Elk Lake Dam, Wisconsin

With Halloween fast approaching, this week I've concentrated on filling out my Haunted America page with interesting, little known tales of intrigue from around our great country, and last night, I stumbled upon this tale from Wisconsin.  It is a sad tale, but another example of how paranormal investigators often find themselves giving a voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves.

The year was 1974.  On February 15, 25 year old Mary K. Schlais, an artist and recent graduate of the University of Minnesota, was found dead in a ditch on 408th Avenue, a half mile away from the Elk Lake Dam.  She was found stabbed to death after a man in the neighborhood (Denny Anderson) reported seeing a man driving an orange or gold compact car, possibly a Vega, dumping the body.  When Dunn County Sheriff Daryl Spagnoletti arrived on scene, the body was still warm.  Her coat and personal belongings were gone.  In all, Mary had received at least 12 stab wounds, not including the defensive injuries on her hands and arms where she fought her attacker.  It was theorized that Mary was hitchhiking to an art show in Chicago.  She had been known to hitchhike before, and her body was found a mere three hours after she had last been seen leaving her apartment.

Mary had been a suma cud laude graduate, and was about to apply to graduate school when she passed away.  In May of 1974, a new student art gallery at the University of Minnesota was dedicated in her honor.

Unfortunately, Mary's killer was never brought to justice, and even when her body was exhumed in 2009 from the Champlin Cemetery in Minnesota for DNA testing, the case remains a cold case, with many believing the killer was a local resident of Dunn County, Wisconsin.  In one lead, a photograph of a man was found at Mary's apartment, who slightly resembles the police sketch taken after the witness saw the man dumping the body.  No one has ever been able to identify the man in the photo, and Mary's brother, Don, theorizes that he may have simply been someone posing for one of Mary's art projects.

Over the years, there have been many ghost sightings from local citizens in and around the lake area that many believe are attributed to Mary.  Chad Lewis and Terry Fisk have researched the case and compiled these reports in their Unexplained Research website, as well as a book, the Wisconsin Road Guide to Haunted Locations.  Most of these sightings involve seeing a young girl along the side of the road, near the bridge.  Some have seen the full apparition, while others only report a shadowy figure that darts out of sight.  In one incident, two fishermen on the bank of the lake reported seeing the glowing apparition of a young woman behind them.  In another incident, a local elderly woman claimed to have daily conversations with a young woman who frequently showed up in her garden.  This young woman appeared every day, in the same outfit (a pink sweater and capris), and identified herself simply as Mary.  This incident happened in 1994, 20 years after Mary's death.  The woman's daughter thought her mother was experiencing dementia until she attended a lecture and learned of the murder that occurred in the neighborhood.  This elderly lady passed away in 1995, and its important to note that the clothes she saw Mary in were NOT the clothes she was found wearing when she passed away.

As this murder is still an open case, if you have any information that could help track down a killer and bring justice to Mary K. Schlais, please contact the Dunn County Sheriff's Office.

Nevada's Haunted Dake House

The Dake House is located in Genoa, Nevada, a town established in 1851 and often laying claim to being Nevada's first permanent settlement.  This Victorian style home was built in 1872 by Genoa's local undertaker, C.W. Dake, and was later sold to a T.P. Hawkins, former Pony Express Rider.  Over the years, the home served, among other things, as a justice of the peace office, and a post office.  Today, it is home to Antiques Plus, a large antique store owned by Mrs. Martha Williams.

In 1962, 14 year old Martha moved with her family from California and settled in the Dake Home, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  In 1980, she opened the first antique store in the home's carriage house, which slowly over the years came to encompass the entire home.

As Martha collected antiques to showcase in her beautiful home turned store, she also allegedly picked up a ghost or two.  The house itself had a long reputation in the community as being haunted, but Martha didn't really have any paranormal experiences until much later when she tried repeatedly to sell a turn of the century oil painting.  The oil painting, featuring a vase of beautiful pink roses, was said to have been either a copy of, or the original painting by a spiritualist medium during a seance in San Francisco.  According to some sources, this painting belonged to Martha's mother, Bernice.

While its sketchy as to who owned the painting, or exactly where it came from, what is known is that Martha tried to sell the painting at least three times.  Each time it was put up for sale, it would violently plunge off the wall, but in a manner as to not damage the painting, the nail, or the picture wire from which in hung.  The first time it happened, the force from which it fell was enough to hit a plug below and dislodge it from its socket, resulting in a shower of sparks.  The painting has since been taken off the market.

It took a painting being flung off the wall multiple times for Mrs. Williams to admit she might have a ghost, but other visitors to the Dake House needed even less convincing.  The apparition of a woman has been seen on the first floor, and a sweet smelling perfume has been observed in the parlor area.  Objects will disappear, only to reappear hours later in obvious locations and footsteps are heard coming from the upstairs bedrooms when no one is present on that floor.  In one particularly alarming incident, a customer was upstairs in a former bedroom when he was slapped on the head.  He made a hasty retreat.

Theories abound as to who the resident ghost or ghosts may be, but a visit to the antique store by ghost researcher Richard Senate, and his psychic wife, Debbie, may have shed some light.  Debbie felt a distinct presence of an older woman occupying the second floor of the store, and felt strongly that this woman had a connection with the owner of the building.  Mrs. Williams' mother Bernice, did live in the home before her death, but due to health problems, never spent any considerable time beyond the first floor.  Mrs. Williams, DID, however, note that it would not be out of character for her mother to slap the gentleman visitor if she felt he deserved it!

The house is still open as an antique store, and in 2010, celebrated its 30th anniversary.  It is an integral part of several different history and cultural events held in Genoa, and is a popular stop on the Genoa Historic Ghost Tours.  It is also open throughout the week.  The address is 2242 Main Street.

Photo of Dake House property of Thin Veil Investigators
Photo of Martha Williams and the "haunted painting" property of Jonni Hill of the Record-Courier

Paranormal Investigators (Funny)

It's officially Friday here, and I haven't posted a Friday Night Funny in a LONG time!  So here goes.  Today's submission is one of my favorite "I Do" posters, concerning we investigators, lol.

Oklahoma's Purple Church

On the outskirts of Spencer, Oklahoma there is a location so scary that the alleged paranormal activity that is said to take place there is the LEAST horrifying aspect of its history!

That location is the Purple Church.  This location isn't exactly a church...and it isn't exactly purple either.  Located off of rural Douglas Avenue, the Purple Church is actually a concrete foundation, with steps leading into an "underground" cellar type area.  There is speculation as to what this structure was originally used as, with the general consensus being that this was the cellar to either an old clapboard church or a private home, which was destroyed many years ago.  The "purple" comes from the many occult and "Satanic" symbols that are spray painted inside and out of the small structure.

Over the past 20 years or so, this structure has become one of Oklahoma's most infamous legend tripping locations, as scores of teens and young adults flock there in order for a good scare...and just about anyone who has visited for this purpose has not been disappointed.

The Purple Church has a long history of alleged Satanic cult rituals, and there are many sources online saying that Sean Sellers, the 16 year old alleged Satanist convicted of killing both his parents and a convenience store clerk, was instrumental in first using the property for these purposes.  One of the most prevalent beliefs is that when a full moon falls on a Saturday, cult members meet at the Purple Church to engage in a virgin sacrifice.  Similar tales involve mothers sacrificing newborn babies here.

Source: Professor Caleb Lack-Youtube

While there is little to no evidence that human sacrifices are, or have ever been, conducted at the Purple Church, there are plenty of eyewitness accounts that say that animal sacrifices are routinely conducted.  Dead and mutilated animals, as well as animal bones, have been found hanging from the trees, on make-shift altars, and along the path leading to the Purple Church.  In one tale, a witness claimed to have found a tub full of animal body parts.

As far as the paranormal stories go, there is actually very little information on that, although the Purple Church has a widespread reputation as a "haunted location."  Strange floating lights in the woods, disembodied voices, and a smell of death are the most widely reported incidents.  However, as I said....the paranormal aspects are the least of anyone's worries when visiting this site.

Again, many visitors to this site, including those in law enforcement, the military, and other stations in life we'd consider more "credible" when it comes to reporting, have had similar horrifying incidents with the living.  People claim to be chased out of the area by men in robes.  They've had shotguns pulled on them, or have otherwise been threatened.  Some witnesses claim that nails are regularly thrown into the road in order to damage tires, and possibly strand people in the area.  Others were chased down the road by someone in a large truck, usually with its headlights turned off.

The property is currently owned by the Chesapeake Energy Company and is private property.  In 2006, there were rumors spread  that the structure had been filled in, in order to cull the amount of thrill seekers, but subsequent investigations into the property have proved this to be false.  However, neighbors who live across the street from the turn off have been known to monitor the property and confront trespassers.  Please seek proper permission before exploring this legend for yourself!  Plus, there are ample YouTube videos where one can vicariously check out the location from the safety of behind the computer screen.

The video I've posted above is from a documentary made by Katherine Jones, a student at the University of Central Oklahoma, for a Science vs. Pseudoscience class.

More info from Only in Your State

HPIR and Team Toni!

This past weekend, HPIR once again was honored to help out with the Team Toni charity, this time in the form of an annual Poker Run!

For those who aren't familiar with Team Toni, this is a group of volunteers who have come together to help fight the dreaded "C-word."  Named in honor of Toni Black, an inspirational young lady who became a symbol of hope and strength to all in her own battle, Team Toni is responsible for fundraising, providing services to those battling cancer and their families, and spreading the message that together, we CAN make a difference.

Kelly, one of HPIR's investigators, has been instrumental in the Team Toni campaign since the beginning, being a close friend of Toni's and her family.  We've always been super proud of Kelly's devotion and dedication to this cause, and have helped out whenever we were able.  HPIR's involvement with Team Toni became even more personal when Kelly's mother, Diane, also an investigator with HPIR, was diagnosed with a malignant spot on her pancreas.

Last weekend's Poker Run raised funds to support Diane and her treatment, so HPIR was happy to pull together and do whatever we could do to help!  We also had a blast, as we tend to do whenever we get together!  I had never been to such an event, and it was overwhelming to see so many bikes and jeeps coming out to support this great cause. 

If you would like to become involved with Team Toni, whether its participating in one of the many diverse fundraisers, or as a volunteer for one of the many great services they offer, you can find more information at the link provided below.  And while HPIR is proud to support and partner with Team Toni, there are many other great ways the paranormal community is kicking cancer in the butt!

On a local level, this past spring The Original WV Paranormal hosted a conference in Nitro to raise funds for a local woman who fought her own battle.  On October 16th, another group out of Huntington, the Ohio River Believers Society (ORBS) will be hosting another event to benefit the American Cancer Society.

On a more national level, this year, September 15th was set aside as Paranormal Kicks Cancer Day, where groups from several different states held their own fundraising events to benefit the American Cancer Society.  Cancer is an issue that affects every single one of us in some way or another, and I urge all my colleagues out there in the paranormal community to step up and do something about it!

Team Toni

Mothman 2012 Re-Cap

I'm a little late in posting, but this year's Mothman Festival went really well!  For the first time in 2 years, HPIR returned to Vendor's Row and set up an information table for the group, as well as the tours.  We talked to a TON of people, including some from the Huntington area, and made some great contacts.  We also heard plenty of interesting, and sometimes horrifying, paranormal tales experienced by those who came to talk to us.  One of my personal highlights was learning the sign for "ghost" from a hearing impaired lady who we had a delightful chat with.

We also sold a lot of cool stuff!  Thanks to the awesomeness of ThinkTwice Buttons, are HPIR logo buttons came in early, and made a perfect promotional item.  Melissa, HPIR Founder/President, made the coolest chocolate Mothman suckers you've EVER seen, which sold like crazy...and also made a great snack for those of us working the table, lol!  I even managed to sell some Mothman candles I had made, and two remaining Haunted Huntington Preview books I found in my trunk.

The weather was beautiful, the crowds were plentiful, and as always, Jeff Wamsley was right on top of things, helpful and as kind as always.  Still, it felt like something was missing.  This is WV's biggest paranormal event of the year!  We talked to people who literally come in from every corner of the continental United States to attend this festival, yet the representation from the WV paranormal community was few and far between.  Also, as much as I LOVE the speakers that attend, I don't feel bad about not getting to go listen to them while working the table because they are the same speakers year after year, lol.  I've already heard all of them, and some even use the same basic presentation year after year, mixing things up only slightly.

Still...if you love anything that has to do with history, mysterious, WV, or the paranormal, this is THE event to attend.  The tours of downtown Pt. Pleasant and the TNT area are chocked full of exciting information.  There are great bands and great food to enjoy, and plenty of shopping for books, movies, jewelry, art, and the most outrageous Mothman souvenirs you can imagine.  The Lowe Hotel opens up for haunted history tours, and the speakers, while tedious to some of us, are extremely knowledgeable and cover a vast array of interesting information.  FREE movie screenings of Mothman related movies and documentaries shown at the historic (and haunted) State Theater cannot be missed.  Also cannot be missed:  a photo op with the Mothman statue...or the BACK of the Mothman statue, which features a well-formed, muscular metal buttocks, which was much to the delight of two pre-teen boys whose mother was busy at our table!

Next year, I'd LOVE to see the West Virginia paranormal community come out a little stronger and really let the world see the diversity and scope of  what we have to offer.  In a sense, this is OUR event, too, and it is a great opportunity to talk to a lot of interesting people.

Special shout-out to Bryna Butler of the Gallipolis area!  Bryna sat across from us at the festival, and is the author of a wonderful YA paranormal romance series.  The Midnight Guardian Series, set in Southern Ohio, looks REALLY awesome from what I've seen so far, and I'll be ordering my copy of the first book from Amazon shortly!  Thanks, Bryna, for your hospitality and for wearing our HPIR button!  Good luck with your book series!

Purchase Info for the Midnight Guardian Series

(Photos property of Melissa Stanley)

Book Review for Really Mysterious Pennsylvania

Title:  Really Mysterious Pennsylvania:  UFOs, Bigfoot, and Other Weird Encounters Casebook One

Author:  Stan Gordon

Copyright 2010

Author's Website 


Every year at the Mothman Festival, I try to pick up at least one non-fiction book from an author or speaker attending the event.  This year, that book was Stan Gordon's Really Mysterious Pennsylvania.  I was drawn to this book for several reasons...

Firstly, my boyfriend and I had just recently watched a documentary on the Kecksburg, PA UFO incident, and I recognized Mr. Gordon as one of the experts that worked on the film.  Secondly, I'm STILL feebly attempting my goal of becoming more informed on the topic of UFOs and thought this book, which deals with such, was a good fit.  Lastly, my collection of paranormal literature from the Pennsylvania region was lacking, lol.

Luckily, this book held up to my high expectations.  It's a fun look at not only UFO case files from Gordon's own work as a researcher, but it also delves into Bigfoot sightings, sightings of black panthers (sometimes referred to as alien big cats or ABCs in this field) and even things such as mysterious ice falls over the region.  It was well-organized and a very quick, interesting read.  While reading through it, I couldn't help but notice the dates of the reported UFO sightings, and began formulating a hypothesis about how February and August are the best months to view a UFO.  Unfortunately, a quick google search did not confirm this, but its something that, due to this book, I'm going to look into further and compile some data!

Overall, this was a really nicely laid out book featuring years of Pennsylvania sightings.  The only thing I would change is the fact that I'd like to see some of these entries fleshed out a little more.  As it stands, each entry is just a brief overview of the events.  I'd like to see more follow-up and more data collected from the cases that were investigated by Gordon and his colleagues.  But for a quick intro into the field of Pennyslvania Ufology/Cryptozoology, this is a great place to start!