The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-06-17

spinal trouble began to manifest itself
In the shape of commissions, about nine
months after the accident.
These commissions slternsted with
periods of rigidity, or apparent lifeless-
ness, which she calls frances. and
(which are TO this day her substitutes
for sleep. This was early in the year
1866. and at this time she lost her sense
of sight, which she has never reeov-
ered. At this time she also lost tempo
sarily some of her other senses. and for
wears her throat was so contracted that
1t was impossible for her to swallow,
food being injected artifcially. Her
right arm was distorted and bent up
bver her head, but her left hand being
unaffected she was able to work by
bringing the left hand up over the head
to meet the right She remained in
this condition for nine years.
OF this period Judge Daley says il
his report: During those nine years, I
pm informed from unquestionable au-
fhority that she wrote upwards of six
thousand five hundred letters, worked
up one hundred thousand ounces of
s7orsted, did vast amount of fine en-
broidery and great deal of very beau
tiful wax work"
At the end of these nine years, of
which she has no recollection what
ever now, nor at any time since, her
muscles relaxed, and pulling her right
nrm down she seemed to wake from
sleep, and turning to DIR. J. Fleet Speir,
who was in the room, she remarked:
well, doctor. did your brother get
home IN time for his chicken pot-pie?"
thus continuing conversation which
had been begun nine years before with
DR.. Robert Speir.
The most remarkable thing about
Miss Fancher IS the fact that she is
blind and yet sees. This is the point
where eredulity rebels and refuses to
be convinced.
With eyes sightless she does the
most beautiful embroidery. paints flow
Frs, writes letters and numerous other
things which one hardly dares to men
ton for fear of being laughed at.
When the dainty, prettily embroid-
bred handkerchief cases, neatly eroch-
nted iced wool fascinators, and other
fancy things were shown TO me by her
nurse, my one thought was that either
Miss Fancher could see. or else she
had a sbillful needle-woman in her en-
ploy.
Full Of doubt and shame-faced curl
psity. I repaired TO the office of DR.. ].
Fleet Speir. of I62 Montague street.
Brooklyn. who was for years her at
lending physician, and he occasionally
kees her now.
Doctor" I said. 'can You tell me
what it all means?-
. he smiled pity;rcly upon me. as
though he would say. and is this an
pther?~ but shook his head and replied:
No. don't deal in these things. I
don't believe in spiritualism nor clair
voyance, nor any OF those supernatural
phenomena. / confne myself 10 this
mundane sphere. This is why, when
] come TO the facts in Mollie Fancher's
ease. am stalled. They are things to
be explained. I don't believe in living
without sleeping, and don't believe IN
seeing without eyes. but IA some mys-
'terious way, don't intend 20 say how.
Miss Fanchel manages TO do both
have been so prcjudiced against clair
voyance and that sort Of thing that l
haven't given the poor girl the credit
she deserves
''But. doctor" I asked. don't YOU
think there Is great opportunity for
deception
Hardly he replied The case has
been under constant scrutiny for 80
long that If there had been any hum
buggery in 1t, it would have been found
out long age
Besides" he continued. Il believe
that she is perfectly honest. My pref
Hsice induced me once TO take ny oe-