The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-06-12
Water WltcIling,

G. F. Latimer, now in Colorado, is a
water witch. He was recently interviewed
by reporter who .propounded the follow
ing questions
''How do you propose to proceed
Where is your Instrument"
Here it is," replied Mr.. Latimer, pro-
ducing the stick-a forked twig, each prong
being about foot long 81 take fork of
this stick in each hand, holding the point
upward, and walk over the ground If
there is water or other substance under
meath near, the point will be attracted to-
wards it. 1t will be attracted by anybody,
by stove as well as, any thing else, as yo,,
may sec." Here the young man undertook
to illustrate the a1a0dtts 0pcras,dS upon the
stove and the bewondered reporter saw it
gradually bend over towards the heater,
with about the same delibcration which
characterizes the 'tdevil" when he attempts
to rekindle the fire. 1t went over and at
last pointed towards the warming pan like
the finger of destiny. .... ~ p"
"Bravo!' exclaimed the reporter. ''Now
can you tell me whether there is silver in
the pile of ore lying on that table p The
specimens referred to were from tho sup
posed new carbonate district in Boulder
county, the character and value of which
are not known. ,'...
Mr.. Latimer said he thought he could
tell. He had not, however, yet had any
experience with ores. He would try. But
he must have silver on the stick in order to
determine the presence of this metal In the
ore before. him. Could any one furnish
the necessary silver3 Half dozen editors
and printers said Certainly" and went
In their pockets, and were all on the eve of
furnishing the requisite piece of coin, when
the office boy, who had taken the hint from
the foreman, returned from the business Of
lice with the necessary amount, which was
brand new from the hand Of Dr. Under
man. ",'-.git gNla.a sa ..... ...f.,.n. F..
''some alloy in that" said VIZ. Latimer,
''but guess 1t will do" So saying, he
rod, and took it in his hands as before.
Gradually, but surely and persstently, tho
rod went over with great dignity until the
vortex touched one particular piece Of ore
top rock, and very shabby in'appearance.
''There's silver in that piece" said Mr..
Latimer.
''Sure 2" >@f0rl@S '..stgi t#
L"Sure as you live. You can bank er,
This piece was then taken out of the pile.
and the rod was held over the remaining
portion, with the same effect, though It
came down more deliberately. There's
some left, said the experimenter, ''but it's
nearly all in'tother piecG'% @'' Ts
"Try 1t on the hammer. The stick went
down, but In going turned toward the ORE
thus carrying out the theory of the manipu-
lator, that ''like draws like" That's his
motto!I - + "-t,S ,af'g" ~ 2.
'Can you find water with the rod, as
others boast they can Z" il# aN.
every time" Y" '#' "'' q H'r'N y
GLOW can you tell whether It Is water
or other matter that attfacts7 II you 20
into the mineral regions and your diver
goes down, how will you determine but
what the attraction is water :" II
''Oh, that's easy enough we 90 on the
ground Of affinity. Like attracts like. II
we want TO hunt for silver we put silver on
the stick; II We want gold we pit gold on
the stick, and 30 with iron, coppsr, etc. No
bait 70 required to find ws&er or M but it Ii
required In seerching for all othR axtioles.'' y
sHow do you account for thS nfuence