Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-08-19
P. 81 was born Oct. 8, 1912.
An Extraordinary Test of Spiritual
iStic Phenomenon.

An Extraordinary Test of Spiritual
istic Phenomenon.
IHE st. Louis papers of Aug. 10 contain
lengthy accounts of an extraordinary test
which has been submitted to in that CITY
by spiritualistic medium. A Mr.. Henry
Iimkens, wellknown and highly-re-
spected carriage maker, offered to Mr.. w.
G. Clark the sum of fifty dollars for the
production of a spirit sufficiently material
lied to be shot at. Mr. c. accepted the
offer, and on the evening of the 9th small
crowd assembled at a hall IN st. Louis to
witness the experiment. The medium was
carefully searched and clothed in garments
furnished by Mr.. Timkens The cabinet
was thoroughly examined and placed on
couple of saw-horses. The medium was
then bound by Mr.. T., assisted by three or
four reporters. Holes were bored on each
side of each of his legs above and below the
knee-joints, and pieces of seaming-cord
were passed through each of the four sets
of holes They emerged below the cabi-
net floor, where they were securely tied,
and then fastened to the saw-buckS on
which the cabinet rested Holes were
also bored on each side of the mediums
back, and. piece of rope passed around
his waist and tied on the outside of the
cabinet, besides being secured to the saw
bucks. The mediums hands were sepa-
rately bound and then tied together, the
cord being made to pass through a hole in
the floor, between his legs AT the dis
lance of fifteen feet from the cabinet, and
directly in front of the black curtain, was
placed stand, where, by means of wise,
small, breech-loading rifle was fastened
and leveled so that the ball would inevita-
bly, pierce the curtains center when fred.
Mr.. A. B. Cunningham, of the Globe DEM
Ocr0t, who is crack shot, with steady
nerve, was requested by Mr.. Timkins to
fire the rifle.
After considerable time had elapsed
subsequent to the closing of the cabinet
the curtain of the window was suddenly
drawn aside and face-apparently Of
girl-made its appearance at the aper-
ture and was distinctly seen by all pres
ent. The Republican says: "There it
was. pale, ghostly countenance that
looked as though it might have belonged
to girl Of seventeen at some previous
time in the worlds history 1t didn't look
a bit like actual flesh and blood Had It
been possible to remove the front of the
cabinet suddenly one never would have
expected to see any pinned-back gear
about the neither portion of the material
ization. 1t was face that might have
belonged to some Greek maiden 1000
years ago, and reminded one of the marble
countenance Of some statue. All who saw
were fairly transfiXed with astonishment
The features were perfectly clear and dis
tinct, being Illuminated by soft light
There was not the slightest movement of a
muscle or an eyelid that could be distin-
guished. While all were eagerly gazing
at the vision there was an explosion that
caused a rude interruption of the imagi-
native reveries the more superstitious had
fallen into.
'The wide-open eyes looked almost into
the muzzle of the gun without any sign of
fiinching. Without the tremor of muscle
Cunningham fired, apparently thinking
no more of shooting a couple of girls than
a Comanche would. At the shot the face
remained steadfast 1t wasn't scared and
didn't wink. A few seconds it remained
as before, and thea the curtain mysterious
ly slid across and obscured it from view.
After about ten minutes waiting the me-
dunn asked for glass of water. This
was given him, and in a little while after
he asked to be let out. When the door
was opened he was found tied Just as he
was left when the door was first closed.
The cords had evidently been strained a
little, and that was all. Everybody said it
was good thing and nobody could tell
how 1t was done if the spirits didn't do it.
The medium professed to be very
much exhausted by the exhibition, and
said he wouldn't do it again for anything.
The difficulties in the way Of any 1mposi-
ton in this matter appear to bevery great.
1t would have been almost impossible for
any material for the production of the image
as by mask to have been introduced into
he cabinet The medium was very Sc
;urely tied, and there was no possible
chance for collision on the part of CON
'ederate- The bullet certainly went
through the aperture and through the face.
whatever it was. This was ascertained
beyond doubt by the finding of the ball.
t having passed through the back of the
.abinet and imbedded itself in a board.
the public can make their own explana
ions The Repsh5can has none to offer"