Paris Hospital 2014 Investigation

Records show that Dr. & Mrs. Hazen bought from Charles E. Shaw Jr. on April 1, 1915 land in the J.B. Crawford addition to the City of Paris, where the “ Old Hospital ” now stands. (Book 133; page 151 Edgar County Court Records.) A new building with the capacity of twenty-five patients was built. Frank Stephens was the contractor. His son Carl was in high school and helped his dad laid floors for fifty cents a day. Agnes Tolen Morrison R.N. 1917 was one of the nurses who moved into the new hospital in September 1916. She stated there were two R.N.’s and seven student nurses by then. Three nurses graduated in the class of 1917, Agnes being one of them.

Nelle Adkins R.N. 1919 writes: “The motto of Paris Hospital Nursing School fifty years ago was ‘The Patient First.’” No patient received better care than Paris Hospital nurses gave under the watchful eye of the able Supt. of Nurses Faith A. Collins.

The Wall Street Crash was a tragic time for the whole country. Dr. Hazen lost heavily and felt he could not face the future. He was standing outside his office door with Mrs. Ridgeway when he shot himself on January 14, 1930. After Dr. Hazen’s death, surgeons from Terre Haute, Indiana and Danville, Illinois came and filled in until the hospital was sold to Dr. Homer D. Junkin on March 1, 1930. Dr. Junkin was from Idaho Falls, Idaho. G.F. Patterson was made business manager.

An exciting time for all of Paris happened in 1932. The Dillinger gang came to town and they had a shoot out with the authorities on East Court St. Result, an officer from Indiana was killed and one of the gang injured. The injured man was taken to the hospital but his men rescued him by taking him out the window. The room he was in was later converted into the waiting room.

Minnie Belle Cherown Talbott R.N. 1934 recalled the fire around the chimney on the roof. Dr. Junkin came up to the second floor (later third floor) saying, “There’s a fire on the roof, get the patients out.”

In 1939 the hospital opened a new addition expanding it to 75 beds with two nurse’s homes. There were some forty nurses in training.

January 1, 1950, a new corporation was formed; Dr. Junkin now had Dr. Gordon Sprague and Dr. Charles McClelland as associates. Charles E. Heath was made business manager as Mr. Patterson resigned because of ill health.

On January 1, 1965, Paris Hospital was made a Non-Profit business, called Hospital and Medical Foundation of Paris, Inc. Then in 1968 a drive was started to make it a Community Hospital. Plans were being formed to build a new hospital with air-conditioning and enough room to expand as necessary. Also a much needed parking space for the help and the doctors as well as the visitors was essential. The new Paris Hospital held open doors on September 27, 1970 and the official opening was on November 9, 1970 at its present location.

A tragic car accident occurred on Thursday, March 12, 1964, when the drunk driver of the oncoming car, Mr. Raymond Glick, swerved off of the road and when attempting to get his vehicle back on the road, veered into the lane of Mr. John P. Allen, Principal of Paris High School, hitting them head on. The tragedy occurred at 10:15pm on Route One, two miles south of West Union. Killed in the crash was John P. Allen, 49, Paulette Carole Brooks and Mary Margaret “Marni” Lutz.

Address: 404 Shaw Ave., Paris, Illinois 61944

Hauntings: Shadow figures have been seen coming up the staircase to the 2^nd floor, disembodied voices, numerous EVPs, Jason Snider was shoved by unseen hands on the 3^rd floor near the couch, other figures have been seen passing by windows and standing in the windows of the larger operation suite.

Equipment setup: Mostly handheld equipment was used. However while conducting various EVP sessions, Laser grids and static IR cameras were employed along with REM Epods, K-II meters and bionic ears.

The Ghost Research Society re-investigated old Paris Hospital on September 27, 2014. Team members included: Kathie Para, Marge Sucha, Katherine Meagher, Michael Wright, Jim Piscopo and Dale Kaczmarek with Jason Snider and members of Crawford County Ghost Hunters and Bob Davies from Champaign Urbana Paranormal Society.

Experiments performed: EVP, Ghost Box, Ovilus X and Dowsing Rod sessions were conducted in various locations including: Operating Room, 3^rd floor hallway and near Maternity and the Old and New Emergency Rooms.

Personal experiences:

Michael Wright: After the walk through we set up base in a room on the second floor. Kat and I did a mini Dowsing Rod session in that room. The communication we were having was with a 7 year old girl.

After that session we went into the ER and did a session there. I did not get any evidence from that session. We then moved into the hallway for another session, also did not pick up any EVPs or K-II fluctuations there.

The only place in the hospital that I got anything was outside the room where we had the earlier Dowsing Rod session, The K-II meters were going off but it turned out to be some hospital equipment going through cycles. During the Dowsing Rod session the girl communicating through the rods was asked if she was afraid of anyone and she responded yes, when asked were the person was she pointed to a member of our group and verified it was him when we said his name. About 15 minutes after that he suddenly got scratched on his leg and it started to bleed.
That session in the hallway was compelling and I thought there would be other activity but I did not get any other evidence the rest of the night.

The evening ended quietly and no one else got scratched.

Kathie Para: The hospital consisted of three floors and a basement. We covered quite a bit of the building during our investigation.

The third floor was probably the most active in my opinion. We spent time in one surgery room and two different locations in the hallways. In the surgical room we got ghost box and Ovilus responses and I got a Class A EVP saying my name upon reviewing my audio. We were discussing a knock we had just heard, trying to figure out where it came from. Someone said “I thought Kathie did it” and right after that my recorder picked up a male voice whispering “Kathie”. During this time I was sitting by myself, away from everyone else in the room and my recorder was located even further away from the group, just outside the door.

In the hallways we also heard knocks and other noises, a scream, several voices and several times different members of the group saw shadows in and also away from out laser grids that were set up.

We did a dowsing rod session on the second floor in the main hallway. We seemed to connect with a young girl. She indicated that she was afraid of one of the men in our group, Bob. At the end of our session Bob found he had been scratched on his leg and was bleeding. This I found to be pretty darn curious!

We heard audible whispery voices several times that were picked up on our recorders.

On the first floor we spent time in two ER rooms. When first turning on the Ovilus we got an immediate “how are you” come from it. We also had a few other sounds that may or may not be paranormal due to some outside contamination.

All in all I felt this was a very interesting building with some definite paranormal activity.

Katherine Meagher: I enjoy going to the old hospitals. The buildings are big enough to get lost in. There were six of us that investigated. Two other individuals accompanied us from another group and about twelve from another group. I like going to investigations only with GRS but with the other groups there, they help with debunking K-II hits and other anomalies that occur.

We did a dowsing rod session on the second floor in which we were speaking to a child according to the rods. We invited the child to go down the hallway to visit with the others during the session. The child said he was afraid. He specifically was afraid of Bob. The K-II was fluctuating and the group down stars helped debunk the hits, which took some time to do. After that Bob had experienced being scratched and was bleeding. We could not find an explanation for the blood. That was very interesting. Sorry you got scratched, Bob.

Jim Piscopo: We arrived at the hospital around 7:00pm Dale gave us a walk through and then we started setting up equipment. I set up my IR camera on the second floor half way down the hallway, showing the lockers where shadow people are said to be seen.

After set up I sat in on some EVP sessions. While doing a session on the third floor I was sitting in a wheel chair, after a few minutes I started to have a hard time breathing and my chest felt heavy. After the session we went back downstairs and I felt fine.

Towards the end of the night we did an EVP session on the second floor, I turned my head towards my camera and thought I saw a shadow. Shortly after that Bob got scratched on his leg.

Marge Sucha: We first went to the main surgical area where we did an EVP session. After asking several questions we did get a hello from the Spirit Box SB-11.

Next we went in the hallway by the doctor offices down the hall from the main surgical room. I left my recorder in the room at the end of the hallway. This is a hallway where it is believed a doctor hangs out and he doesn't like people in that area. In this area we heard a woman scream.

Next we went to the hallway on the third floor. One of the investigators saw a shadow down the hallway and kept hearing noises. Another investigator saw a break in the laser grid. After that we set up another laser grid facing down the hallway in the opposite direction. Other than a few more breaks in the laser it was pretty quiet.

Did a dowsing rod session in the hallway where we had our command center set up. Through various questions we believe we communicated with a 7 year old girl. This little girl indicated she was afraid of Bob Davies who was further down the hall. At one point several investigators heard a whisper. I caught the whisper on my recorder. Right after the whisper I got what sounded like a child running on my recorder. Right after that the Mel meter when down and K-II meters lights went off. As we were getting ready to end our session Bob Davies was scratched. Three small scratches that could have been done by a child.

Old ER Room: We used the Ovilus X. We had some activity with it

New ER Room: Except for a few words from the Ovilus X it was quiet.

Dale Kaczmarek: I heard what appeared to be several disembodied screams in the 3^rd floor hallway and near where the Maternity Ward used to be which would make some sense. Both the digital recorders and camcorders as well as other devices captured those screams. This was the first use of the new SB-11 and it didn’t disappoint. This device allows you to disconnect from the antenna so that you aren’t connecting to radio stations and we received a very clear “hello” in the OR.

This place always seems to produce some kind of evidence. Even though there were a lot of people and even a camera crew there, the noise and contamination was not that bad and we were able to discern the difference.

Evidence collected:

Allright paris hospital.MPG – while conducting a Ovilus X session in the Operating Room, a question was asked, “How are you?” The Ovilus X responds with, “Alright.”

Big bang paris hospital.MPG – Piscopo’s static camera set up on the 2^nd floor hallway records a loud bang or door slam in the background.

Hello paris hospital.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Operating Room using the SB-ll unconnected to the antenna, a question was asked, “Can you scream real loud?” A clear female voice says, “Hello.”

Help need help paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an Ovilus X session in the Operating Room, the Ovilus X says, “Help, need help.”

Here paris hospital.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Operating Room using the SB-11 unconnected to the antenna, a question was asked, “Where are you?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Here.”

How are you paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an Ovilus X session in phonetic mode in the New ER, as soon as the device was turned on, the Ovilus X responds with, “How are you?”

Intercom paris hospital.MPG – Piscopo’s static IR camcorder on the 2^nd floor hallway records some strange voices that sounds like it’s coming over the old PA system of the hospital. You can clearly hear a series of numbers, like someone saying either a room number or phone extension to call.

Laugh second floor paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the 2^nd floor hallway, Bob Davies picks up a weird sounding laugh in the background.

Never came home 2^nd floor paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the 2^nd floor hallway Bob Davies picks up a voice in the background which quickly says, “Never came home.”

No paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the 3^rd floor hallway, a question was asked, “Do you know my name?” A Class A female voice responds with, “No.”

Rachel1 paris hospital.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Operating Room using the SB-11 unconnected to the antenna, a question was asked, “What’s your name?” The Ghost Box responds with, “Rachel.”

Rachel2 paris hospital.MPG – while conducting a Ghost Box session in the Operating Room using the SB-11 unconnected to the antenna, a question was asked, “Scream out your name.” The Ghost Box responds with, “Rachel.”

Scream1 paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the 3^rd floor hallway, a question was asked, “Is there anybody down that hallway?” A female scream is heard coming from the direction of the old Maternity Ward.

Scream2 paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the 3^rd floor hallway, a question was asked, “We need a nurse or orderly to move this patient.” Another scream is heard in the background.

Scream3 paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the 3^rd floor hallway near Maternity Ward, another scream is heard in the background.

Scream4 paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session in the 3^rd floor hallway near Maternity Ward, still another scream is heard in the background.

She’s over here paris hospital.MPG – while conducting our initial walk through with camcorders on the 3^rd floor hallway, a whispered voice is heard in the background saying, “She’s over here.”

Surgery Kathie.MPG - while conducting an EVP session in the surgical suite, a voice in the background is heard to say the name, Kathie.

Surgery Ovilus help paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an Ovilus X session in the Operating Room, a question was asked, “Who needs help?” The Ovilus X responds with, “Help.”

Third floor hallway noise paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the 3^rd floor hallway, an unexplained noise is heard in the background.

Third floor hallway voice paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the 3^rd floor hallway, a question was asked, “Push the call light for the nurse and she’ll see it and come for you.” A few seconds later a whispered male voice responds with something that cannot be made out.

Third floor hallway whistle sound paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the 3^rd floor hallway, a question was asked, “Is there anything at all you want to say to us before we go?” A strange whistling sound is heard over the next several seconds of the clip.

Unto me 2^nd floor paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the 2^nd floor hallway Bob Davies picks up a voice that says, “…unto me.”

Yeah paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an Ovilus X session in the Old ER, a question was asked, “How’s the food at this hospital? Good?” The Ovilus X responds with, “Yeah.”

Yes no second floor paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an EVP session on the 2^nd floor hallway Bob Davies picks up a rather loud but whispery-sounding female voice in the background saying, “Yes, No.”

You are right paris hospital.MPG – while conducting an Ovilus X session in the Old ER, a comment was made, “Must be a quiet night in the emergency room.” The Ovilus X responds with what sounds like, “You are right.”

Conclusions: Paris Hospital consistently produces high-quality evidence in the way of disembodied voices, EVPs and even some visuals with a few researchers seeing the pattern of the laser grid being interrupted for a few seconds. Plus there was also the scratching of Davies’ leg and the amazing captures on the SB-11 which was in an unconnected mode so it did not allow any stray radio signals to come across. We received a very clear “hello” and “Rachel”; along with a number of other intelligent and almost immediate responses to the questions posed.

While I believe that there may be a number of residual hauntings taking place here, I am certain that we contacted a few intelligent entities evidenced by the responses we received to our questions. I’m sure that the screams are nothing more than residual sounds and probably could not be connected with as they are still probably experiencing some pain in an ordeal they were going through somewhere back in time. Pain, fear, anger and sorrow are very strong emotions and are very hard to cut through when attempting to communicate with spirits. However those residuals aren’t really here anyway; just their thoughts, emotions, pain and trauma that still lingers right up to the present.

Hospitals, prisons and mental institutions are amazing places to investigate due to the great amount of physical and mental emotions that have been poured into these locations while they were vibrant and working. Now that they are no longer functional, these massive amounts of energy, emotions and pain spill over to the present allowing us a brief glimpse of what these past residents must have went through while they were a part of these establishments. I believe that sometimes it may be as simple as them getting some small message across or being able to express their grief or pain one last time before moving on to the other side. I only hope that we have given them that chance for a final and lasting restful peace.