Interview: Darwin Linn, Owner of Notorious Villisca Axe Murder House
Linn Discusses One of America's Most Famous Haunts
The Villisca Axe Murder House has been investigated by multiple paranormal investigation teams; word of mouth indicates serious paranormal activity is present in the house. Ghost hunters--recognized locally and internationally--have scoured the house for evidence of the paranormal.
Some of these findings are presented on the Villisca Axe Murder House site along with complete history, backgrounds and biographies of those involved and accused.
Darwin Linn, owner of the Villisca Axe Murder House, spoke with Tara M. Clapper about the alleged haunted status of the property and the mysterious red plant that blooms there.
Tara M. Clapper: Has a botanist ever looked at the 'Love Lies Bleeding' plant or photos of the plant?
Darwin Linn: Many gardeners have looked at the plant; few are familiar, most are not. I was told it is from Africa. Visitors from England say it is quite popular there.
TMC: Did you attempt to kill the plant, or did it just die naturally after the renovations were complete?
DL: It died naturally. It is an annual, and comes back from seed. I planted it many years with no luck. In '08 we had one stock from that; in '09 we have many.
TMC: Do you ever stay in the house?
DL: We have never [gone] there to stay all night. Have been there many nights with paranormal investigators.
TMC: Have you had a paranormal experience in the house or on the property?
DL: I could have had many--it was not my thing until people started coming and telling [me] what was happening to them. [Since then, I've become] more aware and have had many [experiences].
TMC: What do you say to those who accuse you of making a profit off of a historical tragedy?
DL: I mostly say I have saved a pice of history--it has to pay its own way.
TMC: In your opinion, what has been the most compelling evidence of the paranormal uncovered so far, and who uncovered it?
DL: The Millers from Missouri were the first.
TMC: Do you feel that society has become more open to the potential of the existence of the paranormal? Why or why not? Has it made a difference at the Villisca Axe Murder House?
DL: It has become a lot more popular because of TV shows and we as people are more open to talk about it.
TMC: Do you believe that spirits can harm people?
DL: I have never had a fear of them.
TMC: Do you think that the spirits possibly inhabiting the Villisca Axe Murder House are the victims, or are others there as well?
DL: I think the house is on a Native American burial spot so I think there are many.
TMC: What makes the Villisca Axe Murder House different from other presumably haunted areas?
DL: Word of mouth--most of our people that come have heard stories from someone that has been here.
TMC: What are your feelings on soft evidence such as reportings from sensitives and psychic experiences?
DL: I believe I have never had a person try to con me into thinking they have special powers; they are very history-minded.
TMC: Which suspect, in your opinion, has the most evidence against him?
DL: In my opinon I think F.F. Jones' son and daughter.
TMC: Why did you initially make an offer on the house? Did you always intend for it to be a rental property? When did that change?
DL: I honestly think I was drawn to it and had fear of it being torn down. I bought the house to do just what I have done, never a rental.
To review potential evidence of the paranormal at the Villisca Axe Murder House or to learn about how you can visit the location and investigate for yourself, check out the Official Site of the Villisca Axe House Murders of 1912.
Published by Tara M. Clapper - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Tara M. Clapper is a freelance writer living in the Philadelphia area. The author steadily produces material for content sites and private clients while pursuing a Masters in Publishing part time. Tara s... View profile
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5 Comments
Post a Commenti was needing some information..is there anything that i can bring to the house that would catch the sprits voices that is not an evp transmiter..would just a plain video camra be good enough..email me back at jacob_5123@hotmail.com
Understood, Kelly, thanks for the additional info. The opinion represented here is that of the interview subject and certainly an opinion, not a fact.
Nor, is there any evidence to support that F. F. Jones daughter Letha was involved in Iowa's worst mass murder.
With all the talk of history in this article, one would hope that what visitors to the Villisca axe murder house are told matches the known historical record. No embellishment is required. Each time an unsubstantiated accusation is repeated in the media, the victims and others are revictimized.
We spent 10 years researching and producing a documentary feature film entitled "Villisca: Living with a Mystery." We worked extensively with historian Edgar V. Epperly who has investigated this case for more than 50 years. There is no historical evidence of any kind to support notions that F. F. Jones' son Albert or his wife Dona were involved in the 1912 Villisca ax murders in any way. This allegation against Dona is newly minted and groundless. I don't suppose her relatives will be delighted to hear that "Aunt Dona" is being accused of participating in a mass murder. The museum in Villisca previously accused Senator F. F. Jones of hiring William Mansfield to kill the Moores. Both were cleared in an a criminal investigation in 1916. The state charged and tried Rev. George Jacklin Kelly with the crime. There is also no evidence to support this new allegation that the Villisca axe murder house is located on a Native American burial site. With all the talk of history in this ar