Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1871-03-22

The Davenport Brothers Exposed
I Knoxville COTrespondence Chattanooga
Times.)
Hoxie's Hall was filed to overflow
ing. At the proper time Mr.. Fay. one
Of the performers, advanced 10 the
front Of the stage with paper con-
] tanning the names Of the committee
and requested them to come forWaru-
Messrs. Bell and LOwery soon made
way through the audience and were
I greeted with tremendous applause as
/ they bowed to the audience. Hopes
were given these men, they exAmln-
ed them thoroughly and then went
at work with a vim to tie the brothers
tight. This being done they explain
ed to the audience how many knots,
ETC., they had made, and, In their
opinion, all was satisfactory. The
cabinet doors were closed by Prof.
Fay, and in eighteen seconds sounds
/ from a violin, guitar and tambCurine
were heard distinctly by the audience
as coming from the cabinet. The
doors were opened by the Professor,
and the committee, after an examine
tiOn, found the ropes and knots the
same as they had tied. While clos
ing the door, Mr.. Bell was struck on
the shoulder with some unknown OBJ
jeet, but Mr.. Lowery saw it and in
stantly went to Mr.. Bells side, and
whispered to Mr.. Bell, who began to
go through the. same motion. Out
came the object. Mr.. LOWery sprang
like a cat and seized the hand, and
wrenehed it carefully of, throwing it
in the audience. Upon examination
it was found 10 be a paper masked
hand, as thin as writing paper, and
fittingsO closely in the cabinet that il
was impossible to observe it. Itwas
worked by wire, perfectly at the viii
of the operators. Cheer upon cheer
was given for the committee. The
brothers were raging with madness,
but constant calls from the audience
convinced them that they must either
play or pay, and accordingly the eabi-
net was thrOYR aside and the dark
seanse was announced. The profess
or stated beforehand if any tricks
were attempted he would not proceed
with the entertainment. A table was
brought forward and several musical
/ instruments laid upon it and the pro-
| fessOr and one Of the brothers were
| tied, quantity Of phosphorus was
/ rubbed on a guitar and the lights were
extinguished. Total darkness reign
ed. Presently sweet chords came
from the guitar and the phosphorus
was seen running here and there in
/ the air. All believed the guitar sail
/ ing here and there-they might catch
the cabinet trick, but the dark scene
was a sumner. While the supposed
guitar was swinging in the air, one OF
I the audience named Brooks, pulled
/ from under his coat a dark lantern OF
| immense power, which he instantly
shot on the flying guitar, and to all
present. it appeared nothing, only
one Of the attaches OF the show held
a pole six feet long, on the end was
nailed a small piece of flour barrel
heading. The guitar was laying on
the table in the same position, only
the phosphorus was not on it. To de-
scribe the scene that followed would
be folly. Mr.. Bell then stated that
their cabinet tricks were done by SIM
ply bringing their tied hands over
their head, and then they were al
most free to ring bells, blow horns,
etc. We don't think the Brothers
will book this city on their next
route.