Emily - Our Neighborhood Ghost

Emily's Old House

Growing up in an older neighborhood you see many people moving in and moving out. You see "For Sale" all over the place as the population continued to move our to the suburbs. Not everyone moved out however.

Emily was a widow who was set to live out the rest of her life in her old house. There was no tale of terror or horror about her husband's death. He died on his vacation to Florida.

Car accident.

Instant death.

Well, Emily was a strong woman and decided to deal with her husband's death by taking care of her own life. She vowed never to drive in a car and rarely leave the house.

As years went on her house became dilapidated but her resolve kept her there. All along this time, homes were demolished and new ones built and with the new ones came new neighbors.

Neighbors with kids.

Kids who loved trick or treating.

Emily didn't mind. Every  year she would greet the kiddies knocking on her door. She'd make a comment about the costumes or just smile or laugh. Especially at the younger ones. Emily loved kids, although she had none of her own.

It became a tradition in the neighborhood to knock on her door at Halloween. She was automatic candy to the kids. Many grown-ups started refusing to open doors or "claimed" they didn't celebrate Halloween, so Emily was a door the kids would not skip. Guaranteed candy, indeed.

Yes year after year they came a-knockin'. And as the little ones got too old, soon other little took their places. Emily, though, was aging.

Getting feeble.

Hardly ever seen.

One year she did not answer the door. 

Another year passed and no answer from Emily.

The house was starting to look worse than ever. Then a "For Sale" on her front yard.

Well, Halloween arrived again. The kids knew she did not answer the door for two years. Some of them dared each other to knock on her door, as now the house looked pretty spooky, especially at dusk.

Well, some brave kiddies knocked on her door. No answer. They knocked again. Getting brave, they started calling out her name.

"Emily!" "Emily! Trick or Treat!!"

Then, all of a sudden, the door creaked open . . .

Ghosts - or Optical illusion?

There has been much debate about the alleged demon haunting that occurred in Gary Indiana this year. Paranormal activity, demonic possession, exorcisms, and alas that ghost in the photo. We will be discussing that photo a bit further down but want to call your attention to the Fantom Phactory masthead.

The masthead is the big header at the top of this blog. The photo is a real, non-photo-shopped photo. Except for some illustration for the title, and the street sign, the only adjustment is in color saturation for the sky. Other than that, no drawing or pixel changes were made to this photo. The photo was taken in 2011 in Michigan, along with other angles and views. 

Several people had brought to our attention that if you stare at the building from about 24 inches you can see ghosts. And to our surprise -yes! Now you can enlarge the screen but the images of the ghosts fade away and if you shrink the screen the fade as well. It's just that if you look directly at about 2 feet do you notice something.

Do You See Any Ghosts In Our Masthead?

Well let's look at more ghost pictures and some optical illusions.

Haunted Farmhouse Set for Demolition

October 8, 1941 – The latest reports coming out of Achinson County are that the old homestead of 19^th century country doctor, Jacob Stillson, is being haunted by an evil force or entity. Passers-by claim to hear sounds that are other-worldly and ungodly. Although nothing has been seen, travelers have reported to detect unusual scents and bitter smells not compatible with human olfactory senses.The house recently had a court order which required it to be demolished as there are no inhabitants for the past 12 years and unpaid taxes have been piling up in a county in dire need of revenue because of the current situation with the war.

Adding to the intrigue, various reports claim that the old farmhouse is not haunted by Jacob’s ghost, but may have been infiltrated by a vengeful poltergeist. These reports have many locals spewing gossip about what it may be, when in fact it could just be creatures of the night on the prowl for an evening meal or mating dance.

Dr Stillson, according to some old unpublished biographical essays, was a general practitioner but developed a penchant for some of his own medicinal concoctions. His biography was left at the wayside and not included in the County history but somehow managed to survive in an old tin box in the archives room. Accordingly, after a while, he stopped making house calls as his horse mysteriously disappeared. It seems he may have become a recluse and died in his home. No historical information or other county records have any details about his death or whither he removed to another location.

Rumor from a few surviving long time residents had surfaced that he developed a love of the violin, that when he was not out and about curing ails and delivering babies, he was merrily engaging in playing his violin. What the violin and his possible addiction to medical drugs have in common is uncertain, to be sure; however these things may have nothing to do with the current goings-on at the old house.

Although it may be getting close to Halloween and all kinds of pranks and shenanigans are being planned by youngsters around the county, it is hard to say that the season has anything to do with it since the first report of weird noises began in late August. Most reports have been ignored by the authorities. The county has set a date to demolish the old building after it has determined it is safe for workmen. After demolition, the property will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. During this time of war, some county officials fear that the property may not sell, not because of hauntings, but because there a few with financial resources.

More information on this report is forthcoming.