The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-03-27
THAT KNOCKING,

THAT KNOCKING.
Il Our readers know that much has been
published about some strange ka,ockimgs,
heard at Rochester, New York, the past
winter. These noises have never yet
been explained. AS we have room this
week, and have not yet published any
account of this mysterious business, we
subjoin the following statement which is
taken from the private Journal Of one of
the authors Of this history:
Con the Odd of November, 1913, |
went to the city Of Rochester on bust
ness. 1 had previously made up my
mind to investigate this so-called mystic
ry, if ! should have an opportunity. In
doing so. | had no doubt but what |
possessed shrewdness enough to de-
tect the trick, as strongly. suspected it
to be, or discover the cause of the noise
if it should be unknown to the inmates
of the house. "a er. bata ss1 r
ga friend of mine whom ] had long
known as a skeptic in regard to any such
wonders, invited me to 60 with him to
hearit. Iaccepted the invitation with a
feeling that was far from any serious APP
prehension Of communicating with any
thing beyond my power to discover.
Before | heard the sound we seated
ourselves around table. As soon as
we got quiet, heard slight but distinct
rapping on the floor, apparently on the
under side. Although concluded that
such sound might be made by machine
ry, | could see no possible motive in the
family taking so much pains to deceive
people, as they received nothing but an
noyance and trouble for their pains.
proceeded to ask some questions and they
were answered very freely and correctly.
l asked if it would rap my age! TWAS
done correctly. then took my memo
randum book from my pocket and wrote
my questions, SO that no other person
should know the nature of the questions.
| would write, rap four times; rap one ;
rap six; rap seven;' and to each and
every question got correct answer.
then laid aside my book and proceeded
TO ask similar test questions mentally
and, as before, received correct an
Swers. 4ls
II could not believe that persons pres
ent had the power to discern my thoughts
and make these sounds in answer, for
the sounds have a peculiarly not east
ly initiated. To suppose this to be the
case would make the matter still great
er mystery. knew they could not give
those answers, for there were questions
answered which they could not know
anything about.
sat another time tried the expert
ment ofcounting in the following manner:
took several shells from card-baske'
on the table, (small lake shells, closed
my hand and placed it under the table
entirely out of sight, and requested as
many raps as there were shells. 1t was
done correctly. AS | knew how many
shells there were in my hand, | resolved
to test it in another way to see if there
was possibility of my mind having any
influence in the matter. took hand
fu of shells without knowing how many
| took myself Still the answers were
correct. then requested friend whe
sat by the table to put his hand In the
basket, take out some shells withou
knowing the number, and pass them into
my hand, which l Immediately CLOSED
and placed in a position where none
could see it. The number was told Al
correctly as before. We continued thi:
class of experiments for long time
without the least failure in getting correc
/. answers. #...af
''There could be no installing thes,
tests. They could not be influenced by
our minds, for we did not ourselves know
what the answers should be. This pla.
ces quietus on its being anything gov
crned bv the minds of those asking ques
tons. or those who heard it most freely
The proofs of getting answers and cor
rect ones to mental questions, and t.
thoughts where questions were not ask
ed, is as plain as even the rapping it
self. e-,s o'
eve have known several persons t
be sitting, at a table in conversation
anu WuCu lutN CC0SCu, etiC ciSuoI toi III
alphabet would be called for, and sen
tence would be spelled like this: -
manning one of the company thinks S
and so, mentioning exactly what thei
thoughts we're. At one time severs
persons were present; one wrote on
piece of paper to another. somethin
: about two other members of the compa
ny, which, although unimportant, the
did not wish the others to know; but a
; if to convince US all Of their power I
tell our thoughts, the signal was give
for the alphabet and the same spelled OF
that they had written This has SO offe
, been the case of similar occurrence.
that it is placed beyond dispute by thos
who have tried the experiment of gettin
; answers to mental questions" 1is q
son one occasion gentleman {
,, Rochester was indebted to woman VIII
was in great need of the money. tn
spirits directed her little sister to go /,
f such place in the street at certai
i hour of the day, and she would meetts