Mississippi Valley Paranormal

MVP was invited to meet with Mercer County Paranormal Investigators in Aledo, to do a joint investigation of Scooters Bar and Grill. On September 21, MVP team members, Bryce, Becky, Diana, Amy, Maria, Jill, and Pat drove to Aledo and met MCPI at Scooters. We ate a meal together, at Scooters, and Brenda filled us in on some of the history of Scooters. Here is the background of the history, in MCPI words:

“The brick building was constructed 1889-1890 and housed the Marquis Brothers Dry Goods store on the first floor. The Aledo Times newspaper was published on the second floor. The Marquis Brother’s Dry Goods store was housed in the structure until 1913 when it was sold for $9000, to Andrew West and Carl Almquist who ran the West and Almquist Grovery Store. The grocery store continued operations until 1931.

Kistler’s Hatchery was next to occupy the business building. Brooding equipment and an incubator capable of handling 20,000 eggs were installed, and the downtown district soon heard the sound of baby chicks. It is claimed that the night watchman, protecting the downtown businesses was given an added duty. Each night he would enter the hatchery and check on the conditions there.

A gas station operated from the rear section of the building in the1930’s.

The building first became the site for Aledo’s relaxation in 1939 when it became home to “Dutch” Greer’s Tavern. The most important tradition at this time was that it was a NO WOMEN ALLOWED bar. Not only were women not allowed, but there was no phone either. When a phone was later intalled, its number was kept secret. The men were not to be bothered.

In the early 1970’s, the establihment was known as Rasty’s Recreation. For a time they continued the unlisted phone and no women rule, but those customs passed, and soon women were welcomed with open arms. In 1988 it became Tab & Bev’s.

Scott Young, AKA Scooter, purchased Tab & Bev’s when he returned home from Saudi Arabia. He has made some changes to the building, remodeling, and expanded the bar into the adjoining building. He keeps the historic nature of the building intact, for all to enjoy.

After our meal, Brenda and the rest of their team, took us to the upstairs area, where the poker games use to be played. They showed us through the rest of the upstairs area, as well. Equipment such as video camera, DVR’s, EMF meters, and K2 meters were set up throughout the upstairs, and particularly in the former poker room. Scot,t from MCPI, set up their “Franks box”, a radio that has been adapted to continually sweep am/fm channels, in hopes of allowing spirits to interact with the device and create their own vocals through the receiver. The combined teams soon started an EVP session using the Franks box. When Becky asked the question, “are you one of the men that’s in the picture on the table?” we immediately heard a male voice answer “no”, very clearly. We later tried to get a name. Brenda asked, “what’s your name again, say it loud” and we all heard

franksbox1

This was a fascinating device and we all look forward to seeing it used in future meetings with MCPI. It was really neat to hear the immediate response, instead of waiting to listen to the audio from a DVR. After playing the Franks box for about 12 minutes, the 2 groups split up and MCPI members went downstairs, to allow us more freedom to explore the building.

Maria reported this: “I didn’t get anything in pictures. The only thing I thought I saw was a shadow, in profile, between both rooms. At first I thought it was my shadow from a car passing below but I could not replicate it. Don’t know what it was.

Amy did not note any personal experiences, and has included photos of the area.

Becky joined Pat, Jill, and Maria in a room upstairs and listened as they conducted an EVP session.

scooters3

Overall, we had a wonderful time, and look forward to an “all-nighter” at Scootes, with MCPI, in the near future.