Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-05-09
The spirlt Photegrapher.

has pttu uASChdt SCN " y NSN.S0
after a protracted trial. The proof
against him amounted to nothing, since
it failed to show that he had used any
trick or artifce to pfodueeSehe ghost
pictures. True, it was shown how such
effects can be produced in various ways,
without spiritual agencies how it may
be done BY manipulatiOns of the plates,
and by mechanical eontrivances in the
camera itself, but it was not shown that
Mumler had resorted to any Of these
means. 1t was once thought he had
been caught when an expert testified
how mechanical contrivance might be IN
trodueed into the operation so ingenious
ly almost to defy detection; but as
Mumler remarked to the court on his
discharge, the best evidence of mechan-
ieal agency that could have been offered
would have been his own camera with
which he has operated so many years.
Why, indeed, were not his instruments
seized and subjected to examination In
court? 1t does not follow, however, be-
cause Mumler's process has not been
detected, that it is what he pretends it
to be, though he most solemnly stated
that he had no part in producing the
apparitions seen in his photographs,
other than he had in taking the picture
of living person. His statement to
the court, in detailing how it happened
that he became spiritual photographer,
contains some nassapes sufficiently inter-
esting to be reproduced. He said:
4" In 1861, in the city Of Boston,
while engaged in business as an en-
graver, was in the habit of visiting
young man who was employed in a
Photographic gallery kept by Mrs.
Stewart. on Washington street.
Occasionally 1 would experiment with
the instrument and chemicals. One
Sunday, while entirely alone in the
gallery, I attempted to get picture of
myself; and thea it was that l first
discovered, while developing it, that a
second form appeared on the plate; at
this time l had never heard of spirit
pictures, although l had been somewhat
interested in the doctrine of spiritualism;
at first | labored under what is now the
general impression, that the plate upon
which the picture was taken could not
have been clean, and that the form
which showed itself beside my own must
have been left on the glass, and | so
stated to my employer and others j;
subsequent attempts, however, made
under circumstances which preclude
such a possibility, have confirmed me
in the belief that. the power by which
these forms are produced is beyond
human control, and the experts that
have been called by the people have
failed to produce a picture made in that
manner.
" | wish to state that at the time |
developed the shadow or form above
alluded to, was a complete novice in
the art of photography, and had no
experience whatever in the composition
of chemicals used in the business; and
that my use Of them in my experiments
at that time was simply in conformity
with what | had seen my friend do,
while himself engaged in his business.
After getting the form on the plate, at
the Suggestion Of several friends to
whom l showed the plates l made other
attempts, and generally with most re-
markable results. l then determined to
leave my own business and devote my
self to photography.
Before laM the subject of spirit
photography, and particularly ny sue
cess, became the theme of every tongue,
and was overrun with people of in
auiring minds, and obliged to go over
and over agaia, for their pleasure, the
routine of taking and developing the
pictures for long time never refused
any person who came to investigate it
soon became apparent, however, that |
must either stop it or cease to sup
port myself, for, as a general thing,
these sarans, while greedy them
selves for intellectual food, seemed an
tirely oblivious to the fact that myself
vas material body. Laughter.
However, ! can truly say that l
have never refused Intentionally any
person who desired to have a picture
taken from making every examination
or inquiry they chose to make; and
had | been allowed in this examination
TO have produced evidence from abroad,
| could have shown by scientific Dep,
whose names would have satisfied every
enc. that the most careful and minute
examinations have often been made into
all the details of my business while !
have been engaged in taking pictures.
/ solsunly assert that l have now put
comparatively little knoRledge of photo
graphy, OF chemicals, or science Of any
Kind. further than is absolutely. needed
to take ordinary photographic Pictures,
off had been engaged in such nef9r-
ious proceedings as | am charged with,
the implements themselves would have
been the strongest evidence against me
They were not touched. They have
stood ever since in the position they
always occupied in my gallery, and fol
the safety of others who may hereafter
be called to occupy my place in court
of Justice, l sincerely hope that such
/ nroeec l;no,s NAV cease