The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1888-04-12
DOLLYS MAGNETISM.
A Wonderful Prodigy Described
By q Chicago Physician.
The Human Magnet Pound In the Psrson
OF Child Three AID a Half Years
Old - What She Does aud
How She Does It

Late In August last, while taking a vaoa,
ton in country town, / heard Of a case
that was causing considerable discussion
and wonderment among the people. Low.
ers Of the mysterious. Who are ALWAYS
ready 70 attribute any manifestation. at an
peculiar, 10 supernatural AGENCIES, were
INDUCING IN various wise snccuiatious as 70
the true nature Of the case. The child "a
termed human magnet BY the believ-
ers in and prasticcrs OF magnetic rubbings,
while the Spritualists declare the child q
chosen medium. Ny curiosity became
aroused, says DR.. z. q. Root, OF Chicago.
in the .Neiiedi REPORTER, and asked permis-
sion 10 see this wonderful prodigy. Per-
mission was graciously granted, and saw
the child az two different times, making nv
visits some days apart ! found a pretty,
delicate child, Dolly C., aged three and one
half years, an only child; blonde, with q
pale and rather waxy complexion. Her
manner Of speech and conduct were char
acterized by a womanly grace much in ad-
vance Of her tender years.
Last February the phenomenon I de-
scribe was first noticed While PLAYING
with some spoons the mother was surprised
TO see her arranging them on her finger
tips, where they hung with perfect case.
She will place the palmer surface Of the
hnRer-ups in the concaviiy Of the spoon
bowl near the end, and lift from the holder,
one by one. without otherwise touching
them, until spoon IS suspended from each
hnger-tp. II tho spoons do not strike too
violently against each other. she will carry
them about the room without dropping
them. The spoons viii adhere 20 the nose
and chin as they do on the fingers.
examined the case in various wavs.
First 1 tried four teaspoons with a magnet;
one pure silver, one pewter. one triple
plated and one single plated or washed.
The pure silver or pewter spoons were not
Influenced by tho magnet; the heavier
plated was only partially raised, while the
washed spoon WAS raised entirely clear Of
the table. l carried these four spoons With
me for the child 70 exercise her anomalous
power Of preheusion upon Each one was
suspended with equal ease. except
that one OF pure silver This one
was hghtest in weight. and the
bowl was considerably hatter than
any Of the other three But after arranging
IL upon her finger Jew times she succeed
ed in making it stick" Asking her 10 put
two finrers under the spoon bowls, / found
very appreciabie resistance in taking il
on. The spoons would hang from the tip Of
the nose and chin with as much security as
from the fingers. Thinking the adherence
might be due % an excessive clam miness Of
the skin, l tested its surface with my own
Not discovering any, and, 70
make sure I was rot deceived by my own
sense Of touch, had the hands, nose and
chin carefully washed with soap and water
and dried with a warmed towel I found no
perceivable difference in the adhesiveness.
The child could not pick up steel needle,
that is 50 sensitive 10 the magnet, nor
would penny stick" 20 the fingers, chin
or nose. / could discover nothing unusual
in the shape Of the finger-iips The skin
was soft and velvety 10 the touch, and
could be sure Of CLEANLINESS nowhere except |
on the pima The hands and feet were warm
70 the touch when | saw her, and her mother
states that she is not often troubled with
cold feet or hands.
The little PATIENTS mother also told ne
that her sisters daughter, young lady Of
nineteen years Of age, and always sick"
IS she expressed il, mauifests the same
singular power This case l did not see,
but have no reason 70 doubt the iady's
statement, as she and her whole family are
known TO be truthful and honest
Ihave been thus particular in giving all
the available points In the family history Of
the case, hop ~ thereby some light might
BE- thrown upon the singular phenomenon
DR. n NJ Lyman said. IN reference 10 the /
case reported by DR.. Root. that IL was a rare
one. and one II unusual interest on account
Of tho youthfulucss Of The patient. similar
cases being more. numerous among older
persons who have greater opportunities for
and power OF deception. The physical char
acters Of the child are those Of a delicate,
sensitive, nervous organization, liable 20 be-
come a victim TO tubercular meningitis or
cerebral disease The lifting Of the
spoons seemed 70 be the exercising Of the
same force which in others attracted or re-
PEELED foreign bodies. This force differs
from magnetism or electricity, as
the animal force is exerted on non-metallic
bodies. Table rapping and moving may be
due 70 involuntary or unconscious muscular
action, or BY the exertions Of this nerve
force, without immediate contact Of the
persons operating and the object moved
on the bed or floor may be initiated,
as has been demonstrated BY the swapping
Of various tendons of the body, either yoluR-
tary or unconsciOusly.