The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1883-02-06
A sEANCE WITH sLADR.
A Reporters Strange Experience
With the Mystifying Medium.
Milwaukee Sentinel.

milwaukee, Centlnel.
"The spirits will write ON theses said
DR.. Slade, the medium, the other even
ing as he passed to Milwaukee Senti-
mel reporter two small states similar to.
those in use in the primary departments
OF the CITY schools The Doctors room
at the Plankintou was brilliantly lighted
bv two very bright burning gas its
Directly under the chandelier was q
small table, and around this we're seated
the medium, young lady and Senti.
mel reporter. Before commencing the
table was examined in thorough man.
ner, and every possible hiding place for
Eahything uiich would sit IN deception
was carefully inspected The gentleman
then toek from pile of q dczgn or
more two common slstes, about six by
EIGHT inches. These we're pissed to tho
lady, friend of the reporter, who care
fully examined them, and all invisible
writing which might have been there
was removed bv the use of damp
sponge. eelecting pencil from box
of dozen or more, a piece FIVE eighths
of an inch long was broken off and
placed between the two states. A circle
vas then formed by joining hands, the
medium holding the slate In one hand in
tp!ain sight above the table, allowing it
to rest against the reporters arm.
Almost as soon as the circle was
formed the click, click of the pencil was
heard, aei t's were crossed ami i's dot
ted in an audible manner, and an occa
sional emphasis was given by drawing a
line under word or sentence. Soon
the writing apparently ceased, hut.it was
almost Immediately resumed with bol-
der. freer movement, ending with 3 tlont-
ish and dash. The States then OPEN
ed without being lost to the sight OF
either Fitpess % one appeared the
| following: tsf
Is Nv friends, let this be the proof to
lyon of cur powers to write without the
use Of your hands. SAM'L BRowx.''
/ On the other was lengthy piece OF
sdyice, reading as follows:
.My friends, this dnctrine has obtain-
ed universal belief among all N tions
and in everv period OF time: Thatsthe
thinking principle in man Is OF an i'm.
mortal nature, as believed by the ancient
Egyptians, the Persians and the Assy.
tiaus-by the wisest and most cele5ra-
ted characters among the Greeks snd
Romans 1t was well known that Plato,
Socrates AMI other Greek philosophers
held the doctrine OF the souls iumor.
talitv. In his admirable analogue enti.
tied frhe Phantom --you of tue press
better look this up, and others who
doubt Whist say am. as ever,
MAT H. CARPEsTKR.''
Tue slates were carefully cleaned be-
fore the pencil was pat in use and wc.a
kept above the table during the entire
time. As soon as the ticking of the
pencil ceased. they were opened and the
writing found as described. During the
manifestations by the "spirits" the me-
dium was apparently in paroxysm of
nervousness, trembling and shaking in
such manner as to cause the table to
fairly dance.
Scan I Communicate With departed
friend p asked the lady.
"Ask any questions you desire," re-
piled DR.. Slade.
Accordingly the pencil was placed on
q slate, which was pressed against the
uader side of the table In accordance
with previous agreement, the spirit Of
departed friend, whose earthly name
was Barry Dalton, was inaudibly sum-
woned to appear and say why things
were thus. In moment the pencil was
heard moving rapidly over the slate--
When it was withdrawn from the table
it was found to contain the statement,
"B. D. Is not present" AS the name
of the spirit whose presence was desired
had not been mentioned this might be
considered strange coincidence
After this the medium complained OF
utter exhaustion, and was unable to pro.
ceed further with the seance.