In part two of our conversation with the Adirondack Park Paranormal Society, we move from Big Moose Lake to the old Herkimer County Jail, where Chester Gillette awaited trial after the 1906 murder of Grace Brown. APPS shares what they experienced inside the jail, how they approached the investigation, and why they believe some of the building’s most infamous former inmates may still make their presence known.

The conversation goes well beyond ghost stories. The team reflects on the energy they encountered in Chester Gillette’s cell, describing a presence that felt cold, egotistical, and intensely aware of attention. They also explore the story of Roxalana Druse, the last woman hanged in New York State, whose life, trial, and death opened up a deeper conversation about abuse, women’s rights, and the way history lingers in a place.

This episode is eerie, emotional, and deeply rooted in Adirondack history. Whether you come for the paranormal or the true crime, it is a reminder that old buildings often hold more than artifacts. Sometimes they hold stories that still feel unfinished.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• APPS explains how they got access to the historic Herkimer jail and why it had long been a bucket-list investigation for the team.
• The group shares what they sensed in Chester Gillette’s cell and why they felt his presence was still drawn to an audience.
• You’ll hear the haunting story of Roxalana Druse and why her case still raises questions about justice, abuse, and who may really have been responsible.
• The team also talks about the difference between intelligent and residual hauntings, and how certain places seem to keep replaying the past.

Resources:

• Adirondack Park Paranormal Society (APPS)
• APT Alchemy Podcast (APPS Podcast)
• An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser
• The Prison Diary and Letters of Chester Gillette (edited by Jack Sherman & Craig Brandon
• Herkimer County Historical Society and the 1834 Jail
• ADK Talks: Echoes from Beyond: Paranormal Investigations in the Adirondacks

Produced by NOVA