The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-10-03 00:00:00

WATERFINDING BY 7'HE DIVINING ROD.

An article in • well-known publication and consider-
able earsespondeoce in the local press,' have recently
respecting the powers of • man named Mullins,
appeared respecting
Wilts, who for the 90 years past has been
known not onle in this district but in distant places as
"the Water finder.' On the occasion of the Colerne
Ploughing )iatch, on Thursday last, considerable interest
eras aroused in consequence of a challenge which Mullins
had offered scene very decided empties to exhibit his
powers In public, and open to criticism. This challenge
eras set accepted, but a desire haviag been expressed by
ease et the visicr, to have an ocular demonstration of
the water-finder • capabilities. Mullins, atm having
performed an engagement to find a spring an some
premises belonging to • local landowner. readily plased
himself at the disposal of those desirous of seeing wW be
could dn. 114alliaa has got his living heretofore as • well-
peke:, in each taa• being employed to find the situation
of the spring. He has sunk many wells in Box and other
eurroundine villages, and gleams credit for having found
water in every instance. fle has also been employed at
Grantham and other distant dams. He has the appear.
noes of • labouref more welbte.de than the majority of
the Mass, has an intelligent amssarance and address,
and edibits evidence of an acute sameus temErament.
The implements he alas are hazel or thorn t. natur-
ally grows In the shape of • letter V. maim
*penmen is as tolkws :—Mullins first turns back his seat
and shirt sleeves.) AA to leavehls wrists lime to show that
there is no Wats mechanical help. He next tightly
grasps each end of Pm forked twig, leaving the apex of
the Y pointing to the ground. In • siightly stooping
position he walks OVef the land. On arriving at the spot
Wainith which the spring flows the apex of the twig
becomes agitated, and revobes in the lona of the holler
with Aueh force of velocity that if bell the twig will
break. Having foam] the spring on Thursday, Mullins
said he cmld trace it op the hill for half • mile, awl did
trace it coneiderable distance, the stick rote'
Passive in his kende till lie crossed the line of the .
when it vapidly revolved. Ile dem-riled himself as
iniblect to a kind of electric shock when be reseed over
the Waller, and whilst s'entang that the depth of spring
must always depend upon 1/40 geological "re",
be
was
04. 4, Wag., its depth within on trout by,. force with
which the stick was driven round il; him
quite open in the exhibition, and c'or.""crutigusise,
begging that any mmtleinan present with ad obier.,4l !"_,..,W
make would address It to him personally and 1.7 w.!_57"-
He readily consented to hold the twig in 57...68
positions, but the manifestation was always the semi,
although when held by the fingers it was not so strong as
erten grasped fully by the hand. It was manifest that,
es fir as any of the spectators were able to discern, there
was as muscular power or jugglery used to cause the stick
to revolve. To all appearance it was fairly held, and in
exactly the same style as when the writer saw the same
Individual operate nearly 91 years ago. It was generally
agreed that his P 1 years' experience as a successful wen
and the fairness and readiness he hil.fl6
showed there was "something in It Huth%
that be would undertake to prove by his rod in which
direction a spring ran into any well which he had never
seen before, and which he had never demanded. He- also
stated that be had only met with one person possessing a
similar gift. That was whilst be was on a distant missiome.
and when • number of ladies and gentlemen after
watching him were dubiously tyrini grit' rind- To the
tameat of all young tady, the mutates of a loca
xia beery, found the dirk revolve in her hand In the same
Manner. We Off.?no opinion on the subject, frankly
confessing that we can afford no explanation of the
Canmon, but at the seine time bearing vritnees to
r:dineee and openness with which the tidbit)
was conducted by Malibu, of whom Lighbog
"leek in high terms Ns • steady and honest min.—BMA

rewilitisig

-sPriu74
'!mina

'll'amen' (tomes Win for flix-teen Years haa
'been anivmmilly admitted to be the beet Tonic 'mown,
*ea a meld and acesabl• accompaniment to Cod
Liver "We_a_.e9numiarzersonalbear testimony to its
wane ma Took" —Agoutis for Wornottik
1). PIDGBDIN and Box Grooms@ • iihaftesixammt.l:-
Kamm , Wise sad Fie MeAskit ; Sh
Chaim Baoa, ; Wholesale:
Wenn and Bos, I,Givergiastelassp,Chse= ; aad Lime
sad Ois, Wormier.