The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-04-11

A Brief visit with Bald
win the Spirit Exposer.
His Feats as Performed in
E Broad Daylight.
How he Came TO Adopt the Present
Profession.

/ Yesterday morning reporter Tor tn
ARGUS sent his card to the apartment
occupied by 8. 8. Baldwin, at the Hatpe
House. and soon received information tina
lied to the conclusion that the exposer o
spiritualism would be charmed to receiv'
the reportorial visitor at his ROOMS. Tit
newspaper representative according I'll!
wendell his way up to parlor 5. where Mr.
Baldwin was 10 readiness to entertain him
by granting him private seance. After
short and general conversation, Mr. Bald
win proposed that a stranger be brought
nm and without Introducing him, he bald
lwip) promised! to call his visitors name
The scribe descended to the office where
Cant. VIM. Jones was found discussing the
probable opening of navigation. The sit
nation was explained, aud soon the two
skeptics assembled to the room occupied by
Mr.. Baldwin. Capt. Jones was oou6den,
that Mr.. Baldwin did not know him. and
therefore TO discover his name was consid-
cred a good test of Mr.. Bsldwin's powers.
| A brief consultation followed the advent
of the two visitors. during which time no
clue was given as to the Captains name.
PREPARATIONS.
AT the suggestion of Mr.. Baldwin
she two investigators took seats on one side
of an ordinary table so arranged With refer
ence to one another that their knees touched
each other. The room was Illuminated by
the sunlight which came through the va
rious windows of the apartment. No con
disious, such as darkuess. were required.
and the only thing asked was that portion
of the two bodies touch each other, as
above noted. After the visitors had been
comfortably arranged. TIE medium - or
whatever term may be applied to MIR.
Baldwin, took the opposite side of the
table. He Grst looked intently at the
Captain whose name had not yet been dis
closed, and said: - Y our last zane is Jones.
but your given name does not appear clear
to me-" The Captain accordingly wrote
his given name with number of others
on slip of paper. Mr.. Baldwin took up the
paper which had been folded. and the full
name of William Jones was given without
hesitation.
THE Fos8El TEST.
The two visitors were then requested TO
write communication TO four different
dead persons, giving the name of the per-
son. q short interrogatory. the relationship.
if any. existing between the writer
and the person addressed and the sig
natures. This was complied with. anu
the eight eon 4qniestions were folded
up 30 as to make detection by
deciphering the eoptepts difficult. if not
impossible. The folded notes we're then
placed in the center of the table. and were
mixed I'D as baby as narrated of the
babies by ButteFoup. The communica-
tions apparently did not go iato the pos
session of Mr.. Baldwin at all, as they
we're watched by both of the investigators
from the tima they were first placed on
the table until taken back by their writer.
Mr.. Baldwin finally directed the reporter
to take a single note. and hold the same in
his hand which was done, Mr.. Baldwin
wrote off Communication with great rapid
ty and handed it to the newspaper man.
also instracting him to open the folded
note.
THE RESULT.
The query propouu ded was to an old
college mate who had died several years
.go. and desired to know whether he,
,iging his name, gas still ss enthusiastic
,ver certain organization as when on
sarth. The original communication on
being opened disclosed the original ques
ion. and 10 addition thereto, was writing
imilar to that of the dead man, stating
hat his enthusiasm over cart bly, affairs
lad decreased since his death. The
,ddenda to the communication was signed
~ the initils CT the dead mans name
rhe reply as penned by Mr.. Baldwin was
4 the same purport. but more general and
vas of the character usually employed by
II mediums.
ALL ANSWERED
he three other interrogatories of the |
eporter as well as those put by Captain |
'opes pere ell answered and the names
7ere of those to whom they were addressed. |
he test is what is known as the Foster
eat and is quite celebrated throughout
he spiritualistic world, being for long
me considered incomprehensible without
be aid of supernational gifts and powers.
[r. Baldwin explained the blood red
CURES Gu tie human hand which is also
ne of Fosters great tests. The explana
on makes the trick simplicity itself. That
ortion of the human anatomy usually the
and or arm on which the letters are to
ppear is selected A match or other
ough object is drawn across the flesh
rmina the name or letters desired. The
GOD is thep siioged e Fgah to the member,
? holding it lower than the rest Of tho
Ddy. A little friction is then produced