Hell Tunnel

On a recent beautiful autumn day, we were in Faribault to investigate the old hospital ruins, and we decided to walk through and investigate the infamous “Hell Tunnel” aka the Tipi Tonka Tunnel.  Throughout the years that we have investigated sites in and around Faribault, townspeople have told us about this legend; wildly haunted, scary beyond belief.  I’m guessing it was coined Hell Tunnel because of that reputation, but for me I think it is a great name because it was a shortcut to the Faribault State Hospital and School, an insane asylum that probably felt like hell to many of its patients.  These patients were looked at by society as imbeciles, they were said to be stupid, and feeble-minded.  Families brought them there to be put away out of the public eye, many for their entire lives.  These poor souls were ostracized from society, dumped in an institution where they were pretty much ignored.  We have heard stories about this hospital (Faribault’s dirty little secret) where abuse was widespread.  It is said that patients were chained to beds and walls, there was much sexual abuse, and honestly, I can only imagine what they lived with.  

The tunnel is wet in places, it is dark and heavily graffitied throughout its 442-foot length, and adorned with dim overhead lights every 10 feet or so.  The three of us who poked around in the tunnel are all intuitive, and none of us felt any kind of paranormal presence-nada.  We had our K2 meters poised and ready, but no activity.  It lacked any kind of eerie feeling, and to me it felt like nothing more than a dark tunnel beneath the hill.  Is it scary?  Well, if you happen to traverse it after dark, sure.  Imaginations run wild in a dark and damp place beneath the earth.  I wouldn't be worried about otherworldy presences in that tunnel, what I would be worried about in the dark would be the presence of living beings on this side of the veil.

We did not detect any paranormal presence or activity in our two walks through this paranormal legend, and in fact it felt oddly normal, much to our dismay.  I mean, who doesn’t love a good scare? We filmed a video of us walking through the tunnel - click here.

Our investigations on the Faribault State Hospital and School, and our team is looking for more information on the actual hospital and school as well as the farm colonies just outside of town.  We would love to talk to anyone who has personal knowledge these places.  If you do?  Please contact us by either dropping us a message via the Supernatural Investigators of Minnesota facebook page, or send us an email to siminnesota@gmail.com.

Until next time...

The Old Diphtheria Cemetery

This past weekend I was in the middle of Wisconsin working on a big paranormal event I am helping to plan.  We were treated to a historical tour of the area, including a visit to the old Diphtheria Cemetery.  

In the 1800’s, Smallpox and Diphtheria were widespread and deadly.  Both diseases took a substantial toll on the people as both young and old fell to one of these uncontrollable diseases.  Horrific, the two viruses ravaged the towns and villages; the times were dark, and the area is marked forever by the massive loss of life.

The very old cemetery is at the top of a wooded hill, and the moment I stepped off the top step to this final resting place for many, the intense energy I felt was most unnerving; sadness, great loss, and?  The spirits of young children roaming through the area who have not crossed over.  I sensed they were at peace, even though they linger here.  Lost?  Maybe, but they weren't asking for directions or help either, they seemed....at home.

The gravestones tell us that some adults are among the children here, there is speculation that some deaths were from Small Pox as well as Diphtheria, and all died in the 1870's.  Some stones marked the graves of siblings who passed within months/weeks of each other.  I can’t even begin to fathom the heartache these parents went through, whether they lost one or more children to this disease for which there was no cure.

Majestic century-old pine trees surround and are within the cemetery, protecting the graves of these young innocents.  These healing trees have wrapped their limbs and roots around the graves in an embrace; their energy is healing, soulful, and powerful.  The Mamma Tree is just that; she protects the other trees, the graves, and the child spirits who linger.  Her energy is loving, beautiful and all consuming, just incredible.  There are also two sentinel trees standing watch on the outskirts.

There is much heartbreak in this place, but there is also undying love that permeates the cemetery; it is pervasive and amazing, and oh so strong after almost 150 years.  These gravesites are still tended and I saw flowers and trinkets on many.  When we return to the area, we will take as much time as we need and offer aid to the spirits there; if they need help crossing over we will help them, if they want to remain, that is their choice and we will of course offer blessings.  

I will think of this place for a long time to come, it was unlike any cemetery I have visited.

--Stephanie

Fly Free Little Sparrow

When I got home from work yesterday afternoon, my daughter Kacie told me she found a bird on the deck floor just outside the patio door.  She had picked this little one up and gently put him/her on the railing of the deck, just in case life was still with this little soul.

I looked at this beautiful sparrow and knew in my heart he/she was no longer with us.  Eye glazed over, there was no movement.  So still, he/she was so beautiful, a reddish brown color, and young.  I bet this was his/her first summer.  I was sad, and I felt at fault; if I had just placed the screen in then middle of the doors like I normally do?  This little soul might still be alive.  But I was in such a frenzy yesterday morning, I didn't do what I almost always do because I know the birds hit the glass; most of them are lucky and are just stunned and fly away; but not this one.

Kacie didn't want to bury this tiny creature yesterday afternoon, just in case it was just knocked out.  Eternally hopeful my girl, but I did feel the same way, clinging to the hope that maybe?  The bird would wake up and fly away.  But with the light of the morning, I saw that little one was there, so still in death.

With a heavy heart, I looked around the yard for just the right spot, and then picked up the shovel and dug a hole behind a hosta by the fence.  I then wrapped this beautiful little being in a soft white paper towel, placed that beautiful feathery body in there and buried the young sparrow.  I cried as I said a prayer for the little bird and placed a flagstone on top of the grave.  

Life and death; seems like death comes too easy and may times too soon, and yes, I feel responsible for this death. 

FLY FREE LITTLE ONE, know you are loved.  May you be at peace.

--Stephie Jean