The Portland daily press., 1897-08-16
MOSES FARMERS GHOST.
Tufts College Professor ssw and Talked
With Distinguished Electrician.

Boston, August 15.-Professor A.E.
Dolbear of Tufts College, well-known
electrician and scientist, had an uncanny
experience with what he supposes was
the ghost of Moses G. Farmer not long
ago.
Professor Dolbear was at Bitter Sweet,
near Elliot, Me-, a place for many years
the residence of Mr.. Farmer and his
wife, and was the guest of Miss Farmer.
Mr.. Farmer was pioneer electrical in
ventor. 1t was at the convention of cleo
trlcal engineers just held in Eliot, Me-,
that Professor Dolbear told the story of
his ghostly experiences.
Ihe old Farmer house is full of remind
ers and mementoes of the inventor and
MS Vile. There are splendid portraits in
OIL Oh Doth IN the library, where there is
Tine collection of the books which were
MS constant companions. The desk at
which he worked still stands beside his
1aVorlte window, and the chamber where
his wife slept and died remains undis-
turbed today.
On the second floor of the old hopse
there is chamber with seven doors all
alike, finished in the natural wood. with
white china door knobs. 1t was in this
room with the seven doors that Professor
Dolbear saw the apparition of the form
er owner and occupant of the house.
Miss Farmer and had been taakiile
OF Mr.. Farmer - said Professor Dolbear.
and when went to bed my mind was
full of thoughts about him. How long
lay there before sleeping or whether I
went to sleep at all 1 do not know. but
suddenly became conscious of some
presence in the room. A moment later
| saw figure that seemed to be Farmer
standing by my bed
II was surprised, but I do not think
that was very much alarmed. He greet
ed me with 'Hello!' or something of that
sort.
" Who are your asked. 4 am Farm
err was his reply, and he held out his
hand to me. I shook hands with him,
and I thought as I did so that the fingers
felt little cold. I released the hand and
was thinking what to say next and sud-
denly the figure vanished.
If was really awake at the time
fell asleep again. Very soon I perceived
the figure again standing by my bed I
do not know that doubted it was Farm
er, but thought would make certain.
SO asked:
" how shall know you are Farmer?'
i will show you MY hand,' he re.
piled.
II saw he was holding out his hand
that might see it, but was determined
to take nothing for granted and in
quired:
But how shall know this is Farm
er's handp'
!" 'I'll show you my finger lie said. He
crooked up one of the fingers in such
peculiar way that when I tried, could
not do it, without the assistance of the
other hand. While was trying to per-
form the little trick the figure disap
peared.
II was greatly puzzled over the Wis
ion, or the. dream, if such it was, but not
in the least alarmed. dropped to sleep
again, if, indeed, I had been really awake,
and was not disturbed until morning. ]
rose with the remarkable experience of
the night wildly in mind and related the
whole story to Miss Farmer She was
greatly interested, and when I came to
the trick of the fingers she looked at me
in establishment.
!" That was favorite little trick of
my fathers she said, peculiar to him
self. Few people could do it. In the
company of friends he would often hold
out his hand, as he did to you las5 night,
crooking his finger, and ask if they could
do it. 1t was little thing, but the most
characteristic and convincing act the
figure could have done if he wished to
prove his identity as my father. s"
Professor Dolbear knew nothing of this
popularity of Mr.. Farmer.