Litchfield enquirer., 1866-12-27

gNs*t1@0 " @Aki iJMt4U ". DEC. 27. 1868.
 RICH DEVELOPMENTS 2 ! GARNET MANIFESTATIONS HuMsue. ~.e.l SPIRIT MED1uMs AT A DISCOUNT.
 During the past week considerable ex- citement has been occasioned, caused by the exposition of the imposition, termed ]" Cabinet Manifestations. It will be re- membered that in alluding to the perform ance of Laura V Ellis, the "child medi- um, ? in this city recently, we termed it . "humbug." This called out a communica- tion from l.. Kelsey of this town, offering the sum of $500 if 8 person was produced who could perform the same tricks, and show them before the public. This offer met the eye of Dr. W. E. Won Week, of New York, who has made it his business for some years past to expose these imposi- tions. He.arrived in this city, as was an- nounced last week. His first performance was made on Tuesday evening last, before private gathering of gentlemen and la dies, at the house of George M. Pratt, on Main street, and it was the unanimous yer dict that he was "medium" of the high est order. While tied hand and foot, mu- sic was introduced, some four or five in- struments being played at one time. A person who was present claimed that it was impossible for one person to do what was then done, and offered $50 if it could be explained. The gentlemen present were let into the secret, and the individual asked to hand over the $50, which he then de- clined to do on the ground that he was not and the sum of $550 before them, the gen. could safely be made. A committee &C., cordingly waited on MT. Kelsey, informing him that his offer was accepted, and that cDonough Hall was engaged for Thurs day evening. MT. Kelsey insisted that if the money was put up, the trial should be made with the Ellis girl present. As the conditions of the offer did not warrant this, the evening appointed was decided upon, and MT. Kelsey invited to be present.. Those present comprised some of our most intelligent citizens. A committee, consist ing of G. T. Hubbard and J. N. Camp, Esqrs., were appointed to see that the same conditions were complied with as in the Ellis affair. T. c. Garfield tied MT. Won Week and fastened him securely inside of the cabinet. When the door was closed, music was heard, instruments thrashed about, and in fact the same tricks perform ed as before. While his hands were bound, his head was fastened back, his feet tied, and gag put into his mouth. With the door shut, talking and whistling was heard, yet when the door was opened, every thing was found just as 1t was when the door was shut. Handcuffs were placed upon his wrists, and fastened back of him to the cabinet, yet ring was changed from his foot and placed over his shoulders, all of which was done in as short time as per formed by the Ellis girl MT. Kelsey who was present, asked to be allowed to tie the gentleman himself, sew the cords and then sew them to his sleeves, and if he would take knife which should be placed on his knees, open it and cut himself free, he would pay him $25 and acknowledge him. self defeated. MT. Won Week thought that this was not coming down with the $500, bat accepted hae offer, and though bound to the best of MT. Kellsey's ability, accom- plashed 0ae tv'ick im fuN viesc of kae audience. The pocketing of the money, he said, was
 
 an explanation, and showed to the audi ence that nearly all of the knots tied were slip Knots, which permitted him to slip his hands free, and then put them back. Some of the tricks were accomplished by muscu- lar power only but that any "unknown power' was called into use, he denied
 In order to enter more fully into the expla- nations, and exhibit other wonderful feats, 8 second exhibition was given Saturday evening, when the Hall was crowded. J. s. Dickinson, Chas. c. Tyler, and J. T. Hubbard, Esqrs., were appointed by the audience as committee. The first trick performed was that of tying the hands in such manner as to prevent him from re- leasing himself. This was done by Capt. J. s. Dickinson, and we will here state that Capt J. G. Foster had practised upon the knot to be tied, several times during the day, and they considered it almost impos- sible for any one, so tied, to release them selves It took four minutes to tie it, the hands being behind him. In just three minutes, MT. Von Week came from the cab met with his hands free. He then entered into an explanation of many of the tricks practised by the Davenport Brothers and other noted smediums," fully convincing the audience that they were all performed by mortal and deceitful mankind. Con- siderable interest had been occasioned by the announcement that the "spirits' had sent to the $50 spirituaist '' medium" who was to take the '' starch" all out of the Dr., and show him up to the audience as an impostor. The Dr. announced the fact at the commencement, and if such a per son was in the room, politely asked him upon the rostrum. He repeated his invi- tation again at the close, when in true ban tam rooster style, up walked young man and announced to those present "that he was the man for them" He proceeded to give an account of what he could do, when the Dr. asked him his name. He said that it was Chas. R-e-a-de. Without further words, the Dr. announced that he had seen him before, that he hailed from Buffalo. The man said that he was ready to meet the Dr. at any time, at any private house. The Dr. said that he was prepared for him then and there. Reade declined this. The Dr. stated any time next week would suit him, and the committee backed him up with $500 forfeit money. Reade couldn't see it, i" and backed of the stage with the look of anything but ''spirit medium. !" 4 c-..-- .l sl,.- IT.