Year: 1875

A Successful Experiment in Mdteriatise-


tiOa.


Until lately spiritual manifestations
have not been very satisfactory in San
Francisco. A little while ago, however,
it became bruited about that the spirits
had actually succeeded in materiafixlng
through the magnetic forces possessed
by an amateur medium, and quite rush
was occasioned to witness the marvellous
phenomenon at the usual charge of one
dollar each.


In the room in which these manifesto
tions occurred was large clothes closet,
extending nearly to the ceiling, which
was appropriated as the indispensable
cabinet. Ghostly faces appeared at the
round hole which had been cut In the
front of the cabinet, and were distinctly
seen by the dim light maintained, while
strange voices were heard, as if proceed
ing from the air, conveying messages Of
varying import to those present. IL
was finally announced that the familiar
spirit of the medium was preparing for full
naturalization, and would emerge from
the cabinet in complete form as In hfe-
This startling exhibition was appointed
for Sunday evening, and the familiar
spirit was understood to be a young
Indian warrior, who had inhabited that
part of the world at some remote period
of antiquity. The company was found
to be excellently chosen for obtainings q
perfectly harmonious condition of the
magnetic influences, and after the me
dunn had taken his position in the cabi-
net and relapsed into the trance, weird
and shadowy faces shortly fitted
before the round hole IN the door
The company sung successlvely a
number of favorite songs, and at each
interval watched anxiorsly for the open
ing of the cabinet and the appearance Of
the expected materialized spirit. They
had just renewed the sweet, persuasive
influence, and were singing the touching
ballad of the "Poor Old Slave with
much feeling, when suddenly the har-
mony was dispelled by a sharp crack
ling, followed by crash and the de-
scent of heavy body into the midst of
the circle, knocking several of the mem
bers PROSTATE, and producing sensat-
tion similar to that experienced at th>
critical instant of steamboat explosion
or railway collision. A good part of the
company made bolt for the point Of
egress, and dashed down three flights OF
stairs without tarrying to inquire the
origin of the shock; others were petrified
with mortal terror and retained their seats;
while one or two of the most daring
proceeded to determine the precise char
acter of the phenomena. The light was
restored, and the strange visitor was dis
covered lying on the foor, with spfn-
tered laths and fragments of plaster scat
tered about him. 1t was the mediums
familiar spirit, the Indian warrior, COM
pletely and most palpably materialzed-


He was bleeding profusely at the nose.
and was in sore distress from concus-
sion of the abdomen caused by his fall
ing across the head of one of the com
pany in his sudden descent. AS soon as
the unfortunate savage could recover hls


breath sufficiently to articulate between
his groans and profane ejaculations OF
the most modern construction, he e1-
claimed, beseechingly, "Sam, go for the
nearest doctor; get Stivers." BY this
time the medium had recovered con-
, sciousness, and, emerging from the cabi-
net in evident chagrin and dismay, he
remarked pathetically, while gazing al


an enormous rent in the ceiling over
head, "What made you step between
the ioists! This has just bust the whole


business"