Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-03-25
MYSTERIOUS.
Extraordinary Feat by the Da-
VenpOrt Brothers.
The Spirits or the Devil in New
York.

FROM the New orlS Tribune March 10
The Davenport brothers, accompanied
by Mr.. Fay, made their first appearance
in this city since their return from
Europe last night at Steinwsy Hall, and
were welcomed by q gathering which
nearly filed the hall. The fret part Of
their exhibition took place in the large
hall, and was described as "Cabinet
Ssanee." The former was witnessed by
an audience that more than filled the
lower part of the large hall. The latter,
which was an extra affair, succeeding
the regular performance, was witnessed
by about two hJndred persons. Both
parts of the exhibition presented siDgu-
lar features, and the whole was interest,"
ing. The Cabinet Seance consisted Of an
elaborate AlystiacatiOn, created by the
close confinement OF the Brothers Da-
venport within a sort Of wardrobe, which
Immediately became the scene of viO-
lent commOtion and discord, which,
however produced, was not, to az APP
pearancss,' produced by the physical
agency Of the Davenports. The per-
formers were bound hand and foot and
tied to seats, Within the cabinet, at lsast
six feet apaFt-the cabinet being raised
nearly two feet from the floor.
The tying was done by three gentle
men selected from the audience, OF whom
the weIl-knoVn Barker FillsDGry was
one; and Mr, Pilsbury, after careful in
spection, declared the performers to be
perfectly well secured. Within the cab
met were placed, in various positions,
violin aud bow, guitar, brass horn, .
taSnborine, and three common hand
bells. The doors were then closed
whereupon there Immediately ensued
SUCH humping, banging twanglng,
iinging and general ~ pus &c very con-
vincingly showed that somebody inside
the box was in high state OF vigor and
activity. When the doors were opened
however, the DaYenports were seen to
| be bound. Being again shut in the mys-
| feriOus concert recommended, and the
| air of Is Rory O'More" was executed
| literally so, il, in justice to musical ears,
we NAV be permitted to remark. At a
later stage of the proceedings, the brass
| horn was hurled forth many times in
| succession while the committee were
k vet in the act of closing the doors. Oace
| Mr.. Pillsbury's head had very narrow
eaespe. Still later, and while the bro
| theirs were yet securely bound, hands
anneared, snd were thrust through an
| aperture in the door Of the cabinet and
| twice q bare arm was thrust forth, al
/ most as mysterious as tnab Wnlcn rose
out CT the lake lin the legendl and took
| King Arthuris sword, This arm and
these hands may have belonged to the
Davenport Brothers. but II they did, the
Dayenport Brothers are the cleverest
| iugglers OF this age, or OF any other age
| in which Juggling has been known.
| Mr.. Parker Pillsbury, and afterWard
another member of the observing COM
mittse, were subsequently bound in the
! cabinet. together with the Davenports,
and the usual instrumental commOtiOn
ensued. Roth gentlemen, upon emerg-
| ing, stated their experience, They had
been touched hy hands, and the musical
instruments had glided all about them,
| while. according to their belief, the Dav-
enport brothers had not moved. Flour
was then placed in the hands Of the per-
formers, who were again shut up and
once more the phenomena was repeated.
Hands were shown st the aperture Of the
door. The horn was hurled out. Bells
were put forth and rung. A bouquet was
offered and was received by one OF the
hands, Yet, when the doors were open
ed the DsvenpOrts were found to be tied
IN precisely in the same way as at first,
and the flour was IN their hands. We
should remark that, once in the course OF
the exhibition, they were left unbound IN
the cabinet for few minutes, during