The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-29
GHOSTS TESTER
 MISSOURI MAN Stories of the Late Harvey Mott of Memphis, Mo. SOUGHT BY. THOUSANDS Who Wanted Their Dead Relatives and Friends Raised-His Apparitions Evidently Satisfied Most of
 His Customers.
SOUGHT BY THOUSANDS
From the New York Sun.

Memphis, Mo.-In this quaint town of many hills and old fashioned houses there Is one hill which stands out from all the rest and Is surmounted by large struc- ture, with towers, parapets, wings and an uncanny history. Locally the big building is called the Castle. Once 1t was known as the Spirit Castle. and the elevation on which 1t stands was Spirit Hill For 15 years the name of the owner, Harvey Mott, was known from ocean to ocean and in Europe. It is estimated that 5000 people annually visited Memphis to have Mott raise their dead kindred and friends. That the pilgrimage lasted long, with ever increasing proportions, indicates that Mott produced apparitions of a satisfying nature.
 The odd thing about 1t is that Mott himself was terrified at the sight of ghost. He shrieked in fright when the shades first f1ocked around him and would run to a neighbours house for protection. He did this many times in the dead of night, looking affrightedly over his shoul- der and gasping
 "Oh, Lord! They're after me againf
 Mott at that time clerked for Horace Pitldn, a believer in spirit communica- tion Pitkin told the clerk that If the dead had selected him as their go-between with the living it was his duty to sub- init, but Mott for a long time protested bitterly He didn't want to have any thing to do with departed people; the dead should lie quietly In their graves.
 Sometimes he would walk to the front of the store, hesitate and look confused.
 There was some one here" he said. 'l thought 1t was customer"
 The believers will tell you that in the days of Mott there were curious happen ings in and about the castle on the great hill. If Mott happened to be away the shades hunting him, uneasy, restless. gliding softly through the tall trees and shrubbery, over the velvet carpet of the lawn. searching everywhere, were seen Then Mott came and the disturbance ceased, the furniture calmed down and the peremptory knocking stopped, the shades flew in the window and lowered over the means of communication
 Mott was deacon in the Christian church, of good standing until he be- gan associating with the departed. Then the elders went to him and told him quietly but firmly that he would have to choose that day wh om he would serve.
 tonight" said Mott, and if you can prevail on em to let me alone I'll be the happiest man alive.'
 The proposition was not accepted. Mott was communicated.
 Memphis was astounded at the strength of Mott's following in far off states. Every train brought in dele gations to see the ghosts walk and talk. 1t was so profitable for the hotels, boarding houses and business general ly that no general objection was made to Motts practice.
 The people a home, save a very few, took no stock in him, but they were willing to make the stay of the for .eign guests pleasant-for the usual consideration. Among the pilgrims to the ghostly Meccawere learned judges, dignified senators, eminent men of af- fairs. These generally left their names at home, registered at Memphis as John Smith, Bill Jones or whatever name they chose to adopt.
 One evening Judge Edward Mckee of the circuit court spent pleasant even ing with several of Mott's guests with out having heard their names called. The next morning Mott accosted the judge:
 Remember that fine looking gentle man you conversed with last night?"
 ''Very we'll"
 That was Robert Ingersoll."
 You don't say!"
 '.Yes, that was the noted inidel."
 Well" said the judge, I'm glad he's converted. He told me last night he belonged to the Methodist church."
 gentleman from Illinois came to Memphis and deposited s2000 in the Citizens bank for the purpose of buy ing cattle in M ssouri He visited Mott, who produced the mans deal son.
 After some casual discussion of fam ily affairs the father told his son that his mission was to purchase bunoh of cattle in Missouri. The son told him to wait until he had traversed the state that it would save his father time and expense. In a few hours the son was back with a report that in all Missouri there was not such bunch of cattle as the fath CT wanted. The next day the Illinois man drew his money out of the bank and went home, satisfied that there was no use of mak- ing further investigations for cattle here. The story is told by the cashier of the bank.
 When Franklin Pierce of New Hamp- shire was making his canvass for the presidency his son died. gentleman from New England came here to see his departed daughter Mott not only pro- duced the daughter but in the fathers