middle of the night.
It is believed that Mary haunts the mansion and premises, and can be seen at night, amongst the eucalyptus trees that she had actually planted herself. Others claim she is a mischievous ghost, who pelts disbelievers with gumnuts! The corner has become a spot where people visit to 'make a wish'.
Mary Ellen's Story...
She was born into slavery on a plantation in Augusta, GA, fathered by the plantation owner, who's name she took of Pleasant. At the age of 11, she was sold to Americus Price and he decided to place her in a convent in New Orleans, where she would be educated, and eventually freed. Later he sent her to live with friends in Cincinnati, since her educated intelligence would have eventually betrayed her in the antebellum South. She married James W. Smith, a Virginia plantation-owner and abolitionist. Throughout the late 1830s and 1840s Mr. and Mrs. Smith smuggled hundreds of slaves to Canada as couriers along the Underground Railroad.
In 1844, her husband died and it became too hot for her to stay in Cincinnati, so she left to New Orleans where she met Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. By 1852, Louisiana planters were urgently searching for Mary Ellen Pleasant as the crafty intrigante who would stop at nothing in smuggling slaves through the Underground. Overhearing speculation about her origins one night, Mary Ellen made a hasty escape, and took the four-month sea journey around Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco on April 7, 1852. On the journey she met a Scottish fellow named Thomas Bell, over whom she would maintain a powerful influence throughout the next three decades, as they both became millionaires speculating on mining and banking interests. By her death in 1904, Mammy had lost most of her fortune, and a good deal of Thomas Bell's as well.
"Mammy" (Mary Ellen)Pleasant - San Francisco Voodoo Queen (1814-1904)
picture taken outside her magnificent mansion on the corner of Bush and Octavia Streets and bordered by a grove of eucalyptus trees.
The following correction was submitted by John Raines,
"Pleasant's mansion burned down in 1922. The hospital (now health spa) which stands there today was built later on the parcel.
Mary Ellen's Story...
She was born into slavery on a plantation in Augusta, GA, fathered by the plantation owner, who's name she took of Pleasant. At the age of 11, she was sold to Americus Price and he decided to place her in a convent in New Orleans, where she would be educated, and eventually freed. Later he sent her to live with friends in Cincinnati, since her educated intelligence would have eventually betrayed her in the antebellum South. She married James W. Smith, a Virginia plantation-owner and abolitionist. Throughout the late 1830s and 1840s Mr. and Mrs. Smith smuggled hundreds of slaves to Canada as couriers along the Underground Railroad.
In 1844, her husband died and it became too hot for her to stay in Cincinnati, so she left to New Orleans where she met Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. By 1852, Louisiana planters were urgently searching for Mary Ellen Pleasant as the crafty intrigante who would stop at nothing in smuggling slaves through the Underground. Overhearing speculation about her origins one night, Mary Ellen made a hasty escape, and took the four-month sea journey around Cape Horn, arriving in San Francisco on April 7, 1852. On the journey she met a Scottish fellow named Thomas Bell, over whom she would maintain a powerful influence throughout the next three decades, as they both became millionaires speculating on mining and banking interests. By her death in 1904, Mammy had lost most of her fortune, and a good deal of Thomas Bell's as well.
"Mammy" (Mary Ellen)Pleasant - San Francisco Voodoo Queen (1814-1904)
picture taken outside her magnificent mansion on the corner of Bush and Octavia Streets and bordered by a grove of eucalyptus trees.
The following correction was submitted by John Raines,
"Pleasant's mansion burned down in 1922. The hospital (now health spa) which stands there today was built later on the parcel.
