Forums · Recent TV Ghost Hunt!
***EDIT to add foreword: A few weeks back, Meredith Putney, an anchor for KCAU TV an (ABC) affliated TV Station, in Sioux City, Ia., contacted AAG to find out if we knew of any ghosthunters in her area that would be interested in going on a hunt with her - to a place she'd heard was haunted and wanted to conduct an investigation there for a story she was working on. We suggested Dave to her and he offered to go with her! The following is the report Dave gave to us afterward. (Sorry we didn't get this posted earlier for you, Dave!)
-Kell
==============
Mare,
Well last night was the big event!
I met with Meredith Putney, a 23 yr. old anchor for KCAU TV an (ABC) affliated TV Station, in Sioux City, Ia.. Her coworkers were all gleeming with anticipation of the Ghostly Tales that she would have to tell upon her return from the Ghost Hunt I was conducting for her.
We drove together, in her Yukon to Homer, Neb., and then through back country roads to Taylor Cemetery. Which sits on top of a bluff over looking the fertile Missouri River which seperates Iowa and Nebraska.
It was already dark by the time we arrived at approx. 9:15pm. We were in search of the grave of Lottie Edwards. 3 Urban Legends precide over her legacy to the Paranormal Realm. None of which are very clear in there details, which leads to the skeptism of any legitimacy for any of the accounts. One story involved an adultorous affair, with her killing the wife of the man she loved. The 2nd story says that she was a greedy person. So much that, when she was buried she had here Jewelery and money buried with her. Convinced that she could in fact take it with her. At some later date her grave was disturbed by Grave Robbers who made of with her fortune. She has been restless ever since. It is believed that the grave robbers fled across a nearby country bridge. However they crashed through the bridge's railing and died in the streambed below. Urban legend has it that if you travel that bridge at night, and hear it make a "Creaking" noise 3 times, that you will die within a year.
The last tale has to do with Lottie being involved with a Coven of Witches, who took disfavor with her behavior. She reportedly was burned alive by the Witches.
Having parked the Yukon near the cemetery gate we noticed that the lone street light across the road was flickering and would turn off for several minutes at a time. Causing us to wonder if the paranormal activity was already occurring!
I had packed along my array of EMF Detecors, Sony Night Shot, and 35 mm Advantix Camera. As well as a Flashlight, extra batteries, extra film, and 2 blankets. I was quite loaded down with equipment. I actually had more equipment, but left it behind as it was a log walk up and over the hill to Lotties Grave. Besides the extra equipment were mainly for creature comforts for sitting in a freezing cold windswept cemetery all night.
Meredith cam equally equiped with a video camera, digital camera, disposable camera, a 35 mm camera with extra film, a flash light, with extra batteries, and a voice activated tape recorder.
We lugged all the equipent up to Lottie's grave, spread the blankets out and collapsed on the blankets ehausted from our trek. I was already miffed by Lottie's need to be buried so far away from the entrance. That I was in a less than enthusiastic mood. (We fat guys, are always looking at the big picture! I knew that everything I hauled up there, was going to have to be hauled back down when it was all over. A thought that I hated to reflect on.)
Meredith seemed reasonably tense and fearful. Considering the time, location, and reason for being there. Not to mention being there with a humongously overgrown Leprechaun. That alone would be enough to give you the willies.
She sat there occassionally waving her flashlight around with every little twig snap she heard in the surrounding woods. She expressed fear that some unknown human intruders would venture upon us, and we inturn would become the next Urban Legend to be associated with Taylor's Cemetery.
I encouraged Meredith to turn off her flashlight, to sit still, and allow her eyes to become accustomed to the ambient light in the cemetery. When she did I told her to look around herself, reassuring her that she could actually see quite well with out her flashlight. I also told her that if we did have intruders they wouldn't know where we were, if they couldn't see our flashlights. She said, this did comfort her some, but she still remained apprehensive about having wild animals approach us.
Again I encouraged her to use her senses, to listen to every noise in the cemetery. To listen to how dry the grass was rustling, as it swayed in the blowing wind. I reassured her again, that if anyone or anything approached us by foot we would hear it before it was aware of where we were. She again said she felt comfortable with this discovery as well !
We sat there, monitored Lottie's grave with the EMF Detecors, and took a few pictures. Or attempted to take a few pictures. Meredith was having trouble getting the digital camera to cooperate. Then she decided to snap off a few pictures with the 35 mm but eventually it malfunctioned as well. Eventually she picked up the video camera, but realised that she didn't know how to operate it. So she dug through the camera bag, for the instruction booklet. As she sat with the but of her flashlight in her mouth as she used it to read the booklet, and fiddeled with it's buttons, nobs, whirlly gigs trying to find out how to use it for night shots.
We waited for what seemed like an eternity, discussing a myrid of topics both Paranormal and not. When all of a sudden we heard a car drive up the road and stop near the distant gate. Hearing voices and car doors slamming, we became alarmed, that Meredith's fears were coming true! We had Intruders!
From the sound of the voices we quickly ascertained that it was 2 teenage boys and their dates. They had spotted our car, and new we were there. They made it clear that they were trying to get our attention as they were creating quite a ruckus with talking loudly, and shouting out at us. Asking us to show ourselves. We snuck up the back side of the cemetery's hill where we had sat. Approaching the top we could tell that the intruders were determined to make our aqauintence as they were walking straight for us. I stood up and shined my flashlight in there direction, blinding them with it's crisp beam of light. I shouted to them "What are you doing here?!" They were evasive with there answers. pleadingthat I turn off my flashlight. I didn't cooperate, as I had no other tool to use for our defense. Again I asked what they were doing there, as we had promission to be there and I knew they didn't. Again they were evasive with there answers, claiming to be there to visit their Grand Mother's grave. They abruptly turned to the right and trekked off into the night.
Meredith expressed apprehension with their presence here. I told her that if they were up to no good, that she should turn off her flashlight and run for her Yukon. That she should save herself and drive back to town for safety.
She said she wasn't going to leave me behind, in harm's way.
I told her she would be of no use to me, if it came down to protecting me. I asked her to Promise me that she would save herslef, and let me fend for myself. I told her she could drive back to Homer, Neb. and bring back the Sheriff. I told her, the Sheriff was going to need her help to locate all my dismembered body parts, when they got back. If that's what our Teenage intruders had in mind! LOL!
We settled back down on our blankets, and listened as they were approaching us again, asking where we were? I stood and approached them. They were gigling with nervous laughter. I asked them if they were really here to check out the reports of the Urban Legend, concerning Lottie's Grave? Eventually they admitted they were.
When they saw all of our equipment they asked what we were doing? I was reluctant to say, but Meredith approached them and told them that we were conducting a Ghost Hunt. They were in awe! And began asking a multitude of questions.
Finally the late Cameraman arrived at the scene.
Turns out he was also Meredith's Boyfriend. Meredith decided that it would be a good angle for her Newstory to interview the Teenagers, to talk about their reasons for coming to Lottie's grave. To which 2 of the teenagers agreed to be on camera for the interviews. Their reasons for being there are the usual, they are thrill seekers!
We gave it a hardy try, having stayed for 5 hrs. in the chilling winds, and surviving our human intruders. But nothing really paranormal occurred. Unless you count on the malfunctioning street light, and malfunctioning camera equipment. As well as some unusal condensation, on a couple of leather equipment bags.
Tired and weary, we packed up and headed back to our vehichle. Still no closer to solving the Urban Legend surrounding Lottie's grave.
It was a pretty uneventful evening, but I feel it was a good learning opportunity for Meredith. To learn what it is like to go on a Ghost Hunt, and how to overcome your natural insecurity and apprehensions of spending time in Cemeteries at night!
I'm sorry it was not a more productive, and exciting hunt! But it was still an adventure that neither of us will soon forget!
Dave
[ November 03, 2002, 01:29 AM: Message edited by: KellKell ]
-Kell
==============
Mare,
Well last night was the big event!
I met with Meredith Putney, a 23 yr. old anchor for KCAU TV an (ABC) affliated TV Station, in Sioux City, Ia.. Her coworkers were all gleeming with anticipation of the Ghostly Tales that she would have to tell upon her return from the Ghost Hunt I was conducting for her.
We drove together, in her Yukon to Homer, Neb., and then through back country roads to Taylor Cemetery. Which sits on top of a bluff over looking the fertile Missouri River which seperates Iowa and Nebraska.
It was already dark by the time we arrived at approx. 9:15pm. We were in search of the grave of Lottie Edwards. 3 Urban Legends precide over her legacy to the Paranormal Realm. None of which are very clear in there details, which leads to the skeptism of any legitimacy for any of the accounts. One story involved an adultorous affair, with her killing the wife of the man she loved. The 2nd story says that she was a greedy person. So much that, when she was buried she had here Jewelery and money buried with her. Convinced that she could in fact take it with her. At some later date her grave was disturbed by Grave Robbers who made of with her fortune. She has been restless ever since. It is believed that the grave robbers fled across a nearby country bridge. However they crashed through the bridge's railing and died in the streambed below. Urban legend has it that if you travel that bridge at night, and hear it make a "Creaking" noise 3 times, that you will die within a year.
The last tale has to do with Lottie being involved with a Coven of Witches, who took disfavor with her behavior. She reportedly was burned alive by the Witches.
Having parked the Yukon near the cemetery gate we noticed that the lone street light across the road was flickering and would turn off for several minutes at a time. Causing us to wonder if the paranormal activity was already occurring!
I had packed along my array of EMF Detecors, Sony Night Shot, and 35 mm Advantix Camera. As well as a Flashlight, extra batteries, extra film, and 2 blankets. I was quite loaded down with equipment. I actually had more equipment, but left it behind as it was a log walk up and over the hill to Lotties Grave. Besides the extra equipment were mainly for creature comforts for sitting in a freezing cold windswept cemetery all night.
Meredith cam equally equiped with a video camera, digital camera, disposable camera, a 35 mm camera with extra film, a flash light, with extra batteries, and a voice activated tape recorder.
We lugged all the equipent up to Lottie's grave, spread the blankets out and collapsed on the blankets ehausted from our trek. I was already miffed by Lottie's need to be buried so far away from the entrance. That I was in a less than enthusiastic mood. (We fat guys, are always looking at the big picture! I knew that everything I hauled up there, was going to have to be hauled back down when it was all over. A thought that I hated to reflect on.)
Meredith seemed reasonably tense and fearful. Considering the time, location, and reason for being there. Not to mention being there with a humongously overgrown Leprechaun. That alone would be enough to give you the willies.
She sat there occassionally waving her flashlight around with every little twig snap she heard in the surrounding woods. She expressed fear that some unknown human intruders would venture upon us, and we inturn would become the next Urban Legend to be associated with Taylor's Cemetery.
I encouraged Meredith to turn off her flashlight, to sit still, and allow her eyes to become accustomed to the ambient light in the cemetery. When she did I told her to look around herself, reassuring her that she could actually see quite well with out her flashlight. I also told her that if we did have intruders they wouldn't know where we were, if they couldn't see our flashlights. She said, this did comfort her some, but she still remained apprehensive about having wild animals approach us.
Again I encouraged her to use her senses, to listen to every noise in the cemetery. To listen to how dry the grass was rustling, as it swayed in the blowing wind. I reassured her again, that if anyone or anything approached us by foot we would hear it before it was aware of where we were. She again said she felt comfortable with this discovery as well !
We sat there, monitored Lottie's grave with the EMF Detecors, and took a few pictures. Or attempted to take a few pictures. Meredith was having trouble getting the digital camera to cooperate. Then she decided to snap off a few pictures with the 35 mm but eventually it malfunctioned as well. Eventually she picked up the video camera, but realised that she didn't know how to operate it. So she dug through the camera bag, for the instruction booklet. As she sat with the but of her flashlight in her mouth as she used it to read the booklet, and fiddeled with it's buttons, nobs, whirlly gigs trying to find out how to use it for night shots.
We waited for what seemed like an eternity, discussing a myrid of topics both Paranormal and not. When all of a sudden we heard a car drive up the road and stop near the distant gate. Hearing voices and car doors slamming, we became alarmed, that Meredith's fears were coming true! We had Intruders!
From the sound of the voices we quickly ascertained that it was 2 teenage boys and their dates. They had spotted our car, and new we were there. They made it clear that they were trying to get our attention as they were creating quite a ruckus with talking loudly, and shouting out at us. Asking us to show ourselves. We snuck up the back side of the cemetery's hill where we had sat. Approaching the top we could tell that the intruders were determined to make our aqauintence as they were walking straight for us. I stood up and shined my flashlight in there direction, blinding them with it's crisp beam of light. I shouted to them "What are you doing here?!" They were evasive with there answers. pleadingthat I turn off my flashlight. I didn't cooperate, as I had no other tool to use for our defense. Again I asked what they were doing there, as we had promission to be there and I knew they didn't. Again they were evasive with there answers, claiming to be there to visit their Grand Mother's grave. They abruptly turned to the right and trekked off into the night.
Meredith expressed apprehension with their presence here. I told her that if they were up to no good, that she should turn off her flashlight and run for her Yukon. That she should save herself and drive back to town for safety.
She said she wasn't going to leave me behind, in harm's way.
I told her she would be of no use to me, if it came down to protecting me. I asked her to Promise me that she would save herslef, and let me fend for myself. I told her she could drive back to Homer, Neb. and bring back the Sheriff. I told her, the Sheriff was going to need her help to locate all my dismembered body parts, when they got back. If that's what our Teenage intruders had in mind! LOL!
We settled back down on our blankets, and listened as they were approaching us again, asking where we were? I stood and approached them. They were gigling with nervous laughter. I asked them if they were really here to check out the reports of the Urban Legend, concerning Lottie's Grave? Eventually they admitted they were.
When they saw all of our equipment they asked what we were doing? I was reluctant to say, but Meredith approached them and told them that we were conducting a Ghost Hunt. They were in awe! And began asking a multitude of questions.
Finally the late Cameraman arrived at the scene.
Turns out he was also Meredith's Boyfriend. Meredith decided that it would be a good angle for her Newstory to interview the Teenagers, to talk about their reasons for coming to Lottie's grave. To which 2 of the teenagers agreed to be on camera for the interviews. Their reasons for being there are the usual, they are thrill seekers!
We gave it a hardy try, having stayed for 5 hrs. in the chilling winds, and surviving our human intruders. But nothing really paranormal occurred. Unless you count on the malfunctioning street light, and malfunctioning camera equipment. As well as some unusal condensation, on a couple of leather equipment bags.
Tired and weary, we packed up and headed back to our vehichle. Still no closer to solving the Urban Legend surrounding Lottie's grave.
It was a pretty uneventful evening, but I feel it was a good learning opportunity for Meredith. To learn what it is like to go on a Ghost Hunt, and how to overcome your natural insecurity and apprehensions of spending time in Cemeteries at night!
I'm sorry it was not a more productive, and exciting hunt! But it was still an adventure that neither of us will soon forget!
Dave
[ November 03, 2002, 01:29 AM: Message edited by: KellKell ]
Dave, what a great story. I can't stop laughing as I picture it. Unfortunately, it is more typical of the hunts I have been on. It amazes me that people are so focused on ghost that they don't realize they will be stumbling around and sitting in deserted, dark, cold areas prone to visits by wildlife both animal and teens. That not all visitor's intentions are scientific and that you are not the only one that wants to check out the stories.
It ain't all glamour!![[Big Grin]](graemlins/grinner.gif)
It ain't all glamour!
![[Nerd]](graemlins/nerd.gif)