The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-04-25
CURIOUS AND SAID TO BE TRUE.

Henry ID. Mitchell, of Vermont, has furnished
a very curious statement to tho Vermont Tri-
bune of a bona fde case of important informa-
ton being obtained through the means ofspr-
tual rappors, which is worth reading. The
facts are thus condensed for the Buffalo Repub-
lie. from which we take them:
1t seems that the wife of this Mr.. Mitchell
has recently beon developed as writing me-
dunn. His father, VIM. Mitchell, was a soldier
in tho war of 1912, and died soon after tho
close of the war, having served five years which
entitled him 10 quarter section of the public
land Henry being now but forty-two years
old has no recollection of his father, who died
some four or five years after he was born.-
He knew that his father was entitled to the
bounty land: but ho did not know what he had
done with his claim; nor had he ever made any
effort to ascertain anything about it.
A few weeks ago tho hand ofMrs Mitchell
moved to write, as was frequently tho case, and
tho name of her husbands father was written
This be ng tho first time that an Intelligence
purporting to be his father had communicated
to him, tho inquiry was "if he had anything Of
importance to communicated Tho answer
Immediately was, "Yes, know that you would
like some information about my land" This
reply was unexpected by Mr.. Mitchell, as he
was thinking at tho time upon brother, who
was sea-flring man. and whom no had not
heard Of in twenty years.
The Intelligence wrote out that no was enti-
tied to a quarter section Of land for services
rendered i'm tho war Of 1912, and that the land
had been located in what Is now called Pike
county. in the State of Illinois, and that he
died while on his way to Washington. He
directed his son to write on to Washington,
as tho patent had mover been issued from tho
Office there, and that the land was now valua-
BILE. and Justly belonged to his heirs. Mr..
Mitchell showed his communication to several
spirituallists who advised him to writo on to
Washington, as it would prove practical and
severe test of the identity ofthe intelligence
He accord ngly wrote to Hon. James Meacbam,
one ofthe Vermont delegation in Congress,
requesting him to make an examination of the
records.
On the 2lst inst. he received from Mr.. Mea-
cham his papers, and copy of the record with
the official seal Of Hon. John Wilson. Land
Commissioner. showing that his father was
entitled to quarter section of land; and that IL
was located and recorded, October l6, 1917
thirty six years ago. Tho following is an OK
tract Of tho record.
"Wm. Mitchell, having deposited in the gen.
eral Office. n warrant in his favor, numbered
5695. there is granted to tho said William
Mitchell lato private in Stockton's company.
in the Sixth Regiment, Infantry, certain tract
of land containing one hundred and sixty acres,
being tho northwest quarter OF section twelve,
of township five south. in range threo wcst, in
tho tract appropriated for military boun,ies. in
the territory Of Illinois.
Said docnmont. Of which the above is an OK
tract, was signed by James Monroe. President
of the United States, and dated October o,
1917.
Tho commissioners in the land Office says tho
land is located in Pike county, Illinois, preei-
sely as the spirit had said when tho communt-
cation was first written.
Hero tho skeptic who stands afar on ana
cries humbug, without daring to investigate.
has fair oppor,unity to convince himself of
the truth or falsi,y Of one important allcdged
fact.