The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-02-17
DAYS OF HUMBUeeERY.
Spiritualism in Virginia.

1nere is paper puDHSncQ III Nc" 1oTk
called the christian Spiritualist," devoted
to the work of promoting spiritualism. that
is, belief in the capability of dead persons
re-appearing in the form of spirits and hold
ing converse with certain mediums in the
flesh. In late number of that paper we
find a communication from a man signing
himself Thomas /. kilby, dated Suffolk,
Va, in which he gives the following account
of the operations of the spirits at that place :
Il will give you very short account of
some most remarkable mantle stations, which
occurred in this place few. months since.
A Mr. Wilson, who is a man Of standing and
veracity, out of curiosity, made trial at
table moving and to his establishment the
table did move, and respondedato various
questions. His son also was found to be a
speaking medium, and would receive an
swers almost at any time when questions
were asked; and in this way many strange
developments were made. On a certain
night the writer of this was present, with
four or five others around a table up stairs,
and requested communication, when most
astonishing resHlts took place. The table
moved in every possible way. commencing
with light scratches like the knawing of a
mouse; then rapping, rocking, slipping
about, rising entirely off the floor, so that
one thousand men could not keep it down !;
and finally rising up, turning bottom up
ward, resting ON a mans head a few Sc
conds, and then falling violently down be-
hind us and breaking the corner.
The table was replaced, and a bell was
called for through young Wilson. 1t was
put on the table and the candle was blown
out, when the bell was raised high up near
the wall, and rung in every possible man
ner, it being sometimes hard to hear it, and
then it would be rung in the most rapid
manner, and with all varieties of sound
moving about in the room, and finally fall
ing violently down on the floor. Then a
glass of water was called for in the same
way. 1t was placed on the table. and the
candle put out; in few seconds the water
was cast in a gentle sprinkle in various di-
rections, sometimes one way and then an
other, but continuously, and in such way
that it is impossible for any human person
to have done it'll all was gone out of the
glass.
During the ringing of the bell the candle
was taken out of the stick and thrown yio-
lently down stairs, and the candlestick was
thrown up in the corner.
The next thing that occurred was per-
sons were slapped or struck frequently on
the face, head and on other parts Of the
body. | was struck three or four times,
almost hurting by something which was
constantly passing. 1t felt like very soft
elastic flesh, cool, but not cold. suppose
there were from thirty to forty slaps in all
received by those present. During this
time some were choked slightly. One per-
sons cravat was taken from his neck and
cast across the table.
The next thing in order, think, was, the
Spirits said through the same medium, that
they would show themselves if desired by
all present; but some refused positively to
see them, while others were willing, but it
WIS said that they could not be seen unless
all were willing; and very soon after this,
three or four bright balls, like fire, were
seen by all, floating in the room. This was
said to be in place of the full appearance.
Various other remarkable incidents occur
red, too numerous to mention here and
when all seemed TO be over, notice was
given in the same way that the Spirits would
communicate, when remarkably we'll die
tated and religious communication was
given and written down, and then the scene
was closed.