Do Not Fear The Unknown

Time: 2100 - 0200

Location: Mississippi Belle Restaurant, 101 E 2nd St, (under the bridge) Hastings MN.

Overcast, Temperature –10, Strong Northerly Winds, 20 to 25 Mph

Members Participating: HPT - Judy, Juli, Erin, Rich, Josh, Andrea, Kevin, and Tim

Members Participating: IPRA - Jacqui, Beth, Eric, Michelle, Nancy, Dee, Jeanette and Jessie

Fate Magazine Editor In Chief – Phyllis Galde

Background:

The Mississippi Belle Restaurant in Hastings MN was the site of two investigations for Hastings Paranormal Team in 2007. Both investigations were extremely active for the team and resulted in a significant amount of evidence not to mention some memorable personal experiences.

The building has a historic significance because it is located on the site of the first permanent structure in the City of Hastings.

Through efforts by Erin with HPT, she established a relationship with IPRA and traveled to Villisca IA to join IPRA on a joint investigation. Jacqui with IPRA stated that she would be very interested in undertaking a joint investigation at this site with both IPRA and HPT. Jacqui also informed Erin that a Representative of FATE magazine would also be accompanying IPRA to cover the investigation for publication in the magazine. After speaking with the owners Hope and Bill who agreed to the investigation, a date and time were agreed upon for the investigation to take place.

Judy and Tim arrived at the Mississippi Belle Restaurant and were greeted by Bill who led them up to the banquet room as the central meeting point due to the restaurant still serving customers. Phyllis with FATE magazine was the next to arrive followed shortly thereafter by Kevin and Rich. Soon after Jacqui and IPRA arrived with the remainder of the HPT members.

After some brief introductions by both teams, Tim then escorted Jacqui, Phyllis, and other IPRA team members to the various locations within the business so that they could determine equipment placement. Juli then passed out an investigation plan and reviewed it with HPT Team members, everyone then relocated to the dining room area to begin setting up for the investigation.

After the equipment setup was completed, the teams then proceeded to engage in the investigation.

Structure and Location:

The building appears to be constructed of bricks, consists of two stories with the entire first floor and a section of the second floor dedicated to the business. There are also apartments on the upper floor of the building. The building is situated next to the Highway 61-river bridge and appears to share a common wall with another business. There is an electrical substation located behind the building and also high-voltage power lines nearby. This proximity to the substation and power lines may account for some of the extremely high EMF readings, but more research should be done to confirm this. Traffic on the bridge can be heard within the building especially large trucks or vehicles with loud exhaust.

Investigation:

After the setup was completed, HPT team members went to their beginning investigation locations. Judy and Andrea went to an upstairs apartment, Juli and Kevin went to the north basement area and Erin and Rich moved to the office and boiler room areas. Josh initially began the investigation by using a video camera to record the team members in various areas. Tim remained at the dining room control area while the other team members dispersed to their assignments and utilized the time to speak to Beth of IPRA and discuss team operations and movements.

Tim then moved into the basement area where he met up with Juli, Kevin and Michelle. They briefly discussed some of the past occurrences in this room and some of the team experiences. Tim then departed and went back into the Dining room where he met up with Jacqui who offered to share some forms that IPRA uses during an investigation. Her and Tim went over the forms and Jacqui also offered some information on how her team records the information, their team breakout and job assignments and how they have found this invaluable for incident documentation.

Jacqui, Phyllis, Josh and Tim then moved towards the upstairs apartments where they found Judy and Andrea in apartment A. Judy had the infrared camera aimed towards the living room of the apartment. She stated she had a bit of a problem getting it to sync up correctly, but managed to overcome this issue. She also stated that she felt the presence of a male entity within the apartment. Jacqui, Phyllis and Tim moved towards one of the bedrooms where both Jacqui and Phyllis detected the presence of a female entity. Phyllis stated that she got a feeling of lightness or that of a “good mood” of the spirit, and did not detect any malicious intent.

After a short period of time, they moved back towards the dining room when they were notified that IPRA was “working” something in the wine cellar. Jackie, Phyllis, Tim and Josh moved towards the area. Upon entry into the wine cellar, they found Eric with IPRA apparently in contact with an entity that was manipulating an EMF meter. The meter would appear to “sound” when Eric would ask the entity to make the device sound. Michelle was working with Eric to insure good control and no contamination of the exercise. IPRA were also taking a series of photographs during this exercise. Other IPRA members also reported sensations from tingling going down their backs to strange sensations in their legs. After a short period of time, Tim and Josh moved out of the area to allow other investigators in to view the incident.

Tim went over to speak to Beth at IPRA command, Beth stated that she while was watching the cameras, she saw Eric working in the area, and also viewed an orb that appeared to come down the stairs and turn towards the room. Beth also stated that the area was fully swept by Eric prior to beginning the experiment and he sought out an area where there were no anomalous EMF hits detected to conduct the experiment.

Josh and Tim then decided to go down to the north basement dish room, the site of significant activity in the past. As they descended the stairs and made their way down the hallway, Tim determined that it was too light for a vigil in the area. He went back up the stairs, turned off the stairway lighting and returned to where Josh was waiting in the hallway.

They moved towards the far end of the hallway and turned the light and camera off. Tim then began called to try and gain a response from any entity that might be around. He asked, if there was an entity, if it remembered them, and asked for the entity to respond with a noise or touch. Tim then asked Josh if he was able to detect anything, to which he replied he did not. The team members they moved into the small dish room and again Tim began calling. He immediately tried a provocation approach. He repeatedly asked questions on how things were going, if the entity remembered them, etc. Tim again asked Josh if he was able to detect the entity’s presence. Josh stated that he could. He also stated that he got the impression that the entity was “at the end of his rope”, meaning feeling distraught. Tim again tried provoking the entity by asking if he felt that he had “met his match” with the team.

Tim tried switching tactics and asked the entity if he would like the team’s assistance in attempting to release him. He went on say that the team held no ill feelings towards him, and that although he may had done some bad things in his life, that it would still be possible for him to move on if he so desired. At this point, Tim heard his name being called out. He answered in response to the call and went up the stairway where he met Jacqui. She asked if anyone had turned off the light, to which he replied that he did. Jacqui stated that Beth had caught the light going off on camera, but did not see Tim. He admitted that he had shut if off and apologized for not making IPRA aware of this action beforehand.

He returned to the dish room and again met up with Josh. Tim again began calling to the entity, and after a few moments Josh stated that he was getting an uneasy feeling again. A minute or two later, Tim stated that he was getting very cold, Josh replied he was also getting cold. Tim again asked if the entity wanted the investigator’s help, at which point both investigators saw what appeared to be a faint flash of light on the wall. Josh then stated that he again felt that something was there with them. He then told Tim to place his hand in an area towards the far wall where he had located an isolated cold spot. Tim did not immediately feel the cold spot, but soon located it. Josh then stated that it felt like “something” moved between and behind them. Tim again tried calling to the entity. Within a few minutes, both investigators saw another flash of light on the wall. Josh checked the camera to insure that that device did not cause it. Josh turned on his LED headlamp and both investigators tried to locate any possible source for the light, which they could not. They again went dark and Tim resumed calling for the entity. He then became more demanding trying to incite the entity, when Tim noticed something move along side him. Josh stated that he viewed something moving in the doorway to the room. Tim turned and he too saw shadow move outside the doorway. He turned back towards the wall and informed Josh that he was again getting a cold sensation on his left hand. Josh then moved towards Tim and moved his hand near where Tim’s was and also remarked that it was cold.

Tim continued provoking the entity and again saw movement in the doorway. Tim kept asking the entity to give the investigators a sign if it wanted them to leave. Josh stated that his left arm suddenly felt a stabbing pain in it and soon if felt like someone hand placed their fingers on his arm. Josh then stated that he saw a flash over Tim’s head and stated that he got a feeling that he should not have his back to a particular corner, but that was all the more reason to, for him. Again Josh stated that he saw a flash of light in front of Tim who immediately said that he has just seen a shadow move directly in front of him. Josh then reported that he was seeing an “immense dark area” and pointed it out to Tim. He then stated that it could have just been his eyes playing tricks on him. Josh then stated that he saw two more small flashes of light behind Tim by the doorway.

Tim continued provoking the entity by referencing the entities hygiene habits, and again restated that if the entity wanted them to leave to give them a sign or do something. At this point, Judy entered the room. Josh and Tim then updated Judy on what they had just experienced with the cold spots and light flashes. Tim continued provoking the entity and updating Judy when Josh again stated that it felt very cold on his hand again and like someone had touched him. This time the area moved towards the floor and then dissipated. Tim asked Josh what feelings he was getting, he stated that same as before, but could detect more aggravation from the entity. Judy asked if Josh and Tim had seen any movement in there before. Tim replied they had, to which Judy stated she also had detected something moving in the doorway. The investigators remained there for a few additional minutes discussing the activity. Tim then asked if either Judy or Josh could feel the entity in the room. Judy stated that she felt like it had moved off, to which Josh agreed. Again Judy stated that she saw something move through the doorway and out into the dry storage area. The investigators followed the path they though the shadow moved, but were not able to detect anything in the area.

Judy, Josh and Tim then walked through the dry storage area getting a better layout of the shelving. They then moved down the hallway towards the door that leads into the office. The three investigators then went back up to the dining room area where they met up with Juli and updated them on the activity they had experienced. Tim stated that they were going to go over and speak with Beth and see if she managed to capture anything on the video. Beth then updated Tim on IPRA’s findings where they asked an entity to stop two EMF meters simultaneously, which they did.

Tim then stated that he would need to locate the remainder of the team to which Beth stated that she thought that they were up in the banquet room. Tim stated that he needed to check on the tape on the recorder up in the banquet room anyhow, so Josh and him went up stairs to the room to change it. Upon entry into the room, Tim found Kevin, Andrea, Judy, Rich and Erin. Tim went on to inform the team members what had happened in the room.

Andrea then sat in the center of the room and began using the dowsing rods. She repeatedly asked yes and no questions with the rods, asking any entity to cross the rods for yes. With the door leading to the banquet room closed, Judy began using the IR thermometer to take some ambient temperature readings. Tim then began asking questions while Andrea held the dowsing rods in an attempt to get a response. After a short time, Beth came up to the banquet room and stated that she had just seen a light anomaly in the dish room. Josh, Jacqui and Tim immediately went back down to the room to investigate. Both Jacqui and Tim attempted calling. Jacqui immediately tried a provocation method in an attempt to gain a response. Jacqui then stated that she saw a shadow move outside of the doorway. Jacqui then called for “Buck” to show himself, and that he did not intimidate her.

Tim then stated that he again saw a flash behind him. Jacqui then received a call on the radio from Beth who verified who was in the area. Jacqui then asked if it would be possible to turn on a flashlight so she could check and see if there was any source that could account for the shadow being cast earlier. Jacqui then asked if there was someone in the office. Jacqui then called into her base to see if there was someone in the office. The investigators went back upstairs with Jacqui going to her command area while Tim and Josh went down to the office area. Josh and Tim found no one in the office area at that time.

Jacqui, Josh and Tim then met at the command area where Jacqui asked if Josh and Tim could return to the area to try to raise the energy level. Beth stated that she went up and got Tim after she saw the bright light on the screen. Jacqui also informed Beth about the shadow she saw and inquired if she had also seen that, she stated she had not, that the incident occurred off camera. Beth went on to add that when Josh, Jacqui and Tim left, she view what appeared to be a mist follow them out of the room. Jacqui then asked Jessie if she could archive the fact that Josh felt like there was someone holding onto his arm when they departed. Beth also stated that when Josh and Tim were in the room, she saw a red light between the two that moved in an arc over and between them. Beth stated that she did not think that it was Josh’s headlamp, to which Jacqui stated that Josh had the headlamp off at the time of the incident.

Jacqui then asked where the rest of HPT were located. Tim stated that he believed that they were in the banquet room yet. Jacqui then asked if HPT could please try some provocation in their locations in an attempt to raise the energy level in the location. She asked if this could continue for about 15 minutes. Tim and Josh then went up to the banquet room to try some provocation in the area. Judy stated that they were already “contacting” someone with the rods. Judy stated that she was just headed down to the boiler room. Tim then informed Judy that Josh and him were going back down to the dish room to return to provoking the entity.

Immediately upon entering the room Tim again began provoking the entity. Almost immediately Tim asked Josh if it seemed brighter on the back wall. When Josh looked towards the wall, Josh stated that he got a feeling like a swaying motion coming towards him like someone that was drunk. Tim again reiterated that the wall seemed brighter and that Josh stated that it seemed like the wall was illuminated somehow. Tim also stated that he saw something move off to the right side of him. Josh then announced that he was getting a “really weird” feeling again like someone is trying to provoke back. He also stated he saw movement again back by the doorway. Tim again tried calling to gain a response. Josh then joined in with Tim to try to bolster a response. Both investigators tried provocation tactics to try to get the entity to respond.

At this point, Tim stated that the rear wall again appeared to darken, and Josh stated that he did not feel the entity’s presence as much. Josh continued to provoke the entity by daring it to do something. He also stated that there appeared to be movement by the IR camera. Josh stated that he saw a shadow move into the room, across the floor, and off into the left corner past the investigators. Tim also stated that he saw something move outside the room. Josh again stated that he was getting a really sick feeling again like something was about to happen. Josh told the entity to push Tim, pull his hair, or throw something at him. Tim resumed calling and provoking the entity. Josh then stated that there was a light that flashed over by where a DVR was placed on a shelf. Josh stated that last time he seemed to be all for attacking us, but this time he could do nothing. Josh again saw some more flashing lights by the DVR and a shadow move towards the corner by the door. Tim then moved over more towards the center of the room. Tim then stated to Josh that it seemed like the entity was afraid of him. Tim then saw some more movement outside the door.

Josh then spotted a bit of light coming from around a pipe. Both he and Tim moved towards the area. Just as they were about to leave to investigate the movement outside the room, Tim stated that something touched or grabbed his hand. Josh turned on his LED headlamp to see what could have caused it. The only things in the area were some cardboard boxes that were about 2 feet away from him. They then tried to find a source for some lights they had being seeing intermittently, but were not able to. Both the investigators they moved out into the hallway to see if they could determine who or what was moving outside the room. They moved down the hallway to where the office door was and then back into the dish room.

They tried calling and provoking the entity. They again looked towards the rear wall and both investigators again noticed that the wall appeared to be getting lighter. They again searched for a cause of the lightening of the wall but were not able to. Tim noticed something move over towards the northwest corner, when the investigators again noticed that the wall again got darker. Within a minute or so, it again lightened. They checked the indicator light on the DVR to see if it was the cause of the anomaly, it was not. Tim then stated that something tapped him on the top of his head. Both investigators asked if the entity could repeat that action again. Then Josh saw another pinpoint light flash in the corner by the rear wall. Soon after this, Tim informed Josh that he was getting dizzy, to which Josh replied he also felt similarly. Tim then stumbled backwards a bit causing concern from Josh who asked if he was OK. Tim stated that he was, but had never felt anything like that before. Then Josh stated that he felt like he was being pushed back and saw a weird shadow pass in front of his face. Tim then stated that he was getting very warm. Tim stated that it felt like something was coming at him and pushing him back, at the same time he was getting lightheaded. Josh stated it felt almost like madness, like someone was trying to get them to go away. Tim again reported that something tried to push him back. He also stated like there was something causing a constant force against him. Tim again stumbled backwards, and stated it again felt like it was a series of waves coming at him. Josh then stated that he saw a faint white light pass across the front of Tim.

The two investigators again faced the wall when Tim reported he was seeing a faint, blue glow that started on the wall and was working it’s way up the wall and across the ceiling over the top of the investigators. Josh agreed he too was seeing weird blue silhouettes that appeared to manifest, dissolve and then reappear. Josh then stated that he saw a faint white light in front of him and then what appeared to be an “arch” of light across the ceiling. Again Josh saw another arch of light on the ceiling and asked Tim to put his hand up near it to see if he could feel any cool or cold sensation. Again the wall appeared to brighten, only with a light, blue hue this time, like something was trying to manifest itself. Josh then reported that he had a sensation like someone touching his hair, but under his cap. Josh then stated that he was again feeling a cool sensation on his right arm. Immediately after Tim exclaimed that he had seen two bright streaks of light appear on the back wall moving from right to left. Shortly after Tim stated that his left hand was getting cold again. Josh then stated that he saw a streak of light coming in from the doorway and what appeared to be a mans shoe, like an old style shoe and part of a pant leg about two feet in front of him. Tim then saw a shadow move in front of the door. Josh then admitted that the first time he and Tim were down there, he had a sharp pain in his left knee, now his right knee had a similar pain, but the left knee was fine. Josh stated he was getting a feeling that there was something there that was malicious, but not powerful enough to really do anything or cause any harm to either of them.

Josh then stated that it seemed like something was trying to manifest itself on the back wall, but was not able to. Josh again admitted that something touched his hair again, to which Tim said that it appeared that something stuck it’s head out like it was looking into the room where they were. Again Tim admitted that he was getting cold again and Josh stated that something was again touching him on the back. He continued to state that something felt like it was touching his hair. Josh moved towards where Tim was. Tim stated to Josh that he continued to see something like it was looking into the room.

Tim then asked Josh to look outside the room, above the IR camera in the doorway, he saw a small ball of light that would appear to get bigger, then smaller again. Josh stated that earlier he was seeing shadows in the same area that appeared to be moving up and down. The investigators stayed in the room for a while and engaged in some casual conversation between them. Josh then informed Tim about some other areas that may be good for investigation.

(When investigators engage in casual conversation, EVP’s will sometimes be found on the recording.) As the investigators were leaving, Josh stated that he earlier saw small, dark figures that appeared to move very quickly around him in the room.

The two investigators then went back up to the dining room and met up with Judy and informed her what had happened. Jacqui was explaining to Judy a controlled experiment that she was about to undertake with some of the investigators in an attempt to connect with and entity by way of a photograph.

Tim then explained to Beth what they had experienced in the small dish room and asked Beth is she saw anything happen. Beth stated that there was activity on 6 different cameras so she was not able to focus on just one. Tim explained to Beth how a “wave” came at him and he stumbled backwards, to which Beth turned to Jessie and stated that she said that it looked like Tim stumbled on camera at that time. Tim and Josh then got some water and took a small break in the dining room/bar area.

Tim then asked if Juli and Andrea would like to join Josh and him in the dish room. They agreed to come along so the investigators moved back down to the north basement. Upon entry into the room, Andrea took up a position near the back wall while Juli used the IR thermometer to take temperature readings along the wall. She found that in a span of approximately 4 feet, the temperature dropped 10 to 13 degrees. Tim and Juli both looked to see if there was a window hidden or some other source of cold air that could cause such a significant drop. Neither investigator could find any reasonable explanation for the drop. Tim again began going over some of the events which Josh and him had experienced when Andrea stated that it felt like someone had pulled lightly on her hair. Tim also commented that if felt like someone tugged on the back of his shirt. Andrea shone a flashlight up at the ceiling to see if she could see a cobweb or something else that may have caused this and around behind Tim to see if his shirt caught on something. She could not find a cause for either incident. Juli stated that she was able to “see” a short man, the same entity that the team encountered on the first investigation pacing back and forth in front of the investigators by the back wall. Shortly after stating this, Josh to stated he was able to
“see” the same image. Shortly after this incident, Tim stated that it felt like something tugged lightly on his hair also. Again no cause could be located for this. Juli then stated that she had seen a small flash of blue light on the wall and Andrea stated that she saw what appeared to be a shadow move outside of the room.

While the team members were discussing these incidents, Juli reported that she felt like someone had touched or grabbed her shirt by her right elbow. Juli then tried to address the entity to see if she could cause something else to occur. It did not. The team members then discussed how the room suddenly seemed to cool off and appeared to become darker when we were not discussing the entity. Andrea again reported that she saw a small flash of light outside the doorway to the room. The investigators remained in the room trying to provoke any entity into some form of action but were not successful. As the investigators moved out of the room, Josh stated that it felt like someone had grabbed his arm and was trying to twist it. After he moved out of the room, the sensation ceased.

After the investigators got back up to the dining room, Erin met them. Tim began relaying the activity that they had encountered down in the dish room. Erin stated that she had not really experienced any discernable activity all evening. Tim then asked Erin if she would like to go with him back down into the dish room in an attempt to provoke the entity into becoming active again. She agreed to this, so she and Tim made their way back down to the dish room for a short vigil. Tim again went over some of the occurrences and experiences that Josh, Juli, Andrea and he had that evening. Both Erin and Tim again tried to provoke the entity into providing some proof it was there. They did not get a response.

Both Erin and Tim heard a noise outside in the other room and noticed a light on in the stairwell area. Soon three members of IPRA appeared and began tearing down equipment. Erin and Tim then left, returned to the dining room and began packing up the equipment.

Before departing Tim spoke with Hope and Bill about any activity that had been new since the teams last investigation. Bill stated that on two separate occasions some decorations that were hung up in the bar at different times seemed to just fall down when they were engaged in discussions about the activity in the building. Bill stated that when the decorations were placed there, they insured that they were well affixed to avoid such an incident.

Bill also stated that more recently, shadows have been seen moving across the south entry wall by the street. Tim offered that it could be possible that a light from a car coming down along side the bridge may cast some of these shadows. Bill then stated that from what he could see, these appeared to move across the inside of the building both at and below the window levels and seems fairly solid. He also stated that they moved fairly rapidly. While Tim was looking towards the wall, he too saw a black shadow that moved quickly just over the far end of the bar.

Hope stated that she is a little frustrated and saddened a bit because she would like to try to help or communicate with whatever entities may be in the building, but does not know how. Tim offered that if she wanted to, she could just address then or acknowledge them when she senses that they may be around. He went on to say that most often, they just wish to be acknowledged. He also stated that finding out the identity of who they could be may be just about impossible, but with more research or additional investigations, they may be able to identify a few of them.

Also Hope stated that recently they have been considering putting up some old photographs that were taken down and in storage in the hope that this gesture could help.

Tim then thanked Hope and Bill for allowing the joint investigation and stated that we would be in contact later for an evidence reveal.

 

Supplemental Reports:
Supplemental Report - Juli	Supplemental Report - Erin	Supplemental Report - Judy
Supplemental Report - Josh	Supplemental Report - Kevin	Supplemental Report - Andrea
	Supplemental Report - Rich

 

Occurrences or Experiences:

 Multiple investigators witnessed shadows move around or near them in the basement area
 Multiple entities were again detected by Sensitives within the building
 Numerous EVP’s were recorded by team members within the location
 I nvestigators again had the sensation of being touched in the basement area
 One investigator had a sensation of being "hit" by what felt like a wave and becoming light headed

Conclusion...

This location continues to have unexplained occurrences of phenomena that defies reasonable explanation. Numerous reports of incidents continue to be reported by Employees at the location and by members of paranormal teams who have undertaken investigations there as well.

It is still maintained that multiple entites remain at the location causing items to move, i.e. glasses by waite persons, shadows being seen, a feeling of uneasiness by persons in the basement area, doors being manipulated and persons believing they were touched by something unseen.

These reports along with additional evidence collected through Paranormal Investigations continues to support the fact that this location is inhabited by unseen entities with the only reasonable conclusion being that it is haunted.

Click on the EVP's to Listen...
Banquet Room Did you call anything - Erin D	Wine Cellar Hideme, helpme -Juli D	Female Unknown D Rm-D-Tim
Banquet Room im going to get you - Erin D	Diningroom - Andrea D	Strange noise in Bsmnt btwn flashes-D-Tim
Boiler Room odd blips on demand - Erin D	The bar tell me when they go - Andrea D	Male in Bsmnt, Growl-D-Tim
Front door unknown male - Erin D	Wine cellar whisper- Andrea D	Male in D Rm, answering Erin-D-Tim
Office Can you hear - Erin D	Wine cellar-strange noise- Andrea D	Help me
Office unknown - Erin D	Female in D Rm during setup 2-D-Tim	Hi
Office unknown whisper- Erin D	Female in D Rm during setup-D-Tim	Get out of here
Dining Room female unknown whisper - Juli D	Female in D Rm, answer to Phyllis - D-Tim	Banquet room-no to Kevins question
Dining Room shhhhhh - Juli D	Female in D Rm, by Beth and Tim-D-Tim	Unknown
Dining Room my land - Juli D	Female in D Rm, Response to Rich-D-Tim	Unknown #2
Dining Room whos sittin out there - Juli D	Female in D Rm, Tim's Here-D-Tim	Unknown #3

*We are now adding the name of the team member who carried the device that picked up the EVP*

Investigation Photos...

None...

 

Videos...