Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-18
MYSTAGOGUE MAKES
MORE DISCLOSURES
OF FAKERS' WAYS
SCORES OF LETTERS SENT TO HERALD
One Writer from San Jose Says She Has Felt
Touches-Mediums Who Have Been Exposed
and Discredite Are Forced to Leave
Los Angeles for Other Fields
by ROBERT A. HAZEL

by HOBBHI ~ Ethhbh
So great is the interest taken by the
people of Los Angeles and nearby cities
in the expose of fake spiritualism which
Is being carried on by The Herold that
during the last week hundreds of let
ters have been sent me, each asking an
explanation of how these so-called me-
diums perform certain "marvels." Many
of these questions show that the writ
ers have passed great deal of time
studying the subject, have become con-
vinced of the crookedness Of the takers.
but wish to have their ideas con-
hrmed as to how these "marvels" are
performed. I will answer some of the
letters have received in this issue, but
,ack OF space hinders me from publish
ing answers to the entire number.
Many of the inquiries have been IN
regard to trumpet talking or "trl1m-
pet seances," as they are sometimes
termed.
The Trumpet Trick
Ihls is form of manifestation
which is supposed to be very convincinp
as proof Of spirit return. Those prac-
tlc1ng this phase of mediumship are
rank FRAUDS OF the worst kind. If at
these seances and have not been known
TO the medium as an "easy mark" YOU
VIII agree with me that you have sell
dim been able to sit near the me-
alum, as he is generally surrounded by
confederates. If you insist on holding
tne MEDIUMS hands you may be allowed
10 90 so, but the talking is then done
by the confederates and the trumpet
Is manipulated by them.
rms is the dark seance I ON speak
ing OF now. In some cases the talking
is done in the light. That is, the trum-
pet Is partially in the light, and the
medium, who is concealed in the cabi-
net, talks through the trumpet by
means OF a small rubber hose attached
to the mouthpiece. Frequently a me-
dium has concealed in his clothes a
second trumpet made in telescope
fashion, and the audience naturally be-
leVes the voice and sounds are coming
from the trumpet which Is in sight.
When a medium is permanently locat-
ed in his own home there is generally
an elaborate arrangement of speaking
tubes installed which renders the CIV
ing of trumpet seances an easy matter.
As rule mediums who are constantly
travelling rely upon their nerve, the
credulity of their audiences and their
confederates for success. When per-
son tells you he has seen trumpet
float around a room in a bright light
and now and then tap those who are
present on their heads without any as
sistance from mortals, think awhile
before you swallow this tale, as this
feat has never been done in the light,
but Is easily performed in the dark.
Slate Writing swindIe
A second subject which seems to
trouble many persons who attend
seances is slate writing. There are sew
cd x.,I,n d. Iol
independent method. Most of them are
variations of the two principal meth
DDS, substitution and the silicate pad.
In some instances chemicals are used,
but in many cases they are not prac-
ticable.
For instance, the subject is placed
with his back to a wall in which
there is a sliding panel in the mop
board. He is given clean slate by
the medium and asked to wash it thor
oughly. After this is done he is asked
to write. a message to "a spirit friend
and place it inside the slate, which is
then locked or tied, and he is allowed to
seal the knots If he so wishes.
He is then told to place the slate on
the floor and put his heels on it. No
sooner does the slate touch the floor
than a confederate of the medium
shoves his arms through the panel and
exchanges the slate on which the mes
sage is written for black one. The
states are again exchanged when the
subject is told to pick it up, the origi-
nal slate having been opened and the
message read in the meantime.
Envelope Deception
Some of these states are made as fol-
lows: They are double and one of the
ends so constructed that it can be
pulled from the frame, together with
one of the states. BY this means pos
session is obtained OF the message. not
withstanding the fact that both states
are firmly tied together. The medium
always has in his possession envelopes
and cards. Sometimes the subject de-
sires to use these instead of writing on
the slate proper. When he does so the
confederate after obtaining possession
of the slate, pulls out the movable
slide and takes the envelope, which he
moistens by means of small sponge
saturated with alcohol. This makes the
paper transparent and he Is able to
read the questions on the card without
trouble. The answer he writes on the
solid slate, returns the envelope and
pushes home the movable part. The al
cohol eVaporates quicly leaving no
trace whatsoever. See slate of this pat
tern in The Herald exhibit in the show
window
A second slate is made in the fol-
LOWING manner. Illc plellS ihSANS NhS
frame moves in grooves and Is pushed
down by a concealed spring in one of
the sides of the frame. One of the
sides has a narrow strip of wood at
tached to 1t, which, when the slate is
pushed toward the side where the
spring is concealed, enters itno the re-
cess. The loose slate is then pressed
against the strip of wood and the con-
cealed spring pushes the slate toward
the opposite side. thus securing 1t In
the frame. BY this method the per-
former may. when showing the slate
hold 1t by the frame only without the
necessity of supporting the inner slate
The flap Is released by holding the
slate with the narrow side resting on
the table. spring part toward the palm
The slate is pulled up slightly and Is
let go again, the loose part thus drop
ping to the table. The table has a
black covering or a newspaper placed
on II, and a similar paper pasted on the
inner side of the flap.
The answer to appear ON the slate
ie ARIA noad for DerViOus To the Der-