Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-07

TIE SPIRITS IN TROUBLE.
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Estockton independently
In the beginning Of this week there
came to Stockton Mrs. Elsie Reynolds,
q professional esprit Undertaking.
medium, y who announced that through
her would appear to visitors Of her
seances the spirits Of departed friends,
whom she would materialize into
flesh and bone for time sufficient
for them to talk and kiss believing
relatives. Her assistant was smooth
faced young man. The seance was at
tended by q number of the faithful,
who left with additional conviction
that Elsie was true medium. Last
night she gave another seance, for
which she announced " startling de-
velopments." The Independent, which
is conducted on strictly cash basis,
and which takes little stock in any
thing supernatural, kindly decided
to assist Mrs. Reynolds in fulfill
ing the letter Of her announces
ment, and bringing about sufficiently
startling developments to satisfy
the audience. About s o'clock four
members of the Independent staff went
to the Avon House, and were met by
the smooth-faced young man Of the
combination, who ushered them into
the room for which circus perform
ance was pre6rdained. In one corner
of the room was arranged a cabinet l"
made by two black curtains hung to
form triangular space with the wall
corners. Near the cabinet, and imme-
diately by door leading into another
room, was table, on which stood q
lighted lamp, giving the only light in
the room.
At this table sat Mrs. Reynolds, a
giddy girl of about forty-fve years,
wrinkled, homely, and evidently suffer
ing from wear and tear by the spirits.
When the first two newspaper repre-
sentatives entered their hats were taken
into the other room and close circle
was formed of the first corners, the new
arrivals being given back seats, where
they would be presumably unable to
reach the cabinet for interference with
the spirits. When the other two hide
pendent visitors came they took back
seats. Ben. Arlington, OF the Natt,
was the last admitted.
Mrs. Reynolds sighed heavily and re-
marked: " Sometimes have circles
composed entirely Of ladies, sometimes
entirely Of gentlemen, but then the
manifestations are not so good, because
there is too much positive force"
How will they be tonight"
asked Hudson.
81 think they will be good" and
Mrs. Reynolds then ordered Harry, the
smooth faced young man, to open the
cabinet. Harry said the performance
would begin with collections, and he
passed the hat for 81 per head, which
was paid. The cabinet curtains were
drawn aside, and skeptics were invited
to inspect the apartment. One visitor
examined the curtains, tapped the floor,
and found nothing but what showed on
the surface.
Harry then locked the doors and
darkened the room by placing large
paper funnel over the lamp, which was
turned low to burn dimly. Harry and
the medium began singing "In the
Sweet Bye and Bye" the visitors be-
ing requested to join. Just as the
song was finished Mrs. Reynolds said
some one was calling her to come
into the cabinet. She wore a dark
dress, and at this time was seated
directly against the cabinet curtains.
"Nearer, My God, to Thee" was
then sung, and the spirits drew Elsie
and her chair into the cabinet. Soon
afterward the curtains were parted, and
white figure appeared, but only for a
moment. The medium then said " lit
tie Effie' was there, and Immediately
came the words, in a child's voice,
"Dood evening. am here again.
Mrs. Reynolds had with her a large
tin horn, through which she talked in a
gruff voice, resembling that Of a large
lunged man.
" Who is with you?" she asked Of
Effie.
"Susie. She wouldn't tell me her
other name last night, but now she says
it is Organ. She says her first name
was Evans"
"That's right" said DR.. A. T. Hud-
son.
The curtains parted, and a white
robed figure took one step from the
cabinet.
what is your name?" asked a
visitor.
silly. Lily Roberts"
The figure stepped back, and Mrs.
Reynolds sang, in a harsh voice,
through the horn, sailors song.
II tan sing better'n that" said Effie,
and on request she came to the front of
the cabinet, appearing about two feet
in height, and sang in childish voice.
Two "spirits " were then shown to-
gether. First came one, a young wo-
man, who said her name was Sarah
Dodge. The good-looking lady who
was among the spectators recognized
her as a sister. The spirit came for
ward, shook hands with the live sister,
and then embraced and kissed, the de-
luded sister being much agitated. The
spirit went back, and again the curtain
was raised, showing two spirit forms,
Sarah and dead sister. The live sister
became very nervous, and asked for a
message. "Sarah" said their father
was Jonathan Dodge. "Tell him Sarah
wishes to see him very soon."
The medium announced " There is in
the band an Indian girl who comes out
and puts lace under the chairs of me-
dunn persons and lace-girl who picks
up the lace. The Indian girl is not
seen placing the lace. The lace-girl
has not been with us for some time, but
she is coming" The curtains were
parted, and behind the guarding table
was seen another esprit" that Of the
lace-girl, who said: Somebody's got
my lace. Somebody's got my lace"
The figure, which, like all the others,
was robed in white, advanced from the
side of the table to the middle Of the
floor. The Dodge sister asked if she