I would guess I was about 14. In KC, MO, my Dad had built a new house up
the block from our 4 room house. My older brother, along with some friends were 'getting
their freedom from adult rule' by staying in the small house. It was summer, and my
brother had several friends over and I was with them. At some point in the conversation it
came up that the small house was built by my Great-Grandfather. My Paternal Great- and
Grandfather had died in that house (from old age, I'm sure). We got to laughing about how
old people hid money in walls, attics and such and wouldn't it be cool to find some hidden
money. Later, about midnight, someone suggested we have a seance. It sounded like a
neat idea and everyone was laughing. We figured nothing would 'get' us because
seances are for laughs. WRONG!
We got a candle out and everyone joined hands. Since no one knew for certain what we were
to do, we kept repeating 'clear your thoughts and concentrate on the flame, asking Grandpa
to join us and tell us if there is money in the house, and where the money is'. The
land we lived on consisted of 2 acres and used to be a very profitable rock quarry until
Grandpa's death. That is why we thought there might be money. Plus, my own Dad had talked
about something hidden in the basement walls, which were stone and dirt.
Everyone was really concentrating, trying to make it happen. And, suddenly, a face
did appear in the flame. At first it was small and non-threatening, but rapidly it changed
size and grew until it loomed over our heads. Not one word was said for a short time, then
suddenly everyone yelled and ran out of the house. We started laughing and kidding each
other about why we ran. We were all lying to each other to look brave. When we had settled
down, getting serious, we discovered that we had all seen the same thing--a large, cruel,
vicious-looking man with a pointed beard. My brother and I both said it was everyone's
imagination to calm them down, because no one wanted to re-enter the house. My brother
& 3 of the guys were to sleep there, but no one ever slept there for about 5 years.
My brother and I asked Mom what Great-Grandpa and Grandpa had looked like. She did not
know about Great-Grandpa, but she showed us a picture of Grandpa. The face we had
all seen was his. She told us he had been a very cruel man, and to be glad we never knew
him.
