Joined: Jan 14, 2004 Posts: 1895 Location: Georgia
Posted: Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:30 pm Post subject: Season 2 Episode 12 (Haunted in Villisca) discussion
Tonight's episode revolved around the 1912 murder of JB Moore, his wife Sarah, their four children and two house guests.
I had heard of the Villisca Axe murder house several years ago and was immediately intrigued by it. The house has been restored to its condition it as it was in 1912 and is available for tours and overnight stays.
Early in filming of our second season. The production company asked me if I knew of any actively haunted locations that had cold case homicides attached to them. I told them about the Villisca Axe murder house in Villisca Iowa. I told them that a massacre had happened and 8 people were bludgeoned to death in their sleep by someone with an ax. Initially the production company was very intrigued. However, when I told them when the case occurred, they did not believe we could do an episode revolving around this - no surviving family members; no surviving law-enforcement to interview that actually worked on the case. I mean ostensibly this crime could have been committed by a 10-year-old child who would now be 105 years old, but it's a beyond safe bet that whoever committed this horrendous crime took their dark secret to the grave with them. Sadly, justice will never be served to the perpetrator of this crime.
I found out approximately 3 weeks before that we would be going to Villisca to profile this case. As this was a location that I had wanted to investigate for some time, I was very excited to hear this.
The house is much smaller than it looks. I mean, it's a small house, but you don't really gather just HOW tiny it is until you're actually within it. Its hard to believe a family of 6 lived in such cramped quarters.
While we were in Villisca, I came up with an odd idea. How about I spend the night in the house alone by myself after the crew and cast left? I didn't really think that they would allow me to do so but they did - and left my entire rig of gear with me as well. Alone at the location of one of the most vicious mass murders in American history by myself? Yes - I was scared!
I recorded nearly the entire time that I was there. Eventually I fell asleep in the master bedroom, but left my digital voice recorder recording. I still have not had a chance to pore over all of my footage that I recorded that night while I was alone, but I did hear a mysterious knock or rap on one of the walls from someplace in the house while I was there! This was audible to my ears at the time I made the recording, and also recorded on my digital voice recorder and the audio track of the videocam.
At some point. When I have some free time. I plan to upload the raw video footage onto the Web and give some of the Ghost Hounds the opportunity to help me review this footage!
As you could see, I documented significant levels of what appeared to be paranormal activity in this house. I would love to do a return trip to Villisca one day, because as I indicated, the house is available to rent for overnight paranormal investigations.
Who's up for a road trip??
On a serious note... this was a horrible heinous crime, and even though 95 years have passed (to put it into perspective, this happened just a couple months after the Titanic sank) we should all pray for the family of JB Moore, and the Stillinger sisters who did not deserve to die this way. _________________ Patrick Burns
Founder and Director, Ghost Hounds
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed." - Albert Einstein
Joined: Jun 29, 2005 Posts: 928 Location: Gainesville,Ga
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:52 am Post subject:
Very interesting episode last night GG. When I heard that evp you caught, I got a chill down my spine. I did have to laugh at the sound effect that they put in for the K-II meter, I guess it was done for tv, lol. You mentioned road trip? Heck yeah, I'd be up for it. _________________ "The Instant Classic"
Joined: Jun 05, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: kennesaw, ga.
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:00 am Post subject:
I would love to be in on it too! never know what could go on! the fact that it is over 100 yrs old, does not make it a bad thing either. it would be a very cool investigation to do. Bimmy
Joined: Jun 02, 2006 Posts: 416 Location: Douglasville, GA
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:08 pm Post subject:
I watched this episode with such a heavy heart. An entire family taken out like that by such a horrible person or persons. Makes me upset to the point of sickness.
I only pray that the one(s) resposible will pay for their crime... one way or another!
Having lived in Iowa, I have been fascinated with Villasca. I have been studying it. Having been there with John and Carla, is it safe to assume that they believe that Mr. Jones hired Mr. Mansfield to commit the murders? If so, then a lot of things add up.
I have never seen the inside of the house, only pics of the outside yet I have invisioned it. I have to say that watching HE last night and finally seeing the interior of the house, was like I had been there before. It is exactly as I invisioned it, right down to furniture placement.
Patrick, did you go into the attic? Did anything paranormal happen when the 2 am train passed? What was your first impression upon entering the house?
Joined: Jun 09, 2005 Posts: 336 Location: Dallas, Texas
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:35 pm Post subject:
I thought it was a very tragic story and my heart was broken for the innocent children and everyone else in the home. I only hope that whoever did a crime as brutal as this, is being punished somewhere. _________________ http://www.myspace.com/casper_the_cutie35
Joined: Oct 28, 2004 Posts: 728 Location: Snellville, Ga
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:25 am Post subject: Re: Season 2 Episode 12 (Haunted in Villisca) discussion
ghostgeek wrote:
Tonight's episode revolved around the 1912 murder of JB Moore, his wife Sarah, their four children and two house guests.
when I told them when the case occurred, they did not believe we could do an episode revolving around this - no surviving family members; no surviving law-enforcement to interview that actually worked on the case. I mean ostensibly this crime could have been committed by a 10-year-old child who would now be 105 years old, but it's a beyond safe bet that whoever committed this horrendous crime took their dark secret to the grave with them. Sadly, justice will never be served to the perpetrator of this crime.
... this was a horrible heinous crime, and even though 95 years have passed (to put it into perspective, this happened just a couple months after the Titanic sank) we should all pray for the family of JB Moore, and the Stillinger sisters who did not deserve to die this way.
and semingly, the culprit got "away with it," took his secret to afterlife without any penalty or retribution against him for his crime.
yet, I believe in the grand scheme of life, he did suffer for his crime.
I believe that the human conscience can be one of the greatest torturers one can know! even though this person supposedly slipped away without being found, I believe he suffered all through the rest of his life for the brutality and viciousness of what he commited against these souls! surely, his mind never let it go. his conscience never quit reminding him that he deserved to pay for the innocent lives he took! and that of children -their confused cries out to him for mercy and for the release of their pain! this is the torture of the mind which drives a criminal just to the brink of insanity! it will never stop! count on it!
perhaps E. Poe knew this too when he wrote, "Tell-Tale Heart". beneath the floor beats the heart of the helpless victim, louder and louder until it can no longer be ignored! it drives the killer to the point of total exasperation! he cries out to anyone who can hear him his confession -he did it! just stop the crying victim! stop the beating heart!
yep, the conscience is a powerful device. it keeps the balance on our lives.
what's that you say, O J Simpson? your golf balls are weeping?!
hmmm. _________________ "just because you can't SEE them, doesn't mean they're not there!"
Joined: Jun 05, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: kennesaw, ga.
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:47 am Post subject:
Just because the culprit did not stand in front of a jury of his peers and be held accountable, I agree with WG. The universe has a way of enacting the greatest retribution of all, and a concience is part of that.
Imagine what happened when he passed away... he will never ever know a minutes peace and he will be chased and hunted throughout eternity and serve his time in hell. I am sure God in all of His infinite wisdom did not let this man escape his punishment. It is a hard thing to see clearly, that someone like that went unpunnished, but in the end, he got what he deserved, and whatever he told himself to make himself feel better, did not work. the loneliness itself to carry the guilt and fear of discovery had to have left him sleepless for the rest of his life. There is justice, we may not always be there to see it or have a hand in its completeness. Bimmy
Joined: Apr 30, 2006 Posts: 510 Location: Oakland County, Michigan
Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2007 11:33 am Post subject:
Some people who are true Psychopaths or Sociopaths, don't have a concsience like the rest of us. Though, the fact that the killer covered the face of the boy (I'm not sure if they said that he covered all the faces, or just the one child) does provide evidence of a minor conscience-he felt somehow conflicted over what he had done. So, one could only speculate the types of thoughts he may have had about this killing. Conversley, he may have looked at it like a "job" if he was hired on a contract. He completed the job, he got his pay, end of story. At least for the time being...
Patrick, the show covered briefly that the rival business owner (the one who lived in the large house) was a suspect but cleared. Does anyone know what became of him after the case?
Patrick, the show covered briefly that the rival business owner (the one who lived in the large house) was a suspect but cleared. Does anyone know what became of him after the case?
He died not long after. I have some websites about the case. If anyone wants them, PM me and I'll give you my e-mail addy and I can send you the links.
As I was reading the comments about the killer's conscience being a torture of its own, I couldn't help but think that likely the person who committed these atrocities, has no conscience. I do however feel relieved that God has a special place with a very warm climate for such a ruthless killer.
Joined: Jun 05, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: kennesaw, ga.
Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 7:57 am Post subject:
ok! i admit that the killers' concience may not be as guilt producing as ours might be, but it is only a small part of it. The universe itself and God, will make sure he or she does not escape justice. a sociopath may not toss and turn about what they have done but... inthe checks and balances of it all, justice will come. that was the point. not the fact they may or may not had a concience. all the spirits of those they killed will be thirsty to make sure the crimes are paid for. can you imagine never sleeping because you are constantly haunted by the ones you killed? awful... it may not bother the killer but once they have left this world, they are fair game and now become the prey. Like Esprit said, a nice hot climate will be the final destination. Only god knows what will make a sociopathic killer cringe and that is the justice we will never see, but must hope , comes at the end of it all. I am sure those spirits would have a lot to say if the right circumstances and questions were presented and no cameras were rolling! Bimmy
Joined: Oct 28, 2004 Posts: 728 Location: Snellville, Ga
Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2007 9:29 am Post subject:
many psychologists will tell you that criminals DO in fact suffer the affects of their crimes in one way or another. one may not assume the normal reactions after committing such things, but many do show symptoms which manifest themselves in other ways, such as paranormal and hallucination tendencies, personal body mutilation, and even depression. even psychopaths and sociopaths have testified that they have some "identification" or "recollection" of their crime -albeit not in the way a normal person may associate guilt, but they are aware of it nonetheless. this association would indicate that the mind is "reminding" them and continuously witnessing to them of the crime. the perpetrator may revel in the thought of doing the crime and may dwell on it repeatedly, but over the course of time, it begins to unravel him. he must continuously renew this association with the crime or commit anew in order to satisfy or squelch the mind. and this in itself is a torment -the person is never free. on some level, his concience is there to remind him of what he has done over and over -his mind effects inbalance.
not every criminal is a Hannibal Lecter. many do show signs of remorse and regret. just not enough to suffer being caught and brought to justice! and even many of those which are psychotic still have an understanding on some level that they are "not normal," -even sick. They know it. their mind tells them.
the mind is a complex thing. yet it is constant. when it ceases to be in control, the body is then in a vegetative state. or it is dead! _________________ "just because you can't SEE them, doesn't mean they're not there!"
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Ghost hunting is a potentially hazardous activity due to numerous environmental variables. Outdoor ghost hunts typically take place in dark areas such as cemeteries and old buildings which may contain unseen hazards that pose risk of bodily harm, damage to property or even death. We do not recommend anyone venture into an unfamiliar area without first surveying potential hazards during daylight hours.
Neither Ghost Hounds members, site subscribers, site moderators or founder and director Patrick Burns assume any liability for any bodily injury, loss of life, or loss / damage to personal or private property resulting either directly or indirectly from information found on this site.
Furthermore, we assume no liability for the actions of people that choose to trespass on private property. We strongly oppose anyone being on private property without the expressed consent of the property owner or its legally appointed agent.
Your use of this site constitutes you agreem to the above and assume full legal and moral responsibility for your own actions.
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
