The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1906-09-23
TRICKS OF CLEVER MEDIUMS TOO HARD FOR THE BROTHEPS"

corner. The instrument would play or
cease to play at her command.
Spirits" the audience would gasp
again.
Electricity" the doubters would
mutter. The weakness of this expIana-
ton would become apparent when il
was shown that the instrument was
completely insulated by the glass plate.
Mr.. We're in his Modern Magic has
made many Spirits" or phenomena
supposed to be connected with this
trick vanish, leaving it as simple as
the accordion feat. I'm the box there
is placed balance lever which, when
the glass is tilted in the slightest de-
gree. arrests the fly-fan and thus pre-
vents the machinery from moving"
says the author. AT the word of com
mand the glass is leveled or tilted. gov
erning the action of the balance lever
and machinery within the box"
The Spirit Land.
Annie's spirit hand and it's obedient
rappingS raped the spectators into
once more gasping "Spiritsr This hand
lay on table in full view of every
one. You will answer questions I NAV
put to you by rapping twice when YOU
mean yes, and once when mo- is the
reply" Annie would say, addressing the
hand which, across the footlights
looked as if it had been borrowed for
the evening from some real live wo-
man. Annie would ask questions and
the hand would rap out it's answer. Per-
sons in the audience were permitted to
ask such questions as Are you happv.
John?" John, probably being some
DEAD relative). Rap, rap. would be the
hands answer.
"Spirits!' the audience would gasp.
while the poor deluded man or woman
who wept because some dead loved one
had answered through Annie's third
hand would be convinced more than
ever of the truth OF Annies spiritual
istic powers.
spirit hand is so constructed that
the palm lies on the plate of glass ON
the top of the table and the wrist. cir
cled by fancy cuff, is elevated an inch
above the table cover A thread run
ing across the stage is worked by I'M
seen persons. one on the right and one
on the left of the stage. An invisible
thread or wire manipulated by stage
aid in the flies can also work the ran
ping hand.
Table Raising.
Charles SHADES strong stunt was "ta
so desired strange and weird levitation
were participated in by furniture. One
mediumistic test with which Slade CON
WINGED his followers that he possessed
splrltual1stic powers was causing q ia
Ole 10 leave the floor and remain noised
IN mld-air. Slade would ask his snec-
tators to sit around the table. nIac,no
himself at the head. Opposite him and
at the foot of the table would be seated
announcer man Slade would have his
arms pared to the elbow to show the
men around the table that he had no
clutches or machinery concealed ahoI,t
his wrists or arts Every one wo,,Id
place their hands on the table and
await developments. Presently the ia
Ole would leave the floor slowly. Ris-
ing, Slade would ask, do you notice
As the piece of furniture
seemed possessed with an uncontroIIa-
Die desire to float to the ceiling every
one would answer. II do" and follow.
ing SHADES example, would get mon
their feet. The test would be repeated
Win several heavy persons seated on
lue tdpIe. Inc same result would be
"Spirits.' e"0p'
The sight of table floating severoI
feet in the air was "spooky." but when
IL is explained that the person who sat
at the foot of the table was one az
SHADES confederates a light begins 70
show When it is further explained
mat both medium and his aid wore wide
leather belts supported by bands of
leather over the shoulders. the whole
arrangement strengthened and rein
forced by steel, the trick is made sim
pie. The medium and his confederate
fastened hooks to their belts. and I'm
rising Ing llty
any weight which might have been
placed upon it from the floor The
springs or hooks We're concealed about
the clothing while the vests worn by
the performers hid the belts from view. |
With the material at hand. column
after column might be written about |
he receptions employed by mediums" |