The Detroit times., 1909-01-01
MAN HOLDS HANDS
IN FLAMES; IS NOT
BURNED
AsToUNDs SCIENTISTS BY DIAL.
LYING WITH 6LAzEs-GRiLLs
HIS FINGERS IN BURNING AL.
cOHoL-No 6LISTERS.

tcry salamander?
Foskett himself is non-committal
or the subject, but his mysterious
power has attracted the attention OF
leading members Of the Boston
branch OF the American Society OF
Psychical Research and within \
short time the/learned men who have
made a study OF the subject will give
their report.
Foskett. who was born in Athol,
Mass, fifty-seven years ago. lives in
Orange and is not a seeker Of
Iotoriety.
Last week the machinist attracted
the attention OF the Boston scientists.
and he consented to come To Boston
and demonstrate that he was impervi-
Gus to heat, at least in sense.
He was escorted to the home of
Prescott F.. Hall, No. : Brimmer-st..
in the exclusive Back Bay district.
Several well-known physicians and
scientists, among them Prof William
James, of Harvard university, were
present.
When everything was ready for the
demonstration Foskett was seated in
a
table. Then basin of water. spe-
cially selected soap and specially pre-
pai ed towels were brought forth and
Foskett carelessly removed his cuffs,
rolled up his sleeves and bathed his
hands in the soap and water that Mr..
Han. had provided. He then washeS
his hands in chloroform. also furnished
by Mr.. Hail. and then wiped them ON
the towel
All the time he was closely observed
by the scientific experts. and when he
had cleansed his hands thoroughly
and wiped them absolutely dry Mr..
Foskett took from twenty to thirty
deep breaths, accompanying the in
halations by twisting and comforting
the body. until he had placed himself
in the power of his spiritual control"
as he terms the state. During his
ccrtortions ana twistings there was
no catalepsy or fixation of the eye
balls. and all through the performance
his eyes were open and he was able
10 direct his motions and appeared to
see exactly what he was doing.
Gives an Exhibition.
With the preliminary preparations
completed, Foskett was ready to give
MS exhibition. On the table was
placed an ordinary kerosene lamp.
with chimney and fat wick, and an
agate pan about a foot In diameter
filled with alcohol.
The first test was made with ord
mary sulphur matches. He lighted
these one after another and allowed
them 10 burn to ash, holding them
from distances of an inch to half an
inch to his fingers. He held his arms
extended and fixed his gaze on the
glare of, rhe burning wood
Toying with the lighted matches
appeared to be only childs play for
the man with the strange powers, and
he next directed his attention to the
lamp. A second one was brought in
and the chimneys fastened down after
they were lighted. Foskett took one
lamp in each hand, holding them by
the chimneys. his fingers thrust down
to their full length through the open.
ings at the tops Of the chimneys. The
flames curled about his fingers until
they were blackened by the SCOT from
the flames, but there was no external
evidence that Foskett was cognizant
Of any pain or suffering.
The. scientists, grouped around him
In circle. held their breaths and
watched every motion.
When Foskett had tired he placed
the lamps back on the table and again
washed his hands in soap and water
and chloroform and then grasped the
lighted lamps and held them by the
small ends of the chimneys near the
tops, for period Of ten seconds.
He then turned toward the basin
and, lighting the alcohol In II. dipped
his hands into the flaming fluid and
passed them back md forth through
the flames until the alcohol had burn.
ed itself out. This experiment lasted
nearly a minute, and when 1t was con.
cluded an examination was made OF
his hands, but not a burn or blister
could be found, although some OF the
hairs on the back OF the hand had
been burned of,
SO interested had the scientists be-
come in this wonderful man that he
was asked TO perform again the next
day at the home of Prof. James. at
No. 80 lrving-st, Cambridge, and he
consented, At this second exhibition
were several noted Harvard university
professors and servants
Foskett believes that he is con.
trolled" by some power In the spirl.
world. but does not know just what
power he possesses. He says that be-
fore he goes into mis- performances he
asks the help OF these Controls" and
that during the tests he makes him.
self passive and does not think OF
anything in particular. He maintains
that he is partially awake during the
tests and knows what he is doing, rue
does not Will his motions
Secret in Bresths.
II was noticed that after his tests he
sat back In chair and closed his eyes
for about forty seconds before he re.
gained his normal condition.
Although the scientists are not
re- dy 90 announce publicity their opin-
ions. they have reached the conclu-
sion that ~ has developed a psychl
cal power latent In every body. # ia
iutlmated that the secret Hes In TAX.
Ing the deep rythmic breaths. which.
L. is declared, Is the foundation OF the
development OF the power taught Ia
India and the Orient centuries ago.
By certain methods of breathing. n Is
taught by the aucienLs that in solitud'
end fasting the mower Of banding
fire. receiving messages from astral
bodies and other phenomena can be-
accomplished
Prescott f. Hall. ~ the American