The Indianapolis journal., 1889-09-09
AN EVENING WITH SPIRITS.
Prof Van Horn Uses Nediumistic Powers for
the Entertainment of a Large Audience.

1t is said that four-ffths of the believers
in spirituallsm are women. Certain it is
that the fair sex predominated in about
lists held last night at Mansur's Hall. The
mediums, as heretofore. occupied the part
of the room nearest the stage, and more
bright and snappy-eyed women are seldom
got together anywhere. The reporter
noticed two or three colored persons in the
room, .Well, / declare that is strange.
said good-looking little lady
near by; ''that beats me. Those are the
first ever saw in spirit meeting, for they
are dreadfully afraid of spooks, as every
body knows" President RalstOn called
the audience to order. The room was
crowded, and there was scarcity of chairs.
Bear in mind," said the president, that
it is utterly impossible to give tests unless
we have harmony. Don't become too anx-
ious. and you will get better demonstra-
tiOns."
and Professor Van Horn, of New York,
spoke. The Professor is not quite clear as
a lecturer Probably if his language was
allowed to stand and the ambiguous and
occult elements to settle at the bottom and
the top liquOr be carefully decanted some
thing might be made of it. His demonstra-
tiops as a clairvoyant and clairandient
medium, howeveG atoned for his fogginess
as speaker AS he stepped from the plat
form and began looking for spirit forms,
and .hearkenIng for spirit voices, he re-
marked: I'VE see great many people of
the church here to-nighs. If their minis-
ters knew anything about it, it would be
terrible" An elderly gentleman, in con-
tiding whisper, here Informed the reporter
that this would be his last visit, as his min
lister would be home next Sunday.
IL hear,n said the Professor, "the name
of Hoffer-H-o-f-f-e-r Is that your namep
pointing toward man near window. He
acknowledged that it was. You have a
Yes. DO You know John Hofferp The
man shook his head. ''You know Henry?v
He nodded. John" continued the Profess
sor, lis distant relative of yonr father
He says he has been in the spirit land fifty
three years. He was In the army as sol
der Another spirit comes with him, a
little girl. Do you know Mary HOfferi'
Yes was the answer.
These are the influences l see about
you," said the clairaudient.
You have spirit called Silver Leaf, an
Indian,r said the Professor. turning to a
lady. "He says you have been trying TO in
vestigate claim. matter in litigation, is
that so?'
Yes, SIR"
do you know Mary Fofsett, l hear the
name near you" turning to another lady.
MY husbands mother" was the answer;
my mother-in-law." This caused q litter
in the audience. whereat the Professor
looked very stern.
Somebody over in that group there has
trouble with a shoulder-a right shoulder
it catches her as she raises her hand. It's
that lady there. Hold the arm up mental
ly." He then rubbed his own arm briskly.
and said: .'You don't feel it nowp
No, sir; the pain is gone"
Il want to take yOu by the hand. Now
you feel peculiar sensation"
Yes, sir"
What is magnetism Now you feel it in
your feetp
.'Yes, sir"
Then he waved his hand about her.
''You have two ladies who oppose on in
your own house, he said, Indicating per-
son back in the audience. Every woman
in the house craned her neck to see this in
dividual. But they don't do it intention
ally. Your brother went from you when
very young but his spirit has followed you
here tonight The Professor yainly tried
to have somebody acknowledge the wan
dering spirits of Stevenson, Albert Dudley
and Carrie Johnson. Then he gavo the
name of May Howard.
Correct" came a voice IN the audience
''She says,n said the Professor, good will
to you to the final end"
Il see." said the clairaudient, looking fix
edly at "A pleasant-faced old lady, "a spirit
form near you. He speaks of the old farm.
and the spring, and spring house, and the
orchard. He says he has come here tonight