Los Angeles daily herald., 1874-09-13
the DEAD LNETH-SPIRlTuAL NANTES.
TATi0NS.
[Kirksville mo. Journal. !

lkirksville MO- Journal.l
EDITOR JOURNAL: For some months
past articles have appeared from time
to time in the public prints in regard
tu some mysterious and startling man
ifestations of spirit power (so-called)
represented as occurring in the pres
ence of one j. III. Mott, citizen of
Memphis, Scotland county, Mo.
Desiring to test the matter, party
was formed to visit Memphis. This
party consisted of myself and wife,
John Bernard, Henry Ivie, George
Fletcher, John Gill and daughter-all
or nearly all well known in this city
and old residents of the county. After
II pleasant days drive we arrived
at Memphis on Friday evening.
Elder TheObold Miller having an ap-
pOintment at Bible Grove for Sunday.
and knowing that we were on the
trip and its purpose, joined us at Mem
phis. E%f NMt
We found the residence ofMr. Mott,
an unpretentiOus cottage in the sub
urbs, where we were made welcome
by himself and wife. Mr.. Mott is
man of medium height, dark hair,
rather light build, andis about thirty
years of age. His family consists of
awife and one child; is we'll connected,
generally respected by his fellow
tOwnsmen, and very quiet and unas-
Stunning in his appearance.
shal not occupy your time with a
detailed or circumstantial report of
the two seances attended by our party,
as it would require too much of your
, AboutS o'clock, after having locked
searched the cabinet, which Is merely
the hall or entry opening into the sit
ting room, and thoroughly satisfying
ourselves that everything was right,
the temporary door was hung between
the entry and the sitting-room. This
door, at the height of about five feet
and half, contained an aperture or
opening probably twelve inches in
height and nearly the width of the
door. Over this aperture was hung
curtain, to keep out the light. The
hall or cabinet contained hat-rack, Il
chair bell and common stand, on
which lay common bouquet and a
few sheets of note paper, also child's
drum.
A half circle, composed Of our party,
Mrs. Mott and another lady, was then
formed, facing the cabinet door; the
lamp was turned little down and
placed in position to shine diagon-
ally on the opening. The medium
took seat in the cabinet and the
door was closed. Hands were Joined,
and the circle united in singing. In
q few moments n bell was rung, then
the drum was beaten in time with the
music. So far, nothing startling. Is
this all we felt like saying But
hush--as the singing proceeds the cur
tains part, and face appears. Mrs.
Mott, being next the opening, stands
up and says, i" Good. evening, Cen
eral.n Then she introduced the face
to each In turn as Gen. Bledsoe, for
merly of the Confederate Army. Then
Others, purporting to be the " band
that controls the manifestations, pre-
sented themselves: Is this to be all? ?
"Sing," comes in q whisper from the
mysterious curtain. We sing, when
another face presents itself Mrs. NJ.
asks, who is it ? "Dennis." Who do
you wish to see Billy" We are
the only Billy we know of in the cir
Gle. We step to the aperture, the cur
tain opens, and there stands, as we
knew him in the flesh, our friend,
JOSEPH p. DENNIS,
whose form we followed to the tomb
many years ago. The same peculiar
features, the same hair and whiskers,
the same expression, all complete.
My God, can this be cheat and a de-
lusien. But he speaks in a whisper,
vet plain and distinct at times, at
others drowned by the singing. (
"Biily, thank God for this. am
80 glad to meet you and the friends
here.l' gsFrE gao GF..sfF
Old friends are remembered, circum-
stances mentioned, and tests given,
tillwe are compelled to explain, this
Is truly my friend, who was dead, yet
liveth. We step back and let others
approach. Each is greeted, each rec
ogniZe him. To my wife; Gamma you
was good friend.p To John Ber-
nard, "I remember you; we were
slightly acquainted" to Henry Ivie,
"How is Joe,"-tand your mother,
she was almost mother to me: be
good boy, Henry. Before l died
/ saw my mother and the spirits
around my bed, but they thought my
mind wandering when said so-but
it was true. 1 will come to you again;
good bye" 40 T2aa T, .Ll
Next time the curtain opened the
name of Thomas was announced, and
the writer again asked for. We
looked, and there was our old school
mate,
IRA THOMAS 4 - s s
plain and distinct, in full form, from
head to foot clothed as we had often
seen him, A message was given for
his father and mother, circumstances
mentioned, etc. Each one in the cir
Gle saw him, and Mr.. Fletcher, also
an old acquaintance, fully satisfied of
his identity. Writing without notes
we cannot give the order in which the
spirit friends appeared but only the
fact. A spirit asked for Theodold;
Elder Miller found 1t to be his mother,
and conversed with her lovingly and
reverently. Then q daughter and a
sister came, and with loving fingers
patted his cheek and smoothed his