The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-04-06
A Human Magnet.

LaIe III August last, Wnlle IhkluS n
vacation in a country town, heard Of
a case that was causing considerable
discussion and wonderment among the
people. Lovers OF the mysterious, who
are always ready to attribute any mani
festations at all peculiar to supernatural
agencies, vera indulgiDg in various
wise speculations as to the true nature
OF the case. The child is termed
"human magnet'' by the believers in
and practisers OF magnetic rubbings,
while the Spiritulists declare the child
a chosen medium. My curiosity became
aroused and l asked permission to see
this wonderful prodigy. Permission
was granted and 1 saw the child at two
different times, making my visits some
DAYS apart. found pretty, delicate
child, Dolly e., aged three and one-half
years, an only child blonde, with q
pale and rather waxy complexion. Her
manner of speech and conduct were
characterized by a womanly grace much
in advance of her tender years.
Last February the phenomenon de-
scribed was first noticed. While play
ing with some spoons the mother was
surprised to see her arranging them on
her 6nger tips, where they hung with
perfect ease. She will place the palmer
surface of the finger tips in tie conca-
witty of the spooD-bow near the end, and
lift from the holder, one by one, with
out otherwise touching them, until a
spoon is suspended from each finger tip.
Ii the spoons do not strike too violently
against each other she will carry them
about the room without dropping them.
The spoons will adhere to the nose and
chin as they do on the fingers.
examined the case In various ways.
First tried four teaspoons with mag
net one pure silver, one pewter, one
triple plated and one single plated or
washed. The pure silver or pewter
spoons were not Influenced 10y the mag
net the heavier plated was only par
TALLY raised, while the washed spoon
was raised entirely clear of the table.
carried these four spoons with me, for
the child to exercise her anomalous
power OF prehension upon. Each one
was suspended With equal ease except
the one of pure silver. This one was
iightest in weight, and the bowl was
considerably fatter than any OF the
other three. But after arranging it up
on her fingers few times she succeed
ed in making it "stick" :" Asking her
to put her fingers under the spoon bowl,
found a very appreciable resistance in
taking it off. 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 to
an excessive clamminess of the skin /
tested its surface with my own finger
tips. Not discovering any, and TO make
sure was deceived by my own sense Of
touch, had the hands, nose and chin
carefully washed with soap and water
AID dried with a warmed towel. 1
found no perceiva5le difference in the
adhesiveness. The child could not
pick up steel needle, that is so sensi-
tive to the magnet. nor would penny
''stick" to the fingers, chin or nose. /
could discover nothing unusual in the
shape OF the finger tips. TIE skin was
soft and velvety to the touch and 1 could
be sure OF clamminess nowhere excsp.
on the pima. The hands and feet were
warm to the touch when / saw her, and
her mother states that she is not often
troubled with cold feet OF hands.
The little patients mother also told
me that her sisters daughter, young
lady of nineteen years of age and "al-
ways sick, " as she expressed 1t, mani
tests the same singular power. This
case did not see, but have no reason to
doubt the lady's statement, as she and
her whole family are known to be truth
ful and honest.
have been thus particular in giving
all the available points in the family
history of the case, hoping thereby some
light nigh. be thrown upon the singu-
lar phenomenon.