The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-01
DEAD, YET ALIVE.
MARY FANCHER IN A TRANCE FOR
THIRTEEN YEARS.
Her wonderful success at Mind Read
ing-Her Mind Following Persons
Miles Away.


Miles Away.
We gave last Sunday some account of
the extraordinary case Of Miss Mary
Fancher. of Downing street. Brooklyn,
who has been for the past thirteen years
in state of trance, blind yet seeing,
deaf yet hearing, and refusing food al
together. The New York Sun devotes
nearly page to the consideration of
her case, and tells some OF the most
wonderful stories Of her powers at
mind reading and second sight ever
heard.
She Is surrounded by persons of social
standing and refinement, and has al
ways been exceedingly sensitive to any
public mention or knowledge of her con
dltion. She has ever repealed any effort
to couple her manifestations to those Of
olairvoyants, has begged to be allowed
to live and die in the retirement of her
home. unmolested by strangers and &C
cessible emily to her friends. Clergy
men, physicians. men Of letters and OF
Intelligence have visited her. Among
many who have taken a special interest
In her are the Rev. DIR. Joseph L. Dur
yea, pastor of the Classon Avenue Pres
byterian Church; the Rev. DIR. Henry
J. Van Dyck, pastor Of the Clinton
Street Presbyterian Church Prof Chas.
u. West. principal Of the Brooklyn
Heights Seminary: George w. Benson,
Henry vt. farkhurst, the astronomer,
and a host OF others (names published in
the S,n).
Mr.. Duryea suggests to he Sun that
Miss Fanoher's mind has been freed
from the bondage of the body, and that
II not governed by new laws 1t is at all
events quickened and enlarged.
INCIDENTS or HER MIRACULOUS POWER.
The faculty that the young lady's
friends have most frequently noticed In
her is that of following some of her &C
guaintances-t those who are dearest to
her as a rule-from place to place.
Hundreds Of times she has done this
with scarcely an error as to place or oc-
currenee. For example, one afternoon
she suddenly said II see --- mention
ing the gentleman nance in his office.
(The office Is in New York; He is
closing his desk. after five minutes
pause) He is walking down Fulton
street (Another pause.) Now he is
going upon the ferry boat-now he is
getting into q Fulton Avenue car. With
him is q tall gentleman with black
eyes, black hair and moustache-they
are talking and the car has started.
Now they are passing the City Hall
There, the tall gentleman has got out
OF the car at st. Felix street and -- is
coming on alone. He, too. has got out
OF tho car and is coming this way /
guess he is coming here. Yes. he is
here he comes around the corner: look
out and you will see him." and looking
from the window the gentleman re-
ferred to was indeed seen approaching
ut n rapid pace and was soon In the
room.
"Whom did you ride WITH" was
asked by one Of the persons to whom
Miss Fancher had been describing the
ride.
"Mr. -"
Describe him"
'Tall. black hair, moustache and
eyes; he left me at st. Felix street
why?"
"Mollie has been watching you for
.hree- quarters OF an hour or SO, and has
You had better be careful how you
larry yourself" was the reply.
The illustration Of Miss Fancher's
powers Of sightseeing that her friends
ell of with the greatest interest are OF
he return Of her uncle Isaac from Cal
fornia and the welcome home, some
line afterward, OF her lost pet dog Her
lncle, Mr.. Isaac Crosby. went to Cali
ornia before the accident to Miss Fan
her and while she was comparatively
title girl. He was strong, healthy and
'Obust, with full face and q big chest. |
While in California he contracted con
and, nine years after his ar
'ival there. returned to Brooklyn, and, |
irst Of all sought Mrs. Crosby, with |
whom Miss Fancher lives.
Il, I
Yrs. Crosby sat in the room when her
loor bell was rung. Mrs. Crosby start.
ID to answer the summons, and as she |
topped from the room Miss Fancher |
reclaimed in astonished tones: why,
rs Uncle Ikel"
Who is Uncle Ike ?" asked Profess
or West.
Uncle Ike Why, he went to Cali
ornia before I went to your school. |
low he has changed, how sick he |
ooks." And Miss FaEcher entertained |
ne Professor with q description OF the |!
ncle's departure for the land OF gold, |
low he then appeared and his contras- |
cd physiOgnOmy on his return. Mean
ime Mrs. Crosby had opened the door,
nd, not recognizing her brother. asked |
he visitors business. Mr.. Crosby had |
indeed so changed that it required some
btlc Jtbih w tcI hut SISbtt Vi Ills I
ientity. After half hour she returned
p stairs and saluted Miss Fancher
18th, WHO do you think is down in
no parlor?" and Miss Fancher very
answered, "Uncle Ike, Of
curse, and he is very sick" The girl
ad instantly recognized him, while, Of
purse, it was impossible for her to see
i'm.
Mr.. Henry Parkhurst, Of No. 81
ates avenue, Brooklyn, who is favor
bly, known among scientific men as an
3tronomer and student, became in
crested in Miss Fancher's case early
/ its development. He has closely
atched the changes In her condition,
nd has kept complete record of them.
% has spent hours at her bedside, and,
ishing to satisfy himself from q scien.
fic basis, has made many tests Of her
overs, and has reached many inter
sting conclusions. Mr.. Parkhurst was
first inclined to suspect that Miss
ancher's power OF second sight was
erived from an ability to read minds. |
was noticed that she rarely extended l.
or vision beyond her friends, or some |