Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-09-08
ICE eAvENpoRTs ouTooNE.
brilliant Expose OF Modern Hnmbux.
Eery by Professor VanVIeek, a Louis.

number OF prominent S~piritualists wers
among the number, and not a few were
"scofing unbelievers," who were drawn
thither by idle curiosity.
THE APPARATUS.
The apparatus for the promised expose
was far from elaborate. At the rear Of
the rcstrum two solid wooden doors were
placed edgewise against the wall ct q dis
lance of six feet from each other. Across
the front a green bsizs curtain was
stretched, thus forming = cabinet similar
to the one used by the Davenports, save
that It was simpler, and certainly con
tanned no concealed workings. The cur
tain across the front Wss made fast st one
side, and the other was so arranged that
the curtain could be loWeredin an instant,
A common breakfast table, a small stand
table, concertina, tsmbOrin, s small bell,
a dilspidated guitar, and two pieces OF
rope completed the outfit.
THE PRELIMINARIE5.
The audience selected Mi. D. T. Bligh,
Mr.. I. @ Tracie and Mr.. Adams as the
committee to watch his movements, and
report if everything was done on the
square,. The Professor then gave a brief
sketch of his career in the detective bust
ness. he stated that the so-cslled medi-
ums were humbugs, and he could execute
or explain upon other Ghsn q spiritual
theory every feat that they could accom-
plish. Ia order to do this, IL W6s ueces-
sary to have certain conditions, as all me-
diums required them. He would at first
perform the fests in the same manner as
the mediums, and would then perform
them in the sight of the audience, and ex-
plain how they were done.
TaE ELLIS GIRL.
Professor V. stated that a celebrated
medium known as the Ellis girl, was
travelling with her father in England, and
who sstOunded every body By her won
derful performances.
Mr.. Bligh then proceeded to tie the
hands of the Professor behind him. The
Professor took g seat in the cabinet, and
his hands were tied to a staple in the
wall, q band of cloth WRs placed around
his neck and the ends fastened to another
staple. The curtain was drawn across.
and IN an instant two or three iustru-
msnts were heard playing and moving
about. At the word the curtain was
dropped, and the Professor was apparent
ly securely tied, and in the same position.
A piece of cloth was laid loosely about
his neck, and in 8 second or two, when
the curtain was dropped. it was tied in
two knots closely about his neck. a cup
filled with water YVES placed in the tSmbO-
riue, and the curtain drawn, and in q lit
tie while nearly all the water had dissp-
pesred, not q drop having been spilled on
the tsmborins. A ring was placed on his
knee, and transferred TO his mouth in q
tWinkling. The committee were non
plUssed. He wss apparently in an almost
immOysble condition. Yet these strange
things were done, II it was not spirits
what was it2 EHked - Professor, and
then proceeded to show very c~ouclusivsly
that il was not spirits. He showed that
by q dextrous movement Of his shoulders
he could have one of his hspds free to use,
and with that and his teeth the wonder
full things were done. The exposition was
loudly ~spplsudad, and faith IN spirits was
psrceptibly weakened,
THE DAvENPoRTs.
The Professor then produced two pieces
OF rope and went In 10 the cabinet and
called for his familiar spirit, Johnnie, to tie
him; in ashOrt time the COMMITTEES report
ed him to be bound hand and foot. the
curtain was drawn, and in az instant two
or three instruments were playing and
were shown over the top OF the curtain.
spirit" hands we're also exhibited. At
the word the curtain was dropped and
there he was apparently as tightly bound
as before. The curtain was started again,
and IN a few moments he was found with
ali the instruments balanced on his head.
The explanation Of the trick was as
as the Othsr. What appears to be
a square knot WIS not 8 square not. A
half turn of the hands, and the right q
co1ld be slipped out of the loop, and re-
placed in an Instant. The bell and tam
BOURNE were taken in one hand and
upon his knees, while with the
other he played the concertina or guitar.
The spirit hands were bis own, moved
5remulously above the curtain. To illus
- t.
place his hands in the rope, he asked Mr..
Bligh to stand in front of him, and when
upon the back to turn and detect
Il possible. The experiment was a COM
Dlete success, and created great smuse-
nsnts The character and manner of
iorming the knots were fully illustrated.
One of the strongest tests OF the Dsyen-
Dorts,Nhe said, was the placing of a promi-
person in the cabinet with the psr-
ormers, and he showed how the wonders 1
te performed without detection |
)ne experiment was very amusing. Mr..
3ligh sat facing snd touching the
medium" in full view of the audience. |
Tracie sat on the left. Mr.. Bligh
)lsced one hand upon the head of the me-
and the other upon Mr.. Trscis's
lead. Mr.. Trscie placed his hands upon
ne of Mr.. Bligh's arms, and the Professor
placed his hands upon the other arm. Mr..
3ligh was then blindfOlded, and asked to
Immediately the moment tbs medi-
I'M changed his position. The pro-
sssor then took q hand from Blgh's
nm, pulled his ears, tapped him on the
cad with the guitar, and replaced his
Bligh, when the bandsge was re-
moved, stated positively that he had not
the slightest movement of the
medium" Tarcie was a little skeptical,
the medium placed him In the posi-
ion that Mr.. Bligh had been in. He was
Did to simply close his Dyes, and tell the
the hand was removed. The sx-
ertment was, If possible, more successful
han in the other case, and Mr.. Trscie was
ompelled to acknowledge the corn.
Another trick which the Professor had
upon a celebrated medium was sx-
lsined. He stood by the side of g person
rho had his hands crossed upon his breast.
ne Of the Professors hands was laid up
n the head of the person and the other
pom the crossed hands. While waiting
n q manifestation, he removed the hand
'om the head, ostensibly for the purpose
{ arranging the crossed hands, and in
cad of placing it sgsin upon the head,
I'D his cheek In its place, leaving his hand
'ee to play upon instruments, or to pat
be person upon the cheek, or any thing
-se he might choose to do. He also
slated how be WIS nearly caught by lay
IL his unshsven cheek upon the bald
ate Of an old gent, bat instead of being
stected the delighted individual mlstook
le prioking OF the beard for electrical cur.
snts.
SLATE WRITING.
The Professor then said be would give
illustration of this species of humbug,
ter b manner Of DR.. Shade, the origi-
writing medium, after which he would !
-obably come nearer home. He had, he ]
I'D, no prejudices against any of the per- I
ms. and would be convinced, If it could 4
/, done by any of The mediums. A slate
as produced, snd the Professor bit of I
10 point of 8 pencil and laid Il upon {
10 slate. The latter was held under the {
with one hand, and in a short time {
exhibited 1t with writing upon it. He I
ien explsined that the table was an ordi- I
ny breakfast table, and that the slate
as placed In the Stat in which the sup
vi of the leaf fitted when the leaves of l
g table we're lowered, and the Doctors l
md was free to WIite what he pleased. Y
professor stated hat none of the I
hsd ever answered SATISFACTORY 5
" a test question. 3
MRS. KBIGwIN. :
The Professor then proceeded TO Illus y
the slate whiting of a medium near C
home. Everybody knew VINO was Y
can't, and quite a AuEter was created in t
Q audience. he produced the writing
a few moments, when an excited gem 9
man "a s~pirituslist) stepped upon the fl
snd said that Mrs. Keigwin's writ G
z was upside down from her, and de- b
that test. The Professor imme-
stely complied. He can write rapidly Z
side down and backward at the same @
ne. This fest elected loud applause. Il
At this j%uncture Mr.. Eph. Keigwin, the ID
sbsnd Of the lady, refused to step upon a
. stage, and asked the privilege of MAX n
! a few remarks after the close of the Of
.ofesscr's performance. His request 81
s immediately granted, and hs retired Il
q front seat. The Professor explained
At when a question wss written for te
IS. Ksigwin TO answer, she drew the Of
10 from under the cloth and read the fs
and that she was seated in g CT
v chair and held the slate IN position Il