Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-31
OUTING OF THE SPOOKS.

What the spiritualists at Lily Dale, Ara
Doing - Story of Lecturer CoIvilIe A
Quarrel About Indian spirits-A Fad
for Poetry-A Pittsburs Party.
LILY DALE. July 30-[Specia,. THAT widely
advertised high priest of spiritualism
known as ". J. Colville was the first lee
turer to appear before Lily Dale audience
the present season.
Mr.. Colville Is the ablest and most often
quoted exponent OF modern spiritualism in
the world to-day. He is the son of an En-
glish army officer and q French actress, who
died when he was q babe in arms He was
born at sea in 1862, and during his childhood
years he claims to have been conscious OF
the presence of his mother, but was not
aware that his experience was exceptional
one hut himself could see the "beautiful
lady" who appeared to him daily, soothed
his baby griefs, smoothed away his childish
cares, and each evening glided softly into
his chamber and gave him goodnight kiss
When a lad of l2 years he accidentally
stumbled upon spiritualistic seance. '1f
it is true that a spirit can influence natural
body, why don't they control that boy?"
disgustediy inquired n skeptical spinster in
corkscrew curls and spectacles. Almost in
stantly the lad arose and with dignity re-
piled: "If the lady will suggest a subject
we will improvise q poem The woman,
awe struck by the sudden acceptance of her
challenge and by the astonishing trans
formation in the personality Of the boy, was
some verses on cremation. That's the
latest wrinkle. you know" At once
fessional orator and recited 20 verses
OF fair rythm and correct measure
upon the subject suggested. He then closed
by turning to the bewildered and som ewhat
frightened woman with profound bow,
saying, 1--WE thsDk you, madam. for the op-
portnnity you have afforded us for speak
ing through the instrument before you We
shall be heard, in the future, upon many oc-
casions and in many lands" From that
time forth he could pass into this entranced
condition at will and the prophecy Of his
future has been fulfilled.
The transformation which takes place
when he steps upon the platform is amazing.
He then seems to straighten up and grow
tall. his slouching gait becomes stately, his
bashfulness vanishcs in self-possession, his
mild, blue eyes flash with the fires Of intel
Iigence, his thin voice becomes resonant and
his hesitating tongue becomes eloquent.
When in this so-called entranced state he
answers at ease questions upon the most
dense metaphysical speculation, solves the
most ss
of society and the various and diverse anorn-
allies of existence.
About four times a week there is q general
conference or experience meeting held In
the auditorium, which Is perfect picnic"
for unbelievers. Any one and every one Is
allowed ten-minute speech upon topic of
easily imagined. One morning this week
the subject of '1ndisn controls" was brought
up for discussion. ITS absurdfties and the
irrationalisms were facetiously dwelt upon
by an astroloyer OF some note. and his views,
which he exemplifed by means peculiar to
his profession were strongly supported by
an extrsme mental scientist
This ro used the ire of the various mediums
in the congregation, and there WAS hasty
scramble for the platform in defense of their
red skinned guides" for whom they profess
klx nfoaf % ffanf nr1h An
dignified exhibition Of temper ensued and
during the next hour the battle waged hot
and furious.
ely you mediums want to be controlled by
dirty Indians, you are welcome to be, sar
castically observed the apostle of mental
science, to which there wa an audible and
ironical "thank you."
One highly excited indiv,au a. who, with
vociierous voice and wild gesticulation, took
up the cudgel for the noble red men, was
Whoop' SIesse which w eleosrinsd Y she audience and
was supposed to express the appreciation OF
one of the gratified "controls."
In reply to q sneering allusion to the
man, 1t was urged that there was no less
spirituality in drinking a cup Of catnip tea,
than i'll dining on dandelion or rhubarb.
the spiritualist lecturers at this camp to
shine as impromptu makers of verse. With |
all the dignity, solemnity and wisdom OF an
owl they announce. ut the beginning and
end of each discourse, their readiness to I'M |
prorise "poem" upon any subject sug- |
gested by the audience, who are expected to
be overwhelmed by this display of their re-
markable gift. Some of these attempts at
ln,piratfOnal rhyme remind one of the ef-
1orts OF one Nat Slick, who i'll an unguarded
moment boosted OF his talent in this dtrec-
out: ''The wind blew down our old well
sweep. Dad and put it mp again-Sheep."
1t by no means requiresa II fortune to sum-
mer at Lily Dale. Hotel rates are but from
Q tpS no duv LODGING obtained
Ior 25 cents and meals at the same low rafe.
The only compulsory tax which Is placed
the Tsn cents
charged each person within, and if u season
ticket is purchased there is still further
reduction.
Stranger visitors will find the names of all
mediums or "sensitives," as they prefer to J
call themselves, registered in Library Hall.
together with their address and different
phases of psychical phenomenon or physical
manifestations There are heaers enough |
present to cure all the lnvaiids IN the
United States. =
this roomy summer house, who was called |
to Homestead in charge OF Company Is, |
Pernsylvauia Volunteer Militia. mas re- |
turned Oh furloush, which ~ Will extend |
through the month of August The Captain |
Is an ardent. but conservative, spiritualist- |
The speakers thus lar this season have
been ". j. ColviIle Lyman z. Howe, Mrs: +.
and Emma Rood Tuttle. sunday the name |
OF Willard j. Hull will be added to the list. |
A few Investigators, who held dark |
seance lew nights ago on their own ac- !
count, no medium bein. present, and who |
were almost persuaded tn become spiritu- |
alists "by having seen the ghost walk, were
deeply chagrined the next morning to learn
tl,lt the lovely apparition' was II thinly
clad woman of their acquaintance who had
stolen quietly through the room for glass
OF water
Rooms have been engaged for pleasure
party from Pittsburg next weeek who will
",uks in" the camp, and who facetiously OBJ
served in their letter, that they quite ex-
pected in turn TO be "taken in"
n.xrerr fr1rni irura rerairad