The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-28
DIRECTED BY GHOSTS.
A Vermont Doctor Searches For Friend
Under spook Direction.


Burlington, VT, Dec. 2S.- DR.. Samuel
sparhawk has returned to this city
from n quest In which psychieal agents
are the chief factor. The object OF the
quest Is to learn If Dean b. Connor Is
alive or dead. and to rescue him IL
living.
Mr.. Connor was an expert with calcium
light and storeopticon effects. He directed
that feature of ''l493" during its run In
New York. Then he went TO the City OF
Mexico with theatrical troop and was
stricken with tropical fever. His death
and burial wero reported and $1,000
policy in tho Mutual Life was paid to his
father, W. II. Ii. Connor, assistant post
master of Burlington.
About year ago u. G. Dodge, who had
boon lifelong friend of Mr.. Connor, went
to Mexico and opened the grave. The re-.
mains that 1t contained were not those OF
his friend.
Mrs Hannah Piper, medium who bad
been tested by tho Society of Psychical Re-
search OF Boston, was consulted by Mr..
Connor's family and friends. She said
that Dean Connor was not dead. Other
mediums made like assertions
An investigation led to tho belief that
Mr.. Connor had been taken from the COM
mon ward of the hospital and cared for In
a private room until he had recovered and
was discharged. A Mexican was put In
the bed that he had vacated in the CON-
mon ward, and as the name over the head
Of the bed was not changed Mr. Connof
was supposed to have died instead Of the
Mexican.
Further investigation convinced friends
that after recovery from the long run OF
fever Mr.. Connor's reason was oloudod and
he did not know enough 70 communicate
with his friends.
The medium said he was confined In an
institution OF some kind The Psychical
society became so positive of its ability to
locate him that p. q. Dodge and DR.. Sam.
uel Sparhawk, who was an Intimate ac-
quaintance of Mr.. Connor, went to Mexico,
and have been working for nearly two
months under tho guidance OF the adopts,
who sent them telegraphic suggestions
bearing upon tho strange case.
Consul General Shaffer, at Vera Cruz,
gave every possible assistance, as did +. II.
Guernsey, editor Of The Two Republics,
published in the City of Mexico.
In the consultations with Mrs Piper re-
garding Mr.. Connors fato the spirit of an
old man has spoken through her while In
q trance
Her descriptions of Mexico and places
and people were accurate TO the smallest
detail. The medium herself, SO 1t is claim
ed, has no knowledge OF Mexico. At times
another incorporeal being, apparently q
younger man, expressed itself through Mrs
Piper by means of writing. The writing
bore no resem blance TO tho mediums own
chirography. Ii was that of q we'll edu.
oatod person and gives exact descriptions OF
tho country in which Mr.. Connor now is
BY these directions Mr. Dodge and
searching party have boon conducted from
the City of Mexico through town after
town to Orizaba, thence 70 Puebla, where
they now are. Puebla Is 100 miles from
the City of Mexico, and Its scenery, streets
and surroundings have been exactly pic.
tured by Mrs. Piper. kilograms received
at frequent intervals direct the party.
They sometimes mention towns by name,
oftener by the scenery around them. One
message told Mr.. Dodge to go up certain
street, turn TO tho left from church and
proceed toward hill. With such details
the searchers arc able to find the exact To-
oalities Indicated.
The Connor family say the search is not
q sensational or superstitious experiment.
They, with members of the Psychioai 50.
ciety, regard 1t as scientific investigation.
They say that the United States and
Mexican governments and large number
In all societies of psychical research are
deeply Interested and ready to assist In any
way possible
While In the various towns the searchers
visited the workhouses, asylums and other
institutions, looking for clews. At one sit
ting 1t was said by the spirit that Mr..
Connor was In q building At work with
his hands, and that he had on q checked
frock. The details Of his appearance were
thought to be absolutely correct, and some
of his psyohical peculiarities were men,
toned.
1t was stated that he has lucid intervals,
and that he has written two letters, which
he had dropped from window, but which
no one found They say no suffers much
mentally, but that bis mind is clearing
II Mr.. Dodge fails In his search, the spirits
say, Mr.. Connor will return sope day Of
his own accord.