The Possession of Anna Ecklund

The exorcism of Anna Ecklund, performed in Earling, Iowa, in 1928, became one of the most famous and influential possession cases in American history. The three-week ritual was documented in detail by witnesses and later published, inspiring countless depictions of demonic possession in popular culture.

Background

Anna Ecklund was born Emma Schmidt in 1882 in Wisconsin. According to accounts, she first showed signs of possession at age fourteen, after her father and aunt allegedly cursed her as part of occult practices. She received her first exorcism in 1912, which provided temporary relief.

By 1928, the symptoms had returned and worsened. Anna was possessed, according to Catholic belief, by multiple demons including her father’s spirit and the demon Beelzebub himself.

The Exorcism

Father Theophilus Riesinger, a Capuchin priest with experience in exorcism, took charge of Anna’s case. For safety and privacy, the ritual was conducted at a convent in Earling, Iowa.

The exorcism began on August 17, 1928, and lasted until September 23. During this time, Anna displayed phenomena reported in many possession cases: levitation, supernatural strength, knowledge of hidden things, and violent reactions to holy objects.

The Phenomena

Witnesses reported extraordinary events. Anna levitated above her bed and clung to walls. She vomited quantities of material far exceeding what she could have consumed. She spoke in languages she had never learned. Her body contorted into impossible positions.

Most disturbing was her face, which witnesses said transformed to resemble that of various demons. Her features would distort, her eyes would bulge, and her expression would become inhuman.

Resolution

On September 23, 1928, after weeks of continuous prayer and ritual, the demons reportedly departed. Anna’s first words were “Praised be Jesus Christ.” She lived quietly until her death in 1941.

Legacy

The Earling exorcism was documented in a pamphlet titled “Begone Satan!” which sold widely. The case influenced public perception of demonic possession and contributed to the imagery used in later films and books, including “The Exorcist.”