The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-10
IN THE REALM OF ..sPIRITs."
VIM. n. smith Telh q Magistrate His
Experience mt Several Sennces.

Hugh r. Moore processes 10 be spirit
ual medium. William R. Smith, OF a2l9
Lancaster avenue. who says he attended
three seances held by Moore. had doubts
as TO the spirits that appeared being other
than flesh and bone like ordinary mortals.
These doubts became so strong as 10 lead
Smith TO a practical demonstration of the
real facts by catching hold of one of the
spirits at a seance held February IL.
on Seventh street, below Green. and hold
ing on. despite the cries and entreaties OF
the spirit until lights were turned on
and an investigation made.
Prior TO the seance on February II Smith
and several friends had attended two 9TH
or seances given by Moore One was on
January 81 and the second February Z.
1t was on these visits. Smith says. that he
became suspicious OF the claims made by
Moore that he could produce the spirits
of the dead. so that Smith could converse
with his departed friends. He accordingly
went before Magistrate George W. Evans
and procured warrant for the arrest OF
Moore. Accompanied bv constable and
. deputy, they attended the third seance
of the series. The result was that Mr.
Moore was arragned before Magistrate
Evans yesterday morning. but the hearing
was not completed. and was adjourned I'M
til this morning.
The only witness examined yesterday
was complainant Smith. He testified in
substance that he had heard of the seances
given b. Moore and had attended three of
them. On the occasion of his last visit
he said. Moore explained the formation OF
spirits, stating that they were made up OF
atoms OF matter. the same as human be-
ings and that this accounted for the spr-
Its having the same temperature as the
persons In the room. II was also explained
that some spirits did not have sufficient
strength 10 form SO that they could be
recognized Moore, he said, did not guar
antee to any one in the audience that his
or her friends would appear. but when one
or more spirits presented themselves.
Moore would tell some certain ones that
80 and SO was present in spirit and
wished 10 speak to the party called by
Moore. Among the spirits thus appear
ing were those OF Jenny Lind, the famous
singer, and List. the composer.
According 10 Smiths testimony. the end
of the room was partitioned or by black
curtain, forming separate room, the
sides. floor and ceilings Of which were
covered with black material. This room
was called the cabinet Back OF it was a
door. which. Moore said al the opening OF
the seance would be boarded IL there were
any objections The door was said to W.
locked with an extra paddock. the keys
OF which were placed on a piano in full
view Of those present.
The curtain was dropped and all lights
eXtingushed except a lamp used 10 shed
cClored light or the spirits" After pray
er had been offered. forms appeared in
the cabinet. there was singing. and music
was heard from the piano and a music
box. Some OF the forms came outside the
cabinet and sat In the room. One OF them
kissed the man at the piano. AS 10 the
lamp used. II was stated that some spirits
could stand more light than others. At
times the room was very dark.
Those I'm the audience We're cautioned not
TO touch the spirits but 10 permit the
latter 10 touch whomsoever they pleased.
Not all the spirits were supposed 10 be fe-
males. but all OF them were representa-
tive spirits of the dead" One was
black-faced spirit with bright eyes. An
other one wore a veil, Smith said In his
testimony that he came in close contact
with two Of the spirits and recognized
them as being earthly. one OF these
spirits Is claimed to be "Dr. j. l." None
OF them could stay long. as they COM
planned OF being weak when engaged IN
any lengthy conversation. They said this
when many questions were put 10 them.
AT the seance on February II. Smith
testified Moore came TO him and took him
into the cabinet Il went inside" said
Smith. "and took hold OF both hands OF
the spirit instead OF permitting the spirit
TO hold mine. as / had been instructed.
| said TO the spirit. 'Dematerialize. If YOU
are a true spirit She struggled TO get
away. I called for some one TO turn on
the lights. ] pulled her out OF the cabinet
into The room. She said she was getting
weak and asked 70 be Let 90 When the
lights were turned on found had hold of
female form dressed in a sort OF a loose
blouse something Ike boomers The
spirit woman human being
Ike any other woman. She talked TO me.
The officers were with me. Some one
charged us with having Struggled her into
the room. We asked her. and she said she
fla not know us. and had never seen Us
before She went out through the door
that was claimed 70 have been p1dlocked
bat which was standing open. and went
M stairs