The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-11-11
TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM.
Maslmeric Power.
(Fro1n the Springfield Rel ubl can ]


A shoemaker named Downs. living in Lew
istown, Me, is endowed with mesmeric.
power which is singular in that its influence
does not depend solely on his yolition, but
sometimes independently, not only Of his
will but even of his knowledge, while usually
mesmersts must exert conscious direction
over their subject. A recent example Of this
seeming interpositioa of a power behind,
merely working through his physical organ
ism, began in his carelessly throwing his
arms around the neck of his friend and old
army comrade, Charles Woodward, sole
manufacturer Of Auburn, jus. across the riv-
er from Lewistown. He thought nothing of
| it, and shortly left the shop. This. was on
| Thursday afternoon, and from that time till
Saturday, Woodward was not himself in any
respect, nor has he now any remembrance Of
the occurrences of that time. Leaving his
natural character of quiet sobriety, he de-
ported himself like reckless rowdy, danced
and sung inhis shop, staid from, his lodgings
till halfpsst two o'clock on Friday morning,
and when found by the man at whose house
he boarded, Edwin Blake, he was at q low
dance, and disgracefully boisterous. pr bas
Blake got him home after stoutresistance
on his part, but he continued III hysteric
state during the night, and told all Rlake's
family secrets to those who came to see him,
though he could not have known one of them
in his natural condition. At last a physician
was summoned, who thought it was hysteria
It was recommended that he be rubbed in
strong mustard water :, While Mr.. Blake was
doing this, suddenly Woodward came to his
senses, while Blake was instantly attacked by
nervous tremor, his muscles contracted his
body writhed, ard soon it became evident
that he was himself unconscious, -o..1
The demoniac possession had left Wood
ward, and Blake was now the victim, and
very much worse off than Woodward had
beer. He showed thrice his ordinary
strength, and attacked with damaging effect
pethoric physician who was summoned
He would dance and sing, and cut up all
sorts of antics Nobody could do anything
with him, for he seemed to see beforehand
the intention of those around him.. Conse-
quently it was determined to invoke the
cause of all this mischief to undo it. Downs
was found to be in Gardiner, and accordingly
on Sunday, Blake was secured in a carriage,
taken thither, and no sooner had Downs
placed his hands upon the mailman than his
muscles relaxed and his mind cleared. and he
was much amazed to find where he was, Eas
his last recollection vas rubbing Woodward
in his own house. l'FtS
Then Downs said he had been nervousfy
uneasy ever since he lett Auburn, and had a
queer feeling that he was needed theres
though he had no idea that he had mesner-
lied any one, aud no settled sense of what
demanded his presence. Woodward states
that in the army he was once sent through
two picket lines and while under the control
of Downs, and that Downs at that time was
notorious for his magnetic powers, keeping
people for days under his control. Downs
and Woodward are warranted respectable,
and Blake is vouched for as reliable CHS
tian by the Lewistown journal, and there is
no doubt about these faoa. 1t is lucky for
Downs that he didn't live in the witch muir
dering times i- ~ sa