The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-02-04
LETTER FROM CLAIR II. STEVENS
Statement Is Made by Baldwin that 1t Is
an Attempt at Biackmail-What
Mr.. Stevens Has to Say
in Reply.


expose the methods of the Baldwins
and advertised to be published in the
Sunday News the day following (yester-
day) Stevens was accused of having
written letter demanding 500 or the
methods of the Baldwins would be eX-
posed. In his treatment of the two
men named Mr.. Baldwin did not mince
words nor terms and his manner and
language sutficed to put his large audi
ence on the tiptoe of excitement.
The magician had promised during
the week to disclose on Saturday night
the means by which he performed his
rope-tieing tricks within the cabinet.
He kept his word and the result con-
vinced the spectators that what had
seemed uncanny and unnatural was
really acquired by deXterity and the
hardihood to endure severe pain. w.
w. Baylor accompanied Mr.. Baldwin
into the cabinet and when the interior
was exposed to view Mr.. Baylors head
was covered with tin pail and tam
bourines, the same as had happened to
others on previous evenings. Then in
full view Of the audience the magician
with an effort withdrew his hands from
the rope which haG seemed tight
enough to secure them.
said 1t Caused Intense Pain.
He explained that it caused him in
tense pain, but there was a knack In
doing it. He then gave remarkable
exhibition of tieing and untieing knots,
and proved expert in making four-in-
l., in la
over four seconds.
Mr.. Baldwin then announced that,
according to advertisements in the city
papers, DR.. Leete would, on the day
following yesterday expose the mind
reading accomplishments Of Mrs. Bald
win. The advertisements stated that
the work was done by material and
mechanical means, and not by second
sight" or mind reading.
A proof sheet of the article in ques-
ton was produced and portions of 1t
read Briefly, it said that the Baldwins
employ a retinue of advance agents or
detectives who ascertain from local de-
tectives what crimes have been COM
mitted and what unusual things have
happened recently in the city and v!cin-
ity. Furthermore, the article stated
that numerous agents with magnify
ing glasses and kodaks are nightly
scattered about among the audience to
ascertain sufficient number of the
questions asked
The article alleged that the questions
were then communicated by the agents
to Mrs. Baldwin in her dressing room
and the interval between the time the
questions We're written and Mrs. Bald
win appeared on the stage was so she
might have time to commit the. answers
to memory.
The most startling part of the expose
was contained in the assertion that be-
Meath Mrs. Baldwin's chair was a trap
door, where a confederate, screened
from view by the fabric which covered
Mrs. Baldwin, prompted her when she
faltered.
Mr.. Baldwin announced that If the
article was true the entertainment was
a hoax and the business would be
ruined. If it was false then the writer
was an impostor.
lie Offered Proof.
He then stated and proved by the
Stage Cal pcii'e' si'at tie nearest ti'p
uoo[ was III teei' Iee' u'suaht rom MRS
DR.. Leete If he would come forward and
i"'te"u vi " va io''.
ofpeople, ne said his company consisted
VI oi'iS 10 So'a' ne iiu'cu,eu 'ne
mag shily'Hs slaS' anu camera luea ana
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Selt'oh
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stevens "'Nes his Version.
"A IriDune reporter saw Mr. stevens
last hight at NJ pea ruing place or
Adams avenue. eisaia:
II was unDrOvBueu with n seat al