The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-07-09
nYsTERY
A Physician confirms the "heg' Ger
Reports and Prono"nees Dei'' ~"
conference.-the Girl seriously Ill
A Sad Case.


A Sad Case.
Editors Of the Register:
With your consent, would ike 70
tn make 8 brief statement 10 the Pubi!1
ralative 20 the strange doings which hav"
been going on ut the dwelling houses OF
William McComas and Elias Duval!, on
Hsrrlsville pike | went to VISIT the
family of Mr.. Duvali, on wednesday
last, End after addressing several ques-
ti,rs 70 different memters OF the house
hold, have not the shadow OF doub.
left but that Adella Oldest daughter OF
Mr.. Duvall, wa the real sc.or IN lhe
whole mysterious affair from beginning
to end. These actions, so cunnIugly
kept from the knowledge OF her !riehds,
were but the first manifestations OF "paI
has at last wholly dethr"ned her reaso
and Frustrated her upon y bed OF SICK
ness Instead of excitement produced by
these strange movements, causing her
present mental arrangement, there Is no
doubt but that under the insane impulses
OF the progressing disease, she has been
the real author of all these anomalous DO
ings herself. ,u:-
There Is in the insipient stages oil TINS
affection often an intense desire TO ere
ale surprise and wonder IN the minds OF
others. Connected with this there Is
often the highest degree OF cunning ana
craftiness. They may be perie' .Iy
rational on all topics OF ordinary o.
versatlon. They may be able to AVOID
anything in their manner and looks that
would provoke suspicion.
Our Oldest and most experienced
physicians find 1t exceedingly difficult at
times to detect their insanity even when
their suspicious are awakened and their
whole attention directed TO them. for
this reason it need awaken no surprise
that the Immediate friends did not sus-
pcion and discover this girl TO lbs the
author OF these strange movements.
1t would nave been unnatural and
cruel for them to have suspected her
knowing the hsrmlessness of her previous
disposition and character. For the same
reason it is unknd in others to Inslnuate
that the friends OF this young girl are IN
sympathy with or have any faith IN
spiritual mediums.
|. | will admit there may be- some lew
things difficult to account tor on TINS
theory, but by no means Impossible 10
be done. Il we will keep In mind the
two following facts, we will be able to
accept of this theory as accounting tor
al that has taken place. Let US keep IN
mind, first, that this girl WAS not sus-
pected by the family, and for
this reason was not watched by them.
Being one OF the family and
unsupported, her presence or absence,
her communication with or proximity to
these movements, and her going to and
fro through the house, were not care
fully observed and examined. Let US
keep in mind, second, that the girl beng
in the incipient stage OF the malady, pos
sessed cunning and skill for surprising
that of most sane persons. II you or
can devise any plan or arrangement
by which any of those strange things
could be accomplished, she could much
more easily have done the same.
Therefore associating her with almost
everything that has taken place, | can
very easily account tor the others by the
two principles above stated without at
tributing to any person any wish to de
ceive others in their statements AS TO
what they have seen,
With regard to the theory which re-
fcrs these manifestations to the spirits,
and would seek to lsveighle this young
girl into becoming a spiritual medium, |
nave only to say that it ls too utterly
nonsenslcal to do more than awaken req
pity il our hearts for those who suffer
| themselves to be duped into believing 1t.
! There should be no doubt, and | believe
| there is no doubt in the minds of men
| generally, but that those who pretend to
/ be- mediums and converse with the dead
are either seeking to delude and misiead
the people or else are just that far insane
! themselves as to mistake the halluclna
tions and wal behring's of their own dis
I eased minds for visions and communlcH'
| tons from :he dead. In conclusion, MIR
! Editor, IL II not time that uuklnd inslnu
ations ana taunts against the friends o.
| the unfortunate girl should cease
DR. a J. ALEXANDER.