Sightings Podcast Summary: "The Sallie House: Kansas, 1993"

Episode Release Date: June 2, 2025
Host: McLeod Andrews & Brian Sigley
Presented by: REVERB | QCODE

Introduction

In this chilling episode of Sightings, hosts McLeod Andrews and Brian Sigley delve into one of Kansas's most notorious haunted locations: The Sallie House in Atchison, Kansas. As part of their "June gloom" series, they explore spine-tingling ghost stories, starting with the unsettling experiences of the Sallie House family in 1993.

The Sallie House Story

Tony Pickman, the protagonist, recounts his harrowing experiences after moving into the Sallie House with his wife, Deborah, and their newborn son, Taylor. Initially, the family settles into what appears to be their ideal home—a freshly renovated two-story brick house from the 1800s.

However, unusual occurrences begin almost immediately:

• Electrical Anomalies: Tony notices the overhead light dimming and flaring unpredictably ([02:15] McLeod Andrews).

• Oven Malfunctions: The oven timer behaves erratically, setting itself to far longer or shorter times than intended ([02:15] McLeod Andrews).

• Cold Spots: Deborah experiences sudden drops in temperature on the second floor despite the absence of air conditioning ([02:15] McLeod Andrews).

• Animated Toys: The teddy bear mobile in the nursery starts playing music on its own ([02:15] McLeod Andrews).

Despite Tony's skepticism, Deborah becomes increasingly fascinated with the paranormal, believing the disturbances are caused by the spirit of a little girl named Sally.

Escalation of Paranormal Activity

As months pass, the haunting intensifies:

• Stuffed Animals: One eerie night, all stuffed animals in the nursery are found arranged in a perfect circle, as if having a meeting ([03:30] Brian Sigley).

• Physical Manifestations: Tony discovers three bloody scratch marks on his back after fleeing the house in terror ([03:30] Brian Sigley).

• Psychic Intervention: A psychic confirms the presence of Sally, describing her as a curious and playful spirit. She advises setting ground rules to coexist peacefully ([03:30] Brian Sigley).

Despite initial calm, further incidents occur:

• Fire Incidents: Sally's teddy bear bursts into flames spontaneously, only to extinguish moments later ([04:41] McLeod Andrews).

• Disrupted Rest: Tony starts having painful bites and vivid, terrifying dreams, including feeling physically pulled from his bed ([05:08] McLeod Andrews).

• Personal Strain: The escalating events strain Tony and Deborah's marriage, highlighting their differing beliefs and responses to the haunting ([05:08] McLeod Andrews).

Climactic Confrontation and Departure

The haunting reaches its peak on Halloween night:

• Visible Apparition: Tony witnesses Sally manifesting physically in the kitchen, only for her to vanish moments later ([14:58] McLeod Andrews).

• Historic Backstory: Deborah uncovers Sally's tragic history—Sally died young during an unsuccessful appendectomy performed by the original homeowner, a man who presumably caused her intense trauma ([16:12] McLeod Andrews).

• Violent Escalation: The presence becomes malevolent, with objects violently moving and familial bonds strained to the breaking point ([22:30] McLeod Andrews).

• Final Incident: A terrifying event in the nursery forces Tony and Deborah to flee the house, marked by physical assaults that leave Tony with permanent injuries ([23:14] McLeod Andrews).

Tony declares:
"Sally wasn't just a ghost. And now she was done playing nice."
(Timestamp: 14:58)

Analysis and Discussion

After recounting the harrowing tale, McLeod and Brian engage in a deep discussion analyzing the events:

• Historical Verification: They note the lack of historical records confirming Sally's existence, raising questions about the story's authenticity ([25:32] McLeod Andrews).

• Psychological Perspectives: Brian offers a psychological analysis, suggesting that Sally's behavior mirrors that of a traumatized child struggling to communicate, which complicates the interpretation of her actions as purely malevolent ([32:17] Brian Sigley).

  Brian Sigley states:
  "If there is a ghost girl in this house, all of the behavior actually tracks consistently with who that ghost girl would be."
  (Timestamp: 34:08)

• Skeptical Viewpoints: They discuss Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) recordings and the possibility of psychological effects exaggerating paranormal experiences ([30:13] McLeod Andrews).

• Cultural Impact: The hosts ponder the enduring allure of haunted house stories and their impact on those who experience them, questioning whether common explanations like attention-seeking or environmental factors could play a role ([34:23] McLeod Andrews).

Conclusion

"The Sallie House: Kansas, 1993" episode of Sightings meticulously weaves a narrative of supernatural encounters, personal trauma, and psychological tension. Through firsthand accounts and thoughtful analysis, McLeod Andrews and Brian Sigley present a compelling exploration of haunted lore, leaving listeners to ponder the thin line between reality and the supernatural.

McLeod Andrews invites listeners:
"If you have been to the Sallie House, let us know. Or if you have any thoughts about ghost children, if you've encountered ghost children of your own, please let us know."
(Timestamp: 35:16)

Notable Quotes

• McLeod Andrews:
  "Now more than ever, Lowes knows you don't just want a low price, you want the lowest price."
  (Timestamp: 00:24) – [Note: This is an advertisement segment and would typically be excluded from a content-focused summary.]

• Brian Sigley:
  "The trouble with evil is that it doesn't always announce itself with fairness."
  (Timestamp: 01:29)

• Tony Pickman:
  "So I told her we were leaving for good. And she didn't argue. Some might call us cowards for running."
  (Timestamp: 22:30)

Final Thoughts

This episode stands out for its intricate storytelling and the hosts' ability to balance narrative with critical analysis. By incorporating firsthand experiences, historical context, and psychological insights, Sightings offers a holistic view of the Sallie House haunting, making it a must-listen for enthusiasts of the supernatural and paranormal investigations.

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