The New York herald., 1869-04-13
SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHS.
The Mayors Marshal After Two Spirit Photo
eraphers-Their Arrest and Arrnignment at

The Mayors Marshal After Two Spirit Photo
graphers-Their Arrest and Arrangement mt
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. Mumer and W. II. Silver, alleged
spirit photographers, at No. $50 Broadway,
rested charge OF perpetrating gross deception
and swindle upon the pubic. The preliminaries OF
the arrest are best told in the adavits made against
the accused. Being unusual samples of wonderful
diruseness in the matter Of words give below
only their substance, but omting no material facts.
The first affdavit is that OF Marshal Joseph ii.
Tooker, of the Mayors Office. He states that upon
complaint of Mr. P. V. Hickey that q gross impos
ton was being practsed at the place named above,
and money obtained under the pretence OF giving
spirit photographs he proceeded to inves-
tiSate the matter. On the 10th of last
March he went to the photograph gallery
referred to and inquired for Mr.. Silver, the
alleged proprietor. gentleman giving this as
his name announced himself. The Marshal stated
that '.he was sceptical believing that the like
nesses OF deceased persons could be produced by
Photographic process on cards with living sub
jectsn ne asked "if 1t possible such likenesses
could be producedSn Mr.. Silver said that ''Mr
Mumler an operator and medium up stairs IA part
OF the premises o. This said Silver) actually pro-
duced such hkenesses by spiritual means.n 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 no object but that the price was so
fixed because the spirits did not like throng and
| that TO exclude the vulgar multitude the price was
| fixed at so high q raten and Silver also recitIng a
multitude OF Instances OF their being taken and the
high value placed on 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-aw. This could
not be promised, but that of tue person nearest in
| nv Nxtfh tha of inlA Of tak nn
the picture" The Marshal wanted to know il spirit
likeness would be guaranteed. Mr. Silver said there
was sometimes failure, but "deponent looked like
person who would be successful In the operation.
First a deposit OF five dollars was demanded. but
| this was finally reduced to two dollars. Meantime
lady, who had been moving mystertonsly about, the
| moment the money was paid left the room and
went up stairs. Pretty soon he was shown mp
spirit photographed, Mumer. This Mr.. Mum.
and that no other person could take such wonderful
pictures, and tnat he Mumler challenged the scept
cal world to produce similar miraculous produc-
| tons.n The conversation was kept up for some
| time. The Marshal was asked II he understood the
Photographic art, and on answering that he did not,
he was taken into dark room, where Mr.. Mumler
pretended to demonstrate to deponent the truthful
ness Of M asserted wonderful power to produce
| a fair picture OF himself aud also on 1t faint
outline OF a mans face" Mr.. Tooker, who, by the
If he recognizedr the likeness Mr. Tooker failed to
recognize the face. Mr.. Munler directed him to
think f the matter seriously and he would to
recognize the face as that OF some relative friend"
Mr.. Mumler enlarged on this point OF recognition.
They had produced surprising effects" Ladies had
| paInted,n &C. Mr.. Tooker was TO call next dav
| Tor his pictures. lie did call next day. paid the
balance OF the ten dollars, and received his pic
| lures, with the unknown gentleman family visible
| In the background. He took dozen pictures,
such as would ordinarily cost three dollars and had
| bill made out for them, the specification
OF charge being 'ro one dozen spirit photographs ten
dollars" The remainder OF the affidavit, altogether
covering eleven closely written pages OF fooscap.
"a lipI sfa nf Mr
| TO the Photographic gallery OF Mr. lockwood No.
sSs Broadway. and having precisely similar pheto.
graph taken which was not the result OF any spiritual
| or supernatural agency and so distinctly avowed.
Having therefore satisfied himself that these pre-.
| Tended spirit photographs are only 'tne result OF
ordinary scientific aud chemical means, he charges
William u. Nutnler aud Mr.. W. silver alias william
| GRAY, win having by false pretence defrauded and
| cheated him out OF the sum Of ten dollars lawful
| money OF the United States.
| y. V. Hickey, In an affidavit covering seven pages
recltes the details Of his investigations In the ease
| HIS attention was nrst called TO the matter at a
meeting Of the scientific branch OF the American lnsti
TUE lie accordingly repaired to Mr.. Numbers place.
| No. $50 BroddWay. lie met there several gentlemen
and ladies, SOME OF whom showed likenesses they
| had nad taken with pretended spirit likenesses
the same some would not part with these ukenesses
for $1,000 An elderly man was particularly Jealous
on the subject. He did not have his picture taken
| The parties became suspicious OF him He stated
further that he had been informed PRIOR to his visit
that Mumler had praclised similar deceptons In Hos
ton until he could no longer remain there lie felt
II his duty 10 expose the affair and therefore, called
on Mayor HAL who referred nm TO Marshal Tooker.
pretence or by trick and devicen and asks that he
| be dealt with according to law.
Oscar @. Mason, In his aiidavit, states that he Is
secretary OF the Photographed section OF the Aer
can Institute, and for twenty years has been tbeo-
| fetcay and practically connected with the photo.
graphic business. lie had examined the photoQraphc
kenesses OF Mr. Tooker with the alleged spirit face
| on them. such pictures, he stated could be pro-
| duced by several processes In use by tbe
| profession. lie pronounces these pretended spirit
| photographs az impositions and gives IT as ''his
opinion that such evil and wicked disposed persons
| should be dealt with az by law providedp
| Mr.. Charles w. Boyle, practical photographer,
| confirms the allegations OF Mr.. Mason.
"What have you gOL to say ~ these ch arpcs In.