Psychic Checks Out 'Old Place by Graveyard'
Bernadette Sedillos Self
El Paso Times, TX
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El Paso, Texas (US):
El Paso's famous L&J Cafe, across from the Concordia Cemetery on Missouri, is among the city's favorite lunch- and dinner-time haunts.But some people may not know that "the old place by the graveyard" -- as owners Leo and Frances Duran call it -- is haunted.Allegedly, of course."We've had more than a few things happen here that are kind of hard to explain," said Leo Duran, whose grandfather, Antonio Flores, opened the restaurant and bar in 1937.Things such as knocking on walls, doors opening and closing by themselves and, occasionally, footsteps and a shadow passing -- when no one else is nearby.
The Durans allowed psychic Grace Neuhaus and an El Paso Times reporter to tour the building earlier this month.
Strange phenomena did not occur during the tour, but Neuhaus, a professional psychic for 15 years, sensed a couple of things that elicited responses from Duran.As Duran took his visitors through the restaurant's kitchen, Neuhaus paused and said: "I'm sensing a woman, a large woman, and she loved to dance -- I mean, she really enjoyed it. I feel she died of some kind of heart trouble ... ."Duran, who had been explaining various aspects of the building and his family's use of it, seemed a bit surprised by Neuhaus' remarks."That was my mother," he interjected. "Yes, she was a real dancer.
She just loved to get out there and dance. She died of a stroke."Neuhaus, who is open and candid about her psychic abilities, emphasized that she does not read people's minds or have "visions" -- as some people associate with psychics."It's hard to explain, but basically, I just kind of feel things, energies -- I don't know how to really describe it," said Neuhaus, who is known as "Grace the Psychic Lady."Duran took Neuhaus, the reporter and a photographer into every nook and cranny of his property.
He and Neuhaus even stepped into the walk-in refrigerator. Afterward, Neuhaus asked to go outside. She said she was getting a feeling.Neuhaus stepped to a corner of the building near the sidewalk and told Duran she sensed violence -- and death."There's a very strong energy in this area. I'm feeling like someone ... like there was terrible violence here. Maybe a fight, I don't know," she said, pausing.
"It's something violent ... ."Duran said he knew of no fights or shootings outside the restaurant but Neuhaus' words jogged his memory. Years ago, he said, a member of his family committed suicide across the street.One of Duran's family members still owns the property across the street and lives in the house there.
The L&J, originally known as Tony's Place, has been continuously owned and operated by Duran's family since its opening. The original part of the building -- all of which still stands -- was built in 1904, Duran said.
Before the L&J was a restaurant, it was a small apartment building. Duran's grandparents and others lived there. Grandfather Antonio eventually converted it to a restaurant.
Oct 22, 2005
Bernadette Sedillos Self
El Paso Times, TX
_____________
El Paso, Texas (US):
El Paso's famous L&J Cafe, across from the Concordia Cemetery on Missouri, is among the city's favorite lunch- and dinner-time haunts.But some people may not know that "the old place by the graveyard" -- as owners Leo and Frances Duran call it -- is haunted.Allegedly, of course."We've had more than a few things happen here that are kind of hard to explain," said Leo Duran, whose grandfather, Antonio Flores, opened the restaurant and bar in 1937.Things such as knocking on walls, doors opening and closing by themselves and, occasionally, footsteps and a shadow passing -- when no one else is nearby.
The Durans allowed psychic Grace Neuhaus and an El Paso Times reporter to tour the building earlier this month.
Strange phenomena did not occur during the tour, but Neuhaus, a professional psychic for 15 years, sensed a couple of things that elicited responses from Duran.As Duran took his visitors through the restaurant's kitchen, Neuhaus paused and said: "I'm sensing a woman, a large woman, and she loved to dance -- I mean, she really enjoyed it. I feel she died of some kind of heart trouble ... ."Duran, who had been explaining various aspects of the building and his family's use of it, seemed a bit surprised by Neuhaus' remarks."That was my mother," he interjected. "Yes, she was a real dancer.
She just loved to get out there and dance. She died of a stroke."Neuhaus, who is open and candid about her psychic abilities, emphasized that she does not read people's minds or have "visions" -- as some people associate with psychics."It's hard to explain, but basically, I just kind of feel things, energies -- I don't know how to really describe it," said Neuhaus, who is known as "Grace the Psychic Lady."Duran took Neuhaus, the reporter and a photographer into every nook and cranny of his property.
He and Neuhaus even stepped into the walk-in refrigerator. Afterward, Neuhaus asked to go outside. She said she was getting a feeling.Neuhaus stepped to a corner of the building near the sidewalk and told Duran she sensed violence -- and death."There's a very strong energy in this area. I'm feeling like someone ... like there was terrible violence here. Maybe a fight, I don't know," she said, pausing.
"It's something violent ... ."Duran said he knew of no fights or shootings outside the restaurant but Neuhaus' words jogged his memory. Years ago, he said, a member of his family committed suicide across the street.One of Duran's family members still owns the property across the street and lives in the house there.
The L&J, originally known as Tony's Place, has been continuously owned and operated by Duran's family since its opening. The original part of the building -- all of which still stands -- was built in 1904, Duran said.
Before the L&J was a restaurant, it was a small apartment building. Duran's grandparents and others lived there. Grandfather Antonio eventually converted it to a restaurant.
Oct 22, 2005
