The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-13
Prof. DOlbeare of Tufts
Meets a Spirit.
Man Whom He Knew Well
When He Was on Earth.
Proves His Identity by Showing
Tricks Which Were Characteristic.

who is we'll known as an electrical expert,
says he has not only seen ghost, but has
conyersed with it, He says il proved its
identity to him by performing peculiar
trick with it's shadowy fingers that no
other ghost could have done. Prof. Dol.
beare's story reached the ears OF the
Society for Psychical Research and he is
a marked man from this time on.
A GHOSTLY ROOM.
Prof. Dolbeare has just returned from
Eliot, Me-, where the convention of the
American Institute of Electrical Engi-
neers was held in honor Of Moses q. Far
mer, one OF the pioneer inventors in the
field OF electricity. Just half century
before to day Mr.. Farmer mad operated
an electric car at Dow er, n. ii. During
many years of his life Mr.. Farmer lived
at bitter Sweet" a homestead place.
where he died a few years ago, and where
bis daughter, Miss Sarah j. Farmer, still
lives. Miss Farmer entertainedl Prof.
Dolbeare, and on last Sunday the profess
sor slept in room somewhat noted locally
as tho room 6f the seven doors" 1t Is
on the second floor, small, nearly
square room. that is light, airy, ana COM
Portable. Its most notable feature is its
collection OF doors. The seven are all just
alike, and apparently of the same size.
They were finished in the natural wood,
and each had white China doorknob.
SALUTED BY A SPIRIT.
"Let me tell you something about that
room" " said Prof. Dolbeare. "or rather,
about something that happened to me
there. l had been talking of Farmer with
his daughter that evening, and when L
turned in 1 was thinking OF him. How
long l lay there before sleeping or
whether went to sleep at all, do not
know, but presently | was conscious Of
some presence in tho room. A moment
later saw Farmer standing by the bed.
At least l recognized the figure as that OF
Farmer. and l was surprised, but l do not
recall that i was very much startled.
Hello. hs said, or something of that sort
"a salutation, at all events. / replied in
kind. and said. who are you? Il am Far
mer, was the answer and he held out his
hand to me.
SHOWED HIS HAND.
81 shook hands with him. and thought
rs did so that the fingers felt a little
cold. / released the hand and was think
ing about the matter while considering
what next to say. When looked up he
was gone. Ii 4 was awake at the time ]
fell asleep again; at any rate, / let the
matter pass tn ough somewhat puzzled,
but very soon / found the figure was
again standing by the bed. i do not
know that 1 doubted it was Farmer. but
thought would make certain so L said
How shall know you are Farmer
will show you my hand, he said.
In the dark l saw he was holding out his
hand that might see 1t, but / was de-
ternined to take nothing for granted, 20
1 said:
"'But how shall l know it is Farmer 6
handy
"'I'll show you my finger. he replied,
and then he crooked up one of his fingers
i'm such peculiar way that tried To i'm
itate him. l could not do it without
the assistance of the other hand, and
while was trying to perform the little
trick the figure disappeared. / puzzled
over the vision, or dream, or what you
choose for some time, Dut then / ono,
more went to sleep-if / had been awake
/ saw nothing moro of the figure
In tho morning told Miss Farmer of
my experience, to her very great interest
When 1 came to the trick OF the fingers
she looked at me astonisbed
A FAvORITE TRICK.
"'That she said, when illustrated as
best could. was favorite lit trick o.
my father; few people could do it.
at appears, ''tProf. Dolbeare concluded,
"that whenever Farmer met person to
whom he took n liking, when the az.
uuaintance came to an informal footing,
il was his way to hold out his hand,
crooking his finger in the way l have
shown you, to say, can you do thaty IL
was little thing, perhaps. but peculiar
to the man. We have oil minor character
istics by which we may be known"