davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-03

appearance, but at last remembered that
was present when Aunt Elizabeth" was
first thought of, and was, in fact, partly
responsible for her origin.
The story of Aunt Elizabeth's origin
and her subsequent journeys from the
spirit world to the Baxters sitting room
Is one of unusual interest.
Aunt Elizabeth was first thought OF
soon after information of the stunts car.
ried off by the Baxters reached The
Herald, several days before the estimable
woman appeared before me at the seance
of October 20.
So deep has the fear of the law beer
driven into the hearts of the false
prophets, taking spooksters and lying for.
tune tellers by the exposures which have
been carried on by The Herald during the
last year and half that at present 1t is
almost impossible for stranger to gain
admittance to one Of the seances.
Admlttance Is Difficult
The spooksters have become convinced
that every stranger who appears at their
gates carries large bundle of evil for
them. and the result is that any person
who wishes to gain admittance must be
introduced and vouched for by some one
who Is well known and well thought Of by
the inner ring of the fortune tellers.
1t Is no easy task to find person who
is in position to vouch for you and on
whom you may rely But In my case ]
found this was all arranged.
Late in the afternoon of October 26 ]
was instructed to prepare myself for a
visit to a spooksters establishment, there
to meet with citizens of the spirit world
and commune with those who had de-
parted for other shores.
was told that would be well received,
as would go there with a woman who
stood high in the estimation OF the takers
and would guide my unaccustomed feet
through the highways and the byways of
spookdom, as shown in the sitting room
of the Baxters.
I was told that the Baxters would be
more willing to receive me than they were
to receive the average guest, as a story
of my past life had been told them which
had aroused their avarice and caused
them to clap their hands n glee.
In company with Mrs. N. e. Waller, the
woman who was to be my companion
while attending the seance, I visited The
Herald offices and was given my instruc-
tions.
Believed Them to Be Frauds
According to the story told me by Mrs.
Waller. she had several times visited the
establishment conducted by the Baxters.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-03
"YOu're " Safe
at Firfh's !"

money. l knew they feared the law, and
| I knew that no honest person has any
cause to fear the law. thought would
| be doing a good act in aiding to rid the
| city of a group of human vultures
such as the Baxters had shown them
selves to be.
| l was then instructed in story to
carry to the Baxters, and knowing the
money loving propensities Of these false
| mediums felt assured they would not be
difficult to trap.
| That afternoon telephoned Mrs Bax-
| ter and told her Mr.. and Mrs. Harry
| Hamilton Of Colorado were in Los An
geIes and wers visiting at my house.
told Mrs. Baxter of a fortune which had
been left Mrs. Hamilton by her aunt
elizabeth, who died about three months
ago. 1 also told her that my friends
were having some trouble about getting
| the money.
Carries More Information
/ told Mrs. Baxter 1 wished to bring
Mrs Hamilton out to her home to attend
| a seance and the alleged medium extend
| ed a cordial invitation to her before
had hardly uttered the words.
| Mrs Baxter told me to bring Mrs Ham
iton to the seance to be held the follow
ing Saturday night but for me to come
alone to the seance to be held q day or
SO previous to that date.
! 1 agreed, and at the appointed time
showed up alone. l was heartily greeted
by Mr. and Mrs. Baxter, both wishing
to know all about my friends. l gave
them all the information / thought neces-
sary repeating again the story had
told Mrs. Baxter on the telephone.
That night, in order to show their ap-
probation, 1 suppose, two alleged spirits
from somewhere, the rear part of the
house l think, came forth and announced
they wished to speak to me. went for
ward and then l learned OF the many
friends L had in spirit land.
one of these so-called spirits took the
name of Lou and whispered all manner
of airy nothings into my ear. L noticed
Lou used a. small trumpet to whisper
through, and this trumpet was just long
enough to keep her out OF my arms
length.
At last the meeting came to an end and
started for nome. The last words Mrs.
Baxter said to me as I left were that 1
should not forget to bring my friend with
me Saturday night, and her invitation
was again seconded by Mr.. Baxter
Saturday afternoon was introduced to
Miss Adine Belford, the young woman
who was to take the part of Mrs. Ham
ilton and together we went to the spook
house. There we were graciously received
by Mr.. and Mrs Baxter, who carefully
watched every movement of my compan-
ion as If to see just how gullible she was.
They appeared to be satisfied with their
examination and invited us into an inner
apartment. where we were shown to
seats on the far side of the room.
At a signal from Mr. Baxter the lights
in the house were then extinguished. re-
llgious songs were sung and the nights
fun began.
The seances were much the same as
those held wherever group of believers
gather to be hoodwinked.
l am glad the police have taken up the
affair, because it is shame to have
people who are carried away by their
emotions and who hope to communicate
with their loved ones swindled by these
Inhurnan ghoulS.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-03
GIRL FINDS SPOOK
EXPOSING A THRILLING
NIGHT OF ADVENTURE
by ADINM nELFORD

The power to communicate with shades
in the spirit world may have been granted
to mortals, but If that power had been
granted me and the garrison commander
on the other side had unloaded bunch
q of spirit guides on me like those met at
Baxter's spook emporium, 1869 East
Twenty-second street, I would have re-
fused to accept the consignment.
/ have no doubt Mr.. and Mrs. Baxter
have great influence in the spirit world.
In fact, / am confident they rank ex-
ceptionally high in the estimation of the
powers that be across the river Styx /
have good reasons for believing this. My
reasons are that the spirits have shown
themselves to be so willing to put them
selves out for Mr.. and Mrs. Baxter that
they refuse to allow anything, even little
matters such as fraud and deceit to stand
In their way.
When Mr., and Mrs. Baxter need a spirit
In their business all they have to do is to
announce their wishes to their guides and
within few minutes Master Spirit is at
hand. That is what appears strange to
me- If there is no spirit in the spirit land
Of the name or description of the one
called for the obliging spirits do not hesi-
tate but get busy and choose one of their
number to go through the PAGES as the
real and only one asked for. For instance,
although I never had an Aunt Elizabeth,
the Baxters succeeded without difficulty
in supplying me with one, and furthers
more brought the poor old woman into
their sitting room to shake my hand,
whisper sweet nothings into my ear and
aid the Baxters in separating me from
my cash.
Bogus Aunt Appears
My experiences with "Aunt Elizabeth"
will live long in my memory. met the
- i - ff..of ftv1an
visited the spook shop conducted by the
Baxters. When the meeting was called
to order at that time and all was peace
full and serene in the chamber in which
we sat, the kind-faced old spook waited
gracefully into the room and softly whis-
pered that she wished to speak to me.
was greatly astoniahed By her sudden
Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-03
spook stunts Begin

AS she spoke, this sweet-faced woman
gazed out of eyes which seemed to beam
with great truth into mine. and round
it almost impossible to believe that she
could be a party to the fraud.
Soon we were requested to take our
seats and the lights in the room were
Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-03
DUNGALOW LAND
'DENTMI HOT SPRINGS BATH Z

Special attractions Friday evening.
races. Take car on Broadway to door.
Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-03
SPIRITUALIST GLAD
TO SEE THE POLICE
PROTECT GULLIBLES
BY MRS. N. e. WALLER

| have many friends in the spirit world.
| OF this / am confident. 1 was formally
introduced to them while attending the
seances at Baxters spook institution on
numerous occasions.
| am a firm believer in spiritualism.
That is, 1 believe 1t is possible for de-
parted spirits to communicate with the
living and that they can manifest their
presence in various ways.
l believe they can do this through me-
diums. and consequently have long
sought for some person with sufficient
power to bring the departed spirits back
to this earth.
Willie seeking to find this person
have visited the homes of many so-called
mediums and consequently have found
such a crowd of fakes, lying spooksters
and grasping, greedy, money-mad men
and women that / have almost become
Fdisgusted with my fellow human beings
Some time ago friends told me that Mr..
and Mrs. Baxter were carrying off some
wonderful demonstrations at their home
and asked me why / did not visit them.
/ am fairly well known to spiritualists In
Los Angeles and found little trouble in
gaining admittance. was not joyously
welcomed the first time l called; instead
all those who were present seemed to be
tritie frightened Of me. / don't know
what they thought was going TO do, or
whether the spirits had told them that
1 was not a safe person to have around.
but at any rate 1t took them several
nights to become accustomed to my pres
ence and before they agreed to meet me
on an equal footing.
Tells of Manufactured Aunt
At last 1 found they trusted me. and
1t was then l thought of the plan of
others to the seances.
| was disgusted with the manner in
which the Baxters worked and the meth
DDS they pursued in obtaining their
Los Angeles herald., 1907-11-03

When she first went there 1t was because
she believed them to be true spiritualists
and because she is follower of that be-
lief. After attending one or two of the
meetings, Mrs. Waller became convinced
that the seances were conducted for but
one purpose-namely, to make money
and that no fraud was too glaring for
those behind the scenes to attempt.
She then decided to do her best to rid
Los Angeles Of these takers, and when
approached by representatives of The
Herald agreed to give all the aid in her
power in obtaining evidence against them.
A story was then made up which Mrs.
Waller agreed to tell the Baxters at the
time OF her next visit. The story consisted
of the following: "Mr and Mrs. Harry
Hamilton of Pueblo, Colo, recently ar
rived in Los Angeles, had fallen heir 10
100000. willed them by an Aunt Elizabeth
of Mrs. Hamilton, who had died about
three months ago. The money was tied
up in mining stock and renegade nephew
of Mrs. Hamilton was trying to defraud
Mr.. and Mrs. Hamilton out of the be-
quest. Mr.. Hamilton was engaged in the
business Of an investment agent and min
ing broker, but both he and his wife were
firm believers in spiritualism and would
blindly follow the leads of the guides from
the other side.''
Fakers Fall Into the Trap
Mrs. Waller agreed to tell the story and
I was told that I was booked for the part
of Mrs. Hamilton. I was told that re-
porter of The Herald staff would take
the part of Mr.. Hamilton and my hus-
band, but he would not accompany me
on my first trip to the spooksters' head
quarters.
According to arrangement, Mrs. Waller
and myself met at her home, 932 Court
circle, at 7:30 the following Saturday
night, and a few minutes later left for
the home Of the Baxters Mrs. Waller
had visited the house since the time
had previously seen her, and had OBJ
tanned permission for Mrs. Hamilton to
seek the aid and assistance of the spooks.
Together we went to the house occu-
pied by Mr.. and Mrs. Baxter, on East
Twenty-second street. and there we were
welcomed by the head of the household
and his wife.
We were invited to enter the parlor and
remove our wraps, which we did, and we
were then accompanied to the sitting
room and introduced to number OF those
who were present to attend the seance
Mrs. Baxter seated herself by my side
and grasping my ha.sd in hers, pressed 1t
closely.
"Oh, Mrs. Hamilton" she said, I am
SO glad to see you'll have heard of you
and Of the troubles you are having, and
I am sure the spirits are willing to guide
you. It is probable you will receive ad-
vice tonight which will aid you greatly,
and am sure hope you do"
spook Stunts Begin
AS she spoke, this sweet-faced woman
gazed out of eyes which seemed to beam
with great truth into mine. and found
It almost impossible to believe that she
could be q party to the fraud.
Soon we were requested to take our
seats and the lights in the room were
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-21
WASHINGTON ON WAR.
Mr. Carnegie Thinks His Words Inapplicable
to Changed Conditions.

To the Editor Of The Tribune
SIT: quote from your editorial After the Bene.
dlcuon.' Mr.. Carnegie said that the man who
assumes that he is right and insists judging his
own course has not the proper sense either OF
justice or Righteousness In strict apDIicatiop
OF II we are afraid that might be n little hard on
for eXampie-Martin Luther when he said: .Hers
stand. God help me. can do no otherwisep
But IN the less extreme sense in which Mr. Car
negie doubtless meant the statement it must SURELY
apply TO verbal controversies over peace as well
as 10 any other matter"
Quite tho reverse. Verbal controversies ara assam
tal 10 progress and welcomed by all Luther had
perfect right to believe the devil had entered his
STUDY, and We pardon him for throwing his ink
stand at the enemy OF man. but IL Luther having
a dispute with a neighbor about their respective
rights or properties. to MAIN him with his
inks'and. he would be punished. because the law
or me civilized world does not permit any man to
be Judge in his own cause mot course" as Won
have I'D and attack another no matter how right
he may think he is. Does Tho Tribune approve or
d'sapprove Of this law as just. and therefore
righteous? II so. it follows that when a man at
lacks another 1t is not the Righteousness that
exalteth,' but the acknowledgements which de-
grades that inspires his assault
Since war determines only who Is strong not
who IS right. one wonders how n moral being can
appeal to it except in selr-defence
Your reference to Washington is scarcely fair
Like all statesmen, he has spoken different words
under different conditions. This is inevitable il the
man be wise, When America had not navy or
army fit to protect itself. he said 10 be pre-
pared for war the best preparation for peace.
When a speaker quoted these words when 1 was
presiding there was some dissent the attempt
TO plead them as applicable to our changed condt-
tons, but no bowling DOWN as you state Wash
ington also said: My first wish is to see this
plague of mankind banished from the EARTH
When this was quoted the cheers were loud and
prolonged. This has reference TO varying con-
ditions. but condemns war for all time Yours
ANDREW CARNEGIE.
New York April 90 1907
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-21
GREATEST NEWSPAPER.
What Tribune Reader for Sirty-1fUe
Years Thinks of 1T.
To the Editor of The Tribune.


Sir: The Tribune's anniversaries are interest
Ing periods to readers OF its earliest issues who
survive to tell the tale Like milestones in a
long Journey old age likes to contemplate then
by backward glance I share in the roundup.
for in September, 1912. I read the paper for
the first time. By great wrench. at the age OF
fifteen, had laid down my algebra and Latin,
put on a chemists apron and enlisted for life.
The Tribune was my consolation prize. A
Greeley editorial and "Richeleu'' Robinson
communication captured my whole mental out
ht' and the midnight lamp made luminous the
path before me. Between Wood and Bache and
my copy of The Tribune aspiration. enthusiasm
and Imagination thrived. and the defects Of my
common school beginnings with these lent gifts
became less and less the tragedy I thought
was enacting when school days ended.
what this greatest OF newspapers has done
Tor me is beyond estimate. That in all fair
ness believe the studious boy should have at
least two years more before being put to bust
ness yet assert that those very two years. APP
pied with diligence were made up to me by
close reading Of The Tribune. Where the awful
waste comes in l witness daily is in the alb
Sorpt!on OF the young of both sexes in gaTish
headlines and stories of rapine and trvialfties.
uhWHoLeSOne, not to say COrruptinR. The dozen
OF more letters you have printed. cOngratulatOry
anu reminiscent Of earliest readers are ac-
counted for in the unceasng regeneration which
mas preserved the pristine youth of your journal
me unique personality of its founder, the
renchant vigor with which he cut and thrust.
or as in gentler mood the rhythmic elOquence
OF ms prose made easiest reading of his edi-
toriaI articles. Early L sought out the cumber-
some white coat and hat the basket of papers
ne was taking home, stubble beard and. above
ar the pleasant face crowned with those big
SPectacleS; benevOlence enthroned looked out
OF those eyes to the boy wOrshipper
Io-day what do these earliest readers find
When they open their paper? The editorial
page summarizing the topics occupying the at
tehtion of the world foreign correspondence
NJ 10 put between book covers; drama, music
ana the fine arts treated with scholarly and
trustworthy ability, and enough lore curious
ana entertaining to busy the man Of leisure
uiI luncheon time We ancient readers have our
they are harmless. Mine might make
great havoc to the eye of the gentler sex. But
l would abolish every ornamental tail piece
suppose they are CalIed?-and those terrible
cartoons which belong 10 the yellow journals
ana ana M the space saved with those splendid
The Tribune seems to have
or and, If any Chinks left. with the
classic bits which we already enjoy so much
j. NJ. 3. IMAGINARY
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-21
Great harrington. Mass. April 10. 1907. : :
ON KILLING SUFFERING ANIMALS.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In an editorial in The Tribune OF April 10 the
question is asked, who is responsible for the di-
otto rule compelling a policeman to obtain permits
sion from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals before putting a horse out OF its
misery?''
We have repeatedly stated that it is not necessary
for police officer get permission from this So
oety to destroy a disabled animal when the consent
of the owner is obtained When the officer tele-
phoned the society in regard 10 the case to which
you refer he was requested TO destroy the horse
humanely Waich he did with the consent of the
owner, who was then present. If he delayed after
getting the owners consent he alone is responsible
There was neither delay red tape the part
OF the society. ALFRED WACfSFAFF.
President s. p. c. A.
New York. April 19. 1907.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-21
THE LAST NIGHT OF OPERA.
"AIpA" AND Mr.. HAmmERsTEIN.

The season closed at the Manhattan Opera House
last night with performance of Aida" conduct
ed by Campapini. and speech by Oscar Ham
merstein Both were heard by audience that
packed the theatre, and both were loudly ap-
plauded. The usual cast sang the opera, save that
Sammarco was heard Amonasro. part which
he sang as he does everything. with distinction.
vocal beauty and nne effect The rest of the cast
and the chOruses were on their mettle and Il
splendid ear filling performance resulted
After the second act the singers remained on the
stage and Campanini taking Mr.. Hammerstein by
the hand read this little speech, meanwhile indi-
eating a tall silver loving cup which was placed
on a table at the Gate Of Thebes:
Mr. Hammerstein, ] regret that cannot make
a long speech because do not speak English. but
I am happy TO present this cup to you in the name
OF the artists in your company. Please accept It
as a token OF our esteem, with best wishes
for the future"
The cup bore the names OF most of the singers
~ the company. with Calves. Melba's and Cam
paninis on separate spaces. II also bore the open
ing bars of the score Of 81 Puritanl"-the first
music heard in the Manhattan Opera House.
When the applause died down Mr.. Hammerstein
came forward 20 speak. He spoke FOR almost ten
minutes saying that FIVE months ago he had de-
istence of a public in New York who would patron
ize opera for its own sake. This public, Mr.. Ham
merstein said, he did not md Il had TO create It.
more than 81 200 a night and my expenses 5000
Anv other would have been discouraged. But
had faith, and now my receipts are Tar IN excess
Of NV expenses" CApplause) He went TO
nronoise seven gTander'' opera next year, German
French Italian and pointed out how successful
New York Finally he closed by declaring that he
saw in the faces before him "a new society-a so
natural hope 10 see them all again next fall.
Then the performance was resumed.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-21

actual merit seemed doubled The women singers
OF the first rank, Mines Melba and Calve,
VINO appeared in what would have been called
star engagements under the old theatrical stock
regime, were in no way comparable with those
OF the Metropolitan Opera House. but those of the
second rank were superior-a circumstance which
was emphasized by the better ensemble perform
ances' for which discriminating public soon
learned to thank Signor Campanini and the esprit
dc corps with which he infamed the establish
ments forces.
The season which closed last night began De-
ceTnDer B. 1906. Its opening had been proclaimed
week earlier, TO make it synchronous with
that OF the Metropolitan Opera House: but Mr..
Hammerstein's house was not ready, nor We're his
singers or stage fixtures The fact looked ominous,
and the enterprise took a lugubrious beginning
week later, when Il Puritani, which had been
chosen as the opening opera because It was looked
upon in Europe affoTding to Sgnor Bonci his
nnest artistic opportunity. failed to arouse any
public interest 1t experience which Mr..
Hammerstein destined make again and
again with operas like 'Dinorah," ''Mignon Fra
DiavolO," al Barbiere' and TN Balo in Mas
chera," for which the public seemed suddenly to
have lost all liking, while still clinging TO works
Of equal antiquatedness. From the opening night
TO the closing the operas OF the list produced
the dates and the succession indicated in the
following table. which tells also the number of
times each opera performed. 1t will be remem-
bered by readers of mathematical and statistical
inclination that there were number Of occasions
in the course of the season when two operas or
portions of several operas were performed on
single evening.