New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-07-24
THE KNoCKINGS ON GRIMES. No. III.

To the Editors Of The TS,bsnsi
In bis recent communications In The Tribune.
Mr. ]. Stanley Grimes has attempted to dispose Of
that singular phenomenon known 40 the HOches-
ter X nockings" az wicked deception and swim.
die. Happening TO know something Of that strange
affair myself as the result of six weeks close and
patient investigation, trust you will allow me
space In your columns for the following remarks
and statements:
According to Mr. Grimes's own showing, he did
rot approach the subject Of his pretended investi
cation in the unbiased spirit of true philosopher,
seeking for the facts 90 they reye, bat with an ir
revocable preimpression against the claims OF the
whole subject regarding any proofs pro or con,
which strict investigation might unfold, a. nearly
supeTnuous. When he first heard Of those mystic
rious operations and before he had taken the slight
est pains to INFORM himself Of the facts Ia the case
he says: / bad no doubt whatever that the whole
thing was deception and fesoveo Ia my
mind various schemes to detect the imposition
When be visited the place in Western New-fork
where the rappings were heard. he went. as sne
spirit of bis whole account shows not nor Ine Per'
pose of seeing what the thing resiiy was, OUT ioe
the purpose Of exploding it a. humoqg' assam ins
that be already kneo ii was suGn. hence, imme'
diately on entering the house where the maniies'
t.tions were heard. he proceeded 70 pick out those
Tho we're and those who were not implicated In
the deception, By their phystoenon1ae aud phreno-
Logical derelopmentsl toee bis second artlcie.l-
Ard be confessess that he visited the Fox amily
at Bsrnums Hotel, not 10 satisfy htmseft, bat at
the request Of others who believed he would DO
confounded." Since the Juror has thus maniestly
preudged the cause candid public will, of course,
Judge whether he is qualified to give an unexceP-
tioDabe verdict.
The writer Of this happened 30 be at the ROOM OF
the Rcchesterians when Mr.. Grimes had bis inter
view and will state fact or two which MIR. e. has
oyni,tad and which DerectIy confirmed his de- ara
ton that be came not TO satisfy himself When
the sounds were made loudly and distinctly upon
the table, not certainly more than two feet from
where he sat be refused u look under the table 10
see if any person or any machine was striking IT.
though invited by the ladies 10 do 90 When the
sounds were made still more loudly upon the door
above The heads Of tke Lodes, and where hey could
nor have touched il without being observed by
every person in the Foom Mr.. Grimes scarcely be-
slowed the leas, attention upon the fact He might
have viewed from all sides and from al points
everything except the floor, from which the sounds
proceeded and 6roogbt TO light any secret wires or
springs which could account for u cir production,
butsuch course did not suit bis purpose. He kAev
that the whole thing was humbag, and that vas
enough On declaring that he knew precisely
bow the sounds were produced, he was requested
70 give the explanation before the company, 90 that
it might be either proved or disproved bat with
this certainly reasonable request be refused 10
ply, offering O. bis reason that be odd not wish 10
be discourteousp 0fcoufse Il ID not discourteoqs
TO say "you are cheat" butt 10 very dScoarteoos
10 offer reason fox saying 20.
know no: what attempts there may have beea
In other places 10 coaaterfsst such phenomena -
have been exhibited at Barnums Hotel for the last
SIX weeks. The family out West, whom M.
Grimes says be visited. may or may Doe nave ~
tempted 10 initiate the rappnss BY The hxsarse N
Ter he 6oos, - vhiehs - 49, ~ vsom -