The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-28
OF COLD AND HUNGER,
George Barnard, the Spiritua!ist-A Christ
mas Sadness


"a Christening sense of sorrow that makes us
look into the faces of our neghbors with kindlier
questionings and more generous impulses than
we are wont to do The compassionate tender
ness of Christ erieving for the suferings and
sins of men seems to appeal to US more directly
at this season of remembrance than at other
times 1t is the anniversary of benevolence and
kind heartedness. of love and affection, and OF
that soul compelling charity for each others
faults or misfortunes, that flows from recogni-
ton of our common humanity, with its multi
form weaknesses and failures.
To this spirit of the season, then. attribute
something of tue sadness with which the news
of an old mans death, in want and solitude, has
oppressed me- 1t occurred here in the
heart of this goodly little city, and
what adds to its mournfulness is that the poor
gentleman had been an almost lifelong inhabit
ant Of the place. Years ago he taught in its
schools, and was at time a well TODD and
influential citizen. My own experiences with
him were peculiar and somewhat embarrassing.
Not long after getting settled here and while
the horror of Garield's assassination. and the
fearful memory of his long struggle with death
were yet fresh in the mind an old man, with
thin white hair aud the marks of care ard suffer
ing on his face, came into the Office one day. and
wished few moments conversation on matter
of very great Importance. He WAS about the
medium height, but, being very thin and spare
seemed rather above it.. His countenance bore
the impress of intelligence and his forehead was
broad and high but withal there that about
his manner and speech that seemed to me
TO ally him to that great family of
eranks who unite with apparent san
ity and even shrewdness indehnable
lunacy that sometimes takes direction and
sometimes another. "My business" said the old
man. lis not official, and yet it concerns the
President himself In short, I wish, through
you to communicate with the President of the
United States" Gradually and cautiously APP
preaching the important subjectin hand, it final
ly came out that he an enthusiastic spirit
ualist and was then holding correspondence
with the spirit of Garfield through so
called writing medium. He took from his pocket
dirty piece of paper written upon in small,
cramped hand and read letter received from
the martyred President requesting him to con
vey a command to President Arthur to have the
guard removed from his grave in the cemetery
at Cleveland. He had written once or twice to
the President and had received no response.
The command to convey this intellinance to
Mr. Arthur was upon him. He must
obey that command, if possible. If he
could only know that the President
had received the message he would be content
He had known but little of Garfield, he said,
until their spiritual correspondence. But by
thai intercourse he had found him to be most
remarkable man, indeed: one we'll worthy to be
set up for the imitation of young men in all
countries. Then he turned to me with the de-
maud that should open up way for him to
reach the President Feeling that something of
deIicacy and tact were required in dealing with
one SO enthusiastic in obedience to an imagi-
nary injunction, 1 began by saying that could
not hold any official communication with the
President and that personal letter from him
would be quite es likely to come under the eye
of the chief magistrate as one from me. But
still he insisted that the command must be car
ried out He did not understand why the guards
were placed there and why Garfield wished
them removed. ''WhaJ were they there for,
anyhow" Upon the object for which
guard was kept near the tomb being
explained. he said he thought that was all right
and proper, and could not understand why Gar
field should want it removed. But such is his
request" added he land I must carry it into ex-
ecution; then will be clear" 1t was then sug-
gested that he might write to some third party
in Washington, who would lay Garfeld's com
mand before President Arthur. He thought of
addressing Colonel lngersol but finally deter,
mined to write a personal note to the Presi-
dents private secretary making inquiry as to the
reception and fate of his former letters Then
he went away. In about two weeks he came
again. with joyful smile on his face, bearing
note from the Presidents secretary, saying
that his communication had been received and
placed upon the files of the executive mansion
He was wise enough to understand that it was
still a great matter of doubt whether the Presi-
dent would ever look upon his letter, but he ac-
cepted it as the fulfllment, on his part of the
command that had been LAID upon him; and
soon after came again, and exhibited another of
the spirit epstles. confirming that view While
be often talked of Garfield afterward. l never
heard further of the command of the President
to remove the guards. Whether some pretended
medium had furnished him with the letters or
whether the whole matter was the result of his
own disordered imagination l cannot tell He
was a man who had Travelled some and read
great uedI many wears ago, WneH lie llhu pleHIy
Of money, he went to England and rode over
large part of Ireland on horseback. He
attended military school in one of the New
England States, but. account of some fancied
slight at the hands of tutors OF comrades. left in
a great huff, and was afterwards quite bitter
against the United States and its institutions
Gradually he had drfted away from himself.
and allowed his belief in spiritual manifesto
tions to undermine his Judgment Sane and
even almost brilliantin most things, he cherished
a firm belief that he would be pro
vided for through spiritual influences. and
devoted his time and thought to holding
correspondence with the spirits of the dead. AT
grew thin and Cid His dwelling place was a
single room, in an ever-increasing state of fifth
ness and dapidaton, and ne oftener supped
with cold and hunger than with any degree of
comfort. A married daughter and ether rela