New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-27
DOMESTIC CORRESPONDENCE.
A spIRITUAIIST AYP-MEE1ING.
THE PLACE, THE PEOPLE AND THE PER
FORAiANCES.

FRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF IIiE IRIbuNh'
CAssADAGA, n. Y, Aug. 23.-Another tribute
10 the attractI OF Chautauqua County has Dee
maid in the choice Of the shore Of Casssdaga Lake ms
the annual camp-meetng ground OF the Spritualss OF
Western New.York, Pennsylvania and Ohio The Casa
daea Lake Free Association. this incorporated pody
Of free thinkers called took up ts quarters here four
vears aeo and each year added TO its prosperity
The lakea chain OF three bodes-is pretty sheet OF
water only about three miles long and half mile wide
II is about 500 feet above Lake Erie, and hVe
feet lower than Chautauqua LAKE. III is sAirted
by the Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley and Pits
burg Railroad, and lies half an hours
ride south Of Dunkrk Its surroundings are wild ana
picturesque Hither the spiritualists come during
August TO hold meetings and Eeances ana strengthen
the cause which lies nearest their hearts Inc assoca
ton has leased twenty acres OF laud, now partly
redeemed from bemlock wilderness Ihrty'sh cot
tages and an smphitheatre capable OF holding 5000
people have been erected and this year. for the first
time the organization is self-sustaining.
short walk from the railroad station-or landing.
"a her. there is yet no depot-brngs one TO the
arched entrance where daily Ambulance OF 10 cents
charged. The grounds are yet In crude condition. put
time and money all expected 10 remedy this There Is
a large hotel having the appearance OF huge barn.
uppainted and leading to expense OF 81 90 daily.
The amphtheatre main point OF interest," for here
all the meetings are held and speeches. oy
the most talented reethinkers are delivered Sunday Il
people are on the grounds. Excursion parties rom
many points, dancing and seances form features OF no
occurrences here.
BuLwARKs OF THE FAITH.
The leaders Of the splrituasts, az noted upon the
platform ere men and women Of marked Individuality.
Toe president the association, Thomas j. skdmore'
OF Iaona i wealthy railroad contractor, man OF rev
words vet Of sound common sense. He and his wife.
the vice.president, became "belleyers" some
eight years ago, through an experience
similar TO that which with like result befel Professor
Hiram Cors0n, OF Cornell Uniyersity,tne loss OF
much moved fnat be determined to probe epirualism
a Of communicate between the ly9g ara ne
Investigated the matter at great expense and, hnaly
convinced himself that the claims OF sprtuallsu were
The secretary Of tho association Thomas b.
p pSs and : :roS aver individuality polished
ner, and q most pleasing oopyersallohsusL vi 'ns
Colby Of St Louis She 10 well advanced in year,. has
an IRON WILL prominent features and DARK eyes Ines-
eyes IKE inSse by o. spiritual msScaons have an
unn brightness and unusual expression a. tines
secretary the eyes Of nearly all away froH the
normal Their unusual lustre may subside, however
after The session Is over.
SPIRITUAL SLATE WRITINGS
The main attraction for outsiders just is the
"wonderfu Independent slatswriter," {. T. watkins,
xoned, good-lookng man OF thlrtythree
years. possibly In his performances small bit OF slate
pencil ia placed between the states, which have been
carefully ceAseG ana Wncn arc then bouhu 'osotne'
and then the medium places his bands palm down. upon
the states al the same holding to the orchestra
sitting at his lef which then begins some SOFT sweet
| melody This music soothes the medium aud renders
| him more susceptible than otherwise TO the infu
ence Of the spirits. II no himself Ia
unable 20 control the celestial vlsiian others at the
table place their hands the slate After few val
siops and an apparent sinking away. the medium indi
Gates tnat snail be stopped, aud he then Gomez
| out OF us trance. The states then opened and
message in response To one IN the mind OF the owner OF
the tablets IA found written IN the hand Of the spirit
| Messages from dcad relatives are thus received
George W Taylor. tai, daTkh haired aud oOinpe1iohed
believer well known here upright an clear
headed man, has tested Mathinss method thoroughly,
| and asCrloes tue RESULTS 10 Spfltudllap
| For the best resulfs' be says, the surf0uncnss
shouli be har nuniOus As with the photo raph dark
room Il essential for the develop OF tnc picture, 30
In tnese manesiatiO-s aud quiet contribute TO
| Inc hest results" Mr. Taylor admits that magnetic
spirits of the air Instead OF finding purely psychic
| logical explanation, he adopts the Sprtuahst Ne"
The writing tns s!Gic 10 neither nctoh nor Haud 10
| far as discovered. -
The members Of the rssooatlon-thoro are 300 stock
ho,ders-4re greatly encouraged with their progress.
and regard this annual gathering as permanent Feat:
ur OF their and mission" The meetings VIII end
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