The record-union., 1896-11-09
a SPIRIT PICTURE.
Shadowy Faces of the Past Revealed
by the Sensitive Plates.

More startling than any happening in
spiritualism in recent years is an Incl
dent that has just occurred. 1t is the
actual reproduction of spirit faces from
a painting where no such faces can be
seen. 1t is such marvellous, mysterl-
Gus and unforeseen result, and so
deeply suggestive of an embodiment of
laws of nature which are yet unknown,
that the spiritualists of the world are
trying to explain it.
The painting of so-called "spook pie
lures has been common among alleged
spiritualistic mediums for years past
but the present marvellous case has not
the slightest similarity to any such ar
tistic efforts. The discovery of the spirit
faces was made on photographing an
Oil painting of the late Judge Haywood,
tie great Tennessee jurist and MS
torian.
The Tennessee Historical Society re-
Gently gave company of Nashville an
order for copper seal, to pear the
likeness of the dead historian. The So
clety furnished for the purpose por-
trait Of Judge Haywood, painted by
Lloyd Bronson Of Knoxville. The man
aaer of the engraving department OF
the printing promptly proceeded To
photograph it,
To the naked eye the painting pre-
sents simply a strong likeness OF
strong man, but the camera, about
which clings so much mystery, to most
people, went deeper and the consterna-
ton of the operator was extreme. lie
snapped his shutter, pushed the slide
into position and disappeared into the
dark room.
In the usual manner he placed the
plate in the acid and watched the pic
ture develop. He saw the features of
the subject appear slowly, and then he
saw more. Turning the plate and tilt
ing it, the faces of two babies and then
the presentation of a beautiful woman
came to light.
Plunging the plate into the fixing
bath, he threw the door open and Won
dered, in the broad light of day, if he
We're dreaming. No, he could not be-.
There on the negative appeared the pic
ture of Judge Haywood, bold and
strong, and his affinities, beautiful
woman and two lovely children.
In the ordinary run of daily affairs
MIR. Gamble, the manager, is known as
what is termed a spiritualist But this
marvel stunned him. He remembered
the doing of spirits as promulgated by
spiritualists. His mind dwelt particu-
larly on the camera trick-the placing
OF an apparently black canvas before a
person who is told to think of a loved
one, upon which the camera is snapped,
and upon it appears, misty but plain,
The likeness of the dear dead one the
person had in mind
The plate had been especially selected
By himself on account Of the Importance
OF getting clear impression for the
seal. There was nothing that Mr.. Gam
Die could conceive that offered the
slightest clew to a solution of the mys-
terry
Determined to clear up the matter, if
possible, and prove to himself that his
eyes had not played him false, he care
1ully developed the uncanny plate
Making clear, plain print, he showed
1t 10 number of his friends. Among
those to whom he confided his discov-
cry was A. V Goodpasture. Clerk of the
Supreme Court, a sage in Tennessee
history, who remembered that Judge
Haywood had visions and dreams in
bis day, and that in this relation the
mysteries of life might be barred to
those who could but lift the veil.
Robert j. Quarles, Superintendent of
the State ArmOry, and an enthusiastic
n.ember Of the Historical Society, is an
other who has taken up the spirit pic
ture for serious study. The high stand
Ing Of all those whose names have been
mentioned gives evidence that there is
no suggestion of chicanery about the
photograph.
The portrait has been returned to its
accustomed place, and though no sign
of the spirit faces is visible to the eye
the framed photograph which Hangs be-
low it serves as a mute but effective
proof Of the existence of the spirit faces
New York Herald.