The Sallie House Haunting
In Atchison, Kansas sits one of the most famous haunted houses in America. The Sallie House haunting is also reported to be one of the most paranormal active houses in the country. There have been many families and residents living in the house over the years. Several of the residents died in the house.
It got its name from a little girl who died there. Six year old Sallie ended up dying from failed surgery performed by Doctor Charles Finney, who lived and practiced in the house. In his haste to fix her acute appendicitis, he failed to anesthetized her properly. She woke up during the surgery and died from shock and blood loss. Paranormal investigators have claimed to pick up EVPs of a young child, whom they believe to be Sallie.
The Sallie House was built on Lots 9 and 10 in Atchison County in 1866-1867 by Michael C. Finney. Mr Finney only lived in his house until 1872, when he died on the night of September 17. The Finney family continued to own the property until June 26, 1899, when it was deeded to Joanna Barnes.
However, in 1906, the deed was sold back to Agnes M. Finney for $300. Her mother and husband both die in following years, and in 1920, Agnes M. Finney begins taking in boarders. Many people stayed in the house over the years, and some never left. Mrs. Finney herself finally died in the house around midnight on November 28, after fighting illness for three years.
Fred Kenner and his family live in the house for a short time in 1941, until Charles H. Finney and his wife move in.. Late in 1948, Dick Mize and his family, including his daughter, Sallie, move in as borders. After Sallie’s death, both families move out and the house is vacant for ten years.
In 1957, a Roscoe and Henrietta Cook lived at The Sallie House for a short time. A year later, Ethel Anderson made it her home, all the way up to 1990. During her 30+ years living in the house, she never reported any strange activity.
From 1990 – 1994, Bobby and Colleen Humbard moved to the house, during which time, their young daughter claimed to have an imaginary friend named “Sallie”.
The Sallie House haunting has had claims of paranormal activity that runs the whole spectrum of possible claims. People have claimed seeing full-bodied apparitions, poltergeist activity, items disappearing and then reappearing and furniture has been heard moving over head when no furniture was found moved.
EVP’s (Electronic Voice Phenomena) is probably the best known data to come from the house. Voices of men, women and children have been captured on audio devices. Along with these captures, there has also been disembodied voices, smells and people being touched also reported in the house.
A few other families lived in The Sallie Home over the next decade. The Sallie House haunting is still being investigated today. Even though it’s currently vacant, paranormal investigators are still allowed to come in to do research.