National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-02
CHARLES FOSTERS DEATH.
A Noted spiritualistic Medium whC
Made a Sensation In Ills Day.

A Noted Spiritualistic Medium Who
Made a Sensation In HIS Day.
BosToN, Dec. 16.--Charlcs Foster, the
once noted spiritualistic medium, who ten
years ago made sensation IN this country
and Europe, died yesterday afternoon ut
the residence OF his aunt, Mrs. Call, in
Salem. Death was caused by softenlng Of
the brain, with which he had been afflicted
for years. lie was son Of Joshua l.. and
Mary Foster, an only child, aud when a
scloolboy was OF 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. Os-
born, a barber In Lynde Block, took him
IN charge as mesmeric subject, and from
that he developed into spirituallst me
dium. He performed more wonders than
all the-mediums Of the time. When scarcely
Of age he visited Europe, where he was the
guest OF Lord Lytton at Knebworth, and
formed the foundation study for the char
Gcter Of Morgrave In "a Strange Story
As test medium he was unequaled. The
| late Epes Sergeant wrote OF him at one time
that two men who were skeptics saw him
producing writing on his arm, aud, selling
hold OF 1t to discover his trick, as they
called IL, said
ave know nothing will come while we
hold your arm.n
"What will you have ?" said Foster.
"Something that win be n test" said
they; "somethine that will fit our case"
Immediately, while they held his arm as In a
wise, there appeared In large, round charac-
tiers the words, 1.-TWO fools"
The Hon. Charles De Long, when In Calf
fornia, heard OF Foster at the Grand Hotel
and, when told Of his remarkable powers,
laughed at II, but on being urged consented
to visit him In his rooms. After Foster had
smoked few moments, he said
81 can get hut one message tonight, and
that is for Ida. DO either OF you know
who Ida lsY'
De Long, with startled look, answered
Gwen, yes, | rather think do. My
wife's name is Ida"
"Well," said Foster, "she viii have to
come and get it.n
After De Long had tried in vain to get
the message he left, aud the next night took
his wife there, and they were all seated
around n table. Foster sat and smoked a
few moments, when he said; ''The same
message comes to me. II is for Ida. This
is the lady, is itp' He asked, as Of the
spirit. ooh, you will write the message,
win your Well, all right,n aud with this he
eopN HVh VI thO
Envy DAUGHTER IDA: Ten years ago
| intrusted large sum of money TO
| Thos. Madden to invest for me in certain
| lands. Amer my death he failed to &c.
| count for the investment to my executors. Tho
| money was invested and 1,2J0 acres of land
| were bought, and one-hali of this land now be-
| longs TO you. j paid Madden on account OF
| my share OF the purchase $3.50. He must be
made to make settlement. Your father,
| VINEYARD.
Mrs. De Long was frightened mt this
statement. The next day Mr.. De Long
called on Mr.. Madden ut the Occidental
Hotel, and asked him II there was not some
| unsettled business between the late Mr..
Vineyard and himself. After moments
hesitation he said there was, and shortly
after said he supposed they had left IL IN
his hands for an Increase, but was ready IL
settle at any time. He decided to Mrs. De
Long G25 acres, for which he offered SlS,.
| eco, but his offer was refused, rs the land
was valued at 900.
Foster made an immense amount oil
money. When In Melbourne he left the
| place where he was receiving more than
| 100 guineas at a sitting and came home.
| He had rooms at the Parker House in Bos-
ton, and received hundreds of dollars daily,
but spent IL as freely as he made It. lie
had been married twice, his second wife
being Eva Bassett, Of Boston. She dies
about five years ago, and so did their only
| child