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Show Notes Will Go on Patreon After 1/1/2022

Crouch Family Murders

Sources:  Mlive.com, various news articles from Newspapers.com, Findagrave.com, and HauntedMichigan.com


A mix of the game Clue, a really messed up family drama, and all in black and white....and red.


Jacob was born in 1809 in the O.C....Orange County New York and moved to the lovely Michigan in Jackson County in 1830. He was a wheat farmer and Michigan was the choice land for farming it at the time. He was really successful and ended up with 1000 acres of land with valuable herd of cattle. He then settled with his wife Anna in 1838 and then became a self made millionaire of that time. 


Jacob was not known to be a very nice man. He was said to be ornery and he did not trust the government, lawyers or banks so he kept his money in his house. He hated having his pictures taken and my guess is that he was a super busy man and pictures back then took a while, so time was precious for him. 


Anna and Jacob got busy about a year of wedded bliss...like really busy. 

Susan born in 1839

Ethel born in 1840 but died at just 4 years old

Byron born in 1842

Dayton born in 1846 and died in 1882 mysteriously

Eunice born in 1850 

Judson 1859


So Judd ends up being a big player in this whole story. He was born with one leg shorter than the other and Anna died just 6 days after the birth. Jacob was 50 years old at the time he was born and said I AM TOO OLD FOR THIS SHIT and passed him down to his eldest Susan (20) and her husband Daniel Holcomb along with some money to raise Judd. So Judd was calling Susan mom til about 10 years old and then he found out Jacob IS THE FATHER. The Holcombs lived a few miles down the road on a different farm. 


Eunice was said to be Jacobs favorite kid. But honestly, Eunice is a badass in this and you will know why as soon you hear the whole story. She is my favorite kid in this story too. I feel like Eunice was a woman before her time. She was well educated and actually went to college at Notre Damn and graduated there. She then went to marry Henry White who also was from a family of wealth but didn't seem to have too much ambition of his own. Eunice and Henry moved in with Jacob because Jacob needed help as he was growing older. 


Those are the important characters but two more I want to mention are Julia Reese and George Bolis. They also lived in the house as help. Julia was Jacob's live in maid and George helped on the farm with the animals and various projects. Julia was recently separated from her husband and said to be a very attractive woman. She and the neighbor Charles Parks who also worked on the farm were very friendly. This made Jacob super pissed and he actually fired his friendly neighbor as a result a week before the tragedy occurred. I will get to the deets on George later when I tell about the awful night.


THE DAY of November 21st

Jacob meets with a cattle buyer named Moses Polly. Jacob was probably a good businessman and saw that it was getting late and Polly might need a good dinner and a place of rest so he could be on his way the next morning. So he invites Mr. Polly to stay. Mr. Polly accepts and enjoys a nice dinner provided by Julia, by the warm fireplace. Conversations about politics and Eunice wants to involve herself but is stopped by her husbands glaring eyes and firm head shake, because Jacob didn't care to hear a woman's opinion on the subject. 


Around 9 or 10 everyone heads to bed. Thunderstorms in November head in which is very rare for Michigan and it is loud and shaking the whole house. Eunice, Henry, Moses and Jacob all slept downstairs while George and Julia slept upstairs. 11:30 the weather is in full force and George wakes up to what he thought was bad thunder. Then he thought he heard a gunshot, but convinced himself it was just the storm. Then he hears another gunshot, furniture moving, and then a moan. He knew something terrible was happening and hid in a chest in his room as there were more and more gunshots. Now its important to mention that George was just a kid. He was only 16. He was frightened to his core and his survival instincts took over and he hid in a cramped place til the sun came out and the house was quiet.


The next morning, George came out of the chest and creeped down the stairs to check on Jacob. He found Jacob and whatever he saw freaked him out that he ran a half of mile in November in MICHIGAN with his bare ass feet. The neighbor he ran to was Mr. Charles Parks. Charles then reached out to neighbor George Hutchins and they went over to the Crouch home together. When they arrived in the home they walk in to the kitchen to find Julia just making breakfast oblivious as can be. Mr. Hutchins demanded to know about the murders that took place. 


Word got around to Daniel, Susan's husband, and he immediately got the sheriff involved. Word traveled faster than the investigators could get there because 145 people arrived at the scene of the crime and trampled over all the place. So this made it extremely hard to solve. 


The CRIME SCENE


Jacob was shot in the head

Moses was shot in the head and neck

Henry was shot in the head and abdomen

Eunice was shot 5 times 2 in the right arm, once in the neck and abdomen and she was also 8 months pregnant with her first child


Suspects

First Julia and George. 

They were the only ones alive in the house

They were black and singled out

They were let go on lack of evidence


James Foy

He bragged about the murders

Had a similar revolver

He shot someone he said knew too much about the murders

He ended up dead by suicide or was killed


Daniel Holcomb

Susan his wife was found dead during his trial by suicide or poison

Prosecutor died a few days in to the trail

Witness was murdered by her ax crazed husband

Armature Sheriff was shot by who he thought was Daniel's son Judd during investigation

The Holcombs were rumored to be cut from will and left to Eunice and Henry

Important papers were stolen from Jacob during the massacre


Judd

Should have been a suspect but was never on trial for anything.

He ended up with all of the inheritance and lost it to the bank in 1945

Lived and acted really bothered by what happened to his family

His house was set on fire a few days after his death in 1947 by suspected arson


Who do you think did it? I believe there was more than one person involved.

 

What is your theory?

Season ONe Episode Two

National Inn B&B

Sources: www.nationalinn.com, www.hauntedhouses.com


Sorry my show notes are so late guys! Since we are a new podcast I hope you give us some grace as all this is new to us. So on Season 1 Episode 2 we talked about the National Inn Bed and Breakfast or Brekfrist (As Sara calls it) . The history goes that Colonel Andrew Mann built this place on site with lumber and bricks were fired on site. He named it the Mann Hotel in 1835. Shortly after the grand opening a ball was held inside. Another fun fact is PT Barnum was known to stay here when the circus was in town. 10 years later it became a stage coach stop for all of the train travelers that came to and from Detroit to Chicago. It operated as a railroad hotel for nearly 30 years before closing its doors as the Mann hotel.


After it closed it's doors, various motel owners came in and out of there. In 1978 it converted into a factory for windmills and farm wagons, and if anyone knows Michigan, we have a lot of farm land to this day. Cornfield heaven. I am surprised this factory didn't stay in business, but it did end up shutting its doors, and then Dr. Andrew Dean purchased it. Dr. Dean made it in to eight apartments and called this the Dean Flats in 1920. At this time the prohibition on alcohol was going on so bootleggers would use the basement of the flats to brew and sell alcohol. It was at this time that there was a secret room discovered, and I know I got distracted during the podcast but this secret room was thought to be part of the underground railroad. The bootleggers used this historical room to hide the alcohol and never were caught as a result. 


It was not clear on when the Dean Flats closed it's doors but it was used to be a halfway house for prisoners to get back on there feet. This left the building condemn and in disarray and no one wanted to buy it but two restorers in 1976. The Kinneys and the Minicks took on the project and restored the Inn to it's natural beauty with Victorian style and oak furniture. They took the 8 apartments and split them into two and there are now 16 rooms to choose from.


The story doesn't end here....there are two permanent spooky ghosts that reside here. One is the female spirit, who is rumored to be the lady in red. Lady in Red is legend to be a spirit of a prostitute or a jilted lover. She is seen all around the inn, but in her own room she takes care of the guest and is said to be very kind to the guests. She isn't harmful she is just part of the staff. They believe she is the spirit of someone in the bootlegger era. The other guest is said to be a cigar smoking male spirit. And he....isn't so friendly. He tolerates people but doesn't enjoy them. If he really doesn't want guest he throws temper tantrums and chucks pictures off the walls, gives guest nightmares, and blows cigar smoke in their faces. My dad had an experience with the nightmares and the cigar smoke that he cannot explain, but it did scare the willies out of him.


This Inn does not want any sort of ghost hunting to be done here. However, they did have it investigated one time just to see if the male spirit was dangerous. Turns out he is just grumpy. The owners of the Inn want this to be a place were people can enjoy the beauty of Marshall, MI. It is a very beautiful place that can take you back in time even if its just for the weekend. Has a courtyard to enjoy an afternoon tea, a beautiful fire place to read by, and a back porch to enjoy their evening popcorns. 

Jeepers Creepers Episode 3

Where did you get those peepers tho?

Sources:https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Dennis_DePue, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117374567/dennis-henry-depue, https://apnews.com/article/727b9ad98022c37f5e5877d19ff5e96d, https://www.clickondetroit.com/features/2017/02/15/did-1990-michigan-murder-inspire-jeepers-creepers-film/, https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Depue-97

 The real Jeepers Creepers Jeepers Creepers the 2001 movie idea came from a CREEP named Dennis Depue. He was a fugitive on the run, being searched for by the police, after the body of his wife Marilyn Depue was discovered behind an abandoned church.  An episode of Unsolved Mysteries aired the true story of the brutal murder of Marilyn Depue almost a year after her death.  Dennis Depue's wife was reported missing on April 15th, 1990. Neighbors immediately suspected that her husband Dennis was behind her disappearance, as it was also well-known that the Depue's had a pretty bad marriage. It was speculated that maybe Dennis lost his mind and snapped when Marilyn filed for an extremely much needed divorce.  When Dennis Depue freaked about the divorce, he severely beat Marilyn right in front of their 3 children, he then pretended that he was going to take their mother to the hospital, but instead, shot her in the back of the head.  While dumping his wife's body, Depue assumed that he was alone, since it was rare for anyone to drive along lonely Michigan back roads where he was located.  Dennis couldn't have been further from being wrong. Ray and Marie Thornton were driving along that very same road, same area at that very time and found themselves witnessing Dennis Disposing of Marilyn's corpse behind a church. The corpse was wrapped in a bloody sheet. Before they could fully comprehend what was happening, Dennis was in his van, following close behind then for several miles and then disappearing completely until March of 1991.  The chase between Dennis Depue and the Thornton's should seem very familiar to anyone who has watched Jeepers Creepers, since the confrontation is made known in the beginning of the movie. Specifically, in the opening scene where Darry (played by Justin Long) and Trish (played by Gina Philips) are taking the scenic route home from school to visit their parents.  Like, in the DePue's case, the brother and sister duo in the Jeepers Creepers movie, see a truck appearing out of nowhere that then attempts to run them off the road. Also Darry and Trish witness the driver unloading a body wrapped in a bloody sheet outside of a church. The driver then stuffs the body into an outside chute and the two find themselves stalked by the truck.  I find this super intriguing tha the Thornton's were even playing the "license plate" game like Darry and Trish. It's extremely identical to Unsolved Mysteries story of Dennis DePue.  Although director Victor Salva has never said the DePue case was inspiration to the 2001 horror film, it is totally difficult to think that he wasn't somehow influenced by it.  After the episode featuring Marilyn DePue's murder, and the subsequent search for Dennis Depue, aired on Unsolved Mysteries, Dennis panicked and fled, the saftey of his new hideout with new girlfriend which had protected him for 11 months. Dennis was living under the alias Hank Queen in Dallas, TX, Dennis soon found himself tangled up in a lengthy police chase, which in turn, ended with his suicide in Mississippi.  It's quite astonishing to think how closely the events of Jeepers Creepers lines up with the real life DePue case. And it's even more breath taking that is took so long for anyone to make the connection reguarding the true crime story that highly likely inspired 2001 Horror flick Jeepers Creepers. This very close speculation is on youtube. It's kind of weird it took until 2011 for this to surface or for anyone to make the connection.  My heart goes out to the family of Dennis and Marilyn DePue. I hope you guys were some how able to find peace and live your lives the way it was supposed to be and I am sorry that you ever had to witness or be a part of such a tragedy and horrific memory 

Weird LAWS Episode 4

Michigan Weird Laws

I got most of these sources from Facebook, Rare.com LivinginMichigan.com, Michiganhousesonline.com


People are not allowed to get drunk on trains


It is illegal to kill a dog via decompression chamber. I laughed hard at this one just because on how specific it was not that a dog was getting killed. So please don't take it the wrong way. I love dogs and I don't like them to die.


Adultery is illegal but only if the spouse reports it.


No man may seduce or corrupt an unmarried woman, if they do they may spend 5 years in prison. Married women are fair game lmao


Cars may not be sold on Sundays


Woman may not cut hair without husbands permission


Robbers can sue if injured during their crime



BY CITY

Clawson it is legal to sleep with your cows pigs horses and chickens


Detroit 

Couples are banned from making love in automobiles except on their own property


Cant destroy your old radios


Its illegal for a man to scowl at his wife on Sundays...its ok on Monday just no on SUNDAYS


Its illegal to let your pig run free on the roads in Detroit but only if the PIGS have ring on their nose


Harper Woods


YOU ARE NOT allowed....I repeat NOT allowed to paint your sparrows and sell them as a parakeet. Got it?


Kalamazoo

DO NOT sing to your girlfriend in Public....totally illegal


Rochester

Head of the Police has another TITLE Bikini Inspector. He needs to inspect your suit before wearing it....what?! Im sorry what?


Soo 


Can not smoke in bed, doesn't matter if you had good sex or not.


Wayland

You may be able to ride your cow into town and and park it at a cheap 3 cents a day!


Weird Criminals of Michigan


A guy in Ferndale thought it would be a good plan to pose as Darth Vader and rob a convenience store. The only thing he didn't think of is to put the mask on before entering the store. He was caught immediately because he popped the mask on right in front of the camera.


Sydney Parham in Fraser, MI was checking out her horoscope one day and decided to abide by it. She then set her ex boyfriend's prized jeep on fire because apparently her horoscope told her to do it.


A bank robber named Dennis Grantham in Warren Michigan needed just less than $300 in cash. He then used that money wisely and went down to a local pub and was in on his second beer when the cops arrived to arrest him. BUZZ KILL!






Sistas Being Sistas Episode 5

Stacy

Stacy

Stacy

This is the sista that forgot to say goodbye on this episode. We just were goofing around on this one. Lectures people alot. We are moms can't help it

Sara

Stacy

Stacy

The spaz that needs her conscience cleared all the time. Has her own language and trips over words often. Don't understand this reference? Go listen now!

Mccourtie Park

The Lady in Blue/Underground Casino

  Sources: mccourtiepark.com,   michigan.org,  youtube.com, park info board at the entrance of McCourtie Park.  Haunted McCourtie Park- Somerset Center, MI McCourtie Park- Somerset, MI  About 10 miles east down US-12 from Hillsdale, MI sets a park called McCourtie park.  This story all starts with a man called W.H.L. (William Herbert Lee) McCourtie. W.H.L. McCourtie was a very rich oil man who settled in Somerset Center, MI. Just south of Jackson, MI. He hired Mexican folk artists to sculpt 17 bridges out of concrete to make them look like they were made out of cut down trees.  He had two large condo like bird houses built, with little chambers inside for the birds to walk around in, like a house with rooms and hallways, humans can't see inside these houses.  McCourtie had an underground casino, bar, speakeasy where he entertained high-end people like Henry Ford, and gangsters that included Al Capone with all-night poker parties. This underground area is said to have been a speakeasy during the prohibition years, where bootleggers like my great grandpa Dallas Bondsteel, and mobsters would stop off to sell and buy illegal liquor on their route to and from Chicago and Detroit.  Totally understandable right? Considering it stands right along Michigan's historical and legendary highway US-12. It was a convenient and secluded place for these people to stop. It had a bar, a vault, and a fireplace. A wonderful place to stop to get your relax on.  There are underground tunnels that were connected to the underground casino that were previously used for the underground railroad, this made a perfect hidden escape route to those running from the law.  In 1933, 61 year-old McCourtie passed away in a Battle Creek Sanitarium where he had been confined for 6 months, leaving behind quite the extensive legacy.  Now, that we have some history, let's get to the fun weird scary supernatural part.  McCourtie park has had many visitors through out the years. I suppose there have been some that loved it so much there that their souls never left.  It has been reported by several guests that "the lady in blue" a female apparition that is sometimes seen wandering around the grounds at night wearing an 1850ish long, blue gown (some say black). During the night time hours, she's been seen strolling through the park in old 1800s clothing and floating over concrete bridges in complete, deathly silence and eventually disappearing. Other nights, her footsteps can be heard as her unseen figure crunches over dead, dry leaves and sticks.  Some people say she's the ghost of a runaway slave who made use of the tunnels that was part of the underground railroad.  McCourtie Park has a lot of mystery and history that the locals will not soon forget.  McCourtie Park is a beautiful park and is definitely a relaxing and fun destination for some R and R with the family. I highly recommend a visit if you haven't been!        

John Norman Collins MI TED BUNDY Episode 7

Co ED Killer

updated 11/15/21:Forgot to put sources on here: murderpedia.com, easternecho.com, wikipedia.com "michigan murders"  


John Norman Collins...biggest question I have of this guy is what went wrong? He was born June 17th 1947 in Windsor, Ontario Canada. He grew up in Center Line, MI with his single mother, Loretta, who was in and out of marriages. Loretta married a man named William Collins, and just like Ted Bundy, John had to switch his name to Collins (Originally Chapman). Loretta worked as a waitress to support John and his two siblings.  


John went to Central Michigan University but ended up transferring to Eastern in Ypsilanti. He was the average frat boy, played sports and loved to partay. He was even a model in a body building magazine. Collins was even known for his love of motorcycles and came to own one himself.


Bad boy on a motorcycle loved to charm the ladies and take them for a ride. This move actually led police to his capture for his sick and twisted adventures.


Victims

Mary Fleszar 19

Disappeared: July 18 1967

Found: August 7th 1967

By the time Mary was found she was just a mass of rotting flesh. She was stabbed 30 to 40 times. The only way they could identify Mary was by her clothes that her parents confirmed they belonged to her. When Mary was taken to the mortuary, a man asked to come in and take pictures of the body but was turned down. They couldn't get an id on the person but many believe it was Collins.


Eileen Adams 13

Disappeared December 1967

Found January 1968


Eileen this poor girl. No age is acceptable for what was done to these woman, but 13 is just so young. She was found in South Ypsi ( thats what us Michiganders call Ypsilanti) by a construction site. She was raped, brutally beaten with a hammer. She was strangled with an electrical cord, and a 3 inch nail was in her skull. 


Joan Schell 20 

Disappeared July 2 1968

Found July 7 1968


Like Eileen, Joan was also found at a construction site. Reports showed that Joan was stabbed about 47 times and raped. Cops learned that she was last seen with Collins, but found his alibi checked out.


Maralynn Skelton 16

Disappeared March 21 1969

Found March 25 1969

Also found on a construction site. A worker tripped over her arm and discovered her body. Joan's body was already discovered at this point and Maralynn's location was almost identical to hers. Mary was raped and a branch was jammed into her vagina. She was severely beaten on her head and body. Reports also showed she was whipped with a heavy strap.


Dawn Basom 13

Disappeared April 14 1969

Found April 15 1969

Dawn was found on the side of a country road. She was half naked and was raped. She was strangled with an electrical cord and her breasts were found to be cut off. The police discovered Dawn's sweater in a nearby farmhouse. A short time later more clothes of Dawn's showed up to taunt the police. Another short time went by and they found the farm house burned down and 5 lilac blossoms clipped and laid out. 


Alice Kalom 23

Disappeared June 8 1969

Found June 9 1969


Alice was discovered like thrown away trash in a field. She like the others was raped, her throat was slashed, and one bullet to the brain. Three boys had discovered the body.


Last Victim was Karen Sue Beineman who led to Collin's capture.

Karen was closing up with her manager at the wig shop when a charming bad boy invited her out on his motorcycle. Karen was smitten and even told her manager that she might be stupid to go with this guy. Karen got on Collins bike and headed out on her last night on earth. Collins ended up raping, beating and strangling Karen. Karen's underwear was stuffed in her mouth and vagina and her breasts and stomach were coated in caustic liquid. 


John Norman Collins went to trial on August 19 1970 and was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. He is now 74 and is at the Marquette Branch Prison in the Upper Peninsula. He changed his name back to Chapman in the 1980s in hopes he could transfer to Canada's prison systems. Access denied buddy. 





 


Izzy Says Episode 8

Interview with a 7 year old

Stacy interviews her daughter. All I could find is a pic of a mad child lol. She is usually happy lol I promise. Go check it out its pretty cute. 

It's miler time b*thces Episode 9

DarkHorse Brewery, MelonHeads and Don Miller

Sources: darkhorsebrewery.com, feltmansion.org, wikipedia.com, 99wfk.com, cryptid.fandom.com, ismth.fandom.com, murderpedia.org, crimesandconsquences.com, wildbluepress.com, statenews.com, wilx.com, foxnews47.com


Dark Horse Brewery is located in Marshall Michigan just down the road from National INN in episode 2. Aaron Morse brewed the beer in his dorm room and everyone liked his beer so much that he decided to open up a brewery and it is successful to this day. On this episode we tried the Raspberry Ale and it was good. Had a bit of raspberry and then some hop afterwards. We are a fan. We also decided that editing out ums were too much work so we created a drinking game lol. 

Melon Heads are derived from the word Melungeon meaning mixed race people. The legend originated in Germany and England and settled in the American colonies years later. 

They are said to be humaniods or crypids with large swollen heads and were also known as weeble heads or wooble heads.

They seem to have been outcasts and not the norm of society so they were shunned and had to rely on eachother and the wild to survive. 

They are described as people with swollen bald heads, razor sharp teeth and glowing red or orange eyes. They seem to be very feral and creatures of the night. They also have been known to attack people and eat them as well.

They have been spotted in heavily wooden areas in Ohio Connecticut and and of course MICHIGAN. 

All these states seem to have similiar stories on how MelonHeads came to be but I am gonna go with the Michigan Urban legend that occured in Holland OH by Felt Mansion.

Felt Mansion is rumored to be a known place to house these so called creatures of the night. They have been seen around the 44 acres of land and even inside the house. According to legend and there is no record of this, there used to be an asylum down the road that had these children that were different. A doctor had performed all sorts of experiments on these kids till they had enough and retaliated on the doctor, chopped him to bits and hid his bits all around the building and then burned the asylum down. With no place to go the kids retreated in to the woods to rely on eachother and the wild to survive. Some say that the kids have swollen heads because of the experiments and others say it is from years of in bredding that led to the deformities in the children. 

There was one account of an experience that I could find on felt mansion from this woman Kelly. Kelly was in front of Felt Mansion one day and saw a man outside wandering around. At first she thought it was a worker and spoke to him to ask about the property. As she got closer to the man she saw that he had a huge head. When the guy spotted Kelly he grunted and moved towards her and then picked up pace. This spooked Kelly and she got in her car and raced away.


DON MILLER

Don Miller may have looked like your typical average dude on the outside but on the inside he was bat shit crazy. He was a youth pastor, went to church, had good style but he had a dark side.

In August 1978 13 year old Randy Gilbert came home to find Don on top of his sister. He fought like hell to get Don off of her and then became Miller's next target. He made Randy lay face down on the floor after tell him he wouldn't hurt him. He then proceeded to slash at Randy's throat until he managed to knock the knife away from Miller. Don then choked the boy til he lost consciousness and then stabbed Randy two more times in the chest puncturing poor Randy's lung. 

By some miracle the brother and sister managed to escape Miller's clutches and get help. 

At this point Don Eugene Miller who was from East Lansing already killed 4 woman. If Randy didn't come home when he did, his 14 year old sister, Lisa would have been next.

Miller was thankfully arrested as a result of the two's escape and confessed to all the killings. He now serves time in the B Robert Cotton Correctional Facility in Jackson, MI.

Like I said before Don was a 23 year old normal looking guy, he graduated from Michigan State University and majored in Criminal Justice of all things. He had a fiance Martha Sue Young and everything seemed to be fine. But then 19 year old Martha decided things weren't working out with Miller and broke things off with him. Don didn't take rejection well at all and instead of just leaving things be he killed Martha on NYE 1976. The very next day on New Years Day Martha Sue Young was officially declared missing and Don Miller was the suspect, but they didn't have any proof to charge him so they let the fucker go.

In June of 1977 the next victim was Marita Choquette, 27, went missing after having some dinner with friends. 13 days after her body was found in Okemos, MI by a farmer just dumping off his garbage. 

Miller was a busy body because this same month Wendy Bush also went missing and was found stabbed to death in a field in Holt Michigan.

Not even two months later Don saw a ghost of Martha Sue Young. He stalked this "ghost" and attacked and strangled her demanding to know why she was still alive. After he killed this ghost he realize it wasn't Young but his neighbor Kristine Stewart and Lansing school Teacher.

He was just a regular guy...but you just never know. He was up for parole this year April 2021 at 66 years old but it was Access DENIED BUDDY!


Portal to the Hough House Episode 10

Anchor Inn and Keweenaw Brewing Company

Sources: wikipedia.com, www.examiner.com, roscoweekly.com, paranormalnewz.com, Book "Passport to the Paranormal", YouTube, hauntedplaces.org


The Keweenaw Brewing Company was created by two guys that suddenly lost their job at the same oil company that was located in Denver Colorado. Paul Boissevain and RIchard Grey decided to make the best out of a bad situation and put their heads together and create some beer. Located in Houghton Downtown is what is now the Keweenaw Brewing Company. They ended up selling 400 barrels of beer the first year. The following year they sold 1100 and then took over the store front next to them. The third year with 2000 barrels sold they were able to expand their business farther by adding a deck and a parking lot and also a warehouse to start canning and distributing their beer to stores. By 2018 they sold their 1000th batch of canned beer and scored a deal with Comerica Park. So now you will be able to enjoy their beer at a baseball game  GO TIGERS!!! The Widow maker which we tried on the podcast was actually named after a very dangerous one person drill that is used for copper mining in the area. 


The Anchor INN goes way back to 1914. It was built by the Akin Brothers and ran as the Akin hotel til 1933. During this time it served as a brothel and Al Capone and the Purple gang were said to be regulars. In the middle of 1933 Cliff Chapman took over and renamed the brothel and hotel Cliffs Hotel...pretty original. After that it sold and fell in to the hands of Maria Best in the late 1960s. Best made the upstairs a "hair salon" but it was rumored to be that Best was the local MADAME and the "hairstylists" were her sex workers. She kept it a "hair salon" for many years to keep the business legal. In 1985 it changed owners again and Sam and Jela Stajic bought it and it changed names a couple times in their care. Valez Country INN to Sam's Lounge. From 2003 to 2008 it was sold again and became the FUNKY TURTLE.

And FINALLY in 2011 Clive and Dot...the cute old couple that I want Brian and I to be one day bought it and named it the Anchor Inn that we know it to be today. It is now ran by their daughter Rhonda and Jason Spears.

The Spears believe that there is a portal to the netherworld on Heights View Drive where the Inn is located and is responsible for the activity taking place at the INN today. 

In ancient times there was said to be an spirit highway of sorts called ley lines. And two of these ley lines intersect right in their location creating a portal so spirits can come and go as they please.

YouTube has a video I watched on the INN and they interviewed Rhoda and she said that drinks will move all the time from the wooden bar and she believes that to be the spirit of Marie Best the madam of the inn because she wants coasters under the drinks. They also give Ghost tours and looks like the perfect place to go to for Halloween. But one time she was giving a tour to a group of people and arranged the pool balls in a circle on the table. She went upstairs with the group and came down to find the balls in a cross shape. 


The inn has 13 rooms and they provide a Halloween attraction every year. My favorite room I saw would be the exorcist room. They also have a chainsaw guy too. Pretty cool. So in addition to the real hauntings you can get the jump scares too!

Mystery on Lake Huron WEIRD STORY#1

Stacy just reads and quotes from 99wfk.com

Lady mysteriously dies on Lake Huron and her partner mysteriously disappears with out a trace

Episode 12 Forced Confessions Who is Guilty?

Skelton Brothers Disappearance and Forced Confessions

Stay tuned! We will also be guest starring on FLAWPS podcast on December 1st. Go listen to those cool dudes. They have some good material on Weird Laws everywhere!  

 

Sources:Shattered Podcast,  Mlive, Netflix Confession Tapes, FoxDetroit, lenconnect.


Forced Confessions was on a man named Kenneth Osburn from Dumas Arkansas was found guilty of the murder of a girl. The local authorities made it impossible for Kenneth to have a lawyer present and the Netflix series Confession Tapes made this man sound like he is innocent. Is he? Listen to the podcast and watch the series and you figure it out for yourself.


The Skelton brothers went missing from Morenci MI in 2010 and were never found. The father of the boys claim that they were given to an underground family to keep the boys safe but no one has ever came forward. Most people think that John killed them but he has never confessed to it being so and the boys were never found 11 years. Check out our Thanksgiving special.



Episode 13 the Mittens Haunted Mansions

The Whitney https://amuse.vice.com/en_us/article/qvqxgp/most-haunted-restaurant-america Built in 1894 by one David Whitney Jr. Built for lumber baron David Whitney Jr. between 1890 and 1894 Estimated to have cost $400,000 - about $9.5 million today (with a further $11 million spent on furniture and interior) David Whitney Jr’s wife died during construction of the house Whitney then married his wife’s sister, who also died in the house A few decades after Whitney’s death, nobody wanted to buy the place It then became a hospice for tuberculosis patients, which, of course, added to the horror stories”. The electrics here were installed by Thomas Edison, who was a personal friend of David Whitne David Whitney died the richest man in Detroit Bannisters and facades contain wood sourced from every continent on the planet, whilst the construction itself is made of rose-colored South Dakota jasper; a special type of granite. https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/dining/20

Episode 13 Continued

Beeson Mansion Crypt

Sources: Michiganhauntedhouses.com, https://www.leaderpub.com/2008/05/10/were-midnight-trips-to-visit-dead-child-a-myth/,https://www.ghostquest.net/haunted-places-niles-michigan.html

Episode 14 Interview with Bean

Interview with my teenage son Talking all things school dances, spiderman, and tv shows

Say something interesting about your business here.

Jason Adams UNDerground Music

Check Out his Music Here

Episode 16 Drops TUESDAY!!!

Birthday Start

You don't wanna see me when I am Hangry....

You don't wanna see me when I am Hangry....

 Lets just talk about the fact that I got dirty before I even stepped foot in the car to go to Grand Rapids. Yes looking fresh in my new leggings and shirt. Got my hair done, just did my nails and just on point. Gave BEAN $20 to go down the road to the shake shop and he decides....I really want to ride my bike. Problem is that he broke hi

 Lets just talk about the fact that I got dirty before I even stepped foot in the car to go to Grand Rapids. Yes looking fresh in my new leggings and shirt. Got my hair done, just did my nails and just on point. Gave BEAN $20 to go down the road to the shake shop and he decides....I really want to ride my bike. Problem is that he broke his bike last summer. So he proceeds to try to fix it right then and there. Ok so I go outside to see if I can help him. There are burrs everywhere. And if you aren't from michigan they are like the mosquitos of plants. Why the fuck are there mosquitos and burrs? I do not understand this. Doesn't make sense. Burrs are these stupid little prickly fuckers that just stick to your pants and are hard to remove. So I decided that he can use my bike but I needed to put air in the tires so I get in the burr mess and start pumping the tires. Tires were good but then when he peddled the gears fell off the bike....so no good right? So at this point I am already burred and muddied up and Brian is ready to leave on the trip and he wondered where we went. SO I go inside and and he goes I will just take him you go get cleaned up. And this was the start of our day.....Just the start.
 Now I am gonna sound like a negative nancy and this is gonna come out like I hated the trip but no...it was just comical everything that happened and it made the trip interesting and I just had to share it with you. So as I was filling the bikes tires with air Brian my husband was filling my car's right tire with air. Well, he thought that one was the only one that was low so we went on our trip and got to the gas station down the road and he sees the other tire needs air too. But at that gas station the air pump was out of order. So I go cool cool well then I will just go inside and collect my winnings from this lottery ticket and GUYS I never won anything off a scratch off ticket so I was hella awkward at the counter. I didn't know how to act. I was like well I think I won 10 dollars. So the lady goes OK lets see I have to scan it. And I go O OK I didn't know there was a scanner I have never won anything before and she goes HAHA you sound like me. Turns out I won $15!!! So there is a positive. So I get back in the car and we head down to the next gas station and on the way there a frickin family of deer run across the road and Brian does one of those things that my grandpa used to do and put his hand across my chest. Like that will prevent me from going through the windshield or something. I had my seatbelt on but it cracked me up cuz that is something I never understood why people do that lol. Its sweet but still funny. Then we get to a yellow light and same thing  he does the hand thing and I just said ok grandpa! Lol So we finally make it to the gas station we are not even to Jackson yet and pull in the parking lot, and Brian is having a hell of a time finding an air pump and I said that vaccuum will have one, and he goes no thats a vacuum and I said no pull up to it, it blows and sucks its a 2 fer...lol 

You don't wanna see me when I am Hangry....

You don't wanna see me when I am Hangry....

You don't wanna see me when I am Hangry....

 So we get our air and the trip finally starts moving. We pass Jackson and by this time I am pretty hungry so I see a sign for Crossroads Bar and Grill and get super excited because Crossroads is part of the show supernatural and it seemed to be a local place and like I said I like supporting local when I can. So we get off the exit and d

 So we get our air and the trip finally starts moving. We pass Jackson and by this time I am pretty hungry so I see a sign for Crossroads Bar and Grill and get super excited because Crossroads is part of the show supernatural and it seemed to be a local place and like I said I like supporting local when I can. So we get off the exit and drive there and they are closed. CLOSED....bummer right? This is just the start of this whole experience so hold on to your knickers. Ok so I check my phone on maps to see what else is around and we decide on A and W. Because there are none by us so why not. So we drive about 10 more miles down the road and hit the exit and get to the A and W and sure as shit....they are also closed. This point I am super hungry and had to pee so we pull in next door to the big boy. We walk in the entrance and there was a guy who was waiting just leaning on the door to get in so I stood there like an idiot for like 15 seconds awkward as hell and he finally moved and let us in. So I tell Brian just ask how long the wait is I have to pee so I went in the bathroom and its gross as hell but Im desperate so I go and wash my hands and come out and Brian is still standing there and I ask how long is the wait and he says no one has even talked to him yet. So I say ok lets just go to the arbys across the street there are no cars there. By the time we get in the car and get across the street all of a sudden in that time 10 cars are in front of us. And I am now hangry at this point and everywhere is understaffed so it took us 30 minutes to get through the driveway and food. So I scarf the small meal I got and Brian got a huge meal so he let me have his fries because he was too full.
 Half an hour later we arrive to our destination. Its raining and windy and its a typical winter nasty day in Michigan. Cold as a witches tit in a brass bra and grey! We get to the parking garage and park. Brian calls the front desk to see if we can check in and they say yes. So my hopes are up that this day is gonna slow its roll with the mishaps. We get our luggage and step in to the luxurious hotel with beautiful halls and fancy stairwells marble walls. We pass a Starbucks. And I am really fucking impressed with myself. I go Brian I cannot believe this is a 3 star hotel I oughta tell them this should be a 5 star because its really nice. So we get to the front desk and proceed with the check in. And this girl goes ok I need an id and name please. So I give her both. And she goes huh...I don't see you when did you make the reservation.” I said this is the courtyard right? And she goes no...this isn't the courtyard that hotel is down the block that way. I just chuckle and start to tell her why we ended up there and she didn't care to talk to me anymore. She wasn't rude or anything but I can read body language very well being a cosmetologist for 16 years does that to a person. So we go outside with our heavy ass luggage down the block in the wind and rain and I go Brian...I am really glad I didnt mention the 5 star thing because that would have been super embarrassing. LOL
 Ok we get to the 3 star hotel and not as nice but nice you know and get to room finally and check in and get ready for dinner at the BOB. I get all fancied up and time comes when we have to meet our friends so we walk down stairs and I become fast friends with the front desk lady and tell her we are going to the BoB for my birthday and she goes OH NO its closed today though. And I said....for real? Okay I need to call my friend and make other plans. So I call my friend and she is not mad and suggests we go to Stellas instead. Stella is four blocks away so I agree. Brian and I walk the wrong way for about a block because we suck at maps. So we ended going back the other way in the right diwrection and there is police directing traffic because there was a Tran Siberian concert playin at the stadium there. So we cross the road and head down this “True Crime has happened here for sure” Alley to this graffited back enterance to Stellas. We try the door...and yes you guessed it ITS LOCKED. So I call my friend who is already waiting for us and she goes I think you need to go around. So we do and finally make it to food....again. I wanted to tell a back story about Stellas give you guys a cool story about it but their website isn't very personal. It is a cool place though it is very hippish has some old school video arcade games like donkey kong and pacman, some creepy ass paintings which I will post on patreon for you guys, and the food was STELLA!! Pun intended. I also enjoyed their version of Long Island Iced tea that was called Stella's punch and would definitely give it 5 stars.   
 So Brian and I leave the resturant and I am feeling pretty good at this point despite the comical events that have occurred. I was in to my like 3rd drink and was walking back to the hotel like a boss. Brian and I took some pics with an alligator and a sculpted mega hand and had a great night walk back. We get back to the hotel room and I decide I wanted to take a dip in the hot tub before it closes. Problem is Brian didn't bring anything but his cowboy boots no flip flops. So he goes fuck it we are going its your birthday I don't care. He dresses in a tee shirt his swim trunks black socks and cowboy boots...its a look and I have to be seen with this man. So I am like walking behind him a lil...and laughing my ass off. And we pass these people coming out of the concert dressed in fancy dresses while we look like we just came off the hillbilly party bus and we get to the pool thats on the second floor and do you think the key works on the key pad to get in? NO OF COURSE NOT!! So we have to go down the damn stairs to my new best friend the front desk lady with Brian's look and I am dying of embarrasment and the front desk lady is like no he looks fine its okay lol! She describes the sitaution with the lock that one is for the apartment complex and the other is for the hotel guests so we go back up the damn stairs and finally get in the pool part. Brian then jumps in the pool and acts like its super warm so I follow suit and sober back up because its cold as hell. And we get out and go in to the hot tub with this lady that is from the apartments and we chat with her. She tells us about her joy of cooking and how her and her husband used to do it and my husband has what I call his BOB SAGET moment with her and tells her that she should keep on cooking. So we say our goodbyes and I head back in the locker room to get in my dry clothes and that lady comes in the locker room while im getting dressed in the stall and I hear her crying. So Brian's Bob Saget moment made her cry...I don't think in a bad way but I am sure it got her thinking about her hubby.
 OK so after the pool we get to the room and I wont go in to too much detail here but we bought a game that will spice things up and I have to tell you guys about this cuz its frickin hilarious and I am a weirdo. So we get this game and we start taking it apart and Brian reads the directions and its for like an orgy. LOL I was like what the fuck kinda game is this so what you have to do is read the directions and do the action and the others are supposed to guess what it is. Well thank god there was one just for couples but on the orgy one that we didnt even open the direction was to start licking everything and everyone around you for 20 seconds. And I was half tempted to leave it on the counter for the cleaning lady just for amusement, but Brian said no.
 So we ended the night watching half of Red Notice til we passed out and that was my night. We woke up to a snow storm and decided to leave early. So we go down the road a bit and its really salted and shitty out and do you think my windshield wiper fluid was working? Nah.... SO we get to the biggby exit because duh I need my free coffee and an angel must have been feeling pretty bad for me and him at this point because right next door to the coffee shop was an autozone. So we get the windshield wiper fluid and head out again. Of course we had to stop at the casino because I got some free play you know...birthday! So we stop there and Brian wins I don't at all....and we left like 45 mins later...I did get a long island iced tea though while there. It was good but not $9 good. We then headed to MARSHALL MI. You guys heard me talk about the National inn and we got a video of the place passing by, but we went down the road to the DARK HORSE brewery and you guys! It was amazing! It was such a  great atomosphere. There is writing on the wall, grogs on the ceiling and reminded me of a roadhouse. So fricking cool. The food was aHHH mazing. We had preztels and beer cheese and I had a Mitten's Chicken which was a loaded chicken salad sandwich with house chips. I tried their Double crooked tree ale on tap and it was very good. Then we headed over to the store and tasting room. They let me taste a few samples and they have a full on deli and food you can take home with you. I got a grog of ale and they said I could get the coozy for free cuz its my bday!
 All and all it was an adventure. I did have a good time! BIRTHDAY PODCAST!!! 

Episode 17

FB LAWS OK KAREN

FB LAWS OK KAREN

FB LAWS OK KAREN

FB LAWS OK KAREN

FB LAWS OK KAREN

Stacy rants about the stupidity of Facebook laws as she got put in the FB slammer for quoting a disney movie

episode 18 Free Range Moms and the Red dwarf

The Nain ROUGE

 The Nain Rouge   sources: waymarking.com, wikipedia.com/antoinedelamothcadillac, historyengine.richmond.edu, marchedunainrouge.com, biography.yourdictionary.com, www.mlive.com, detroithistorical.com, barefootandprovincial.com, historymuseum.ca, 64parishes.org Red Drawf
 Rouge Demon, Fae. Spirit Creature, Little People
 Rouge Red Skin

 The Nain Rouge   sources: waymarking.com, wikipedia.com/antoinedelamothcadillac, historyengine.richmond.edu, marchedunainrouge.com, biography.yourdictionary.com, www.mlive.com, detroithistorical.com, barefootandprovincial.com, historymuseum.ca, 64parishes.org Red Drawf
 Rouge Demon, Fae. Spirit Creature, Little People
 Rouge Red Skin, Pointed Teeth and Glowing eyes
 Small Creature with Fur covering its body Face of a man with red eyes and rotting teeth
 Rouge predicts misfortune or demise
 Terrority of Michigan June 30th1805 to Jan 26th 1837 Then became the state of Michigan and Detroit was then its capital.
 Was Under French than British Control.
 The founder of Detroit Antoine de la mothe Cadillac   born in March 5th 1658
 Through his life he was a French Explorer, Trapper, Trader of Alcohol and Fur, and then eventually a politician. Before he founded Detroit in 1701, he was a commander of a Fort in St. Ignace MI in 1694.   
 He was known by some to have a very evil mind. It was rumored he was kicked out of France for his nasty behavior.
 He had at most 13 children, most of who are buried in Detroit
 He was a greedy mofo He taxed the shit out of people. Was hungry for power and then ended up imprisoned for illegal trading.   
 He claimed to have nightmares of a red creature.
 Cadillac was approached by a woman with a black cat on her shoulder during a party on March 10 1701 in his honor. She was a fortune teller that knew about his nightmares and she warned him he will be approached by a red drawf which was described by her as a physical embodiment of his ambition, anger, pride and envy. She also went on to tell him that his future will be grim in years to come. The colony he founded would be the scene of bloodshed and the indians will be treachous the hated english will struggle for its possession. That is only if he didn't appease the nain rouge. If he does appease the creature the city will be a dream he couldn't even imagine. She said the choice is yours and your future lies in your own hands.
 Years later, During an evening stroll with his wife the red dwarf approached him and his wife and his wife reminded him of the fortune teller. With fear he struck the nain rouge with his walking stick screaming “get out of my way you red imp” and ran away laughing a sinister laugh. As a consequence Cadillac was cursed and so was his town. He was charged with an abuse of power and then was shunned from Detroit and eventually founded Louisana but had to return to France where he was imprisoned and lost all of his fortune. His children didn't get a cent of his fortune like he hoped. Cadilliac died at the healthy age at that time at 72 October 26 1730.
 
 The nain rouge like I said before seems to appear before a tragedy or a traumatic event occurs.   
 Battle of Bloody Run: The native american settlers were fed up with the take over of the French and British settlers on their land. So they decided to fight back. Honestly, if people were taking what I knew and taking away everything I had, I would be mad too. So they felt they had to do something to fight for their land...they were here first! So a war broke loose and Pontiac led 3500 warriors and the white men had 3000 soldiers. As a result the native americans were victorious. But one of the battles occurred on what is now called Parent Creek near Detroit. The nain rouge was seen dancing on corpses near the creek and the battle was so bad that the creek actually ran red with the blood of the deceased. Could this be a spirit of the Native Americans? Or is it something else?
 Just over a century after Cadillac and Detroit was cursed, The Great Fire of Detroit in 1805 broke out. A local baker John Harvey could be to blame but no one knows for sure on how the fire started. The city couldn't pay for a fire department so the people of the town came together with buckets and put the fire out. The population at the time was 600 people and the fire nearly destroyed all of the city and the nain rouge was spotted dancing in the flames of the fires. Luckily no one died from this! What is this mysterious creature? Is he a warning? Did he start the fire? Is he a mischievous demon that feeds off of chaos?
 General William Hull who was sentence to death for military incompetence and was the only officer in american history to have this sentence. He claimed to see the red dwarf grining at him when he surrendered Detroit to the British in 1812. The whole war of 1812 is blammed on the nain rouge lol.
 Detroit curse seemed to keep going. There was an illegal after hours bar and they got busted by the police. Made a week long riot break out. This riot was one of the bloodest and deadliest in American History, and the nain rouge was seen in the middle of the chaotic mess. It resulted in 16 deaths, 493 were wounded, and 23 civilians death. More than 400 buildings were also destroyed in this riot. Again...what is this creature? In my opinion so far he sounds like a demon who gains power from anger, chaos, and tragedy.
 The last supposed sighting of the red dwarf was reported by two DTE workers in 1976. They reported at first to see a small child climbing up a telephone pole. As they approached the figure, it hopped of the pole and gave them a sinister grin with its piercing glowing eyes and red skin and raced away. The next day Detroit saw one of the worse ice storms to hit the city in weather history. However, Detroit wasn't the only city affected by this storm in Michigan. Was the nain rouge warning people to prepare, or was he just coming for a feed?
 
 Despite the nastiness and curse that seems to be of the nain rouge, the people of Detroit come together in french costumes, build floats, and marching bands now and celebrate the city. They are telling the nain rouge that even though he cursed the city, Detroit can still rise from the ashes and prevail. The March du Nain Rouge started in 2010 and is described as a Marti Gras combined with St. Patty's Day. There is a parade/festival and a man dressed as this creature and is traditionally ran out of the city. It was cancelled in 2020/and 2021 but it tentatively scheduled Sunday March 20th. If you go to their website it tells more information on where to park and gives you a coupon for Lyfe too!   
 
 One of my sources included an article of Metro Times. This guy John EL Tenney a researcher, doesn't approve of the festival approach. He believes if this is a possibly that such a creature exsists we should be kind to the creature and not running it out of town. The city of Detroit has a lot of misfortune. We have gangs, terrible inner city schools, butt load of violence, and the city is poor. So poor in fact they couldn't even afford to have the street lights on at one point. Pissing of this creature isn't helping matters. We should be appeasing him like Cadillac should have done from the beginning. However, there is the religion side to it that makes things tricky. Cadillac was a greedy terrible man that probably wasn't religious so if he would have made the imp happy maybe Detroit wouldn't be so damned? I don't know. I don't know the answer, but the point of  Tenney may be that it would hurt to change the festival to appease the creature and maybe Detroit's curse will turn for the positive not the negative. What do you guys think this creature is? Is he a warning...is he a demon...or did the Native Americans curse detroit with a nature spirit? Do you think Cadillac should have appeased the imp? I wanna know your thoughts! Email us!   
 
 
 
 
 
 

Episode 19 Don't Krampus my Style

Are you Naughty? Beware

 

Krampus

Every year kids get so excited for Santa to come, But in Germany, kids are very scared that the wrong Santa will come. You have either watched or heard about the horror flick Krampus. While I know this story isn’t Michigan related it is fitting for the up coming holiday. Christmas.

I believe there are a lot of horror movies that so

 

Krampus

Every year kids get so excited for Santa to come, But in Germany, kids are very scared that the wrong Santa will come. You have either watched or heard about the horror flick Krampus. While I know this story isn’t Michigan related it is fitting for the up coming holiday. Christmas.

I believe there are a lot of horror movies that some how stem off of real life events. So I decided to look up Krampus and wonder if there is a true story behind it. Turns out there is a legend tale of Krampus that comes from the Alpine region of Austria.

Every since watching Krampus myself, I always wondered whether the Krampus legend is based on a real figure, since his companion actually existed. Santa, A.K.A. St. Nicholas.

Santa was a famously generous bishop who lived in Turkey during the third century. Over the centuries, the legend of St. Nicholas evolved into the jolly big dude Santa Claus that we all love and know today.

Every year in early December, kids in Austria get ready for Santa to visit them. If they have been good, he’ll reward them with presents and treats. But if they’ve been bad, they’ll get a lot more than a lump of coal, they have to face Krampus.

Krampus is a half-man, half-goat who comes around every year to chase naughty children and maybe even drag them to hell. European versions of Santa have long had scary counterparts like Bels Nickle and Knecht Ruprecht who dish out punishment. Krampus is one dude who comes from folklore in Austria's Alpine region, where he’s been frightening children and amusing adults for hundreds of years.

Krampus and Santa’s other gang have their origins in pagan celebrations of the winter solstice. Later, they became part of Christian traditions in which Santa visited children to reward them on December 5th or 6th. Also their menacing partner would also visit kids to punish them. In Alpine Austria and some parts of Germany, this day is called Krampus Nacht, or “Krampus night,” when adults might dress up as Krampus to frighten children at their homes.

Kids might have also seen Krampus running through the street during Krampus Lauf, in English “Krampus run.” If Krampus Nacht was a way to scare kids into behaving themselves, the Krampus Lauf, which isn’t tied to a specific date, was a way for grown men to blow off steam while probably still scaring the holy shit out of kids. Austrian men would get drunk and run through the streets dressed as the fearsome creature.  Krampus Nacht, and the Krampus Lauf tradition continues to this very day.

The introduction of mass visual media couldn’t help but snatch the charismatic Krampus up. When the postcard industry experienced a boom in Germany and Austria in the 1890s, it opened a door for Krampus Karten.

These holiday cards weren’t meant to make you have the Heeby jeeby holiday joys. These were marked “Gruss vom Krampus” (“Greetings from Krampus”) showed Krampus stuffing a scared kid into his satchel or preparing to hit one with his bundle of birch sticks, leading them away in chains, or carrying them off in his bag.

There were cards out that were aimed more for adults as well. Krampus cards in the early 20th century show him punishing children, but also proposing to women. In other cards, Krampus is portrayed as a large woman whipping tiny men with her birch sticks and carrying them off in her satchel. In another card, a smiling woman dangles a defeated-looking Krampus in the air, holding his bundle of birch sticks behind her back.

For over a clean century, most Americans probably never saw a Krampus card or even knew who Krampus was. That all changed in 2004 when an art director and graphic designer Monte Beauchamp published a book of Krampus cards and helped organize an art show inspired by the cards.

With that, I will go on with the part of this story you all are dying to hear.

They say he comes on the evening of December 5th, a night called “Krampus Nacht.” You can usually hear him coming, as the soft steps of his bare human foot alternate with the clip-clop of his cloven hoof.

And when you see him, you’ll instantly notice that he’s armed with birch branches, so he can beat naught kids. His name is Krampus, and he is the terror of Austria and the Alpine region around Christmastime.

Who is Krampus? Why is he known as the anti-Santa? And how did this disturbing legend come about in the first place? You ask.

Though descriptions of Krampus’ appearance vary from region to region, some things remain consistent: He is said to have pointed devilish horns and a long snake-like tongue. His body is covered in coarse fur, and he looks like a goat crossed with a demon.

His body and arms are strung with chains and bells, and he carries a large sack or basket on his back to cart off evil children.

Krampus comes to town the night before the Feast of Saint Nicholas and visits all the houses to dish out his punishments. If you’re lucky, you might just get swatted with a birch branch. If your not, you’ll wind up in the sack. After that, your fate is anyone’s guess. The legends suggest you might be eaten as a snack, drowned in a river, or even dropped off in hell.

Sometimes Krampus is accompanied by St. Nicholas, who isn’t known to bother himself with naughty children in Central Europe. Instead, he focuses on handing out presents to well-behaved kids and then leaves the rest up to his sinister counterpart.

How Did Krampus come about? Most people believe that Krampus originally comes from the Alpine region’s pagan past. His name comes from the German word Krampen, which means “claw,” and he has a striking resemblance to the old Norse legends about the son of Hell, the god of the underworld.

It’s an interesting theory considering Krampus coincides with a number of pagan winter rites, the one that sticks out the most is the one that sends people parading through the city to disperse the ghosts of winter.

As Christianity gained popularity in the region, ideas of Krampus’ appearance began to shift to fall in line with Christian beliefs.

The chains, were not originally a feature of Hel’s ghoulish son. It’s believed that Christians added them to evoke the binding of the Devil. That also wasn’t the only change they made. Under Christian hands, Krampus took a number of more devilish qualities, like the basket that he uses to carry bad kids to Hell.

It isn’t extremely hard to see how Krampus, already associated with winter festivities, might then have been incorporated into Christian traditions and the legend of Santa around Christmastime.

Krampus has his own celebrations in the Alpine region.

Young men dress up as Krampus and run around with birch sticks and whip people, and not very light either, its actually a nice hard whip.

They also deliver presents and treats to people dressed as Krampus. Tourists actually have witnessed the celebration said even running into a restaurant or coffee shop will save you from getting swatted by a birch stick.

The Krampus masks are carved out of wood and very scary looking. They have a lot of detail and look very real.

In Austria in 1923, Krampus and all Krampus Nacht activities were banned by the Fascist Christian Social Party. Their motives were a little murky. Though they agreed that Krampus was a force of evil there seems to have been some confusion about whether that was because of his clear ties to the Christian Devil or his less-clear ties to the social Democrats.

Either way, they were sure that Krampus wasn’t good for kids, and they passed out pamphlets titled “Krampus is an Evil man,” warning parents against influencing young children with threats of a violent holiday being.

They may have had a point about the traumatic effects of telling bad kids that they  were going to be eaten by Santa’s evil twin, society wasn’t deeply moved. The ban lasted for only about four years, and vague murmurs of disapproval continued shortly after. But no one could keep the Krampus from emerging back into the holiday season.

Towards the end of the 20th century, Krampus was back in action and in the previous years, he’s made the jump across the pond to the United States. He’s had places on many TV shows, including Grimm, Supernatural (my favorite all time TV show), and The Colbert Report.

Some American cities now celebrate Krampus celebrations like Los Angeles, that showcase costume contests, parades, traditional dances, bell-ringing, and Alpine horn blowing. Cookies and masks are the all the buzz around there on Christmas and totally regular.

I truly believe it would be fun in Hillsdale county to host a Krampus celebration but I do not believe the locals will go for it. Especially when I live in the bible belt. It would be SO fun though. I would totally dress up as Mrs. Krampus and Scare the crap out of these meth heads.


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