Butter Churn of the Dead

Excerpt from my book: Behold! Shocking True Tales of Terror…And Some Other Spooky Stuff.

You can buy a copy of this book by clicking here.

Collecting haunted objects has become a curious past time for many in the paranormal field. For just a few dollars you can own a haunted lampshade that switches a lamp on and off by itself. Or, if you have a few hundred bucks just laying around, you can own a Samurai sword possessed by the spirit of a five hundred year old Japanese warrior. Of course, this is a caveat emptor, let the buyer beware, as you really don’t know what you may be getting yourself into. The dubious item you purchased may not be haunted at all, or it could have a number of spirits attached to it that could turn your life into a hell on earth. I’m not trying to tell you how to spend your money, but I will say this, please be careful. Even if the item is a seemingly innocent looking antique butter churn.

In the Summer of 1998, I was working as a loss prevention agent for a local Walmart. At the time I was inactive as a paranormal investigator, as nothing ever really came up. One afternoon as I sat in the break room having lunch, a co-worker came in and sat opposite me. I greeted him and he said he needed to speak with me about a strange situation a friend of his wife found herself in. My co-worker knew of my interests and told his friend I might be able to help. He gave me her number and I promised to call her that night.

When I got home, I called the number and the prospective client, we’ll call her Mrs. M answered the phone. I introduced myself and asked about her unique situation. Mrs. M, explained that a month ago her husband and two teenage children moved into a new house in a new subdivision. About a week after moving in,the kids made the wild claim that they had seen the apparition of a woman in the house. They described her as being in her mid-50s and wearing old fashioned clothes from the 1800s. According to them the ghost appeared to be friendly. Mrs. M, believed her children were playing an innocent prank that was until she saw the woman herself late one night in the kitchen. Mrs. M, seemed to be a credible witness and her story greatly intrigued me. We set up a night that I could come over, take a look around and try to determine who this ghostly lady was.

Back in the days before the para-boom of 2004, it was common for investigators to either work alone or in groups of two. I was one that preferred to work alone. When I arrived at the house, I went about the task of interviewing each member of the family seperately. I had already interviewed Mrs M, so I started with Mr. M and with the parent’s permission, the kids. Each story matched perfectly without any deviance. The puzzling part of this investigation, why would a 19th century woman be haunting this new home? Perhaps, she was associated with the land the house sat on. By the end of that night, my questions would be answered.

In the 1990s, investigators didn’t have all the gear we use today. Back then, my kit consisted of a 35MM camera, a tape recorder and pad and pencil. As I investigated each room, I had my tape recorder running and I snapped pictures as I went along. I sat in each room waiting for something to happen, a method our British colleagues call, “sitting vigil.”

By the end of the night, I really didn’t have much to go on. I had only two notable experiences; I felt a cold spot that followed me around. As well as the overwhelming feeling of being watched. As I sat at the table with the M family, I explained to them what I had experienced, and Mr. M said he experienced the traveling cold spot as well. I then explained this investigation’s final disposition would be based on whatever evidence I managed to collect. And then, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye by an antique butter churn.

Upon seeing this, I walked over to the butter churn and asked if this was the only antique in the house. Mr. M replied they had picked it up at an antique shop in Wisconsin a couple days after moving in. I explained to the Ms, there was a theory that an inanimate object could hold the psychic imprint of a former owner. Before I left, I suggested they remove the antique from the house and see what happens. I would be in touch in a couple of days.

Five days after the investigation I called Mrs M to tell her I had a voice on tape that said one word, “Molly.” And a strange mist showed up in a picture. Before I could ask about the butter churn, Mrs M said her husband put it outside and they haven’t seen the woman ever since.she thanked me and hung up the phone. Case closed.

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