Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-12-23

could stand near solid walls. He found one or
two houses where the front room would admit of
this arrangement, but Mrs Holmes discovered
some fault with them all, and finally decided up
on the house at 825 North Tenth street.
In the second story front room of this house the
cabinet was placed in such position that it stood
about eighteen inches from boarded up window
which was arranged in such way that with the
sash taken out there was room for person to stand
between the boards on the inside and the shutters
on the outside. One of the boards was apparent
ly fastened by screws, but they were only "dum-
miles, In reality it swung on pivots, and was
held in its place by stout button on the inside.
A board in the back of the cabinet was similarly
arranged. Before the seances began Katie King
took her position in the window and fasten her
self in The space between the cabinet and the
wall was then concealed by a door, which at first
glance appeared as part Of the cabinet, table
covered with musical instruments was showed up
against it, and the guests, who were received in a
downstairs room were invited to ascend A dark
seance always opened the entertainment, during
which Katie would descend from her perch, and
making her way into the cabinet. take position
in the corner, where she could not be seen when
the cabinet door was opened. Mr.. Holmes would
then enter the cabinet, and between the two the
usual manifestations were produced.
The numerous faces shown were nothing but
rubber masks, so made that they could be blown
up into different sizes and at the same time pro-
duce different appearances. Mr.. Holmes could
conceal half dozen such faces in his inside peck
et
How long the humbug would have prospered if
the Holmeses and their misguided assistant had
not disagreed, it is impossible to say. "kates
conscience however, soon began to trouble her
greatly when she learned what an effect her per-
formances had created and at lasfeeling that she
could no longer practice the deception, she left
Mrs. Holmes to her own devices. For several
weeks no Katie appeared as the medium" found
it q difficult task to secure young woman similar
in nd fNr In fha frat Hnpfpdpratp
fused with horror. She afterwards related the
circumstance to prominent Spiritualst, and the
consequence has been complete exposure Of the
whole fraud.
Both Robert Dale Owen and DIR. Child feel
deeply Inundated at having been so deceived, and
than that, lending their influence to the sup
port of what is now proved to be a trick, and are
doing all in their power to undo at least part OF
the harm. The doctor has bought from the pub
fishers of his books on 'John and Katie King"
every volume on hand, some $500 worth, and has
ordered its publication TO be discontinued. Holmes
who has been one of the chief actors in the cabi-
net seances, was at one time the editor OF Bap-
fist religious journal in Georgia.
"Katie King" who was forced into this business
by poverty, is much to be pied, for she long felt
the wickedness Of deception on such subject,
and is now suffering all the pangs Of remorse.
Even those whom she has most deceived feel that
the yonng woman Is deserving ef sympathy in
stead of condemnation, and all steadfasty refuse
to divulge her name, giving as reason that the
poor woman has already suffered enough. The
Holmes scances have not yet closed, and the ne
diums still persist in their assertion that they will
yet show "Kate King" under the most strict test
conditions.