| CLICK HERE to see the photo's | CLICK HERE to see the article | CLICK HERE to view the original ad |
By Debe Branning…..Director of the MVD Ghostchasers
The MVD Ghostchasers started doing spirit photography workshops a year ago when people with an interest in ghost hunts started calling to learn how they could go ghost hunting with the Team. Our first workshop consisted of seven people and now we average fifty to sixty guests.
We select a potential historical haunted location, do the research, and invite ghost hunters to share and learn hands on new ghost hunting techniques. For some it is their first time seeking the spirits and need the safety factor of being in a large group situation. We show them how to use EMF Meters, record EVP voice messages, and how to use a thermal scanner to detect temperature changes. We show them what types of film and cameras to use. We lend them our tools and guide them through the workshop. The guests are given a packet with historical facts and the agenda for the day. We discuss the objectives of the possible hauntings of the location and venture out in small groups. Everyone takes pictures of orbs and vortex along the way. At the end of the event, we share stories, snacks and take a workshop group picture together.
We selected the Vulture Mine for its location near Phoenix, its haunted history and a chance to explore outdoors. The Vulture Mine was discovered in 1863 by Henry Wickenburg and went on to become the most productive mine in Arizona's history. During the mine's glory days the population of Vulture City grew to almost five thousand people. President Roosevelt closed the mine in 1942 and it was never reopened. If ghosts are to be found anywhere, the Vulture Mine and surrounding area is a very likely spot for them. Here is a ghost town where thousands of people once lived, loved, hoped and died. In 1923 seven miners and twelve burros were killed when a chamber of the mine collapsed as they were "high grading" ore from the support pillars. There was no chance of rescue and the bodies remain entombed under tons of rock. There is a hanging tree where at least eighteen men were hung for committing rape and murder as well as "high grading" ore from the mine. Ghosts are in abundance throughout Vulture City. The owners of the mine/ghost town as well as many employees and guests have experienced paranormal activity in and around the mine and town.
We conducted our workshops on both Saturday, January 26, 2002 with 29 in the group and on Sunday, January 27, 2002 with 22 in the group. We were greeted both days by Chris and Jackie the current caretakers of Vulture City. Chris started us off with a short informative tour of the town. He gave us some insights on the history of Vulture City and where other ghost hunters had picked up energies in the past. Then we all broke out into our own little groups, everyone heading to where they felt the most spirit activity.
Most everyone felt an eerie presence in the Assay office. There had been several robbery and murder attempts in this building. Many captured orbs in the lonely upstairs rooms. Don and Susie of Yuma Spirit Hunters recorded a very quiet voice of a male that needed more clarification. Two weeks before, Dave Oester and Sharon Gill of International Ghost Hunters Society photographed a vortex and orbs in this same building.
Many of the psychics traveling with the workshop felt a deep despair as they observed the vast caved in area of the Glory Hole. This is the spot where the "high graders" were buried 100 feet below when the mine collapsed. The locals never felt the need to rescue the men since they were stealing ore. But the psychics felt the men were sending the message to "not forget them" never the less.
Another spot many of the guests felt spirit activity was the Power Plant. On the way there, Sarha and Devan found a spot along the path where the thermal scanner began registering amazing temperature differences. It was 74 degrees outside. The gage shot up to 114 degrees and dipped down to 2 below zero degrees! True signs of ghost activity! We took a picture at the same time that shows a filmy cloud on the grounds. Inside the Power Plant we were able to photograph many orbs. Our EMF meters were pegging up to its highest levels. Don received a reading of 7.1 mg, which pegged at 10 mg and then dropped off. As a rule when the gausmeter pegs and returns to zero it is believed that a portal has opened to another realm. When the power plant was in operation, a belt broke lose and snapped the neck of the young man operating the equipment. Lisa recorded a tapping noise in the building as if someone was still hard at work.
An eerie feeling was felt by everyone who entered the workshop building near the homesteads. Several orbs were photographed there. At the apartments, Don and Susie had another experience. When Don said out loud, "If anyone would like to leave a message or give a sign they are here, I am listening" the door to the apartment swung open very steadily.
The weary branches of the Hanging Tree drew many of us under its arms. We thought we had recorded voices there but it turned out to be a malfunction of the recording device. Two different cameras photographed large orbs close to the ground.
The schoolhouses did not produce much ghostly activity. But you could almost feel the children scampering around the forgotten playground equipment and wondered how many had sat in desks in the two room schoolhouse. The walk from the homes to the schoolhouse seemed like a happy, playful area.
After dark, we visited the Vulture Cemetery down the road. Several children are buried
there. We were all greeted by what seemed like an meteor shower of orbs!
We have concluded that the Vulture Mine is still very active with gold miners of the past
still anticipating that moment of pay dirt and that they will not be going away any too
soon! We were fortunate to be able to stay after dark and record many voices and spirits
from a time long ago.
The MVD Ghostchasers would be happy to escort other groups on their first ghost hunting experience to the Vulture Mine. Contact Debe Branning at NAZANAZA@AOL.COM