I’m paying a heavy price for last week’s drinking session with Steve…somewhere along the line my immune system let down its guard and I developed the worst head cold in the world Saturday morning. By Monday the doctor put me on antibiotics to prevent it turning into something worse, as I was even oozing from my eyes. I’m starting to feel better but have fallen massively behind at work, and this site. I have some new things to share.

The only consolation is I’m not alone, Steve’s got it too. I’m blaming him for the germ, and he’s blaming me. He pointed out I’m the one who had saliva explode all over her kitchen. It’s a fair point, despite the fact that I’ve disinfected it about a dozen times already. I was encouraged, however, that he was cracking jokes about the paranormal events at my condo. He may be nervous about it, but at least he’s sticking to his promise to be more open about it, and to come on board.

He hasn’t been here yet, but he did do something impressive completely of his own initiative. He drafted a letter he sent yesterday to all antiques sellers, historical societies / museums, and salvage businesses in Seattle and many miles beyond. He’s asking anyone with any items from Rose Red, presumably purchased at the estate auction, to please send him photographs of their stock for this web site. I’ve included the letter here so you can read it yourself, and see how he pitched the idea to his recipients.

I also received an e-mail and a photograph from a friend of Vic’s. Read on…

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Rose Red enthusiasts will remember Joyce Reardon periodically referencing a mid-60s investigation of Rose Red by a group of scientists. Four accomplished Washington area scientists teamed up and wandered the mansion in the last days of 1964, trying to debunk some of the claims of paranormal activity in the house. While there they heard the house scream on multiple occasions. They were able to catch the screaming on tape (although they concluded it wasn’t screaming that they heard…), and I’m very excited to reveal to you the audio clips of Rose Red screaming, sent to me by the last remaining scientist from the 1964 group!

I’ve included his e-mail in full here, and it’s worth a read. The audio files are contained therein. First, here’s a photo of the four scientists. The one who sent me the clips (and photo) is Jeffrey Wright.

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“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Rose Red crumbled, as all things must.” (Quote from “Seattle Saturday Post” article about Rose Red’s demolition.)

For the fun of engaging the massive YouTube audience in the work I’m doing here I’ve created a little Rose Red video, centering around Seattle’s grand estates. You can see it below or visit the video’s page here to get the code to embed it on your own blog or web site. Enjoy!

Today I received an e-mail from a man called Dan Thompson, who worked on an account for the general auction of the contents of Rose Red a year after the mansion was demolished. I knew about the event at the time, but I didn’t go. I was in the process of relocating to the TechStar site from the Tacoma townhouse Nick and I had shared. Fast-track construction at its best.

Plus, Steve stayed well clear and seemed to want to forget the whole thing was going on. He went away that weekend - checked himself into a hotel in Portland and waited for the storm to end. With Seattle swarming with Rose Red enthusiasts, it was a good idea for the last of the Rimbauers to be out of town. Somehow, getting myself involved didn’t seem right. Steve was my friend even then.

Come to think of it, maybe the crystal bowl “housewarming” gift was his way of thanking me for staying out of it altogether?

Anyway, Dan sent us this little present. I’ve scaled down a screenshot here, but read on and I’ll give you a link to a full-sized PDF you can view more clearly.

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