New-York tribune., 1869-04-17
THE SP1RITUALIST PHOTOGRAPH sw1NDLE.

THE SPIRITUALlST PHOTOGRAPH oWlNDlE'
EXAMINATION AT THE 1oMBs.
Yesterday was the day set down by justice
Bowling for tho examination in the case OF WIN. IL
Mumler tho photographer of No go Broadway an ac-
count OF whose arrest charge OF fraud in producing
and selling socalled spirltuast photographs has been
given in THE TRIBUNE. The arrest has created great
deal of excitement spualistic circles and the exan
inatOn crowded with spectators, among whOm
were witnesses defense from the cities OF Albany
Boston, Buffalo. Poughkeepso, and Wateryle Alfred II
Baker and Albert Day appeared as counsel for the
defense Justice Bowling announced that as the case
was one OF considerable Importance and the complaint
had come from an attache OF the Mayors ofco Mayor
Hail had signfed his wish to be present. and conduct
the case the prosecution but unfortunately Friday
was very busy day with him. and he therefore requested
an adjournment. ExJudge EdmOnds, well-known
spirtualist stated that he appeared as witness lie
would say however, that this arrest was great hard
shin for his friend the prisoner. The counsel
for tho defense had prepared an argument
and would endeavor to show that great
Injustice had been done Mr. Mumer by the press OF the
city, In their accounts OF his arrest The magistrate
anay consented TO proceed with tho examination
Counsel FOR the defense said that they proposed to show
that no trick fraud had been practced In the produc
ton Of these spruast photographs tthat In fact they
were produced by tho ordinary method. and the ap-
pearanee OF the spirits not subject to the control OF
the operator The process had been carefully scrntl
niZed by experts and scientific men on many occasons
and no fraud had been detected. BY fair,
open means, the likeness Of spirit had
been produced on glass or plate. beside
the image Of the sitter and some Of these spiritual Ike
nesses had been identified by those relatives
who had passed from this life This has been the case
oftenmes when picture OF the deceased person was
in existence. II is IL or IL years since tho produo
ton OF these spirit pictures first commenced In Bos-
ton and since that time the matter has been often inves
gated there, and in Buffalo, Waterville, Poughkeepsie
and sewherc, but had yet been able TO prove
that the process was fraud Various attempts had been
mado TO initiate these pictures, and some photo
graphers claim that they have produced fac SimRe
but on comparing these with tho spirit pictures there was
a marked difference plainly Visible to the eyo OF
pert accused does not know, does lie pretend
TO know by what power process these spirit pictures
arc produced. lie las many occasions solicited and
obtained closest scrutiny OF men capable than
no OF understanding tho he is now and at all
times ready and willing to have hs work watched In
the most critical Manner and TO that end he Invites an
investigation by delegation OF tho most expert
aud experienced photographers IN the city, and
pledges himself to afford tho fullest oppor-
uuity for such investigation There are many intel-
gent men and who, after careful investigation,
are believers that tho pictures really kenesses
of the spirits the departed and that the taking OF such
pictures in photography an art stiI in its
infancy.
When the for the defense closed tho magistrate
announced would adjourn the investigation until
the 2Gt inst OF the witnesses for the defense stated
that he intended TO sail for Texas that day, and the
adjournment was accordingly changed to Wednesday
next