New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-28
The Secret NOT Detected.

To The Editor Of The Tribune:
An investigation was made yesterday at Bar.
nuns Hotel, by several ladies', to search out the
origin Of the Mysterious Rsppings," which in
justice to Mrs Fish and her sisters should be made
public. The gentleman who was instrumental in
bringing about this investigation has refused to
sign any report and has said that he did not wish
his name coupled with any, but as it is fairly to be
presumed that had trick and deception been dis
covered, us he suspected there would be. be would
readily have taken the credit to himself of being
the discoverer Of a humbug of three years exist
ence which had escaped the close scrutiny OF men
wiser and more ingenious, 1t can be doing him no
injustice to mention the facts in the case-whlch
are briefly these At the close Of the second ses-
sion at Mrs Fishs rooms, yesterday, the gentleman
who gave his address, told Mrs. +. that he had
prepared to bect her and her sisters TO the
personal examination she had the day before in
vited. After some talk between him, Mrs. Fish
and several of her friends as to the proper course
which should be pursued and Mr. - having as
sured Mrs Fish that the lady who had accompanied
him there to take part in the examination was his
wife, the gentlemen present were requested 10
retire from the room, and Mrs Fish and her sisters
were left in the hands Of Mrs - and three other
ladies' all strangers to them. Nearly an hour
elapsed when the gentlemen were called to hear
the report. lt was in substance as follows: the
clothing to make it perfectly apparent that nothing
was concealed about their persons by which they
could produce the knockings that while they
were in that condition, the knOckings were heard
in different parts Of the rOom Their feet and
ankles were particularly examined and watched
while the knockings were heard though Mrs. -
stated that once she did not hear them when the
feet of the three ladies rested fiat upon the floor
Two Of the other ladies said they did, and the
sounds appeared near TO themselves. Sofa and
tables also underwent thorough search, and moth
ing suspicious was found.
Other gentlemen soon after being admitted, Mr.
himself recapitulated the facts and concluded
by saying the kDockings did not appear to be the
result Of human agency, and the investigation went
far to establish the truth Of what was claimed for
them. To wind up the inquiry it was proposed by
friends OF the ladies that they should stand upon
glass tn mblers. Six were accordingly brought into
the room and placed upon the Aoor board was pat
across them upon which the ladies stood After
considerable delay on the part OF the spirits who,
perhaps thought matters had been carried further
than was necessary, beseeching appeal to them
by Mrs Fish 10 clear herself and sisters from sus-
picion brought several distinct knocks which were
duly acknowledged by all present. l make the
foregoing statement as an impartial witness, be-
ing a entire stranger to the three sisters or any
one in any way connected with them. The ques-
ton still remains in full ioTce-How are the Knock
ings produced o.