Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-25
CHARLES FOSTER.
Stories of His WOnd erful Powers as
spiritualistic Medium.

stories OF Ills WOnueTIui ROWeTB AS -
spirituaIistic Medium.
BOsroN, Dec. 22.-Charles Foster, the
once noted spiritualistic medium, whose
death has been announced, was son of
Joshua l.. and Mary Foster, an only
child, and when a schoolbOy was OF a
strange disposition. When only IA years
of age, while a pupil in the Phillips
school his attention was called TO
raps near his desk, loud noises would
awaken him at night, and his furniture
would be found scattered in confusion.
Osborn. barber in Lynde Block, took
him in charge as a mesmeric subject, and
from that he developed into a spirltualist
medium. He performed more wonders
than all the mediums of the time. When
scarcely of age he visited Europe, where
be was the guest of Lord LyttOn at Kneb-
worth, and formed the foundation study
for the character of Margrave in "a
Strange Story"
AS a test medium he was unequalled.
The late Epes Sergeant wrote of him at
one time that two men who were sceptics
saw him producing writing on his arm,
and Selling hold or it to discover his trick,
as they called it, said:
eve know nothing will come while we
hold your arm
"W hat will you have?" said Foster.
"SOmething that will be test" said
they something that will fit our case"
lmmedi ately, while they held his arm as
in wise, there appeared in large, round
characters the words, ''TwO FOOLS"
The Hon. Charles De Long, when in
California, heard OF Foster at the Grand
hotel. and when told OF his remarkable
powers. laughed at it, but on being urged
consented to visit him in his rooms. Az
ter Foster had smoked a few moments. he
said:
II can get but one message tonight,
and that is for Ida. Do either of you
know who Ida is?
De Long, with startled look, answered
"Well, yes, rather think do. My wife's
name is ldai
"Well," said Foster, "she will have to
come and get it."
After De Long had tried in vain to get
the message he left, and the next night
took his wife there, and they We're all
seated around a table. Foster sat and
smoke a few moments, when he said ::
"The same message comes to me. 1t is
for Ida. This is the lady, is it?" He
/ asked. as OF spirit. "Oh, you will write
the message, will you? Well, all right"
and with this be took up pen and dashed
of the following:
I oftoyfttcF
Ten years agoI intrusted a large sum of
money to ThOs Maiden to invest for me in
certain lands. After my death he failed to
account for the investment to my executors.
The money was invested, and 1850 acres of
| land were bought, and one. half OF this land
now beongs 10 you. ! paid Madden on sc
count of my share Of the purchase f650. lie
must be made to make a settlement.
Your father, VINEYARD.
| Mrs. De Long was frightened at this
statement. The next day Mr.. DE LOng
! called on Mr.. Maiden at the Occidental
/ hotel, and asked him il there was not
! some unsettled business between the late
Mr.. Vineyard and himself. After mo-
meut's hesitation he said there was, and
shortly after said he supposed they had
left it in his hands for an increase, but
was ready to settle at any time. He
decided TO Mrs. De Long 625 acres, for
which he offered $4,000, but his offer was
refused as the land was valued at S25, 600.
Foster made an immense amount OF
! money. When in Melbourne he lett the
place where he was receiving more than
/ 100 guineas at a sitting and came home.
/ He had rooms at the Parker House in
Boston. and received hundreds Of dollars
/ daily, but spent it as freely as he made It,
He had been married twice, his second
/ wife being Eva Bassett OF Boston. She
died about i've years ago and so did their
I only child.