Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-06-18

We find the following interesting ac-
count of an evening spent by President
Lincoln and others, with the spirits, in
the Boston Gazette:
WAsmNGroN, April %, 1868.
A few evenings since, Abraham Lin
coin, President of the United State, was
induced to give spiritual soiree IN the
crimson room at the White House to test
the wonderful alleged supernatural powers
of MIR. Charles E. Shockle. 1t was my
good fortune as fried Of the medium, to
be present, the party consisting of the
President, Mr.. Liucoln, Mr.. Wells, Mr..
Stanton, Mr.. l., of New York, and
Mr. r, of Philadelphia. We took
our seats in tho circle obout s o'clock,
but the Presiden was called away shortly
after the manifestations commenced, and
the spirits, which had assembled to con-
vince him of their power, gave visible to-
kens of their displeasuro at the Presidents
absence, by pinching Mr.. Stanton's ears
and twitching Mr.. Welles' beard. He
soon returned, but it was some time be-
fore harmony was restored, tor the mis-
haps to the Secretaries caused such bursts
Of laughter, that the influence was very
unpropitious. For some half hour the
dem onstratons were of physical char
acter-the tables were moved, and the
picture of Henry Clay which hangs on
the wall, was swayed more than foot,
and two condelabras, presented by the
Dey of Agiers to President Adams, were
twice raised nearly to the ceiling.
1t was nearly nine o'clock before
Shockle was fully under spiritual intlu-
ence, and so powerful were the subsc
queut manifestations that twice during
the evening restoratives were applied,
for he was much weakened, and though l
took no notes, l shall endeavor to give
you as faithful ON account as possible of
what took place.
Loud rappings about nine o'clock, welc
heard directly beneath the presidents S
feet, and Mr.. Shockle stated that an In
dian desired to communicate.
"Well, SIR" said the President, 81
should be happy to hear what his Indian
majesty has 20 say. We have recently had
d visitation our red {. ON brethren. and it
was the only delegation, black, white OF
blue, which did not volunteer some ad-
vice about the conduct of the war;"
The medium then called Tor pencil
and paper. and they were laid upon the
table in sight of all. a handkerchief was
then taken from Mr.. Stanton, and the
materials were carefully concealed from
sight. In less time than it has required
me to write this, knocks were heard and
the paper was uncovered. To the sur
prise of all present, it read as follows:
"Haste makes waste, but delays cause
vexations. Give vitality by energy. Use
every merns to sublue. Proclamations
are useless; make bold front and fight
the enemy; leave traitors at home to the
care of loyal men. Less note of prepara
tion, less parade and policy-talking and
e more action. HENRY KNOX"
"That is not Indian talk, Mr.. Shockle,
said the President, "Who is Henry
Knox?"
suggested to the medium to ask who
!; General Knox was, and before the words
were from his lips, the the medium SPOKE
in strange voice, THE First Secretary
of War"
"Oh, yes, General Knox, said the Pres
ident, who, turning to the Secretary. said
Il "Stanton that message is for you-it
from your predecessor"
Mr.. Stanton made no reply.
' 81 should like to ask Mr.. Knox, sal
: the President, elf it is within the scop
OF his ability to tell us when this rebel
lion will be put down"
In the same manner as before, th
: message was received:
Washington, Lafayette, Franklin
?, Wilberforce, Napoleon and myself hay
held frequent consultations upon tn
/. point. There is something which OIL
spiritual eyes cannot detect, which al