The Washington times., 1909-05-15
ENANER HEARING
ATTRACTS CROWD
Woman Says She Conduct
ed SeanCe at Request of
Mcdowell.

Persons interested in spirituaIism.
many OF them believers in spiritual
manifestations from the spirit world,
crowded into Police Court this morning
when Mrs. Irene Emmner and her hus-
band. Julius Emmner. who were ar
rested last night I'm a raid on a seauco
in the Office of Joseph Mcdowell, a
wealthy gram dealer. were arraigned ON
charges Of false pretenses. Hearing i'm
ths case was continued until next
week, when day will be set for trial.
Both were released on sureties fur
nished by Mr.. Mcdowell. The detec-
tives who made the arrest. expecting
that the case would be heard today.
went to court armed with lot Of
naraphernaia that they carried away
from the little room last night.
Mrs Emmner claimed this morning
that shs was conducting the seance at
the req6est of MIR. Mcdowell, who paid
her a certain sum. She denied that
either she or her husband had made
/. any claim that they could produce a
little manifestation OF the dead. bGt
that she merely represented the spirits
OF those Of the other world
OdOr of Onions.
The arrest OF Mr.. and Mrs. Emmner.
Il was learned today, was the direct
result OF the latter's fondness for
onions OF the common garden variety.
lad she not had a special liking for
this vegetable it is probable that the
raid would never have been made
One Of the young men who notified
the police said that his suspicious were
frst aroused when Mrs Emmner told
him that she had message from his
mother, who died several years ago
She told him that she was his mothers
spirit but when she placed her face
close 20 his he detected the odor Of
onions.
Mother never ate onions" he
thought There must be a mistake
somewhere"
As the young man had never been
married, he became more suspicious
when she told him about his wife. and
tho climax came when she said that
his little daughter was lying at deaths
door But it was the onions that
caused him to tell the police
The fact that seances were being con-
quoted over McDOwells grain elevator,
Third and q streets northwest, was
made known 70 the police several days
ago BY Walter W. Burns, Of the Pat
ent Office, and +. b. Berry. or the
southern railway, both OF whom agreed
70 assist the detectives The raid had
ice Detectives Weldon, Hewlett. and
Pratt. and when the "sleuths'' made
their appearance Burns and Berry were
the only ones present who had an ink
Ing OF what was meant by the sup
posed rude interruption.
Careful At Door
Ever since the arrest OF two alleged 1
spirituallstio mediums. followed by their /
acdulttaI in the Police Court several /
weeks ago. other mediums in Washing |
ton have been very particular about the 4
epeTsonnel OF their audiences at the /
seances. 1t has been necessary to be /
'',ouched" for before being admitted.
Buras-and Berry were both supposed /
to be .-dopes." They had no difficulty /
in getting I'm last night. while the de- /
tecfives stationed themselves on the out /
side. waiting Tor the signal chat would /
he their cue TO make the raid.
Inside the room there was the usual I
dim lglt. black curtains. and other I
paraphernaIa that usually accompany /
she so-callcd scauCeS- y phautOm-nke /
object. supposedly the manifestation OF |
tne spirit of some departed friend or !
relative of one OF the persons in the
audience. rodtcd about the room. oraDed /
H. costume that glowed like phos-
Burns had secured a seat near the
electric light switchboard. and as the !
hgure moved toward Berry ne suddenly
turned on the lights and Berry grabbed |
the GDIccf. Ine Eu1rit-lke nCEre was
Airs. Emmner, the detectives say. As
the lights were switched on the detec- |
fives rushed Into the room. Berry was
sim holding the woman
Out of a Trance
Mrs. Emmner, who had removed her
shoes. sat down on a chair. She refused
10 answer any questions. Her lips were
closed tightly and there was a far-away
look in her eyes. After being brought to
headquarters she suddenly showed signs
OF life and announced that she had Just
come out OF the trance. In the mean
time, however, she had remembered
enough to put on her shoes. She said
she Remembered nothing of what had
occurred while she was in the trance
The detectives say the gown that Mrs.
Emrner wore was covered with some
preparation or material that made II
glow in the dark When Mrs Emmner
was searched at the House OF Detention
q quantity OF gauZe material was found
concealed in her clothing. and also the
following note, which, II IS believed.
was intended as a message from the
spirit woridi "Come.I wait thea"
Among the persons who were present,
and summoned as witnesses TO the PO-
lice Court this morning were J. V. J.
Ritter, T06 o street northwest; J. +.
Ager. 112S S street northwest; II 9.
Bowie, DOS r street northwest; Ran
dali Parsons, 732 Sixth street northwest:
Mrs Charles Brown 70 Sixth street
northwest, and Mrs. Mononse, 3lVI
Eleventh street northwest Mrs. Brown,
the police say, came 20 Washington
from Philadelphia yesterday, especially
70 attend the seanCe last night.