The Possession of Carrie Peoples

In 1901, Carrie Peoples of Pittsburgh allegedly became possessed by the spirit of a recently deceased minister. She spoke in his voice, revealed information she could not have known, and drew large crowds to witness the phenomenon.

The Onset

Shortly after the death of a local minister, young Carrie began speaking in his distinctive voice. She quoted scripture, discussed church matters, and revealed private information that only the minister would have known.

The Manifestation

During episodes, Carrie’s personality transformed completely. Her voice changed to match the deceased minister’s. She counseled visitors and gave spiritual advice in his manner. Between episodes, she claimed no memory of what had occurred.

The Witnesses

Church members who had known the minister well testified that Carrie channeled his personality exactly. She knew details of private conversations. She recognized people the minister had known but Carrie had never met.

The Interpretation

Some believed Carrie was genuinely possessed by the minister’s spirit seeking to continue his ministry. Others suspected fraud or mental illness. The case received newspaper coverage throughout Pennsylvania.

Assessment

The Carrie Peoples case represents possession-as-mediumship: a spirit inhabiting a living person not to cause harm but to communicate. Whether genuine or not, the case influenced Pittsburgh’s understanding of the supernatural.