The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-07


Spiritualistic seances, whe ther they be
OF the alleged genuine order or OF what is
known as the fake" variety, are counte-
nanced in the Districtsof Columbia, under
certain conditions. One condition is that
no admission fee shall be charged except
in cases where a license for such purpose
has been obtained. The police exercise the
ordinary vigil in such matters, but do not
interfere except when complainant de-
mands ii. Several days ago Major Syl-
vester received letter of complaint against
a certain spiritualist or conductor of
seances known as Pierre L. o. Keeler.
who operates at 9lS Street northwest.
and the result was that an investigation
was ordered.
Detectives Parham and Gallaher were de-
tailed on the case and last night they saw
enough Of a spiritualist seance TO warrant
them in arresting Mr.. Keller on a charge
Of conducting an unlicensed entertainment.
Keller was removed TO Police Headqua--
tiers where he deposited $40 for his ap-
pearance in the Police Court. He was not
on hand this morning. however, and for
feited his collateral. The maximum PEN
atty for the offence charged. namely, IN
licensed entertainment is $40.
Last night, TO Inspector Carter, Keller
explained that his arrest was all a mistake
and something out OF ths ordinary.
he declared that he had a clientele in
Guiding the most prominent residents OF
Washington. several members OF Congress.
a member Of the Cabinet. and many pub
tic and other men, to say nothing of The
odore j. Mayer, OF the M w. Gait Flour
and Feed Company. 10 whom Inspector
Carter and the detectives were referred
for a reference.
why" said Mr. Keller, ''Mr. Mayer is
: welI-known Spiritualist. and treasurer,
not only OF our local association OF Spirit
ualists, but Of the National Association.
operate under the local order, which is
known as No. 1 Association II Is a
branch Of the order which holds forth at
Masonic Temple. / sup ed / was con-
forming TO the law. Otherwise / would
have taken the necessary precautions
You say it costs s. per night to conduct
an entertainment? Rather expensive
business, with only nineteen persons pres
ent tonight at so cents per Eead."
The arrest Of Mr. K,AcIer was effected
Immediately after an ale ed communion
with spirits. Those who Witnessed il were
/ those who also witnessed the cabinet
/ tests. and they included ,ndrey Lofier,
/ the butcher: Mr. GUIDE, ~ A. GUIDE & Co.
florists: J. W. Meyer, a rel estate dealer;
q Mrs. Houston and a Mrs. Peacock, who
/ live in West Washington, and eleven 9TH
/ ers whose names were not learned, oX-
/ elusive of Detectives Parham and Gal
laher and Times reporter.
Whether those who attended the meet
| ing were believers is not known Some OF
them, however, indicated by their actions
that they had more than ordinary faith IN
the cabinet proceedings engineered by Mr..
/ Keller
Mr.. Lofler. his wife, and Mr.. Guide
! were among those 10 whom the spirits ad-
. dressed communication, and lady Who
/ accompanied Mr. Maye-- and Mrs Houston
sat as semi medium for cabinet tests
Theodore Hansmann. Of 1872 W Street
northwest. a practitioner, seventy nine
years cid, assisted Mr.. Keller in the Sc
anee. A colored man, who played mouth
organ and adjusted chairs, was exempt
from the price of admission
The seance was held in a back pa-lor.
one corner Of which was screened by double
curtains hanging from height Of about
six feet Chairs were arranged in semi
( circle in iuxtaposition to the screened cor
ner Keeler appeared, and ennounced that
the seance was about to begin He then
took his place on one OF these chairs IN
front Of the double curtain, and ask
for assistants. Several volunteered, but
OILY those who we're acceptable TO the
spirit operating were allowed to seat them
selves in the other two chairs The opera
ting shirt was announced as that NJ George
Christie. the old minstrel. After TIE chosen
two had seated themselves beside KeeleI
the trio we're enyeloped In an arrangement
resembling that o. home vapor bath, after
first grasping each others hands in his
presence. Only Xeeler retained the free
use of one arm
The colored man played rzg-time melo-
dies on his mouth organ and from behind
the curtain came the sound Of guitar, tan
BOURNE, and bell accompanimepts, to say
/ | nothing of a ettle-drum rattle prcducec
by a pair Of clothespins on table top
That consumed some minutes, When th'
scene changed.
Two other assistants were selected by
the spirit whose rappings indicated who
of the respondents were satisfactory
Then came notes on bits Of paper resemb-
| ling physicians prescription slips
The seanee was concluded by great
| orchestra performance on the guitar
drum and Other indescribable instruments
The curtains were then drawn aside anC
all were allowed to inspect the floor
walls, etc, while Keller stood guard a
the door and collected so cents from eacl
! person who passed out, confederates ex
cepted. When Detectives Parham anG
Gallaher paid their exit fee they polite
ly requested Keller to to Headquarters
He consented after short elaboration, an'
left his home amid the lamentations o
his wife and the cries of shame from tn,
old women believers at the seance.
Keller stated last night that he woul,
ask for a continuance of the case agains
him, when arraigned in the Police Cour
= this morning. He said he would not b
ready for trial for few days. Keele
informed Inspector Carter that he wa
forty-four years old. and that his occu
patton was that of a spiritualist psyscic