Checking Out the Paranormal in the Library in Deep River, Connecticut

DEEP RIVER - If you have been quietly reading at the Deep River Public Library and thought you heard noises in the attic or saw something move in the corner of your eye, you are not alone.

Library Director Ann Paietta said that patrons and her colleagues claim they heard noises from the upper levels and saw something whisk by them.

Paietta confirmed that the historic building has an attic and second level, both of which are closed to the public since they do not meet ADA accessibility requirements.

Some have attributed these noises to spirits who live in the library.

Paietta invited the Connecticut Paranormal Research Society, CPRS, and its sister group, the Connecticut Ghost Hunters of Shoreline Towns, CGHOST, to give a presentation at the library back in December.

Over sixty residents from surrounding towns attended the event.

Even before hearing from Paietta, Pamela Ryder, paracounselor and public relations spokesperson for CPRS, sensed spirits when she was in the building.

Paietta gave Ryder permission to come back to do an investigation to uncover the truth behind the mysterious noises and sights.

On March 8, Paietta said representatives from CPRS took particular interest to possible activities on the building's second floor and attic.

While Paietta wanted to invite the public, CPRS representatives requested the event be conducted behind closed doors to eliminate potential interference.

Eight investigators used a variety of equipment, including video cameras, an Electronic Voice Phenomena recorder, infrared red cameras, and digital cameras, to measure conditions during the four hours they were in the building.

"Activity peaked when we first started our investigation as if it was attracted to what we were doing but after one to two hours, it moved away," Ryder said.

Investigators heard the sound of someone walking upstairs even though everyone was quiet during the investigation.

"The psychic had sensed there was a gentleman in the attic," Ryder said, adding that she is unsure whether the gentleman is the spirit of one of the Spencers or of the XYZ robber.

Richard Spencer constructed the building at the corner of Main and Village Streets in 1881 and his family was particularly attached to the elegant home until it was converted into a library in 1933.

The XYZ robber was killed on Dec. 13, 1899 when he attempted to rob the Deep River Savings Bank, at 141 Main Street.

Bank officials were tipped off on the robbery and hired Captain Harry Tyler who shot XYZ with a Winchester rifle as he tried to break one of the bank's windows.

Tyler received an anonymous letter requesting that the man be buried under a headstone marked XYZ in an attempt to preserve his anonymity and to continue the tradition of marking headstones with three initials.

Tyler was buried at the Fountain Hill Cemetery and his identity is still unknown to this day.

News articles and the rifle are on display in the bank, now known as Citizen's Bank.

Ryder said there have been no documented deaths in the building and while spirits may reside there, she emphasized that they are not evil and do not pose a threat.

Ryder hopes to have final conclusions of the investigation by the end of March.

She plans to give Paietta a complete analysis on disk and plans to give a seminar in May, which will be open to the public, to present findings.

More information about CPRS and CGHOSTS is available by visiting www.cprs.info and www.cghosts.org.