Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane, The Bowen Building, November 17, 2012
Investigators: Vicki, Dave, and the QC Pro GS team
http://www.peoria-asylum.com/
http://www.prairieghosts.com/barton.html
Vicki
and I were a bit apprehensive about investigating the Bartonville Asylum,
concerned we may experience a strong case of deja vu, or perhaps would not be
allowed to leave at all if the building was indeed haunted by former employees. But we certainly could not pass up this
unique opportunity to investigate such a massive location, especially with the
help of the seven members of Iowa's Quad City Pro-GS team.
The
"Illinois Asylum for the Incurable Insane" was built at the beginning
of the 20th century, officially opening on Feb 10th, 1902. By the end of that year, it housed more than
600 residents. Over the course of the
next seventy years the history of this facility, not unlike many of this era,
was a mixture of successes and sorrows, finally closing its doors in the winter
of 1973.
The
55,000 square foot Bowen Building was the main building on this estate with
four floors and basement. It served as
the main office for the administrative staff as well as the primary medical
facility. With such a vast expanse to
cover, we were fortunate that QC Pro-GS was so well equipped with IR cameras to
blanket the facility.
It
was a rather brisk night as temperature dipped into the mid 40s. With the only heater located on the main
floor, Vicki and I choose to remain more mobile, returning regularly to the
warmth of command central.
We
seemed to get most of our activity early in the evening, which started around
midnight. We decided to work our way to
the upper floors while QC was setting up their cameras in the basement. In the main hallway on the second floor I
kept hearing what sounded like someone walking behind us. After moving up to the attic, my favorite area,
Vicki thought she heard a "Tchhhh" sound.
When I then asked "Hello, is there anyone here"? Both Vicki and I thought we heard a female
voice seemingly saying "Hello". We
checked the other floors to find Vicki was the only female in the building at
the time. Although we did capture the "Tchhh"
Vicki heard, neither of our recorders captured the female voice.
Later
that evening when we were making our way down the basement stairs, Vicki's
flash light began to go dim. We suspected
it was the combination of the cold and dying batteries. Once we got to the end of the hallway
however, it suddenly bounced back and didn't give her any troubles the rest of
the evening.
On
a similar note, I went through at least 8 new AA batteries with my camera and
that was with very limited use. Both
Vicki and I experienced numerous camera problems, specifically with getting the
flashes to work consistently.
At
one point in the evening Vicki and I were investigating the attic with Gavin of
QC-GS. He suggested that we try a Spirit
Box session. To his disappointment, his
SB-7 would not function at that time. He
even swapped out the batteries and still it wouldn't work. I offered to get ours which both Gavin and
Vicki thought was a good idea. Of course
I hadn't thought it out before my offer as it was located all the way down on
the first floor.
I
actually had very little difficulty negotiating the eight flights of stairs
down to the main floor; it was the long climb back up that took it out of
me. When I finally got back to the
attic, somewhat winded and out of breath, I found Vicki and Gavin still trying
to get their Spirit Box to work. Right
when I walked up to them, wouldn't you know it, Gavin's SB7 kicked in making
my extraordinary effort an exercise in futility.
As
we were wrapping up the evening, the Iowa group told us they had some success
in the basement, actually getting their K2 meters to turn red in response to
questions. We told them that based on
some of our pictures, we thought the ball that also sits in the middle of the
basement hallway appeared to have been moved.
As they had their cameras set up in that area we are hoping they will be
able to determine whether or not this was explainable.
Other
than the periodic sound of footsteps and my exhilarating run in with a bat in
one of the subterranean basement rooms, we didn't have any other personal
experiences to report. Around 6am we all
decided to pack it in and call it a night.
Just when we were all preparing to leave, everyone heard what sounded
like the running of little feet coming from the floor above us. Perhaps the children felt it was now safe to
come out since the strangers were finally leaving?
It
was an experience and opportunity that I'm glad to have had. Another location where I can say we beat
Ghost Hunters, and Ghost Adventures into the building! It is reported by the owner that they both
are scheduled to do filming in the next few months. I look forward to seeing what evidence they
can collect.
___________________________________________________
This photo taken in the basement we call "Ball and Orb" Which is which?
This shot seemed to capture a strange white mist. Doesn't appear to be as round as our usual orbs.
Taken in one of the basement rooms. Almost looks like a figure hiding in the corner. When we talked to Richard Weiss (Owner/operator) he seemed to remember that there was a lot of stuff piled in that corner...
EVPs
This one was caught in the basement.
One of our favorites, either "Help Us" or "Helpless"
It wouldn't be a CAPS investigation if we didn't catch a "Get Out"
This one is from the attic near the staircase, "Dish?"
Child-like voice... "Damon?" or could it be "David?"
This one starts with a strange low voice we can't figure out, but then it is followed by a whisper, "No Problem".
This one seemed pretty clear to us, "Hi" and "Hang-on"