When this case took place, the American Civil War had only ended some seven months earlier, and many were trying to make sense of their lives and losses. However, this tragedy happened in a Michigan home seemingly untouched by the war between the states, with the main perpetrator bringing about an event that seemingly made some sense at the time, but makes little sense now. This is the story of spiritualist Sarah Haviland, and the tragic "passing on" of her children in 1865.