The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-08-17
Remarkable Phenomenon--Physicians
NOnplussed.

NOHDluSStNs
The Troy Wing tells the following
strange story:
In the northern suburbs of this city,
q little below the Bulls Head Hotel on
the banks of the Hudson, stands beau
tiful little white cottage owned and oc-
oupied by man named Pierre, by trade
a machinist. His wife, who from birth
has been of an extremely nervous organ
ization, has lately fallen sick, the result,
it is supposed, of over r-exertion and ex-
citement. She complains of pains in the
region of the stomach, but her attending
physician can discover no Inflammation
or other marked symptoms of any spe-
oial disease. She is, as far as can be as
certained by diagnosis, in good health,
yet she lies helpless upon bed, and is
hardly able to lift her hand. Most of
the time she lies in sort of trance, and
seems to be unconscious. Some days
ago, as she continued to grow weak,
while she was in her trance state, re-
markable series of sharp sounds, as of
raps, were heard in the room. These
were repeated, much to the consterna-
ton of her attendants, who did not know
what to do.
These circumstances were narrated to
her husband, who Immediately connect
ed them with spiritual manifestations,
of which he is very decided unbeliever.
In no very amiable mood he entered the
room, after hearing the report, and, seat
ing himself in chair, called on the
spirits in the most emphatic language
to proceed with their humbug. The
spirits, nothing loath, accepted the chal-
lenge, and gave series of persuasive
manifestations that had the effect to 81
lence his imperious demands, and con-
vince him that something was to pay"
In order to test the case, and as the in
valid appeared to be in no immediate
danger, the attending physician con-
sented that a spiritualist medium should
be called upon. A medium of this city
was accordingly introduced into the
room of the invalid, but, although the
raps were repeated, no result could be
arrived at except the medium was of the
opinion, from the raps given in response
to questions, that the spirits, if these
rather uncertain and irresponsible be-
ings were the cause of the disturbances,
were anxious to communicate with the
husband. Mr.. Pierre, however, has been
unable to receive any ineligible infor-
nation from the raps. Meantime the
disturbing noises have continued, and
the neighborhood is very much excited
at the strange proceedings.
Mrs. Pierre is, at this writing, improv-
ing in health, at least she appears to
rest moro and remain conscious for long
er periods, but the exciting phenomena
continue. The craps" are loud and
sharp, and can be heard at the distance
of half block. They are not heard
when strangers are in the room, but
when persons are in position where they
can see into the room and are not OBJ
served, although none but the sick wo-
man is in the room, the raps sometimes
occur, and at such times no movement
of the patient can be observed. The
case is very remarkable, and when taken
in connection with the fact of the
strangeness OF the woman's condition
and the entire absence of any distinct
symptom of disease, it affords food TO,
the most entertaining speculation.