Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-25
A MYSTERIOUS HAND.
Strange Appearance on n Window
Pane Creates Much Excitement.

Pane Creates Much Excitement.
The residents of the vicinity OF the old
Quaker church are all agog over recent
appearance OF hand on a window-pane
in the residence of Mr.. N. Il. Woods, at
No. IL east Clay street. This mysterious
apparltion, which has been the talk OF
the nelghborhood was first discovered
last Tuesday about o'clock In the after
noon. The curious find created much ex-
element. There was nothing TO do about
it but wait until Mr.. Woods came in the
evening. Before that time the hand mad
vanished. This added the sensation or
the uncanny TO the mystery, but 1t was
determined to solve it. and a watch was
set against a temperance. the watchers
did not have 20 wait long when the hand
appeared more clearly defined even than
the day before.
Since that time every day has seen a
constant stream at the doors Of Mr.
Woods residence. gradually increasing
as the fame of the strange phenomenon
spread abroad
old ghost stories fragments OF science,
South Sea Island tales. have. all been de-
duced TO account for the phenomenon by
analogy, but no theory yet advanced
seems to have met with popular approval.
"a representative OF the Dispatch visited
the house last night. and was shown the
window-pane. The darkness on the out
side proved a good background, and the
outlines of a mans hand were very dis
tinct.
DIR. TAYLOR'S THEORIES.
Among those who saw 1t yesterday
about O'Clock was DR.. w. FL Taylor,
City Coroner and State Chemist. He was
seen last night and asked for his expla-
nation of the phenomenon. The Doctor
| said he had not made a thorough diagno-
sis OF this curious human member, but
that there was nothing mysterious about
| its appearance and several explanations
| could be given under the conditions Of
any of which the phenomenon would be
produced
The hand is in a symmetrical position
| near the centre Of the pane, and this
made him think that II was once used in
| the frame OF a photograph or drawing
| of the hand, and I'm this way an impress
| sion would have been made upon the
! glass which sun and air would easily and
readily have developed. But even this
was not necessary The mere placing OF
| the hand for a moment only over glass
| of a peculiar kind would have caused
change on the glass which sunlight and
weather would develop and make a per-
| tect representation
Another, and perhaps moro probable
| explain ltion, is found in the fact That pho-
| tographers often sell their old sensitive
| plates to dealers. and these plates are
| sometimes used for windows. and unless
| thoroughly cleansed by acids, the last i'm
preston upon the plate will be developed
after standing exposure to sun ana air.
Some photographer has. doubtless, used
| this pane, and has failed to soak 1t long
| enough before putting II on the counter.
With the naked eye II can be seen that
the glass about the print Is decomposlns
and turning blue" while that or the
print is sound and strong and less granu-
! lar. .
nhotoeraph the hand. and will do so to-
morrow. Then he will study and cate
chise 1t until all the secrets 1t holds Will
| be revealed.