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                        The Allen House Investigation #3

Date of Investigation:  January 31, 2009
Participants: Investigators Crystal Vines, Bess Maxwell, Rachael Ellis, James
Palmer, and Kirk Cormier.

BACKGROUND
  The Louisiana Spirits organization has been very fortunate to be
able to conduct an on-going investigation and research project at The Allen House
in Montecello, AR, along with and thanks to, the home’s current owners Mark and
Rebecca Spencer.  As the history of the home is well known, or otherwise
published, I will not attempt to dwell on that aspect in general.  In specific, the
activity in this home has been on-going for over 60 years.  The anomalies occurring
there have been noted by the home’s original owners, apartment dwellers when the
house was sold and subdivided, as well as the Spencers.  It is generally thought
that these events are evolved from and around the suicide of an Allen daughter,
Ladell, in early 1949.  The subsequent reports generated over the years are entirely
consistent with the appearance of a post mortem apparition phenomenon.  The
post mortem apparition, for research purposes, is defined as activity after death of
an individual, such activity that may be manifested as visual, audible, tactile, or
olfactory, either alone or in combination.  This is certainly a general summary of the
many forms and manifestation that have and are taking place at Allen House.

    I also find it personally interesting that this home has had a penchant for writers.  
Many writers throughout history have chosen, by chance or fate, to occupy homes
with ongoing paranormal activity.  Robert Louis Stevenson produced his works
from serial dreams, both normal dreams and those produced in altered states of
consciousness.  Our Ladell, slightly before her death, is rumored to have produced
documents of personal history, which at the date of this investigation have never
been found.  Writer Carol Wilson produced her only commercially published work
while living in The Allen House.  And the current owner,  Mark Spencer, is an
exceptionally well-known author.  

    While any one may perceive paranormal or psi activity at any given time, those
that use the right-hemisphere section of the brain more often, seem to be prone to
greater sensitivity.  Writing and creativity is a recognized right hemisphere
function.  In its need to communicate, this home has certainly kept itself filled with
creative individuals with right hemisphere tendencies.

EQUIPMENT:  Digital still cameras, IR night vision video, various EMF meters, digital
voice recorders, motion detectors, digital thermometers

INVESTIGATION:  No evidential data was gathered at the time of investigation from
motion detectors, still photography, digital thermometers, or video.  In the master
bedroom, Rachael Ellis, Crystal Vines, and Rebecca Spencer were discussing
Ladell and her personal history at the time of her death.  No EMF (Electro Magnetic
Field) readings of a significant nature were recorded at this particular location, until
this conversation was initiated.  The K-2 responded numerous times, according to
the content of the conversation.  This was the only anomalous EMF spike of this
visit.  

    Several audio clips of EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) were gathered during
the visit.  In the place and time of the anomalous EMF spikes in the bedroom, in
response to investigator initiated remarks about Ladell’s personal papers, an
anomalous voice, not audible at time of recording, indicated “These would reveal
us”.  

   In the library, investigators Rachael Ellis, Crystal Vines, and home owner Rebecca
Spencer were commenting on the fact that the Spencer’s Victrola had been
relocated.  In recording, an anomalous voice questions, “What is the outcome?”.  
NOTE:  Remodeling or the rearranging of furniture in homes that are perceived as
active, this activity generally increases with the remodeling or rearranging.

    In the downstairs sitting room, investigators Bess Maxwell and James Palmer,
were performing digital recording, when Bess comments that it is about time to see
a shadow figure, and anomalous voice is recorded saying, “That’ll work”.

    In the attic, investigators Kirk Cormier and  James Palmer, gather an EVP with
the plea, “Help me”.  This may be either taken at face value, or as one other
possibility.  Spirits often record short audible clips that are clairvoyant, and parrot
words that are about to be voiced in the very near future, usually by an investigator.  
Only a few seconds after “help me” is recorded, one of the investigators uses help
me in a sentence.

CONCLUSIONS:  Although no visual data was gathered, significant audible data was
gathered.  Although the “that’ll work” can not be deemed other than flippant, it was
EVP communication.  All the EVP, in its great quantities, seems to be regularly
cohesive with the ongoing questions and discussions.  And the object
movement/displacement that takes place in the home, seems at times, to be light
hearted and joking.  Despite the suicide, the overall atmosphere and activity has
never seemed harmful or malicious in nature.  Given the three visits made by
Louisiana Spirits, and the mountain of data from the various home owners, tenants,
and guests over 60 years, there is no doubt about the activity in this home.  

    For those who may read this, and have an interest in the paranormal, please visit
with Mark and Rebecca Spencer at www.allenhousetours.com.  Mark and Rebecca
are truly wonderful hosts, and open their home to those who would like the
opportunity to see their historic home, and possibly either observe or interact with
the activity there.  Note that even for professional investigators and researchers
activity may or may not happen at a given, random time.  Sometimes. A location has
to “become acquainted” with a visitor before accepting their presence fully.  So, if,
as a visitor, you don not see any activity, book a second, or third tour.  This is why
we, at Louisiana Spirits, try to conduct multiple investigations when possible.  It
gives us the opportunity to say more than “something is happening”.  In most
cases, the client already knows that, and what is really important to them is “what
and why“.  Mark and Rebecca, we look forward to further researching those whats
and whys.  Thank you both very much.
    
John Combs
Louisiana Spirits



                       
 The Allen House Investigation #4

Date of Investigation:  July 11, 2009
Participants:  Crystal Vines, James Palmer, Rachael Ellis, Kirk Cormier, Tricia
Grayson, Bess Maxwell,   and John Combs

EQUIPMENT:  Infrared digital video system/cameras, digital still cameras, various
EMF meters including Tri-Fields, Various digital audio recorders, motion detectors,
digital thermometers, and PEAR REG-1 unit for detection of anomalous
consciousness with Hewlett-Packard computer.

INVESTIGATION:  At the time, and on the date of, this investigation, no data of
evidentiary quality was gathered on video or digital photography.  No anomalous
motion, cold/ hot spots,  unusual magnetic fields, or data of similar and consistent
nature was recorded or observed by appropriate equipment or the researchers.

The Allen House has generally been a source of consistent Electronic Voice
Phenomenon (EVP).  On this particular visit, at the time and in the areas tested,
approximately eight EVP’s were gathered.  Of these, the first four, analysis could
not reveal whether the voices were anomalous or natural human voices,
transmitted from other areas of the home into the testing area.  The other four were
gathered in the attic area, and have some sound contamination from the air
conditioning unit.  This makes analysis difficult and uncertain for evidentiary
purposes.  It has been indicated that this recorded was placed directly on the
wooden floor, near a loom, which is an area of past activity.  A wooden floor may
transmit vibrations directly into a plastic recorder case, carrying voices and sounds
from outside the area of inspection.  These voices may otherwise not transmit into
the air sufficiently to be heard by the normal, reasonable individual, and, even if
anomalous, may not be consistent with the actual area being tested or examined.  It
is generally recommended that if recorders are placed on a surface which may
transmit vibrations, that a foam pad, cloth, or similar dampening agent be placed
between the reorder and the surface on which it is to be placed.  The air
conditioning unit is in the attic, and part of its natural noise vibration that was
recorded may have resulted from vibrations in the wooden floor, in addition to the
normal noise in the air.

In consciousness testing, for the presence of an anomalous consciousness, a
series of 13 tests were done with a REG-1 unit, and Hewlett-Packard for data
storage and analysis.  Four of the thirteen graphs are considered significant for the
presence of an anomalous consciousness, at the time and place of testing.  For
evidentiary purposes, the other nine were not considered evidentiary, at the time
and place of testing.  A minimum reporting level of significance of p< .05 is utilized.  
That is, the probability the event testing is due to chance alone is less than 5%.  At
the minimum level, and 13 tests, chance would predict (>.05 x 13) a result due to
chance of .65 positive rests.  All obtained results were above minimum reporting
standards.


TESTS
Attic/turret 2a              Mean score   p< .010062                        Peak    p< .007911
Attic/turret 3a              Mean score   p< .000394                        Peak    p<  .000095
BR 2a                         
    Mean score  p< .019461                         Peak    p<  .012907
BR 3a                       
      Mean score  p< .017215                         Peak    p<  .008287

The probability, for each of the categories of “mean” and “peak” data, for these
scores being totally due to chance and not anomalous are as follows:

Mean, all four are chance:                 p> .0000000013282
Peak, all four are chance:                  P< .0000000000080385

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES:  Two investigators were involved with personal
experiences that are worthy of being reported.  Investigator Patricia Grayson, while
on the stairs leading into the attic, perceived a whisper directly into her ear.   It was
perceived as sudden and as a soft whisper, thus she was not able to interpret the
communication.  Her investigation of the immediate area could reveal no cause,
natural or otherwise for this perception.  The lights were on at this time.

Investigator Rachael Ellis, while in the attic/turret area perceived being touched
twice in succession, the second being perceived more solidly.  I was with her at the
time, standing by her side.  The lights were fully on, and no cause, natural or
otherwise, could be found for the sensation reported.


CONCLUSION
:  At the time of testing, and at the particular place tested at these
times, little or no hard data was gathered.  The data gathered by REG-1 was very
significant for the presence of an anomalous consciousness, at the times and
areas tested.  Note that this testing is passive in nature.  EVP, as such, and when
normally encountered, is interactive.  Given the history of the home, it should in no
way detract from the validity of data and reports made at other times, in similar or
different areas.  I do not feel that the researchers were in any way less than diligent
in the gathering of data, in fact or methodology,  with the possible exception of
placing digital recorders directly onto wooden surfaces.

Given the history of the home, I have to recognize the possibility of a “conservation
of energy” taking place at the time of testing.  This may have been due to the activity
indicated just prior to the investigation, or a conservation of energy for a purpose or
reason, to occur in the near future, and is unknown at the time this investigation
was conducted.  

We would like to thank Mark and Rebecca Spencer for their gracious hospitality,
and to encourage those with an interest in the paranormal, to join Mark, Rebecca,
and Louisiana Spirits, at a Dinner and a Ghost public investigation of the Allen House
on October 24, 2009.  Please see www.allenhousetours.com.

John Combs
Louisiana Spirits



            The Allen House Investigation #5


Date of Investigation:  September 25,2009
Participants:  Brad Duplechien, Crystal Vines, Rachael Ellis, John Combs

EQUIPMENT:  Infrared digital video system/cameras, digital still cameras, various
EMF meters including Tri-Fields, various digital audio recorders, motion detectors,
digital thermometers, and PEAR REG-1 unit for detection of anomalous
consciousness with Hewlett-Packard computer.

INVESTIGATION:
 At the time, and on the date of this investigation, and in the places
tested, no data of evidentiary quality was gathered on video or digital photography.  
No anomalous motion, cold/hot spots, unusual magnetic fields, or electronic voice
phenomena were recorded.  No personal or spontaneous experiences were
recorded by any investigator on this investigation.  It is speculated that the causing
of the letters to be found may have caused a temporary lull in the active properties
of the Allen House.

PEAR investigation and analysis:  This type of analysis is passive, and was highly
successful in the detection of the presence of a consciousness in otherwise empty
areas of the Allen House.  A series of 23 tests were performed in various rooms
and places of the Allen House.  Twelve of the twenty-three tests were above the
minimum reporting standard of 95% probability.  That is, the probability that the
results of the testing can be explained by chance is less than 5% per test.  At only
the minimum level, with only the minimum reporting score, we could expect, with 23
tests, to find 1.2 tests, by chance alone.  Only 1 test was close to the minimum
reporting standard, the other 11 were well above.

TESTS                                      MEAN (average) SCORE                             PEAK SCORE
Attic Turret 1                            p< .032157                                                      p< .010667
BR2-c                                         p< .000814                                                      p< .000214
BR2-d                                         p< .024765                                                      p<.000589
BR2-e                                         p< .028782                                                      p< .000577
BR2-f                                          p< .025233                                                      p< .009824
BR2-g                                         p< .033775                                                      p< .016503
Portico                                       p< .00802                                                        p< .004133
Dining Room                             p< .029245                                                      p< .004269
Library                                       p< .048357                                                      p< .010225
Living Room                             p< .00353                                                         p< ‘003235
Bathroom                                  p< .001175                                                      p< .000716
Bathroom                                  p< .024765                                                      p< .000589

The probability, for each of these categories of “mean” and “peak” data, for these
scores being totally due to chance and not to the presence of an anomalous
consciousness operating through quantum tunneling, are as follows:

MEAN, all 12 are due to chance only: p< .0000000000000000000000139328830
PEAK SCORE, all 12 due to chance only: p< .
000000000000000000000000000000264210

CONCLUSION
:  Although interactive data, at the time and places tested, was not
gathered, the amount of passive data gathered was at an all time high, and
statistically significant.  I feel that the finding of the letters at the Allen House, and
the unusual manner of revelation after 50 years of searching, will not, in the long
term affect the presences in the Allen House.  The fact that a presence can by
shown by statistical inference, even if it is currently passive in activity, supports the
“currently resting” theory, rather than the theory that the activity may cease
because of a goal accomplished, e.g., to have the location of the letters revealed.  
We will continue to monitor the activity and events at the Allen house, and report on
the latest events.

We would like to again thank the current owners of the Allen House for their
hospitality and the opportunity to investigate/research the finding of the letters.  We
would again encourage those with an interest in the paranormal to watch for public
openings and events at the Allen House.   Please visit Mark and Rebecca at        
www.allenhousetours.com.
1. "They will reveal us" - around :08 you will hear a third
voice while the investigators are speaking. Could this be
the voice of the jilted lover who killed herself?