ARCHIVED Richard Senate GHOST BLOGS
The Fall is coming and with it all sorts of Ghostly events. This October 2 to 4 Richard and Debbie will be at the Palace Hotel in Las Vegas as part of the Ghost and supernatural conference held there. Mr. Senate will be talking about his recent findings in Northern Nevada as well as his research on Evil Ghosts and Haunted Houses. Debbie will be discussing what its like to be psychic and how you can control this gift. She will also be doing readings for selected people. Get your tickets now!
Debbie Senate has appeared on many TV shows and she is internationally recognized for her many psychic gifts. Debbie and Richard Return to Ventura for GHOST TOURS. October 28, 29, 30 and 31st will see Debbie and Richard conducting tours of Ventura, California with a special focus on ghostly communication. Some of the tours will be held at the historic (and haunted) Olivas Adobe Historical Park. This is, Mr. Senate believes one of your best chances to encounter a real ghost. Get your tickets now by calling the City of Ventura Cultural Arts Division at 805-658-4726. This may well be one of the last times these tours will be offered. The tours will focus on the downtown area and the 1913 City Hall building as well as the 1847 adobe ranch home of Don Raymundo Olivas. This site was the subject of a SIGHTINGS episode as well as an article in FATE Magazine. It will be a never-to-be-forgotten evening.
A new book by Richard Senate looks at houses where ghosts are of an evil sort. “For years I have said that most ghosts were about as dangerous as Casper the Friendly ghost but, recently, I have been forced to eat my words. Some ghosts are more like Charles Mason than Topper! Sometimes ghost hunting can be dangerous indeed. This book tells of curses, demons, evil spirits and houses where negative forces rule. Yes, ghosts can kill.” Richard Senate New Tours coming. Alcatraz Island The Rock has a long history of being haunted by the sad ghosts of its former inmates. Mr. Senate will take a team of students on a tour of this sad place where evil ghosts continue to do time for their Earthy crimes. He will conduct experiments in communication with ghosts and attempt to discover why so many continue to cling to this awful place. TBA -- November 2005. Contact Richard Senate for data on this important voyage into the world of the dammed. The Haunted Missions The California Missions are not at peace. These fortresses of faith were the burying grounds for many Native Peoples and as such they hold many ghosts and hide many sins. This journey will include two of the best known haunted missions: Santa Barbara and La Purisima. This expedition will seek to discover who haunts the missions and why. A number of experiments will be conducted by the team. One will try to find the “Hot Spots” at the Missions and why they still walk. TBA-- Spring 2007. Haunted Jamaica The island of Jamaica holds many “Jumbies” (ghosts) and stories of Voodoo (called Obea in that land) . This journey will focus on the ghost at Rose Hall, near Montego Bay. The White Witch killed many men, her husbands and slaves in the 18th Century and still wanders the grounds and the Great House. Required reading: “The White Witch of Rose Hall” This will be the chance of a lifetime to join a team set to confirm the many rumors of ghosts at this plantation. Perhaps one of the most awesome adventures yet attempted and one that has elements of real danger--of a supernatural kind. This will be a limited team of investigators. Only the dedicated should attempt this. TBA -- SUMMER 2007.
The coming of the SCARESHIPS: Ghosts as holes in the fabric of time By Richard Senate One of the more perplexing elements of ghost research is the many different ways phantoms appear and act. No one theory explains all of these random behavioral patterns. Long ago it was easy to just write off ghosts as simply the spirits of the dead, returned in spectral form, to walk the earth and haunt the living. But, with over a century of research behind us, psychic research must expand this definition. Some ghostly encounters seem to comply with the older definition. People encounter dead loved ones and, sometimes even communicate with them. These classic encounters are not the rule and comprise only a small percentage of ghostly experiences. Far more common are reports of fleeing images and sounds that seem more like a video tape replay of past events. It is possible that some of the reports of ghosts are not spirits at all but, holes in the fabric of time. No one really knows that time is. We can measure with clocks and calendars but its true nature is still a mystery. Could it be that the fabric of time curves about, like a river. In this model, the past, present and future can, at different places, come very close. Time being a natural thing, may have weak spots, places where people in the right frame of mind can see images from the past through holes in time. These holes are moving and as they move, they might cause the image to vanish suddenly. It is even possible that people in our time might be seen as ghosts by those in the past or future? Many ghosts do appear for very short times, many are linked to sites of great trauma, many wear clothing from the past. It is a theory worth speculation. In examining the files of UFO investigators there are the curious reports of the so called “scareships” of 1909 and 1913. On the evening of March 23, 1909 a British policeman in Petersborough, England, heard a loud engine noise in the sky. When he looked up he was shocked to see a large dirigible flying over the town. In 1909 such flying machines were not common. His report stimulated other sightings in England. Airships were public knowledge at the time. They were featured in the illustrated newspapers of the day as well as the silent newsreels in the motion picture houses. The first airship was flown by Count Ferdinand Von Zeppelin in 1900. Each year saw improvements in the Zeppelin as a workable flying machine to the point where a passenger carrying air service linked several major German cities. The public was also well aware of the rivalry between Britain and Imperial Germany. Many accurately foresaw a coming war between the two powers. The public jumped to the conclusion that the airships were German Zeppelins flying over England on secret intelligence missions. The mysterious airships were only seen at night. The public wanted to know what they were up too? The skeptical media and the government investigated and determined that the stories of airships were unfounded. At the time Germany only had three working Zeppelins and the British secret service knew where each one was at the time of the sightings. The press named the mystery aircraft “scareships” and marked down the sightings as people with perhaps one too many pints under their belt and mass hysteria caused by the deteriorating relations between England and Germany. The sightings of the sky ships died out in time. But, there was another wave of sightings beginning on the night of November 27, 1912. A massive airship over two hundred feet long flew over Eastchurch, England. Witnesses told of hearing its motors and propellers and clocking the thing as flying at twenty-five miles an hour. Once again the British newspapers dismissed the reports calling it nothing more than a epidemic of “airshipitis.” The question needs to be asked. What did these witnesses see in the skies over England in 1909 and 1913? The descriptions do not sound anything at all like UFO reports today. What people claimed to see was a German Zeppelin. But, German records show they never sent out their valuable dirigibles over England in 1909 or even in 1913. The public fears of war were well founded. In August of 1914, a year after the last airship sighting, Europe was locked into the grim and terrible First World War. The nations of the world fought this war using new weapons that lead to casualties in the millions. Poison gas, tanks, submarines and combat air planes made their debut in this, the bloodiest war in world history (to that date). One of the weapons used in this total war was terror bombing. The first strategic bomber was the German Zeppelin They were sent in nighttime raids over England, targeting London, the capital of the British Empire. The Germans flew at night so as to be harder to locate and to capture the element of surprise. The bombings did little to help the German war effort but, the use of airships against the public caused an uproar and a horror that still looms in the British Psych. Even today, foggy nights are called “zeppelin weather” because the Germans used such fog to hide their massive airships on their raids. Is it possible that the “scareships” were not hallucinations at all? They might have been holes in time--a look into the future when real zeppelins would fly over England to drop bombs? This unique set of sightings, made by reputable people, implies that time isn’t static and that images and sound might well be experienced before, and perhaps after events. These time slips might well account for many (but not all) ghost sightings. Civil War re-enactors, re-fighting some of the battles of the War Between the States tell of seeing phantom soldiers marching on the battlefield. These might well be retrocognitive images from the past. Ghosts, at least some of them, might not be earthbound souls or even some post death personality, they may well be images from the past who appear under the right conditions. These are not trapped spirits but, more like videotape, set into a loop, without thought or personality. This might account for perhaps 40% of ghost sightings reported. Still, more work needs to be done to determine the true nature of ghosts and haunted places. The retro- cognitive phantom is but one type of experience ghost hunters have in their files.
Obituary On August 14, 2005. Debbie’s father Karl James Christenson, passed away after a long illness in his Carson City home. He was 71. That morning Debbie woke out of a sound sleep when she heard his voice call out her name and the parting message “Good Bye.” She quickly went to her parents house down the block and found that he had passed away that morning, only moments before. He had been bedridden for three years. It was, like so many that others have experienced, a last parting message. He will be missed. But, as he believed, this life isn’t the end and there will come a happy day when we shall gather again in that place without pain or sickness. Until Next Time: Happy Hauntings from Debbie and Richard Senate.
The official newsletter of Richard Senate The Fall is coming and with it my time is being taken up with investigations and interviews. I have many exciting new projects in the works as well as some wonderful ghost hunts. I am very excited about the new class I will be offering at the Ventura College on Ghosts and Haunted Houses. This five week class will go over many of the things I have learned over the years. I hope you will be able to join me in this class. Richard Senate Group sees moving chairs on tour! The tour set to investigate Ventura’s City Hall building was in for a real treat. During the two hour tour they observed the chairs on the council chambers move by themselves! It was both strange and wonderful to watch. There were no strings or wires here, the chairs where the mayor and city council sit began to slowly rotate and move on their own! Was this a manifestation of the City Hall ghosts? Perhaps a phantom city council was about to start their late night meeting to regulate the actions of local ghosts? Ventura Haunts Investigates historic Glen Tavern Inn. The local Ventura Haunts group visited the 1911 Craftsman style Inn located in Santa Paula looking for data to confirm the stories of ghosts. They, like many others came away convinced that the place is haunted. In an interview with Susan and Charles, front desk staff, it was learned that many manifestations have happened in the lobby and second floor. Once a phantom party was seen with dancing couples and ghost music. Many strange events have happened in the room designated as the “Houdini Room.” We hope to feature the findings of Ventura Haunts in future issues of the Ghostwatch Newsletter. Mr. Senate to teach new Class! Ventura College Community Education will offer two new classes by Richard Senate. Ghosts and Haunted Houses (5 week course class with field trip) Fee $99. And The History of Ventura County (4 week course with field trip) Fee $79. The ghost class will visit a haunted site (maybe two) and conduct experiments. The ghost class will also focus on ghosts and ghost hunting and new theories on the study of haunted houses. The history class will touch on folklore but will focus on the romantic history of Ventura County. The topics of discussion: the Chumash People, the Spanish Missionaries, The Mexican Settlers, The Yankees and the Chinese. To sign up call: (805) 654-6459. Points to Ponder “Why should there not be ghosts?” Dr. Carl Jung -Page Two- New Tours set for September and October 2006 A Number of new tours are set for September and March. These will sell out fast! September 9 The Mysteries of Main Street City of Ventura Tour 805- 658-4726 September 16 Ghosts & Ghouls. City of Ventura Tour 7 to 9 658-4726\ September 22 & 23 Erle Stanley Gardner Tour. City 658-4726 September 24 (Sunday) Book Signing. (Free) Olivas Adobe 1:00 Ventura. October 7 Reyes Adobe Ghosts 8 to 9 Agoura Hills. October 14 Legends and Lore 1 to 3 City of Ventura 805-658-4726 October 13-14 Ghost tours of Dudley House Ventura. October 20 & 21 Ghosts and Ghouls tour. City of Ventura 658-4726 October 22 Reyes Adobe Ghost Tours Agoura Hills. October 28 Olivas Adobe Ghost Tours 805-658-4726 October 29 Weird Ventura Tour 7 to 9 City of Ventura October 30 The Ghost Bus tour 6:30 to 8 805-658-4726 October 31 Olivas Ghost Tours. 7-8:30 Ventura, Call 658-4726 _________________________________________________________________________ New Ghost Book out soon! Mr. Senate’s newest book: How to Hunt Ghosts will be out soon. This book is packed with useful information on the subject of ghost hunting with valuable hints and tips. “I tried to write a book that I could have used when I was just starting out 23 years ago.” So states Mr. Senate. This work will only be available through this web site or from Mr. Senate himself. It will not be sold in bookstores! These works are destined to become valuable collectors items in the future. Only a limited number will be printed. If you are interested in purchasing this work please contact Mr. Senate now. Topics include the following: What is a ghost? What happens in a haunted house? Tools to use in ghost hunting? Haunted places? And much more. Question the Ghost Hunter. If you have a question to ask Mr. Senate do so via his e-mail HaintHunter@aol.com QUESTION: Have you ever been faked out by a hoaxer? ANSWER: Yes, over the years people have tried to fake ghosts for any number of reasons. In some cases they have almost succeeded too. I have been doing this for long enough that I can spot most frauds. Like the fellow who tried to ass off soap bubbles as orbs in pictures or the woman who faked ghosts so her husband would move out of the old barn of a house they lived in. Some businesses like to have ghosts to get some Halloween publicity and, if they don’t have a ghost--they make one up. Mr. And Mrs. Senate will not be attending Conference. The October 1 & 2nd Las Vegas Ghost Conference will feature many well-known investigators and psychics, but, sadly, Mr. and Mrs. Senate will be unable to attend this year. Last year they presented their findings to the convention and were well received. They also sold books and served on a panel on the subject of the paranormal in the modern world. Due to their many commitments they have been forced to cut back on their trips out of state. The keynote speaker will be their old friend, and fellow ghost- chaser, Psychic Chris Fleming of Chicago. He will be a fascinating lecturer. It is hoped the Senate’s can attend the next conference in 2007. OVERNIGHT GHOST HUNT: Haunted Hotel NOVEMBER 18 & 19 The Senates will conduct an Overnight Ghost Hunt at the haunted Bella Magorri Inn located in Ventura, California. This 1927 hostel is the home of the persistent ghost of “Sylvia“. This expedition will attempt to answer the many riddles linked to this haunt. Did she really take her own life or was she murdered? There are other mysteries here and at lease three more ghosts. The fee is $320 per couple and $210 per person (couples are preferred). There will be a limit on the number who can take part, so make your bookings now. Contact Mr. Senate if you are interested: The event includes: Rooms (haunted ones for the first to sign up). Gourmet breakfast, Dinner in a haunted restaurant, a psychic reading, a séance, lectures on ghosts, experiments, a free signed book, and a chance to work with Richard and Debbie Senate. BOOK NOW!
Senate’s to do Video This November. After Halloween Richard And Debbie Senate are planning to make a ghost video that will feature a ghost hunt at a local haunted site. This is a pilot project so there isn’t money to pay anyone at this time. Still, it will be a great deal of fun. It will take one or two days to tape and will need the talents of ghost hunters, psychics, re-enactors, actors, singers, people to play musical instruments, make up people and still photographers. If you are interested contact Richard As soon as you can. This had been, and still is, in the planning stages of development. Should be done the week before Thanksgiving. New Book”: California Mission Ghosts After some delays, the new book on California Mission Ghosts will be released on October first. This update of the ghosts of El Camino Real will highlight stories of haunted missions and adobes. It is a must for anyone interested in the diverse history of the Golden State. Del Sol Publications of Ventura is proud to add this new work to the many books they publish by Mr. Senate. It includes a chapter on the mysterious lost missions of the Colorado River, destroyed by the Yuma Tribesmen long ago. _____________________________________________ GHOSTWATCH NEWSLETTER The Newsletter of Ghost Hunter Richard Senate JUNE 2006 Volume VI Richard Sez May was a great month for ghost hunting. Teams at the Historic Olivas Adobe were treated with a number of amazing events when they visited the place. Odd spikes were encountered by e-meters in the old sewing room as well as strange sounds were recorded and, during a communication attempt a team member asked the ghost in the children’s room to show themselves--at that very moment a historic nightgown on the bed flew off and onto the floor! People felt the presence of at least two ghosts. This included several skeptics who came away convinced there must be something to these reports of ghosts. Next, a second team investigated the historic 1927 Bella Maggori Inn in Ventura. A photograph taken that night produced a strange image as well as many odd happenings. The most impressive part of the night a séance where a spirit had a message for one of the team. Equipment used at the Inn produced startling results with spikes in the electro-magnetic zone and the persistent smell of rose perfume. It was a great night and better than any episode ever made on a TV ghost hunt show. Lets hope June is even better! Richard Senate
Plans for new Investigations coming soon! Mr. Senate is planning on several new trips to haunted sites to help confirm the presence of ghosts. These include a ghost town and a famed Hollywood site. “We will use the same new pattern developed at the Olivas Hunt in hopes of getting new data on the sites and why they are haunted. I have high hopes that using this blend of electronic equipment and psychic tools seems to work as well as stimulate results.” Mr. Senate reports. “If this new pattern works I will let other’s in the psychic investigation know.” One of the sites is well known as the location of several ghosts.
Newsletter Reader Invited to Join Hunt! Mr. John Gascon of Long Beach, California, has contributed to the newsletter for three months now with both monies and information used in Newsletter stories (the Haunted ship in Mystic Conn.). As a reward for his dedication to psychic research Mr. Senate will be inviting him along on a special investigation. He will be one of five on the trip to a haunted house. “I feel honored,” Said Mr. Gascon in a phone interview. “I always wanted to be part of a professional team. I never thought I would be invited.” Mr. Senate called him and was impressed with his knowledge and interest in the subject of the paranormal. “I like to reward those who show a real interest,” he said. “It is the young people getting into this study who will make the great finds of the 21st Century.” Mr. Senate hopes to write up his findings in the investigation in future issues of this newsletter. Thanks John for all of your tips! Olivas Ghost may be at last Identified! During the Olivas Investigation of May 20th an attempt was made at spirit communication. Using dowsing rods and two teams of investigator the ghost in the old Adobe was questioned. Her name was asked in both English and Spanish with a list of potential names given. Both teams, working at different times, came up with the name “Rebecca” (not a common Latina name). For years many have thought the ghost was that of Teodora Olivas, the wife of the builder, Don Raymundo Olivas, who died in the house in 1895. Rebecca was the name of her last (and 21st child) who lived at the old hacienda until 1899. Rebecca was the mother of six children but, sadly, no grandchildren. Perhaps the memories of her early years at the house have kept her essence at the home. “I was surprised by this data.” Mr. Senate remarked. “I always thought the ghost was of Teodora’s daughter Maria Anotcha who died in the house on Halloween Night. Still, many over the years have named Rebecca before and these include some top psychics and other ghost hunters like my friend Rob Wlodarski.” Mr. Senate will be conducting further investigations at this site in the Fall. Keep an eye open to future chances to be a apart of the team as listed in this newsletter.
New Tours and Talks planned for June 2006.
June 17. Ghost Tours of the City of Ventura. Mr. Senate will lead tours of the city of Ventura from 7 to 9. For tickets call the office of the City of Ventura. 805-658-4726. June 24. The Ghosts of the Reyes Adobe. A special program on the ghosts of the Ranchos with a listing of haunted adobes and a ghost hunt at this historic site! (Ghost hunt set for June 10 had to be cancelled at this site). For information call the re-department or Reyes Adobe. Agoura Hills, California, for tickets.
New Book by Mr. Senate on How to Hunt Ghosts Mr. Senate is now writing a new book on his many findings and tips for ghost hunting. “There seems to be a need for a good handy booklet to help people in this fascinating hobby--Ghost Hunting.” Mr. Senate confided in a lunch meeting at Danny’s Deli in Ventura, CA. “I am putting together some of my findings and some of my advise in an easy format for anyone to use. I hope to have it ready by Summer --I am still thinking on the title.”
New Ghost Hunt for the Brave at Heart!
One of the features of the Newsletter is to list places one can go to look for ghosts. The readers are asked to visited the listed site and record their findings, sending a copy of their notes and observations to this publication. This Month’s Haunted Site is the historic: Mission San Fernando. The old Mission dates back to 1797. It is located at 15151 San Fernando Mission Blvd, San Fernando, Ca 91341. Several ghosts haunt the grounds but the most active area is the long Convento Building with its long archway. Ghosts include the phantom of an elderly woman surrounded by cats. A ghost padre in the library, a shadowy form in the bedroom and the spirit of an Indian convert in the winery. The fountain is also rumored haunted. Go to the place, buy a ticket for the self guiding tour of the site and see what you feel. One story tells that elements at the mission point to the location of a hidden silver mine! One psychic even told of seeing the ghost of silent actor Rudolph Valentino at the archway.
13 Strange and Non-Human ghosts Not all ghosts are of human beings some include strange animals and man made items. 1. The Flying Dutchman. A spectral Dutch East Indiaman sailing ship of the 18th Century haunts the seas near the Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. She has been seen dozens of times, once by a future King of England. She has been the subject of books, poems and movies and the ghost ship even inspired an opera. 2. The Lincoln Train. In 1865 the body of assassinated US President Abraham Lincoln was returned to his home in Springfield, Ill for burial. The steam train was draped in black and bedecked with American flags. The train, now a phantom is seen re-enacting that last emotional journey. Most reported in New York State in the month of April. 3. Black Shuck. A huge black dog is said to haunt the roads of Surrey England. The spectral animal has been seen for well over two centuries and is rumored to have inspired British writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to pen his novel “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” 4. The Palatine Light. The strange glowing light is seen off Block Island, Rhode Island in the summer months. It is the specter of the burning Dutch ship Palatine lost her due to fire in 1752. In 1969 dozens of witnesses saw the burning ghost ship. 5. “Old Willie” The phantom of the Battle of Britain. A Bi-plane of the vintage of World War One was seen attacking German bombers in the Battle of Britain. The ship would dive on german formations of bombers to break them up and make them easy to bring down. Some RAF pilots called the ghost “Henshaw” after a Canadian pilot who lost his life in the first World War. 6. The Griffin. French explorer La Salle built a 60 foot sailing ship to examine the great lakes. In 1679 the vessel vanished from the pages of history but she has appeared many times as a ghost ship. Witnesses tell of seeing the Griffin in a rolling fog bank off Green Bay Harbor, Wisconsin under full sail. 7. Mothman. A bizarre ghost or creature haunts the roads of West Virginia. The thing has fur, large bat-like wings and huge glowing red eyes. The thing seems to favor the shores of the Ohio River and in a spat of sightings in 1966-67 thousands of witnesses saw the thing. Some believe the creature, or whatever it is, has some link to UFO sightings in the area. Writer John Keel wrote of his findings on the thing in his book The Mothman Prophesies . 8. The Hebron Ghost Light. A phantom ball of yellow light flies about the lonely highway known as Ghost Light Road (Church Street) near Hebron. Maryland. In 1952 state troopers were chased by the light one warm summer night. Many witnesses saw the odd manifestation in the 1960s and 70s. 9. James Dean’s Phantom Death Car. At a crossroad at Cholame, California, actor James Dean was killed in a tragic automobile accident. The star of “Rebel Without a Cause” was at the start of a promising career. His car, a silver Spyder sports car he named “Little Bastard,” was crushed. The wreck has mysteriously vanished but witnesses say they have seen it, with Dean at the wheel, racing along the two-lane highway re-enacting his last drive. 10. The Phantom Spitfire. Those living near the Royal Air force base at Biggin Hill, England tell of seeing a single “Spitfire” fighter plane roar over the field. The aircraft does a slow “victory roll” as if to let all know his mission was a success. The ghost plane is believed to date back to the Battle of Britain in 1940. Several other ghosts are linked to the old RAF airbase. This ghost is mostly reported in the month of January. 11. London’s Ghost Bus. From the 1930s on the roads of North Kensington, London, have been haunted by a red colored double-decker bus. The careening bus has caused a number of accidents over the years, many on St. Marks Road. The phantom driver seems to go over the line causing motorists to swerve to avoid an accident. Perhaps the driver of the bus, being dead himself, has little need for caution. The bus vanishes after traveling a few blocks. 12. The Glowing Tombstone. Five pioneer cemeteries grace the wild western town of Virginia City, Nevada. Among the many ornate tombstones one stands out as haunted. It glows and on some nights it is clearly visible from the town. When people go to check, the stone is dark again. Many have seen ghosts here and felt an icy wind in the old Catholic burying grounds. 13. Mohave Phantom Camel. Called the “Flying Dutchman of the desert” this camel is rumored linked to the US Army experiment of the 1850s to use camels as mounts for the desert patrol. The troopers, who were trained to ride horses, hated the complaining beasts and the experiment ended in failure. Many of the camels were sold or let go. This animal seems more a ghost than a true camel (the last one is believed to have died in the early part of the 20th Century). It is seen near Randsburg and Calico sometimes running along the highway at impossible speeds.
The Ghost lady of Nassau , The Bahamas. The Victorian Pile is was surrounded by a tall rusting chain link fence. Plants grew everywhere at the site and from the riot of green, they had been growing there for decades. Here and there a path worked its way through the vegetation and towards the porch with its peeling paint and mold. The door was locked, even from this distance I could see that it was secured with a heavy padlock. The three stories tall building seemed to lean a bit, or maybe it was a trick of the eye. The Greek pillars told of its age. It was built in the years of the American Civil War when daring blockade runners made fortunes delivering supplies and guns to the Confederacy and taking out bales of cotton for the mills of Great Britain. Fortunes were made and spent here in Nassau, The Bahamas. But, as interesting as the history of this old hotel was, I wasn’t here to relive the balls and celebrations that once took place here --no--I was here looking for a ghost. Legends say a phantom lady in pink walks these hall and looks out the windows. In the dim light of dusk, I half expected her to glace out a window and look back at me. In those days Nassau was a place of thriving commerce as trade slipped back and forth through the Yankee Blockade. These were the days when an enterprising captain could make his fortune provided he has the nerve to challenge the guns of the US Navy. Some of the ships were owned and operated by the Confederacy itself, but most were the product of free enterprise. The story goes that one captain became the toast of Nassau for his daring exploits. He always stayed at this hotel as his ship was readied for her next run into Charleston and Wilmington. It was here that he met the daughter of an English businessman. Her name was Charlotte and she was the most beautiful lady in the whole colony. It seemed only natural that the brave and handsome captain would focus his romantic interests on Charlotte. In time he asked her to marry him and presented her with a great ring, set with a fine diamond from India. There was a grand party to announce the engagement. The youthful captain had a new and swift ship, it was believed that this craft, with its rakish lines and paddlewheels, would be faster than the slow blockaders of the Yankees. The new craft could carry more cargo than most of the runners and this would make the captain richer. He even dreamed of owning a fleet of such ships. But, someone in Nassau had talked to an agent of the northern cause. When the young blockade runner approached Confederate Fort Fisher, that guarded the entrance to Wilmington, North Carolina, he was met by three Yankee warships. His ship was fast, but not fast enough to outrun an 11 inch shell. The Blockade runner was lost, none survived. His fiancé kept watch in the glassed in observation tower atop the old hotel. She waited and waited for any sign of her captain--but none came. In time, after many months and even after the Civil War had ended, she kept watch. Charlotte’s persistent ghost is one of the best documented haunting in the Caribbean . A fine story but, was there more to the yarn about the lady so afflicted by love that she lost her reason waiting for her man? I was here to find out for myself about the ghost lady in her bell shaped dress. It was getting dusk by now and I went to the one establishment that I have found the most valuable in seeking out stories--the local drinking establishment near the straw market. It was cooling off now and the afterglow of sunset gave the town a romantic feel that seemed to cause the place to come alive with music. Steel drums churned out a constant beat of the islands as torches gave a hypnotic glow to the place. I found a seat on a stool as the tall bartender leaned over and smiled. “What you have, Mon?” he asked. “Cuba Libre” I answered. He nodded and took to mixing the simple drink. They say if you have enough of these drinks you will want to free Cuba. When the tall glass was served to me I asked the question. “Say, do you know anything about the pink lady ghost over at the old hotel?” “Ghosts you say?” he smiled. “I don’t have nothing to do with the ghosts. They bad luck, Mon.” “I hear there was a woman’s ghost at the hotel?” I asked again. “You mean Charlotte?” he said his eyebrows arching somewhat. “Lots of people say they see her.” The story was true, at least as a local legend. That was enough ghost hunting for me.
Ghostwatch Newsletter MAY 06
Words from the Ghost Hunter... Its May and with it comes a bevy of new tours and exciting programs. I was saddened to learn of the fire at the historic Glenn Tavern Inn located in Santa Paula, California. Debbie and I conducted a year long investigation at the old Inn and confirmed the many accounts of ghosts at the 1911 hotel.
It was in room 309 that I picked up the clear EVP voice from a disembodied spirit saying: "You will die!" It is hoped the inn will be restored and further investigation conducted in the unique place.
Besides this tragedy, April was a fantastic month for the Senates and this summer is looking great with new investigations and travel.
Singer ROBIN GIBB of the group The Bee Gees reports a ghostly problem in his 12th Century British home. He believes the old stone building is HAUNTED!
Mr. Gibb also reports another ghost: "There is also the spooky sound of a clock being wound each night around midnight in the room where a clockmaker - who lived in the house in the 17th century - kept his gear."
They also visited Alcatraz Prison and other places rumored to be haunted. They were married by Rev. Edmund Foard, a Spiritualist minister from the Church of the Comforter in Santa Barbara. Over 300 attended the services and all agreed it was a beautiful ceremony. They selected this spot for their wedding because it was haunted by several ghosts and seemed apropos for the event. The building was constructed in 1888 and served as a church until recent times. All indications are that it is still haunted by several ghosts including a phantom minister, a ghostly woman who sings and a woman who walks the chapel! If you would like to spend a night in this haunted place make reservations at 805-641-1888.
In May of 1918 a large coal tender of the US Navy steamed into the Bermuda Triangle and was never heard from again. What happened to this huge ship? Mr. Senate is tackling this enigma in a new article. From the evidence I have collected it wasn't beamed up by aliens or pulled into the sea by UFOs, is all he says. In May of 1918 the US was still at war with Germany and the loss of the huge ship might have had something to do with enemy action. Then there are the strange things that happened before the ship vanished. The ship stopped at Barbados and ordered more coal and supplies as if for a long voyage yet, she had enough for her trip to the US. The captain was acting strange, telling people this would be his last voyage and that he felt doomed. He told of having a member of the crew executed! The fact that he was a German and frequently expressed pro-German views must be added to the mix. Did he hijack the ship with plans to take her to Germany? Did he sink her for German gold? What ever the plot seems to have been, something went wrong and he and what ever cohorts he had were never seen again. The weather doesn't seem to be a factor and, at the end of World War One, German naval records fail to mention the ship or any enemy action that might account for the loss of the USS Cyclopes. There seems more than a little mystery here.
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Mystic Seaport , New England is a reconstructed whaling village that tells the story of 19th Century whaling. Their prize attraction is a 165 year old whale ship Charles W. Morgan. Recently visitors to the ship have seen a man wearing old style garments smoking a pipe. Many believe he was an actor playing the part of a seaman only to discover it's a ghost. Three people have seen the phantom over the last year. Those who work at Mystic Seaport confirm that many odd sounds and impressions are present on the vessel. So many things were happening that a ghost hunting team was called out to investigate the ship. They went away confirming the presence of a former member of the crew lost at sea. That would have been a great ghost hunt!
Tours offered by the
City of Ventura. Tickets can be purchased at 805-658-4726
A real ghost in one of the most haunted places around.
Mr. Senate just saw this engaging film about the terrible events of 9-11. It was an emotional roller-coaster but one that every American must see. The film unfolds like a Greek Tragedy that calls back the emotions of that awful day. 'See the film, you will thank me
later,' says Richard Senate
Happy Birthday Richard! EMAIL Richard NOW to wish him Happy Birthday()April 23rd) at HaintHunter@aol.com NOTE: We have had some email problems. To those of you who wanted to make reservations for Richard's next ghost tour on April 29 in Santa Barbara (and it will be good, they all are) please email me at johnanthonymiller@cemeterypark.com or call Phantom Bookshop at 805-641-3844
Ghostwatch Newsletter April
2006 Words from the ghost hunter.,, Spring is firmly here now and with it many new plans and goals. One is a psychic investigation of the Old Spanish Mission at Santa Barbara on the 29th. It was long my goal to finish the project started in 1999 to discover the many ghosts of this wonderful old complex of buildings. If you have any stories of haunted places in Santa Barbara please let us know! April is my favorite month! --- Richard Senate
New Santa Barbara Tour. April 29th !!! Mr. Senate will lead a new tour of Mission Santa Barbara. This is part of a long standing investigation. The tour will start at 4::30 at The Old Mission Santa Barbara. Tickets for this will be $25 each. Members will be expected to help with experiments at communication. Please take a camera along or audio tape recorder. In the past EVERY member got some sort of evidence from orbs, to EVP. The tour will last at lest two to two and a half hours. For tickets e-mail phantom@phantoms.com or call the Phantom Bookstore at 805-641-3844.. This will be the last tour of this site for the 2006 season. This is a very haunted location ! My past tours here have produced great findings.
Richard Senate will be featured in a new book: Weird California Mr. Senate was pleasantly surprised to find his name in the new publication “Weird California” (Page 221). It is a story about the Olivas Adobe and the mysterious Lady in Black. It would have been more professional had the author contacted Mr. Senate and it seems that the writer only attended one of his talks. I say this because there are some errors in the text. However, the story of the ghost is accurate enough for the purpose of this book.. Wow! Richard Senate’s Birthday is -- APRIL 23 ! Mr. Senate’s birthday will be on Sunday April 23. . You might wish to send him a birthday greeting or card to mark this point in his life. Mr. Senate sets great stock in birthdays--as they are the only holiday you can celebrate for yourself! He is happy to be back among his friends in Ventura County. For those who favor astrology, Mr. Senate was born in Los Angeles, California at 4;15 am. April 23, 1948 ( thus making him older than dirt--according to his daughter Sarah-ha ! ha ! ha !....the "ancient one" has spoken!). He wasn’t room mates with Abraham Lincoln but he did meet Spike Jones (did you remember him?) oncem as well as Leonard Nemoy and “Skipper“ Frank.
Ghosts of the Carson Valley book Thunder Mountain Press is about to publish Mr. Senate’s newest book on the investigations he conducted in Northern Nevada. The publisher says it’s the best work Mr. Senate has done to date capturing the spirit of the Silver State. The book should be out on the shelves by the end of the month. Keep watching up coming newsletters to learn how you can get a copy of this important work. Megan Senate writes a children’s book. Richard’s daughter Megan has penned a children’s book featuring the legend of the lost gold of the Olivas Adobe! The story of what happened to the gold taken by bandits in 1855 is the focus of the tale. Copies will be made and sent to elementary schools in the Ventura Area. Richard is very proud of Megan’s writing and illustrations for this unique work. The tale was told to Olivas children years ago. Great work, Meggie!
Mr. Senates interview for UK TV. A British film company came to Ventura doing a short feature on the community and its most famous resident--the mystery writer Erle Stanley Gardner. Gardner, a local lawyer, created the popular character Perry Mason. Mr. Senate had met Gardner when he was in high school and wrote a biography of his life in Ventura. The short interview was conducted at Ventura’s City Hall, formerly the county court house, where Gardner tried many legal cases. For more interesting information on Gardner, please check with my good ;friend John Anthony Miller (a sometimes gifted ghost hunter who maintains the site!) at www.erlestanleygardner.com .
GHOST HUNT! Do you dare to investigate? Fort Tejon, Lebec, Kern County, has long been known as a haunted spot. It is set high up on the grapevine that follows Highway 5 to Bakersfield. It is a long drive but, for the ghost hunter a good trip. Pay special attention to the officer’s quarters and the site of the hospital. Many of the stories focus on the death of French mountain man Lebec who was killed by a bear at the site. It is now a California State Historic Park and a small fee is charged to visit the place. If you go, try to stay till dusk as many report the site is active at that time. If you should encounter something out of the ordinary contact this newsletter at once! The Mystery: Why was a Frenchman in California when it was part of Mexico? Was this involved in a plot to steal California and make it part of the French Empire?
Help this newsletter! We need you! First, THANK YOU to those who have given us financial support. You have no idea how you have helped us! Every penny is appreciated with appreciation and love, and we need to know that you are out there and care! Thank you! If you enjoy reading this publication please support us with a donation. With rising costs we do not know how long this web site and this newsletter can continue. Please give what you can! If you don’t help, who will? You can make the difference between a real contribution to paranormal research or sit on your hands and do nothing. Do what you can to spread the information gathered for this publication. If you see a good story in the media, please forward it to our editors. New Royal Tomb found in Egypt. The Valley of the Kings was long thought to be free of any new discovery. After the excavation of King Tut’s Tomb in 1922 it was thought that no more tombs existed. Last month a new tomb was found with three mummies inside. They were thought to be members of the royal family of an 19th Dynasty king. Perhaps this tomb is also guarded by a terrible curse--we shall see in coming weeks.
New tours for the Spring and Summer lead by Richard Senate. A bevy of new tours are coming offered by different groups but featuring Mr. Senate this is a partial list. Many are long requested tours. 1. Mission Mysteries Ventura. May 6. 2 to 4 Contact City of Ventura 658-4726 2. The Battle of San Buenaventura. May 20, 2 to 4 3. Ghosts of Olivas Adobe. Ventura May 20, 6 to 8 and 8:30 to 10:30 658-4726 4. Ghosts of the Ranchos, Reyes Adobe, Agoura Hills June 10. 6:30 to 8:00 5. Ghosts and Ghouls, Ventura June 17, 7 to 9 and 9:30 to 11:30. 658-4726 6. Ghosts of the Ranchos, Reyes Adobe, Agoura Hills, June 24. 6:30 to 8:00. 7. Reyes Adobe Ghosts of Ranchos, Agoura Hills, July 8. 6:30 to 8:00 8. Weird Ventura Tour. City of Ventura 1 to 3 805-658-4726 9. Case of the Literary Lawyer, Erle Stanley Gardner. July 22, 1 to 3. 658-4726 10. Weird Ventura Part II Tour, August 12, 1 to 3. 658-472 11. Ghostly Ventura Tour. August 19, City of Ventura. 658-4726. 12. Chinatown Mysteries. August 26, City of Ventura. Call for tickets 805-658-4726. 13. Mysteries of Main Street, Ventura. September 9, 658-4726.
Tours and Events in the planning stages--tell us what you think? Several have suggested other tours and programs and plans are being made to bring these into existence. These plans are being worked on. You can help to make these happen by securing people to go along or helping in some way as a volunteer. Hollywood Cemetery Tour A trip to Hollywood’s Haunted Heritage CHAR-MAN, The Movie We still need people to make this work. This is a GREAT concept...help us make this be a reality! Queen Mary Tour Visit the queen and enjoy her ghosts with Debbie & Richard Haunted Calabasas Visit a haunted adobe and have lunch at a haunted inn. OVERNIGHT GHOST HUNT: Glen Tavern Inn. An all night seminar on ghosts and ghost hunting. Join in the fun with a midnight séance. Not for the faint of heart! One of the Senate’s most popular offerings. They have not offered this for many years. Richard and Debbie to take part in Second Annual Ghost Conference! Mr. Senate and his wife will be taking part in a ghost conference in Las Vegas on October 1st and 2nd at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino. The headline speaker will be Psychic Chris Fleming of the TV show Dead Famous (Biography Channel). Mr. Senate hopes to screen his one hour award-winning documentary (Marshane Productions) Ghostwatch: The Haunted Adobe. This is a once in a life time chance to meet some of the top names in psychic research today. There will be a number of top speakers and field trips to haunted places. For information and prices for this conference contact: HauntedVegasTours@juno.com More to come on this conference in future issues of this newsletter.
The Ghost Lamps of Cemetery Park By Richard Senate “I’ve seem them,” she said. “Its been maybe five or six times now--the ghost lamps!” The woman had called me to say she had seen something strange near her home on Poli Street, Ventura. The home faces what is called today Memorial Park and it was in this landscaped park that the odd globes of light were seen. Locals have a different name for the place; cemetery park. For generations this patch of grass has been linked to supernatural events and in truth cemetery park is a better name because at one time this was the town’s burying ground. Starting in 1866 residents of Ventura were laid to rest on the gentile sloping hill. Well over 2,000 were buried here. Most of the residents still remain in un-marked graves long after the headstones were removed. Ghost lights are common enough in the folklore of cemeteries all over the world. Still, the woman who called me wasn’t the first to report these mysterious phenomena. The first stories were told when it was a traditional Victorian marble orchard. Back then the best and the worst were placed in one of three cemeteries, St. Mary’s for Roman Catholics, a Protestant cemetery and a Jewish Cemetery that was also used by Chinese. The first bit of folklore linked to the park was recorded in the late Nineteenth Century. A tale was told of a desperate band of pirates. They had captured a gold-rich Spanish Galleon and buried the ill-gotten loot up Aliso canyon, near the present site of the cemetery. They say, when the moon is full, phantom pirates re-enact their night time burying of the chests of gold , their lanterns held high. In typical pirate fashion, several members of the crew (or Spanish prisoners) were killed and buried with the treasure. These unfortunates were to guard the treasure boxes as ghosts. History records that only a few Spanish treasure-filled Manila Galleons were captured by pirates . In the Nineteenth Century treasure hunters searched the area for the treasure and never found a single doubloon. Another story linked to the park is that of a headless man. Several accounts say a ghostly man would wander the cemetery without his head late at night. Who the man is, or was, is lost to history. One source linked the ghost to the murderous pirates who took off his head with a cutlass. Another story says it is the restless spirit of an outlaw who was hanged for his many crimes. The hangman was drunk and botched the execution causing the man’s head to be pulled from his body. There is another story that might be true. It is said that in the 1900s a local prankster would put on a costume made to look like a headless man and run around the cemetery to frighten kids. The fact that the sightings took place on Halloween Night seems to add some credibility to the tale. Many of the stories of ghosts at the cemetery come after the late 1960s when the headstones were removed to “beautify” the community. The old cemetery was deemed to be an eye sour by a progressive city council. Perhaps the dead were not pleased by these renovations for the number of sightings jumped. They include a phantom woman in a large hat and gloves. Many say she looks like a bride’s maid and lingers near the trees. This ghostly lady is seen at dawn and dusk. The most persistent psychic event are the phantom lights. Witnesses say they drift about two feet off the ground. These glowing orbs of light are much like the corpus lights of folklore. The ghost lamps might be re-enactments of night time grave diggers who would open a grave in the wee hours of the night in preparation for a morning funeral. I asked the lady who contacted me to keep track of when the ghost lights appeared. Perhaps a pattern could be found in the strange events. After several months she sent me her list. Once I saw the list I burst into laughter. She had seen the lights on nights when I took tours to the cemetery. The lights were the flashlights and lanterns of my tour! I was the ghost! This did explain the modern sightings of phantom lights but what about those recorded in the decades before I started to give tours? They remain a mystery.
GHOSTBLOG DATE 01-23-05 I have just seen the improved musical slide show CD of my Nov. 18th Ventura farewell party that John Anthony Miller put together, and I must say it is pretty good. Besides capturing the spirit of the day, the photographs and layout are good. Order one....if you dare! Who knows, it might be haunted! More ghostly information will be posted shortly!- Richard Senate.
GHOSTBLOG DATE 11-17-04 Here is an excerpt from the latest, soon to be
published book by Richard Senate THE GHOSTLY TRAVELER. This
lifted portion of this ghostly book is entitled Life With
RIchard Senate: Ventura's Own Ghosthunter by Psychic Debbie
Christenson Senate. GHOSTBLOG DATE 11-16-04 Richard Senate Officially Retires and Will
Relocate to Carson City, Nevada.
Thanks for looking. If you get impatient you can see the photos individually clicking here: http://www.ghost-stalker.com/RichardSenateFarewell/images or better yet order a slide show CD from us with the text and music.
Thanks, John Anthony Miller, Phantom Bookshop in Ventura, CA
GHOSTBLOG DATE 12-10-04
p.s. Congratulations to Kyle and the new baby! Here is the link: I tried, but the links are all messed up! Her name is JASMINE and she has a link somewhere on www.growingfamily.com. The hospital is St. Francis, and the city is Indianapolis. If anyone finds the actual link, send it to my webmaster John Anthony Miller!
GHOSTBLOG DATE 11-29-04 Well,
I am recovering somewhat. A bit depressed this last month for sure.
Ventura is just not the same without Richard Senate in town. When my best
friend moves to Carson City, Nevada even the ghosts are not too happy
here. Anyway, Richard is with his family in cold Carson City where it is
snowing and 10 degrees. Ventura does not know what snow looks like and it
is certainly not 10 degrees here (although I did have to put a small
heater in my orchid greenhouse tonight). I produced a small token for Ventura folks (or any RS fan) to remember Richard Senate by. It is a CD slide show, with music and text, with many high resolution photos of his November 16, 2004 Farewell Party at the very haunted Olivas Adobe here in Ventura, CA. I have posted a smaller version on this site, but this CD has crisper photos and a caption page before each photo. There is also Mexican music on the CD as well, just like the cool Mexican band that played at his party. The CD is some kind of collectible in its own right. Also thrown in with the CD is his famous book of Historic Adobes of Ventura County. A photo:
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GHOSTBLOG DATE 11-02-04 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. You have to call the number below, as this is a special tour by the City of Ventura. I
will be doing a Special Ghosts and Ghouls tour on November 10
(Wednesday) from 7 to 9 pm. Starts on the steps of Ventura City
Hall GHOSTBLOG DATE 10-22-04 NEW...Richard Senate Ghost Tours sponsored by Phantom Bookshop
(for those who could not get into a City of Ventura sponsored ghost tour) Tours for all of our earthbound souls and other fans of Richard Senate.
1.
The Haunted City---The Cursed City. The
mysterious history of Ventura California unfolds in this look into the
dark under-belly of this popular beachside community. Here headless
ghosts wander and un-punished crimes have bred a new breed of specter--a
persistent, angry ghost who lusts after revenge and justice. This
tour will start at the Lobby of the Bella Maggorri Inn on California Street
at 7:00 PM exactly. The tour will be two and a half hours long.
You may be asked to help Mr. Senate attempt spirit communications. All
who take part must sign a waiver--Mr. Senate will not be held to account
if any ghosts follow you home!
October
26--Tuesday night before Halloween. Please sign up now as this
will be a limited group. Fee $24. CALL Phantom Bookshop at 805-641-3844
for reservations.
Monday, November 1st. 7 PM until 10 PM Three hour walk---Fee $26 per person. This tour might well be too scary for young children under 12 and those with weak hearts. A waiver will be signed by each member as Mr. Senate will not be held if you become a victim to an ancient curse or wandering vampire. The tour will be close to a mile of easy walking. You will know Mr. Senate because he will be the live person holding a lantern. Call Phantom Bookshop for reservations at 805-641-3844 GHOSTBLOG DATE 10-18-04 Richard and Debbie Senate article in Issue number 7 (Oct. 2004) of Mysteries Magazine. Article is by Sean Casteel and is on haunted Hollywood.
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