Tag: Knox Paranormal Researchers

Haunted Trails of Big Ridge

by KPR_Ryan, posted in Blog, Hiking, History, Informative, Location, Paranormal, Travel

Ghost House Trail

There are several claims of activity involving the Ghost House Trail.  The first has to do with Maston Hutchinson’s daughter Mary. Mary’s loved ones claimed to hear her cries coming from the bedroom just hours after she had fallen victim to tuberculosis.  People walking near the spot where the house used to stand claim to still hear Mary’s 17430933_10208791478605245_910868593_ocries.  A phantom dog has also been spotted on the trail.  This claim dates back to the same night that Mary died.  Her family and friends were traveling along the road leading to the where house once stood when a dog appeared out of the woods and crossed the path.  Park goers claim to hear the panting of the dog coming from the woods.  The final claim about this trail revolves around the family cemetery.  Many claim that if you take a picture near the graves you can see the silhouettes of the long dead standing behind them in the picture.  The name Ghost House Trail certainly seems to be a fitting name for this trail.

Indian Rock Trail

17408026_10208791479005255_1680745878_oThe trail leads past the spot where Peter Graves was ambushed, scalped and killed by
Native Americans.  On many occasions, hikers have claimed to see the mutilated body of Peter walking around the area where he was brutally murdered.

Old Mill Trail

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Norton Grist Mill marks the spot where a young girl was hung by her father.  She had been accused of being a witch.  Her sprit is said haunt the trail that leads to the mill.  Not much else is known about this haunting.

The Man in the Woods17408374_10208791480325288_1540679224_o

On many occasions, park visitors have seen a man walking in the woods far from the nearest trails.  This man has been spotted by park rangers, who describe him as being middle-aged and wearing a red flannel shirt and gray work pants.  He never speaks, just simply materializes and vanishes with out a trace.  No one knows who this man is or if it is even paranormal.

Our Investigation:

For more info, check out these sites:

https://rootsrated.com/stories/exploring-east-tennessees-eerie-trails

http://archive.knoxnews.com/news/local/haunted-hikes-planned-in-big-ridge-state-park-ep-402840410-357467771.html

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/haunted-tn-hike/

Mingus Cemetery

by KPR_Ryan, posted in Blog, History, Informative, Location, Travel

Location

Mingus cemetery is located in Cherokee, NC.  In order to get to the cemetery, you must hike along the Mingus Creek Trail for about 2.5 miles.  There are a couple of trail marks along the way that will let you know if you are still headed in the right direction. The trailhead is located about three quarters of a mile north of the Oconaluftee Visitors Center.

 

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The Mingus Cemetery is also known as the Mingus (Watson) Cemetery. Based own what is known about the cemetery, there are 29 marked graves in total.  The graves are believed to be from early pioneers from the area. The cemetery appears to have started sometime in the early to middle 1800s The graves are only marked by fieldstones, and of these stones only one grave is marked with a name.  Most of the graves belong to the Mingus and Watson families.  Many members of the Mingus family worked at the mill which is located at the start of the trail.  The mill, which opened in 1886, provided much needed cornmeal to the area. In that time period, cornmeal was a well sought after commodity, as it was part of most families’ main diet.

 

Known Graves

The only headstone in the entire cemetery with a name marked on it belongs to Mrs. Polly Mathis.  From what we where able to find there are only six graves that have been identified.

Polly Mathis                        b. 1888  d.193416934095_10208605053744740_527046014_n

Sarah Elizabeth Harris     b. 1847  d. 1919

Ephraim Mingus                b. 1794  d. 1847

Henry Adolphus Smith    b. 1848  d. 1916

Thomas Willard Watson  b. 1917  d. 1917

William Henry Watson     b.1834  d. 1904

EVP Sessions

While we were there, we conducted a few EVP sessions at different parts of the cemetery.  We started by asking general questions to any spirit that could have been around.  We then turned our questions to Mrs. Polly Mathis.  Finally, we conducted a session on the far right side of the cemetery near the smaller graves.  Believing that these graves may belong to children, we asked  a variety of questions to the children.  We reviewed the sessions but nothing audible was captured.

At Peace

We believe that most of the people that where laid to rest in the Mingus Cemetery are at peace.  The location of these cemetery is simply beautiful and very peaceful.  If there are any spirts still wandering around the cemetery, we were unable to communicate with them and hope that they may some day find peace.

 

 

 

Helen’s Bridge EVP Sessions

by KPR_Ryan, posted in Blog, Equipment, Informative, Location, Paranormal, Update

During our trip to Asheville we decided to stop by the infamous Helen’s Bridge. While we where there we conducted several EVP sessions which we intended to post to our YouTube channel.  However, upon further review of the sessions we found that they were heavily contaminated with sounds from the near by city and the wind.  We have decided not to post these EVP sessions because of the contamination.

Next Time 13054463_10206191305042531_83078164_o

When we return to Helen’s Bridge for a full investigation it will be at night, in hopes to reduce the amount of audio contamination.  For the full investigation we will be bringing our EMF meter, infrared camera, and the spirit box.  The EMF meter should prove to be very useful, we can conduct several different test with it and since there are no power lines above the bridge the results should not be contaminated.  If the claims are true about the apparition of girl the infrared camera will help to capture evidence of her existence.  We have had a lot of success with the spirit box during our investigations and the results are harder to contaminate than EVP sessions.

Directions

If you are interested in checking out Helen’s Bridge for yourself, here is a map to help you find it.  The dot on the map is almost the exact location of the bridge.  If you follow College St all the way to the end you will eventually cross under the bridge.  At the intersection of Vans Gap Rd, Beaucatcher Rd and College St there is a little area to park your car in.  From there, their is a little trail that will take you up to the top of the bridge.  Hopefully these directions are helpful.

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Asheville Trip – Travel Blog

by Idols to Enemies, posted in Blog, History, Informative, Uncategorized, Update

Hey, everyone! It’s been a long time since we posted an update, so I wanted to start off with an explanation…

For the past year, we’ve been researching several places throughout Tennessee. There are so many potentially haunted locations out there to explore, and we have reached out to a great many of them, trying to get a feel for where to investigate next. What we’ve come across in the vast majority of the cases has been that each site comes down to one of three things: the location wants us to carry some type of insurance policy so their business is protected (understandable), they want monetary compensation, or they’ve had bad experiences with paranormal teams in the past that have set them against the idea of any other groups coming in.

A couple of these leave us in a position to simply not be able to pursue them at this time, so we’re trying to prioritize the locations that require payment up front to come investigate. That’s part of what this trip to Asheville this past Sunday was about. We’re starting to also look outside the state of Tennessee for more ideas.

Zealandia (Asheville, NC)

Our first destination of the day was to a castle nestled in the hills above the city of Asheville known as Zealandia. Unfortunately, we arrived only to find the property hidden behind a gated driveway. We attempted to visit the Asheville Mystery Museum to gather more info on the place, but unfortunately they were closed at the time. The video below shows a local group investigating the inside of the castle. Looks like a very cool place, but we’ll need to find a better point of contact for obtaining more info on how to get in before this lead is going anywhere.

Helen’s Bridge (Asheville, NC)

 

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Not far from Zealandia, you can find the somewhat famous Helen’s Bridge. It is said that a woman named Helen, who lived in Zealandia, lost her daughter in a fire on the property, and was so distraught that she hung herself from the bridge. Now she haunts the bridge to this day. We performed a couple of EVP sessions that yielded no results. However, we do intend to return for a follow-up investigation with more equipment at some point.

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Lewis Memorial Park (Asheville, NC)

We visited this park briefly after reading claims of apparitions of a Confederate soldier appearing in the park on horseback. Honestly, it was simply a peaceful graveyard.

Grove Park Inn (Asheville, NC)

13054391_10206191289162134_208248189_oThis place… well, it’s awesome. Grove Park Inn is an absolutely beautiful resort overlooking the mountains. The grand architecture and sheer size of the complex is awe-inspiring, and to top it off, turns out there’s a great ghost story with a lengthy history here. Apparitions of the “Pink Lady” have been reported since the 1950’s. Dozens of people have had first-hand experiences with this ghost, and while she has been seen in multiple spots all over the Main Inn, there is something extra appealing about room 545 to this particular ghost. I think it’s safe to say we will attempt to investigate these claims further in the near future. (Also, this Peet’s Coffee place inside the resort is legit.)

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The Covered Bridge (Elizabethton, TN)

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On our way back home, we stopped at this historic bridge. Though I’m skeptical to say it’s haunted, there was a murder of a young couple that took place on this bridge. Regardless of whether their ghosts still linger around the landmark, there is an ominous feeling one gets while standing in it’s presence. Perhaps it is just an overwhelming sense of the history you’re standing amidst, with colonial era homes right across the street, or maybe it is something supernatural. Either way, it is a spot worth checking out sometime if it isn’t too far out of the way for you.

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What are EMFs?

by KPR_Ryan, posted in Blog, Equipment, Informative, Paranormal

If you have ever watched a paranormal show before, you have probably heard the term EMF.  EMF EMFstands for Electromagnetic Frequency or Electromagnetic Field.  EMFs can come from anything that has an electrical current running through it:  (Microwaves, Refrigerators, Power Outlets, Electrical Boxes, etc..).  There are also some outside sources of EMFs such as transformers and power lines, which normally generate extremely high EMFs.  The stronger the current the stronger the EMF will be.  EMFs are measured in milligaus levels.  These levels are measured with EMF meters which are essential pieces of equipment for any paranormal group.

Side-effects of High EMFs

Some people are very sensitive to high EMFs.  Being sensitive to EMFs can lead to many different side-effects.  Such as:

  • Burning sensations on your face
  • Tingling sensations in your extremities
  • Swelling of the sinus cavity, with actually having an infection
  • Skin Rashes
  • Disorientation
  • Headaches and body aches
  • Nausea
  • Hallucinations
  • Anxiety
  • Impaired Vision
  • Emotional Instability

These symptoms are not present in everyone, but they can explain some claims of paranormal activity.

EMFs and the Paranormal

Many experts believe that when a spirit manifests itself it will give off an electromagnetic field.  High EMFs can also lead to spirit manifestation.  The EMFs generated by spirit manifestations are generally not long and not very high levels, so there normally aren’t any health risk to worry about.  It is important that you do an initial EMF sweep of the area that you plan on doing an EMF test in, that way you’ll know if there is anything in the area that can cause a spike.

Legends of Sensabaugh Tunnel

by KPR_Ryan, posted in Blog, History, Location

Legends of Sensabaugh TunnelDSCN2677

Sensabaugh tunnel has been a part of Tennessee folklore for years. Built in the 1920’s in Kingsport, TN and named after the man that owned the land, Edward Sensabaugh. A stream flows around and through the tunnel and the walls are covered in graffiti.

There are several claims of activity in Sensabaugh tunnel.  One of the most frequently reported ones is the sound of a crying baby.  It is also said that the apparition of a women will appear in the back seat of your car while driving through.  Another one of the most common claims of activity, suggests that if you turn your car off when you are in the middle of the tunnel, you will not be able to turn it on again until you push it out of the tunnel. Many tales are in circulation about Edward and how the tunnel became haunted, every one of them differs depending on the source.

The Act of Kindness

Ed once let a homeless man into his house as an act of kindness.  Shortly afterwards, the man tried to steal jewelry from Ed’s wife.  Ed grabbed a gun and confronted the man. The man grabbed Ed’s infant daughter and ran from the house.  It is said the he drowned the baby in the tunnel during his escape.

Crazed Madman

One tale revolves around Ed being a madman.  Legend has it that, one night, Ed went crazy and murdered his wife and child.  Ed proceeded to place the bodies inside the tunnel.  No one really knows why he snapped.

“Get Out of My Tunnel”

Ed was always very protective of his land.  In the 1950’s teenagers started to use the tunnel for many devious things.  This upset Ed greatly.  So, he started hiding in the woods and when a vandal would show up, he would let out a shrill that would echo through the tunnel.  Needless to say this would scare off any unwanted visitors hiding inside.

Shelter from the Storm

One stormy night a mother and her child where driving through Kingsport.  As the storm grew worse the mother decided that the roads where no longer safe to travel.  When she came upon Sensabaugh Tunnel she stopped.  They would not survive the night.  The next morning their bodies were discovered inside the car, which was parked in the middle of the tunnel. Nobody knows exactly what happened to cause their sudden deaths or if it is even true.

                                                                                                                                                                    

 

What we found…

Regardless of the origin story, we visited Sensabaugh Tunnel for an investigation.  During the investigation we tested the claim of if you turn your car off in the middle of the tunnel.  We tired turning the car off several times, in both directions, and the car always started back. After spending several hours there and having not felt or experienced anything, we concluded the investigation.  During the review process, to our amazement we found an EVP that sounds exactly like a baby crying.  We hope to visit the tunnel at a later date in hopes that we can prove or debunk some of the other claims of activity.

History of Bethesda Church in Russellville, TN

by Idols to Enemies, posted in Blog, History, Informative, Location

100_1003Constructed in 1835, Bethesda Presbyterian Church is a remnant of the Civil War’s effect on East Tennessee. As the war began, the congregation divided in two: many sided with the Confederacy, though many more still were Union sympathizers. During this period, the church closed its doors. The Battle of Bean Station took place on December 14, 1863. After this historic battle, Confederate General James Longstreet arrived at Bethesda Church with 25,000 men who were stationed on the land until February 1864. During this time, the church served as a hospital. In the cemetery just outside the church doors, over 80 unknown soldiers were buried in mass graves. While some Union soldiers were laid to rest here, most of the unknown dead are presumed to have fought for the Confederacy.

In October, Federal troops pushed closer to the encampment at Bethesda during an engagement 100_1000known as “Vaughn’s Stampede.” In November, Confederate troops pushed the Union soldiers back west towards Knoxville. This battle is known as “Gillem’s Stampede.” During this push, a cannonball smashed through the eastern wall and caused severe structural damage. The walls were quickly repaired and reinforced with iron bracings and rods that can be seen in the photo to the right. The original pulpit and high-backed pews remain to this day, and the floors lie permanently stained with the blood and disdain of our American predecessors.

As the war ended and soldiers from both sides began to return home, the congregation attempted to compromise and reconvene. Sporadic services dotted the calendars. Between 1866 and 1871, sympathizers of each cause sat in the outer pews, leaving the middle column empty. Eventually, one side left and helped form the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown. The remaining church body stayed through 1875. However, in time, the majority began attending the new Russellville Presbyterian Church.

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Bethesda has remained closed since that time, save for a few irregular services held for major Christian holidays such as Easter. Now the building stands to serve as a reminder of the sacrifice of our ancestors in East Tennessee. Within its walls and grounds lies the story of a church body that symbolized the civil issues of the time. This once-unified group of people was just another casualty of a war among brothers.

 

As for potential paranormal activity, many have claimed to see apparitions of restless Confederate soldiers both inside and outside the church. The apparition of a weeping woman has also been seen on the far side of the cemetery. Her cries are often heard late at night. We have also heard reports of a “witch” buried on the grounds near the woods.

We investigated Bethesda Church and the surrounding grounds this past Sunday evening. Check back soon to see what we found!

Interview with Demonologist Darren Holland

by KPR_Ryan, posted in Blog, Interview

We were recently contacted by someone who has been having problems in their workplace with a troublesome entity. They said that it looked demonic. We have never dealt with a malicious or demonic entity before, so we reached out to several people for advice. We found one individual to be a wealth of knowledge. His name is Darren Holland, he is a demonologist and the lead investigator of Demonic Encounters Paranormal Investigators. We asked him if he could do an interview so that we could share his knowledge with others.

KPR: How long have you been investigating demonic activity?

Darren: I have been investigating demonic activity for roughly 6 years now.

KPR: What was your first demonic encounter?

Darren: My first demonic encounter was with a demonic entity named Meridianna. She is an underling or ‘subservient’ of Lillith who is widely regarded throughout most religions as the ‘Queen of Demon’s’.

Meridianna is a succubus who was sexually attacking a middle-aged gentlemen over several months to the point where the entity had become so attached to the gentlemen it was as if it had fallen in love.

KPR: What are some signs that you look for in order to determine if a haunting is demonic?

Darren: I always look for pungent smells, reactions to holy objects, changes in temperature, unexplained lethargy, unexplained fires, phone calls from within the house. An increase in activity around 3AM is always a good sign (bad sign for the victims) especially if the activity happens in waves of 3.

KPR: What is the difference between a demonic and malevolent spirit?

Darren: A demonic entity is pure evil and his/her hatred for man is the driving force behind their existence.

A malevolent spirit is a person who has died but who hasn’t passed on. In their living life they were wicked people who took pleasure in inflicting pain and suffering on other people. They enjoy doing this in death.

KPR: Is there any advice that you can give to paranormal groups that have never encountered a demonic entity?

Darren: Study the history of the area. Is there anything that indicates worship or sacrifice to a particular demon? Never openly challenge the demon or mock it. The last thing we want as investigators is to turn the demons attention onto us. What we must always remember is that we can only banish the demon; only an angel of God can truly defeat it permanently.

KPR: Have you ever dealt with a possession?

Darren: Yes, I have. Fortunately, I had an experienced exorcist with me who was certified by the Vatican to carry the exorcist out.

KPR: What protections are most effective?

Darren: Faith in God. Faith in your team. Apart from that there are no protections that can truly protect you.

KPR: How do you keep things from following you home?

Darren: My house is blessed twice a week by my parish priest. I also wash myself in holy water after an investigation.

KPR: Do you have any suggestions for investigators that like to use Ouija Boards?

Darren: Place four candles around the board and four burning sage sticks. Wash the board in rock salt water or fan it through the same smoke with a bird’s feather to cleanse it.

Say an affirmation making sure you clearly revoke permission for any spirit or demon to approach the board. If the plachette moves to all four corners or does a continuous figure of 8 this indicates a demonic entity and the board should be closed immediately.

 

We would like to extend a huge thanks to Darren for his insight and encourage everyone to check out his team’s website and follow him on Twitter.

It’s been a huge week for KPR…

by Idols to Enemies, posted in Blog, Update

Every night this week, KPR has been meeting and brainstorming about what we can do to take the next step forward, and we’ve got some exciting details to share with you guys.

Official Gear

First up, we’re in the process of ordering some official team T-shirts. If you’d be interested in getting one of your own, please let us know and we’ll try to work something out.

New Investigation Equipment11034841_10203775420566929_1652343002_o

We also just got some brand new gear to use on our next investigation! We now have two new handheld audio recorders, a mic for better audio quality on some anticipated interviews, an EMF detector, and a temperature gun (which would’ve really been a handy thing to have during our investigation of the Baker-Peter’s house when we all noticed a significant temperature change but had nothing on hand to really prove it).

An Aggressive Entity?

We’ve been recently approached by someone concerned that a harmless spirit that has roamed their building for quite some time is now accompanied by something more malicious. We’ve been asked to investigate, so we set up an interview with Darren Holland, a consultant demonologist, in preparation. We’ll have that interview up on our site in the near future.

Next location is LOCKED DOWN!

…And we couldn’t be more excited. We’ve been graciously granted permission to investigate a haunted location in Morristown next weekend. That’s all we can say for now. We’ll reveal more details soon.

And a few surprises left on top of all that…

We have a couple other new pieces of equipment to utilize on our next investigation that we’ll just have to wait to show you! Plus, there are other things in the works that we can’t divulge quite yet. Rest assured, this is going to be a great year for our group! Exciting things to come.

Regards,

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