The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-30

HYDEsvILLE, Y. Y. March 26.-[Special.]
-Spiritualists all over the world cele-
brate the 3lst of March as the ami
versary of the origin OF modern spiritual
ism, and it was this pleasant little vii
lage-located in Arcadia township, Wayne
county, New YoIk-which gave 1t birth
IN 1S4S.
HydesvilIe is a quaint old place, dull
and sleepy, with an indescribable finished
appearance, conveying the idea that 1t Is
absolutely completed and that no more
buildings or other changes can ever take
place here. Many OF its picturesque
dwellings are overgrown with vines and
their architecture includes just such a
porch as q tired pedestrian or cycler de-
lights to rest in on 8 hot summer day. 1t
was in one of those old frame houses, still
pointed out to visitors here, that In 1917
occurred the first manifestations of mod
ern spiritualism familiar to the present
believers In that faith. Though the Fox
sisters, Margaretta and Catherine, through
whom the first revelations of supposed
spirit power were made, have recently
denounced themselves as charlatans who
have been wilfully perpetrating gross
and premeditated fraud for many wears,
and though they have stated that the So
called spirit rappings,' which created
such an immense sensation fOrty-two
years ago, were produced by voluntary
cracking of their toe-joints, the faith of
believers IN spirltuallsm Is Ia no wise
shaken.
Before the Fox Sisters
The latter say that though the Fox
sisters may be impOsters, as they have
declared themselves, yet the great truths
and principles OF modern spiritualism
stand as firmly and shine as brightly as
ever. They say that these date back far
beyond the time Of the Fox girls. Even
in that low. rambling two-story house in
which those mendacious young women
first cracked their toe joints it is claimed
that genuine spiritual phenomena were
observed before the Fox girls ever inhab-
tied it. In 1877 the house was occupied
by one Michael Weekman end his family,
DOOR ignorant labOrer, with no thought
beyond his daily toll Tor his daily bread.
He and his family were soon trou-
IN all parts OF their dwelling
especially at night, an annoyance that
increased 70 such al extent that sleep
became impossible. During all this time
the Fox sisters, then mere children aged
nine and eleven years, lived with their
parents several miles away, so that they
could not possibly have had hand or
toe Joint in the mysterious rappings at
Mr.. Weekman's house. 1t was this con-
stantly increasing annoyance OF loud raps
which. though diligently investigated,
could not be traced to airy human agency,
which soon caused Mr.. Weekman to aban-
don his residence.
Then 1t was on March 1, 1913, Mr.. John
d. Fox and his family became its occu-
pants The mysterious raps still con-
tinued. The neighbOrs were called in on
several occasions and every possible effort
made-to trace their origin, but in vain.
The First characterization.
1t was on the night Of March 81. of that
same year Of 1913, that the mysterious
raps first gave evidence Of being directed
by some controlling intelligence. The
family had retired during a brief lul in
the mysterious rapping when suddenly it
began again, occurring this time near the
bed occupied by the two little daughters,
Margsretta and Catherine. The latter be-
gan TO snap her fingers IN imitation OF
the sounds, which Immediately responded.
Now do as / do" she cried, count l, ,,
8, 4, ), g., at the same time striking her
hands together Mrs. Fox, the girls
mother, then desired the unseen agency
10 count ten, and that number of raps im-
mediately followed. Tel US the age OF
Cathy-the younger daughter-by rap
e. : -. !,
and ten distinct raps were heard. Startled
by these manifestations. Mrs. Fox asked
II il was human being who was rapping,
but no answering sound was heard. If
you are spirit make two distinct sounds"
she said, and two loud rsps responded.
Kate Fox, IN her exposures of spiritual
ism. has declared that she and her sister
were producing those mysterious raps
while lying IN bed and almost choking
with laughter at the clever imposition
they were practicing on their mother.
The Murdered PeddIer.
The power of cracking TIE toe Joints. BY
which they produced their spirit rap
pings" they had accidently discovered
and had practiced until they had acquired
great proficiency. Be that as it may, these
supposed manifestations of spirit power
created an intense excitement The family
rose from their beds and searched every
portion of the house without result. The
neighbors We're called in and numerous
questions asked to which answers were
received from the mysterious raps. Bv
sunrise the whole village was on the spot
and the little house was crowded in every
part. Finally the spirit was asked to
spell out his or her name by rapDing at
the correct letters the alphabet was re-
peated. As a result the name of Charles
p. Rosma was obtained. and the spirit
said he WAS peddier who had been muir
dered in that house q few years before.
Soon afterward the Fox family removed
TO Rochester. Y. Y, and the same spirit
nal manifestations continued in their new
home. but only when Catherine or Mar
garetta were present BY using the let
ters Of the alphabet in the manner al
ready indicated, the Fox sisters said they
found great number of departed spirits
who desired to converse with them and TO
use them as a medium of communication
with their departed friends.
The FIRST Public characterization.
At length the alleged spirits communi-
Gated to the Fox girls their desire that
here sould be held public meeting, at