Fires, scratches, knockings and rappings in the walls, disembodied voices, sulfuric smells and more have all been linked to the forces of the dark side and even demonic possession. Many of these occurrences have been the benchmark of theories plaguing this haunting.
Although many of these occurrences can be attributed to this haunting, we feel that they must be looked at within the context of the experiences to draw a solid conclusion. Many have come up with this theory and have never stepped foot inside the front door. They draw their facts second-hand from what they have read or seen on television. I'm sure we all know how second hand information can skew the factual experiences, and how movies and such can take creative liberties to get better ratings. The facts presented, however, are often misleading or taken out of context.
There are also individuals who have experienced limited activity in the house and from them have felt compelled to call this haunting demonic. Jerry Talbert, co-founder of The Kansas Paranormal Group was one such individual. Though through KPG’s continued investigations and research of the house his views have changed. He has a better understanding of the history, the occupants and the nature of the haunting and much of this can be found on the investigation pages within this site.
Then there is Tony Pickman, who lived in the house for almost two years and during that time felt strongly and admirably defended his feeling that his experiences were demonic in nature. The fact that Tony had never believed in the paranormal but only in what he was taught in his catholic upbringing simply would not leave room for any other explanation. For almost ten years he stayed away from the house that had terrified him so. It wasn't until KPG presented him with clear EVP and historical reference that showed that there may have been another force responsible for the negative experience he had.
It was verified that there was a strong female presence in the house and that this individual, while alive, was not a sane person. In fact she had not only killed her young son, but she had been committed to an institution several time throughout her lifetime. As her history unfolds, it becomes quite clear that she is a driving force within the house and that she could have used Tony's fear in the presence of unearthly demons to strengthen her hold on his emotions.
It must be said that he has not totally let go of his feeling that there are/were demonic activities; however, his viewpoint has changed some. After visiting with KPG and giving merit to their research, Tony has returned to the house on several occasions with a new power. The power was the knowledge that what happened to him years ago may have been the result of a confused and often unstable human spirit.
Tony has now been in the house about a half a dozen times with KPG. The first time he entered and was mildly attacked twice (more details of each of the investigations can be found on the investigation pages). Each successive visit to the house has been even less eventful. In fact the last three times he has entered the house, he has done so without being attacked at all.
So what does this prove? Has the demonic forces that were supposedly reported left? We know for a fact, that they did not follow him. Did his new found power of perhaps understanding the situation better give him a stronger emotion base and fortitude to ward off the attacks? Was the, so called, demonic presence never really there in the first place?
I myself, and those of KPG along with other individuals feel that the strong emotional feelings Tony felt when he lived in the house may have been a catalysts for much of the activity he experienced. And each occurrence and attack upon him made it that much harder for him to see it as anything else.
So, does the fact that Tony is now able to enter the house and remain on-site for 6-8 hours at a time without being attacked shed new light on whether the presence in the house is, or ever was, demonic?