Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-05
SPIRITS THAT FAILED.

Lively Scene at an Alleged Seance-
the Medium Marched or To Jail.
A startling exposure of spirit manites-
tations occurred at Philadelphia on the
night of March 3. About 1000 people
assembled in Horticultural Hall to wit
ness an alleged spiritualist seance, at
which 'EMrs. Bertha King" was adver-
tised to materialiZe. The unusual cabi-
net stood in the centre of the stage, and
was made of heavy oilclOth held in place
by four uprights. An Introductory speech
was made by DR.. Foster, and three men
and five women were called upon the
stage. The medium, Colonel King, was
of portly size. Manifestations in the
shape of bell ringing and guitar playing
occurred. A gentleman and lady were
invited to enter the cabinet. They did
so. The sounds were heard again, and
the people came out telling startling
tales of spirit forms and kisses.
Another couple entered, but 1t soon be-
came evident to the audience that things
were not right insiie the cabinet. A large
table therein was overturned and the
young lady emerged from the cupboard in
a greatly shattered condition. She de-
clared, however. that she had been ca
ressed by spirit forms and kissed on each
cheek. The audience was then requested
TO sing, and after several attempts one
verse of "Sweet By-and-By" was given.
The medium then stepped from the cabi-
net united.
Mr.. r. Weiss, who had last entered the
cabinet. rose from his seat in the audi
ence and said: 81 will tell you what hap
pened. | have been a Splritualist, but
am so no longer. This is an infamous
fraud"
A terrible scene of confusion followed
People rose in all parts of the house, and
shouts rang through the vast building.
Meanwhile Mr.. Weiss had climbed
upon the stage, and, despite the powerful
opposition of the medium, had dashed
into the cabinet and reappeared holding
long handled paddle, the wide end Of
which was covered with canton flannel.
This he shook at the audience, as he
shrieked ''This is the kisser!" Sergeant
Matthews and special officers Crumley
and Lukens sprang on the stage, and, on
warrant issued by Magistrate Lennon,
arrested Col. Charles King, alias Der
tha," the medium, who gave his address
as Boston, and age 40; G. A. Garfield,
alias DIR. Foster, of CharlestOwn, Mass,
aged IS, and Isaac Smith, of Boston,
aged ~. Other officers had raided the
box Office down stairs and secured the
money. All the paraphernalia of the bust
ness was seized and the men marched to
the Fifth district station house. The
warrant charged the prisoners with OBJ
tanning money by false .pretences.
Mr.. Weiss then made the following
statement: "When l entered the cabinet
l was required to place one of my hands
on the MEDIUMS head. With the other l
held one of the lady's hands. The cabi-
net was absolutely dark. | felt the
medium move his knees and release the
loops upon his wrists. He then thrummed
the guitar. Next ne took this paddle,
touched me in the back and afterwards on
the cheek and lips, making a kissing noise
with his mouth as he did so. | then
loOsed my hands and seized the medium
by the arms. He struggled and succeed
ed in replacing his hands in the loops.
He is very powerful man, and the lady,
who cOnfesses to be a spiritualist,
hindered me from holding the man, as |
intended. The whole affair is a cheat.
and have sworn out the warrant from
previous observations made on these men
at Lincoln Hall. There is no lady con-
nected with the show. Bertha King is a
myth"
The audience at once disintegrated into
small groups of angry people, who de-
hated the merits of the exhibition.
A tall lady, who had been first to enter
the cabinet, stood up and shouted: 81
have had sufficient experience in kissing
to know the difference between a bathing
swab and genuine salute. / tell you,
ladies and gentlemen, l was kissed, if |
die for it,
Shouts of laughter drowned her further
words, and the people went home good
humoredly poorer, but richer in expert