Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-08-20
CANES MADE no STAND ALONE.
Miss Josephine Lords spook Powers
Under InYestigation.

bhuer intestiSatiou
The committee of investigation of the
American Psychical Society, formed to
test modern spiritualism, and promi-
nent on whose roll of membership are
the Rev. DR. Heber Newton of New
York and the Rev. Minot Savage of
Boston has just finished series Of three
seances with Miss Josephine Lord of
Lowell, Mass. She is young, lives with
her father and mother, has never known
anything of spiritualism, and until re-
Gently has been member and con-
slant attendant of the First Baptist
Church. About two years ago her
fayorite brother was taken very ill. 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 spiritualism, and thus began the
mediumistic career of Miss Lord.
The phenomena produced by Miss
Lord are Of Il particular character, &C.
curing for the most part in the light.
She apparently has command of the
occult powers, the unseen force obeying
her directions. At the first seance, held
under the direction Of the Rev. T..
Ernest Allen of Providence Il. l., secre-
tary Of the American Psychical Society,
with six others present, three canes, one
of wood, another of glass and another
of steel, were made TO stand upon the
floor for five minutes in vertical posi-
tion. At command from Miss Lord
the canes moved in any direction indi-
Gated, but they would not respond to a
request made by any other person in
the room. She then took one of the
sticks in her hand, and, although appar-
emily 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
far more varied and striking in charac-
ter. Sitting in the dim light around the
table, shadowy forms were seen plainly
moving here and there, bending over
and breathing some word of comfort in
a whisper, then seeming to rise
| in the air to be lost In the
deepening shadows. There stood
at little distance from the table large
rocking chair, which all at once began
to rock. Gradually it slid nearer to the
table and pushed itself in between two
Of the persons sitting there. Then ii
stopped q moment and slowly rose a
few inches from the floor, falling back
again with a loud thud almost instantly.
1t rose somewhat higher a 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.
A murmur Of surprise went through
the room. After a little delay Mr..
Flower declared himself wonderstruck,
and suggested that the chair be returned
to tile floor, saying as he did so: "Could
any one sit in the chair, l wonder, and
if so, could both be lifted ?"
lnstants three loud raps were heard
which in spookdom is the signal fol-
yes. Having thus gained the consent OF
the unseen agents, Mrs. Flower, with
much trepidation, seated herself in the
chair, the company meantime all join
ing in singing familiar hymn. This
had continued for few moments 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 chail
should not, could not, dare not move
1t continued just the same, gaining
gradually in force and velocity.
Every eye was fixed upon the chaii
and its occupant, which were both
plainly visible in the semi-twilight, and
an exclamation of fear arose as the chail
was lifted, with its occupant, fully ten
inches from the floor and then SUM,
back again, just as it had done in the
first instance.
Are you afraid ?" asked several per.
sons of Mrs. Fowler. They saw she
looked somewhat pale.
N-n-o, not v-very," was the answer
hesitatingly given.
The last word had not left her lips
when, as though with one mighty effort
the chair and its occupant were botl
placed on the centre of the table in the
presence OF the astonished company.
At the third seance, in the presence OF
the same company, about the same phe
nomena occurred with an additions
mystery. Near the ceiling was large
picture hook. One Of the men present
asked permission to place something Oh
it, and was told by loud raps that he
might do SO. A stool was placed on the
table, and he folded bank note length
wise and tied it about the hook. After
he took his seat all joined hands, anc
soon all were softly singing. The lighr
was very dim. Not more than five
minutes had passed before the medium
uttered cry more like the war-whoor
of an Indian than anything else. Throw
ing her hands upward she caught the
bank note from the air Just above hel
own head With this manifestation the
meeting broke up, not, however, until
the members of the society had ex.
pressed their complete satisfaction with
what had occurred, and suggested 9
continuance Of these remarkable expert
ments in the autumn.