Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-05-07
A STRANGE WEIRD STORY
OF Miss Lizzie Bartlett, OF
Westboro, Mass.
A Worthy Member OF a Respected
and Honored Family.

favorably known of the veterans OF the
late war in Tiffin, was Thomas Hes
llngton. OF striking presence, with
snow white hair and flowing beard,
and carriage denoting the we'll dis
ciplined soldier, he was possessed of a
genial nature that won him many
friends. About year ago he met
his death in an accident.
Heslington was an Englishman by
birth and education. He married in
that country and is the father of one
child who Is still living. A year or
two previous to the outbreak Of the re-
belllon, and, leaving the care Of the
child to its grandparents, be came to
America. Within a month after the
opening of hostllities, he enlisted in
the Newport Regulars, KY, Company
G. Shortly after his enlistment, he
was introduced by letter to Miss Liz,
zie Bartlett, Mass, "a lady then, as we'll
as now, we'll known and respected,
and belonging to one of the most hon.
ored families Of the Bay State. Dur
ing his service in the army he contin-
ued correspondence with her, and
when discharged by reason of wounds,
he visited her in her eastern home and
the intimacy formed through the me-
dium of their letters, grew into feel
ing Of the warmest friendship. which
continued unbroken until the day OF
his death. Miss Bartlett is a lady OF
finished education and is still living
at Westboro, having never married.
A letter recently received from her
by friend in Tifln, written with no
thought of its contents ever reaching
eyes other Than those of the recipient,
tells strange and weird story, the
substantial truth of which cannot be
doubted, however skeptical the reader
may be about the theories concerning
the powers of departed souls, upon
which it Is based.
In May last, as Miss Bartlett says in
her letter, she visited Boston and at
tended, with others, a seance, given
by one of the best known trance me-
diums in the city. This medium had
never seen her nor heard Of her
much less had any possible knowledge
of Heslington, then dead about two
months. During the seance the me,
dium mentioned Miss Bartiett's name
and said there was the spirit of SOL
dier standing beside her, with his
hands upon her shoulder fine look
ing man with military air and whiten-
ing hair and beard. So minute was
the description that Miss Bartlett
could not fail to recognize her soldier
lover. Through the medium, the
spirit of Tom Heslington spoke, con-
graduating her that the barriers be.
tween them were broken and assuring
her that he was Constantly with her.
An extended Conversation ensued
during which the medium, acting as
was supposed, as the channel of com
municaton between herself and dead
friend, told of many details of the re-
lationship which formerly existed De.
tween the two, and which could not
by any possibility have been known
by any other person.
Following this, as related by the
writer of the letter, the communica.
lions between her and her dead soldier
were frequent, and of minutely de-
tailed character. At a seance, held a.
the home of a mediumistic friend, al
incident occurred that was startling il
Its undoubted reality. Twenty nint
years ago, soon after the outbreak o1
the war, Mr.. Heslington presented
Miss Bartlett with ring, and during
all of these years it had never left be-
finger. 1t was held to its place by 1
guard ring, and in addition it fitted 81
closely that could not be moved owe
the joint. During the seance, anc
while, as Miss B. claims, she she wa
holding communication with Hesling
ton, she sat with her hands closely
clasped. Suddenly she noticed tina
her highly priced ring was gone, al
though the guard ring remained IN 1t
place. Instantly all thoughts of com
munication with spirits passed from
her mind, giving way to the dlstinc
and worldly impression that she hac
deem robbed.
She did not make her loss know
even to her most intimate friend. VIII
sat beside her, although she quietl
searched through her pockets and tn
bag she held in her hand. Then
occurred to her that no earthly han,
could have removed the ring, ant
with this feeling she awaited furthe
developments. The medium thel
came in her direction and Miss Bart
lett asked if anything had been takel
from her, meaning to test the power
of the medium by the question.
"Yes" was the reply, "a ring
Miss Bartlett protested against tn
loss and expressed her disbelief tina
1T had been removed by the spiri
of Heslington. Finally the spirit 0
the dead spoke, through the medium
and said: cit is all right; you will
have i: again. I am sorry l canno
feel anxious fol- you, but it will be al
right"
UNh;a ooourod IN tho roorn;oo. on,