The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-01
A Visit to the Chittenden Mediums
pLYMourn VI. Feb. goth. 1876.

Plymouth VT. Feb. Goth, 1876.
Editors Of the Rutland Globe:--Wc SO.
lict the use of the columns of the GLOBE
to publish the following unexaggerated and
truthful account of what we witnessed at
seance on Monday evening last Having
had for a long time in contemplation visit
to the Eddy's with a view to see, judge for
ourselves and if possible ascertain whether
the phenomena so often witnessed under
their mediumship is indeed spiritual pho
nomena, or whether Gas many SUPPOSE
they were but shrewd performances in Jug
glery, we-a Mr.. Dimick, and myself set
out for Chittenden taking with us such
things as we deemed would be necessary
in the event of our remaining several days, |
for we had resolved that unless we could |
witness phenomena Of average importance |
on the evening of our arrival, to remain |
until the object could be accomplished. |
Among the things which were taken with |
us were books, sketching materials, and |
guitar,-the latter instrument we hoped |
might Cf tuned in unison with our passive |
but hopeful nature) awaken spirits gross
and turbulent them those SO often present.
ing at the home of the mediums.
We arrived at the homestead at clock
p. m. On entering we found that We were
the only visitors for that day, and had there
fore the whole field for investigation TO our
selves, the only occupants of the house be-
ing IIoratio Eddy, and Mr. Town. the
latter of whom seemed to act as porter
groomsman and assistant cook. We found
Mr.. Eddy to appear quite cordial Contrary
hat ifrl,t bavn in
of the statements of Olcott and other VIII
ters) at once offering us seats with remarks
on the weather etc. We were informed
that Mr. Eddy himself was not sufficiently
well to hold seances-none having been
held at the homestead for several weeks,
but visitors were sent to the next house,
few rods distant where resides a sister-a
Mrs. Huntoon who had served during the
absence of her brother William, and whose
mediumship was considered as good if not
superior to that of any other member of the
family, especially as she sits outside the cab
met.
In due time, and at about half past seven
in the evening we all left the house to at
tend the seance. After an Introduction to
Mr.. and Mrs. Huntoon we were seated in
what appeared to be the kitchen; out o.
and adjoining this was a small bedroom
which was used as a cabinet.
Mr.. Dimick and myself made Il careful
examination of this--it containen a bed
on the bed was violin, Il tambourinc, har-
monica aud a bell; there was no other ar
ticle or piece of furniture in the cabinet.
We examined carefully bed, floor, walls,
ceiling and window Qhere being one look
ing out at the north which we found nailed
down. also a small closet which contained
nothing but single shelf; and after look
under and behind the bed we concluded
there could be no panel or trap-door in the
floor or elsewhere through which to admit
confederates or accomplices Having con-
cluded our examination OF the cabinet we
took our seats in the kitchen in the follow
ing order: MIR. Eddy at my left hand, friend
Dimlck at my right, and further to the right
Mr. Town, and to the right of Mr.. Town
and against the right hand wall sat Mr.
Huntoon. There were no other persons in
the room visible to our perception except
ing the medium and her children. Her
chilren were 4 in number of whom were
quite young aud then sleeping on lounge
and chairs The light was on stand at
the right hand of Mr.. Huntoon who soon
arose to draw the curtains over the door of
the cabinet, and then resumed his seat.
The curtains were two in number of q dark
color-the upper one hanging from the top
about % feet with vertical opening in the
center; at the junction of this was another
hanging TO the floor. 1t will be perceived
that the upper curtain could be parted in
the middle for e-presentation-'the
lower to admit the passage of STOPPING
figure. The medium now takes her seat
her chair being placed at the right hand
edge of the door and fronting the left, so
that thus seated she presents her left side
to the audience-her right side and arm
being within the cabinet. The light is now
turned down and subdued by the hand of
Mr.. Huntoon to what may be regarded as q
faint twilight. In less than one moment
the ball was heard to sound within the cab
met followed by movement of the upper
curtain and face presentation. The ques-
ton was asked by Mr.. Eddy whether it was
for himself and distinct rap was the re-
ply, which we were informed meant no
secondly | asked whether it was friend of
mine and received similar reply; next
Mr.. Dimick, when three loud raps were af-
firmitively given, and he approached within
few feet of the curtain but "could not
make OUT as he expressed it, "who it could
possibly be-" But a short time and another
seemingly a thin and pale faced woman
appeared-the head only visible, and Mr..
Eddy repeating the question sis it for me?'
received an Affirmative reply in three dis
tinct raps, and going to the cabinet door
shook hands with something or some one
saying "glad to see you MOTHER call again
etc." Next was heard Gathering among
the instruments and a third face and second
call for Mr., Dimick who went to the door
of the cabinet and shook hands with
some one claiming to be the spirit OF
John Cox, which was accomplished
only by holding his hand inside
the curtain. Mr.. d. thinks he cannot judge
much from the handwriting tbs
hand was like Cox's, whose hand when ir
the body he had often shaken, but think:
he recognized something about the features
as his. The fourth presentation was ap
parantly that of young female face. AT
ter Mr.. Eddy | enquired whether it was
any friend of mine, and three loud rap!
were given. Where l sat / could not rec
ognize mans from female face, and
though on near approach it appeared like
female face (and t evidently was eithel
a face or 4 mask, but could not say posi-
lively which, | could not arrive at 81
happy conclusion as that ] was in thu
presence of dsembodied spirit of my ac
quaintance. i asked to shake hands, anC
a hand was presented toward me a fea
inches from the curtain-the face, for th'
time,apparently further off and less visible
Wishing to avail myself of a shake of th,
hand outside of the curtain, at once of
fered my hand but the spirit hand Of in
deed it were SUCH withdrew within the
cabinet at this point putting my hant
through the opening it was at once shaken
There was difficulty in recognizing til,
hand as belonging to that of the lady
friend who claimed to have shown her fac,
to me, for 1t was coarse and masculin,
hand which had shaken mine Was il Il
be accounted for on the ground that som
Other spirit hand had taken mine? TIL,
spirit face seemed shy-would advance ant
retire, and | could not, under the fan
light which was thsre, distinguish feature
so as to say who, though it certainly locke,
like a real face. | made the request for i
IN aten outside of the cabinet Ia which /