The New York herald., 1869-04-13
SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHS.
The Mayors Marshal After Two Spirit Photo.
eraphers-Their Arrest and Arrangement mt
the TOmbs.

The Mayors Marshal After Two Spirit Photo.
sraphers-Thcir Arrest and Arrangement at
the TOmbs.
case rather out of the stereotype track OF
police court cases came up yesterday after
noon, before Judge Downing, at the Tombs.
VIM. W. Mumler and ". II. Silver, alleged
spirit photographers, at No. $50 Broadway, were
rested a charge OF perpetratng gross deception
and swndle upon the pubic. The preliminaries OF
the arrest best told in the adavis made against
the accused. Being unusual samples of wonderful
difruseness IN the matter Of words we give below
only their substance, but emitting material facts.
The nrst affidavit is that OF Marshal Joseph ii.
Tooker, Of the Mayors Office. He states that upon
complaint OF Mr.. p. V. Hickey that q gross mposi-
ton was being practised at the place named above,
and money obtained under the pretence OF giving
spirit photographs, he proceeded TO inves-
uSate the matter. On the 10th Of last
March he went 10 the photograph gallery
referred to and inquired for Mr.. Silver, the
alleged proprietor. gentleman giving this
his name announced himself. The Marshal stated
that "he was sceptica to believing that the like
| nesses OF deceased persons could be produced by
Photographic process on cards with living sub
jects." he asked 'ff 1t possible such likenesses
could be producedS" Mr.. Silver said that "Mr.
| Mumler, an operator and medium up stairs IA part
| OF the premises o, This said Snver) actually pro-
| duced such hkenesses by spiritual means" Upon
this statement and being further told that he could
have such picture taken for ten dollars, 1t being
| stated in connection with the price given that
money was object, but that the price was so
fixed because the spirits did not like a throng and
that to exclude the vulgar multitude the price was
| fixed at so high rate" and Silver also recitng
multitude OF Instances OF their being taken and the
| high value placed them, the Marshal
| arranged TO have his picture taken. lie specified
that he wanted taken with his photograph the spirit
likeness Of his deceased father.in-law. This could
not be promised, but 'that OF the person nearest In
| sympathy with the deponent at the time or taking
the picturen The Marshal wanted to know II spirit
! likeness would be guaranteed. Mr.. Silver said there
was sometimes failure, but "deponent looked ike
person who would be successful In the operation
| First deposit OF five dollars was demanded, but
| this was finally reduced to two dollars Meantime
lady who had been moving mysteriously about, the
| went up stairs. Pretty soon he was shown up
| stairs, having been told that this lady
spirit Tar pnoRtogapher, oR5r T Mumler This Mr. Mum.
| Ter stated ''that he produced spirit lkenesses
and @ 9 s
| cal world TO produce similar miraculous produc-
| TONS" The conversation was kept up for some
| time. The Marshal asked II he understood the
Photographic art and on answering that he did not,
| he was taken into dark room, where Mr.. Mumler
ness OF Ms asserted wonderful power to produce
| spirit pictures. Az length the picture was taken
far picture OF himself and also % on M Il IT faint INT
| way, had given the name OF Benedict, was asked
II he recognzed the likeness. Mr. Iooker failed TO
i
think af the matter seriously and he would come TO
recognize the face that OF relative friend"
They had 'produced surprising Effects" Ladies had
painted" &c. Mr.. Tooker was TO call next dav
| Tor his pictores. He DID call next day, paid the
balance Of the ten dollars, and received ms pic
| lures. with the unknown gentleman faintly visible
In the background He took dozen pictures,
such would ordinarily cost three dollars and had
| a bill made out for them the specification
ofcharge being $40 dozen spirit photographs, ten
dollarsn The remainder OF the affidavit altogether
| fOOlScap.
contained detailed statement OF Mr. ToOkers visits
10 10 the photographic gallery OF Mr.. lockwood No.
$50 Broadway and having precisely similar photo.
graph taken which was not the result OF any spiritual
Or supernatural agency. and so distinctly avowed.
tended spirit photographs are only 'tne result Of
ordinary scientific and chemical means" he charges
William H. Mumer and Mr.. W. Silver. alas William
Gray. with having by false pretence defrauded and
cheated him out OF the sum OF ten dollars lawful
money OF the United States.
J.. V. Hickey, In an aiidavit covering seven pages
recltes the details Of his investigations In the
MS atlenton was nrsI called 10 the matter al a
meeting oi the scientific branch OF the American Inst-
TUE. lie Accordingly repaired to Mr.. Numbers place.
No; S3o Broadway. lie met there several gentlemen
and ladies, SOME OF whom showed likenesses they
| had nad taken with pretended spirit lkenesses on
the same. some would not part with these ukenesses
Tor $1,000. An elderly man was particularly Jealous
ON the subject He aid not have his picture taken
| The parties became. suspicious Of him. He stated
further that he had been informed prior TO his visit
that Mumer had practised similar deceptions In Bos-
ton until he could no longer remain there. lie felt
his duty 10 expose the aiair and therefore, called
on Mayor Hall, who referred MN 10 Marshal Tooker
lie charges Mumler with containing money by fa se
pretence or by trick and device" and asks that he
| he dealt with according to law
Oscar @. Mason, IN his atiidavit, states that he IL
secretary OF the photographical section the Amer
can Institute and for twenty years has been theo.
reticaly and practically connected with the photo.
graphic business. lie had examined the Photographic
nkenesses OF Mr.. TOoker with the alleged spirt face
| on them. such pictures, he stated could be pro-
| duced by several processes In use by the
profession. lie pronounces these pretended spiri,
| photographs az impost0ns, and gives IT az ''his
| opinion that such evil and wicked disposed persons
| should be dealt with az by law provided"
| Mr.. Charles v. Boyle, a practical photographer
| confirms the allegations OF Mr. Mason