The herald., 1895-08-06
A Biologist PrOnOunces Schles.
niger a Fakir
PROF. McCLATCHIE'S EXPOSE
The Investigator Has the Same Expert.
ence as Reporter Warren
4 Scientist nore Than a 7atch for the
Spirituaiist Medium Who Failed
on Test

A. J. McClatchle, A. NJ, OF the Throop
polytschnic institute, Pasadena. had an
experience yesterday with an alleged
ppiritualstic medium. The results are
told In a comm un ication addressed to
the Herald and here published. 1t will
prove mighty interestin' readin.'
Editor Herald For consideration of
$3.50. DR.. SchiesiIger, the renowned
spiritualist medium now at Santa
Monica, granted me sitting with him
yesterday morning. The results were so
interesting to me that record them for
the attention of any others interested
in the methods and capabilitie of this
class Of public characters.
After learning my errand he requested
me to be seated. and began with the
question, "Are you prejudiced against
spiritualism?" l assured him that was
not at all prejudiced against any ism,
but was much interested in spiritualism,
and came to him simply to ascertain
what he could tell me. He then collected
his fee, with the understa nding that it
was to be refunded il at the end l was
dissatisfied with the result.
He first requested me to write Gas is mis-
wonted custom, l believe) upon a sheet
OF paper that he handed me list OF
names, two Of which were to be those of
dead persons, and ons my own. AsI
was doing so he excused himself and
passed by me out OF the tent. In few
minutes l heard him step IN, and look
ing around he was standing behind me
and seemed to be looking at what had
written. l then covered my sheet as l
wrote, remarking that l simply wanted
to have the test as fair as possible. He
assured me that his desir, was the same.
wrote six names. three living friends,
one OF my little son, one OF a deceased
Pasadena citizen and one of a departed
uncle. along with my own. When had
finished he took the sheet. and holding
it with the writing upwards, proceeded
to cut the names apart and drop them
into my hat. He then requested me to
shake up the Names pass them one at
a tine under the table into his hand.
and he would tell me when passed him
the name OF dead person. After pass
ing him several he handed me back one
with the statement that this was the
name OF q departed spirit. l opened it
and found it TO be the name of my son.
! informed him that he was incorrect.
Somewhat nonplused, he took the slip
from me, looked at the name and, re-
marking that it was much like mine. laid
it aside. He then requested me to hand
him more slips. and he handed back one
which he said bore the name of dead
person. l opened it and told him that
again he was incorrect The huge drops
OF perspiration on his head indicated that
he was becoming somewhat embarrassed.
However, he asked me to hand the names
to him one by one again, the two already
mentioned being eliminated.
Finally he handed me the slip bearing
the name of tine dead Pasadenan, and
upon opening it before him informed me
that he had now picked out the name of
departed person. He said to fold the
slip and he would tell me the name. He
made an effort, getting the given name
correctly, and as many letters of the sur
name as a hasty glance at a name upside
down would enable anyone to do. He
then proceeded to deliver me q message
from the spirit, quite unlike any thing
ever heard him say in life.
Three now being eliminated, he tried
again to pick out the other slip bearing
the name Of a departed spirit. After
one oritwo mo.o errors he finally handed
me one that proved to be the name of my
deceased maternal uncle. He then gave
the gwen name correctly, using for 1t,
however, q nickname never applied to
him during life, and blundered at the
surname.
Mex. he said he would tell me which
Of the remaining names was mine, and
did so, as was shown by opening it be-.
fore him. He requested me to fold the
slip and his spirit guide would reveal my
name to him. He soon stated that nv
first name was Andrew. Upon denying
that l bore such q cognomen he said that
the initial was A, tho next J and then
pronounced my surname about as we'll as
strangers usually do without previous
practice. Gaining courage at my appar-
ent satisfaction with his success he
seemed to grow bolder, and picking up
the laid-asde slip bearing the name of
my son, informed me that the spirit
said it was the name of my father; then
that it was that Of my brother. Upon
receiving denial t, both, he roared saw
agely: do you know anything about
your relatives?" 1 informed him that
thought l did. well, whose name is
this, then?" he asked. told him. He
then proceeded to tell me what great
and famous man my son was to bscome
aud said his spirit guide informed him
that the spirit of my deceased uncle
wished to deliver through DR.. Schles-
singer message to my promising scion.
This the doctor kindly did, and 1 then
departed, insuring him, in answer to a
question, that l was perfectly satisfied
with what / had seen and heard for my
dollar and half. He who would not be
would certainly have small interest in
scientific investigation, and little appre-
citation of genuine humor.
A. J. M'CLATCHJE.
Many are offered but only one is chosen