The Earling Exorcism

The exorcism of Anna Ecklund (born Emma Schmidt) in 1928 became one of the most famous possession cases in American history.

Background

Anna first showed signs of possession at age fourteen after her father allegedly cursed her. She received her first exorcism in 1912. By 1928, her symptoms had returned worse than before.

The Exorcism

Father Theophilus Riesinger conducted the ritual at a convent in Earling, Iowa, from August 17 to September 23, 1928.

Witnesses reported Anna levitating, vomiting impossible quantities of material, speaking in languages she had never learned, and her features transforming to appear inhuman.

Resolution

On September 23, 1928, the demons reportedly departed. Anna’s first words were “Praised be Jesus Christ.” She lived quietly until 1941.

The case was documented in “Begone Satan!” and influenced public perception of demonic possession.