Sioux City Journal

Ghost hunters may investigate Iowa poor farm, asylum

2:37 PM

Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- No one has seen ghosts at the old poor farm and asylum, but county officials on Thursday gave their informal OK for a paranormal investigative team to make sure no spirits were lurking about.

The Johnson County Board of Supervisors took the initial action in response to a request from the Johnson County Historical Society. The group gives tours of the buildings, which is now called Chatham Oaks, a facility that houses people with physical and mental disabilities.

Brandon Cochran, museum operations assistant for the historical society, said one of the most common questions from folks who tour the 153-year-old building is whether it's haunted.

Cochran said the Carroll Area Paranormal Team would come in for one night to determine if there is any paranormal activity on the site. Cochran said he hopes there isn't and that the study can put to rest any speculation and questions.

Cochran said there have never been reports of ghosts or bizarre happenings at the building and that bringing in a paranormal team is "kind of taking the pre-emptive approach.

"We're using it to make sure the site is the site and nothing else," he said.

A four-person team will use tools, such a thermal imaging equipment and voice recording systems, Cochran said.

Historical society staff will be there to monitor what happens, and county facilities director Dave Kempf will let the team know where they can set up their equipment.

Kempf said he checked with Chatham Oaks officials and was told there wouldn't be a problem with the paranormal team coming in as long as it didn't disturb residents.

A date for an investigation wasn't set and an agreement will have to be drafted releasing the county of any liability before the supervisors formally approve the request, Cochran said.

Supervisor Pat Harney raised concerns over whether bringing in ghost hunters would add to the rumors.

"To me, it's rather bizarre," Harney said. "They're not going to do it Halloween night, are they?"

Cochran said that isn't the plan.

The remaining wing still standing at the facility was built in 1855 and housed mentally ill patients who were deemed insane. The 10 cells each housed four to five patients who were wards of the state or committed by their families, Cochran said.

The 160-acre site was self sufficient, with residents growing corn, potatoes, wheat, hay and tobacco, he said.

Story Comments

I_2nd_thatmotion wrote on Mar 31, 2008 2:30 AM:

" I belive in the paranormal, and i do this kind of stuff myself. We charge no money for these acts iiin any way shape or form. we just want a thrill, help others on thier piece of mind, and see some interesting things that help to prove or disprove the existance of live after death. We mean no harm and it costs nothing but the clothes and tech we have on our backs, also some fun. "

connie e. wrote on Mar 29, 2008 12:19 PM:

" I don't know why they don't check it out. Its not costing you anything. Something interesting could turn up. Its not hurting anyone. If you don't believe in it, don't pay attention to it. looking into differnt things isn't a bad thing. "

I'm with Laurie wrote on Mar 28, 2008 8:27 AM:

" I believe in ghosts, but with none reported why waste the money? And if there are any out there, are they bothering the paranormal team? "

LAURIE wrote on Mar 27, 2008 7:51 PM:

" All this time and no one has reported any ghostly activity? I DO believe in ghosts but sounds to me like someone has some extra money and don't have anything better to spend it on. I say if its not broken, don't fix it. "

Living in Reality wrote on Mar 27, 2008 3:52 PM:

" People are so gullible. Cochran says that bringing in a paranormal team is "kind of taking the pre-emptive approach." Pre-emptive to What? Is he perhaps thinking some as-yet-undiscovered ghost is going to create paranormal havoc? And the findings of the paranormal investigation will prevent that??? There is NO SUCH THING as a ghost! JBut there are a lot of foolish people who love to dwell on foolish thinking. "