The Pearisburg Poltergeist

In December 1938, the family of Calvin Hailey in Pearisburg, Virginia, experienced violent poltergeist activity that attracted newspaper reporters and paranormal investigators. Stones pelted the house and fires broke out spontaneously.

The Beginning

The Haileys were a poor family living in rural Appalachia. In early December, stones began hitting their home from unknown sources. The stones seemed to appear from nowhere and struck with precision.

The Escalation

Beyond the stones, fires broke out inside the house. Bedding would burst into flames. A dress hanging in a closet caught fire. Water buckets near the fires were found empty. The family relocated, but phenomena followed.

The Investigation

Reporters from regional newspapers investigated. They witnessed stones falling inside closed rooms. They saw fires ignite without apparent cause. They found no evidence of fraud.

The Focus

As with many poltergeist cases, a teenage child appeared to be the focus. When the child was separated from the family, the activity decreased. The connection between adolescent stress and poltergeist phenomena was noted.

Assessment

The Pearisburg case occurred during the hardships of the Great Depression. The stress of poverty may have triggered the phenomena. The case demonstrates that poltergeist activity is not confined to famous haunted houses but can strike ordinary families.