The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-28
GHOST BUSINESS In MAINE.
THE PORTLAND PHYSICIANS INTEs-
TIGATJNG THE SPOOKS.
Learning what IL Done In the DARK Behind
the Curtain-The verv Ungallant be-
havior Of the Matter-of-Fact Hscs ala pia Ms.


Prom ne Portland Pres. Aug. 20.
Sometime In the spring of last year, Mrs.
Robert ]. Hull of Cum berland and Hanover
streets, having for long time given evidence
peotedly to herself discovered that she was
msteriallzine medium, that is to say a person In
whose presence the disembOdied spirits OF de-
ceased mortals could, under certain COMO tions.
assume the shape and appearance OF their per-
ished bodies. This marvellous power rapidly
increased, and she soon became noted. but she
declined to "sit" for. any but her friends, and
those whom they, by special permission. intro
duced and Of late these "sittinRs" have been
Mrs. Hull sits behind a black cambr'c curtain
Dy pras y, bs nr,nr enSm,sr
space thus formed 10 covered by piece Of the
same kind Of cloth The walls and door may be
freely examined by the visitors, and are evil
IDENTITY entirely free from traps and any appa-
ratus Intended to deceive. The medium sits at
the apex OF the triangular space on low stool
For many months she was always awake during
the performances, but OF late sue has invariably
gone into Trance, and has been UNCONSCIOUS Gus. OF
selves In row In front Of the curtain, their
chairs being at a distance OF not more than
seven or eight feet from 1t, and often less than
that. The lights were all turned out excepting
drop light, which was turned down very low
aud shielded by porcelain shade and news
Taper
After sitting time which was rarely less than
twenty minutes, ghostly 0gures appeared at the
central Silt In the curtain these were usually
female forms, generally yelled, and clothed in
long flowing robes Of "A whiteness SO intense
phosphorescent light Sometimes, though
very rarely. a male Appeared, AM once IN
while little child. These figures were Rener J.
" recognized by some one as those OF departed
friends. All the performances were under the
superintendent OF the spifit OF one molly Mo-
lasses. ceItenaran of the Penobscot tribe,
who died some years ago. Sue communicated
with the medium direct by word Of mouth, but
until lately held conversation with less favored
individuals only through the laborious method
OF selsctiDg letters from the alphabet.
In spite OF the honest appearance OF things,
. al "A ftN haH
a suspicion that all was not genuine. To allav
such suspicious. the medium eluwed eight or ten
inches OF the lowest portion OF the skirt OF her
dress to project under the curtain anu remain
there throughout the seance. IL one chose he
could fsten II to the carpet with a pin. In no
reported case has the dress been known to move
from It's place. Even this did not satisfy cert ain
the until os h CT az s
same time that q spirit was holding open the
curtain.
In Septemoer Inst Dr. aerrish attended one Of
the performances. Being restrained by the feel
Inc that courtesy required him to do nothing
that was not expected OF him at q sespce for
whioh he was under obligation to u personal
friend. he simply observed the phenomena and
TOOK 700, notes: Laey were certainly rsma,.s9,e,
doctor failed to see that II was necessary to ap-
peal TO supernatural agencies to account for the
Performance, and was indiscreet enough to OK
press himself u this effect, and as a result, was
unable to gain admission again until this month.
On the kh inst, however. the friend who had
previously effected an entrance for him again
intercedod. and obtained an invitation for him
aud DIR, Greene, and this was the beginning Of
the end.
ProntinR by previous experience, not a whis-
per Of doubt was allowed to fall from their lips.
Whatever appeared was greeted with express
sions of ecstatic delight and opeb-mouthed
amazement. Their enthusiasm was unbound
ed, their hberality evidently gratifying TO the
Hulls, and their readiness 10 be duped very
apparent, that they got results that were con
eidered extraordinary even by old ha bitues of
the house. The spooks came In crowds, so 70
spenk. SO anxious we're they to appear before
these simpie-nnded sons OF Asculapius. On
fha lna NVaa Had
them. and on this occasion they were accompa-
MED by DIR. George p. Bradley OF the United
evident TO these gentlemen that there
need Of invoking more than human power TO
explain the phenomena. and plan was laid for
the exposure of the trick.
Gu their several visits the gentlemen accumu-
lated q mass OF evidence Of fraud. For instance,
IL was noted by all mat the dress OF the medium
wis very peculiar. IL was trim and we'll fitting
snout tue upper works, nut IL ouleed In most
unbelievable aud Suspicious way below the
waist, leaving room for whole magazine Of
oiot hes beneath In . very few minutes after
there much rustl,Dg as would naturally
be made by a woman who was carefully doning
one dress and DOMINIC another: rustling was al
N ost always heard after one figure vanished, and
before another appeared; and JUS before the
selnce ended. the noise Of M AMI pulated raiuient
was undeniabiy as great as was necessary Tor
the resumption OF an ordinary walking dress and
the slowing away Of a vsiise fun OF clothes, II
and laughter was loudest among the spec
tators, and thus there was the least need
made most promptly An italian dane.
Ing spirit" that showed her feet aud
as It was observed Mrs. Hull was before enter
ing the cabinet. hgure that purpOrted to he
the spirit OF well'known merchant who died
short, seventy-n pounds too light, and looked
about as much IKE M MN as MIS- HUI conii be
dark closet. II YVES noticed, TOO, by one observer
VINO managed to look down Inside the curtain,
that over the arm Of the spirit there was a long
veil, Just such had previously been employed
| In covering the head Of a female figure. Que
| spirit sought recoanition from d.. Gerrish,
| whose patient she had been whsn In the hesh,
| by show my hand from which nnger was IN iss-
Ing put the smputau ~ W., was na,t way 1p me
have been. This same epook smiled at the re-
quest OF a wretched skep'ic who thought rs face
might be masked. Immediately afterward there
was a sound behind the curtain which WAS un-
mistaka ably due TO the replacement OF an upper
! set OF false teeth.
As we have said above, the modus opersndi
had become SO apparent that the exhibitions
ceased to De 9.e.essnT as nSi ~ Ti .ssiery
| to be, aud tho doctors determined III let In the
light at once. So on TUESDAY NIGHT LIST, aselect
| company was invited to witness, and, N need
be, assist at the denouement. Each had his
| part assigned, and failure W. absolutely i'm
| possible. provided ANY trick was attempted by
| the medium. Inc conversation was more than
| ordinarily jolly. Funny stories kept the com
| pany in a roar hslf the time, but NOBODY lost
SIGHT Of the curtain or failed to note that the
usual rustlng at the apex OF the Triangular
| space was going on. Molly N. rapped out that
~
fore would again appe In less than twenty
minutes the curtain opened little IN a few
| minutes IL opened more widely and displayed a
| fem lie draped IN white aud thickly veied. IL
| was tue promised sprite. Then it pulled aside
| piece directly IN front of DIR. Greene. lie was
enrautured. Yes, the spirit had really come
again for him. Hut minute elapsed before she
again showed hersei.
"wIll you touch my hand, dear?" said the
Doctor In persuasive accents She put out hei
delicate fingers toward him, and his hand closed
m hAFa "A "A
the ordinary clasp Of affection. And then he
made what Is called traction, Come, dear
come Come right along! But she braced
against the chimney In very human and earthly
way, wholly unbecomtng In an apparitton
There Is no case on record In this series Ia which
a spirit has been gifted with speech but all II
the room distinctly heard very alarmed voice
exclaiming, Don't don'tl let me gor ane
then, For Coos sake, let me got WHY
said DR.. Greene. with well affected surprise
"lhis Is not spiriti This Is "a. HullV
Meanwhile, DR.. Gerrish had stepped quickly e
the curtain, drawn II aside and discovered tn,
stool unoccupied, an empty skirt and litti'
pile OF female wearing apparel. II WAS JUS
wnat was expected. The mate Hui. who ia,
been taken so completely by surprise that h
forgot to turn out the ligst, delivered himself o
the following manly speech Well gentlemen
wish YOU 10 understand that have mad u
hand In this affair. ] knew nothing about H..
And his wife was left 10 dress herself withou
assistance behind the curtain.