The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-10-14
RUTLAND, VT, Oct.

RUTLAND, VT, Oct. Z.
For nearly a year the newspapers of the
land have contained accounts from different
persons of what they had witnessed in the
shape of spiritual manifestations at the
home of the Eddy family in Chittenden,
in this State Many of the writer's have
been loud in their declarations that the per-
formances there goac through with are the
work of spirits themselves. Fathers and
mothers have claimed to see the spirit forms
of their children. Wives have seen hus-
bands and husbands their wives. Children
have seen their parents and numbers of
people who have gone there with their
faith about half-founded, have come away
strong and steadfast in the belief that the
spirits of those gone before had visited
them while there. SO much has been said
in regard to these manifestations that few
days ago, a Herald reporter, wishing 10
satisfy himself as to the truth or falsity of
these matters, proceeded to the residence
of the family and while there, attended
two seances, and in this communication
proposes to give the result of his nvesti-
cations.
TIE HOUSE
in which this now celebrated family reside
is situated about seven miles from this flour
ishing village, the drive to it being one of
the pleasantest that can be imagined. The
house looks as if it had been built fifty or
sixty years, and stands on an elevation close
to the road around it are many fine maple
trees, which almost shut out the light of
the sun, and as one approaches it and thinks
of the curious sights seen therein, the struc-
ture looks as if it were proper place for
spirits to make their visitations in. On en-
tering the hall we are ushered into sitting
room on the left where we see several of
the believers who are waiting the appointed
time for the seance to begin. While sitting
in this room we casually glanced around
the apartment and into others connected
with it, The room is furnished in the very
cheapest manner, wood chairs, cracked
stove, in which, as the night was chilly, a
fire was vainly trying to burn.
THE ATMOSPHERE WAS FAIRLY sTIFLING,
several of the males being engaged in smok-
ing, and very poor tobacco at that Back
of this sitting room is the dining room in
which the boarders take their meals, and a
glance at that is sufficient fol- u.s. The ia
bles are of common planed boards, no ta-
BILE cloths are to be seen, and around the
tables are wooden benches, and rs we look
at them we naturally think of picnic
grove. While waiting there female ap-
preached us and asked if we were believers.
We informed her that we were not, but
were looking for the truth. Soon we arc
invited to go up into the hall where the Sc
ance is to be held, and, taking chair in
our hand, we ascend to the room in which
so many of the departed spirits have ap-
peared to human sight, This wonderful
room is approached through narrow hall,
and is an apartment about forty feet long
by twenty wide, running east and west. On
the west end, running across the room. is
raised platform, about two feet high and
three or four feet broad. This is approach.
ed by three steps in the south corner. Near
ly in the centre of this platform is what
looks like a closet, which is lathed and
plastered, and entered through narrow
door. This is called the cabinet, and in Il
THE MEDIUM is SAID TO BE SEATED
when the spirits appear. On the outside
edge of the platform, about three feet from
the cabinet, is hand railing which extend
across the platform. Some ten feet from
the platform are two benches, on whicI
most of the audience sit, those who canno
sit on them being seated in chairs brough
up from the sitting room. Standing nea
the entrance door to the room is a small
stand on which kerosene lamp Of tn
smallest size is burning, which, after tn
medium enters the cabinet, is turned dow
as low as it can be, and then placed on tn
floor inside of a cheese box with the to
and bottom knocked out, which makes tn
light so dim that across the room one coul
not positively identify the face of a friend
The windows, of which there are three O
each side, are curtained with a heavy gree
curtain, through which not a ray of ligl
can possibly enter, and while waiting ther
one almost feels the cold hand OF one fror
the spirit land, and wonders to himself
spirits do actually appear why is it neces
sarv for them to have such dismal SUI
roundngs. The audience being seated
those on the front seat are ordered to elias
hands together, and it is announced that Il
one must rise from their seats. The m,
dunn approaches the cabinet, hangs Owe
the entrance heavy green curtain, an
enters it.
THE LAMP is THEN TURNED DOWN.
and at the request of one of the spectato,
Mr.. Brown, who married one of the Ed
girls, and who appears to act as master
ceremonies, starts a tune, the one usual
selected being the "Sweet bye and bye
After singing this hymn, few moments
profound silence prevailed, and one cou
almost hear the beating of his neighbor
heart--in fact, the stiffness is oppressv
but no spirit appears. Perhaps at this tin
it would be well to give partial idea of
WILLIAM EDDY,
the medium through whose agency the spi
its are said to appear. He is a man abo
thirty years old, some five feet nine inch
high, broal shouldered, of dark compile
ion, with high forehead, and inclined
drawl his words when he speaks. He h
generally been spoken of as being an iii
crate man, but after looking at him close
both before and after this seance, | am i
cined to give him credit for being mu,
smarter, and possessed of more brain thu
he is generally given credit for. Indee
from very careful observation while the
and from the very striking resemblan
that every spirit form had to his, maj
make bold to say that every one is Villa
Eddy himself After the hymn had be,