Eagles Tavern & Old Oconee County Jail

The Complete Report

 

EGP has completed several investigations of Eagles Tavern and the Old Oconee County Jail. The group has encountered what they believe to be paranormal activity in other places but the tavern remains one of the best documented and most active spots EGP has visited.

Like on all investigations, EGP used scientific equipment and methods to either try to prove or disprove the existence of paranormal activity and document those findings. Here is a list of the equipment used during one or all of the investigations at this location.

(Note: Due to distances involved and power availability only equipment of the handheld variety were used in the old jail.)

 

• 2 Video Cassette Recorders
• 1 DVD Recorder
• 1 Digital Video Recorder
• 4 Wireless Infrared Cameras
• 4 Wired Infrared Cameras
• 2 Digital SLR Cameras
• 5 Digital Cameras
• 2 Handheld Camcorders with Infrared Capability
• 1 Handheld Camcorder with Low Lux Capability
• 3 Electro Magnetic Field Meters
• 2 Infrared Non-contact thermometers
• 1 Thermocouple Thermometer
• 6 Digital Voice Recorders

 

In addition to the scientific tools used, EGP also employed the skills of their Sensitive Studies Team which consisted of;

• Heidi
• Michelle
• Shane

(Note: Other sensitives from other groups were brought in on investigations to see if they picked up on anything.)

 

On the first investigation Jack did the preliminary interview with the parties that run and work at the Tavern and the Jail. Each following investigation a quick interview was done with the same parties to see if there was any more activity to report or any changes.

The sensitive studies team was brought in cold on the first investigation. The only information they were allowed to have prior to the investigation was the location. Upon arrival they were allowed to roam the properties to get their initial readings. At this time they were instructed to write down their readings and give them to Jack where he kept them confidential until the end of the investigation. Other members of the team set up equipment and base camp.

 

The Interview

During the preliminary interview, a history of the property was given to Jack as well as a history of possible paranormal activity. (You can get a history of the tavern by clicking here .) According to the parties that are involved in the running the tavern it does have some history that may contribute to possible paranormal activity. One story is that at one time the property was used to store bodies during the winter while the ground was too hard to bury them. Another story is that a prisoner condemned to death from the jail located across the street agreed to have his body “boiled down” to its skeleton for use by a local doctor for training and scientific purposes. In return he would receive some kind of compensation. Rumor is, it was for ginger cookies of some sort until the day of his execution. The story goes that after the man was executed the doctor boiled down his bones in the basement. Then he later decided (It is not known why) he did not need the skeleton and it is not known whether he buried it on the property or disposed of it some other way.

The interview about the jail was typical for a facility of that type and age. Prisoners were hung on site (inside the jail) through a trap door in the floor of the second story of the structure. The not so normal happenings include; A man that committed suicide by hanging himself in the old shower area. And the most horrific story of either property.

It is said (and documented) that at one time a horrific crime was committed and a “lynch mob” came to the jail to get a little vigilante justice. Unfortunately the mob did not know which prisoner was accused of what crime. So after overpowering the authorities they took all or most of the prisoners behind the Jail, tied them on their knees by their necks and hands to a fence and proceeded to execute all of them firing squad style.

As for possible paranormal activity at the tavern, most of the stories were somewhat typical. Objects moving from where they had been placed, objects moving of their own accord without any noticeable explanation, disembodied footsteps, and odd or out of place smells. However, some of the reported activity did stand out. On more than one occasion people, including police officers across the street at the courthouse reported either seeing a man or the impression of a hand (The windows are covered tightly with a special UV film to protect the antiques) in the upstairs windows. At one time the police actually investigated the property thinking they were going to catch someone who had broken in. (This is documented). Another is about an old bear type trap that hangs on the wall and has been witnessed many times swinging on its own. Those that have looked into the mystery say it can not be explained since it seems to swing too much for a breeze or vibrations in the floor. Many people have an extreme apprehension of going into the basement and experience a feeling of heaviness or dread when entering. Finally, there is often the smell of rotting food or flesh that seems to appear randomly. The parties that run the tavern say they have had the place inspected by professionals to find where the smell is coming from but nothing was found. It was also reported that one employee had quit suddenly because of something they had seen or experienced. As to what it was specifically was not reported

The jail had very little paranormal activity reported; again these reports were typical and mostly related to disembodied sounds. Only one report of possible activity stood out. This was a report of many witnesses, at different times, seeing the apparition of a man hanging in the shower area. It is also reported that this same apparition can be seen through a window that looks in to the area.

 

Investigations

 

The Tavern

With every investigation, the sensitives walk through the property independently while the rest of the team sets up equipment or conducts interviews. The case was the same here. Outside the house Heidi picked up the impression of a woman in the upstairs bedroom. Michelle also picked up a strong presence although it was not specific in its origin. Once inside the Tavern all three senstives picked up and the impression of a woman in the house. Two of them independently stated that the impression was very strong in front of the fireplace in the dining area. In the store room two of the sensitives picked up on a young man writing at a desk. Upstairs in what is called the Loom Room, all three sensitevs picked up on what they thought to be a male. Shane felt as though he was being watched. Heidi Picked up on the name Henry and later one of the staff confirmed that this is what they called the possible entity. In the bedroom or boarding room, two of the sensitives got the impression of children and proposed at one time it might have been a child's room or nursery. Finally, in the basement all of the sensitives were apprehensive about entering. Heidi described the feeling as mad or upset. Her impressions were “vengeance, hurt, and anger” and felt that this possible entity fed on the fear of people. Michelle stated that she could not cross the threshold of the door initially due to the oppressive feeling. She got the impression that this possible entity was not a human one. Two of the sensitives felt that somehow activity in the basement was tied to an old filled in well. On later investigations the sensitves had many of the same impressions as well as an added one. Two of them picked up on the impression that bones were buried in the basement.

After the interview and preliminary readings of the sensitive team the rest of the group moves in. Here are their findings;

EMF – On the first investigation it was deemed that the wiring in the building gave off a high electromagnetic field so it was decided that EMF readings would not be useable in the structure.

Thermometers – Many temperature anomalies were recorded in the structure. These anomalies came in the form of cold spots or hot spots with variations of 5 to 10 degrees in a small area of the room. Only one in the bedroom could be explained as a vent. In the basement readings of up to 109 degrees were taken even though the ambient air temperature (depending on which investigation) was in the high 70's to low 80's. A temperature of 8 degrees was also taken in the same spot with the same instrument only a few minutes later. Equipment malfunction was considered but when the equipment was tested multiple times it worked flawlessly. These odd temperature readings were taken on the ground near or at the old well.

IR Cameras – Nothing that would be submisable as evidence was caught on the remote Infrared cameras.

Handheld Camcorders – Lights in a chandelier in the bedroom area were recorded to blink on demand. This was recorded by more than one camera at separate times and on separate investigations. Team members (One with an electrical engineering background and one with a background in electronics and both work for electric utilities) tried to “debunk” this phenomenon by examining the switch and the fixture both for shorts. They next concentrated on the circuit in the house. It was found that both upstairs rooms were on the same circuit yet the lights in the “loom room” did not blink. The team could not explain this phenomenon. The door to the bedroom also was caught swinging open of its own accord. Upon closer inspection it was found that the wall was not perfectly straight up and down and that the leaning of the threshold caused the door to swing open. In addition a possible attack to a team member was recorded in the basement. Although nothing could be seen on tape an odd noise then the camera being what sounds to be “crushed” (plastic flexing and cracking) can be heard on the recording. There are physical marks on the casing of the camera and the investigator suffered a hairline fracture on the 4 th Metacarpal Bone and minor damage to the Flexor Digitorum tendon on the index finger. (These injuries have been documented by an emergency room doctor but it can not be unquestionably proven that they happened during a “paranormal attack”)

Digital Voice Recorders – There are several recordings picked up during the investigations at the tavern. Most are whispers that are indiscernible by the team but seem to be human sounding whispers none the less. One in recording particular is crystal clear though. It is a whisper in the basement that states quite clearly “I wish you would die”. This was not heard by any of the team members present at the time. The odd noise preceding the attack on a team member was also recorded. Again, this sound was not physically heard by any of the team members.

Digital Cameras – Nothing being proven as paranormal was captured on digital camera in the tavern. However, on a separate investigation, another team member was possibly attacked and scratched on the neck and chest. Pictures of the scratches were taken.

- Personal Experiences (Note: Personal experiences can not always be documented and proven. EGP has to depend on the integrity and honesty of its team members and others joining in an investigation to report their experiences honestly and accurately. EGP does not consider personal experiences as scientific evidence.)

All EGP team members and many others taking part in investigations sensed a heaviness or feeling of dread in the basement. Most investigators smelled what has been described as a mixture of roadkill or rotting flesh and sulfur in the basement. Team members looked for things like dead rats and such to explain the smell. One person suggested the smell was coming from the air conditioning unit but this was dismissed when it was noted that the A/C was not running on all investigations when the scent was encountered. Many investigators also felt they were “touched” in the basement. One felt that something pressed on his back and shoulders and later described it “like a backpack”. This only lasted for a few seconds then went away. Another investigator was possibly attacked causing injuries to his hand that required a visit to the Emergency Room. Yet another investigator suffered another possible attack after feeling her skin getting hot on her neck. Upon investigation, scratches were found and documented on her neck and upper chest. Although the basement was very dark and no visible light (only IR) was used (except flashlights on occasion) many members saw shadows moving about the room from time to time. These were “mass sightings” being confirmed by more than one person simultaneously. Many investigators felt what was described as being like a cat rubbing against their legs. Two people felt that in the darkness something came face to face with them. Even though they could not see it they felt it was there. These occurrences happened on two separate investigations. One investigator said he felt like he was toe to toe like boxers would stand and something was staring him down. The other occurrence required the investigator to leave the basement as she was uncomfortable with the situation.

In the Tavern more than one person felt like something touched them or brushed against them. No one felt like it was malicious in any way and some even felt calmer after the occurrence. Most of the time this phenomenon occurred upstairs. There were also undocumented reports of a candle in a candle holder becoming slightly crooked then the next time it was looked at it was back straight. Two witnesses saw what they believe was an apparition in the widow of the structure when no one was inside. One claims to have seen an elbow press against the UV film on the window. Neither witness was an EGP member and had no knowledge of the reports claiming the same phenomenon.

The Old Jail

In the Jail the sensitives did their usual task. Two of the sensitives picked up on a mass killing. One seemed to sense a killing or suicide in the shower area.

EMF – No unexplained EMF readings were obtained in the Jail.

Thermometer – No unexplained cold or hot spots were obtained

Digital Voice Recorders – The digital recorders picked up what seems to be a human whisper but it can not be discerned what the whisper is saying. They also picked up what seemed to be thumping on the cell walls.

Handheld Camcorders – No recordings that could be submitted as evidence were captured.

Digital Cameras- A picture of what seems to be a light weaving in and out of the bars of a cell was captured. The shutter speed on the camera was one second or less. A professional photographer has looked at this picture and can not explain it. The camera used was a Nikon digital SLR.

Personal Experiences – (See note about personal experiences under the Tavern section)

Many investigators heard a thumping type sound on metal cell walls. At one point the lead investigator made everyone gather in one small area as to make sure no other investigator was making the sound inadvertently. The sound continued with no explanation and was caught on Digital Recorder. It also could not be determined as to the exact location the sound was coming from. It was best described as someone hitting the side of the cell walls softly with their fist.

 

Sensitive Study Night

(Note: It can not be confirmed as to what information sensitives on this investigation not affiliated with EGP had coming in to it. Again, EGP must depend on their integrity and honesty and has no reason to question either)

On the last investigation at Eagle Tavern it was planned to have a sensitive studies night. This gave the opportunity to have the EGP Sensitives Study team have their findings collaborated with other “outside” sensitives and gave the scientific part of the group a chance to study the sensitives so to speak. Many of the outside sensitves hit on many of the same things the EGP sensitives felt. These included the Bones in the Basement, The “hot spot” in front of the fireplace, the presence of a man upstairs, and the mass killing at the jail. Almost all of the sensitives picked up on a malevolent presence in the basement and many were uncomfortable there. All the senstives feelings were documented on Voice Recorder, Video, or written down.

 

The Conclusion

With the documentation of evidence gathered, sensitive readings and confirmation by the property staff, and personal experiences by EGP members and “visitors” alike. EGP has found this site to be Paranormally Active. EGP will continue to investigate this site as long as we are welcome and will add to this report in the future.