Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-12-14


before. Still there existed with many, If
not with all, secret feeling of uneasi-
ness, and when upon Thursday after
noon of the same week one Of the build
ings did blow up with loud report,
causing severe jar to be felt all over
the factory, it was believed by them that
now the dreadful prediction was about to
be verified and that their H
TINE HAD INDEED COME.
They rushed tumultuously into the
street, and could not be prevailed on to
re-enter the building that day. This
partial fulfillment Of Miss Fowlers pre-
diction gave her o wide reputation in
Bridgeport and vicinity, and visitors
Aocked to her rooms in even greater
numbers than before. Her pleasant
manners and general correctness of de-
pertinent had made her popular at the
hotel where she was boarding, the popu-
lar landlord of which is said to have en-
couraged her to remain, declaring that
il was o shame that she should not be
allowed TO peaceably practice her pro
fession, and that the police had no more
right to drive her away from the town
than they had to Danish him or any
other leading citizen, Encouraged by
this support, and by the notoriety she
had achieved, and unwilling to leave
such productive field as she here found,
the prophecies now retracted her decision
to leave the place, and boldly announced
her determination to remain and let her
opponents do their worst. Not content
with the sensation she had already pro-
duced, she again predicted the destruc-
ton of the obnoxious factory at no dis
tant day. Finding that she was resolved
upon this course, Capt. Rylands, of the
Bridgeport police force, waited upon
Miss Fowler on Friday evening last, and
invited her to accompany him to the
station house. She remained in that un-
comfortable locality but a short time,
however. A young lawyer, one of the
Bridgeport bar, was sent for, who
promptly became surety for the appear
ance of his fair client, and escorted her
back to her hotel The case was set
down for trial upon the next morning,
but was afterward adjourned until Tues
day of the present week, when it was
promptly called, Judge Bullock presid-
ing, and S. b. Sumner, city attorney,
and r. f. DeForest appearing for the
prosecution, and Messrs. Sanford and
Stoddard for the defense.
CROWDS OF INTERESTED SPECTATORS
were present in the court room, among
whom could be seen many of the leading
spiritualists of Bridgeport and vicinity
The defendant, Miss Lottie Fowler, who
is not unprepossessing lady of about
twenty or twenty-five summers, was hand
somely attired in black, and wore gor-
geous set of jewelry. She appeared
quite unabashed at her position, and on
entering the room smiled sweetly upon
his honor the judge, the lawyers, the re-
porters and the audience generally.
When the indictment had been read she
arose, and in a clear voice plead
NOT GUILTY TO THE CHARGE,
and took her seat again. The witnesses
for the prosecution, fourteen in number,
who we're mostly girls employed in the
cartridge factory, all testified to consult
ing Miss Fowler, and to receiving ac-
counts, more or less accurate, of the cir
cumstances ofther previous history, to-
gether with certain predictions in regard
to their future. These oracles were de-
liyered in all cases by the defendant
when in the usual trance or magnetic
sleep, from which, however, she never
failed to awaken in season to collect her
fee before the questioner departed On
behalf of the defence number both of
male and female experts were called, who
testified as to the meaning of the term
clairvoyant," the distinction between a
medium and an astrologer or mere vulgar
fortune-teller, and stated their conviction
that Miss Fowler's pretentions, as a
business and test medium, were well
founded. 1t was shown that the believ-
ers in spiritualism are very respectable
in point of numbers, being estimated at
several millions, while the number of
clairvoyants and mediums in the United
States is not less than fifty thousand |
Many wonderful instances of their power
in healing diseases and in predicting
future events were also adduced. On the |
cross-examination much merrimcnt was
produced in the audience by an account,
rather unwillingly elected from one of
the fraternity, of month he once
passed in
DIGGING FOR CAPTAIN KIDDs TREASURE
upon the sand beach near Stratford
Point, under the direct guidance of the
spirits, which quest, it is needless to say,
did not prove lucrative one. m
Miss Fowler herself was subsequently
placed upon the witness stand, but
nothing material was elected in addition
to what has been already described.
At last reports the testimony had all |
been taken, and the case was being ably |
argued by the opposing counsel. 1t is
understood that leading spiritualists who |
have identified themselves with it hope |
to have the decision against them in the
present instance, in order that the case
may be carried to higher court. They |
say that the question may as well be
thoroughly tested now as at any other
time whether or not they shall be de-
priyed of the right of investigating and
putting into practice the principles Of
this comparatively
NEW AND UNEXPECTED SCIENCE,
1t is argued by them that this case is
an instance of persecution unparalleled
since the days of the famous Salem
witchcraft excitement.
Bail for the defendant if she is con-
victed and funds to any amount that
may be requisite for the purpose will be
forthcoming.
BOLD ROBBERY.