The Unexplained

In 1939, near Turtle Creek, Ohio, Cecil Cranbill and his five year old son Nick attended a farm auction. “Daddy, buy me the funny little wooden man?” Thus with purchase of carved man begins this strange story, as related to me in 1966 when I acquired the statue.

Soon after Nick got home with beloved statue, mysterious things began to happen! The Cranbills were first alarmed to find Nick at night in a trance-like state, doing a bizarre prancing dance with drooping hands held out, chanting in strange phrases unintelligible to parents! Then Nick began speaking to invisible presence he described as ball of light, he addressed as “Miss Ann”!

After the white orb their son Nick referred to as “Miss Ann” had appeared in photo of the boy riding tricycle,  the Cranbills called in Warren County doctor who was mystified by little Nick’s bizarre behavior…until he noticed under Nick’s pillow “the funny little wooden man” statue! “Where did you get this carving of a dancing Shaker?” Cecil Cranbill asked, “Shaker? What kind of dancing?” At that moment Nick rose from his bed in a trance-like state and began his dancing prance in circle around the center of the room! “SHAKER DANCING LIKE THAT!” The puzzled doctor had answered. And then Nick began his mysterious babble, to which the doctor exclaimed to unreligious parents, “Oh my God, the boy’s SPEAKING IN TONGUES like some Shaker!” It was then they showed the doctor the photo of the bright white orb which Nick always was talking to, addressing by the name of “Miss Ann.” It didn’t help the Cranbill’s fearful confusion when the doctor informed them the founder of Shakers was “Mother Ann Lee!”

After doctor left with statue, Nick’s weird behavior stopped, never returned!