Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-05-06

JSSS @S
The spelling mania seems destined
to be abruptly superseded by another
excitement, which may be called the
mind. reading sensation. Since the adj
vent of Mr.. ]. r. Brown, and the pub
lie exhibition of his powers in this
city, mental telegraphy has been spread.
ing rapidly all over the city, In al
most every social gathering expert.
ments are tried by Young and old, who
believe they have discovered the secret
by which Mr.. Brown operates, and
now and then a real or acct lental sue
cess Is followed by applause sufficient
ly hearty to repay the operators for
all previous failures. Whether Mr..
Bcown's powers are or are not peculiar
to himself has not yet been definitely
decided. but from developments it
seems more than probable that, after
all, Mr.. Brown has only perfected by
practice a faculty which all pos
sess in some greater or less degree,
for many amateur mind readers al
ready developed. That at least one
more person in Philadelphia, is enabled
to give very satisfactory exhibitions in
"mind reading" was proved by a series
of test experiments tried last evening,
the subject Of them being Mr.. White
house, of 1885 Chestnut street, Mr..
Whitehouse was one evening appointed
one of the committee of Mr.. Browns
receptions at Concert Hall, and during
the entertainment astonished ome Of
the scientific gentlemen conducting
the experiments by remarking, "Why,
that's nothing, I did that fifteen years
ago" The speaker was of course chal>
lenged to do the same thing again, and
without hesitation made a promise
whichiast evening he fulfilled. At
about eight o'clock there were, by
special invitation, gathered in the par
lor of his residence about twenty, five
gentlmen, among whom were Professor
Gross, Or. Shipper, DR.. Brinton, DR..
Packard, DR., Getchell, DR.. Morton.
Professor Richie, Professor Wilson, and
Professor Norris, Of the High School
Thomas D. Smith, Esq, and Mr.
Lompe.
Mr.. Whitehouse stated to those
present that his only object in calling
them together was to assist them, 81
far as in his power, to understand TIT
method employed by Mr.. Brown il
performing the experiments which 81
many persons seemed to regard as phe
nomenal. He said that he would frs
perform a few experiments in ''min'
reading" and then explain his mod
.of, operation. At his request the audi
ence then appointed a committee t
conduct the tests. The gentlemen Sc
lected were Professor Gross, DR.. Pack
ard, and DR.. Edward Shipper.
The first experiment was the findin
secreted article. Mr.. Whitehouse, 0
who had previously been conducted t
an adjoining room, was brought i
with a handkerchief tied over his eye
in such a manner as to allow Of h
seeing his feet, but nothing beyon
them. lie then took the left hand
DR.. Morton in his left hand and bega
walking with the Doctor about I'll
room after a few turns he walked
the spot where the article was secrete
and pointed it out. The unexpecte
success ofthis the first experiment W
greeted with hearty applause. FL
the next test a bunch ofkeys was passc
from one to another until they reacht
q fourth person, who retained thel
Mr.. W~hitehouse, upon being broug
into the room, was again placed
communication with DR.. Morton, al
was successful In finding the gentlem'
to whom they were first handed. |
then took this gentleman's hand, b
after several failures TO find the thi
person, concluded, as he was feeli
tired to abandon the search. AT
next test Mr.. Whitehouse was plac
in communication with his subject
means OFFS glass rod about a foot lor
which the subject held in his left har
This experiment was made quite co
plicated, and was successfully perfor
ed much to the establishment of tn,
who suspposed aconductor of electri
ty absolutely necessary as a means
communication. The location of pa