Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-08-11
The Latest Spiritual sWindle.

The astounding record OF human credulity
afforded by the history Of modern Spiritual
ism is continually receiving new chapters:
Not the least curious of these was developed
last week. by a suit for slimOny brought IN
New York by Mrs. Helen Maria Flint, d.
yorced wife, against her late husband, who
is an imposter named X. NJ. Flint. This DR..
Flint claimed to be able to furnish answers
from the spirits of deceased persons, to any
desiring information from the other world.
He required the applicants to put their
questions in sealed envelopes, which IN due
time he returned with sealed answers from
the spirit addressed, for which he charged
fee of from two to five dollars. Mrs.
Flint. in her suit, disclosed the doctor ;
mode of operation. When answering has
numerous letters the Doctor always locked
himself in a private room. In this room he
had little iron bracket with pair OF
CLAMPS. which could be fastened TO gas
nine, and which sustained Immediately over
the burner, little tin tea kettle, by means
of which he opened the letters by holding
them over the escaping steam. Having pos
sessed himself of their contents, and written
the answers, he carefully sealed them up
again. She also produced several books
kept BY the doctor in which he had COPIED
the requests Of numerous questloners
Among these appears to have been no les:
parsonage than Hon Edwards Pierrepont
now United States Minister to England
the following being copy OF letter pur
nortinr TO be from him 10 the spirit OF
! LADY Mary Worthy Montague, who died a
| hundred wears and more ago, and making
| earnest inquiries as 10 certain relationships
! in branches OF his family tree. as follows
]
] James Pierregont OF London, the iatAer u JONI
] Pierrepont us RoXhury .. Was james o. Llnt0i
the son q v !llam fierrepont- The youngest son o.
/ SIT George l-errepout % Holm FierFep,nt q. re.
me # permitted. exactly VINO was the 'Atner 90
| John and exactly how he was connected with ON
| Pierrepont family OF Holm Perrepont as have u
Sir George os Holm Pierrepont had three sons ron
| the elder. You came from James or rom N-.-iaA
! John came-now tell me the true descent
Mrs. Flint declares that Mr.. Pierrepon
Wa A freeueat visitor az her husband
Office. and that be came to ask his mother Il
the spirit world about his political prospect
As well as to find ont about his aristocrai
ic connections in Europe. She says COlone
Frank +. Howe also came frequently an
kent up a continual correspondence Wit
The spirits. The following copy of lctte
was found in the Doctors books
Ny DEAR Jous Are you happy Have you nc
fsther and Hannah Can Suu tel me any thing
Gov Andrews how happy We would he Z We coul
know something OF Florence Can sciesin-er be
any service 10 ne, and IS he good medium
| friend FRANK + HOWE.
Peter B. Sweeney and Richard Connoll
also were frequent visitors Other client
of DR.. Flint were Mr.. Hall, of the JourH,
Of Health, and Robert Bonner.
The whole affair only shows once nor
how completely people who know enoug
to come in when it rains and 10 do hus
ness and to make money and 10 get Office
lose their common sense when they com
under the delusion that departed spirit
hold such material and verbal communica
ton with mortals a. mortals hold with eac
each other That belief once accepted, n
imposture seems to be too gross and pal
pable to be accepted with it.