The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-04-28
Spirit of .
Thomas A. Hendricks

Is the spirit of Thomas A. Hendricks
lowering over the Hoosers who were de-
voted to him In the heshy
Is it possible that the shade of the dead
vice-president of the United States con-
verses with Democratic comrades in the
state Of Indiana, counseling and guiding
them in political affairs?
Such questions have been frequently
asked in Indiana for months, says tle
New York World. Those who believe in
sipritualism have been profoundly inn
pressed with the information that the
spirit of the dead statesman was in con-
slant C Immunicaton w til his wife and
her close friends and party associates.
Those who are skeptica knew that Mrs.
Hendricks and some leading Democrats
who believe in spiritual phenomena pro-
fessed to have received on the slate of a
medium messages firm the spirit land
signed by the vice president. In certain
circles of the faithful there has been quite
u little excitement about it.
Nice-Presdent Thomas A. Hendricks
died anksgiving eve, 1885. lie had no
time for the arrangement of his earth Y
affairs or political business He was in
home preparing for dinner. His wife
head Il heavy fall on the floor above, a d
when she reached his side found her hus-
band dead with 4 peaceful smile ON his
features.
Great was her sorrow because he had
left no word of farewell for her who had
been his mentor in politics-who. after
the death OF their infant child. had turned
all the wifely and maternal affection of
her nature unto her distinguished hus-
band.
Passing away as he did nearly ten years
ago, without word, is it strange If his
devoted wife should have yearned for
some word, some message from his
spirit? A Christian and Il believer in the
soul S immortality. Mrs. Hendricks felt
that somewhere i'll the realms of space
the spirit of Thomas A. Hendricks was
awaiting the hour when they should be
reunited.
Nor is it strange that she ofen thought
that he was near her in the spirit.
SO it has come to pass that the friends
OF Mrs Hendricks in indianapolis have
for some time back known that she be-
lieved in spirtualism, OF at least in the
transmission through mediumistic power
of messages from the departed.
Gradually it became known to a select
and chosen few that Mrs. Hendricks was
receiving messages from her departed
husband messages mainly on topics con-
corning themselves alone, but occasionally
referring to the political conditions and
events most interesting at the time.
For town of its size the capital of In
diana has more arlstocratic and rich be-
levers in spiritualsm than any other
city in the United States.
Among those of high prominence and
standing VINO are referred to as believers
are Colonel Gray of the Pennsylvania
Railroad company; John c. Shoemaker,
executor of the Sentinel and the man
who printed the famous Blaine scandal in
1884; \. b. Gates. the coffee man; ex-
Judge Mcbride and ex-Judge Wood DR..
w. 9. Thompson, who was the ply stefan
OF Thomas A. Hendricks; Mrs. Ebenezer
Smith, u wealthy widow; Mrs. Watson,
wife of wealthy business man, and DR..
+. M. Abbott physician.
Mrs Hendricks has been counted sim
ceTe believer since about the time OF her
husbands death. In the first few
months of her widowhood. when grief
crowded upon loneliness. she went to a
medium. hoping for few words from the
soul of Thomas A. Hendricks. She went
to Lottie Greenrod, a slip of n girl, who
had been considered wonderful medium
ceved slate writings from spirits when
unable to read or write herself. She was
twelve years old when Mrs. Hendricks
first called, and is today comely woman
Of twenty-five, who was married recently
to Mr.. Herbine Il dry goods clerk.
Lottie Greenrod, as girl of twelve. knew
nothing of Mrs. Hendricks and had no
conception of the high place in politics
held by her departed husband. Evident
ly the first slate writing must have been
of satisfactory tenor to Mrs. Hendricks, |
for in ten years she has been a constant
visitor to this same medium house. !
Under Mrs. Hendricks eyes the girl has |
become wife and mother, with black
eyed baby boy, who sits and crows while |
the parent holds the slate and receives !
messages from the spirit land.
In the Herbine home, few squares |
from the Hendricks mansion. can be seen
a splendid photograph of Mrs Hendricks.
and beneath it her visiting card.
Mrs. Hendricks has been very kind to
me outside of her patronage, said Mrs. |
Herbne to the World cores aondent.
'She is a woman greatly to be admired
OF course the World correspondent
wanted message from his spirit friends. |
There was nothing unusual abont the |
Herbine method. The World man was
seated at small tai l. with the medium !
an instructed To write the names of dead |
friends on u slip of paper, with his own
name beneath This done, the slip was /
folded, Mrs. Herbine taking vious and |
extra rains to prevent herself from seeing
the list. 1t was put insdefthe book slate,
which was then held by Mrs. Herbne |
under the table.
Keep your mind off the names, she
said. or. If you are skepticaI, look un-
der the table to see that am not doing
the wr't.n..' Then. while waiting Tor