Auburn Village Has A Mystery
Unexplained Moans and Cries at a Lake House Cause Much Excitement. Sounds Apparently Come From Marsh Near Omaha Road- Investigation
Eau Claire Weekly Leader | August 7, 1902

Auburn- The world is full of mysteries. Some are solved, some remain clouded for all time. The people of Auburn had one last evening that continues to keep some of them guessing. Considerable excitement and wide speculation was occasioned in the little village at a late hour last night, and since that time it has been the chief topic of conversation on the streets there. About 10 o’clock, or shortly after the arrival of a late freight from the south, the excitement occurred. Loud shrieks and screams, seemingly those of a woman or child in great stress or despair, startled all pedestrians and loungers about who were out at that hour.

The sounds came from the southwest of the village. This is a low marshy section and just such a place would arouse the suspicions of the people there that some appalling tragedy has occurred. The land is covered with the thick underbrush and is in close proximity to the Omaha railroad track. The first supposition was that someone had either fallen off a bridge or been struck by the freight train, which had passed just before the queer sound had been heard.

The suspicions of Mr. Sayer of that village, became aroused to that extent that he in company with a number of friends, went down along the right of way for a distance of half a mile or more for the purpose of making an investment. Lanterns were taken, but the curious party was unable to solve the problem or get any response to their yells. The party returned to the village. Soon after they were given surprise No. 2 by hearing the same hideous cries and moans which were louder than the first, coming from the woods, apparently about half a mile from the railroad truck. Several of the prominent citizens of Auburn procured lanterns and marched forth to take up the search anew, which was not concluded till some time after the midnight hour, and then it was abandoned only on account of the rain.

While the search was fruitless, many believe the cries were those of some person who had been badly injured or was demented. Others less sensationally inclined are of the belief that it was some animal, only that and nothing more. The Heralds informant, who is one of the leading business men of Auburn feels quite confident that developments will follow that will disprove the latter theory.

Chad’s Take- What is that noise?

It is safe to say that most people of a certain age look back on their life and pine for the simpler days of their youth. Their contention is that the world was a better place where time moved slower, and people were much happier. Normally I disagree with this line of thought, but for this case I certainly agree.

It was 1902 and the townsfolk were down at the station anxiously waiting for the 10pm train to arrive. Having heard the mysterious nocturnal sounds a group was formed to investigate the matter. Around midnight the group discovered that the cries and screams had not only grown louder, they had also moved. Now I have been on hundreds of paranormal investigations and normally at midnight instead of running across an interested party seeking answers, you simply get a police officer wondering what kind of mischief you are causing. However in the early 1900s people spent much more time outside than we do today. During the summer (which this case takes place) many people would sit outside talking on their porches while waiting for their homes to eventually cool off enough to make sleep bearable. From UFOs and mysterious creatures, to ghosts and sea serpents people would often encounter all kinds of paranormal activity during this “cooling off’ time. In today’s world we probably would not have even heard these late night noises as we would be tucked away in our air conditioned homes surrounded by a big screen TV.

Just exactly what the noises were was never determined. Perhaps the cries and screams were nothing more than a prankster or hoaxer having a good time tricking the residents of Auburn. Maybe these odd noises were somehow connected with the passing train and the witnesses simply misinterpreted what they had heard. Yet on the other hand maybe these mysterious disembodied noises were indeed the wailing of wandering spirits looking to reconnect with the living world. Maybe if we dare to venture outside at night we may just hear them again, just like they did in simpler times.

Keep an eye out ...