Pellerton Haunting: The Seance Sessions

The Pellerton Haunting: The Seance Sessions

The small town of Pellerton, Minnesota, gained national notoriety in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to a series of mysterious events that began with seances held at the home of Emma Leavenworth. What started as an innocent attempt to communicate with loved ones who had passed on quickly spiraled into what is now known as one of the most famous hauntings in American history.

The History and Background

In 1890, Emma Leavenworth, a 35-year-old widow, moved into her late husband’s family home in Pellerton. The house, built in 1876, was a modest two-story structure with a small annex. Leavenworth had recently lost her only son to illness and was seeking solace through spiritualist practices. Her decision to hold seances at the home would set the stage for one of the most enduring paranormal phenomena in American history.

Key Events or Sightings

#### The First Seance (1890)

Emma Leavenworth held her first seance on December 24, 1890. The night was cold and dark, but the atmosphere inside the house was charged with anticipation. Emma invited a small group of friends—Miss E.B. Fisk, Miss Mabel Bemis, and a local minister, Mr. J.J. Smith—to participate. As they gathered around the table, a chill swept through the room. The lights flickered erratically, and a strange energy seemed to fill the air.

Suddenly, the table began to move on its own. It was a simple wooden affair with legs, but it was now levitating several inches off the ground. The group could barely believe their eyes. Mrs. Leavenworth’s son, William, who had died just months earlier, was believed to be communicating through the table movements.

#### The Second Seance (1892)

The second seance took place on January 31, 1892. This time, more people were invited, including a local newspaper reporter, Mr. W.H. Cady, who documented the event for the _Pellerton Gazette_. As the group gathered around the table, they felt an inexplicable presence in the room. William’s spirit was said to have manifested as the table moved and lifted, spelling out messages with its legs.

During one particularly intense session, the group heard a faint whisper: “Come home, mother.” It was the last message anyone ever received from William. The seances continued for several weeks after this incident but grew increasingly erratic and violent.

#### The Ghostly Phenomenon

Over the next few years, the seance sessions became more frequent and elaborate. Emma Leavenworth’s niece, Sarah Leavenworth, joined her aunt in conducting these rituals. Together, they developed a complex system of table movements to spell out messages from what was believed to be William’s spirit.

One particularly notable session occurred on March 10, 1893. The seances had been going on for several hours when Sarah noticed that the table began moving slowly toward her. She grabbed it and tried to pull it back, but as she did so, a hand—cold and clammy—touched hers. It was a momentary contact, but enough to send chills down everyone’s spine.

On March 18, 1893, the seances took an even more dramatic turn. Emma Leavenworth reported that William had appeared in her bedroom, whispering “Come home” before vanishing again. This incident was witnessed by Sarah and several others, including a family friend named Miss A.M. Johnson.

Witness Accounts or Evidence

#### Emma Leavenworth’s Account

Emma Leavenworth described the seances as “a medium through which William could communicate.” She claimed that during these sessions, she felt a strong presence in the room and saw shadows moving around her. On one occasion, she heard a voice saying, “Mother, I am here.”

#### Sarah Leavenworth’s Account

Sarah corroborated many of her aunt’s claims. In an interview with the _Pellerton Gazette_, she recalled that during seances, the table would move in ways that could not be explained by any human means. She also mentioned instances where a hand had touched hers and the appearance of William in her room.

#### Miss A.M. Johnson’s Account

Miss Johnson, who was present during several seances, reported feeling a cold breeze on her face as if someone were standing behind her. On one occasion, she saw what appeared to be a figure in the corner of the room, though no one else could see it.

Investigations or Research

#### Scientific Inquiry

In 1894, the _Pellerton Gazette_ published an article detailing the seance sessions, which sparked interest among local scientists and academics. Dr. Charles H. Talcott, a prominent psychologist from the University of Minnesota, visited Pellerton to investigate the phenomenon firsthand.

Dr. Talcott set up a series of experiments using cameras and other scientific equipment during seances. He noted that while no supernatural forces were detected, the movements of the table could not be explained by any known physical or psychological means. His findings suggested that the phenomena might have a natural explanation but left open the possibility of unexplained factors.

#### Paranormal Research

In 1905, the Society for Psychical Research (SPR) conducted an investigation into the Pellerton hauntings. The SPR sent a team to gather evidence and document the seance sessions in detail. They reported that while no definitive proof of supernatural activity was found, there were numerous instances where the movements of the table could not be accounted for by human agency.

The Current Status / Ongoing Mystery

Today, the Pellerton Haunting remains an open-ended mystery. While many have attempted to explain away the phenomena as a combination of psychological tricks and natural occurrences, others continue to believe in the supernatural nature of the events.

Emma Leavenworth passed away in 1907, but her niece Sarah lived on for several more decades, occasionally conducting seances with a small group of believers. The house where these events took place is now a private residence, and no public access is allowed. However, it continues to draw curious visitors from around the world who seek to uncover the truth behind the Pellerton hauntings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Were there any physical evidence found during the seances?

A: Several witnesses reported seeing cold spots, shadows, and hands touching them during seances. While no definitive proof of supernatural activity was found, some accounts suggest that these phenomena could not be explained by natural means alone.

Q: Did anyone else besides Emma Leavenworth claim to have witnessed the hauntings?

A: Yes, several individuals, including Sarah Leavenworth and Miss A.M. Johnson, corroborated many of her claims. They reported seeing shadows, feeling cold spots, and experiencing physical contact during seances.

Q: Have any modern investigations been conducted at the site?

A: In recent years, paranormal investigators have occasionally visited the area to conduct their own investigations. While no conclusive evidence has emerged, these studies continue to add to the body of anecdotal evidence surrounding the Pellerton hauntings.

Q: What do most scientists think about the Pellerton seances?

A: Most scientists attribute the phenomena to a combination of psychological factors and natural occurrences. However, they acknowledge that some aspects of the events remain unexplained and open to interpretation.

Q: Can people still visit the site where the hauntings occurred?

A: The house is now a private residence, and public access is not allowed. While this limits direct investigation, it does not diminish the ongoing interest in understanding the Pellerton hauntings.