Wiregrass residents looking for scares this Halloween don’t need to watch Freddy or Jason slash people on the movie screen.

According to some real-life ghostbusters, the historic Rawls Hotel in downtown Enterprise provides plenty of chills for anyone who explores its expansive space.

“The Rawls has never ceased to please me,” said Shelly McCraney, lead investigator for the Montgomery-based Southern Paranormal Researchers. “Almost everyone on our tours has agreed this is a creepy building.”

McCraney and her fellow researchers were at the Rawls Saturday giving tours of the hotel and performing a paranormal investigation.

Shawn Sellers, the founder and director of Southern Paranormal Researchers, said the hotel is famous throughout the Southeast among those interested in the supernatural.

“It's one of those places that, traveling around, I've always heard stories,” he said. “The first time we paid a visit here several years ago, I was blown away by how beautiful this place is and how much history it has. A place like this has a residual energy. People go to parties and experience it and replay that history. A lot of impressions have come through here, from World War I and the train station on.”

The hotel dates back to 1903, when it was built by Japeth and Elizabeth Rawls.

It wasn’t until the 1970s, however, that reports of paranormal activity began to surface in the hotel.

The building’s then-new owner, Hayden Pursley, was renovating the building when he reported some strange phenomena occurring around him.

Stories like that are commonplace at the Rawls.

“One of the gentlemen in the kitchen was telling us that when the building was being renovated recently, they heard trumpets playing inside,” Sellers said.

Hotel staff, visitors and construction workers have reported numerous incidents through the years, ranging from phantom smells to invisible children running through the third-floor halls.

But Saturday’s tours weren’t just about ghost stories.

Sellers said part of his mission is to spread awareness of historic buildings like the Rawls.

“History is one of those things that is kind of missing in Alabama and that (cities) don't use enough,” he said. “Cities like Savannah and New Orleans are really tapping into the ghost stories. You've got TV, and everybody’s got busy lives, so it's really easy not to acknowledge what you have right at home. History's something that pulls you together and gives you pride. Kids play Gameboys and stuff, but they lose sight of the stories. What I want to do is share the phenomena with them but also show them the history behind it.”

As for Sellers and his team, they say fear is just part of the job.

“It's like anything in life, if you look for it long enough, you might not be ready for it,” he said. “We call it ‘going Scooby Doo.’ You feel the hair on back of your neck go up. We try to bust out a song or do something silly to break that creepy vibe when we catch some activity going on.”

For more information about Southern Paranormal Researchers, visit www.southernparanormalresearchers.org.

Local residents have heard numerous stories of the ghosts of the historic Rawls Hotel in downtown Enterprise. A paranormal research group Saturday will take its shot at seeing if there is any truth to the stories.

Southern Paranormal Researchers, a nonprofit organization, has investigated the hotel five times since 2005.

During their investigations, the researchers claim to have experienced electronic voice recordings of ghosts, unexplained cold spots and even doors flying open “by the hand of an invisible source.”

Could the voices be those of the children some have heard playing on the third floor of the hotel?

Could the cold spots be those left by the presence of Japheth and Elizabeth Rawls roaming the halls of their hotel?

Shawn Sellers, founder of SPR, said paranormal will sometimes leave more questions than answers.

“As science has yet to find a way to truly test and observe paranormal phenomena in any sort of meaningful repeatable way, we have no way to truthfully investigate ‘scientifically,’” he said.
“We are left instead with a job that resembles the duties of a journalist much more than a scientist.

Our job as a witness to paranormal events is to observe and report the facts of the event and remain as unbiased as possible.”

The research is much more spiritual, though, Sellers said. “Unlike a journalist however, our religious beliefs and deeply held faith in God do have much to do with what we are witnessing. I advise all our new members to be prepared for your thoughts on the paranormal to change with experience but to always base that off of your strong foundation in God.”

Rhonda Tucker, who organized the event in conjunction with the Rawls Hotel and SPR, said SPR is a nonprofit organization that often will research odd events and take time to debunk a misconception of a haunting.

An initial walk-through will be Saturday afternoon during the Enterprise Boll Weevil Fall Festival.
The afternoon walk-through starts every hour from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Tickets for the afternoon walk-through are $5 and the evening investigation is $25 per person.

For more information about the ghost tour, see next week’s edition of The Southeast Sun.  

Protection, security, use the right tools, check your ego at the door and have a solid foundation in God if you dare follow this mans footsteps!  He goes where most grown men only joke about going to.

Sit back and enjoy some of his exploits in this Feb. 09 interview granted graciously to me by one of the most God Centered men I’ve ever come across in Paranormal Investigation:  Mr. Shawn Sellers: Sensitive, Paranormal Researcher,  Pres. And Founder of Southern Paranormal Researchers of Montgomery,

     Q:  Tell me about Shawn Sellers
A:  Born in Montgomery, Al and raised unconventionally by my Grandmother.  As a kid I picked up on things that other people did not.   Fortunately my Grandmother was blessed with these gifts and helped me understand what I was seeing and why.   I attended college, later I became a Freemason, a Knights Templar and member of The Shrine.  I am the proud father of two sons.

     Q:  What prompted you to create SPR

A.:  A few years back things began to change, my Grandmother died, my best Friend died and I became a divorced father of two.  It was at this time I really took a hard look at my life.  And with the help of God, decided things needed to change.  I met with my friends I’ve had since childhood, they know about my gifts.  Since we have been investigating for years, having just as much or more experience that most groups out there, we formed SPR and have not looked back since. 

      Q:  Who are Southern Paranormal Researchers?
 A.  We are a team of credible and professional researchers.  Paranormal Research is becoming more and more popular every day.  Our team stands out because of our professionalism and background.  Our members are college educated and have successful careers.  Our paranormal research projects are non-profit.  Our investigation expenses are funded through donations and out-of-pocket.  We have been featured in many, many publications.  I, as the Director, have spoken at numerous speaking engagements around Alabama and the South.  I have worked events with Paranormal State, Chip Coffey, Chad from American Ghost Hunter and Steven Spielberg’s “The Rising”.

Our team uses a wide variety of investigative methods to help determine what type of haunting is present, if any, and how the particular haunting will be dealt with after it has been identified.  We also research extensively the particular location we will be investigating, perform a thorough investigation and prepare a detailed report outlining our investigation and the results obtained.  We have experience in investigating historical sites, hotels, inns, private residences, and demonic and dark energy.  Our investigators are committed to helping people answer any questions regarding the unknown or fears they may have arising from the unknown.

      Q:  Why do you do what you do?
A:  This feels like my calling.  I believe God grounded me and brought me to this point.  At first I didn’t want anything to do with it.  But, in God’s wisdom he shaped me and molded me for this calling.

      Q:  You have an outstanding website, www.southernparanormalresearchers.org.  There are audio recordings of EVP’s, a section on tools of the trade and detailed reports of actual investigations.  Tuscaloosa Mental Hospital being one that you qualify  as one of your most interesting.  Tell me your most profound personal experience there:
A:  This hospital was a mental hospital for African Americans, now closed.  As you turn down the long drive leading to the front doors, the energy sinks into you immediately, it’s palpable.  I’ve been doing this for a very long time.  I know how to protect myself, however there are some spirits that can penetrate even the best protection.  As I walked into a room I thought I saw a shadow, at the time thinking it was a vagrant.  Then without a second to blink the Shadow slammed directly into me.  Knocking me flat on my back.  I’m not a small man and I’m not frighten easily, but for this to knock me completely down it had to be a fearsome energy.  I learned from that experience to always maintain my protection, have a strong faith in God and finally to make sure I leave my ego at home.  This profoundly changed the way I do investigations from there going forward. 

       Q:  Did you sustain any bruising, marks or cuts?
 A:  No actually, not from the initial blow.  You see the shadow charged and struck my personal aura of energy.  I will never forget that experience.

      Q:  The EVP’s you have on your website for us to hear has a class code attached to it.  Tell me how the class code is assigned.
A:  Basically the classes go from A, being the most audible and understandable to C being the least , but still audible and understandable.  Below C we pay no attention to at all.  The evp’s you hear on the website are awesome, you can understand what is being said.  Also you can read  an explanation of where we were when we recorded, whether we heard it also at the time or not and what other anomalies we received during that investigation as well.

Q:  Describe the “Ghost Box” you use in your investigations?
A:  This is basically an am/fm radio that has been modified to automatically scan all channels continually.  It also goes by the name of Franks Box.  We also use what is known as a shack-hack.  Which is an inexpensive radio purchased from Radio Shack and modified for our purposes.  We have had some interesting experiences with it.  We do not use it all the time during investigations.  As you know it is loud and one must pay close attention to the words coming through to be able to pick out if its who and what you are looking for.  We will bring it in at the end of an investigation and quietly sit while an “operator” facilitates the questioning.  It is important for a seasoned operator to be present.  You really don’t want to mess around with this tool.  You don’t know who will come through or for what reason.

      Q:  In your website there is a page “Report A Sighting” and you reference Crypto zoological Phenomena.  What is that and why is it important?
A:  Crypto zoological Phenomena are basically reported sightings of animal like creatures e.g.:  Mothman, Big Foot, Skunk Ape, Chupacabra, etc.  I believe these are dimensional creatures.  The bible references “there are many mansions” and I see them as dimensions.  These creatures jump in and out of our dimension.  They are important because they are links to things and places that are outside of our known comfortable reality.  Its important for the people who have experienced these creatures to have some type of confirmation or at least be in communication with others who have had similar experiences.  

      Q;  Where are you planning to investigate next and why?

A:  We have been invited to investigate the home and studio of Edgar Cayce in Selma, AL.  Basically it was known who he was at his studio, but not at his home.  He was left alone at his personal home.  Right now there are no reports of paranormal activity there, however, there is no way I would ever pass up this opportunity.  There is a story about Mr. Cayce:  He approached an open elevator and as he peered into it he hesitated a second.  Seeing that no one in there had an aura, he declined to go in.  The doors closed and the elevator dropped to the bottom, killing everyone inside.  Who wouldn’t want to investigate this home? 

 Well I’ll look forward to reading about this investigation and will report to you when it happens.  Shawn Sellers is an honest, trustworthy man, with a huge heart and desire to do God’s work within the framework of his called profession. 

 MY PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION:  check out SPR website at www.southernparanormalresearchers.org, Go to Final Investigation Report.  A detailed, step by step report of their most recent investigations, finding and conclusions.  This is the stuff great books are written about and some of the scariest movies ever to be filmed.  Do yourself this one favor, read his work.  You will gain technical knowledge via the benefit of their hard earned actual experiences.  You will see how a great report should be written.  Don’t miss this stuff! 

 That’s it you adrenalin junkies.  If you want more you’ll have to go get it yourselves.  Check out what’s coming next from Shawn Sellers and his band of fearless Researchers listed below.  Happy Hunting!

 Along with some members of his team, he also handles cases in which people have been affected by dark entities and the cleansings thereof.  He professes a deep faith in God and a unique knowledge of the spirit that allow him to handle cases usually only reserved for clergy.  In addition to the things of a darker nature, Shawn can speak on topics such as 2012 mythology, the legend of the Crossroads and the Cleansing arts.  He co-hosts a radio show on Blog Talk Radio every Tuesday and  Thursday night at 8:00 pm Central.

 He enjoys speaking at conferences.  Does not charge for his services.  Is willing to help anyone at anytime, the is there for everyone.  His last statement to me:  When doing the right thing, God opens doors for you!

 I encourage each of you Would-Be Investigators to listen and study Shawn Sellers, this man has got it goin on.  I guarantee you will not be lead down a shadowy path to nowhere.    

 Shawn can be reached through his website at:  www.SouthernParanormalResearchers.org and  www.shawnsellers.com;  ShawnSellerstcb@yahoo.com

The Legend Of The Crossroads

By Shawn Sellers and Jake Bell

Go down to the Crossroads at midnight. Prepare the ritual passed down to you with care. The Devil will appear and in exchange
for your soul he will grant you your worldly desires. But be warned, for as part of the deal he will drag your soul down to Hell before your time. This is the legend that has permeated the imagination of the folk in the southern United States for little over a century.

The origin of this legend got its start in the ancient religions of slaves brought over from Africa. The slave masters were afraid of anything that would empower their slaves and, as a result, the African ancient religions, traditions and rituals were banned. Unable to truly give up their religion, the slaves disguised their beliefs under the guise of Christianity. Christian saints were adopted as the new faces for their old Gods and the slave masters, not knowing any better, thought they had converted to Christianity. This was the origin of the modern African folk magic or, as it's now commonly known, Hoodoo.

As in the religions carried over from Africa, the Crossroads have a special meaning in Hoodoo beliefs. It is a place of great power where one can conjure and cast spells, or "lay tricks" with effects varying from wart removal to warding off enemies. It is commonly believed in these religions that the Crossroads is home to a gatekeeper of sorts. One that, for the right price, will act as a go between for the Gods, lending power to your spells and conjures. This entity is known by many names but the most famous is Baron Samedi, a god that appears in both Hoodoo and Voodoo. He is most often characterized as having a skull face, wearing a top hat and smoking some sort of tobacco. According to the traditions of these religions, this is whom you would meet at the Crossroads to grant your wishes.

These beliefs were introduced to the world in the late 1920s by the legend of bluesman Robert Johnson. Although, Tommy Johnson was the first to claim he had sold his soul, Robert by far became the most famous. The legend goes that Robert, a poor young farmer who had been stricken with cataracts at a young age, lost his wife and child in childbirth and thereafter publicly denounced God.

Shortly after their death, Robert disappeared. He had been known throughout the community for being a guitar player so terrible that he was only brought on stage as a joke, but after his disappearance you'd hear of him being seen in a graveyard at night, far from home, just playing his guitar.

The music was often described as unearthly and it made those who saw him hurry a little faster towards their destination. After a few months, Robert came back to town. His cataracts were gone and his fingers had grown abnormally long. He then took the stage at a local juke joint and music was changed forever.

Aside from cultural anthropology, the crossroads also have a special significance to modern paranormal research.  As with some folk legends, the old adage applies "Where there is smoke there is fire." It should never be taken lightly if there is a prominent set of crossroads on a property you are researching, especially in the southeast. They contain a large amount of energy and can affect paranormal phenomena for the great distance that surrounds them. They can also exhibit portal-like abilities in special circumstances.

Is the Devil really waiting for you at the crossroads? Some say no, but there are still those around who truly believe he is. Just as there are numerous versions of the Devil at the crossroads, the ways to summon him are just as numerous. Different adaptations include burying black cat's bones, strumming a guitar or just being there several Sundays in a row. Throughout the history of music there are several musicians who have been link to this ultimately deadly legend.