The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-04-22
Astonishing Revelations by
Mesmeric Clairvoyance.


If given without good authority,we are aware
would seem much more like romance than
reality, and might he taken by our renders as
an idle tale imposed upon us by Madam Ru-
NOR during the yet curly tides ofaprik' We
therefore, on hearing ofthe material facts last
Saturday, spent some time in investigating
them; aud although their truth may appear
even stranger than felton, yet they are nIto-
gelher reliable, as we gathered them from the
most responsible sources. They are rs fol-
lows:
About the goth of February, 1885, young
man, named John s. Bruce, aged about 10
years, son ofMr Lewis Bruce, a respectable
farmer in Westiord, MiddleseX county, start
ed from his fathers residence with a span Of
horses and sled lond ofstraw, for the pur-
pose of selling the latter in this city. The
distance being only 25 miles, he was expect
cd TO return the following day. Days, weeks
and months passed, however, and no tidings
were heard or him by his anxious family,
though diligent search and inquiry were made
and his friends accordingly remained in
distressing quandary, whether it was possible
he had left for parts unknown or some fatal
evil had belalen him.
| We will here mention an apparently trill-
ing incident, bat one which resulted in fur
nishing the first clew to information concern
ing young Bruce. .... ..
1t appears that MIR Otis Hildretb, a neigh
bor--who subsequently removed from West
ford to Salem, N. H.-arranged with Bruce
to take TO Boston a small keg to be filled with
molasses for him-which, ofcourse was new
er returned. Mr. Iildreth came to the city
on business in the succeeding month of July,
and happening to call in the office connected
with the stable of Edward Eastman. in Dea-
con street, salD has keg there, and identified it
by several marks. On inquiry he was told
that it had been left there during the winter
previous, together with a span of horses,
which after being kept seventeen days with
out being called for, were advertised by East
man and sold at auction, and that there was
n balance of between So and Sc, after deduct
ing expenses, due the owner of the horses
when he should make his appearance. From
the accounts given, MIR Eildreih was satisfied
that .he horses were those driven by young
Bruc.. but of the latter he could goin no in
telIipence except d faint remembrance that
person of similar description had been seen
about the stable sometime H. previous winter.
Upon his return TO Salem, iir h""reth
wrote to Mr. Bruce at Westford, stating the
above circumsances-whch very naturally
excited in the mind of the father revival of
hope that he might trace from them some
knowledge ofbs absent son. He was accor-
dinghy prompted soon TO come to Boston for
the purpose of making inquiries, but could
learn nothing farther than that his son was
last seen on the sidewalk near the stable re-
| ierred TO. His name was also found recor-
ded on the HayweigheI's book, but another
ruame WINS registered at the stable us the per-
son by whom the horses were left.
Some time after this, Mr. Bruce was in
duccd by the solicitations of friends-though
himself an unbelever in Mesmerism--to
come TO tho city aud employ the clairvoyant
power ofMrs. Freeman, in Lyman place-a
practitioner somewhat celebrated for her
success in similar cnses--in farther inquiry
respecting his son. The clairvoyant made
some startling developments, which were re-
peated ut subsequent examinations attended
both by Mir Bruce aud daughter who resi-
ded in Lowell; aud from the investigations
which they were able TO make, it was con-
elusive 10 them that there was much truth in
the statements, although from the nature of
the case it was difficult TO ascertain certain
things thus revealed, or even to connect the
several links of evidence so as to form q toll
erubly complete chain.
The principal features ofthe clairvoyant's
revelntiouS-drawn out in fragments ut diff
furent imes--comprised the known facts de-
tailed above concerning young Bruce's jour
ney to Boston, with the declarations that
shortly after his arrival he was induced by
certain persons to take something to drink,
which threw him into violent convusions,of
which lie ded-,hat his body was concealed
for some time under manure heap, but af-
forwards taken by colored man in the night
time, carried out upon the water and sunk in
the harbor--that it was subsequently diScov-
cred. and was 10 be found IN a certain tomb in
The City Burial Ground on The Neck! The
cluirvoyant also stated that the drug was nd
minstered to Bruce for the purpose of OBJ
tanning money, &c, which lie was supposed
to possess, and that n certain individual cog
INFANT of these transactions had since heen
dangerously ill, and came near divulging
them. &c.
These representations so infamed the Gu
rosity of Mr. Bruce and others to inspect the
Cemetery, that on Tuesday afternoon last, ac-
companed by Mr. Franklin Smith, one ofthe
city undertukers, they proceeded thither Tor
an examination. Abiding by the minute in
structons he had received from the carvoy-
ant, Mr. Bruce requested that Tomb No. Is
might be opened, and if the remains ofhis
son were not in the lowest coffin in that tomb
he would be satisfied without further search.
Mr. Smith accordingly pulled down some
dozen or fifteen collins, and on prying up the
| lid of the lower one, mirabie dictu the faith
er recognized the dress of his son within The
coffin he having been entombed with his
clothes ouas is usual when bodies are found
in decayed condition. Ofthe remains moth
ing was left save portion of the stomach.
which appeared TO be in u singular state of
preservation, some locks Of light auburn hair,
and teeth, two of which were also indentf-
ed by the father from some peculiar appear
ances. A Wallet was also found about the
clothing which contained no money, but
few buttons, needles and thread. A pocket
book which the deceased brought with him