The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-04

/ throughout as George Pelham, or G. p.
though that was not his real name
which is well known to many in New
York and Boston. He was a young
literary man of no little fame, who met
his death accidentally and instantane-
ously in New York in that same year,
DR.. Hodgson knew G.. P. well IN an in
tellectual way, and had had long talks
with him on philosophy and the
chances of a future life, in which G.. p.
did not believe.
He could not accept it's credlbility, y
DR.. Hodgson writes in his report, "and
vowed that if he should die before
did and found himself still existing he
would make things lively in the effort
TO reveal the fact
He does not appear to have succeed
ed-though opportunity was given him
for about five weeks, and then it
would seem to have been an old emo
tional friendship" rather than his vow
which called him hither. A certain
Mr.. John Hart (not the real nance
came to Mr.. Hodgson for a sitting TO
Mrs Piper-all knowledge of him be-
ing kept from the medium.
Phinpit first announced himself as
intermediary for G. p. and gave some
incorrect accounts concerning the re-
cent death of a relative of the sitter.
Soon the G. P. personality got the
better of what had been known as the
Phinuit voice. called a name like
Howard" and also gave his own in
full.
Then followed a correct account of a
locket presented by the sitter, and all
about it's different. owners, followed by
the full name of George Pelham. The
sitter produced a pair of studs he had
been wearing. G.. p. promptly in
forms him that the studs had been his
own; that they had been taken from
his dead body.
Mother gave them to father and
father sent them to you. / want you
to keep them. l will them to you
said the voice.
Mr.. Hart subsequently admitted that
they had been sent him by Mr. Pelham
in response to his own request for a
memento of George.
In the midst of this information the
names of James and Mary Howard
(Mr. and Mrs.) were called for, also
Katharine, adding, Tell her she'll
know. I will solve the problem, Kath-
arine."
This had no significance for any one
present-thus precluding all chance of
thought transference.
Not until afterward did Mr. Howard
an intimate friend of G. P, explain
that George, when he had last stayed
with them, had a long talk with his
daughter Katharine, a girl of fifteen.
on such subjects as time, space, God
and eternity, and after pointing out
how unsatisfactory was the commonly
accepted solution, added that he would
solve the problems and let her know.
This and much more at the first COM
ing of G. P. purported to be through
the intermediary, Phinuit, as if G.. P
himself had not got used to the ma
n ~ .i.aoff 10,
information unconnected with the sit
ter, but which others subsequently
proved correct, was also shouted forth
before the close Of the sitting, as if the
intelligence, whatever it was desired to
give whatever came to mind.
DR.. Hodgson makes this comment:
The most personal and convincing
references made at these sittinos can
not be quoted because Of their extreme
ly private nature. They We're regarded
by j. III. as profoundly characteristic
OF Pelham, and in minor matters eS-
pecially. where my notes were made
quate, such as in words of greeting and
occasional remarks, the manner of ref
erence to his mother, with him in
spirit; to his father and stepmother,
living, etc, the sitter was strongly i'm
pressed with the vraisemblance of the
personality of Pelham"
Before passing on to DR.. Hodgson' s
own opinions of the difficulties in the
way Of communications between this
world and the region of the disincar-
nate, it may interest the reader to have
sample of how G.. p. met the How
ards. After a few words at the be-
ginning. we are told Phinuit gave way
altogether, and the personality of G.. p.
controlled voice and hand.
The statements made were init
mately personal and characteristic.
Common friends were referred to by
name, inquiries were made about pri-
vate matters, and the Howards, who
were not predisposed to take any inter-
est in psychical research but who had
been induced by the account of Mr..
Hart to have n sitting with Mrs. Piper,
were profoundly impressed with the
feeling that they were in truth holding
a conversation with the friend whom
they had known so many years. All
the references to persons and indi-
viduals are correct"
The report goes on:
Jim (Jim is Mr.. Roward) Is that
you? Speak to me, quick | am not
dead. Don't think me dead. Can't you
see me? Don't you hear me? Give my
love to my father and tell him l want
to see him. I am happy here, and more
so since find can communicate with
| YOU ! pity those people here whe
| can't speak / want you tc
know / think of YOU still. I spoke tc
! John about some letters
What do you do, George, where yoy
are?'
IL am scarcely able to do anything
yet. / am just awakening to the reality
of life after death. 1t was like dark
ness; l could not distinguish anything
at first-darkest hours just before day
you know that, Jim. l was puzzled
confused / shall have an occupation
soon. Now / can see you, my friends
Your voice, Jim, can distinguish, will
| your accent and articulation, but Il
| sounds like a big bass drum. Mine
| would sound to you like the faintes
! whisper
| "O111. conversation then iH sonnet hins