Pinal Cemetery
February 3, 2007
Investigators: Grace, John, David, Sabrina, Shawndell
Our investigative group arrived
at the cemetery site shortly after dark. We parked near the grave of the little cemetery's most famous resident, Mattie Earp, ex-wife of Arizona's most famous lawman and gunfighter, Wyatt Earp.
Though the site is fairly remote, it is clear that the short, tragic life of the laudanum-addicted "soiled dove" Mattie Earp continues to hold an appeal to many persons, as evidenced by the devotion shown to her memory by various visitors to the grave over the years. A sort of shrine to her memory has been built upon her grave; a picture of Mattie, a poem and gifts, decorations and letters to Mattie adorn the gravesite.
Of course, Mattie's is not the only grave at the cememtery, only its most well-known. Many of the graves have been obliterated by the passing of time, overgrown by desert shrubs and cholla cactus. Some of the graves have legible headstones; many more have simply disappeared, blending into the Sonoran desert with no hint of ever having been there.
The earliest legible headstone I was able to find dated from 1880; the latest was dated 1916. Interestingly, a number of the headstones were indicative of the ethnic diversity of the inhabitants of the area at the end of the 19th century; some headstones showed that the deceased were born in Europe.
A large number of the legible surnames were of Mexican Spanish origin. Most poignant of all was a group of three graves next to one another, all children of the same family, dead at ages between 1 and 14 years.
As far as any paranormal activity went, I was not able to record any EVPS or any images on video or digital camera. The overall impression I got of the cemetery was one of peace and tranquility. The only quasi-paranormal event occured when investigator John brought the EMF reader close to a large cholla cactus: for some reason, the cactus caused the EMF reader to register a high level of electromagnetic energy.
No magnetic or metallic objects were seen to be near the cactus, nor was the EMF reader malfunctioning. No explanation for the incident was discovered, except for the possibility that the cactus itself was haunted or possessed (smile.) Other than this, no other ghostly activity was reported by the team. As the evening progressed the temperature dropped to alarmingly frigid levels, so that the team decided to end the investigation at 10 pm, a relatively early evening for the night owls of our group.
David Seleme's Investigation:
Pinal Cemetery is a small cemetery that is located in Superior Az. It is set against the beautiful backdrop of the Arizona Desert. As you approach this particular place you will see that it is not forgotten. Many visitors come and pay there respects by bring flowers and gifts. One particular grave has a shrine built with flowers, coins, and other items. It is the grave of Maddie Earp. She was Wyatt Earps wife. There are many other graves with headstones, wooden crosses, and some with just rock outlines.
As night came upon us our investigation was felt as a calm easy feeling. As we walked through the cemetery you can almost hear voices in the distance. And the feeling that you are being watched. There was one part of our investigation that still has us intreged. One particular cactus had an alarming effect to it. Using the EMF Reader it show signs of very high electromagnetic energy. Upon checking out to see if any metal was detected. There was no explaination as to what was making the EMF go off. Other than paranormal activity.
One of our other investigators said she could hear foot steps behind her as she move about. I was drawned to a set of graves that belong to three children of the same family. I felt sad for them it's very hard to imagine the loss of one child but I cannot imagine the loss to the mother and father for the loss of three children. As our investigation wrapped up.
I can conclude that there was some unexplainable activity that happened that night. But mostly it was a very enjoyable and peaceful place. As I looked at the stars in the sky I felt as if we were not saying good-bye but more of I will see you again.