Daily national Democrat., 1859-12-25
Spiritual Knots.

Spiritual Knots.
By invitation, one of us last night wa
present at Mr.. Peck's dwelling on Bush st.
to witness the unbinding and re-bindine O
medium, as is asserted by the spirit of al
old tar named Jack Williams. Jack, speak
ing through the medium young mar
named Collins-says that he, the said Jack
was drowned various years ago in Lake
Michigan. About fourteen gentlemen and
four ladies were present besides the medium
committee of several gentlemen were cho-
sen to tie up Mr.. Collins. They did so. tie
ing his hands behind him, his arms crossed
at the wrists, and so tightly that the circula.
ton was considerably obstructed Two COM
mon grass rope bed-cords were used. The
mediums wrists, arms, legs and body were
as,firmly and securely tied as knots and strap.
ping could make them. While this was 60
ing on, Jack-thTough the medium, who had
apparently gone into trance commenced talk
ing like rough tar, and ridiculed the man
ner of tying, and said he would undo in a
short time what the committee had been so
long doing, and also that afterwards he would
show them superior or professional use of
the knot.
To remark made by us that we believed
in the power claimed to be spiritual. but that
we did not believe in the spirits, Jack replied
loosely that the "spirits will make YOU be-
lieve it sooM when they get hold of your
body" That word "soon" might have made
a believer rather nervous and induced him
to prepare for their company.
Mr. Collins having been securely knotted,
he was taken into dark room, laid at full
length and left alone-the room having been
thoroughly searched, and all means of ingress
ascertained to be impossible. Then all re-
tired, and such as chose listened at the out
side of the doors. Not the slightest sound
was perceptible until we distinctly heard the
grating of the ropes as they were united and
pulled from thnir entangled condition. The
time consumed in tying him, it should be
stated, was about half an hour. In twenty
one minutes from the time he was left alone
in the dark room the ropes were flung against
the door, and upon entering, Mr.. Collins was
found lying upon his back and the two ropes
lying upon the floor rolled up into balls.
He was then left lying in the same position
as that in which found, the ropes left upon
the floor beside him and the door shut. Di-
rectly humping inside was heard, and up.
on the question being asked, "What do you
want, JAck7 the reply was given: "If any
one enters this room while am tying him,
/ will never tie him again in this life" As.
surance was given that no one would enter,
and the door was again shut. Jack took
twenty mine minutes to tie up Mr.. Collins to
his own sltisfacticn; then rapping was
heard, the door was opened and Mr.. Collins
was found lying on his face, his wrists tied
closely together, and the rope lied up in a
very complicated manner all about his wrists,
arms, chest, body and legs.
The first piece of rope was removed with
comparative ease, and seemed to have been
put on in loops and doubles, as If more to
DISPOSE of it than for securing the subject
But the other rope, which of course was the
first one tied on, was in knots and wooded
around the arms aud limbs as If Jack had
been splintering q sprung mainmast, and
meant to have it stand securely through the
next typhoon. Finally the rope, after in sew
eral instances having been passed through
portions ofitself between the different strands
and even through the middle Of the strand ii
self, was united at its ends by great many
knots on the front of Mr.. Collins body, oppO
site of course to where his hands were SO
firmly fastened together, and to bis back
AL efforts Of the committee to release him by
commencing near his hands, failed. There
was no loop nor portion Of the rope which
could be released, and they we're obliged tc
point unite and unwold the rope until his
wrists were the last reached and unbound
s. r. Times, Friday.
The same kiud of performance by the same
medium was gone through with in this city
afew nights ago. We should have noticed i
at the time, but have been waiting until nov
to see the report of the committee appointed
TO test the question of the things being
really done. As yet we have seen no report
and Judge that the committee are afraid t'
report, lest they may be eridieuled. There il
no doubt that the rope is tied and united IL
the manner described. We believe, however
that certain East Indian jugglers do thesam'
trick, or one very similar.
TuE "PIeEoN HOLE" OF DYING MEN.-II
The office of the London Times there is
bureau that one would think must be terro
to not a few. Every man, whose life |
deemed worth taking, has place in certain
"pigeon hole" wherein the record ID constant
lv kept "written up" to the latest pOssi6l
period-a sort of "log" to be displayed tn
minute life's voyage Is ended. Deeds don
and words said in the heat of passion ar
there; acts performed at long intervals aT
brought into startling proximity, and all,
necessity, divested of the glow and aetol
the touch Of nature as it were, that made
regard them in the living actor with lenien
if not loving, eye. Such man dies t
niQht-the "pigson hole" gives up its dea,
and to morrow morning. even before the su
iect has began to lie in state, the leading &C
and incidents Of his life are spread all abroa
to the world. Quick work they make
fame.-ErchDnge.
RUSSIAN SAILOR DEsERrED.-In comphan
with written request from NJ Kostromltlno
Russian Consul, and in accordance with u
terms Of the treaty between the Unit.