The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-24
WAS LINCOLN A sPIRITUALIsI9
Some Startling Declarations Made by
Mrs. Nett.e Colburn Maynard.
From the Chtcaqo Ners.


From the Chicago Netrs.
WHITE PLAINS, N. Y, Oct. 1s-Iu q
work entitled "Was Lincoln Spiritualistr
Mrs Nettie Colburn Maynard of this city
makes startling declarations in regard to
Mr.. Linccln's belief in supernatural COM
, munications. She says that in the latter
part OF 1869, when she was q girl, aud
already gaming q reputation as a medium,
she was in Washington and became
acquainted with Mrs. Lincoln and a number
Of other persons of prominence, who were
attendant upon her seancss and through
this mea she came in contact with the
President
Mrs. Lincoln induced her husband 10
ate d one of Miss Colbura's seances, and
on that occasion be was warned through
the unconscious medium not TO postpone
his issuance OF the emancipation proclama-
tion. Those present were surprised, and
asked Mr.. Lincoln if any press ire had been
brought to bear to secure the deferment of
the proclamation, and he replied that there
had been pressure of the strongest kind. He
was much impressed by the incident, and
the proclamation was shortly issued.
Mrs. Lincoln obtained Miss Colburn a
clerkship and she remained in Washington,
frequently giving seanceS. The February
following Mr.. Lincoln was again prese 1T on
one of these occasions. a spirit, through
her told the company that a precarious
condition Of things prevailed in the army at
the font and threatened its useful ess.
The President said: you seem to UNDER
stand toe situation; can you point out the
remedv!'
The spirit advised him TO 90 TO the front
pei sonally with his family and go among
the soldiers without ceremony, inquiring
into their grievances and showing them
~ L.. e. Is NJ
Lincoln said he would do as ad vised and he
afterward lid so with good re ults.
AT this seance Mr.. Lincoln. together with
D. +. : mes, Congressman from Maine; Col
S. 2. Kase Of Philadelphia and others, Cat
upon piano, which was moved by the spir-
its notwithstanding their weight. When
asked what he thought of the affair Mr..
Lincoln was reticent but said freely that he
had not supposed the things communicated
through the medium were known to any one
but himself.
The next time Mr.. Lincoln and Miss Col
burn met was on the day of the battle of
Charlottesville The p esident was very
anxious, and at the suggestion Of Mrs. Lin
coin Mis- Colburn invited and received
word from the spirit land. 1t was to the
effect that the union forces we're holding
their own. The next day this was confirmed
by the ordinary official advce+.
coin was present at sea .ce, aud the terri
BILE condition of the freedman was made the
subject of spirituslistic communication,
the President being urged to appoint q COM
mittee to investigate the question, which
be soon did. Gen. Daniel E. Sickles was
present at the seance. Mrs. Mayn trd states
that during this winter she held seances at
tended by Mr.. and Mrs. Lincoln at the
Presidents appointment, but as they were
private and she was unconscious when the
spirit was communicating through her she
does not know what was communicated.
neither Mr.. nor Mrs Lincoln having told
her afterward what had occurred.
During the winter of 1S64-65 Charles Col
chester and Charles Foster, two well known
mediums, held seauces for the Presidenr,
and through taem as well as through Miss
Colburn, the President was warned of his
approaching fate. He did not admit, how
ever, that be placed any reliance upon these
prophecies