Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-04-21
EVENING STAR.
WASHINGTON:
THURSDAY, APRIL 81, 1858.
THE RAPPING HUMBUG.


''The spirit rappers are boasting at their
convention in Springfield, Of the number of
circles they have in Cincinnati. We believe
:hese circles will yet be found schools of
mischief that will require public attention;
at least some of them. The circles are
promiscuous assemblies, where the two
sexes meet to hold converse with beings of
another sphere. Those who believe they
are engaged in so awful communication,
are often greatly excited, and the staid con-
duct that usually exists in society, is apt to
be forgotten. There are not wanting in
stances, where cool and calculating villains
stir up the wild excitement, to aid their
sary that fathers and husbands should watch
the proceedings of the circles to which their
connections are invited. Among other cir
Giles that meet in this city, is one that comes
together every Sunday, in room over the
Watch store of Mr.. Kent, on Main street,
East side, between Fifth and Sixth, to the
number of thirty or forty; among whom
are several young girls. The principal con-
ductor of the proceedings at this place, who
styles himself Hight Priest, is a person of
Infamous character. He used to reside in
New York, where he was living with
second wife, the children of the first wife he
had deserted. He became Mormon, but
for some improper proceedings of his, as
practicer of mesmerism, he was expelled
from the Mormon church. Some three
years ago, he left this wife, and came out
West. In Indiana he married another wife,
for which he was prosecuted and tried be-
fore Judge Warden, in this city. He is
living in state of bigamy with this last
wife in Cincinnati at the present time. HAY
ing been expelled from the Mormons, and
mesmerism being almost behind 'sthe pro-
gress ofage," he has become an active spirit
rapper; and exhibits his astonishing facul-
ties every Sunday at the place above named
He is in the habit of making passes with his
hands on the foreheads, knees, and other
parts of the persons of his dupes, to which
manipulations tho girls also subjected
Sometimes he is s' impressed to crawl
along the floor on all tours, and females, as
we'll as others, do the same! The spirits
though this rich specimen of High Priest,
have ordered the circle to be baptized. and
on Sunday the orders are to be obeyed
Four or five women, and as many men, are
among the candidates. This is spirits and
water with vengeance! Among the de-
luded is 0ctor, who says that the spirits
have already baptized him, but he must I'M
dergo the same ceremony again, publicly.
We warn our fellow citizens against this
High Priest, and others like him for with
out care the most deplorable consequences
may ensue."
In view of such disgraceful humbuggery
as the above, we feel proud of Washington
that the ''Rappers'' met but a poor recep-
ton in our city.
1t was our fortune to live for a time in
the house where the original old For and all
the little Fo1es made their stay, while at the
capital. We noticed the large box or trunk
they brought with them, containing their
galvanic apparatus. In the room under
that in which their performances took place,
we listened once or twice at the request of
an officer present, to the rappings on the
floor and furniture above. The imposture
was so gross, so Infamous, so intolerable,
that we could not abide it; and though po-
litely pressed by curious and duped visitors,
we never darkened the impostors door.
We could not, however, but feel deep shame
and modification that persons protesting
to be possessed Of common intelligence and
discernment, should be led astray by this
modern folly. 1t is relief to know, and
TO be able to state, that there are but very
few of this class in Washington.
We understand that these peripatetic
humbuggers were arrested by the civil au-
thorities soon after they left our city, on a
charge of swindling. If so, they will pro-
badly get their deserts. We would it
were the same with all the rest of the in