Haunted Charleston Tour with Black Cat Tours!

In December of last year, I visited Charleston, South Carolina, considered to be one of “America’s Most Haunted” cities.  I spent several hours one morning roaming through some of Charleston’s many cemeteries and graveyards, during which time, I photographed a strange ‘white mist’ in the graveyard of the First Presbyterian Church, which was founded in 1731.

First Presbyterian Church Graveyard

In the evening, I chose to take the Black Cat Tours, ‘Haunted Charleston’ guided tour, in an effort to make the best use of my limited amount of time to investigate.  Our guide, Rebel Sinclair, led our small group along a path of interesting tales, dark alley ways, and down one of the oldest streets in Charleston, where I captured three small orbs.

Three small orbs.

Our tour continued on to St. Phillips Church, and the attached graveyard, with the annexed cemetery, across Church Street.  St. Phillips Church is said to be haunted by a groundskeeper, who died when he fell from scaffolding around the steeple, defending the church from a fire.  This image is of a pale blue, orb in motion, along with two other smaller orbs near the steeple.  I took several images of the steeple and this is the only one with orbs.  I love the movement, and intensity of the blue orb.

Moving blue orb near the church steeple.

Another stop along the tour is this alleyway, referred to as ‘Blood Alley.’ So named for the many duels that were fought on this backstreet of a Charleston saloon.  Local residents say they can still here hushed voices, and gunshots, and many have claimed to have seen the ghosts of those who died in their duel. The alley was alive with orbs, as you can see by this image.

Are these the spirit orbs of those who died in duels on Blood Alley?

Finally, the follow two images were taken in the St. Phillips Cemetery, on Church Street.  In the first image there appears to be an apparition, floating above the headstones, towards the rear of the image.  The image seems to show a profile of a face, atop the shoulders of a ghostly figure.  The second image was taken seconds later, after I moved several steps to my right, the apparition is no longer apparent here.

Apparition in the St. Phillips Cemetery

Floating apparition is no longer visable

I want to thank Rebel Sinclair of Black Cat Tours for an amazing evening of storytelling, history and a glimpse into the Haunted side of Charleston!

One tour was not nearly enough to uncover all that Charleston has to offer.  I look forward to more explorations and discovery on my next visit to the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

Wrought Iron Gate in Historic Charleston.

Stormy Weather

Hello Whispers,

Marin County Storm

 

 

The storms are lined up off the California coast today, and snow is expected down to 2000′ tonight. It’s a good day to stay hunkered down, and do some paranormal research.

Getting the back story of the places we visit, and those we plan to visit helps me verify the facts. I looked up the story of Martin “Mike” Tovey and discovered that his stagecoach was held up more than once. In fact he was shot and wounded in a robbery back in 1850. During that hold-up, he was shot in the arm, and sought shelter in a nearby farm-house. Three years later, he was murdered on the stage from Jackson to Ione, California.

Here’s a copy of the newspaper, with the report on the 1850 hold-up. It’s really cool to check out the writing style, and ads, too.

The Daily Record-Union, September 7, 1850

We’re hoping the rain lets up by the weekend, so we can visit the Piedmont Cemetery in Oakland, California.

Where ever you are, I hope the weather is kind to you. Let me know if you plan on any paranormal adventures this weekend.

Stay vigilant,

Robin

The Murder of Martin “Mike” Tovey, June 15, 1893

Carson City, Nevada in 1877

Image via Wikipedia

Mike Tovey was a loyal employee of the Wells Fargo Stage Company for over 28 years.  He assume the position as Guard, and rode the dangerous Gold Country routes, between Jackson and Ione, California, and between Bodie California and Carson City, Nevada. During that time, these routes were patrolled by greedy Road Agents, who shot and killed men and horses, in search of loot.

One June 15, 1893, on the Stage between Jackson and Ione, Road Agents shot and killed Martin ‘Mike’ Tovey.  Tovey was buried in the Jackson Cemetery, and the Wells Fargo Company erected a tombstone in honor of their dedicated Stagecoach Guard.

On a recent trip to Jackson, we visited the cemetery, and experienced something quite unusual.  While reading the Tombstone, and photographing the cemetery we heard what was clearly four distinct gunshots, and captured the eerie plea, “somebody help me” on our Digital Voice Recorder.

The following is an EVP we recorded near the tombstone of Mike Tovey. Please listen to this clip, then tell us what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/awispr

 

We also photographed an Orb at the gate to the Catholic Cemetery.

A single orb at the gate to the Catholic Cemetery

The Tombstone of Martin 'Mike' Tovey

Mare Island Chapel Orbs

Mare Island

Image via Wikipedia

The oldest military chapel in the United State. The windows are by Tiffany. We entered the chapel with our guide, Joyce, and began shooting pictures. These are not dust or bugs, as the interior of the church was spotless, and very still.

Multiple orbs in the aisle.

Multiple Orbs at the alter

Tell us about your paranormal experiences!

"Edw[ar]d Kelly, a Magician. in the Act o...

Image via Wikipedia

Have you ever, or are you now experiencing something you may believe to be paranormal?  AWISPR encourages you to tell us about these experiences.

These experiences may be things that go bump in the night, or glimpses of shadow people as seen out of the corner of your eye. Do you feel uneasy, or ill in certain rooms or areas of your home or workplace?  These feelings may be associated with changes in the Electromagnetic Field, which are attributed to ghosts or spirits,  and are manifested in chills, goosebumps or sudden body tremors.  Do you know the history of your home, or place of work?

It is our experience that spirits not only attach themselves to people, but also to places and buildings.  Often times, these spirits may become disturbed by recent renovation or demolition to a building.  In the case of personal attachments, these experiences are usually more emotional in nature.

Welcome to A Woman’s Intuition Society for Paranormal Research!

aWISPR is a group of women from Marin County, California who share a common interest in paranormal

Ghost Hunting in Virginia City

research.  Together we have investigated locations throughout California and Nevada, in search of the truth, and evidence of, haunted places, ghosts, the afterlife and all things paranormal.

Our investigations to date have included:

The Washoe Club, in Virginia City, Nevada, where we photographed Orbs, and experienced cold spots.

Blue-green Orb in the Washoe Club, Virginia City, Nevada

On the same trip, we also visited the Gold HillHotel. At that location we encountered the lingering smell of cherry pipe smoke, related to William Sharon, who perished in the Yellow Jacket Mine fire of 1869. We also photographed what appears to be a woman in a front window of the second floor.  Perhaps this was Rosie, the other spirit who haunts the Gold Hill Hotel.

'Rosie' the female ghost who haunts the Gold Hill Hotel & Saloon

The most remarkable investigation was at the site of an abandoned cemetery in Lucas Valley, California.  The cemetery is unmarked, as are  most of the graves.  This cemetery is on the former site of the old Marin County Hospital, and contains the souls of patients, the indigent and convicts.  During our investigation, we captured a full-body apparition and an intelligent EVP.  Watch this short video to review our evidence. We will continue to research this site, as we believe it to be a very active location.

Full Body Apparition in the Pauper Cemetery

In our investigations we use a digital voice recorder, and digital flash photography.  During a visit to the Jackson Cemetery in Jackson, California, we captured distinct gunshots, and a plea from a murdered stagecoach guard.

Our approach is scientific, and we make every attempt to remain objective and free of negativity.

We will be continuing our investigations, and hope to include the following locations; Preston Castle, the USS Hornet, Finley’s Bar, and the Ryde Hotel, just to name a few.