NOTABLE for now:

a) instantaneous 27 degree F drop in temperature documented in the State Theater; significant "cold spot" correlated with EMF anomaly.

b) Shutter Glasses, oscillating at 100.11 hertz, increased our chances of seeing paranormal activity in real-time.

Concept:

L.E.M.U.R. spent the weekend investigating the haunted Appalachian Caverns the afternoon of June 16 and the State Theater (owned by Doug Beatty of Barley's Taproom and Pizzeria in Asheville) the nights of June 15 and 16.

Basic History of the Appalachian Caverns:

The history of caverns is always sketchy since they are often used by those who want to hide and retain privacy. Nonetheless, these were once owned by both Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett. During the Civil War, they served as a hospital for soldiers. Bootleggers made great use of them, floating illegal booze to the outside stream via the caverns' extensive waterway. In fact, according to our guide Becky, her ancestor (a revenue man) was once hanged by bootleggers, but did not die. The rest of his life, his neck was deformed, allowing him to only look to his left. Some of the first white men in the area, the Linville Brothers, lived there; one of them died, and is presumably buried, inside. Native Americans also held various spiritual ceremonies there.

Our guide also said she had heard disembodied male voices speaking in the caverns, especially around a particular, large rock formation toward the end loop of the commercial tour route. And recently, one guest was frantic after reporting a blood-curdling shriek that emerged from the pitch-dark beside her.

Outside the commercial cavern entrance is a cabin built in 1777. A young boy named Jacob Smith died there. A few years ago, a grown man visiting the site fainted upon seeing the boy's apparition. An old chandelier inside the cabin reportedly swings on its own; one of the most prominent aspects of the current ghostly activity.

L.E.M.U.R.'s Investigation Time:

Saturday, June 16, 2007, approx. 2-6pm

Average temp: 53 degrees F

Throughout our course of investigations, the following instruments were primarily employed:

1. Tri-Field Natural EM Meters, Models 1 and 2: These devices are designed to pick up changes in extremely weak DC or "natural" electric fields (as small as 3 volts per meter or v/m), magnetic fields in the microtesla range (as small as 0.05 percent of the earth's magnetic field when an antenna is used), combinations in variations of electric and magnetic (or electromagnetic) fields, and energy in the radio/microwave range spanning from 100,000 to 2.5 billion oscillations per second (100 KHz to 2.5 GHz) with minimum and maximum detectable signal strengths of 0.01 milliwatt/cm squared and 1 milliwatt/cm squared respectively. The advantage of the Model 2 is an input jack for a coil antenna to be used for measuring magnetic fields.

2. Dr. Gauss/Gauss Master EMF meters calibrated for 50/60 Hz AC and sensitive from 1/10 mG to 10 mG.

3. A handheld Electrosmog Multidetector II Prof I sensitive to either electric or magnetic fields ranging from 5-500 Hz as the ELF (Extreme Low Frequency) setting or 500 and above on the VLF (Very Low Frequency) setting.

4. A handheld, non-contact infrared thermometer to register surface temperatures instantly in fahrenheit.

5. Digital still cameras and Sony Digital 8 HandiCams capable of sensing into the near-infrared range.

6. A digital volt meter sensitive to milliVolts, both AC and DC.

7. Electrostatic detector capable of measuring up to 5,000 volts and identifying polarity.

8. Geiger counters sensitive enough to measure microRem and detecting x-rays, alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.

9. Shutter Glasses Strobe System, allowing the user to visualize various frequencies in real-time by making adjustments to a laptop power supply.

Methodology:

After gathering historic data, we spent this time compiling environmental data and weighing it against anomalies. As our first visit to these caverns, this can be considered a preliminary investigation.

Principal Results from our Research thus Far:

1. Midway through the investigation, one Affiliate, Marilyn Reid, observed a glowing sphere of white light moving around a rock formation. The observation was made with her naked eyes, and she said the anomaly was bright and clear.

2. Chris McCollum set up the Shutter Glasses Strobe system, and viewed spots of the cave rumored to be most active. In doing so, he scanned through an infinite range of frequencies, using trial and error, hoping to increase his chances of observing an anomaly. When set at 100.11 hertz, McCollum was able to see an orb of light, floating around a rock formation, in real-time. At least two other Affiliates were also able to see anomalies when viewing the area, with the glasses, strobing at a rate of 100.11 hertz. We consider this finding exciting, and plan to further explore the significance of that frequency and whether or not it allows us to more easily see anomalies at other locations. Since the current system is not battery-powered, and requires a plug, we were only able to use for a limited time, considering power had to be turned off to create a clean EM environment for other aspects of the investigation.

3. After leaving the caverns, we briefly visited the small cabin outside, reportedly haunted by Jacob Smith. The author noted the chandelier, that swings by its own accord, appears to be made of iron, and carried a slight magnetic field. This could explain why it is more apt to swing when transient magnetic fields, perhaps from mysterious sources, sometimes pass through the structure.

Concluding Overview of the Appalachian Caverns:

The fact that spheres of illumination, often called "orbs," could reportedly be seen using both the naked eyes, and with the Strobe system set at 100.11 hertz, we were impressed by the unusual activity there. Regardless of whether or not these lights could be caused by geomagnetic conditions below ground, or something more enigmatic, they certainly provided a ghostly environment for many of our researchers. When we return to these caverns, we'll do more to document these manifestations.

STATE THEATER:

Concept:

After a meal at the new 12 Bones Steakhouse site, Doug Beatty gave L.E.M.U.R. a tour of the State Theater the evening of Friday, June 15; including a brief time to take some preliminary readings. The following night, June 16, 8pm-2am Sunday morning, we thoroughly investigated the theater.

Basic History of the State Theater:

This 1920s Vaudeville Theater was designed and built by Hendersonville, NC architect Earl Stilwell. All of his other work is on the Historic Register. Stilwell designed the interior to emulate a Greco-Roman garden, replete with the starry cosmos reproduced on the ceiling and intricate European facades around the stage. The venerable structure played an outstanding role in the 20th century culture of Kingsport. After purchasing it a couple year ago, Doug Beatty was stunned to find all the original blueprints. He is now in the process of renovating the building back to its original appearance.

During the renovation process, Doug became aware of apparently paranormal occurrences inside. At one point, he and his young daughter were in the projection booth (for decades, the place was used as a movie theater). Suddenly a foul stench filled the room and Doug became uncharacteristically "creeped out." However, he said nothing to his daughter since he did not want to frighten her. As they quickly descended the steep stairs, his daughter said, "Dad, I feel like there's a mean man behind us." Doug was shocked that his daughter made this comment, having independently experienced the creepiness on her own.

Later, one of Doug's colleagues walked through the theater with a video camera documenting some of the renovation work. Though the projection booth door is spring-loaded to stay shut, it was propped open by an object jammed in the joint. As the cameraman approached the booth, suddenly the door slammed shut then, amazingly, opened itself, hung in the air for a bit, the shut again. Doug, a professional carpenter, said "that can't happen--the door is spring loaded!" L.E.M.U.R. is in the process of obtaining a copy of that video footage.

Doug notes that the projection booth is a remarkable location. He said during many of the years movies were played, the film had to be observed constantly. If it jammed and began to burn in front of the projector light, deadly gases could be released that killed everyone in the theater. The projectionist practically lived in the booth and even had a bathroom there at his disposal. Though he has no specific information about the projectionist or any deaths/tragedies in the building, Doug wonders if some aspect of the projectionist's energy may still reside there. L.E.M.U.R. notes that theaters are often haunted, perhaps due to the emotional energy spent by both performers and audience members.

L.E.M.U.R.'s Investigation Times:

Friday, June 15, 2007, approx. 8-9:30pm
Saturday, June 16, 2007, approx. 8pm-2am Sunday morning

Average temp: 62-79 degrees F, depending on location and time of day
Average humidity: 54 %

Throughout our course of investigations, the following instruments were primarily employed:

1. Tri-Field Natural EM Meters, Models 1 and 2: These devices are designed to pick up changes in extremely weak DC or "natural" electric fields (as small as 3 volts per meter or v/m), magnetic fields in the microtesla range (as small as 0.05 percent of the earth's magnetic field when an antenna is used), combinations in variations of electric and magnetic (or electromagnetic) fields, and energy in the radio/microwave range spanning from 100,000 to 2.5 billion oscillations per second (100 KHz to 2.5 GHz) with minimum and maximum detectable signal strengths of 0.01 milliwatt/cm squared and 1 milliwatt/cm squared respectively. The advantage of the Model 2 is an input jack for a coil antenna to be used for measuring magnetic fields.

2. Dr. Gauss/Gauss Master EMF meters calibrated for 50/60 Hz AC and sensitive from 1/10 mG to 10 mG.

3. A handheld Electrosmog Multidetector II Prof I sensitive to either electric or magnetic fields ranging from 5-500 Hz as the ELF (Extreme Low Frequency) setting or 500 and above on the VLF (Very Low Frequency) setting.

4. A handheld, non-contact infrared thermometer to register surface temperatures instantly in fahrenheit.

5. Digital still cameras and Sony Digital 8 HandiCams capable of sensing into the near-infrared range.

6. A digital volt meter sensitive to milliVolts, both AC and DC.

7. Electrostatic detector capable of measuring up to 5,000 volts and identifying polarity.

8. Geiger counters sensitive enough to measure microRem and detecting x-rays, alpha, beta, and gamma radiation.

9. Paranormal PC (PPC) system, recording seven fields of data simultaneously: 1) motion-sensitive IR video 2) audio 3) electrostatic deviation 4) artificial EMF deviation 5) magnetic & geomagnetic deviation 6) temperature 7) luminosity

10. Shutter Glasses Strobe System, allowing the user to visualize various frequencies in real-time by making adjustments to a laptop power supply.

Methodology:

After gathering historic data, we spent this time compiling environmental data and weighing it against anomalies. As our first visit to the Theater, this can be considered a preliminary investigation.

Principal Results from our Research thus Far:

1. There were numerous orb-like anomalies in digital photos. Majority of them seem to be caused by dust, however, considering this is an active construction site. Though a visual apparition has never been reported there, to our knowledge, C. Eric Scott did find one, especially-bright orb-like anomaly that often appeared next to Brian Irish throughout the first night.

2. The basement of the structure leaks and floods, due to an underground water supply. That area of the building is especially deteriorated and run down. When in the basement, Chris McCollum's digital camera would not function. The batteries would simply shut down without explanation. Other researchers, such as Steve Golden and Joe Southards experienced similar problems with their cameras/power supplies.

3. Chris McCollum employed the Strobe System at the location, implementing 100.11 hertz setting, but never observed anything unusual.

4. Our most extraordinary result came from our implementation of the Paranormal PC in the projection booth. Brian Irish and I have never had a tougher time setting up the system. In order for an anomaly to trigger the sensors, we must customize the sensitivity parameters based on the normal background energies of the particular location. However, there were so many random, powerful surges of electromagnetism, geomagnetism, electrostatic charge, and temperature variables that it took at least an hour to set up the machine. That process usually takes perhaps 20 minutes. The system seemed to finally be running in good order, so we left it alone, in the sealed booth, while it ran for just over an hour, from around 11:30pm-12:30am.

When we checked the system, we immediately saw it had been triggered numerous times through the hour. Given our difficulty setting it up, we feared we'd only find a complex, random jumble of triggers across the board. We were however, surprised by what we recorded:

At 11:52:27pm, there was a large increase in the EMF reading (8 to 27; a 19 point increase on the PPC), and a large increase in the geomagnetic reading (47 to 89; a 42 point increase on the PPC), that coincided with a 27 degree F drop in the room's temperature, from 62.96F to 35.96F (measured in Celsius on the system). Though we cannot conclude cause and effect, we may have recorded a direct correlation between an enhanced EM field and a significant, immediate decrease in room temperature. This can be observed on the Excel data sheet, generated by the PPC, at line 6721. The data sheet can be found by clicking HERE. This "cold spot" lingered till 12:23:41am when we re-entered the room, rendering all results thereafter null and void. At other times, "cold spots," also appeared in conjunction with EMF anomalies, but this one displayed the largest variation in temperature. We are still conducting tests to confirm the reliability of the system and exact conversions between the hardware sensors and calibration to typical measurements (e.g. mG and teslas). To our knowledge, recording an instantaneous 27 degree F drop in temperature, especially in conjunction with an EM surge, is unprecedented and inexplicable by conventional causes (in such a location).

Concluding Overview of the State Theater:

Though this location is not notable for visual apparitions, the energy effect on batteries/electronics, combined with the EM surges (presumably capable of affecting objects and creating "cold spots" by some unknown mechanism), is remarkable. We wonder if the large flow of underground water plays a key role in either creating the phenomena or enhancing whatever subtle, paranormal energies may exist there naturally. As the renovations continue and the physical environment changes, we plan to stay abreast of the activity and how it may, or may not, be affected. The kinds of phenomena there could certainly be classified as "ghostly," or "haunting-oriented" by the casual observer. Updates will be posted here.