The New York herald., 1878-12-19
CATCHING A SPIRIT.
Boston Journalists Exposing Spirit
ualist Humbugs.
THE HOLMESES AGAIN.
The Female Operator Receives Unex-
pected Embraces.

BosroS. Dec. IL, 1873.
About four years ago it will readily be remembered
Robert Dale Owen attended several materializing
seanccs in Philadelphia, and impressed was lie with
the strange manifestations then made that he wrote
long article ON the naturalization OF spirits the
Atlantic Monthly. The scanccs conducted by
Nelson and Jennie Holmes. and the exposure Of
their tricks after the appearance OF
the owen article. terrible blow
not only TO the aged philosopher but TO the
great of honest believers in spritualism. The
Holmeses then slid out Of sight like the spirits they
called from the "vasty deep" and but little was
heard of them. The writer would be the last to draw
them out of their unenvable obscnrity had he not
learned that they were lat their cid tricks; that
they were gulng the good people Of the Hub as they
had the pous people of Quakcrdom. This iniorIna-
tion communicated by friend who suggested
that small party of Journalists pay visit 70 No.
Davis street, where the veritable Holncses could be
found Journalists inclined 10 be sceptical. as
rule. They have too much experience with humbugs
Of all sorts whose exposure forms part of their
duty. Consequently. of the three scribes who en-
tered No. Davis quarter to eight O'Clock
last evening and paid their admission fce--a crisp
dollar bill cach-therc not believer. Each went
prepared to hnd fraud in everything and his eyes
and ears were set for the detection of humbug.
CHARMED c.RcLE.
The party assembled 10 hold communion with the
spirits and be edited by the presence Of heavenly
visitors, numbered in all dozen Mrs. Holmes SUI
perintendcd the seating of the company III the form
of circle. The furniture in the consisted of
a large collection of chairs, table on which were
placed musical instruments for the aerial
fingers to be applied 10 them and lounge.
The cabinet stood inside of the folding doors, be-
tween the two parlors nobody was permitted to ex-
parlor was perfectly unimpeded. The walls OF the
cabinet composed OF black cloth that looked
like buckram; but certain portion. that shown
by F. was black cambria, simply tackled TO
the uprights which formed this chamber OF
mystery, and the farks which held IL were fitted
into holes rather than driven in 50 that they could
be removed quickly and noisecssly. heavy
tain and two green baizc doors shuts the cabinet ont
from view and the medium within can receive all
the assistance from those secreted III the back paror
without being seen by the visitors In tins cabinet
Mr.. Holmes, locked in the little cage. awaits the
coming of his confederate, who simply nnasfens
the cambria and step. il. The thing Is SO simple
and susceptible OF fraud that the wonder is thar it
has deceived any one even for q moment The
usual prelininaries Of fastening hands arkening the
room, &c.. having been gone through with the
medium Mrs. Holmes. took her seat and turned on
The flow of spirits. 4 gentleman. with very lugu-
towering near" They may have been towering
near. but it was evident that they did not like the
music for they refused TO appear
HOLMES SPIRIT.
The first apparition was festive Indian maiden,
of Michigan. Those who knew Mrs. Holmes could
not fail recognize the voice of the Indian princess
that which directed the disposition of the circle
Musical instruments were played i'll different parts
OF the the door just by the cabinet was seen 10
cautiously open and form not Of spirit ,se iii and
evidently had something TO do with the musical
portion of the entertainment. A festive spirit
named Dick ordered about as lively could be-
imasined. lie was told play here and there,
move faster and rap people the head with tue
guitar One Of onr party who had managed 70 keep
his hands free waited till the little delicate a:ten
fb,.p STR tn hen
eerred and he reached ont quickly, seized Dick by
the hand-and very substantial hand It was-and
tussle ensuet. The spirit struggled little and
succeeded freeing himself before the light could
be turned up.
scTPrrcs N THE ROOM.
An announcement made at the close of this
oct that there 'sceptics in the ROOM. In few
moments Rosie, the Indian infant. stepped TO
tho front. In answer 10 questions Rosie stated that
she present to convince tn. public generally
that the dead could return. although she fatty
contradicted in a few moments after by Mr. Holmes
who stated 10 the writer that these seances were
not given for the purpose OF convincing
any one but simply because he Mr.. Holiness wanted
10 do Rosie said that she went to school in the
other world. and that spirits always at the
age they when they died: and yet this gentle
Indian infant. when questioned rather sharply.
piled angriiy that she did not come there to fur
nish brains for any one. but simply To show them
what she could do. which remark shows re-
markable prccocity in Michigan infant.
who claimed 10 be only four years OF age.
Rosie said that her medium taught her the English
language aud that prior to her becoming acquainted
with Mrs. Holmes she spoke the language OF poor Lo
Mrs. Holmes did not state where and when she
learned the Indian language After Rosie again and
again impressed the circle with the Necessity being
'joliy.' and after she had inadvertently called Mr.
Holmes Nelson, she retired to the shades. and .
young gentleman of twenty came to relieve her
This spirit said he died III Chicago q good many years
ago and one Of the gentlemen present asked him if
h. knew anything about Lake superior. He answered
that he did, but refused TO name any place that
situated upon the shores Of that beautiful body
Of water. When asked il he any relation 70 .
gentleman that bore the same name that he pro-
iesscd 70, he replied in the negative rather sharply
although he did not even wait to learn where the
gentleman in question lived or, in fact any parfcr-
lars about him. An Irish girl next came She
had very poor brogue, and. although processing TO
have direct from the Green Ise, she could not
speak understand word OF the celtic language in
speaking which she professed to be proficient.
HrGGISG THE MEDIUM.
After the disappearance ot the fair daughter of
Erin good deal OF music given and instruments
few around ia very lively fashion. Mrs. Holmes
supposed 10 DE directing the concert from her
seat i'll the cabinet and the spirits t. he playing tor
our long armed friend who had arrested
''Dick, set himself out 10 make another
capture. and he succeeded. Forgetting
the ethereal beings around him. he kept his mind
hxed the perishablc things of earth. and when a
spirit tapped him gently the head with some
musical instrument, he reached ont and caught the
fair spirit, a. he thought. around the waist. IL
felt very substantial, however, and somewhat
natural, even e. the extent OF presenting
by mortal hands. What hts surprise
in fnding that he partiflly embracing Mrs
Holmes herself. This was complete exposure Of
tho fraud aud threw the company into great con
fusion. Mr. aud Mrs. Holmes quite non plusscd.
But the quick wited medium tried TO get ont Of II
by saying that she came there TO strengthen
weak part Of the circle and took her position At
point where she knew there unb.cver II
was no use. however; the slim trick Was exposed and
the mission Of the Investigators ended. Mr.. Holmes
next undertook to show the great cabinet trick II
freeing himself from cords with which he was To be
tied hetor. ne scene began. however. III. scoptics
were requested to leave, and the world will lose the
Spi