The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-16
Prominent Topeka People Con-
suit Colored Fortune Teller.
Gives Advice In Business Ven
lures and Love Affairs.
BUSINESS PROFITABLE
Lives in Pleasant House on a
Fashionable Street.
Claims to Have Been Born
With Wonderful Powers.

Prominent Topeka business men and
well known society people throng to the
home of colored woman who claims to
be medium for the purpose of be-
ing advised in business and love af-
fairs. A Topeka race horse owner con-
suits her about entering his horses in
races. Two of the wealthiest and most
prominent business men in Topeka ask
her advice on business matters
Mrs R. A Matteson who lives at 1886
Topeka avenue is the one whose advice
is sought. The circular which adver-
tise her powers of second sight and
ability to read the past and foretell the
future make the assertion that she is
natural born medium But she can't
explain it herself.
I'm no trance medium, says Mrs.
Matteson. I've jes got d. power. I've
always had it, since 1 was a little girl.
| was born with it. My power comes
from God 1 don't believe in nothin
but d. Lord God and his Book"
DO you use the Bible in giving your
reSdings?" the spirituaIist was asked.
CANT neither read nor WRITE she
answered. Never could be learned to
read nor write. Went to school and
tried to learn but 1 was free born and
all my powers come from d Lord"
Mrs. Matteson does not claim to be
the seventh daughter of seventh
daughter nor to have been born with a
coWl and does not account for her gift
of second sight in any of the usual
ways. Il was born with it," she says,
and l can't tell you myself how 1t is.
Revelations come to her in the form
of visions, some times obscure but re-
curing and recurring until she is able
to interpret them She tells many Won
derful incidents of her powers: how she
has restored money to this one; warned
that one of impending danger or death;
saved another from unlucky business
transaction, and warned women of I'M
fortunate love affairs or marriages.
Her patrons are among the most
prominent people in Topeka. Il don't
have no trash comm here she says.
It's d. best people that consult me and
1 don't want no others around. People
from all over the country come to me
and write to me. This very day had
a letter from Boston banker about
a lawsuit that means $4,000 to him.
How can you tell what's in the let
tiers if you can't read " the reporter
asked.
How can I tell? How can I tell d
past and d. future and describe people
I've never seen? All I ask is for them
! to put their names in the letters and I'll
know their secret trouble and can ad-
wise them" 17-
The medium is Sc years old. She was
I 1 :
ents. She repeats and insists an an i'm
portant point that she was free born"
She has lived in Topeka for 81 years
except for occasional trips over the
country. She has a home in Washing
ton, D. c., where the story goes her ad-
wise is sought by those high in the
councils of the state. She does not deny
that Ter revelations have had their part
in shaping history. She claims to have
foretold McKinley's election and warned
him of his assassination.
Her assertion that the best people in
the town have been her patrons is prob
ably true Almost every one in Topeka
knows of her and many acknowledge to
have gone to her for readings, either for
a lark or with a superstitious belief in
her power. 1t is said that among her
regular patrons is one of the richest
men in the state who goes to her for
frequent readings and never under
takes a business enterprise without con-
lsulting her. Gamblers and racing men
are also credited with relying upon her
revelations and women seek her out for
advice in the conduct of their love at
fairs.
All the womans talk is hazy and her
answers to questions evasiVe- She re-
fuses TO disclose the names of her pat
rons and deals in metaphor and clothes
her thoughts in mystic language Fix
ing her bright black eyes upon you she
narrows her lids and lowers her voice
to a mysterious whisper while she voices
some vague remark which is impressive
in spite of its non-sensicality. The ne
groes are said to hold her in great awe
and to be firm believers in her powers
although she holds herself aloof
from them, lives in fashionable part of
town in a comfortable and well built
cottage with a white husband Her
business is quite profitable She has
four children by a former husband
whom she married when she was four
teen years old but none of them, she
says inherit her peculiar powers