St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1876-08-18
The Latest Spiritual Swindle.

The astounding record of human
crcdnlity afforded by the history of
modern Spirtualism is continually re-
ceiving new chapters. Not the least
curious of these was developed last
week. by suit of alimony brought in
New York 10y Mrs. Helen Maria Flint.
Il divorced wife. against her late hus-
band. who is an impo>ter named K. VI.
Flint. This DIR. Flint claimed to he
able to furnish answers from the spirits
OF deceased persons. To any desiring in
formation from the other world. He
required the applicants To put their
questions III sealed envelopes. which in
due time he returned with sealed an
>wcI> from the spirit addressed. for
winch hc charged Il fee of from two to
five dollars. Mis-. Flint. in her suit.
disclosed the doctors mode of opera
ton. When answering his numerous
letters the Doctor always locked him
self III Il private room. In this room he
had little iron bracket with pair of
clamps. which could Ice fastened to a
gas pipe. and which sustained. immedi-
atclN over the burner. Il little tin tea
kettle. 10y means of which he opened
the letters 10y holding them over the
escaping steam. Having possessed
himself of their contents. and written
the answers. he carefully sealed them
up again. She also produced several
books. kept 10y the doctor in which he
iiid copied the requests OF numerous
HuesilonerS. Among these appears to
have been u" less Il parsonage than
Hon. Edward Pierrepont. now United
States Minister 10 England. the follow
lnG being copy of Il letter purporting
I" tie from hlm t" the spirit of Lady
Mary WORTHY Montague. who died "A
hundred years and more ago. and max
ing earnest inquiries as to certain rela-
tIonShlp>. IN branches of his family tree.
as follows:
Edwards Plerrcpont To Dear Lady
Mary ]. Was james Pierrepont of
London the father OF John Pierrepont
of RoNbury ,. Was james of London
the son of William Pierrepont. the
Youngest son of Sir George Pirrrepont
of Holm Pierrepont 3. Tell me. if per
mitted. exactly who WAS the father of
John. and exactly how he was connect
ed with the Pierrcpont family of Holm
Pierrepont us | have it ? Sir George of
Holm Picrrepont had three sons from
the elder. You came from James or
from William. John came-now tell
me the true descent
Mrs. Flint declares that Mr.. Pierre
pont was frequent visitor at her hus-
bands office. and that he came to ask
his mother in the spirit world about his
political prospects as well as to find out
about his arlStoclatIc connections i'm
Europe. She says Colonel Frank f..
Howe also came frequently and kept up
continual correspondence with the
spirits. The following copy of IA letter
was found III the Doctors books:
My DEAR JOHN: Are you happy ?,
Have Aou met father and Hannah ?
Can You tell me anything of Gov. An
drrws How happy we would he if we
could know something of Florence
Can ScleSinger he of any service to me.
and is he il good medium or friend ?
FRANK +. HOWE.
Peter B. Sweeney and Richard Con-
molly also were frequent visitors. Other
clients OF DIR. Flint were Mr. Hall. of
the journal of Health. and Robert Bon
ner.
The whole affair only shows once
more how completely people. who know
enough to come in when it rains and to
do business and to make money and
get office, lose their common sense when
they come under the delusion that de-
parted spirits hold such material and
verbal communication with m0rtals as
mortals hold with each other. That
belief fonceaccepted, no imposture seems
to he too gross and palpable to he ac-
cepted with it.