The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1871-03-23
The DaYenpOrtS Done.
EXPOSURE OF THE MYSTERIOUS HAND AND
THE DARK SEANCE.

Our readers remember the VISIT OF the
Davenports and Professor Fay. A cor
respondent of the Selma Times, writing
from Knoxville, gives the following ex
pose of their transactions
How many of your readers have moi
seen or heard of the magical feats of this
band of brothers. That they are perfec.
tiOn in their business none will deny. That
we have in our city few sharp men all
will see from the following: Last Satur-
day night several young men met in law
office on Gay street, organized and tians-
acted such business as came before the
board. The meeting was called for the
purpose Of procuring two Of their number
to act as the committee Monday night.
Accordingly the brothers came in town,
filled the entire city with their singular
posters, and all went as merry as marri-
age bell. At night large attendance
greeted the brothers. HOxie's hall was
filed to overAowing. At the proper time,
Mr.. Fay, one of the performers, advanced
to the front Of the stage with a paper con-
tanning the names Of the committee, and
requested them to come forward. MesSrs.
Bell and Lowery soon made their way
through the audience, and we're greeted
with tremendous applause as they bowed
to the audience. Ropes were given to
these men they examined them thorough
ly, and then went ut their work with
vim to tie the brothers tight. This being
done, they explained to the audience how
many knots, &c., they had made, and, in
their opinion, all was satisfactory. The
cabinet doors were closed by Professor
Fay, and in eighteen seconds, sounds from
violin, guitar and tambOurine were heard
distinctly by the audience as coming from
the cabinet. The doors were opened by
the Professor, and the committee, after an
examination, found the rope and knots
still united While closing the door Mr..
Bell was struck on the shoulder with some
unknown object, but Mr.. Lowcry saw it
and instantly went to Mr.. Bells side,
whispered to Mr.. Bell, who began to 60
through the same motion. Out came the
object. Mr.. Lowery sprang like cat and
seized the hand, and wrenched it carefully
of, throwing it to the audience. Upon
examination it was found to be paper
masked hand, as thin as writing paper,
and fitting so closely in the cabinet that it
was impossible to observe it. 1t was
worked by wire, perfectly at the will of the
operator. Cheers upon cheers were given
for the committee. The brothers were
raging with madness, but constant calls |
from the audience convinced them that
they must play or pay, and accordingly the
cabinet was thrown aside and the dark |
seance was announced. The professor
stated beforehand, if any tricks were at
tempted he would not proceed with the
A table was brought for
ward and several musical instruments laid
upon it, and the professor and one of the
brothers were tied, quantity of phospho-
rus was rubbed on guitar, and the lights
we're distinguished. Total darkness reign
ed. Presently sweet sounds came from
the guitar, and the phosphorus was seen
running herc and there in the air. All
present were thurdey-struck. All be-
ieycd the guitar sailing here and there
they might catch the cabinet trick.
While the supposed guitar was swinging
IN the air, one Of the audience, named
Brooks, pulled from under his coat dark
lantern Of intense power, which he in
'tantIy shot on the flying guitar, and to all
present it appeared nothing, only one of
he attaches of the show held poll six
feet long, on the end was nailed a small
piece of -four barrel heading, and phos-
1horus on tho heading. The guitar was
aging on the table in the same position,
,nIy the phosphorus was not on it. TO
describe the scene that followed would be
oily. Mr.. Bell then stated that their
cabinet tricks were done by simply bring
ng their tied hands over their heads, and
hen they were almost free to ring bells,
hrOw horns, &C., &c. We don't think the
'rothers will seek this city on their next
cute. ..r..