When Kerry Walton ventured beneath a old, abandoned, haunted house, the last thing he expected to find was a 200 year old, hand carved doll.
Even less expected was the spirit the doll contained which caused many who viewed it, person and animal, to go into fits of hysterics.
Even less expected was the spirit the doll contained which caused many who viewed it, person and animal, to go into fits of hysterics.
A Childhood Haunted House - An Eerie Find
'Letta-me-out' the haunted Gypsy Doll. In the early 1970's, Kerry Walton, a man in his early 20's, had to return to his home town in Wagga Wagga NSW, in order to attend a funeral. It was at about this time that he recalled a childhood fear he had had growing up – a old abandoned house located down the street which was said to be haunted.
Feeling that now was the perfect time to finally face his childhood terror, Kerry ventured to the house in the middle of the night, in order to explore and settle his nightmares. Finding an opening to the buildings cellar / underfloor space, Kerry lit the gloom with the dull shaft of light emitted from his torch. Thick whirls of powder were present as he kicked up the dust collected after years of disuse.
The building's supports, brick, stone and timber passed into light and shadow as he made his way through the gloom. Suddenly Kerry was startled to find a set of eyes looking back at him, from what appeared to be a small dead child, sitting on its own.
However, it was not a child at all, but an old and quite grotesque looking marionette. Having been creeped out enough for one night Kerry grabbed the doll and left. when he returned home, he left the doll in the lounge room and went to bed.
Kerry could not stop thinking about the doll and felt a little uncomfortable knowing it was laying not too far away. He got up, placed the doll in a bag and put it under the house.
Feeling that now was the perfect time to finally face his childhood terror, Kerry ventured to the house in the middle of the night, in order to explore and settle his nightmares. Finding an opening to the buildings cellar / underfloor space, Kerry lit the gloom with the dull shaft of light emitted from his torch. Thick whirls of powder were present as he kicked up the dust collected after years of disuse.
The building's supports, brick, stone and timber passed into light and shadow as he made his way through the gloom. Suddenly Kerry was startled to find a set of eyes looking back at him, from what appeared to be a small dead child, sitting on its own.
However, it was not a child at all, but an old and quite grotesque looking marionette. Having been creeped out enough for one night Kerry grabbed the doll and left. when he returned home, he left the doll in the lounge room and went to bed.
Kerry could not stop thinking about the doll and felt a little uncomfortable knowing it was laying not too far away. He got up, placed the doll in a bag and put it under the house.
What, Why, Who, How?
Somewhat creepy... Soon enough Kerry was offered some money for the doll, and he was more than happy with selling this creepy souvenir from the old abandoned house. He and the doll took a journey to where it was to be sold, but upon arrival Kerry could not bring himself to part with it. He broke the deal and took the doll back home.
With the doll having some sort of hold on him, he wanted to get some information about it. With its old antique look a trip to the museum for some advice on where to get information was decided upon. However the museum was able to give quite a lot of information – the nails used to keep the dolls feet to the legs aged the doll at about 200 years old, and the style of it made it almost certain to have come from Eastern Europe.
With the doll having some sort of hold on him, he wanted to get some information about it. With its old antique look a trip to the museum for some advice on where to get information was decided upon. However the museum was able to give quite a lot of information – the nails used to keep the dolls feet to the legs aged the doll at about 200 years old, and the style of it made it almost certain to have come from Eastern Europe.
The 200 year old nails in the feet. The dolls hair was also discovered to be real human hair, and under the scalp was the likeness of a human brain.
The history of the doll grew when several psychics provided more information about its background. A doll maker had carved this particular doll in the likeness of his young son (with exaggerations to features, as all marionettes should have) who had died – drowned at the age of six. Dolls were strongly believed to be able to harbour a human soul after death, providing it with a new worldly home.
The doll, the marionette, still contains this soul. It is not malicious or dark, but rather just that of a child who had drowned over two centuries earlier.
Kerry was also told he will never be able to part with it.
The history of the doll grew when several psychics provided more information about its background. A doll maker had carved this particular doll in the likeness of his young son (with exaggerations to features, as all marionettes should have) who had died – drowned at the age of six. Dolls were strongly believed to be able to harbour a human soul after death, providing it with a new worldly home.
The doll, the marionette, still contains this soul. It is not malicious or dark, but rather just that of a child who had drowned over two centuries earlier.
Kerry was also told he will never be able to part with it.
A Curious Effect on Some...
Kerry Walton sharing the doll with the world. The doll, now named 'Letta' or 'Ledda' (Letta-me-out being the full name) brought out curious reactions in many that saw it. Dogs would go into hysterics, snapping and barking at the doll, attacking it should they be given the opportunity. People let out a gasp of shock when first laying eyes on it, something about the eyes bringing about strange emotions of fear and sadness.
On more than one occasion women have broken out into weeping, screaming hysterics or just fainting all together.
Letta is also said to be able to move of its own accord, changing positions, or at times 'pulsing' when being held.
The doll still remains in Kerry Walton's possession (or is it the other way around?)
Although still quite spooky, Kerry has gotten used to Letta and will never let it go for fear of the misfortune that has been predicted by many psychics should he ever do so.
On more than one occasion women have broken out into weeping, screaming hysterics or just fainting all together.
Letta is also said to be able to move of its own accord, changing positions, or at times 'pulsing' when being held.
The doll still remains in Kerry Walton's possession (or is it the other way around?)
Although still quite spooky, Kerry has gotten used to Letta and will never let it go for fear of the misfortune that has been predicted by many psychics should he ever do so.
Ashley Hall 2013
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