White Lies Behind Albino Farm

A Real Preview of Albino Farm
directed by: Joe Anderson
Arsenal Pictures






Along the outskirts of Greene County in Springfield, MS lies the dilapidated remains of Springlawn Farm more commonly known as, Albino Farm. Mike Sheedy, a prosperous, Irish descendant and employee of the S.F. Railroad Co. first purchased the land in 1873 to raise short horn cattle and provide for his reputable family of diligent, hard working and academically inclined members. After the elaborate estate was built and Mike Sheedy went on the acquire over eight hundred acres across Greene County, the Sheedy's were sought to be a prominent figures amongst town folk, surrounding counties and even around the world.

Some urban myths and unsubstantial legends of the Springlawne Farm have accumulated over the years ranging from a haunting of a perturbed, albino caretaker to the remains of mental hospital designed for a colony of albinos only. The most recent was an all-albino cemetery that was brought to light at the Springfield Greene County Library. On September, 11th 1980 the 100 yr old Sheedy farm house was suspected of arson after it set on fire and within six minutes later the structure destroyed. The fire was said to have started from hay in the closet on the second floor from the nearby barn that also set ablaze, but no one was ever tried and convicted for the crime. Today, the remains of the Springlawne Farm house include the columns, chimney, tower, creek tunnel, rock bridge and small building (could this be the humble abode the albino caretaker?). Sheedy's descendants have made several press attempts in clearing the property's name for any sort of albino hospital, but if the obituary listing from the nearby cemetery reveals any different stories, then this urban myth hasn't officially been debunked, yet. Past Springlawne residents have admitted to an albino caretaker that once resided on the premises, but little is known of the caretakers whereabouts, except for the rumors with whom he supposedly shunned outsiders away using a shotgun. A trail of mysterious events leading to a suicide and hatchet murder on Iron Bridge, didn't necessarily exempt suspicion on the caretaker along with two Sheedy sister. Could we be faced with another Cinderella story instead with a more morbid, pasty white spin? Freaks, dwarfs, and outcasts were easy target for the devil's daughters and sons more than once during the 1800's. To me, it certainly makes sense for two sisters to easily pawn their wicked deeds on albino. Since the Nineties, the farm became a safe haven for goth kids and those who's pale faces mimic the albino colony the caretaker was naturally acquitted from. Especially during a period where even if you were black, you hid in dismal swamps to stay out of sight.

During the past five years, director Joe Anderson along with his cast and crew who include Paul Ford (Twin Peaks, Lost Highway) Tammin Surok (voted Sexiest Woman Alive by Australian FHM readers) and Chris Jerricho (2001 WWE's Undisputed Champion) have been heavy at work in production of Arsenal Pictures, Albino Farm set to release in 2009. During one of Paul Dwarf’s scenes on Dwarf Road a paranormal picture surfaced depicting a Civil War soldier. If the old saying “some stones are better left unturned,” is true, then it won’t be long now before we decipher whether these old stones still standing on Springlawne Farm, along with the real life paranormal activity during production is one of those stones.


-Smutstrutter




References:
http://www.undergroundozarks.com
w/ picture gallery:
http://www.albinofarmthemovie.com
Greene County Library FAQ about Springlawn
Sarah Overstreet article from April 14, 2002
Small News-Leader excerpt from June 28, 2001
March 19, 1979 Leader & Press article with pictures
September 2, 1980 Leader & Press article
September 10, 1980 Leader & Press article with picture
September 11, 1980 Springfield Daily News photo