Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-01-09

Our Lewis County Letter.
WESTON, Jan. s, 18S6.-We have
passed very warm and pleasant
holiday period. Christmas of 1885
viii be remembered as q remarkably
bright, clear, balmy day. New Year
was generally observed here and was
warm and pleasant.
The fear is being expressed that
a failure Of ice crop for this region
will occur, which will be a serious
loss, especially disastrous to the hos
pital. 1t is hoped that change Of
weather will soon take place, and that
ice will be formed in sufficient guam
tity to supply our wants, otherwise
We shall have to import it from the
north. 1t is an essential to the good
health of inmates during the summer.
There are more inmates at present,
than have ever been here, our number
reaching 698 on Monday, 4th inst.
One dismissal has occurred since, and
several more will possibly be Sent
home during this week, fully recov
cred in mind and in better physical
health than they have been for years
Our community had quite sensa-
ton lately; many gentlemen. profess.
ing belief in spiritual manifestation,
induced one Henry Slade, OF Boston,
who has great reputation as a med.
ium, to come here aud hold services.
For several days every one seemed to
be possessed, and it was the theme
of conversation among all classes;
some confidently asserting their faith,
Others expressing just as positively
that it was fraud and would be de-
tected. Some of the ministers made
the subject theme of discourse in
the pulpit. The medium held two
lectures, for one of which he charged
an admittance fee. Parties attending
were very much disappointed, repre-
senting that he was i1literate and not
entertaining. The interest, however,
grew and the most intelligent classes
appeared to be fully committed to
the foolish idea of spirit writing. A
free lecture was announced, which is
said to have been largely attended,
and his success before the audience
seemed to be complete. At it's close,
one who expressed bis full faith in
the subject, rose ia the audience and
exposed the fraud as practised by
this medium. A warrant was issued
for bis apprehension for taking mon
ey under false prentences. His arrest
did not result in anything, ~ he was
permitted to leave on bis own recog-
nizance to answer before court. Il
is surprising that intelligent men and
women will a'lew themselves to be
lieve such an unreasonable and fool
ish idea, that friends near and dear
to them i'll life, and who in death are
lovingly brought to mind, would, il
they could or had the power of COM
municating with the loving, only be
able to do so through q party I'M
known and not in sympathy with
either dead or living, as the medium.
My personal convictions are that the
fraud carries itself so open that fool
could not help seeing it, let alone
those who claim to, be intelligent.
The result of this, it is hoped, will
prevent like event in tie future.
We are now having most delightful
weather, warm and pleasant, but very
unreasonable and likely to result in
sickness General health of all pa
tients, from Berkeley and adjoining
counties. very good. From late and
continuous rains our river, the West
Fork of MonoDgalia, is. quite full, and
will carry forward to market a large
number of logs. PIG.