The Hat Man
There are very few objective descriptions of this particular, and rather specialised, shadow entity.
Known as “The Dark Man, The Shadow Man or The Hat Man”, it’s appearance is said to be something of an omen. Though believed to be a shadow person capable of choking, scaring or instilling fear in those he visits, he is nonetheless a very unique take on the shadow archetype. Presenting itself as a tall, distinctively “male” presence, dressed in a formless black cloak and a wide-brimmed hat, this type of spirit has haunted numerous places the world over.
Some say they have seen him in their home, down a hallway or in the corner of a room. However, unlike shadows that seem to dissipate the moment they’re seen, the Hat Man tends to linger, intimidating those he targets. Some have had very physical experiences, been touched or felt breathing. Others have described him in dreams, a man in a cape and hat filtered through the dreamer’s subconscious and often manifesting thereafter in the waking hours.
This seemingly dark presence is known to cause - or be attracted by - hostile environments and aggressive behaviour. Those who see him are often witness to domestic disturbances and family breakdown, noting a tangibly negative atmosphere, sense of dread or hopelessness. For this reason, many have labelled the spirit a “demon”. An intelligent haunt, capable of both physical and psychological manipulation, the Hat Man may well be able to “oppress” those it comes in contact with, seeming to lend credence to this theory.
Regardless, the proliferation of this singular entity the world over is intriguing, and has allowed The Hat Man to carve its own place in modern paranormal lore.
Signs Of A Haunted House
Beware of the empty rocking chair. Some people are skeptical, but others claim they have experienced otherworldly residents living in their homes.
Sometimes this can be nerve wracking, but in some instances it may be a blessing. A spirit may interact with one or more residents of a home. This is called an intelligent haunting. When spirits seem to be ignorant of anything going on around them and do their tasks as when they were living, these are called a residual haunting. There are other types of paranormal activities, but these are the primary ghostly types. Haunted homes still house their previous occupants because of their love of the property or a tragic event may have held them in such fearsome state they don’t know how to leave or won’t leave. Unfortunately, the latter can be unsettling to try to live with. Many will not. Some simply don’t know they have died.
Some homes will have inexplicable happenings in them. Doors may open or footsteps heard in specific places in a home. Sometimes sounds of feet on hard wood floors will be made on carpeted floors. Dresser drawers may be heard opening and closing in empty rooms. One private residence has a very helpful spirit who is seen in her favorite window. She dusts furniture and performs other household tasks to keep her home neat. Another has a Civil War Colonel that still sits at the kitchen table enjoying the aromas and atmosphere. The living may not always see their apparitions, but their essence, works, or sounds may be present. People sensitive to entities experience these things and grow to accept them as just others living in their houses. They may appear in dreams as well as around the premises. Ghosts may need help or want to help another spirit or living person. They will try to speak in ways to get the living to aid them.
Cold spots that can’t be explained by a draft of any type are another common manifestation of a ghost. It’s a feeling one may get repeatedly in a certain place that seems to come and go. A thermometer to measure the general room temperature and then the particular cold area can verify that something may be going on. Basements have long been known to produce fear, but in some cases these fears are symptoms caused by gas heaters with improper ventilation or electrical hookups with high magnetic fields. Both can be safety hazards and should be checked. However, dastardly deeds may have occured in a cellar and haunting spirits be present.
Some entities are not sociable or nice to have around and may drive residents away or need to be exorcised for them to leave. They may cause an assortment of disturbances from breaking things to actually attacking individuals to scare them away. Remodeling, restructuring, or changing a dwelling in other ways can stir up spirits that might be not want the changes to happen. A residual haunting might be repeating a violent or unhappy circumstance, not really interacting with residents, but nonetheless, causing panic.
Renovations aren’t always alarming to those who have lived in a home before. In fact, some report that when a home is brought back to its glory days spirits may appear to show their approval at the continuation of care by the living residents. A smiling face may appear from a female appartion, a stately gentleman may tip his hat, or children may run playfully through the house. Many are never seen again.
Bobby Mackey’s Nightclub Ghosts
Many people have reported strange happenings inside the club including one man that was attacked in the bathroom, but no one was there. This alone would make the average person never go back. However, the haunting has made this the hottest nightclub to be at late in the evening. There are many ghosts that haunt the nightclub including a woman named Pearl. Pearl was rumored to have been decapitated for a satanic sacrifice.
Over the years, there are many deaths that occurred inside the walls of the now country music nightclub. This nightclub does have a reputation, but it is not for the music, it is because of the ghosts that haunt the club. Some investigators have experienced some horrific ghosts while in the nightclub. If you believe that ghosts do exist, then you can believe that ghosts do not always show. Some days the nightclub has no problems and other days, it is one thing after another. The demonic nature in the club is chilling according to many.
Because of all the deaths inside the walls, it is very possible that the ghosts are haunting the club. It may be that they are seeking revenge, but they could be trying to drive the business out. Although Bobby Mackey does not intend to sell the famous club, he may have some problems keeping customers if the ghosts get any meaner than they have already. One ghost tried to push an investigator down some steps. Then there is a ghost named Scott who repeated that it was his girlfriend’s fault that he and another man were dead. Could these ghosts be looking for justice?
We have to believe that ghosts are here for a reason. One reason could be that there has been no justice served for the killings. Many haunted places are the scene of murders in which no suspects were caught and tried. Why do ghosts haunt places? Is it because they are looking for revenge or someone to find their killers. If you look at other haunted places, you will see that the ghosts are of people that were murdered and no one was ever caught and tried. The Bobby Mackey’s Nightclub has ghosts and all died within the walls of the building over the years.
One would have to look into the deaths of all the ghosts to see how they died and if anyone was arrested for their murders or deaths. Maybe this would help understand why the ghosts are so vindictive. The ghosts in the nightclub are not your typical ghosts, they are mean and try to cause harm to the people that enter the building. There has been some incredible activity in the club and no one knows why. Some day, maybe the ghosts will find justice or maybe someday they will succeed in killing an unsuspecting customer.
A Haunting in Connecticut
It was 1988 the Snedeker family had been going through some tough times their eldest son was undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and the family were in dire straits financially. The Snedeker Family came from New York, Carmen Snedeker had been traveling back and fourth to Connecticut with their son so that he could get the best treatment possible. Because of there sons condition they decided relocate to Connecticut. Carmen felt her prayers had been answered when she was shown around a large house close to the Hospital, she discovered that the monthly rent was well within the price range that her family could manage to pay for a decent and comfortable place to call home.
Shortly after moving into the house, Carmen was clearing the basement when she made a shocking discovery, partially hidden under building and construction materials, she found tools and instruments that are typically used by morticians. Carmen did some research into the history of the building and found that the building had indeed been a former funeral home
Almost straight away the Snedekers eldest son started to complain of seeing shadows and hearing voices. He told his mum that he would often see a man dressed in a black and white pin stripe suit. He asked to stay at the hospital rather than home, he complained of not getting any sleep because of the constant supernatural disturbances.
After their son had left the house the paranormal activity began to effect the rest of the family, Carmen was mopping the kitchen floor one morning when she noticed the water suddenly turn blood red and gain a putrid odor. Crucifixes that hung in various locations throughout the house slowly began to vanish some would be turned upside down others found on the floor.
Carmen’s niece was living with the family at the time. One night, while sleeping, she was physically assaulted by unseen hands that groped and had red scratches on her body. A rosary that she had placed around her neck was violently yanked by the abusive entity and the beads scattered all across the floor.
Several demonic entities made their evil presence known during the ensuing weeks. “They were incredibly powerful”, Carmen describes two of the demons “One was very thin, with high cheekbones, long black hair and pitch black eyes and another had white hair and eyes, wore a pinstriped tuxedo, and his feet were constantly in motion, this was seen by my son and I”
Stairway To The Afterlife
In 1966, Rev. Ralph Hardy visited the National Museum in Greenwich, England. While in the Queen’s House section of the Museum, Hardy snapped a photo of the beautiful staircase. Upon developing his photography Hardy made a shocking discovery. One of his photos showed a ghostly figure climbing the staircase. The figure was not in the photography when Hardy took the picture. The photograph and the negatives were examined by experts, some of which were from Kodak, and all have concluded that the negative was not tampered with nor is it a double exposure.
The Brown Lady
This photograph is considered by many to be the most famous “ghost” photograph. It was taken in 1936 at Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England and still today cannot be explained. The photogenic ghost is thought to be that of Dorothy Townshend who lived in Raynham Hall with her husband, Charles Townshend, in the 1700s. Legend has it that Dorothy was a mistress to Lord Wharton and Charles found out about it. He then imprisoned her in a remote section of the Hall until she died from his abuses. Legal records show she died in 1726, but many believe this to be a sham, as Charles wanted people to believe she was dead, so he could punish her for her infidelity.
The Fire Girl
On November 19, 1995 Wem Town Hall in England caught on fire. The fire raged on all through the night until the building was nothing but rubble. As firefighters battled the flames, a local citizen, Tony O’Rahilly, decided to snap some pictures of the event. In one of his photographs there appears to be the clear image of a little girl standing in front of the inferno. No one remembered a young girl being at the scene and there was definitely not a young girl in the burning building. Some believe this is the ghost of a young girl named Jane Churm who, in 1677, accidentally started a fire that destroyed many homes in the town. Jane also died in the fire. Perhaps the photo is just smoke creating the amazing illusion of a girl or perhaps it is a real ghost.
Shadow People
Alone in your room, minding your own business, a quick movement in the corner of your eye suddenly comes into view. You’re sure that it was a shape of a person you just saw. You feel the presence of something you think was once human. Was it just a silhouette? A shadow perhaps? Or maybe a ghost? You think maybe it’s nothing, but think again, is it your keen mind playing tricks on you? Or is it a supernatural entity?
Shadow like beings appearing in dark forms of silhouettes and are supernatural in origin are the Shadow people. Often times mistaken to be ghosts, these beings appear in the corner of people’s eyes, remaining for a moment and sometimes moving between the walls, appearing in mirrors and when we are aware of them, they disappear, they flee and disintegrate into nothingness, moving and toddling through walls before you get a chance to see them clearly.
Also known as Shadow Beings or Shadow Folk, Shadow People are drawn to one person or location for mysterious motives. Their characteristics range from being diffident and playful to downright spiteful and malevolent. The only way to describe it is pure evil. Unusual descriptions of people who came across these beings, in different countries all over the world, have been very daunting. While some people see a shadowy form which is human like, others see formless translucent black splotches and twirling columns of murky smoke.
Shadow People are said to travel extremely rapid and can toddle through solid matter, making them less prone to direct visual contact. They are reported to vanish before having a chance to be seen evidently. People who encounter these creatures come upon the feeling of dread, shock and panic. Some people even reported being attacked and chased by these horrifying shadows.
They claim to feel a being in the presence of something that was once amongst us, once human. Substantiation of these creatures appeared before mankind throughout history and therefore unfolding the ultimate essence of pure evil. An increase in reported detection of these beings all around the world are accounted for. More and more people stumble upon these dark shadows of unknown nature.
Shadow people are often times mistaken to be ghosts, but the truth of the matter is they are totally different. Ghosts are said to be ethereal spirits of dead human beings and take on the manifestation and attributes of human beings none of which is familiar to that of the Shadow people. Shadow people do have human-like forms but do not bear similarity to any person, dead or alive.
Many records depict Shadow people as having human-like figures, but they are by and large not told to bear a resemblance to the actual persons, alive or departed. Shadow people do not correspond to people in words but they leave feelings of extreme trepidation, shock and panic. Even when animals stumble upon these beings, fear and hostility are the main outcome to these encounters. So the next time you see something at the side of your eye, don’t be surprised if it may just happen to jump right at you and give you the oddest surprise of your life.
The Bell Witch
In Robertson County Tennessee, near the Kentucky state line the most extraordinary haunting occurs. The Bell Witch, an entity that first made its appearance in 1817 to John Bell and his family, is still present today although no Bells occupy the area and the farm house where the haunting focused is no longer present. It was burned to the ground by neighbors who witnessed attacks against the Bell family and who feared for their own safety.
The true identity of this spirit is unknown but it is felt that The Bell Witch is none other than the moody Kate Batts of Halifax, North Carolina. She was engaged to John Bell until her untimely death sometime in the 1770’s. Her lifeless body was found near a well close to her home. The circumstances surrounding her death are mysterious and remain unsolved.
John Bell, her future husband, wasted no time mourning the loss of his intended. He married Lucy shortly after Kate’s funeral. The newly married couple made Tennessee their home. In 1817 John noticed a doglike creature in his cornfield. Not wishing to have his crops trampled or destroyed, he got his gun and fired upon the animal. The creature disappeared immediately into thin air. This was the beginning of the end for John Bell and his family. Almost immediately they were plagued with sounds of someone wishing to enter their home - scratching, knocking and banging on the front door. Someone or something wanted in.
Soon enough, the presence found a way into the home and began to torment all that crossed the threshold. The presence introduced itself as The Bell Witch and while it focused most of its violence on John, the nine Bell children were also frequently attacked. The children were attacked as they tried to sleep by an unseen presence pulling their hair, slapping them, and whispering in their ears. As they would walk to school in the daylight they would be showered with rocks and sticks falling from thin air. The presence especially enjoyed tormenting the twelve-year-old Betsy Bell. Betsy would hear a disembodied voice that would grow closer each day, she would fly into convulsions, and found herself falling into a dead faint as the haunting grew more intense.
No one was safe from the evil spirit. Anyone crossing the threshold of the Bell home was fair game. Minister Johnson was asked by John Bell to bless his home and perform an exorcism. This did nothing but anger the spirit who then retaliated against the Minister by her usual use of violence.
A family friend, William Porter, came to visit the Bells. The Bell Witch announced to William that she would keep him warm as he slept. Having announced her plans, she proceeded to pull the covers from him. Within moments he felt a snake-like cold chill sliding against him. William quickly decided to capture the spirit within the blanket so that he could toss blanket and spirit upon the flames in the fireplace. However, the presence he captured within the folds of the blanket grew heavier and heavier with each step he took and a foul odor began to emanate from the blanket as well. The weight of the blanket and the foul odor overcame William. He dropped the blanket and fled the house.
John Bell, Jr. and Jesse Bell had fought under General Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans. The two had developed a good rapport with Andrew Jackson so in 1819, when Jackson got word of the disturbances at the Bell home he came calling to assist.
General Andrew Jackson brought with him a witch slayer and an entourage of men. The wagon they were using suddenly stopped moving once it came within close proximity of the farm. The horses could not budge the wagon even after the men threw their shoulders into the wagon and began to push. After an hour of cursing and ranting, General Jackson is said to have acknowledged it must be the work of the Bell Witch. At which time, it is reported that The Witch laughed and told Jackson he would be seeing her later that evening. The wagon was then freed and able to move.
Upon their arrival to the farm, the witch slayer attempted to contact the Witch. He cursed her, laughed at her and then finally attempted to shoot the Bell Witch with a silver bullet. To his consternation and everyone’s amazement, he was slapped, battered and tossed about the room by unseen hands. The witch slayer, Andrew Jackson and his entourage quickly fled. Andrew Jackson is reported to have said he would battle the entire British Army anytime, however, he would not wish to deal with the Bell Witch again.
Overtime, the Bell family suffered repeated attacks. When Betsy, John and Lucy’s daughter, began to date a young man, Josh Gardner, the Bell Witch did not approve. Betsy was singled out again and tormented to the point that she ended her engagement with Gardner. After that was done, the Witch focused on John Bell once again.
John Bell was plagued by several illnesses of which The Bell Witch claimed credit. One attempt she made upon his life was prevented when it was noticed that John’s tonic had been switched with poison. However, December 19, 1820 John slipped into a delirium that he never fully recovered from. The Bell Witch is said to have sung at his funeral the next day.
After his funeral The Bell Witch declared she would return in seven years. In 1828 she did return but only for a short period where she tried to torment Lucy and two of her sons. While the Witch has returned and continues to torment the Bell family regardless of where they are, it is not nearly the same level of torment she committed upon John Bell.
If the Bell Witch was Kate Batts, John’s intended this would make the most sense. Whether John had a hand in her death or not, his quick marriage to Lucy implies that Kate was not happy about John being happy and returned to make him suffer. Her body was barely cold before John found a new willing bride. Perhaps, John was Kate’s unfinished business. With John’s death, Kate’s or the Bell Witch’s business was finished.
There are still reports today that the area known as the Bell Farm is still being haunted not only by the Bell Witch but also by John, Lucy, and perhaps even Betsy Bell. The house is gone but the spirits still linger.
Emotions dictate behavior in life so why not in death? Is it possible that Kate was so angry with John at the time of her death that she came back to exact vengeance? The question is not whether or not John had a hand in her death but what did John do to warrant such a vicious haunting?
Kate was a violent and spiteful spirit that delighted in others sufferings. Perhaps, this is because she was unable to live her life in happiness as she died before marrying John. Then having the man who professed his undying love for her, seek out and marry another immediately after her funeral! John’s behavior seems odd for this day and age, and one would have to assume it was even in the 1770’s given the haunting of the Bell Witch.
The Amityville House
Though the Amityville house is most famously linked to the Ronald DeFeao killings in November of 1974, it was originally used to house Native Americans that were insane, sick or withering. Those Indians were buried on the property, obviously from less than peaceful circumstances. Did these Indians, buried on unconsecrated ground, lend to the later strange tragedy that would make this house so famous?
Ịn the early morning hours of November 13, 1974, Ronald DeFeao fatally shot his father, two brothers and his sister. All were found in their beds, face down, and despite the neighbors’ houses being close together, no one heard screams or noises. Mr. DeFeao claimed that ghosts were present during the events and had goaded him into eliminating his siblings though his original intent was just to executing his father.
The home at 112 Ocean Avenue eventually went up for sale and was later purchased by George and Kathy Lutz for $80,000. Though they were told by the realtor about the tragedy, the Lutz’s were so enamored with the home, pool, garage and 4,000 square feet of waterfront that they immediately made an offer.
The next 28 days are the events that led to the book and movie, Amityville Horror. Moving day should have been a clue when the leashed family dog tried to flee the property, jumped the fence and hung himself. Though the dog survived the ordeal, this was an ominous sign of things to come.
What followed could not have been fluffed up any more by Hollywood itself. The Lutz’s claimed that keyholes oozed goo, the toilet water turned black, and nasty smells started to permeate the house. Septic problems? George started to get sick and lose weight but if it was a general septic or well problem, the whole family would have been affected, especially the children.
Later on noises entered the house. The front door slammed on its own and footsteps pattered about the house. George also stated that ‘static’ noises could be heard. When he investigated the downstairs area where they thought the source was, he found the furniture moved and the carpets rolled back.
At the suggestion of friends who said they too had experienced ghostly experiences, the Lord’s Prayer was recited room to room. That’s when the noise went from static to full blown words including one screamed phrase, “‘Will You Please Stop!” As if that wasn’t enough to motivate this family to leave the home immediately, entities gathered strength and started making themselves physically present. Kathy claimed that she felt a presence embracing her from behind.
The family claimed they could see eyes peering at them through the windows at night. When they would investigate all they would find were hoof tracks accompanied by the odd squeal. Other sightings included a little boy on the second story landing and a dark cloaked figure.
Their daughter Missy then developed a ghostly friendship with someone by the name of Jodie. Missy claimed that Jodie was an angel and could change shapes. Ominously, she said that Jodie had told her, “You’ll live here forever.”
The departure from the home is a bit ambiguous but the way George tells it, the house almost felt like it was coming alive with flexing walls and groans. They decided to make a very quick departure to Kathy’s mother’s house during a very stormy night.
After the Lutz’s fled, they requested paranormal investigators, Ed and Lorraine Warren, to visit the home. The Warren’s went to the house along with a Duke University professor and the president of the American Society for Psychic Research. Their reports included strong clairvisual and clairaudial messages from the ghosts dwelling in the home, air that seemed to “solidify” and Ed claimed that he saw, “shadows along with thousands of pinpoints of light” which was down in the cellar and those shadows tried to push him about, scaring him out of his mind. There was not a person at the investigation that didn’t declare the place felt of utter terror. Lorraine declared that the strong-hold from the ghosts would be too severe to ever dislodge. So wretched was the feeling that the Duke Professor rumored to have passed out from fear.
Whether or not facts of this case were stretched or a complete hoax all together, it still remains one of the most frightening and sensationalized ghost stories of our time.
