The Great Amherst Mystery

Between 1878 and 1879, the small town of Amherst, Nova Scotia, was gripped by what became known as the Great Amherst Mystery. The phenomena centered on Esther Cox, a young woman whose affliction drew investigators, journalists, and curious visitors from across North America.

The Beginning

The disturbances began shortly after Esther experienced a traumatic event. Strange noises emanated from her room, bedclothes moved on their own, and her body appeared to swell grotesquely before witnesses. Writing appeared on the wall above her bed warning that she would be killed.

The Phenomena

The activity escalated dramatically. Objects flew through the air, pins materialized and stuck into Esther’s skin, and fires spontaneously ignited throughout the house. These fires became so frequent that neighbors feared for their own homes.

Esther claimed to hear voices that identified themselves as spirits, and through knockings, they answered questions from investigators.

Investigation

Walter Hubbell, an actor turned investigator, spent weeks documenting the case and later published a book about his experiences. Skeptics accused him of sensationalism, but many local witnesses corroborated the basic phenomena.

The End

The activity followed Esther through multiple residences and only ceased when she was briefly imprisoned for arson after a barn fire. After her release, she married and the phenomena never returned.

Assessment

The Great Amherst Mystery remains one of Canada’s most famous paranormal cases. Whether poltergeist activity or elaborate hoax, it captured public imagination and helped establish the template for later poltergeist investigations.