Summary
Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.
This episode explores the history of the Eddy brothers, William and Horatio, nineteenth-century spiritualist mediums from Chittenden, Vermont, who claimed to communicate with the dead and produce physical materializations of spirits. The hosts discuss the brothers' troubled upbringing under a strict father who beat them for their supposed abilities, their time in traveling shows, and the opening of their childhood home as the Green Tavern where they hosted nightly seances. The discussion covers contemporary accounts from believers like journalist Henry Alcott and skeptics who accused the brothers of fraud, as well as the later history of the property as the High Life Ski Club.
Chapters
- 0:00
- 3:22Time‑Bending TikTok Theory
The hosts discuss a TikTok‑derived theory about a machine that bends time, leading to a humorous debate about how October feels oddly fast.
- 4:57Book‑Writing Plans and Book Talk
The conversation shifts to the hosts’ upcoming book project and a lively exchange about recent horror reads and recommendations for spooky October titles.
- 9:52Introduction to the Eddy Brothers Story
The hosts introduce the main narrative: the mysterious, possibly real, tale of William and Horatio Eddie and their haunted legacy in Vermont.
- 13:29Early Life and Family Abuse
Details of the brothers’ upbringing, their father’s harsh treatment, and the supernatural signs that appeared from birth are explored.
- 16:11The Green Tavern and Spiritualist Fame
The brothers open the Green Tavern, host seances, and attract a growing crowd of spiritualists, establishing their reputation in the 1870s.
- 26:17Skepticism and Debunking Attempts
Contemporary skeptics, including Joseph Hall and L.A. Bigelow, challenge the brothers’ claims, accusing them of fraud and stagecraft.
- 39:00Henry Alcott’s Investigation and Conversion
The skeptical journalist Henry Alcott travels to Vermont, investigates the seances, and ultimately becomes convinced of the brothers’ authenticity.
- 46:03Decline, Internal Conflict, and End of the Enterprise
Negative press, internal family strife, and changing public sentiment lead to the brothers’ split, the tavern’s closure, and the eventual fading of their legend.
- 47:10Legacy, Modern Interest, and Closing Reflections
The episode concludes with reflections on the lasting intrigue surrounding the Eddy brothers, modern tourism, and the hosts’ final thoughts on the story’s impact.
- 48:56Sale to High Life Ski Club and Renovation
The Eddie property is sold to the High Life Ski Club, which renovates and transforms it into a clubhouse.
- 49:38Ouija Board Incident and Haunted Revelations
Guests recount a Ouija board session that allegedly revealed ghosts, adding to the house’s haunted lore.
Highlights
- 9:52
Spooky Story Introductionstory
The host introduces the story of the Eddy brothers, noting it is a haunted tale from Vermont and listeners can decide if they were the real deal.
- 23:39
Spiritualist Capital of the Universedata
By 1874, Chittenden had become known as the spiritualist capital of the universe, attracting devotees from around the world.
- 29:37
An attendee named L.A. Bigelow lit a match during a seance and saw Horatio playing the guitar himself instead of the instruments playing alone.
- 39:48
Examining the Cave for Fraudstrategy
Henry Alcott thoroughly examined the cave before a seance to look for hiding spots or a second exit, finding none.
- 41:17
Alcott Becomes a Believerinsight
After attending multiple seances and finding no evidence of fraud, Alcott left convinced of the brothers' legitimacy.
- 49:28
A Trashed Club Stagestory
A woman named Linda Burns reported finding the ski lodge stage trashed and a microphone snapped in half after the building became a ski club.
Quotes
“Carrie is a story about how small acts of cruelty snowball into something catastrophic,”
Unnamed speaker · 0:24 “September, literally, excuse me, Proctober?”
Unnamed speaker · 2:30 “and it's like where Mandela effects come from.”
Unnamed speaker · 3:11 “I've fallen straight back into my Salem Witch Trials hyperfixation.”
Unnamed speaker · 4:08 “If it's a private residence, you have to respect that.”
Unnamed speaker · 47:41 “She said, nobody could have bent those things, much less break them like that.”
Unnamed speaker · 49:28 “The fact that it was such a massive movement.”
Unnamed speaker · 51:00 “I feel like maybe even a little bit more because we are all hooked on social media”
Unnamed speaker · 54:26
Sponsored segments
- State Farm 0:50–1:15
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- Hulu 35:35–37:06
- Pantene 37:17–38:32
- DiscountTire.com 53:40–53:54
About this episode
In the early-to-mid 1870s, as interest in Spiritualism and psychic mediums swept the United States, William and Horatio Eddy, two enterprising brothers from the tiny village of Chittenden, Vermont, made headlines for their supposed psychic abilities. In time, the brothers attracted the attention of the movement’s biggest names including Henry Olcott and Helena Blavatsky, until 1875, when allegations of fraud destroyed their massive popularity.
Transcript
10,170 words · 3 speakers
Topics
- Vermont
- Carrie
- Rutland
- High Life Ski Club
- High Life Ski Lodge
- Ouija board
Page updated · transcript and summary are machine-generated