The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-22
SPORTING NEWS.
Robert Fftzsimmons is Now a
Spiritualist.
Converted by Leading Lady Of
His Company.
In HONEST BLACKSMITH
Now Firmly Believes That When
He Enters Ring
His Body is Possessed by Spirit
of Some Giant.

st. Louis, Mo, Feb. 22-=~Bob" Fitz-
simmons. prize fighter and actor, who
is the star in THE Honest Blacksmith,
playing here this week has been con-
verted to spiritualism by Miss Lillian
Seymour. the leading lady Of the COM
pany. He now believes in the mysteries
of the followers Of that doctrine and has
also arrived at the conclusion that when
he has entered the ring in the past his
body has been possessed by the astral
spirit OF some giant Of old, which longed
to test his prowess against the modern
giants. For some time the ex-champion
has been trying to make the acquaint-
ance of his guardian spirit.
You see" said Fitz. 1T may be Sam
son or Hercules or Goliath or some Of
the other giants of old. I wish 1 knew
for certain which. But I hope after I
get developed better to enter into COM
munication with him.
REFERENCE TO THE JEFFRIES
AFFAIR.
When it was suggested to Fitz that
some astral spirit other than the regular
giant who had lowered about him got
control of him when he was defeated
by Jeffries. he said:
That's SO. He must have been a bum
in his day. But, say, when / cash in
a few punches at that spook.'
The secret Of his prOWess in the prize
ring is at last accounted for by Fitz-
Victory in many a hard-fought battle
was due not alone to the strength in his
mighty arms. the driving mower in the
broad shoulders. vigilance Of the eye and
quiCkness of foot. Just as much credit,
he feels. is due to some poor spirit wan
dering around in the astral world. who
incarnates his body when he enters the
ring TO fight for dollars and glory. At
f1n 1oaIfE n is sos
over into the astral world for a short
vacation. while his other spirit enters
into his body and animates him with
the strength of ten FitZ has convert
ed nearly all the members of 1.-THE
Honest Blacksmith company, except
Ed Dunkhorst, the human freight car"
MY astral spirit must have been a.
bum one, he says, and don't want to
know him unless to get a soak at him.
If he was any good he wouldn't let me
get knocked out as often as was"
MISS SEYMOUR EXPLAINS.
The members of the company hold a
seance at least once every week. They
gather around a plain pine table, hold
ing hands, and then the manifestations
begin. They hold communication with
relatives and friends who have passed
over" Concerning her success in turn
ing the ex-champlon's thoughts to things
celestial. Miss Seymour says
1t was / who discovered that Mr..
F'ltzsimmons had a kindly spirit in the
astral world, who takes possession of
him when he fights. DO you notice what
a changed man Bob is in the prize ring7
See the different expression that comes
into his face He is not the same person
at all. made the discovery watching
the fight pictures at the close of the
performance. / had several talks with
Mr.. F1tzsimmons and got him interested
in the subject. FinaIly-Weu, ask him
yourself what he thinks of it. I am GER
tain know who his astral friend is.
II is one of the great men who have
passed over. but am not at liberty to
reveal his identity. It is too personal a
matter, you see"
STAGE FRIGHT OF SPIRITS
Spirits sometimes suffer from stage
fright" Miss Seymour explains, and
thus it is that Fitz has been unable to
hold friendly conversation with his
astral friend. The spirits she says, are
bashful about making advances.
Miss Seymour is right" said Fftz. II
am a different man when / enter the
ring I feel that myself. Sometimes 1
forget everything until the fight is over.
Then I seem to suddenly wake up or
come out of a trance"