The Haunting of the Manhattan Dry Cleaners – Adelaide Arcade

The Haunting of the Manhattan Dry Cleaners – Adelaide Arcade

  The Adelaide Arcade was officially opened on the 12^th of December 1885 by Governor Sir William Robinson too much fanfare and celebration.

 The new arcade, between Rundle Street and Grenfell Street, was to host Turkish Baths, 50 stores, accommodation for store owners, floored with Kapunda Marble, specially sourced glass panels from England and a first for the City of Adelaide - electric lighting.

 The Arcade needed to have its own power generator, as electric lighting was a brand new thing in Australia, and no power stations as we know them today were available.  A gas-fired generator was bolted to the floor of shop nine and was written about in the “Adelaide Observer, 19^th Dec.1885 – on page 33:

“The Engine Room is well worth the visit. Here there is the dynamo which works the electric light. In the centre are the soft-iron magnets and the thousands of coils of wire so beautifully placed in relation to each other that the slightest current engendered in the wire shall immediately accumulate over and over almost ad infinitum. The soft Iron magnets do their part by reason of the positive and negative poles in their mutual attractive force creating electricity. The current before passing on to the insulated wires branching off to the sixteen lamps has to pass over a little bridge of thin platinum.”

 It was the job of Henry Harcourt, the Arcades engineer, to light and extinguish the Arcade lights, and monitor and service the generator as needed. On June 21^st 1887, Mr Harcourt had to leave early for an Exhibition elsewhere in the City, telling Francis Cluney, the Arcade Beadle (a person similar to a cross between a security guard and an usher) that he would return in 15 minutes.

 Francis was a well-liked gentleman, always dressed in the red military uniform that he had worn during service in the Crimean and Boar Wars. On this particular evening, a group of young men had been making a nuisance of themselves, breaking picture frames at Mr Tattles Photography shop.

 Francis chased them down and brought them back to the arcade to pay for their damage. The young man hung around though, and Francis was heard to say to Mr Tattle; “If the Larrikins keep going on like that I will do as I did last night and put all the lights out”

Mr Harcourt left at 5 minutes past 8pm, and sometime in the next ten minutes, Francis Cluney, who had gone to check on the gas turbine, lost his life.

At 8:12pm – Mr W.C Sims was walking through the Arcade and noticed the lights suddenly go off, and as he got closer to shop 9, he noticed a young fellow by the name “Horne”, leaving the shop, exclaiming “ There is a man killed” – was Mr Horne, perhaps, the last person to see Mr Cluney alive?

A Police Officer was called, and with Mr Sims, they entered shop 9 to find what was a distorted and almost totally unrecognisable person caught in the electricity generator – unrecognisable, except for the distinct red uniform.

The following newspaper report comes from the Territory Times on August 6^th 1887, describing the condition of Mr Cluneys body

“It took all the strength of six men to drag the fly-wheel back so as to extricate the body of the unfortunate victim. The engine has two fly-wheels parallel to each other and about 4 feet apart. The body was found with the head and shoulders jammed in between the right fly-wheel and the body of the engine. The upper part of the man's head was smashed to atoms, the fragments of the skull being' scattered upon the floor and the engine. The head disfigured beyond recognition, and one foot was torn off. No one saw the accident, and the unfortunate man seems to have been killed almost instantly by the revolving fly-wheel, one of the spokes of which smashed the skull. As far as can be judged Cluney must have fallen accidentally against the inner edge of the flywheel, which is five or six feet in diameter, and was then jammed against the engine, his body checking the machinery and causing the extinction of the light”

 Since the death of Francis Cluney, there have been sightings of his spirit in the Arcade, but particularly in shop 9, which is now held by the Manhattan Dry Cleaners.

 Most sightings of Francis are fast moving blurs and shadows, and it is said he has a distinct dislike to rude, arrogant and loud people, or for people talking about electric lighting.

 In 2013, I got to be part of the first ever professional paranormal investigation by ANYONE in the Adelaide Arcade as part of Haunting: Australia. Whilst in the Manhattan Dry Cleaners, Robb Demarest and myself experienced phenomena that intrigue us greatly. We both felt touching sensations on our hands, as if being shaken, hot and cold touching and a very distinct disembodied voice answered Robb’s question directly – none of this was sensationalised nor faked – what you saw on the show, is as it happened.

 Earlier this year, on May 9^th 2015, my team Eidolon Paranormal and our friends at GCT Paranormal Investigators were invited to investigate the Manhattan Dry Cleaners by the Berry Family, the owners of the Dry Cleaners since 1979.

 The Berry family have experienced many strange and unusual happenings in the shop, including disembodied voices, poltergeist-like activity, phantom footsteps, touching and cold spots.

 In the video below, Jayson Berry tells of goings-on after the investigation (Jayson was also featured on Haunting: Australia as a witness to events).

 During our investigation (only the 2^nd one to ever happen in the Manhattan Dry Cleaners), we experienced activity, partly we believe because we utilised members of the Berry Family as trigger objects.

 We experienced disembodied voices and rem pod interaction amongst other things, of which we will explore in a further video on our youtube channel very soon

Today is the anniversary of the death of Francis Frederick Cluney – on June 21^st 1887, at some time between 8:05pm and 8:12pm – may he eventually find what he is looking for, get closure, and rest in peace

 www.eidolonparanormal.com.au

www.AllenTiller.com.au

Bilocation

 Bilocation

Over the past few months, I have been inundated with requests for information and explanations of the supernatural phenomena of someone being able to be in two places at once. This particular phenomenon is not uncommon and has happened across the globe for many centuries.

 Although the most common type of reported phenomenon is one person being “in two places at once”, it has been reported that some people have been in more than two places at once.

The terms paranormal researchers use for this phenomenon are pretty self-explanatory, they are as follows;

Bi-location: The ability, whether willful or passive, to be in two distinct places at once in physical form.

Multi-location: The ability, whether willful or passive, to be in multiple locations at one single time, in physical form.

 The phenomena have been well documented over many centuries, and feature heavily in the writings of one of the Founders of the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), Fredrick W. H. Myers.

 Most commonly known incidents involve Saints or are of a religious nature. St Gerard Majella (1726 – 1755) was known for his ability to perform Multi-location. He could appear in many houses of the sick and dying and hold the hands of the unwell as they passed over, this was particularly noted during the outbreak of the plague.

St Martin de Porres (1579 – 1639) is another Saint capable of Bilocation. Reported by his fellow friars that when they were sick in their beds, they would call out to him, and he would appear to them, even though he was known to be far away travelling.

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori  (1696 – 1787) was seen at the bedside of the dying Pope Clement XIV when the Saint was actually confined to his cell in a location that was a four-day journey away.

Saint Padre Pio (1887 – 1968 ) is probably the best-known Saint of the modern era to have the ability of bilocation. Saint Pio was seen flying in his brown robes during World War II, by American pilots as they prepared to drop bombs on San Giovanni Rotondo. As he appeared before the bomber, all attempts to release the bombs from the plane failed. Later, the Americans set up an airbase in nearby Foggia. One of the pilots from the bomber stopped at the local friary, and instantly recognized the little friar in the brown robes he had seen flying through the air!

 Pio was asked numerous times about his ability to bilocate and was not inclined to ever answer with conviction on how he possessed such skills from God, the closest he ever came to saying anything directly about was that it occurred “by an extension of his personality”

Other Saints said to have the ability of Bilocation include Saint Severus of Ravenna, St. Ambrose of Milan, and St. Anthony of Padua.

 Reports of Bilocation span the annals of time, and it isn’t just Saints that have this supernatural power attributed to them. One of the greatest Mathematical and philosophical minds of the 1^st century, Pythagoras, is said to have the ability of Bilocation. He was seen at the same time in both Croton and Metapontum – although all accounts of his life were written well after his death so they can be easily seen as an attribute by followers of the religion that he founded in Greece.

In England, school teacher, Teresa Higginson (1844 – 1905) actually kept a diary of Bilocation and in her time travelled through the ability to Africa, she was also devoutly Catholic

Bilocation is also attributed to Buddhist Monks, Hindu and to Indian gurus, who are often seen sleeping in one location, whilst praying in another.

 It would seem that anyone can practice Bilocation if they have the will. It differs from an "Out of Body Experience", as often the secondary image of the person, is actually as solid and coherent as the original source of the image and interacts in the physical world as per normal.

 Bilocation experiencers also differ from another supernatural occurrence, that of the Doppelganger (which I will be covering in another post very soon), as the Doppelganger can be an “Apparition of a living person” or sometimes, seen as an omen to a fore-coming death.

 It is very possible that many people could possess this unique supernatural skill, but in the modern world, research into it has waned dramatically, other than within the Catholic Church, which still keeps current records on phenomena such as this one!

St Gerard Majella – Patron Saint of Mothers: His intercession is sought for children, unborn children, women in childbirth, mothers, expectant mothers, motherhood, falsely accused people, good confessions, lay brothers and Muro Lucano, Italy

St Martin de Porres – Patron Saint of Social Justice, African-Americans, Barbers, Hairdressers and Race relations

St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori – Patron Saint against arthritis and against scrupulosity. Patron Saint of Confessors, final perseverance, moral theologians, moralists, scrupulous people, theologians, vocations 

St Padre Pio of Peitrelcina – Patron Saint of the Unborn, Civil Defence Volunteers and Adolescents.

Further Reading and References

http://parapsychology101.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/some-good-examples-of-bilocation.html

http://www.teresahigginson.com/

http://teresahigginson.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/report-on-retreat-on-teresa-higginson.html

Cemetery Symbolism Part 5: Plants

Cemetery Symbolism Part 5: Plants

 Plants, especially flowers beautify our lives and are often used as a symbol of mourning, love, friendship, hope or thanks in the living world, and these same meaning can be conveyed to the dead. They are also used for religious purposes, such as a rose representing the Virgin Mary.

 Trees and hedges also make appearances in cemetery symbolise, as sometimes do fruit and vegetables, and in Australia quite often we see wheat wreaths on our graves in rural areas.

PLANTS

Flowers convey love, grief, happiness and other emotions. These symbolic connections of flowers with emotion are cross-cultural and their origins are unknown. During the 1800s, the use of floral symbolism became so popular that almost every flower known had a symbolic gesture attached to it. The following are some symbolic references to common plants and flowers:

Acacia - the immortality of the soul

Acanthus - heavenly garden. One of the oldest cemetery motifs, acanthus is associated with the rocky ground where most ancient Greek cemeteries were placed. It is the most common motif found on memorials.

Bamboo - the emblem of Buddha. The seven-knotted bamboo denotes the seven degrees of initiation and invocation in Buddhism. On Japanese memorials, symbolic of devotion and truthfulness.

Buttercup - cheerfulness.

Calla lily - symbolises marriage.

Cinquefoil - maternal affection, beloved daughter

Corn (Garbe) - it was a country custom to send a sheaf to relatives on the death of a farmer. It may be used as an occupational symbol.

Crocus - youthful gladness

Cypress tree - designates hope

Daffodil - the death of youth, desire, art, grace, beauty, deep regard.

Daisy - the innocence of a child, Jesus the Infant, youth, the Son of righteousness, gentleness, purity of thought.

Dead leaves - sadness, melancholy

Dogwood - Christianity, divine sacrifice, the triumph of eternal life, resurrection.

Fern - sincerity, sorrow

Figs, Pineapples - Prosperity, eternal life

Fleur-de-lis - flame, passion, ardour, mother

Flower - Frailty of life.

Broken flower - a life terminated, mortality.

Forget-me-not - remembrance

Ivy - memory, immortality, friendship, fidelity, faithfulness, undying affection, eternal life.

Grapes - represent Christ

Grapes and Leaves - Christian faith.

Hawthorn - hope, merriness, springtime

Holly - foresight

Honeysuckle - bonds of love, generosity and devoted affection

Lalla - beauty, marriage

Laurel Leaves - Special achievement, distinction, success, triumph

Lily - majesty, innocence, purity, and resurrection. Often associated with the Virgin Mary and resurrection. Often used on women's graves. The use of lilies at funerals symbolizes the restored innocence of the soul at death.

Lily of the valley - the return of happiness, purity, humility.

Morning glory - resurrection, mourning, youth, farewell, the brevity of life, departure, mortality

Mystic rose - Mother

Moss - merit

Mulberry - I will not survive you

Oaktree - hospitality, stability, strength, honour, eternity, endurance, liberty. It is believed to have been the tree from which Jesus Christ's cross was made. In smaller pioneer cemeteries, it is common to place children's graves near oak trees. The oak tree was the tree of life in pre-Christian times. The Druids worshipped the oak. The oak, oak leaves and acorn can stand for power, authority or victory. Often seen on military tombs.

Passionflower - the elements of the passion of Christ: the lacy crown—the crown of thorns; the five stamens—the five wounds; the 10 petals—the 10 faithful Apostles

Pineapple - hospitality, a good host

Palm - spiritual victory, success, eternal peace, a symbol of Christ's victory of death as associated with Easter.

Pansy - symbolises remembrance and humility.

Pine - fertility, regeneration, fidelity

Poppy - peace, rest, sleep, eternal sleep, consolation

Rose - love, beauty, hope, unfailing love, associated with the Virgin Mary, the "rose without thorns." A red rose symbolises martyrdom and a white rose symbolises purity and virginity.

• Whether the rose is a bud, flower or somewhere in between indicates how old the person was at the time of death:
• Just a bud - normally a child 12 or under
• Partial bloom - normally a teenager
• Full bloom - normally in early/mid-twenties. The deceased died in the prime of life
• Rosebud, broken - a life cut short, usually found with a young person's grave
• Rosebuds, joining - a strong bond between two people (e.g., mother and child who died at the same time
• Rosebuds, several on the same branch - secrecy
• Rosette - the Lord, messianic hope, promise, love.
• Wreath of Rose - Beauty and virtue rewarded

Shamrock - Ireland as a country of origin

Thistle - earthly sorrow, Christ's crown of thorns, Scotland as the country of origin.

Tree - The all-covering love of Christ. Life, The Tree of Life.

Severed branch - Mortality

Sprouting - Life everlasting.

Vine - The sacraments, God's blood, God

Weeping Willow - Nature's lament, a symbol of sorrow and mourning.

Wheat - resurrection, bread and wine (Christian), fertility

Bushel - the body of Christ

sheaves - The divine harvest, Often represents the aged.

Wreath or Garland - The use of garlands, wreaths and festoons dates back to ancient Greek times and it was adopted into the Christian religion as a symbol of the victory of the redemption.

The laurel wreath is usually associated with someone who has attained distinction in the arts, literature, athletics or the military. The ivy wreath is symbolic of conviviality (gaiety or joviality). The wreath and festoon together symbolise memory.

An ancient symbol of victory. memory passed to eternal life.

Bridal -  may signify the grave of a young bride or groom.

Maiden's Garland -  A garland of white paper or linen, embellished with streamers and a single white glove, which was carried at the funerals of unmarried women of blameless reputation. The garlands were hung in the church after the funeral and allowed to decay. Then the pieces would be buried in the graveyard.

Yew tree - sadness, eternal life