Search a title or topic

Over 20 million podcasts, powered by 

Player FM logo
Artwork

Content provided by John Williamson. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by John Williamson or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
Player FM - Podcast App
Go offline with the Player FM app!

(Haunting) The Amherst Poltergeist

17:32
 
Share
 

Manage episode 514946420 series 3317089
Content provided by John Williamson. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by John Williamson or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this episode, we explore one of the most infamous poltergeist cases in North America: the so-called Great Amherst Mystery, which occurred in Amherst, Nova Scotia in 1878-79. Centering on 18-year-old Esther Cox, her sister’s household and the investigator Walter Hubbell, we walk through the bewildering phenomena of objects flying, knocks on the wall, unexplained fires, swelling seizures, and the question: was this supernatural, psychological or a hoax?

We trace the narrative from its traumatic catalyst through the escalation of events, the public spectacle, the investigation, and the eventual fading of activity. We also dig into the skeptical evaluations, the cultural context of spiritualism in the 19th century, and what this case tells us about the human mind, belief and the boundary between the seen and unseen.

📚 Recommended Resources

  • Hubbell, Walter. The Great Amherst Mystery: A True Narrative of the Supernatural. 1888.

  • “Esther Cox and the Great Amherst Mystery” — Episode from Stuff You Missed in History Class.

  • “A Critical Study of ‘The Great Amherst Mystery’” — by Dr. Walter Prince, Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, 1919.

  • Wikipedia entry on the Great Amherst Mystery.

🎧 Thanks & Call-to-Action

Thank you for joining us for this deep dive into the Amherst case. If you enjoyed the episode, please rate & review From the Void on your favorite podcast platform, share it with someone who loves spooky history, and follow us on social media.

Until then — keep your eyes open, your mind curious, and your headphones plugged in.

  continue reading

102 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 514946420 series 3317089
Content provided by John Williamson. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by John Williamson or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this episode, we explore one of the most infamous poltergeist cases in North America: the so-called Great Amherst Mystery, which occurred in Amherst, Nova Scotia in 1878-79. Centering on 18-year-old Esther Cox, her sister’s household and the investigator Walter Hubbell, we walk through the bewildering phenomena of objects flying, knocks on the wall, unexplained fires, swelling seizures, and the question: was this supernatural, psychological or a hoax?

We trace the narrative from its traumatic catalyst through the escalation of events, the public spectacle, the investigation, and the eventual fading of activity. We also dig into the skeptical evaluations, the cultural context of spiritualism in the 19th century, and what this case tells us about the human mind, belief and the boundary between the seen and unseen.

📚 Recommended Resources

  • Hubbell, Walter. The Great Amherst Mystery: A True Narrative of the Supernatural. 1888.

  • “Esther Cox and the Great Amherst Mystery” — Episode from Stuff You Missed in History Class.

  • “A Critical Study of ‘The Great Amherst Mystery’” — by Dr. Walter Prince, Journal of the American Society for Psychical Research, 1919.

  • Wikipedia entry on the Great Amherst Mystery.

🎧 Thanks & Call-to-Action

Thank you for joining us for this deep dive into the Amherst case. If you enjoyed the episode, please rate & review From the Void on your favorite podcast platform, share it with someone who loves spooky history, and follow us on social media.

Until then — keep your eyes open, your mind curious, and your headphones plugged in.

  continue reading

102 episodes

All episodes

×
 
Loading …

Welcome to Player FM!

Player FM is scanning the web for high-quality podcasts for you to enjoy right now. It's the best podcast app and works on Android, iPhone, and the web. Signup to sync subscriptions across devices.

 

Copyright 2025 | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | | Copyright
Listen to this show while you explore
Play