The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-16

JEST TURNED TO TRAGEDY
Il. c. LASWELL, OF PRINCETON, md,
DROWNED AT THE sEAsHORE.
He LaughinGIy Left His Address Be-
fore Entering the Surf, to BE
Caught in the UndertOw.
L to the INDIANAPOLIS Journal.

Special TO the indianapolis Journal.
ANDERSON, Ind, Aug. 15.-This was the
last big day of the seventh annual camp
meeting of Indiana Spirtualists, and it was
also the greatest day of the four weeks
meeting. Camp Chesterfield crowded,
and tonight ii is estimated that close to
three thousand people from distance were
on the grounds during the day. Mrs. Plum
ter, of Indianapolis, Professor Grumbine, or
Chicago, and Mr. Ransdal, president of the
Peoples Institute of Illinois, were the prin-
cipal speakers About thirty mediums were
on the GROUNDS and were busy all day
Many good tests were given, and it Is
claimed that several new converts were
added to the list. Tomorrow will be the
last day of the meeting
Among other things that will come UP to-
morrow will be a proposition to build
big summer hotel at the grounds and in
dulge in very extensive improvements IL
Is thought that about $4,000 would put the
camp into fine condition. AS it stands now
1t IS considered one of the prettest and
most complete camp-meeting grounds in In
diana The hotel has become too small
however, and there is also scarcity of
cottages. Fred j. MacComber is at the
head of the movement to make extensive
improvements. He sees in the future d
great deal for the Indiana camp 1t is
likely that the National Association will de.
eide favorably on the movement to erect i,
spiritualist college, and Chesterfield is an
heir apparent, especially so if the contem-
plated improvements are carried out 1t
would be the first step, many think, toward
converting the Indiana camp into a national
summer resort for spiritualists. A propo-
Slti0n Will also come up tomorrow 10 eX-
tend the length of the yearly meetings from
Jour TO SIX weeks. Ihis is very likely to
pass. Some other business matters OF i'm
torrance Will also come up for final
hearing.
The greatest spiritualist Indian pow
WOW of the year was held by mediums
mounds east OF )fhis city Thursday night
1T is claimed that sXty-one mediums and
spiritualists FROM the camp took part in it,
Inc mediums passed under the control of
their Indian guiding spirits, and so COM
pietely did the Indian spirits take control
or brain ard muscle that they talked in
tnelr own tongue and gave the ghost and
Indian war dances, accompanied by all of
the real yellS and WhoOps. No one was hurt
The powwow is the most remarka BILE and
weird of Indian SeanceS. 1t is so terrible in
its realism that the late President Wester-
held prohibited mediums from hoicing them
on the camp grounds. In tne lasl one on
the grounds, two years ago, the Indians
went wild and began jumping on each
others backs. Several We're dumped into
the fire and injured. 1t is claimed that so
complete is the control of the spirit over
the HuSCISs Siee Tue heuiuHlS LiCeS IN
dergo ali of the feature changes character
istic of the muse of the dance 1t is the
most satisfactory of all phenomena, it is
impossible it is claimed, to give the differ
ent facial expressions except by undergoing
the real ordeal. At all events the sights are
remarka BILE
Among the many remarkable stories told
at the camp to-day was one by the SINNERS,
of this city, who recently constructed a
fence machine. They say that they were
ordered By spirits to go to work, and with
out knowing on what they were engaged
until it was half done they constructed d
fence-making machine which worked per-
fectIy and turned out fence that over
came several old objections that are com
mon in all other fences.
The exodus from the camp will begin to-
morrow morning. and by tomorrow night
most Of the campers will be gone. Several,
however. will remain in the pretty nook
for several days and enjoy the outing.