Phone Calls From the Dead with Angie Breeden

It took her two years, but Angie Breeden, the founding force behind the St. Albans Paranormal Discussion Group, finally took to the podium herself and gave an OUTSTANDING talk about a topic that has personally fascinated me for years. As the group's regular year wound down, the focus on September's meeting was Phone Calls From the Dead!

Ever since telephones have existed, there have been calls received by very confused individuals who have wondered just who or what was trying to reach them. Short, static-filled communications with the voice of someone you know is deceased, talking in a far-away, monotone voice. Long conversations with family and friends, only to find out later that the person who called couldn't have---because they were already dead at the time. Even phone calls from LIVING persons, giving very specific information despite the fact that it was proven they never picked up the phone and dialed. All of these types of cases and more are explored in the 1970's book, Phone Calls From the Dead, by D. Scott Rogo and Raymond Bayliss. 

The work of Rogo and Bayliss made of the basis of the presentation and examples of their cases found in the book were shared and explored. Angie talked about the different types of paranormal phone calls, and even some theories about just how or why these things could be happening. But, as phones evolved from the standard land lines that most homes had when the book was written, into cordless, and then cell, and then smart phones, the types of communication evolved, too. And, of course, we had to discuss some recent cases as well. We learned about the case of Charles Peck, a man who was killed in a horrific train accident in 2008. His cell phone continued to call his family for a staggering 11 hours until his body was found.  A REALLY spooky case, complete with audio, that we discussed was the 2018 case where 911 call came in from a funeral home in Colorado. The operator called the number back, and someone actually answered, but the only thing that came across was an eerie man's voice, seemingly asking for help. 

Just as the phone technology and types of communication have evolved over the years, so have the research and man's quest to actively create a way to call back! From Thomas Edison's Spirit Phone to Gary Schwartz's modern work with the Soulphone, it seems as if we aren't really too much closer in understanding how a being without a physical voice box can manifest a voice through our available electronics. 

These two books were recommended. 
Luckily, I have them in my personal library!

As Angie wrapped up the presentation, she asked the group if anyone had any personal phone calls from the dead. It took a few moments for someone to speak up, but after that first story, the related stories continued to flow. Although it doesn't seem like anyone had a classic, textbook example of one of these phone calls from the dead, plenty of people had experienced other unexplained phone anomalies, and other instances of spirit communication, through dreams and a variety of ITC methods. I even got to share my own experience of a dream of a phantom phone call (Gary's Phone Call). 

It was a great presentation on a really cool topic, and has probably been one of my top 3 favorite talks so far! I'm sad to see the year winding down. September was the final 'lecture' meeting of 2023. Our annual Halloween Party will be held on October 25th, and we'll be taking November and December off for the holidays. I can't wait to see what great new speakers and subjects are in store for the new year, and look forward to meeting even MORE fellow paranormal enthusiasts and having some great conversations!

Please come follow the St. Albans Paranormal Discussion Group on Facebook for more information on the upcoming schedule. The group meets at the St. Albans Historical Society building on the last Wednesday of each month. We'd love for you to join us for the Halloween party. Come in costume, bring a dish to share, and have an evening of spooky fun...and then come back in January! 

Isaac Yates: A WV Penitentiary Story

Former site of the Death House and Gallows
at WV State Penitentiary. After the death penalty
was abolished, the space was turned into
basketball courts for the North Hall rec yard.

The second half of 1909 was a roller coaster of a time for Isaac N. Yates, a black man from McDowell County, West Virginia. That summer, he was arrested and convicted for the horrific crime of rape against his own 14 year old daughter. It took no time at all for a jury to convict him, and for him to be sentenced to hang at the West Virginia State Penitentiary on June 18th.

Around the same time, another black man from McDowell County---Arthur Brown---was convicted for murdering another man, and was also given a death sentence, to be carried out on the same day. Together, the two were transported to the penitentiary in Moundsville to await their fate in the dreaded Death House.

But, fate would be on their side. After a plea to WV Governor Glasscock, both men were granted a stay of execution until August 27th. This is where Brown's luck would end; he was hanged on that date after a full confession of his crime (I'll be posting another blog about him). He went to the gallows with as much dignity as a man who had killed a fellow man could muster. He was said to have an outstandingly cool, calm demeanor.

Meanwhile, Isaac Yates was also displaying behaviors not usually exhibited by a doomed man. Between June and August, the 117 pound man ballooned up to a weight of 171 pounds. He was all smiles, cheerfully chatting and laughing with guards. He even composed a song about his plight. In it, he praised Governor Glasscock for saving his life, but also blamed his own daughter for lying about the attack and getting him arrested. 

By order of the governor, Yates was examined by Dr. L.V. Guthrie of Huntington and Dr. A.J. Lyons of Spencer. Both men agreed that Yates was mentally irresponsible for his actions if not downright insane. As a result, August 27th only saw one man going to the gallows, while Yates was granted another three month reprieve. His new tentative execution date was set for December 3rd. Meanwhile, he would be watched closely to see if he really WAS mentally unsound, or simply faking it to avoid death. 

In late November, Captain Dawson of the WV State Penitentiary made a statement that he believed Yates was truly of unsound mind. As the state would not execute a man of unsound mind, he predicted that Yates' sentence would be commuted to a sentence of life imprisonment. This is the last time that Mr. Yates pops up in the newspaper archives that *I* have access to. I wasn't able to find any additional information on him, including any sort of WV death certificate. What is important, though, is that Mr. Yates' name does not appear on the list of the 112 state sanctioned executions carried out at the former WV State Penitentiary at Moundsville. 

Was he guilty of the crime? If so, was he of sound mind, or was he faking it? And what was his fate? It's possible he lived the rest of his days at the penitentiary. It's also possible that he was granted parole at some point. A further possibility is that he was transferred to one of the state hospitals for the mentally ill. What I personally want to know is how anyone in 1909 could pack on an astonishing 54lbs in just a few months, eating nothing but prison rations! 

*MORE WV State Penitentiary Articles*

Sources:

Yates Will Not Hang. 24 November 1909. The Point Pleasant Register.

Isaac Yates Granted Respite. 26 August 1909. The Independent Herald (Hinton, WV).

Respite Granted. 24 June 1909. The Clarksburg Telegram.

Composes Song. 14 July 1909. The Point Pleasant Register.

He Grows Fat. 25 August 1909. The Point Pleasant Register.

The Bleeding Tombstone of Appleton, Wisconsin

Photo by Find-a-Grave Contributor 
Matthew J. Preissner

It's Spooky Season here on Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State, but also in my own home. Well, it's Spooky Season for me year-round...but beginning in mid-September, I'm finally able to get my kid on-board. One of the ways we 'celebrate' is to take advantage of the 10-15 minutes we have each weekday morning waiting in the school drop-off line to watch a quick video about a spooky legend or story. We really like the videos of Jessii Vee, who recently did a story on a cursed tombstone located in Appleton, Wisconsin! 

The tombstone in question sits down a secluded path in the Riverside Cemetery of Appleton, WI. The plot sits by itself overlooking the river, but the tombstone is a large, beautiful piece of art which was undoubtedly quite expensive in its day. If you're lucky enough to stumble across this tombstone, you've stumbled across the final resting place of Kate Blood. 

There are those in town who swear that by the light of a full moon, blood will drip down the face of the tombstone, oozing over the engraving of Kate's name and birth/death dates. Others will say this stone gives off an eerie heat, even  in the coldest weather. Some have even sworn to see an apparition of a woman crouching behind the tombstone, as if hiding from the prying eyes of anyone who dares approach the grave. 

Like many cursed tombstones around the country, the grave of Kate Blood comes with an accompanying back story that tries to validate the activity. In the most popular version of the legend, Kate was a murderous witch. She killed her husband and three children with an axe, before taking her own life. As a result of her misdeeds, she was buried away from the rest of the cemetery. In an alternate version, Kate's husband murdered HER, and presumably, the bleeding tombstone is a reminder to all of the tragedy that took her too soon. 

While actual history doesn't line up with either versions of the legend, it is true that Kate was a young woman who was taken from this world too soon.

Kate Marcia Blood was born on May 4, 1851. Her parents, Colonel Henry L. and Theresa Blood, were some of the earliest settlers in the area, responsible in part for laying out the town. Kate, or Kitty as she was known, was one of the first children born into the new fledgling community. As she grew into womanhood, she would marry George Miller, editor of the local newspaper, the Appleton Post. She was described by all who knew her as beautiful, accomplished, sweet and amiable. She came from a good, Methodist family, and was beloved by all who knew her.

Unfortunately, she would take ill with the dreaded consumption (which we call tuberculosis today). In an effort to try to cure her disease, her family took her on a trip. She became one of thousands in those days to head for Colorado, believing the state's fresh air had a curative effect on consumption. She never made it. While making a stop in Lawrence, Kansas, Kitty Blood Miller passed away. Her date of death is listed as either December 28th or December 29th, 1874. 

Kitty's body was brought home by train and the town mourned her death. She left behind a young daughter of two years of age, as well as her husband, George. She was only 23 years old. 

The town moved on, and George moved on, remarrying and living another 40+ years. But, by the river in Riverside Cemetery stood a stone monument with the name Kate BLOOD boldly emblazoned on it, sparking a legend that would endure for decades. But, Kate isn't the only BLOOD  who has had an unfortunate claim made about them based largely, if not solely, on the idea of their name alone. While Blood is a common English surname, it can be a little...jarring...seeing it on a tombstone.

West Virginia has its own bleeding tombstone legend, located in Huntington's Woodmere Cemetery. Here, near the main entrance, is the grave of Edith Blood, known as Mother Blood, a rumored midwife with a penchant for murdering babies. Again, there is no historical basis to the legend, and a perfectly reasonable explanation for the rust colored stains that actually do mar the surface of the tombstone. You can read all about THAT legend here: (Legends of Woodmere Cemetery: Mother Blood)

Sources and Further Reading:

Collar, Jim. Kate Blood: The Woman Behind the Urban Legend. Post Crescent (October 28, 2015)

Appleton Post
7 January 1875

Did Members of the Flatwoods Monster Fleet Make it to Raleigh County?

Source

1952 was a BIG year for ufology, especially here in the Mountain State! By now, most of my readers are going to be pretty darn familiar with the September 12th sighting in Flatwoods (Braxton County) by a group of school boys, National Guardsman Eugene Lemon, and mother of two of the kids, Kathleen May. What they encountered up on a hill on the Fisher farm would forever be known throughout the world of high strangeness and eventually into the mainstream, as the Flatwoods Monster. 

Skeptics will just say that the boys followed a meteor, and were surprised by an owl sitting in the tree branches. And, while its true that reports of a meteor were reported that night over several states (including West Virginia) what they saw was no owl. It was a spade-headed, red-faced monstrosity with glowing yellow eyes, stick-like arms, and what can only be described as a lower half shaped like a pleated skirt. 

Sounds pretty far-fetched, right? Despite the documented physical effects from the encounter and the fact that none of these witnesses had any reason to lie...or to NOT be familiar with what an owl looked like...it's a super strange story. It just doesn't FIT in with more common UFO reports. But because of all that, that's why I think this story has continued to fascinate so many people over the years. However, the story doesn't end in Flatwoods...

Following the Flatwoods encounter on September 12th would come the Frametown Monster incident the next evening, when a couple with a young baby driving along State Route 4 between Frametown and Gassaway had their car engine stall, and witnessed a reptilian creature before finally being able to drive off. There was also the Bashful Billy incident in Wheeling, WV on September 15th where a 'meteor' crashed near the Vineyard Hills housing development, but disappeared...not before the rumors started flying though. I'll be covering both of these cases in future blogs, but for today, I wanted to focus on two reports from Raleigh County that came out in the days following the Flatwoods sighting.

Flatwoods Monster

The first sighting comes just the day after the initial Flatwoods encounter, on Saturday September 13th. Around 11pm, 16 year old Franklin Smedley and two other boys witnessed what looked like gallon-bucket sized orange objects flying over an area of Raleigh County called East Gulf. Franklin initially saw two of the objects, which moved faster than any airplane he'd ever seen, but didn't say anything because he didn't believe in flying saucers. However, when four more of the objects showed up, he alerted his friends, and all three got a good look at the objects.

The next morning, Smedley's father would tell the tale of the flying saucers during Sunday school. It was then that Mr. Shelby Deaner felt brave enough to confirm that he and his wife had also seen the objects the previous night. The couple was out watching for meteors, but shortly after going inside to get ready for bed, Mrs. Deaner looked out the window and alerted her husband. They both saw two orange objects at the same time the boys' had seen them and noted that they appeared to be moving at least twice as fast as an airplane that had passed overhead thirty minutes earlier.

The Smedley/Deaner report of East Gulf was documented in the Tuesday, September 16th edition of the Raleigh Register and reported without bias. However, an article appearing a few days later in the same publication would be a little more...tongue-in-cheek. It shared the story of Mrs. Earl Hutchinson of Skelton who reported 'something shiny' seen in the sky near the Greenbrier Dairy (Interesting side note: My grandfather was working at the Greenbrier Dairy at this time!) This thing didn't zoom across the sky like the Smedley/Deaner objects. Rather, it hovered. Mrs. Hutchinson initially believed it was a man with a parachute, as the object appeared to swing back and forth and jump up and down. That article expresses the idea that maybe the Flatwoods Monster was en route to Beckley to meet up with some other monsters? (Check out my Beasts of Beckley blog!)

So just what was going on in mid September of 1952? Why were all of these UFO/Monster sightings reported across the state within just days of each other? It simply could have been monster mania brought on by a recent meteor shower and a series of misidentifications and hoaxes. Or, it could be something else. In his book, The Braxton County Monster: The Cover Up of the Flatwoods Monster Revealed, author Frank Feschino poses a very interesting theory. Feschino believes that there was actually some sort of 'invasion' of the east coast by flying saucers.  In the case of the Flatwoods Monster, perhaps it was either shot down or crashed and subsequent sightings were follow-up rescue missions, other crafts that crashed/were shot down, etc. I can't possibly do this theory justice within a few lines, so definitely check out the book for a better understanding. 

What's important to remember is that the Flatwoods Monster is just the tip of the iceberg. That's the story that everyone seems to know, and for good reason. It has solid witnesses who stuck to their story, a unique creature unlike any other, and has been well-documented and shared throughout the years. But, the Flatwoods Monster was not the only strange thing reported in West Virginia that week! 

Keep your eyes to the skies and your heart and mind open! 

The Raleigh Register
21 September 1952

The Raleigh Register
16 September 1952