The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-01
PSYCHICAL SEANCES.
BOWER OF A WOMAN IN LOWELL
UNDER INVESTIGATION.

Comm tee From the American
Psychic al Society Holds Three Scan
css With Miss Josephine Lord, and
one of Them Seated in a Char is
Lifted to the Top of the Table by
Unseen Powers-Other Doings.
From the Ne,0 York sun.
LOWELL. July 29.-The committee of in
,astjcasion of the American Psychical So
ce,v. formed to test modern spiritualism
and prominent on whose roll Of member
chin are the Rev. DR.. Heber Newton of
New York and Rev. Minot Savage OF Bos-
h., has just finished a series of three Sc
o,c.s with Miss Josephine Lord of this city.
Shells Young, lives with her father and
mother. has never known anything of spirit
uaism. and until recently has been a
member and q constant attendant OF the
First Baptist church. About two years ago
her fayorite brother was taken very i'll. A
woman friend who was calling foretold his
immediate death, which, proving correct,
IMPRESSED Miss Lord and her family very
much, Heartbroken, they sought, like
many others, consolation in spiritualisn
and thus began the mediumistc career of
Miss Lord.
The phenomena produced by Miss Lord
are of a peculiar character, occurring for
the most part in the light. She apparently
has command Of the occult powers, the un-
seen force obeying her directions. At the
first seance, held under the direction of Rev.
I. Ernest Allen of Providence, R. l.,
secretary of the American Psychical
canes, one Of wood, another OF glass
and another Of steel, were made to
stand npon the floor for five minutes in
vertical position. At command from
Miss Lord the canes moved in any direction
indicated, but they would not respond to
request made by any other person in the
room. She then took one of the sticks in
her hand and, although apparently holding
it lightly between her fingers, no person
present was able to take it from her. This
phenomenon is something after the Lulu
Hurst order
The second seance was reinforced by B. o.
Flower Of Boston, editor of the Arena.
Mrs. Flower and Mr.. Garland, all being
members OF the society. On this occasion
the manifestations were much more varied
and striking in character. Sitting in the
dim light around the table, shadowy forms
we're seen plainly, moving here and there,
DCbhELE ONOA anu III bdbutDR bOIlb WORD OIL
comfort in q whisper; then seeming TO rise
in the air, to lie lost in the deepen
ing shadows. There stood at little
distance from the table a large rocking
chair, which all at once began to rock
Gradually 1t slid nearer TO the table and
pushed itself in between two of the persons
sitting there. Then it stopped for mo-
ment and slowly rose few inches from the
floor, falling back again with loud thud
n 81 nW =
second time, returning quickly to the floor
again Making third attempt, as though
moved by some superhuman force, it lifted
itself squarely on top of the table and began
rocking violently.
murmur of surprise went through the
room. After a little delay Mr.. Flower de-
cIared himself wonder struck, and suggested
that the chair be returned to the floor, say
ing as he did 50: Gould any one sit in the
hfted"
Instantly three loud raps were heard
which in spookdom is the signal for yes.
having thus gained the consent Of the I'M
seen agents, Mrs. Flower, with much trepi-
datlon, seated herself in the chair, the com
pany meantime all joining in a familiar
hymn. This had continued for a few mo-
ments only when the chair despite all of
Mrs. Flowers efforts to prevent it, began
slowly to rock backward and forward. In
vain did the occupant place her feet upon
the floor and protest that the chair should
not, could not, dare not move. 1t continued
Just the same, gaining gradually in force
aud velocity.
Every eye was fixed upon the chair and
its occupant which were both plainly Wis.,
bic in the ST mi-twilight, and an exclama-
ton of fear arose as the chair was lifted
with its occupant fully ten inches from the
floor and then sunk back again, just as it
had done in the first instance
Are you afraid [" asked several persons
OF Mrs. Flower. They saw she looked some
what pale.
''N-n-o, not Very" was the answer hest
tatingly given.
Inc last word had not left her lips when,
as though with one mighty effort, the chair
and its occupant were both placed on the
center of the table in the presence of the
astoHished company.
AT thu third seance in the presence of the
same company about the same phenomena
occurred with an additional mystery. Near
tne ceiling was large picture hook One
OF the men present asked permission to
pace something on it, and was told, by
loud raps, that he might do SO. A stool
was placed on the table, and be folded a
bank note lengthwise and tied it about
t1e hook. After he took his seat all
joined hands, and soon all were softly
singing. The light was very dim. Not
more than five minutes had passed before
the medium uttered cry more like the
war whoop of an Indian than anything
eSe Throwing her hands upward she
caught the bank note from the air just above
her own head. With this manifestation the
meeting broke up, not. however. until the
members Of the society had expressed their
complete satisfaction with what had &C.
CURED, and suggested continuance of
tnese remarkable experiments in the au-