The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-07-31
CANES WALKED AND A CHAIR LEAPED.
MRS. Flower Sat In the Chair Which
Landed on a Table.
She Didn't Want to Move But the
Chair Wouldn't Stop.
A Queer story ofthe uncanny Powers
Of Josephine Lord.

New YORK, July 30.-The Sun today
prints despatch from Lowell, Mass, which
tells the following queer story;
The committee Of investigation Of the
American Psychical Society, formed to test
modern Spirtualism, and prominent on
whose roll of membership are the Rev. DIR.
Heber Newton of New York, and the Rev.
Minot Savage Of Boston, has just finished a
series Of three seances with Miss Josephine
Lord OF this city. She is young. lives with
her father and mother, has never known
anything Of Spiritualism, and until recently
has been member and constant attendant
OF the First Baptist church. About two
years ago her favorite brother was taken
foretold his immediate death, which,
proving. correct, impressed Miss Lord
and her family very much. Heartbr0ken,
they sought, like many others, consolation In
Spiritualism, and thus began the mediumis-
tic career Of Miss Lord.
Tie 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 the
Rev. L. Ernest Allen of Providence, r. L.,
secretary Of the American Psychieal 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 position. At a COM
mand from Miss Lord the canes moved in
any direction indicated, but they would not
respond to request made by any other per-
son In the room.
The second seance was REINFORCED by B.
y. Flower of Boston, editor of the Arena !;
Mrs, Flower and Mr.. Garland, all being
nE tnkw hrnk otCw.
the manifestations were far more varied and
striking In character. A rocking chair, af-
ter being made to rock violently by the un-
seen power, was lifted from the door to a
table.
A murmur of surprise went through the
room. After a little delay Mr.. Flower de-
clared himself wonderstruck, and suggested
that the chair be returned to the floor. say
ing as he did so, could any one sit in the
chair wonder. and II SO. could both bo
Instantly three loud raps were heard.
which in spookdom is the signal for yes.
Having thus gained the consent of the un-
seen agents, Mrs. Flower, with much trepid-
alton, seated herself In the chair, the com
pany meantime all Joining in singing a
familiar hymn.
Every eye was fixed upon the chair and its
occupant. which were both plainly visible in
the semi-twilight, and an exclamation of fear
arose as the chair was lifted with its oecu-
pant fully ten inches from the floor and then
sunk back again, just as 1t 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 hesi-
tatIngly given.
The last word had not left her lips when
as though with one mighty effort the chair
and its occupant were both placed on the
centre OF the table in the presence of the as
tOnished company.
At the third seanee in the presence of the
company about the same phenomena oc-
Cured.