The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-03-13
FROGS IN HER STOMACH.
This Spirttualist Knew Just What the
Medium Meant.

Mrs. Anna E. Thomas. OF Newport. KY.
was featured" last night at meeting of
Spritualists at Mansur Hall. She gave a
lecture on Immortality" in which she at
tackled orthodox preachers and religion and
attempted TO justify practical demonstra-
ton of spiritualism with reason She and
two other mediums gave an exhibition. An
audience of two hundred had gathered. and
1t composed mostly of the faithful.
Here and there were increduous ones. who
were present because the theaters are not
open Sunday night, and who were prone to
gggle. AS the audience entered the hall each
member paid 10 cents to the doorkeeper-the
same amount that one pays for the yellow
backed books explaining How to Become
Spiritualist." How to Get Rich and many
other "how-tos' on sale at all news-stands.
1t soon became apparent that the expected
one was in a side room, for masters and
mistresses of ceremonies were at all times
either entering or issuing from il. 1t was
therefore a theatrical surprise when a pro-
cession of three mediums. including the
star, entered through rear door, UneXpect-
edy, to the accompaniment OF piano music,
and proceeded 10 the platform.
Mrs. Thomas was seen TO be plump,
handsome woman. deliberately gowned, wear
ing diamond earrings and a diamond ring,
and her golden hair arranged as If she had
just come from a hair uTeSSerS hands. a
master Of ceremonies introduced her as a
medium of worldwide fame, through whom
beings on the invisible side communed with
their friends, and incidentally he said that
she was giving 'sittings" at a certain adj
dress. Mrs. Thomas acknowledged the in
PRODUCTION with smile that showed her
pretty teeth, and gracefully waved fan
that was a creation OF whatever rich fans
are made of.
The entertainment, or service. was opened
b.. hx~t., erfA - rr-c aA.&x,
sing. Mrs. Thomas arose and read a poem
entitled Human Life" relating that ac-
cording to the development of nature there
must be life beyond the grave. As an
Introduction TO her lecture she said that
she very sensitive and she hoped that
while she was talking no one would look at
his watch. She also said that her lecture
came to her from Prof. Robert Hare, Of
Philadelphia and, though she did not say
he was dead, it was to be understood that
he was, and that he was her guide" In
the lecture she said many an orthodox
preacher sneaked into the back door of a
mediums home" which brought laugh
from The audience She also delivered a fer
vent prayer with her head thrown back and
her eyes closed.
When Mrs. Thomas had concluded her
lecture the entertainment began. The lights
were turned low. One of the mediums, who
arose and stood at the front OF the plat
form, began to have influences: me
he wanted TO talk to. an old-time spiritualist
who sat in the front row.
the medium. do you understand?
Yes the old man understood.
And here is someone who says something
about peafowls. Do you understand thatT
1 do not"
Amid the laughter the old man said he
also understood the last revelation.
Il have a peculiar sensation in my throat
and stomach" said the medium, land l
hear a name It seems to come for you,
and and told him hint the nj name me- = ~
Yes" he said, Il know. / am so thank
full she is with me. When she died twelve
| her stomach"
Though the audience was convused, the
medium was not surprised. 1t seemed. She
only smiled, said she was sure ii was a
most unpleasant sensation and coughed sew
eral times. She had several other influences
which were more or less recognizable to the
persons she addressed. The messages"
| consisted mostly of love and assurances that
Il am always with YOU" The spiritualists
| invariably thanked the spirits for these as
| surances.
Another medium gave a slate-writing ex-
| hibition--one of the same old kind by which
| held slate under table until IL was heard
| TO be banging around. That being the sum-
mons, she brought the slate to view and
from within it's covers could be heard a
| clicking as Of a pencil writing. When the
| slate was opened no pencil was TO be seen.
| The medium read the message" saying she
was used to reading them, but she held up
| the slate so that IL could be seen there was
writing on II. The messages were more or
4
| audience called out with thanks that they
| recognized the spirit.
Then came Mrs. Thomas's entertainment.
'I want all the light can get" she said.
1 little ostentatiously, and the lights were
| turned up. She began song in which the
| audience joined. and she walked to and fro
| in front Of the platform with graceful steps.
| Suddenly she stopped and gasped. The ex-
| preston of her eyes was that she saw
| things. She pressed her little hand TO her
| forehead and walked slowly, as the spirit
| led her. to a man sitting a few rows back;
| She told him about an Indian she saw and
| about two or three people with flowers. He
recognized them all, he said but it was not
| made clear what the Indian meant by put
| ting red feather behind the subjects ear,
1 as the medium said he did. Mrs. Thomas $
| performance was much more extravagant
| than those Of the other two mediums. She
| walked about making graceful gestures and
| dramatic gasps which were very becoming.
| 1t was rather Delsartian. One man under
| stood" when she told about two men COM
| hitting suicide by drowning. She herself
| felt like she were submerged In water, she
| said When she was through she received
| the CONGRATULATIONS of the spritualists and
| again commenced her "sittings."