Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators

Bobby Mackey's July 12-13

2009-07-13T21:03:00.002-04:00

Group shot. More to come on this investigation

2009-06-28T23:07:00.002-04:00

The man in the group photo is one of the original Bell family descendants seventh generation, Robert Bell. Thank-you Mr. Bell for spending time with us today and giving us a history lesson on the Bell Witch family and on one of the Bell family homes in Springfield, Tennessee. Pictured with Billy Miller is Mr. Tim Henson, who has more knowledge on the Bell family having researched the Bell family for over Forty years.

Day At Bell Witch Farm

2009-06-28T22:56:00.002-04:00

SIPI spent the day at Bell Witch Farm on June 28th, 2009 with Mr. Tim Henson, town Historian on the Bell Witch family. We got a rare opportunity to go inside Joe Bell Jr.'s family cabin and will return to do an investigation in this same cabin. We would like to thank Mr. Henson for spending the day with us and giving us a guided tour throughout the old Bell High School as well as the cabins, and old stores that have been moved to the Bell Witch farm. Those who attended this rare event were, Jason Montgomery, Tina Dean, Mary Cheshire, Connie Boyer, Dusty Russell, and Billy Miller.

Robin Hill.

2009-05-29T15:15:00.003-04:00

Our time at Robin Hill was to short built in 1836 we only had a few hours to investigate this old house I will have the report on this investigation next week and we post it then.Robin Hill Investigation
917 Mill Street
Mt. Vernon, IN. 47620

May 1st, 2009
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Local Time

Weather: Clear, Cool—Air Temperature Range 50-65 Degrees F

Introduction:

The Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators, lead by Billy Miller, Founder, investigated Robin Hill in Mt. Vernon, IN. on May 1st, 2009, from the time of 7:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. Those also who attended the investigation were Jack Oliver, Tina Dean, Ashley Dorman, and Rose Quiroz.

Site Description:

The single-family home is located in a suburban development located on the west side of town, and is a large structure with over 20 rooms. It has a small basement, and three main living levels.

Pre Investigation Visit:

This investigation was set up by Ashley Dorman and Rose Quiroz, with no Pre-Investigation done.

History:

According to the website: http://members.evanville.net, Robin Hill was built in 1837 or 1838 by William Lowery and since that time has had five other names including: Popcorn Hill, Ferndale, and Belden Place to name a few. It is stated that Robin Hill was a stop for the Underground Railroad, and that a tunnel led from the Ohio River to the house. Other individuals say that the slaves crossed the Ohio River from Kentucky then walked up a creek, by Kiwanis Park, to the famous Robin Hill. No one knows for sure if this is true or not. It is stated that at one time the home was a quest to President Taft. The current owners of Robin Hill bought the home in 2001 and moved in the current address in 2004.

Paranormal Incidents:

An interview was done by Tina Dean with the current owners on any Paranormal Incidents that they had occurred while living at Robin Hill, and it was stated that all they really heard was Toilets Flushing, and noises during the nighttime hours.

Methods Used:

Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) collection occurred throughout the house, as well as, photographs that were taken throughout the entire different levels of the home, and the Vernier system was set up.

Results:

EVP: The voice recorders functioned normally. No anomalies were recorded.

Photographs: The devices functioned normally. No anomalies were recorded.

Vernier System: The Vernier system with LabPro dataloggers with sensors attached to a lap top computer were running with LoggerPro 3.5.0 software on the third floor in one of the main bedrooms. Nothing was detected and no anomalies were recorded.

Personal Experiences:

There were two personal experiences that occurred at Robin Hill. The First one took place in one of the main bedrooms on the third floor. As Jack Oliver, Ashley Dorman, and Rose Quiroz entered one of the main bedrooms on the third floor they noticed that one of the bottom drawers on a Chester drawer opened. It was later discovered that the Chester draw was off balance.

Another personal experience happened on the Main floor of the home. Jack Oliver was standing on the first floor staircase and noticed a shadowy figure standing at the Main entrance of the home. Ashley Dorman was standing behind Jack Oliver and stated that she saw the shadowy figure as Jack had seen.

My Grandson Draven William

2009-05-27T14:08:00.002-04:00

Draven William born May 13th at 3:25pm 6lb1oz

The Old Pott's Inn!

2009-04-16T14:08:00.003-04:00

The site of the old Pott's Inn and the Springs and the Cemetery they say that a lot of men died at the Pott's Inn when they would go to the springs to get a drink they would kill them. More to come on this investigation.

Favorite Spot To Eat!!!

2009-02-28T15:52:00.003-05:00

After all of our investigations that pertain to the Salem area we always take a few minutes to stop by ElMaguey to enjoy some of the best Mexican food in Salem, IN. El Maguey's is located on the Public Square on the East side. If there is a time when you find yourself in our small little town stop by and tell Raguel that SIPI sent you. Contact Information: Raguel Moran Phone:(812)883-0098. Standing in the first picture is the owner of ElMaguey, Raquel Moran. In the second picture SIPI members, Billy Miller, Jack Oliver, Tina Dean, Jason Montgomery, and not pictured is Mary Cheshire.

SIPI AT LINCOLN'S TOMB

2009-02-22T22:57:00.003-05:00

The ghost of President Lincoln has been reported hovering near his grave in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, ILL. The President's coffin is buried at a depth of 10 feet and is encased in a cage of steel bars and filled with two tons of concrete forever encasing the President.

Eagles In Newburgh!

2009-02-06T13:34:00.002-05:00

This is one of two Eagles that was down by the Old Newburgh Dam along the Ohio River. Photo by William Miller

Tina's House

2009-01-06T23:19:00.001-05:00

Photos taken by SIPI member Mary shows a mist in the kitchen in the first two photos and is gone in the third photo more to come on this investigation.

NO!

2008-11-23T21:12:00.002-05:00

(Done at an investigation in Evansville)

EVP Done At An Investigation In Evansville

2008-11-23T20:56:00.001-05:00

( Is Ashley There)

Old Crypts in Alton Cemetery

2008-10-31T22:59:00.001-04:00

The Confederate Prison in Alton IL.

2008-10-31T22:41:00.003-04:00

SIPI Members Left to Right Jason Tina Jack Mary and Beverly

The Old Confederate Prison

2008-10-31T22:36:00.001-04:00

What is left of the old Prison.

The Confederate Prison in Alton IL.

2008-10-31T22:26:00.002-04:00

Mist at the back of what was the old Confederate Prison in Alton IL. photos by SIPI member Mary Cheshire

Old House In Alton IL.

2008-10-21T22:55:00.003-04:00

This photo was taken by SIPI member Jack Oliver on Oct. 19th for an investigation we was on in Alton IL.

The Bead Angel

2008-07-08T14:13:00.000-04:00

Orb doing a 180

The Bead Angel

2008-06-29T22:16:00.002-04:00

August 20: Special Wednesday Night Program: 7pm sharp: SOUTHERN INDIANA PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS Present A Return Engagement! A multi-media evening of ghost stories, pictures, Q & A, spooks and shivers. In May, they set up their equipment on 3 floors of The Bead Angel to try to record any live activity that was going on around us?orbs, entities, spirits, etcetera. They have some interesting results to share with us! They will set up equipment once again, and you can participate in trying to record EVP voice recordings! Suggested donation of $5 or more. Doors will be locked at 7pm, so please arrive before then! NOTE FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT BE 'SPOOKED'?This is NOT a séance. Have you ever watched one of those real-life 'spooky shows' on TV? Our friends from SIPI will have some of the same equipment to work with. Come and see what 'the other side' is doing in the ethers right around you! Bring your own stories and pictures to share, also!

Bead Angel

2008-06-29T17:38:00.001-04:00

Movement upper right no cause was found for this to move.

SIPI WNIN Report

2008-06-07T00:35:00.001-04:00

The Willard Carpenter House/WNIN Channel 9 TV/88.3 FM

Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators

Investigation Report

405 Carpenter Street, Evansville, Indiana 47710

17-18 May 2008

10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time

Weather: intermittent showers, average air temperature 72F, solar storm

Introduction

The Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators (SIPI), headed by William T. Miller, were present at an investigation of the historic mansion built by Willard Carpenter, which presently houses the studios of WNIN Channel 9 TV and WNIN 88.3 FM radio in Evansville, Indiana, from approximately 10:00 p.m. local time on Saturday 17 May 2008 through 5:00 a.m. local time on Sunday 18 May 2008. Attendees also included Tim Harte of the Multi-Energy Sensor Array (MESA) Project; two affiliates of WNIN were also present throughout the investigation. Total attendance was approximately 15 persons.

Site Description, Layout, and Legends

In general, the site is the former home of Willard Carpenter, an icon of Evansville history and business. He is best known to SIPI as the philanthropist who was responsible for building and funding the continued operation of the Willard Library, which lies several blocks north of his former house. To summarize the layout, the building contains: a basement, in which a large conference room, a mechanical room (with the electrical main switch, etc.), a boiler room, a small kitchen and nearby snack vending room, and an elevator are located; the first floor, accessed via a modern addition from the parking area, that houses the reception area, the former parlor (now a conference room), and a commodious office in the room across the hall from the former parlor; the second floor, where one accesses the broadcasting studio addition that lies above the modern entrance addition, and where there are several offices and an electrician’s workshop; and the third floor, which contains more offices. A steel spiral staircase accesses all four floors via steel fire doors as well. There are no legends known to this author presently, although Billy Miller has conducted several previous investigations of this building during which various haunt phenomena were observed.

Note that the MESA project methods, materials, and results are discussed in a separate report.

Methods
After a convivial group dinner at the Sirloin Stockade, the MESA and SIPI teams entered the Willard Carpenter House around 10:45 p.m. MESA set up in the first floor former parlor, and SIPI set up two Vernier systems, the first system was in the basement mechanical room (with the spiral staircase’s door open) and the second system was in the first floor hallway. In addition, SIPI set up a dual-camera system attached to a magnetometer in the first floor hallway. See Figures 1, 2, and 3.

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Figure 1 MESA Project System Setup, First Floor Parlor

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Figure 2 Vernier Sample Station Setup, Basement Mechanical Room/Spiral Staircase

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Figure 3 Vernier Sample Station (right) and Dual-Camera System Setup (center), First Floor Hallway

Materials

Materials included: the MESA Project’s sensor array; several Cobra infrared (IR) illuminators with 25 IR light-emitting diodes (LEDs); a magnetic compass; a Profi II Elektrosmog electromagnetic frequency (EMF) meter; a second EMF meter, manufacturer and model unknown; several voice recorders including an analog recorder and stand-alone microphone, a RCA RP5022A digital voice recorder, several Sony and RCA digital voice recorders; a Sony Cybershot 7.2 megapixel (Mp) digital still camera, a 400-speed disposable film camera, and several other digital still cameras; a digital video recording (DVR) system with four 0-lux bullet cameras connected to the recorder via 100-foot cables; a Sony DCR-SR100 digital video camera with 10 total IR LEDs, a High-8 analog video camera; and two Vernier systems attached to laptop computers. The handheld devices were used throughout the site.

Figures 2 and 3 show the Vernier systems; Figure 3 also shows the dual-camera array (in front of stained-glass window/door). Figure 2 shows various sensors arranged on a table and also attached to a large tripod (the orthogonal magnetic field sensors) using the standard camera fitting, the laptop computer situated on an aluminum camp table, two LabPro dataloggers, and a tripod with the DCR-SR100 video camera and its Cobra attachment mounted on it behind the sensor array. A lantern battery powered the Cobra.

Sample Station 1’s sensors included: barometer; charge sensor; Hall effect magnetic field sensors (three) in an array in a cardboard box attached to a tripod; ionizing radiation; light level (detecting changes in the electromagnetic [EM] spectrum from infrared through ultraviolet); motion; temperature; and visible light.

Sample Station 2’s sensors included: temperature and visible light.

A magnetic compass and the Profi II were used at Sample Station 1 during setup and throughout the site to verify cardinal directions and to check for transitory disturbances in the local magnetic field.

Vernier Setup

For Sample Station 1, two Vernier LabPro dataloggers, with sensors listed above attached to a laptop computer running LoggerPro 3.5.0 software, were used to sample four times in the mechanical room in the basement facing a door propped open into the stairwell, for an hour each time. The sensors faced towards the staircase, except for the Hall Effect magnetic field sensors which were oriented seven degrees west of north to account for the longitudinal variation from magnetic north (note that they were not adjusted downward to account for the dip angle of the terrestrial magnetic field at the local latitude; this should not impact the results as changes in the magnetic field are the first indicator of merit).

For Sample Station 2, one Vernier LabPro datalogger, with the sensors listed above, was attached to a laptop computer running the same software and was used to sample three times for an hour each time. The sensors were oriented to the east. Figure 3 shows the sample station to the right of the dual-camera array.

All sensors were three feet above the floor (except for the magnetic field sensor array, which was elevated approximately four feet), and the video camera was approximately five feet off the ground. All sensors were connected to the LabPro dataloggers with six foot cables. The visible light sensors were set to the most sensitive range, which is 0 to 600 lux.

A short (2–5 minute) test run was conducted prior to initiating Sample Run 1 at Sample Station 1 to verify that all sensors, dataloggers, and software were operating correctly. The Sample Station 1 dataloggers were set to allow a sensor sampling rate of 20 samples per second, which half the rate that MESA uses,1 and the temperature sensor was set to oversample by using mathematical interpolations because it operates at a frequency of 1/10th of the selected rate. The Sample Station 2 dataloggers were set to allow a sampling rate of 2 samples per second.

Video Setup

The Sony DCR-SR100 video camera was operated in the 16:9 aspect ratio, which provides a resolution of 2.06 Mp (in the 4:3 aspect ratio, files are shot at 3.31 Mp, but the image is not in a widescreen format), with Dolby Digital 2 at 5.1 channels. Movies are recorded in Moving Picture Experts Group 2 (MPEG2) format, which is a high definition format (MPEG1 is standard definition). The High-8 video recorder was used to record several hours of analog video, and an additional analog video record using the VHS tape medium was made during the two-hour MESA sample run. Finally, the four 0-lux cameras for the DVR system were placed on the first, second, and third floors, and monitored from an alcove on the second floor as shown in Figure 4.

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Figure 4 DVR System Station on Second Floor

Other Systems, etc.

The MESA Project system was operated over a period that included the first sample runs using both Vernier systems, but it started approximately one hour before the first sample run at Vernier Sample Station 1 and half an hour before the first sample run at Vernier Sample Station 2.

All light fixtures were deactivated or switched off during the sampling periods, except for the second floor landing’s lightbulb on the spiral staircase, which was out of reach. I also draped a black plastic trash bag over the exit sign above the door to the spiral staircase in the mechanical room. Deactivated light fixtures were returned to working order by team members after the investigation. The author neglected to remove the black trash bag, however, and offers an apology to the Channel 9 employees.

Results
The results are presented in the following order: photos; video; voice recorders; EMF meter; and Vernier systems’ sensor data.

Photos

The devices functioned normally. Among the team members, many photographs and digital image files were taken. Cameras were held away from the body and face for all pictures to avoid hair and breath anomalies. No camera straps were used to avoid false positives. All pictures were clear of any obvious anomalies.

Video

Several team members recorded video with several different devices. All devices functioned normally, with the exception of the author’s DCR-100, which shut off in the author’s hand during an EVP session on the second floor landing of the spiral staircase. It had full battery power and ample file space on the hard drive, so this may have been an anomalous event. No video device except the DCR-100 recorded anything anomalous. The anomalies included:

* A visible, fast-moving light anomaly was recorded at about 10:11 p.m. during system setup in the basement mechanical room, and

* A second, brilliant, and fast-moving light anomaly visible under infrared illumination with the Cobra and the 10-IR LED attachment was recorded at about 12:50 a.m. on the main staircase’s third floor steps. It emerged from the railing, crossed the stairwell, and disappeared into the wall. Audible interference of some sort (static on a radio transmission, perhaps?) on the walkie-talkies also occurred during this event.

Both appeared to be fast-moving spheres of light; ghost hunters commonly call such items “orbs”, but these may or may not be paranormal in nature. These events did not occur near an operating sensor array, so they could not be correlated to any abnormal sensor readings. Dust was commonly observed moving through the frame in several video recordings using the 0-lux camera system, especially when the heating system was blowing air into the rooms being monitored.

In addition to video images, there were some anomalous video audio events captured with the Sony DCR-100. The most interesting of these was a disembodied female voice that moans in the mechanical room at about 3:45 a.m. during Sample Run 4 of Vernier System 1.

Voice Recorders

The devices all functioned normally, with the exception of the RCA device used in the static method described below. Team members recorded many audio files throughout the investigation. The author used the static placement method, in which the author left the RCA voice recorder in an area, in this case on the third floor landing of the spiral staircase while the author set up the sample station. All other recordings were done in an active manner, in which electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) collection sessions were held. These involve the methodical asking of questions with interstices of ten or more seconds in which to record replies that are not heard at the time of the recording, but are found on the audio file during playback. The static EVP collection yielded no results, and was abnormal in that there were 4 hours and 36 minutes of recording time available when the device was placed, and the battery was fully charged, yet the device recorded only for 45 minutes and then shut itself off.

Positive results obtained by team members, consisting of Class A and B (clear and not so clear) EVPs, are documented below:

* Basement Conference Room, voice exhales twice and then whispers, with a twanging inflection, "Oh, this is spooky, man”. Class A. All voice recorders in the room picked this EVP up, but Mary Cheshire’s recording was the loudest. The author had just turned off the fluorescent overhead lights and illuminated only the wall candelabras on a low setting.

* Third Floor, voice says “Jack” very quickly. Class B. Jack Oliver, EVP specialist, was leading that collection session.

* First Floor, parlor, a voice screams during an EVP session. Some of this EVP occurred above the range of human hearing.

* Willard Carpenter Library parking lot, around 9:15 p.m. local time prior to driving to the Willard Carpenter House, a voice was recorded responding to a question.

* During the same EVP session that yielded the “Oh, this is spooky, man” EVP, thudding noises began only 23 seconds after that EVP occurred. These thuds were audible at the time (one of our investigators, Jason, stated “Hear those bumps?”), and appeared to be issuing from what we later learned was a locked paper storage room adjoining the basement conference room. The thuds continued for the next 35 seconds.

* Shortly after the thumps occurred, we also noted verbally that we were experiencing a scent that to some of us was floral, and to others was spicy.

EMF Meter

Although other devices were used by team members, the readings were not available as of the writing of this report. The Profi II device used by the author functioned normally. The author made measurements of the local magnetic field in nanotesla (nT) using a right-handed coordinate system, and noted these in a handheld notebook as follows:

Eastern Standard Time* Reading (nT) in Up Direction** Reading (nT) in North Direction** Reading (nT) in West Direction** B Field (nT) *** Location
12:21 a.m. 60 200 55 216 Basement conference room table, SW corner
12:28 a.m. 50 10 25 57 Third floor, EVP session
12:38 a.m. 50 30 30 66 Second floor, EVP session
12:39 a.m. 7,000 -- -- -- Second floor, workbench’s power strip
12:49 a.m. 70 60 35 99 Basement conference room table, W side
12:58 a.m. 70 120 35 143 Basement conference room table, start of EVP session
12:59 a.m. 70 80 35 112 Basement conference room table, W side, EVP session
01:58 a.m. -- >100 -- -- Second floor spiral staircase, EVP session; Jack felt faint
02:04 a.m. 70 60 40 100 Second floor spiral staircase, EVP session
02:31 a.m. 50 10 35 62 Portrait of Willard Carpenter, first floor parlor
03:12 a.m. 50 20 75 92 First floor parlor
03:17 a.m. 70 30 200 214 First floor parlor, during replay of EVP scream
03:28 a.m. 500 -- -- -- Women’s first floor bathroom, floor to approximately knee height, stall closest to sink
03:29 a.m. 500 -- -- -- Ceiling, directly below bathroom
04:33 a.m. 60 30 30 73 Basement conference room table, W side
04:38 a.m. 80 50 30 99 Basement conference room table, W side, after turning overhead lights off

* 18 May 2008; subtract 1 hour for local time

** divide by 106 to obtain mT

*** B = (Up^2+North^2+West^2)^0.5

Vernier Systems

There were 4 sample runs at System 1 in the basement, and there were 3 sample runs at System 2 in the first floor hallway. No statistical analysis (i.e., control charting) has been performed on any data set. This section presents the results in order of start of sample run. First is a brief description of each sample run (i.e., time interval sampled, location, start time, and Figure reference). Next is a chart of each sample run’s results, followed by an interpretation of those results.

11 p.m. – 12 a.m. System 2 Sample Run 1

Location: hallway, first floor. One hour of total sampling time occurred. Noted start time 11 p.m. local 17 May 2008. Figure 5 presents a screen shot of the data in chart form.

11:11 p.m. – 12:11 a.m. System 1 Sample Run 1

Location: mechanical room, basement. One hour of total sampling time occurred. Noted start time 12:11 a.m. EST (11:11 p.m. local) 18 May 2008; data file saved at 01:19 a.m. EST (12:19 a.m. local) 18 May 2008. Figure 6 presents a screen shot of the data in chart form.

12 a.m. – 1 a.m. System 2 Sample Run 2

Location: hallway, first floor. One hour of total sampling time occurred. Noted start time 12 a.m. local 18 May 2008. Figure 7 presents a screen shot of the data in chart form.

12:32 a.m. – 1:32 a.m. System 1 Sample Run 2

Location: mechanical room, basement. One hour of total sampling time occurred. Noted start time 1:32 a.m. local 18 May 2008; data file saved at 2:40 a.m. Eastern (1:40 a.m. Central). Figure 8 presents a screen shot of the data in chart form.

1 a.m. – 2 a.m. System 2 Sample Run 3

Location: hallway, first floor. One hour of total sampling time occurred. Noted start time 1 a.m. local 18 May 2008. Figure 9 presents a screen shot of the data in chart form.

1:42 a.m. – 2:42 a.m. System 1 Sample Run 3

Location: mechanical room, basement. One hour of total sampling time occurred. Noted start time 2:42 a.m. Eastern (1:42 a.m. Central) 18 May 2008; data file saved at 3:52 a.m. Eastern (2:52 a.m. Central). Figure 10 presents a screen shot of the data in chart form.

3:11 a.m. – 4:11 a.m. System 1 Sample Run 4

Location: mechanical room, basement. One hour of total sampling time occurred. Noted start time 4:11 a.m. Eastern (3:11 a.m. Central) 18 May 2008; data file saved at 5:25 a.m. Eastern (4:25 a.m. Central). Figure 11 presents a screen shot of the data in chart form.

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Figure 5 11 p.m. – 12 a.m. Run 1, First Floor Hallway

This sample run revealed an anomalous change in visible light at approximately 22 minutes into the sample run, which was at about 11:22 p.m local time. Unless lights out occurred at that time on the first floor, this is an anomalous result. Note that the data demonstrate that it was generally brighter in the first floor hallway than in the basement (e.g., compare illumination readings between Figures 5 and 6).

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Figure 6 11:11 – 12:11 p.m. Run 1, Basement, Mechanical Room

This sample run revealed no anomalous readings. The noise in the various sensor readings is within the measurement error of each sensor and is not significant. The ionizing radiation sensor was not being detected by the datalogger, so no ionizing radiation readings were recorded during this sample event.

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Figure 7 12 a.m. – 1 a.m. Run 2, First Floor Hallway

The decreasing trend in air temperature over the sample run was probably due to cooling of the ambient air as the evening progressed.

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Figure 8 12:32 a.m. – 1:32 a.m. Run 2, Basement, Mechanical Room

Nothing anomalous appears in these results, except that temperature and barometric pressure fall in tandem, which is the inverse of what would be expected according to the PV=nRT equation if all other variables were to remain unchanged.

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Figure 9 1 a.m. – 2 a.m. Run 3, First Floor Hallway

This sample run is remarkable for the probable correlation between a slight (0.2 degree Fahrenheit) increase in air temperature and a 30% increase in visible light.

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Figure 10 1:42 a.m. – 2:42 a.m. Run 3, Basement Mechanical Room

The motion sensor results appear to indicate a fast-moving object at 2.3 meters from the sensor. This could be anomalous, especially when compared to the previous sample runs at this location. This is interesting due to comments from a team stationed in the first floor conference room (former parlor), which noted to me that at 2:05 a.m. Central they heard the spiral stairs rattling behind one of the parlor’s walls. In fact, they described this as sounding as if “someone had fallen down the stairs”.

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Figure 11 3:11 a.m.-4:11 a.m. Run 4, Basement Mechanical Room

Sample Run 4 in the basement mechanical room exhibits a similar deviation in motion with similar velocity to that of Sample Run 3 in the same location. This could be anomalous. Note that the audible moan was recorded on video shot behind this sample station during this sample run at 3:45 a.m. However, the apparent location of the moan was to the rear of the equipment (the DCR-100 records in Dolby 5.1 surround sound), so whatever generated it was not able to be measured by the sensors.

Discussion

Results of the Vernier systems have been discussed immediately after each chart above. Therefore, this section describes personal experiences of haunt phenomena that team members had during the investigation, and also discusses some strong magnetic field results that may cause people in certain areas of the building to experience sensations that mimic those of a haunt site but are not caused by anomalous changes in the environment.

Personal Experiences Unverified by Objective Means

Experiences included: audible banging and thumping noises, audible voices, a cold spot, feeling faint, a transient high magnetic field reading near a light switch, and odors.

Audible banging, snapping, and thumping noises were heard during portions of the investigation. At 2:05 a.m. Central, a team lead by Donna in the parlor (first floor conference room) heard the spiral stairs rattling as if “someone had fallen down the stairs” behind one of the parlor’s walls. Motion signatures in the basement’s sample run 3 do appear to correlate to this event. At 4:52 a.m. Central, when the author was tearing down the basement sample station in the mechanical room itself, she heard finger-snapping noises behind her that appeared to be issuing from the doorway to the mechanical room. The impression was made upon the author at the time that the noise was meant to imply that she hurry in her work to break down the equipment, and at the same time a sense of sarcasm was apparent. These of course are not objectively verifiable, and no video was being recorded at the time that would have captured the snapping noise.

An audible voice was also heard. At 4:10 a.m. Central, an audible male voice that said “Mmmm hmmm!” was heard by the author while Billy was speculating on why Mary’s recording of the superb Class A “Oh, this is spooky, man” EVP was clearest. Billy had just offered the supposition that perhaps the ghost that generated the EVP had drawn electrical power from Jack’s laptop to do so. Jack then stated that the laptop had anomalously reverted to battery power at that time, although it was plugged in to an A/C power outlet. The voice came from behind the author, who was leaning against a cabinet just outside the door to the mechanical room. There was no one present on that side of the room other than the author.

A cold spot was felt by Jack and the author in the basement conference room during the discussion about the Class A EVP, but Billy ruled this out because he could not measure it with a Fluke digital surface thermometer at the time. He also noted that the mechanical room’s door was open, and that cooler air was moving down the spiral staircase and into the conference room. However,

Several times during the investigation, team members including Jack and Mary noted feeling faint or dizzy. The location for these experiences was most frequently the basement conference room, after the lights had been dimmed around 3:30 a.m. Central. However, Jack also noted feeling faint while we conducted an EVP collection session on the second floor landing of the spiral staircase around 2 a.m.

Around 11:00 p.m. Central, before they started operating the DVR system, Donna and her team observed a transient high magnetic field at a light switch (in the off position) on the second floor that caused full-scale deflection in her EMF meter. I later measured the magnetic field at the switch, and it was virtually nonexistent.

Odors were experienced in the basement conference room area by several persons (Beverly, Dave, Jack, Jason, Mary, and the author) during the EVP session at about 3:30 a.m. that produced the Class A EVP. Odors were described by these people as being either floral or spicy in nature, with one observation of a Dr. Pepper soda sort of aroma.

Strong Magnetic Fields in the Building

The author measured two strong magnetic fields in the building during the investigation. These fields had a source: first, the power strip on the workbench on the second floor near the spiral staircase door had a 7,000 nT reading in the Up direction. A second strong field was measured in the women’s first floor bathroom in the stall closest to the sink. The reading was highest, at 500 nT in the Up direction, at floor level between the door of the stall and the toilet. The basement ceiling beneath this location also had this reading. Such fields can cause uneasy feelings and sensed presences, according to MESA Project research.

Final Remarks

Thank you to the Channel 9/WNIN/88.3 FM stations for allowing us to investigate their building, the historic Willard Carpenter house. It was a pleasure, and we look forward to resampling in October 2008, if not sooner!

WNIN Channel 9 PBS

2008-05-27T23:35:00.003-04:00

Title: WNIN Channel 9 PBS Graphs from top #1 to bottom #8 (no #3 channel)
Date: May 17-18, 2008
Researchers: Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators and MESA
By Timothy M. Harte, MA, LCPC

Summary:
WNIN PBS Radio and Telplex is located at 405 Carpenter St, Evansville. IN. Visitors
And employees have reported paranormal events there for many years. These experiences
include footsteps, babies crying unknown odors, erratic functioning of equipment, shadows and apparitions. The Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators (SIPI) and the
Multifrequency-Energy Sensor Array (MESA) team joined to investigate the site and
record haunt phenomena. Several members experienced subjective experiences, and anomalous visible light, vibration, and magnetic fields were recorded.

Introduction:
The Willard Carpenter Home, located at 405 Carpenter Street, houses the offices and studios of WNIN TV and WNIN

88.3 FM.
The Willard Carpenter mansion is one of the two landmarks that are recognized as memorials to one of the city's most aggressive and influential pioneers, philanthropist Willard Carpenter. The other is Willard Library which he built, endowed and gave to the people of the area.
Construction began in 1848 on the Carpenter home and was completed in 1849. The home is one of the finest examples of pure Georgian architecture in this area. Built of brick and stone, it features a balanced facade and a classic facade over the entrance door. Its cellar walls are massive stone blocks. The outer walls of this home are solid brick. Originally, there were long, wide, two-storied porches on either side of the mansion behind the drawing rooms and filling the space of the rear portion of the house which is narrower than the front. Lawns and gardens were spacious as they were surrounded by acres of open space. Large stables and carriage houses were at the rear of the estate, with quarters for grooms and gardeners.
Indiana limestone was cut by hand to resemble stone. All materials except the bricks were brought in from Lawrenceburg, IN. The rooms have exceptionally massive baseboards of molded woodwork, and interior shutters, divided like Dutch doors, were at each window. Together with massive brick and stone exterior walls, they kept the rooms surprisingly cool during the hot Evansville summers. The wide central hall led to a cross hall behind what were a spacious drawing room and library. There were two main stairways, ascending to the second story, one in each end of the cross hall. Four large bedrooms were on the second floor. A single stairway led to the third story. Italian marble was purchased for the fireplaces which were kept burning constantly during the cold months as the house had no central heating. All furnishings for the home were purchased in Europe of New York City.
The hard times of the Depression years were to see the fine old home pass from Carpenter hands. The property was purchased by Funkhouser American Legion Post for a reputed amount of $3500-00. In 1956, they sold the property to WTVW/TV7. The TV station occupied the gymnasium (built by the American Legion) but had no use for the mansion. Owners, with reluctance, announced their plan to have it demolished. However, fate was again kind to the aged but sturdy stricture. Upon purchasing the mansion in 1974, Medco announced plans to restore the home to as close to its original condition as possible.
WTVW moved to its strikingly modern quarters on the site of the Carpenter School for which Mr. Carpenter had contributed both the land and the money. The gymnasium came down to provide off street parking. The old home was, indeed, restored. Medco stayed in the home until 1985 when it was purchased by WNIN. The Carpenter House is listed among the National Register of Historic Places. It is a large, Georgian mansion which now houses the PBS radio and television stations, studios, and offices. In 1986, WNIN purchased Evansville’s oldest building, the Willard Carpenter home, for $260,000. A $900,000 capital campaign enabled the purchase of new equipment and then the retirement of the mortgage three years later.

Two additional TV channels were added in 1991 when WNIN signed an agreement with EVSC to operate WNIN-ETV on cable channels 12 and 13. The channels were initially used as a demand system to provide video material to teachers in the classroom. The City of Evansville also provided important on-going funding to support after school and community programming.

The 1990’s also brought the addition of Descriptive Video Service, the Sesame Street Pre-School Educational Outreach Program (RTL), and the development of one of the first local community computer networks in the country. It was in 1993 that WNIN changed its corporate name to Tri-State Public Teleplex, Inc.

In 2001, the State of Indiana granted its public TV stations $20 million to assist compliance with a federal mandate for digital conversion. With its 3.5-million-dollar share, WNIN purchase 20 acres of land in Boonville for a new ‘1000 tower and transmission site to add a high definition channel, datacasting and multichannel capabilities, 5.1 digital surround audio, and Internet streaming capabilities by 2006. WNIN raised nearly $2 million in a local capital campaign to complete the conversion.

In 2005, WNIN-TV joint in a partnership with the Vanderburgh County Commission to begin live coverage of government meetings. The County purchased the necessary equipment that is operated through fiber optic lines from WNIN’s Carpenter Home headquarters and pays for each ½ hour of coverage. In 2007, the City of Evansville, joined in a similar arrangement.

WNIN FM 88.3 took a big step into radio’s digital age in 2006 with the construction of a new radio control room made possible through federal grant funds. In 2008 our name changed to WNIN Tri-State Public Media, Inc.
WNIN-TV is presently completing construction of its next generation all-digital facility that will provide the launching pad for an exciting new era of service to the Tri-State (http://www.wnin.org/about-us/history.html).
.
Previous investigations have yielded a variety of experiences. These experiences included apparitions, sensed presences, erratic functioning of equipment, and anomalous data with MESA. Previous investigations revealed cold spots, cooking food smells, footsteps, sounds of doors slamming, orbs of light on digital and film cameras, flickering lights and luminosities, electronic voice phenomena, disembodied voices, and object movement.
Method: The researchers set up MESA, infrared and low light video cameras, and 2 PZM microphones in several places on the first floor. The MESA system was set up for a 2-hour sampling period in the first floor conference room. MESA was also complemented with a 2-digital camera system connected to a magnetometer, and other equipment supplied by the Southern Indiana Paranormal Investigators, which included Vernier sensors and software (www.vernier.com) digital still cameras, low light 8mm video cameras, and digital audio recorders.
Apparatus: The MESA computer system has been described elsewhere (Harte, Black, Hollinshead, 1999; Harte, Black, Hollinshead, & Mitchell, 2001) and this investigation will focus on anomalous results of the investigation. The researchers are primarily looking for a 7 mG change in the graphs, or other anomalous information. A sampling rate of 40 times per second was programmed, as this is the usual rate. Sound and video systems were utilized at this site. An infrared camera (Clover Electronics, www.cloverelectronics.com) and PZM (pressure zone microphone, Radio Shack) were connected to a video cassette recorder. Other low light cameras were positioned in the conference room, and at other sites within the mansion.

Site 1: Conference room (wnin1). Ch 1: Infrared light sensor: No anomalous IR light was recorded during the sampling period.

Ch2: Visible light sensor: About 100 footcandles during the sampling period. There are 3 negative spikes at 50, 58, and 73 minutes in the sampling period. These spikes are unusual for this site.

Ch 3: No sensor connected.

Ch 4: TriField Meter: 0.3 mG to 1 mG changes caused by the wiring in the room. Not unusual.

Ch 5: Vibration: 8 or more unusual events. The unusual events begin at 12 minutes into the sampling period. The other unusual events are at 16, 18, 24, 50, 72, 76, 85, and 100 minutes.

Ch 6: Static magnetic field sensor pointed WEST: 4.5 mG to 8.7 mG changes. This could cause sensed presences.

Ch 7: Static magnetic sensor pointed UP: 2.6 mG up to 7.3 mG changes. This could cause sensed presences.

Ch 8: Static magnetic sensor pointed NORTH: 4 mG up to above 12 mG changes. The first anomalous change is at 12 minutes (see Ch 5 Vibration) with other events of interest at 15, 25, 42, 50, 70, 76, 85, and 100 minutes. These types of changes signify that haunt activity is possible in this site.
Photographs: Hundreds of photographs of the teleplex were taken this evening. Several photographs reveal orbs, and shadows that seem to move to different parts of doors and hallways. This evidence must be interpreted cautiously to be anomalous, or unusual.
Video: 8mm night shot cameras, digital video cameras, and video revealed some pinlight orbs moving during the investigation. Some of these may have been caused by other equipment the researchers were utilizing at the time. Some of these were not caused by other equipment, as well.
Audio: Several researchers recorded EVPs, a few of these are very clear, and will be posted at other sites for perusal.
Subjective results: The teams experienced some sensed presences, unusual orbs on film (?), anomalous baby powder odors, sounds, and shadows moving and disappearing on several floors of the building.

The MESA Camera System: The MESA two camera system that works on a magnetometer had only one
Camera that worked the left camera took 24 photos and right camera that also went off had no photos on it
The camera was tested and is working all we can say is that it was erratic functioning of equipment.

Discussion: The results on magnetic fields, infrared light, and vibration are anomalous for this sampling period. There are also several EVPs and some video that cannot be explained. Both objective data and subjective phenomena that occurred during this investigation points to this site having haunt activity. More study needs to be done. We would especially like to Billy Miller for help and logistics during this investigation. We also want to thank Vicki and Gayla, our gracious hosts, for allowing us to conduct an investigation of the teleplex.
References
Harte, T.M., Black, D.L., & Hollinshead, M.T. (1999). MESA: A new configuration for measuring electromagnetic field fluctuations. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments & Computers, 31 (4), 680-683
Harte, T.M., Black, D.L., Hollinshead, M.T., & Mitchell, D.E. (2001). MESA in a haunt versus a non-haunt site. Proceedings of the 44th Annual Parapsychological Association Convention. New York, NY: Parapsychological Association.

http://www.wnin.org/about-us/history.html

BASEMENT ORB CHANNEL 9

2008-05-26T16:38:00.003-04:00

Fast moving orb. Video by Wyrd.

WNIN Channel 9

2008-05-23T05:26:00.003-04:00

Video by Wyrd. "a moan"

WNIN CHANNEL 9 EVP

2008-05-19T01:46:00.001-04:00

Jack Oliver got this EVP at the overnight investigation at channel 9.