The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-10-05
THE wArnR w1roH IN NEW JERSEY.

Mr.. Grant Davis, Of Hunterdon county, N.
j., writes as follows to the Country Gentleman
"Some time since was interested in the prob
lem of getting water supply on the farm of
Paul A. Queen, near Clinton, N. J. While
there on one occasion met man who pro-
fessed to be able to locate water by means Of
peach limb. In the presence Of myself and
three others he made test, and at certain
point the forked stick seemed to turn down,
or at least, to break off in his hand. Every
time he approached this spot the effect was ap-
parently the same.
"In no ones else hands would the thing
work. Watching him closely, I observed the
following He grasped the fork of the limb
lightly in either hand with thumbs pointing
upward. At the point of attraction, noticed
that his hands moved more than the stick did.
AS soon as he opened his hands the stick lost
all its magical qualities and seemed just like
any other twig. With little practice thought
that any one could produce the same effect;
that it was, in fact, sort of slight of hand per-
Torrance. But was assured by those who
knew the man we'll that he was undoubtedly
honest in his belief and that he was not taking.
So many others have testified to the good inten-
lions of those who have claimed this magical
power to locate water, that am led to believe
that some explanation must be made other
than that it is humbug.
"a study of this case, and of others which
have come under my notice. leads me to the
following conclusions: No one can tell by
peach or witch hazel or any other kind oflimb
the presence of underground water. There is
no attraction of any kind between the wood
and the water There was old man not far
from here who had great reputation for loca-
ting water. A well had been started on farm
near Peapack when this water witch looked
over the ground with his forked stick. He
pointed out certain spot where he said water
came within 25 feet of the surface. The owner
of the farm directed that the well drill be re-
moved to the spot and the well made there
Water was found at the depth of 115 feet, and
deeper than some other wells in the vicinity.
"a number of other specific instances of fail
ure have come under my notice. The numer-
Gus instances of success claimed may be ex-
planned by the fact that any one making esti-
mates of this kind, would be apt to hit it some
times, especially if he was experienced in the
matter. Also by the fact that, with the I'M
educated, phenomenon bordering on the
mysterious or supernatural will be rememb ered
and repeated where q matter of-fact failure
would be soon forgotten. A water sharp with
his forked stick says, with much gravity, that
water may be found at certain point because
questioned. If a well is dug perhaps water is
found, but who knows whether it could not
have been found equally well at some 9TH
er point?
The whole subject is a matter more of ridicule
that anything else But think that this also
is a mistake. Along with the faith cures and
other little understood relations of the mind to
the body, must be classed this water wtchery.
1t is in the mind of the performer, who is usu.
ally a person of superstitious turn. They
think-those who are honest about it-that
what they experience is objective, while in
truth it is entirely subjective. They are not
intentionally trying to deceive others they
are deceived themselves. In the case above re-
ferred to, when the performer approached the
spot, noticed bis hands began to turn. / said,
Hold your hands STILL" II am holding them
as still as l cam" he replied, "only the stick
draws them a little"
I'm some way and for some reason when he
approached this spot bis mind SO acted on his
his nerves and muscles as to produce the .nsa-
tions we are trying to account for. Il is all
very mysterious. 1t is q simple operation,
looked on as wonderful power by some and
as a matter of ridicule by others, but really it
is matter to be left to the student Of the
occult