Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-06-07
Lawyer Marsh on the stand.

A LETTER FROM ST. PETER PRoDUCED-How THE
sPoOK PICTURES CANE
The trial Of general" and Madame DiSs Debar
for conspiracy in swindling Luther r. Marsh, the
lawyer, was continued yesterday, in the Court OF
General Sessions, in New York. There was a large
attendance OF prominent spirituasts In the court
room, and George Francis Train was among the
spectators. Mr.. Marsh identified portrait OF
Monica, the mother OF st. Augustine, which he
had been told was painted by Adelaide Nelson In
the usual way OF the Diss Debar Association OF
Spirit Artists. The canvas had been given him to
hold, and madame went out OF the room TO answer
a bell. 1t was a virgin canvas when she retired.
but when she came back the painting was COM
plete. Next Mr.. Marsh described the writing on
pads in his presence. He said he, the medium
and any others who might be present In the room
would hold the pad in their hands; writing would
be heard going on for two, and, perhaps,
three minutes, but never longer. Then three raps
would be heard. The pad would be opened, and
many pages OF writing In ink would be found.
Some OF these letters were 80 long that they re-
quired half an hour to read through. zone mes
sage was from ST. Augustine" said Mr.. Marsh,
and related 10 my own spiritual advancement.
That one you have here from St Peter is q good
specimen. 1t is the only one have been able to
findr ~ ~: a%
Mr.. Davis held up a blank canvas. 'Ts that sl,ni-
lar TO the canvas used In the production OF these
paintingS?" he asked.
"rhere is no mark upon it by which can recog-
nlze II. II has the same appearance l presume
apply little moisture to 1t, Mr. Marsh said
Mr.. Townsend, between whom ana the window
tue canvas happened 10 Oe. Mr. DAVIS turned
around and scowled at the defendants counsel
Mr.. Townsend wanted the canvas put In, but Mr.
Davis only had II marked for Identification.
The transfer OF the real estate came next Mr.
Marsh testified TO the twenty-page letter he had
received from his deceased wife In the presence OF
Nine. Diss Debar. The letter was 10 an ordi-
nary hand, but the signature was a fac-simile Of
tnat OF Mrs. Marsh. IL advised him to give Nine
DiSS Debar the house 166 Madison avenue and to
take life lease OF The premises, the idea being 10
nave temple consecrated TO spiritualism. The
deed and lease were put in evidence. Mr.. Marsh
testified TO receiving his property back, and said
that the madame, In proposing to return IT, said
nothing about spirits.
Mr.. Davis at last asked Mr. Marsh as to his pres
ent belief regarding Nine. Diss Debar, and he
earnestly answered: 81 have no doubt she Is the
most powerful medium In the world"
On crosse Examination Mr.. Marsh said he had
been practicng lawyer for r1fty-two and one-half
years, all OF which, except flve years, had been
spent In New YORK city. lie had once been law
partner OF Daniel Webster. He said he was 'sounu
as roach" He gave nothing for the deed given
by him. but the mortgage OF 81, 900 was still un-
paid.
sigemund Goldberg and his saleswoman. Mrs.
Kellogg, testified TO having sold paints and can
vases to Nine. Diss Debar ana the general.