Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-07
SPIRITS Or LEGERDEMAIN
AS Witnessed at the Opera House Last
Night-You Pay. Your Money ana Take
Your Choice.

1
| Your Choice.
There is strange bias in human nature for
| anything that partakes of the unreal or super
natural; SO pronounced is this trait that man
love for the marvellous is easily imposed upon,
not unfrequently by the most shallow pre-
tenders. 1t was this hankering for the unreal
that filled the Opera House last night to over
flowing. The doors were thrown open an hour
earlier than usual, and at s o'clock the audi
torium and gallery presented very much the
appearance of the opening night OF favorite
opera.
The entertainment consisted of series Of
manifestations under the auspices OF the ceie-
brated medium Annie Eva Fay, assisted oy
Mr.. C. C. Braddon, whose performances nave
at once been the puzzle and source Oh a1SerIise-
ment of the most enlightened circles OF Europe.
As announced by Prof. Braddon before the
seance the phenomena or spiritual manifesto
tiens, NAV or may not be the result OF super
natural agencies. The audience paid their
money and took their choice. As for himself
he was non-committal and wise enough to
deny or affirm nothing.
Considered from purely mundane point OF
view the performance was "deuce9 clever, as
of the phenomenon is one OF lnose thlhSs tnaI
no fellah can find out.
Per contra. if the manifestations are the re-
suit of supernatural agency the spirits nave
derenerated into state of sublimated stupid
ity than most people give them credit for;
When the curtain rose it revealed caolnet
or arras placed in the center OF the stage anu
formed of four upright stanchlons sur
rounded by maroon colored rep.
Prof Braddon called upon the audience to
select Il committee whose presence was de-
sired to prevent against colluslon or frauo,
Senator Powers and Mr.. E. F. Drake being
chosen to act as such committee:
Miss Eva Fay, the medium, was then intro
duced. In appearance she Is remarkaoie LOT
petite, graceful form, bordering on spareness,
a face that is spirituelle, If delcaey ana renne-
ment of features go to make up thaS fnapsHuy
of contour, with luxuriant brown or deep
auburn hair, large, intelligent eyes anu niost
animated expression.
Miss Fav was firmly bound by the commit
tee and seated in the cabinet, or enclosure,
banjo and harmonica was placed on ner zap
and these instruments discoursed quite ifeely;
It may be stated that her hands were Dound
behind her and that her head was secured py
slip of cotton cloth fastened to a stanchlon ID
the center of the cabinet. During the mani
festations the medium was nlddeh from the
view of the audience.
In succession a glass OF water was ralsed
from her lap to her mouth, nall was drlven
through an inch board, communications we're
written, figures cut from paper, ana wnat Is
called the Shot test performed. The latter is
as follows: The medium is firmly tied, coin
is placed on her feet, and the committee put
quantity of shot into each hand, q pencll Is
put between her teeth, and in this condition
hoop is taken. from her lap and put a round .her
neck. =,
From the spirit land writings were reGelved,
calling I'D friends of Susan Sheran, Thomas
Montgomery, residing on Summit avenue;
CYNTHIA Fuller, on Washington street, and
spirit named Emily Mason, who passed away
in 1876.
A test was made with the medium outside
the cabinet, during which instruments were
made to PERFORM guitar was partially eA-
tended through the curtain and several bou-
quets were thrown out
In neither instance, as per advertisement,
was the guitar or piano made to hoat through
the air.
Prof Braddon gave the Lmyan test, which
consists of releasing himself inside OF three
minutes. In this connection the audience
we're asked to select some one to tie the medl-
un Mr.. H. L. Fairchld came forward, ana,
strange 10 say, the medium refused to let him
tie the rope. By the audience TINS was con
sidered giye-away,
Mr.. Fairchill also offered twenty dollars Ill
gold if Miss Fay would perform her act be-
fore the audience whilst one of the committee
held her lhands. This prot1er was also re-
fused
The spirits of Horace Thompson and VIM.
Fl. Albright were heard from. The former
inquired for his daughter, and said he would
like to communicate something about
property. Miss Fay will request Miss Thomp-
son to call at her parlors at the hotel