He was obsessed by his work. Life's good fortune had brought much to Johnas Hacker. He had a fine wife and obedient children. He had a successful career as the only medical doctor in the area. He was a respected member of the community. Although the Hacker's were not wealthy, they did maintain a good home and business. In a time where the town ambulance was also the town hearse, doctors performed many tasks for the community. Johnas also maintained a small hospital at his office. Some of his patients were very unfortunate and required permanent care. This is where the problem first began. His obsession with his work to heal would eventually lead to a darker destination.
Most of what is known of the sequence of events is from Johnas Hacker's own diary, recovered from his office after the fire that destroyed the hospital. There were no known survivors.
What follows are excerpts from the diary:
Diary of Johnas Hacker
February 21,
1929
Great news! We can open the clinic soon. The town council has graciously
agreed to allow us to keep patients here at my offices. This gives me
great opportunity to help these poor people. Their afflictions keep them
from all but the most basic existence. With their loss of control of speech
and movement, only the most basic of communication is possible. Soon,
they will receive the care they need.
May 17, 1929
We had admitted our first patient, Ronald Abernathy, aged 29 years, a
military seaman of the past three years. He recently received a medical
discharge due to his condition. Ronald nearly complete paralysis , but
can still speak a small amount and move his left hand. Remarkably, he
can still function mentally.
July 8, 1929
Now we have three full time patients. We now have the company of the daughter
of General Simmons, Nora, and Jane Donald, the wife of Neese Donald, a
local estate owner . Nora is nearly without conscious movement, and requires
sedation. Jane is still articulate, and enjoys reading. Although she has
lost the ability to walk, she can navigate quite well in her wheelchair
Ronald's condition is improving. He is much clearer with his speech and
is still talkative although his conversations have taken a macabre direction.
Instead of his previous requests for classic literature, he constantly
wants the nurse to read him stories of murderers. The Marques De Sade
is his latest fascination. He has appeared to also have gained some motion
in his left arm. I believe our treatments are improving his condition.
October 28,
1929
Ronald has regained the use of the left arm, and is beginning to show
movement in his right hand. He can move both his legs and is able to sit
up. He can feed himself. I am so very pleased our treatments are helping
his progress. Miss Simmons and Miss Donald, however are not showing any
signs of improvement.
December 12,
1929
My nurse awoke me, agitated with concern. After dressing, she took me
to Ronald Abernathy's room. It was empty. His wheelchair was still in
the corner, a bathrobe thrown over one arm. We immediately searched for
Ronald throughout the house and grounds until daybreak. At the first light
of day we contacted Sheriff Johnson to assist in our search. One of the
housekeepers found Mr. Abernathy in my private laboratory. The Sheriff
interviewed him but he was unable to determine why he was found wandering
around the hospital nor why he was in my laboratory. He had stopped talking.
What sounds he did make could have been mistaken for a foreign language,
but I am not a language scholar, it could have just been rambling syllables.
We immediately escorted him to his room and gave him a sedative and he
fell into a deep sleep.
I returned to my laboratory to see if anything was misplaced. I was surprised
to find several notes scribbled in my ledger that outlined a chemical
formula for what appeared to be a very strong pain reliever. Beside the
notes were three vials of the mixture. He had time to make medicine? How
could that be? He was a mason, and had no knowledge of drugs. Surely this
is a poor hoax.
February 7
1930
It is very late in the evening, I have tested and re-tested the formula created
by Ronald Abernathy. It is NOT a pain reliever. It is the most unique compound
I have ever seen. I administered a small dose to a lab mouse. Within seconds
the mouse ceased to breathe, and immediately began to stiffen, then slowly relax.
Within in the space of half a minute, the 
mouse was
clinically dead. I went to analyze what had happened to the mouse. I began an
dissect the body to examine how the toxins affected the organs. I had removed
the skin and opened the chest cavity and removed the lungs, liver, stomach,
and intestines. Under the microscope, each organ appeared normal and in very
good, healthy condition. I was checking my notes and observations when I heard
a rustling sound. To my horror, I observed the mouse twitching, pulling against
the pins that held its legs and body. The most terrible aspect of this incident
is the mouse's heart was beating in its open chest, and its eyes... its eyes
were blinking. I immediately disposed of the remains of the mouse by throwing
it into the incinerator. I then closed and locked the laboratory.
It has taken several hours for my composure to return so I can write about
this night. What frightens me more than my life is not why or how Ronald
created this solution, not that it appears to make living tissue out of
dead, but that I am completely fascinated by it. I am excited about the
prospects of analyzing and realizing the potential of this amazing solution.
Heaven help me, for I am surely going down an unknown path.
April 12 1930
Finally something from Ronald. After months of therapy, he finally spoke
a coherent sentence, "I cannot tell from whence it came, but when
its used, it takes you back again". What could it mean? Was he referring
to the compound he created? He appeared so serious when he spoke these
words, much different than his usual blank stares and screams. I am inclined
to think he may be recovering from his last episode.
More success with the compound. I have the formula finalized and can now
can make any quantity needed for my research.
June 30, 1930
Jane Donald is ill with pneumonia. I have administered all recommended
medications. Her condition continues to deteriorate. Mr. Abernathy continues
his improvement, and has full use of his left arm and can walk with assistance
a short distance.
I have been successful with experiments with the compound I have begun
to call Celene, in honor of Ronald Abernathy's devoted wife. Thus far,
I have been able to reanimate mice that were drowned, electrocuted and
poisoned. They appear healthy and normal for the past several weeks.
July 2, 1930
Miss Donald is dying. She has not had a single visit by any relative.
What can I do but try to use Celene to save her life. I must determine
the correct course of action.
July 3, 1930
Miss Donald expired at 6:00 PM this afternoon. After she was moved to
the examination room, I administered an injection of Celene to Miss Donald.
She immediately stiffened, then relaxed. As near as can be determined,
she remained dead. I waited several minutes, but she remained still. Two
hours after injection, she began to breathe and her heart started beating.
An hour later, she was sitting up and talking. Remarkable! She had not
been able to speak since she first arrived. Now she relates that she has
no memory of her time here.
July 6, 1930
Miss Donald's recovery is so complete, I am recommending release. I have
contact her family to arrange to take her home. Mr. Abernathy's condition
has begun to degrade. He cannot walk any longer. No change in condition
of Miss Simmons, who remains in a near comatose condition.
July 24, 1930
Miss Donald's brother arrived to take her to his home in Cana, Virginia.
Apparently, no one else in her family would take her in. I wish her the
best circumstance in her new life.
September 18,
1930
Miss Simmons condition is beginning to deteriorate further. I am considering
administrating Celene to stop her condition from progressing.
Mr. Abernathy has lost the ability to speak, he only has the use of one
hand. His condition has functionally degraded to a similar level as when
he first arrived.
September 21,
1930
Ronald was found standing in front of my laboratory, banging on the door
with his hands. When the night nurse touched his shoulder, he collapsed
on the floor. I was called, and we moved him back to his room. He was
heard to mumble "solution" several times.
October 1,
1930
Miss Donald's brother has returned her to our care. Miss Donald's condition
began to deteriorate several days ago. She appears to have lost color,
and is very pale. She is extremely weak and requires assistance to move
about. She remains articulate and optimistic spirits.
October 17,
1930
The night nurse woke me very disturbed. Ronald Abernathy has broken into
my laboratory. I immediately ran to the laboratory to find it empty. I
sent the nurse to search for Mr. Abernathy. I checked the cabinet where
I stored the solution, Celene, and three vials were missing. I heard a
scream from down the hall, and I ran to investigate. In the day room was
Mr. Abernathy, Miss Simmons, and Miss Donald sitting at the table, talking.
The nurse was lying on the floor. She had fainted. I stood transfixed
at the apparent miracle.
Mr. Abernathy was smiling and showed me the empty vials. He had administered
the drug to all three patients. Every one of them appeared perfectly healthy
and normal.
I was so overwhelmed, I nearly fainted myself. Then it occurred to me
that this was the first opportunity I had to find out, my curiosity overcame
my concern. I asked Ronald how he had found this formula.
"I was stationed in North Africa three years ago, and I was quite interested
in the culture of the region. I had taken an apartment in town so I could experience
the culture firsthand. My close companion, Rahjla, took me to many of the ancient
cities through the area. One night, he asked if I was ready to see some of the
more exotic sights. He took me to a small oasis where a group of locals were
surrounding a low table, bowing repeatedly as several priests were praying.
Also in attendance was another American, I found out later to be Maximillian
Gore, an undertaker assistant from Indiana. On the table was a young woman who
apparently had just died. As the ceremony progressed, they poured a substance
into her mouth, sat her up, and bounced her up and down. I nearly laughed out
loud, but my escort Rahjla quickly silenced me. They laid her down, and covered
her with a coarse muslin cloth.
The praying continued for some time. I asked Rahjla what was going on,
but before he could explain, the woman sat up! The cloth fell from her
face and she was smiling. I had to sit down, as I was about to lose consciousness
from the shock.
After the ceremony had finished, and the participants had begun to leave, Rahjla
went into the tent beside the place where the woman was lying, and returned
a few minutes later with something under his robes. We left the area quickly
and quietly. When we arrived back at my apartment, he gave me a small bottle
containing a green liquid, and a piece of parchment listing several ingredients
- and a warning, translated, said: 'Do not tell from whence it came, but when
its used, it takes you back again'. I still don't know the meaning of the warning.
For several hours, I studied the parchment until I had memorized the ingredients
and the formula.
I stuffed the bottle and parchment into my bag, and did not look at it
again for the rest of the night.
The following day, Rahjla, burst into my apartment yelling for me to get out
quickly. The priests had found out that outsiders had entered their ceremony
and they are looking for them.
We quickly left and ran down several streets to get to the naval base where
we would be safe. We were in sight of the base when several robed men descended
upon us, and made short work of binding and carrying us away. I saw Gore clutching
my bag, talking to one of the robed men and handing him several coins. I spent
a long day in a dark room, hands and feet tied tightly, and a gag in my mouth.
After nightfall, I was led to a small room where a few of the priests from the
night before stood, surrounding my friend Rahjla, who was tied on the table,
his eyes wide with fear. Without a word, the closest priest pulled a dagger
from his robes and plunged it into Rahjla's chest. I can still hear his muffled
scream. The priest turned to me and said a single word, 'watch'. He took a small
bottle from one of the others in attendance, and poured the liquid into the
bloody wound, and also into Rahjla's open mouth. They began bowing and praying.
I watched in astonishment as the wound began to heal itself! Within a few minutes,
Rahjla was sitting up and wild eyed with fear. This was truly a miracle drug.
It can heal even death!
The priests pushed Rahjla off the table, and threw me upon it. Holding me down,
they poured the remaining portion of the vile tasting liquid into my mouth,
then held my mouth shut. I had no choice but to swallow the liquid. I felt dizzy
and the room began to spin, the priests taking on monstrous forms. I struggled,
but they held me tight. Consciousness left me. When I awoke, I was in a military
hospital, in a similar condition as when I arrived here. I do not know what
ever happened to Rahjla."
We talked for nearly an hour. He knew the liquid would cure him as surely
as it had paralyzed him. It took all his will to make the first vial of
the liquid, but it took several months before he could get to it to take
it. He took pity on the other two patients, and gave them a dose as well
to help them. I was stunned and exhausted by the events of the past few
hours and fell into a deep sleep.
October 21.
1930
All of our patients are still exhibiting no ill effects from the drug. All appear
in good spirits and Mr. Abernathy has begun to take short walks outside the
clinic. I am still attempting to analyze the compound, but I need more equipment.
More remains a mystery than before. How does it work on the body to restore
life? How can it be used? An incident today has concerns me. The first mouse
I revived some months ago has suddenly died a most horrible death. His body
has literally turned to a pile of viscera, as if the body had exploded from
the inside out.
October 30,
1930
We received a visitor today, it was Rahjla, the companion of Ronald Abernathy.
They were greatly pleased to see each other and spoke excitedly in low
tones for several hours. Mr. Abernathy looked worried after Rahjla's departure.
I did not have an opportunity to interview Rahjla before he left. Miss
Donald appears a little weaker, but insists she is in need of sleep to
feel better.
October 31,
1930
Miss Donald had fallen ill and is unconscious and her vital signs are
failing. I fear all my patients may succumb to the same terrible fate
as my laboratory mice.
....... (undecipherable entry)
Miss Simmons has also fallen ill. She appears very pale and short of breath.
I will finish my journal notes as soon as possible.
(This
was the last entry in Johnas Hacker's diary. What follows are excerpts from
police interviews of Emma Sanderson, the night nurse on duty)
"We heard screaming coming from Miss Simmons room. Dr. Hacker and I ran
in to find a horrible sight. She had appeared to have come to pieces, parts
of her body were covering the room, blood and viscera covering the ceiling and
windows. Only her head and parts of her skeleton remained on the bed. Dr. Hacker
stood transfixed. I found I could not contain myself and emptied the contents
of my stomach several times. Before we could do anything with poor Miss Simmons,
we heard a crashing sound from Miss Douglas' room. Dr. Hacker ran to her room.
I followed as best I could, afraid what we might find there. When I entered
the room, Dr. Hacker was holding Miss Douglas by the shoulders onto the bed.
She was thrashing about wildly. She did not make any sound, but her eyes were
wide open and filled with fear. Then a terrible thing happened. I do not understand
it, but she seemed to explode as if a bomb had been placed beneath her. The
contents of her torso flew straight up into the air, covering the ceiling with
blood, exactly like poor Miss Simmons. Her organs hit with a sickening slap
onto the floor. But they were not inert. They were writhing as if they were
still alive. Dr. Hacker stood, covered with blood, staring into the face of
Miss Douglas. Her eyes were still looking, darting around the room. The expression
on her face was the expression of terrible pain. This went on for several minutes,
her pained expressions, the organs writhing on the floor. Dr. Hacker reached
over and covered her face. I could still see her face moving beneath the bloody
sheet.
I fainted, I guess. The next thing I remember is finding myself outside
on the lawn, and the firemen were helping to revive me."
(Police report excerpt)
"The fire completely consumed the Hacker Clinic and offices. Doctor Hacker and Ronald Abernathy were not among the victims of the fire yet still remain missing. From remains and testimony, we have determined that Nora Simmons and Jane Donald died in the fire. The collapse of the building left little to recover for a burial."
"Doctor Hacker's offices and laboratory were also destroyed by the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation."
From anecdotal evidence, and the many stories that are still told in the area, we suspect that Johnas Hacker escaped the fire and continued his experiments for sometime after the fire. Over the next several years, there were several incidents in the area:
What happened to Johnas Hacker, Roger Abernathy, and Rahjla still remains a mystery to this day. The whereabouts of Hacker's journals, often mentioned in his diary, is also a mystery.
The Letter |
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The only other
piece of information is this letter to the wife (widow?) of Johnas Hacker:
My Dear Mrs. Hacker,
In accordance to the wishes of my client, may I express the condolences at the recent passing of your husband, Johnas Hacker.
As you are surely aware, my client has been attempting to acquire some property from your husband for more than a year. This property is located northeast of Pilot Mountain consisting of a ten room house, two barns, and adjacent property to the west of the house.
My client offers to purchase the estate at a mutually agreeable amount, including the adjacent property to the west of the house.
Your consideration in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Please respond at your earliest convenience.
(signed)
Joseph Denny
Attorney At Law
County of Surry
State of North Carolina
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