Wisconsin

Episode 25: An Exorcism in Earling

/ Samantha Engel / Leave a comment

Screams could be heard throughout the town of Earling, Iowa in 1928. It was there, in a Franciscan Convent, that Father Theophilus Riesinger conducted a series of exorcisms on Anna Ecklund…or what is Emma Schmidt? Samantha and Aaron dive into the mysterious and troubling world of demonic possession with the story of Wisconsin natives Anna Ecklund and Father Riesinger. With a topic this complex, Samantha and Aaron make sure to provide a lot of background information on the practice and history of exorcisms, as well as a look at the practice in pop culture. Although Aaron didn’t approve of Samantha’s working title, Fun with Satan, they hope you enjoy this trek into the demonic dark side. 

Time Stamps

Intro: Am I an Adult?- 1:02
The History of Exorcisms- 5:30
Rituale Romanum- 12:22
Introducing the Case- 17:33
The Exorcism Gets Going (And Gross)- 22:01
Midway Break- 33:05
Visions and Prophecy-37:49
Exorcisms Today- 44:00 
Pop Culture and Wrap-Up- 51:38

Further Reading

You can read the article about exorcisms from The Atlantic here.

Learn about the changing views the Catholic Church has on exorcisms here.

You can read about Begone Satan! and the earliest pamphlet on the case here.

We found our copy of Begone Satan! on Scribd.

Time Magazine ran a brief overview of the case in 1936.

And here you can find out more about Father Theophilus.

Episode 15: Were There Witches in Whitewater?

/ Samantha Engel / 1 Comment

America’s “Second Salem,” you say? We’re on it! Aaron and Samantha dive in to explore the legends surrounding the town of Whitewater, Wisconsin. When they got down to the sources did they find evidence of witchcraft, cursed books, murder, and spiritualists? You’ll have to tune in to find out. The pair put their history skillz (yes, with a ‘z’) to the test  in “Were There Witches in Whitewater?”.

Intro- 00:20
Whitewater Background- 02:15
The Legends- 04:29
Morris Pratt- 09:40
Pratt’s Spiritualist Temple- 12:27
Midway Break- 17:58
The Morris Pratt Institute- 23:26
Spiritualism 101- 26:21
Mary Worth- 38:38
Real Murder in Whitewater- 46:13
Wrapping It All Up- 52:45

Further Reading:

National Spiritualist Association of Churches

Whitewater Historical Society

Swedenborg Foundation

Morris Pratt Institute

Episode 12: Mystery Airships

/ AG / 2 Comments

Aaron and Samantha travel back to the nineteenth century to explore the mystery airships that were spotted throughout the country in 1896/97. What started as a trio of lights above Sacramento, California, grew to reported sightings of actual ships that moved from the west coast to the Great Plains and into the Great Lakes States. Samantha and Aaron look at various sightings, possible explanations, and touch on the history of aviation. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s a wild ride.

Time Stamps
The Gilded Age- 1:10
California-8:25
Wisconsin- 12:34
Midway Break- 22:08
Michigan- 29:35
Lanark, Illinois- 39:10
Aurora, Texas- 49:42
The History of Aviation- 53:30
Wrap-Up and Outro- 56:30