Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-03
SPIRITS IN TROUBLE.
Had Newspaper Men Again Spoil an
Apparently Successful Seance.
From the Stockton Independent

bad Newspaper Men Again Spoil an
Apparently Successful Seance.
From the Stockton Independent
In the beginning of this week there came to
Stockton Mrs. Elsie Reynolds, a professional
spirit materializing medium" 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 a
time sufficient for them to talk and kiss believ-
ing relatives. Her assistant was smooth
faced young man. The seance was attended by
a number of the faithful. who left with addi-
tional conviction that Elsie was true me-
dium Last night she gave another , seanIee
ments." The Independent, which is conducted
on strictly cash basis. and which takes
little stock in anything supernatural, kindly
decided to assist Mrs. Reynolds in fulfilling the
letter of her announcement, and bringing
about sufficiently startling Developments to
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
performance was preordained. In one corner
of the room was arranged cabinet made
by two black curtains hung to form triangu-
lar space with the wall corners. Near the cab
met and Immediately by door leading into
lighted lamp. giving the only light in the room.
At this table sat Mrs. Reynolds. gddy girl
IDENTITY suffering from wear and tear by the spir-
its. When the first two newspaper representa-
tives entered their hats were taken into the
Otner room and Il close circle was formed of the
hrst corners, the new arrivals being given back
seats. where they would be, presumably. una
bic to reach the cabinet for interference with
the spirits. When the other two Independent
visitors came they took back seats. Ben Arm
1ngton, of the Nail was the last admitted.
Mrs. Reynolds sighed heavily and remarked:
sometimes L have circles composed entirely
OF ladies, sometimes entirely of gentlemen, but
then the manifestations are not so good, be-
cause there is too much positive force"
How will they be tO-night?" asked Hudson.
II think they will be good" and Mrs. Rey-
nolds 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
.side, 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 and doors darlened
the room by placing large paper funnel over
the lamp, which was turned low to burn dimly.
Harry and the medium began singing. SIN the
Sweet BY and By" the visitors being requested
to join. Just as the song was finished Mrs. Rey-
nolds said some one was calling her to come
INTO the cabinet. She wore dark dress, and at
TINS time was seated directly against the cabi-
then sung, and the spirits drew Elsie and her
chalr into the cabinet. Soon aftcrward the cur
,ains were parted, aud white figure appeared,
little Eta was there, and Immediately came
the words. in child girls voice, "Dood even
Ing. am here again."
=, Mrs Reynolds had with her large tin horn,
through which she talked in gruff voice, re-
sembiing that of a large-lunged man.
w no is with you" she asked of Effe.
susie. She would mt 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 DIR. A. 7. Hudson.
The curtains parted and white-robed figure
TOOK one step from the cabinet.
W hat is yonr manner? asked a visitor.
Lilly. Lily Roberts,
The figure stepped back and Mrs Reynolds
sang, in harsh voice, through the horn, a
sailors song.
AZ 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
a childish voice.
Two "spirits'' were then shown together.
First came one, young woman, who said her
name was Sarah Dodge. The good-looking
lady who was among the spectators recognized
her as sister. The spirit came forward, shook
hands with the live sister, and then embraced
and kissed, the deluded sister being much agi-
tated. The spirit went back, and again the cur
tain was raised, showing two spirit forms. Sa-
very nervous, and asked fora 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 medium persons, and
q 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 be-
hind the guarding table was seen another
spirit" that OF the lace girl. who said: "Some-
body s got my lace. Somebody's got my lace"
Inc inquire, winch, ike 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 would shake hands.
NO. said the lace GIRL "I can't"
"Oh, yes suggested Dr. A. t. Hudson. "No
one will harm you
Treasured. the "spirit" came forward another
step and stood before the Dodge lady.
'.Will you shake hands with me now?" the
lady asked.
At this important moment an Independent
man was seized with an irresistible desire to
embrace the lace girl With agility, stimulated
by bad spirit kept for private seances in the
office. he leaped over the shoulders of Drs. A.
Il. Hudson and l.. f.. Cross, and gained the mid
die of the floor, between the circle and the cabi-
net. The lace girl attempted to regain the cabi-
net, but was caught in the strong grasp of the
Independent spirit. At the same instant Harry
deserted his lamp and clutched the reporter by
n candle, which was Immediately blown out by
DIR. A. T. Hudson. DIR. a. 7. Hudson then
grabbed the first disturber by the back of the
not get away. Mr.. Bossilier and other outsiders
broke open the door. The second Independcm
man pulled the paper funnel from the lamp and
turned up the light. The two other I,tdeDendent
representatives, assisted by BoSsilier and
Hogan, came in to take a fall out of any body
within reach, and pulled DIR. A. I. Hudson from
his too fond embrace on the neck OF the first re-
porter. Harry" fought desperately, but was
Mother are vo9 un hurte The ier woman is a hnr
Let her up" Chairs and tables were overturned
and broken. DIR. A. T. Hudson then lost no
Mrs. Reynolds, who was found to be the lace
girl around whom the first assailants arms
were locked, was placed in the chair in the cab
met. She seemed as though fainting, but re-
covered sufficiently to attempt to kiss the
porter, saying: please have pity on me. Let
me go, for am only poor girl!' Mrs. Rey-
nOlds was in her chemise and stocking feet.
Her dress had been left in the cabinet, in which
were found three small pillows used to dress
for spirits when more than one should be
Quired- and white robes and masks Worn by
Elsie i'll her various representations. The Dodge
lady was prompt in going into mysteries. She
{.
and said: 81 can hardly believe it, for saw the
spirits of my two sisters, and kissed one of
them" She was taken into the next room
where she tainted. Attention was called to the
masks and robes. Harry attempted to take
them away. but held by a reporter until
the articles were sufficiently inspected. Some
one demanded the return of his dollar, and
Harry promptly began to return it. Mrs. Rey-
holds retired to her bedroom.
Cremation and Illumination.
A FASHIONABLE DEBATE ON THE NEW NOR
TCARY MACHINE.
From the N Y. Herald.
has aai, nrIr on