The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-17
HindOO Adopts and Alien Tourists.

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journal:
The Sunday Journals reprint of an
ticle from the New York Recorder touch
ing the marvellous experiences of Thomas
Stevens, bicyclist, among the adopts, or
yoghis, of India, is interesting. Mr.. Ste
vens has been once around the world
his Wheel and later returned 90 India,
equipped with camera, sketch book and
other paraphernalia, to investigate the al
legged miraculous doings OF the Hindoo ma
gician.
This brings to mind the recent visit of
Dr. Henreich HensOldt, learned German
traveller 10 Indianapolis and other cities
in the West. The readers Of the Arena will
recall the Doctors interesting articles in
that magazine last winter on this subject.
/ had the good fortune to meet and con-
verse with him several times during his
sojourn in this State. The stories told by
these gentlemen sound so eXtravagant that
they will challenge the credulity OF even
the Super5tit1ouS. Among other things, Ste
vens says he asked a certain yoghi TO du-
plicate few of the miracles found record
ed in the Bible, which was done in good
shape" The wheelman now declares that
he believes the Mosaic account OF the Won
derful performances of the Egyptian magf,
which seems to argue that Col: Bob niger
soil should take trip to India before he
drops into Nirvani. He might at least do
more service for his fellows, II only to
expose 'the white lies OF Tom Stevens"
Ny main object in bringing up this mat
ter is TO call attention TO certain bitches
and discrepancies noticeable in the differ
ent accounts of these alleged miracles as
given by travellers Interest in them Is
steadily increasing, and the fact that some
of the stories stand confirmed, at least sub
stantially, by concurrent and reputable
testimony is sure, sooner or later, 10 en-
gage the attention of our leading scien-
fists. DR.. Hensoldt is himself a scientist
of deep and varied learning, and ii Is pre-
that
and physical pertinacity TO circumnaVgate
the globe on a bicycle-at least half the
distance being water-is certainly mo
Slouch.'
To get at the discrepancies Mr. Stevens
astounding miracles, but photographed
several of them, and he announces that he
will shortly deliver series OF illustrated
lectures. showing. by means of stereop-
the jungles of India.
Now, it is related that the Chicago Inter
Ocean a few years ago sent two OF its
brightest correspondents to India TO investi-
gate these phenomena. They a num-
Der OF miracles, and among them the one
perhaps most ceie brated-the magic mango
tree which the adept causes to grow from
the seed 10 the height Of sixty 10 one hun
dred feet in five minutes at the same time
putting out luXuriant foliage and bearing
fruit abundantly. One OF the newspaper
men had camera and the other a sketch
at the tree and the otner sketched IL; but
before using his pencil he cut branch
from the tree ana trimmed IL TOT cane,
placing the cane between his crossed legs
and several of the green leaves in his book.
Presently the tree faded from view and
the yoghi departed. The sketcher reached
for his cane but il was gone SO IL was
with the mango leaves, not a vestige
fiber of which remained in his book or on
the ground. But the sketch was all right.
When his companion Afterwards essayed to
develop his picture IL was found emascu-
lated, so 10 speak. The crowd and the
adept Were taken, but the tree was not.
DR. Hensoldt earnestly alleges that these
scenes can be photographed. though ne
has never seen il done L once called his
attention to the Inter Ocean story and
asked him il he thought the image of the
miraculous tree was reflected on the eyes
retina- He said yes, of course. / told him
the camera said no. But in steps the New
York bicyclist and confirms the doctor; for
if the camera takes the image the eyes re-
tina Will do DR. Hensoldt says IL you
walk away from the tree IL slowly van
ishes. then reappears you advance to-
ward IL. He also says the foliage seems To
stand solid, as IL the tree were ice or
Stevens says he has eaten the fruit from
the trees and nourished by
IL. Mr.. Stevens further alleges that he
has learned the art Of performing these
and after reinbursing his outlay from the
proceeds OF his lectures, will give the
secret TO the world. DIR. Hensoldt says the
Hindoo yoghis will not impart their secret
have specimens Clipped from huge stone,
which he said would vanish and reappear,
according 10 the point from which he
What the average Westerner would like to
hear about next is an early conference be-
tween these Oriental travellers 10 the end
have their stories consist. III they still dis
agree, we'll import a yoghi or two, IL We
J. c. OCHILTRER