Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-04-01
SPIRITUAL VISITORS.
Spiritualists Celebrate the Discovery
Of the Modern Faith
WITH ODD ANNIVERSARY SERVICES
The Spirit Of Murdered Sadie Pruener Says
She is Unhappy.
ROSY PROMISES FOR THE SPEAKER

Pittsburg Spiritualists yesterday cele-
brated the forty-frst anniversary of the ORR
gin of modern Spiritualism in the little vii
lage of Hydesville, N. Y. The little old
frame house in which occurred the first
manifestations in 1S47 is yet standing. At
that time it was occupied by Michael Wake
man, who was so troubled by the mysteri-
Gus raps heard in the house at night that he
moved out. On March 1, 1S48,
the father of the famous Fox sisters
moved into the house. fOn the night
of March 81 these raps, which the neighbors
made every possible effort to trace to their
origin, first gave evidence of being directed
by some controlling influence. The account
of the discovery of their alleged communi-
cations with the spirits has been given so
often that repetition is unnecessary.
Although Catherine and Margaretta Fox
have since confessed that they are frauds,
and that the mysterious raps were produced
by the cracking of their toe joints, which
power they had accidentally discovered,
and had practiced until they had acquired
high degree of proficiency, the belief is
still held, and there are multitudes of be-
levers throughout the world.
Spirituaiistic mediums are now common.
and the faith is unshaken.
IT WAS VERY PICTURESQUE.
The society in this city made special
efforts to have a pleasant anniversary.
Their hall on Sixth street was lavishly de-
corated with evergreen streamers. Ameri-
can flags were tackled to every bid of wood
work which would hold one. On stand
was placed huge, gaudy group of artificial
flowers. On another stand was similar
pot. On the speakers stand was placed
some natural flowers. The words "Angels
Guard Us" were chalked on a black
board. The audience was a mixture
of curiosity seekers and believers, in which
the former were in the majority. The meet
ing was opened by the singing Of some gos-
pei hymns and other appropriate exercises.
Mr.. G. II. Keats, from Greenville, O., then,
to use his own words, "skimmed the vesti-
bule of Spiritualism. 1t took almost an
hour Of talk to remove the cream. He prom
ised that the day was coming, and
oh! what a glorious day it would
be, when legislators will be in
fnenced by other spirits than those which
now are favorites, and that wise laws Gas if
our laws were not wise) would be made.
All churches and -creeds would yield to
spiritualistic teachings, there would be no
wars, and host of other things which go to
make life worth living would be done away.
HIS BETTER HALF's TRANCE.
When he had concluded he an
nounced that Mrs. Keats would
give test exhibition. They are
about to leave the city, and he announced
that whenever Mrs. Keats was leaving her
friends, she always imagined that she
would never see them again. She is very
sympathetic woman, and he feared that per-
haps she might not be able to give full ex-
hibition of her powers, owing to her fear of
never meeting her friends again. After
few votes of thanks, Mrs. Keats made a
pretty little speech, stating that she would
never forget her Pittsburg friends.
The medium is not ethereal BY any means.
She is a woman of medium height (nat-
urally), and weighs in the neighborhood of
170 pounds, she has round, horid face.
In her hair she wore white flower, and, as
she sat waiting for her cue, she gracefully
waved large gilt fan to and fro before her
face, displaying a neat wrist and pretty
hand. She is very stacy in her gestures.
She talks stacy, and bitches her words to-
gether with gasps.
Stepping to the front of the stage, she
proceeded to describe spirit wAich had
then passed before her.
DESCRIBING SADIE PRUENER,
She is wringing her hands as if in pain; an
expression of trouble and discomfort is on her
face, as if she were dissatisfied with herself;
she is fairly good looking; her cheek bones are
rather high, and her face is thin. The spirit
has dark hair, which is combed back, and she
wears bangs The spirit has left this life sud-
denly, as if she we're shot. She was not bad
woman, but had been unfortunate. She is
standing in partially lighted doorway, when
man who acts strangely comes up toward
her and points pistol at her breast. He is
close to her, but the pistol does not touch her
breast. He fires, and she falls to the ground
with her hand to her breast. Her name is
Sadie
She has no friends in the audience; but there
are some here who will recognize her. Does
any one do sof
An old gray-haired man said he recog-
nized the spirit as that of woman who was
shot in the doorway of fast house on Third
avenue.
The medium evidently had reference to
Sadie Pruener, who was murdered by Joe
Evans few years ago. Sadie did not wish
to talk with any person, but the medium
stated that she was unhappy.
COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON.
The medium then came down among the
audience and picked out number of persons
with whom spirits wished to converse In
every case they said nothing, but that a
brighter time was coming for their friends,
and that they were with them at all times in
life. They were ali recognized, but no
names were given.
Mrs. Keats then gave the names of four
spirits who were present, but they had -evi-
IDENTIFY got into the wrong house, as nobody
recognized them.
When the medium had finished she sat
down on the sofa and famed herself ener-
getically, as if talking to spirits was hard
work.
The audience was quite large.
A similar meeting was held in the morn
ing. This morning Mrs. Keats will have
meeting for ladies only.