vV<" ■ t \ - - -^ DEATH; -BY- JOHN K. WILSON. A Member of the Pennsylvania Bar. 1901. THE SUNFLOWER PUBLISHING CO., Lilv Dale, N. Y. Entered Accordi&^'€o Act of Congress in thf SWJH-. 1900 By -JOHHBRARtf ILSON In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. git. EDUC. PSYCH. LIBRARY DEDICATION. to all lovers of truth, in whatever field of action found, clime discovered, or tongue expressed. The Author. M597646 ( CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. The First Rap— The First Sitting With Kramer and Dallas— Who Kramer and Dallas Are— How it Came About— Dallas Developes Wonderful Power— Can Plainly See Spirits and Distinctly Hear What They Say — Perfect in Clairvoyance and Clairaudience — The Spirit of Dr. Shoemaker Appears — The Doctor Talks— How He Identifies Himself. Page 25 CHAPTER II. The Spirit of William Schopperle Appears— The Spir- it of Dr. Shoemaker Appears— What He Says— Dr. Shoemaker's Further Effort to Prove Identity— Zith- er Played by Unseen Master— The Spirits of Dr. Eddy and George C. Steel Appear— What They Say— Spirit of Dr. Shoemaker Talks of Spirit Return. Page 41 CHAPTER III. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Makes Date for Meeting— Dallas Tardy— The Effect— Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Appears— VI CONTENTS. Gives us Advice— Divulges a Plan— Obstacles to Over- come—Selfish Spirits— The Spirit of O. P. Happer Appears— What He Says to Establish Identity— The Spirits of Dr. Eddy, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kramer, Mr. Schopperle and Others Appear— Strange Light— Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Kramer Come In View. Page 59 CHAPTER IV. Spirits Can Read Thoughts— New Element in Circle— W. S. Brown Present— How it Happened— Spirits of Theodore Marlin, Dr. Shoemaker, Ira Hathaway, John P. McQuiston, Mrs. Miller and Plum Mitchell Appear— What They Say to Brown— What Plum Mitchell Said to Wilson— Who These Spirits Were in Earth Life— Ed. O' Davis Present— His Experience- Indian Spirits Appear— The Effect Explained by Spirit Mitchell— Spirit of Peter Spargo Appears— What He Says— Spirit Wife of J. L. Kramer Appears — What She Says— Further Experience With Indian Spirits. Page 71 CHAPTER V. The Spirit of Joe Zuver Appears— His Trouble in Mak- ing His Presence Known — Spirit Mitchell Appears — Has Message From Spirit Dr. Shoemaker — Indian Spirit Appears — Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Again Appears— Informs Us that Indian Spirits Will Not Trouble Us Again — Sets Evening for Next Meeting. Page 89 CHAPTER VI. Spirit Dr, Shoemaker Appears— He Brings With Him and Introduces The Spirit of Hon. Charles Sumner — What Mr. Sumner Says— His Effort to Establish Identity— Spirit Sumner Trys to Control Wilson- Fails— Disappointed at Failure— Spirit Shoemaker and Sumner Agrain Aooe»r — Trvs To Control Wilson CONTENTS. Yll — Succeeds— Wilson's Experience— Wilson's Spirit Mother Again In View— Spirit of Judge Theo. S. Wil- son, R. F. Borckman and T. H. Tomlinson Appear —What They Say. Page 99 CHAPTER VII. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Appears— Has a Surprise for Dallas— Dallas' Spirit Sister and Chum, Robert Mar- tin, Appear— What They Say— Spirit Charles Sum- ner Appears — Controls Wilson — Speaks Through his Organism — Name Written — Spirit of Judge James Campbell Appears— Mrs. Burns and Miss Burns Meet Spirit Mrs. Kramer— Wilson's and Dallas' Strange Experience— Yisit of Strange Spirit— Effect on Dallas. Page 112 CHAPTER VIII. A Procession of Spirits — Spirits Sumner and Shoemaker Appear — Spirit Sumner Controls Wilson — How Spirit Hypnotism Feels — Spirits Opposed to Communica- tions — Wilson and Dallas in Purgatory — Arraigned — Convictions Fix Locality in Spirit World— Effort to Destro3 r Mediumistic Properties — Visitation of Strange Spirit Explained — Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Eddy Appear — Find Dallas' Clairvoyance and Clairaudience Impaired — Call it a Calamity — Dallas' Power to See and Hear Spirits Destroyed— Spirits Employ Telegraphy— Wilson Sees Strange Spirit. Page 140 CHAPTER IX. Spirit Mitchell Present— Gives Messages by Telegraph — First Message — War in Spirit World — Its Cause- How Conducted— Spirit Telegraphy Explained— Ad- vised to Procure Battery and Telegraph Instrument — Battery and Instrument Procured— Spirit Mitchell Directs Arrangements— Operates Instrument— First Y1U CONTENTS. Spirit Message by Telegraph Instrument— Messages From Spirits Sumner, Eddy and Shoemaker— Spirit Prof. F. R. S. Introduced— Christmas Meeting— Din- ner and Banquet— More Messages. Page 157 CHAPTER X. More Spirit Telegraphy— Spirits' New Year Greeting- Spirits J. Gould and William H. Yanderbilt Introduced —Banquet to Our Guests— Spirits of Professor F.R.S., Mr. Gould, Mr. Vanderbilt, Dr. Eddy, Plum Mitchell, William Mitchell, Mrs. Kramer, Mrs. Wilson, Judge Wilson, Judge Campbell, Mr. Bethune, William Shop- perle, Charles Sumner, Dr. Shoemaker Present— Con- trolled by Sumner— Entertained at Dinner— How Spirits Eat and Drink Explained— Manner of Dress Explained. Page 179 CHAPTER XI. One Hundred Spirits Entertained at Dinner— Proces- sion From Office to Hotel— Their Appearance— Their Deportment— Wonderful Telegrams from Spirits — Promised Restoration of Dallas' Powers — Demonsta- tions of Spirit Sumner's Ability to Impress Wilson — Spirits Excuse Themselves — Promise to Return — Spirit Mitchell Directs Diagram by Telegraphy — Spirit Mitchell and Wilson Talk of Boyhood Days— A Song by Spirit Telegraphy— Spirit Sumner Ex- plains Difference in Present Method of Communica- tion and Method Formerly Employed— Entertain Spirit Friends at Wagner's Opera— A Strange Mes- sage—Sudden Departure of Spirit Friends. Page 191 CHAPTER XII. Mystery— Suspicion Aroused— A Forged Telegram- Deception Detected— Warned By Spirit Friends— Another Forged Spirit Telegram— Detected— Spirit CONTENTS. IX Friends Betrayed— A Judas in Camp— Again Warned— Wilson Meets Spirit Judge James B. Knox— More Spirit Warfare— A Visit by Pope Leo II— A Visit by Cardinal Manning— Informed Who Betrayed Spirit Friends— Another Victory— Telegrams From Spirit Friends— Ultimatum for Kramer. Page 214 CHAPTER XIII. Spirits Shoemaker and Eddy Present— Give Telegrams —Spirit Plum Mitchell Present— Joke by Spirit Eddy — Spirit Shoemaker Speaks — Loss of ExpendedForce by Break— Kramer's Suspicions— Informed Who Betrayed Our Friends — Barred From Future Proceedings — Its Effect— Meeting of Dallas, Kramer and Wilson Planned by Spirits Shoemaker and Sumner — What Was Said — Telegram From Spirit Sumner — Speaks of New- Work— Spirits F. R. S., Shoemaker, Eddy, Mitchell, Wilson and A Stranger Entertained at Dinner — Tele- gram From Dr. Eddy— Going to Write a Book- New Spirit Operator — More Telegrams — Another Spirit Battle— Wonderful Message by Spirits F. R. S., Sumner and Shoemaker — A Proposition — More Tele- grams — Answer to Proposition — Spirit Mitchell Cap- tured. Page 234- CHAPTER XIV. A Strange Spirit — Interferes With Instrument — Spirits F. R. S., Sumner, Shoemaker and Mitchell present — Spirit Telgrams— Dallas Desires to Leave Bradford —Informed of Letter— Received Letter— Spirit Sum- ner's Message About Letter— Why Dallas and Wil- son Selected— Dallas Advised to Remain in Bradford —Message From Spirit Mitchell— Severe Engagement —More War— Message— Victory Won— Message From F. R. S.— Mode of Warfare— Forty-Eight Hour En- gagement — Spirit Mitchell Wounded— Spirits Sumner and Shoemaker Wounded— Spirit Eddy's Capture Planned— Invisible Wires— Electric Storm Disturbs X CONTENTS. Instrument— Dallas and Wilson Intercept Messages — Intercepted Spirit Telegrams — Cipher Message — Strange Telegrams — Intercepted Message Repeated to Spirit Friends— The Result. Page..., . 256 CHAPTER XV. Spirit Telegram— A New Operator— Spirit Harvej Mason — Our Acquaintance — Spirit Telegrams — Victory — Engagement Expected — Battle — Another Victory — More Spirit Telegrams — Map by Spirit Mitchell — Position of Spirit Forces in Battle Array — Enemy Reinforced — Message From Spirit Sumner — Wilson Meets Spirit Sumner — Controlled — Fight Still On— Victory for Friends— Spirits F. R. S., Plum Mitchell and Dr. Shoemaker Present — What They Say. Page : 277 CHAPTER XVI. Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Plum Mitchell Present — Spirit Telegrams — Spirit Shoemaker Wishes to Meet An Old Friend — Requests Wilson to Invite Friend to Office— Spirits Sumner and F. R. S. Present— What They Say — Kramer Receives Message From Spirit Wife — Spirits Entertained Again at Dinner — Direct Line Repaired — Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Meets Old Friend — What Was Said — Surprise For Old Friend— A Talk With Spirit Sumner — Wilson Introduces His Sister to Spirits— What Was Said— To Go to Lily Dale— The Purpose— Spirit Dr. Shoemaker to Treat . Mrs. Murray, Page 292 CHAPTER XVII. Telegram by Spirit Sumner— Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Diagnosis Mrs. Murray's Ailment— Wilson's Spirit Brother a Prisoner of War— Spirits Mitchell, Prof. F. R. S. and Shoemaker Telegraph— Spirit Dr. Shoe- CONTENTS. XI maker Perscribes for Mrs. Murray— -Strange Device — Meeting Prevented by Electric Storm— Dangerous for Operators— Dallas' Trouble About Lily Dale — Telegrams From Spirit Friends— Spirit Power— To Start for Lily Dale— How Brought About— Spirit Prof. F. R. S.'s Instructions For Lily Dale. Page 317 CHAPTER XVIII. At Lily Dale — How Received — Quarters Procured — A Surprise — Dallas at the Dale — Surprised — Prepared Telegraph Instrument — The First Telegram at the Dale— Spirit Mitchell Explains— Spirit F. R. S. pres- ent — Line of Communication From Our Instrument to Spirit World — Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Eddy in Evidence — What They Say — Spirit Charles Sumner Present — What He Says — Commence Business — Wil- son's Spirit Mother Present— What She Says— A Vis- it by Spirits Mitchell, Schopperle, Shoemaker, Sum- ner, Prof. F. R. S. and Mason— Mason's Message— A Visit by Spirits William Wilson, Mrs. Wilson, George Steele, Hathaway and Bethune — Controlled by Sum- ner — What Sumner Says — Incredulous Spirit Profes- sors — Entertain Spirits Mitchell and Mason — Again Controlled by Sumner — Spirit Shoemaker's Assurance — Spirit Telegrams — Spirit Wilson Explains His Es- cape — Controlled by Sumner. Page 335 CHAPTER XIX. Telegrams To and From Spirits — Wilson Controlled by Spirit Sumner— Talk with Spirit Prof. F. R. S. Over Invisible Wire— Dallas Desires to Return to Bradford — Spirit Friends Wish to See Manifestations — Wilson, Dallas and Spirits Sumner, F. R. S. and Shoemaker at Materializing Seance— The Result— What Spirits Sumner and F. R. S. Say About Seance— Explained by Spirit Shoemaker — Dallas Leaves For Bradford — Wilson and Spirits Sumner, Shoemaker and F. R. S. Visit Mediums. Page 368 Xll CONTENTS. CHAPTER XX. At Bradford— Spirit Telegram— Spirit Professor Tele- graphs—Trouble With Line— Spirit F. R. S. Gives Experience at Lily Dale— Trouble With Telegraph Instrument — New Battery — Spirit Sumner Makes Appointment — Meeting With Spirit Sumner — Controll- ed—Intercepted Message— Indicates Trouble— Spirit F. R. S. Present — Two Strange Spirits Introduced — Newton and Grant— What They Say— F. R. S.'s Attention Called To Intercepted Message— Strange Proceeding— Spirit F. R. S. Taken Prisoner— Treach- ery — Enemy Control and Use Our Telegraph Instru- ment — Spirits Mitchell and Eddy Allured — Captured — How Done — Spirits Mason and Shoemaker Appear — Their Escape — Spirit Telegram— Message From Spirit Shoemaker — Enemy Preparing to Attack — Reply — Attacked by Enemy — Break in the Room — Terrible Indictment — Dallas and Wilson Threatened — Enemy Gain Victory — Spirit Mason a Prisoner — Deus— Spirits Sumner, F. R. S., Mitchell and Eddy Prisoners — Dallas and Wilson Accused — Answer — Olive Branch — Refused — A Visit by Deus — What He Says — Our Answer — Price for Spirit Friends' Liberty —Refused. Page 394 CHAPTER XXI. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker a Prisoner — Present Under Guard —What Pie Says— Establishes Identity— Efforts to Hear From Friends— Denied By Adverse Force- Impudent Spirit Message — Answer — Heated Colloquy With Spirit Antagonists — Message Intercepted — Plan to Impersonate — Discovered — More Messages Inter- cepted — Decoy Message — Detected — Message Signed, "A Friend"— Mystery— Masters From Hell— Strange Discovery — More Spirit Telegrams — Terms Urged by Deus— Another Colloquy— Hope— Message, "Be Pa- tient" — Name By Impression — Message By Sam Mc Bride— Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Sumner Escape From Captivity— Spirit F. R. S. Escapes— Telegram CONTENTS. X1U From Spirit Mitchell— Mitchell and Others Gain Lib- erty — Time Set for Meeting — Directed to Prepare Instrument. Pase 416 CHAPTER XXII. Spirits Shoemaker, Prof. P. R. S., Plum Mitchell and Charles Sumner Present— What They Say— Enter- tained at Dinner — Speak of Their Captivity — How Liberated — Wonderful Message by Spirits Sumner, F. R. S., Shoemaker, Mitchell and Mason — Plan formu- lated — Telegrams From Spirit Sumner — Telegram From Spirit Prof. F. R. S.— Working on Plan— Wil- son and Dallas to Leave Bradford — Destination — In- structions — When to Depart — Where and When to Meet. Pasre 437 CHAPTER XXIII. Spirit F. R. S. Present— What He Says— Dallas Leaves Bradford — Wilson Leaves Bradford— Experience — Wilson and Dallas Meet at Buifalo — Meet Spirit Sumner — Instructs Wilson and Dallas — Leave Buifalo for Washington, D. C. — At Washington — Meet Spirit Mitchell — Mitchell Criticises Manner of Registering — Enemy Discover Wilson's and Dallas' Absence — Effort to Trace— Ordered to Proceed to Charlotte, N. C— Leave Washington — At Charlotte — Meet Spirit Mitch- ell—Informed That Enemy had Traced to Buffalo — Ordered to Savannah, Ga. — At Savannah — Meet Spirit Mitchell— Efforts of Enemy to Find Wilson and Dal- las—Ordered to Jacksonville, Fla.— Meet Spirit Mitch- ell—Keep Advised — Spirit Mitchell Consults R. R. Time-Table— Meet Spirit Mason— Ordered to St. Au- gustine, Fla. Page 457 CHAPTER XXIV. At St. Augustine, Florida — Meet Spirits Mitchell and DV CONTENTS. Mason — Spirits Select Quarters — Inform Wilson and Dallas — Move Into Quarters — Pleasantly Situated — Visit by Spirits Mitchell and Mason— What They Say — Getting Ready For Work — Meeting Appointed — Prepared Telegraph Instrument — Something New in Telegraphy — Watch Established-*- Visits by Spirits Mitchell, F. R. S. and Shoemaker — Give Password- Wall Built — Wires Being Constructed — Enemy Still in Buffalo, N. Y. — Question Asked Shoemaker — His Answer — Danger of Discovery — Visited by F. R. S. — Spirit Telegram — Explains How Enemy Discovered Wilson's and Dallas' Absense — The Effect — Being Traced— Manner of Registering Criticised — System of Wires— Visit by Spirit Sumner — What He Says — He Loves the South — Visit by Spirits Sumner and F. R. S.— Trouble— Dallas' Mail— Rothstein Writes Elder Dallas — Father Alarmed — Dallas' Uncle on the Hunt — Spirits Sent to Scotland — Writes Letter to J. G. — Plan Formulated — Dallas Writes Kis Father — How Arranged — Visit by Spirit Eddy — What He Says — Telegram by Spirit Sumner — Traced to Washington, D. C. — Controlled bv Sumner. "Page 472 CHAPTER XXV. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Present — Enemy Still Tracing — A Surprise for Wilson — Meets Spirit Brother — What He Says— Meets Spirit Mother— What She Says— Dr. Shoemaker Talks — Strange Spirit Introduced — Prov- ed To Be a Friend — On Judicial Bench in Earth Life — What He Sa3 r s — Spirits Mitchell and Mason Enter- tained — Spirits Sumner and F. R. S. Present — Came From Washington, D. C. — Liable To Be Discovered — Enemy Very Determined — Now In Charlotte, N. C. — Wilson and Dallas Ordered to Return to Bradford, Pa.— All Hope Gone— Spirit F. R. S.'s Parting Tele- gram — Leave St. Augustine — At Bradford — Meeting Appointed — To Invite Friends — Meet Spirits Sumner, Shoemaker and Mitchell— J. S. G. Present— Enemy Trace to Jacksonville, Fla. — What Saved Wilson — Controlled— Effect on J. S. G— Telegrams From CONTENTS. XV Spirit Shoemaker— To Go To Lily Dale— Wall Col- lapsed—Visit by Spirit Judge Corbett— A Surprise — Wilson and Dallas Assaulted — Pope Aggressor — How- Rescued— Expl ained . Page 497 CHAPTER XXVI. At Lily Dale— Meet Spirits Mitchell and Mason— Spec- ial Meeting Arranged— 'Meet Spirits Shoemaker and F. R. S. — Cordiality Extended — important Message — Directed bv- Spirit F. R. S. — Comments on Trip South — Wall Stationed — Danger — Carefully Guarded by Spirits Mitchell and Mason — Comments on Assault — Trying Experiment — Advice Given — Hope for Success — Return to Bradford — Meet Spirit Mason — Special Meeting Arranged— Meet Spirits Sumner, F. R. S. and Shoemaker — Plan Changed — Dallas to Go to Buffalo, N. Y. — Wilson to Remain in Bradford, Pa. — Preliminaries — Efforts of Enemy to Ridicule Spiritists — Instructions — Messages From Spirits Sumner, F. R. S. and Shoemaker — Spirit Mason Expert Telegra- pher — Message Translated and Transmitted — Wall Opened— Visit by Strange Spirit— Wall Closed. Page 519 CHAPTER XXVII. Important Meeting— Wilson, Galbraith, Dallas, and Spirits F. R. S., Mitchell and Mason Present— The Object— A Wonderful Message— Important Move — Ego After Passing Divide — Plan Disclosed— Dallas and Wilson to Separate— The Object— Outlook For Success — Instructions — Dallas to Leave Buffalo — Wil- son to Remain in Bradford— To Meet in Near Future —Powers to be Submitted— Its Effect— Revolution in Doctrines— Message by Spirit Shoemaker— What He Says— Great Confidence— Predicts Success— Dallas Leaves Buffalo— Settles in Portland— Message From Spirit Mitchell— Difficulties Arise— Delay— Spirit Von Helmholtz Joins Force— Complications Arise— Success Doubtful— Another Wonderful Message— Spirit Shoe- I XVI CONTENTS. maker Directs — Climax Reached — Priests and Poperj Proposition to Withdraw Resistance — Refused— Unable to Proceed — Failure Admitted — Cause Explain- ed — Leaders Enter College — Spirits' Leave-taking. Page 535 * 1 INTRODUCTION. "Truth is stranger than fiction, and life is, after all, a mystery.' ' Life being a mystery what shall we say of death? "Death," wrote Faber, "is an unsurveyed land, an tmarranged science." Henry Drummond wrote: "Poetry draws near death only to hover over it for a moment and withdraw in terror. History knows it simply as a universal fact. Philosophy finds it among the mystery of being, and the one great mystery of being not. All contributions of this dread theme are marked by one essential vagueness, and every avenue of approach seems darkened by impenetrable shadow." What death is, and how it came to be estab- lished as a factor in the economy of nature has formed the theme of scientists, idealists, theorists and theists for many centuries; in fact since the creation of man. Some say it is a condition produced in evolving processes, which idea per- haps led Victor Hugo to say: "I am the tad- XV111 INTRODUCTION. pole of an archangel." In Mr. Herbet Spencer's search for the meaning of life, he encounters its antithesis Death, and pauses a moment to define it. He assumes as a matter of course what Death is depends upon what life is. His defini- tion of life is: "the definite combinations of het- erogeneous changes, both simultaneous and suc- cessive, in correspondence with co-existences and sequences." This definition may be profound, i h i but to the average mind perhaps a little complex;! Js*4v\ too much roiled with profundity to be deary' Mr. Spencer likely thought so, and he gives us a shorter definition: "the continuous adjustment of internal relations to external relations." In the language of biology it would be said that man to be alive is to be in correspondence with his environments. When the organisms en- tering into the composition of man fail to dis- charge the functions of assimilation, waste, re- production and growth he is said to be dead- What then? Does it answer the question, "If a man die, shall he live again?" This question I believe is attributed especially to Job, but to my mind is undoubtedly an interrogatory propound- ed by millions of lips before the birth of Job, has puzzled myriads of human souls since, and with anxious mind and bated breath will con- tinue to be asked until all doubt is removed and positive knowledge obtained. Man trembles in the presence of death. The rich and the poor, the high and the lowly pale at its approach, and look upon it as the king of terrors, as man's im~ INTRODUCTION. XIX placable enemy with which no compromise is possible, pursuing him with relentless fury. A monster in every clime, sparing none. And in the language of the poet, "He saw where'er he went, Whatever path in life he trod The goblin form beneath him stand Like trusty old assassin; in his aim Steady and sure as the eye of destiny." It may be that man looks upon death in a wrong light. Instead of its being an implacable enemy, is it not possible that it is a considerate friend? Many think it is not a part of nature as originally planned, but a factor brought about by man himself through disobedience of divine law. They believe man to have been per- fect in the start, and designed to live in his body of flesh eternally, but fell from the perfect state and incurred death. They believe in special crea- tion, and claim to hold the key to the situation here and hereafter. Others believe that man is a creature evolved from the lower orders of crea- tion and is continually getting better intellectual- ly, morally and spiritually, and that plrysical death is as much a factor in the economy of na- ture, as originally planned, as physical birth. Some say that death ends all; others, that it is a birth into another condition of life. By far the greater number, however, say they "don't know," but wish they did. Many say that man is a structure composed exclusively of matter, and that there is nothing XX INTRODUCTION. in or about human or comparative anatomy, but what the unrivalled dissectors Swammerdam, Winslow and many others have discovered by scalpel or microscope. Others say that man has a soul which they define as the'egoj, the person- ality, the individual consciousness; that man has a spiritual nature as well as a corporeal; that the real man is a spirit with an organized form composed of spiritual substance which survives physical death and maintains continued identity after death. So men come and go having various ideas on the subject of death, its meaning and result. It strikes me that the only possible way to become enlightened on the subject is to consult someone , \vhLoJaas£Xj3ene^c % edit. I think all thinking men will agree with me on this point; but can that be done? This question was in the mind of the great Shakespeare, evidenced by the dialogue be- tween Glendower and Hotspur: "Glen — I can call spirits from the vasty deep. Hot — Why so can I, or sd can any man; But will they come when you do call them?" The word science means knowledge and when used to designate some particular knowledge along special lines of investigation it is given a name. Science has devoted itself for many cen- turies "to the cataloguing of facts and the dis- covery of laws." If one wishes to find out some- thing about geology he must consult the toiler in his quarry; about botany, the worker in his garden; about biology, the investigator in his INTRODUCTION. XXI laboratory; of astronomy the toiler in his obser- vator}-; of history, the plodder in his library; of archaeology, the student in his museum, of psychology, the psychic in his study and of spirit return, the medium in his receptive mood, and so on through nature. After all science is what a natural world says to natural man. It is nature addressing the understanding of man; before the knowledge is obtained it is a mystery; afterwards the mystery vanishes. It is so in every field of human thought and investigation. Sir William Thompson, a very able scientist, in his address before the British Association in 1871 said: "Science is bound by the everlasting law of honor to face fearlessly every problem) which can fairly be presented to it." So it would seem that science has a duty to perform as well as a mission to follow, and if that be so, spirit phenomena have as much claim to the earnest consideration and honest investigation of science as any other phenomena in nature. Among the men and women of science and let- ters; past and present; who affirm that spirits of the so-called dead can and do hold converse with the so-called living, are Prof. Chalis, of Cambridge, England; W. F. Barrett, Professor of Physics in the Royal College of Science, Dublin; GustavT. Fechner, Professor of Physics in the Uni- versity of Leipsic; Lord Rayleigh, F. R. S., Profes- sor of Physics in the University of Cambridge; Prof. Scheibner, Teacher of Mathematics in the Uni- XX11 INTRODUCTION. versity of Leipsic; W. E. Weber, Professor of Phy- sics in the University of Gottenburg; Franz Hoff- man, Professor of Philosophy, Wurtzburg Univers- ity; Prof. Wagner, Geologist, University of Russia; Prof. Butlerof, Chemist, Russia; Prof. F. Zollner, Leipsic, Author of transcendental Physics; Prof. Nees Von Esenbeck, President of the Royal Acad- emy of Sciences, Germany; Benjamin F. Wade, of Ohio, Ex-United States Senator; Ex-Senator How- ard, of Michigan; N. P. Tallmage, Ex-Governor of Wisconsin; Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton; Alfred Tennyson, Poet Laureate; Mrs Browning; Oliver Johnson, Former Editor of Christian Union; Jos- eph Jefferson, the celebrated actor; M. Theirs, Ex-President of prance; Dr. Robert Chambers; Hiram Powers, the Sculptor; Lord Dunraven; Honorable Alex. Aksakoff, Imperial Counsel, St. Petersburg; William Lloyd Garrison, of Boston; Dr. Robert Hare; Judge John W. Edmunds, of New York; Richard Hodgson, Professor of Psychology at Cambridge University, Eng.; James H. Hyslop, Professor of Logic and Mental Science at Col- umbia University, U. S. A.; Rev. Minot J. Savage; W.T. Ste?.d, Editor of the Review of Reviews, and many othere. If any should ask me how I would answer Hotspur's interrogatory, I would refer them to the record following. When I wrote the re- cord or any part of it, or what I had seen, felt and heard concerning spirit return I had no no- tion of having it published. Each record was written immediately after the occurrence therein INTRODUCTION. XX111 related, and was intended for my own conven- ience for future reference. My experiences are to me so wonderful, and facts so startling that I have concluded that they belong to the world and not to me alone. I have no pecuniary purpose to serve, and if I were seeking fame or notoriety I certainly would choose a different course than placing before the public this volume, for I am well aware that such literature is in no sense popular with the reading public. I also know that by many friends, acquain- tances and strangers, I will be unkindly criti- cised, my motive impugned and word doubted. However, it matters not to me. I state the facts as they occurred. The reader must judge of their merit and demerit. My only purpose in this publication is to inform those who care to know of the evidence I have received of life after death; of continued personality and identity in a sphere greater than ours after the disintegration of the physical body; in what manner I obtained the evidence and by whom given. "Only this, nothing more." The Author. Bradford, Pa., May 15, 1900. CHAPTER I. The First Rap— The First Sitting With Kramer and Dallas — Who Kramer and Dallas Are — How it Came About— Dallas Developes Wonderful Power— Can Plainly See Spirits and Distinctly Hear What They Say — Perfect in Clairvoyance and Clairaudience — The Spirit of Dr. Shoemaker Appears— The Doctor Talks— How He Identifies Himself. Several 3'ears ago, while living at home with my father and mother on a farm in Crawford County, Pa., it so happened that on a particu- lar evening my father and mother left their home to spend the evening with a neighbor and his family, leaving at their home two brothers and one sister together with myself. A neighbor's boy, by name James Johnson, called at my father's house to spend the evening with us during our parents' absence. As the evening wore on, and after we had tired of several plays, games and pranks, the neighbor's boy said that he had been reading during the day in some newspaper that some people could produce what 26 death; the meaning and result. were called spirit rappings. His narrative ex- cited our curiosity, and we were anxious to know more about it, and asked him how it was done. He said: "just form a circle round a table with hands resting on it and the raps will come." We suggested a trial there and then, and im- mediately formed ourselves in a circle about a table which was in the room, rested our hands on the table, and with some levity waited for results. It was about 10 o'clock p. m., and an oil lamp burning on the table made it very light in the room. We had not long to wait after thus forming the circle and soon we heard dis- tinct raps on the table near my brother's hand. The raps were loud and distinct, resembling the sound of some person tapping on the table with his fingers. At first all of us, except my brother near whose hands the raps seem to pro- ceed, treated the matter with levity, and accused him of producing the raps himself for the pur- pose of frightening us. He said nothing for two or three minutes, still resting his hands on the table and the raps coming thick and fast. I glanced at his face and saw there an expression that indicated perplexity and alarm, which was also observed by the others, and we all with- drew from the table about the same time. Im- mediately the raps ceased on the table and com- menced loud and sharp on the chair in which my brother was sitting; he arose from the chair to a standing position, and the raps were im- death; the meaning and result. 27 mediately transferred from the chair to the floor directly under his feet. During all this evening and many days and evenings thereafter the raps continued. For the first few days after this particular evening the raps seemed to proceed from a place in close proximity to my\brother, wherever he chanced to be; no matter whether he was sitting, stand- ing or reclining the raps were almost continuous and very distinctly heard. After the lapse of a few da}^s, however, it made but little difference whether he was present in the house or miles therefrom, the raps came and went at their pleasure. Late in the evening to which I have referred my father and mother returned from their visit, and we related to them what had taken place; they at first doubted it, and laughed at our nervousness and credulity as they styled it; but while they were thus talking to us the raps be- gan louder than before and they soon became satisfied that it was not nervousness or credu- lity misleading us; in fact they became as much, if not more, alarmed than were we. On that evening — which I shall never forget, the raps continued about the house first in one room and then in another, in the cellar, on the roof and in fact all over the house, and at times they were so loud that they resembled the striking with a hammer in the hands of a strong man. Surely, great force was displayed in producing I 28 death; the meaning and result. the sounds. But was there intelligence directing it? After some days of experience, and, in fact, an- noyance, with and by the raps, and in order to find the cause, if possible, we formulated a code of signals whereby if intelligence were behind the force we could find out the fast. Our code of signals by raps was simple and was this; one rap should signify yes, two raps, don't know, I and three raps, no. When this code of signals was announced by us the force producing the raps seemed to be pleased, and manifested their pleasure by a succession of rapping. We found that in answer to oral questions by us propounded to them that besides force produc- ing the raps there was intelligence directing them. We were limited by our code to answers to direct questions, and in order to have the vocabulary more extended we hit on the expe- dient of calling over the letters of the alphabet, slowly, and a letter which the unseen force de- sired set down by us, by pen or pencil, when thus called over, should be indicated by a dis- tinct rap by the forces. In that way we succeeded in conversing with them quite freely. The unseen force told us that they were the spirits of men and women who at one time dwelt on this planet in bodies such as we then possessed, some of whom claimed to be spirits of relatives and friends of our family, and some the spirits of persons who were strangers to us. Since this occurrence, and until death; the meaning and result. 29 September 19th 1893 I have given the matter but little attention. Now and then, as oppor- tunities afforded, I would sit in what is called a spiritual circle, and I have had a few private sittings with what are called spirit mediums. Nothing, however, came of it in either case of importance to me. While a force seemed to man- ifest, and some intelligence displaj^ed, to me it was vague, uncertain and unsatisfactory. If it were spirits producing the phenomena, as was claimed, their possibilities to manifest appeared to be so limited, that to establish their identity beyond doubt or cavil was a failure, and I had about given up all hope of getting anything out of so called spirit manifestations which would carry absolute conviction to my consciousness that there was life and continued identity after death. I was in this frame of mind in relation thereto at the beginning of occurrences which happened along these lines and are noted in the record following. A short time previous to September 19th 1893 I formed the acquaintance of J. L. Kramer of Bradford, Pa. He is a German by birth having immigrated from his native land to America at the age of 17 years; he is now about 30 years of age. He has been a resident of Bradford, Pa. since 1886. He has dark hair, black eyes, fair complexion, not very robust, has fairly good health, fairly educated, and stands well in the community for honesty, truthfulness and sobrie- ty. I became acquainted with him in June, 1893. 30 death; the meaning and result. At the time I became acquainted with him he knew nothing about the phenomena or philoso- phy of so-called Modern Spiritualism. After our acquaintance I told him of my investigation along these lines and my conclusion resulting there from. He seemed interested, and informed me he had recently buried his wife and that if possible he should very much like to communi- cate with her. Sometime after, as I from time to time studied his composition and general at- tributes I came to the conclusion that he had that degree of sensitiveness about him that per- haps he had mediumistic proprieties. On his own proposition, and encouraged somewhat by me he began to study the possibility of spirit return. In the latter part of August 1893 I formed the acquaintance of E. M. Dallas. He is Scotch by birth, and like most of his nationality was reared a strict Presbyterian. He has resided in Bradford, Pa., about three years, and in Amer- ica six years. He is 24 years of age, small of stature, nervous temperament, light brown hair and blue eyes. At the time I first met him, and for sometime thereafter, he believed nothing in spirit return, and as he expressed it looked upon Spiritualism as "mere bosh and rank fraud," although he admitted to me that he had never investigated it for himself. I said very little to him on the subject. A few weeks after our acquaintance, in con- versation with him, he told me that sounds re- death; the meaning and result. 31 sembling some person tapping with his finger on a hard substance were repeatedly heard by him on the head board of his bed after retiring; also that he could hear these rappings about him through the day as he was at his work, his trade being what is known as a jeweler. He wanted to know of me what I thought produc- ed the sound. I said: "Mr. Dallas perhaps it is produced by spirits;" but he did not think so, and treated the matter with considerable levity,. and expressed himself in wonderment that I should entertain such foolish ideas. I invited him to come to my office the following evening which was September 19, 1893, and told him that I would have Mr. Kramer there, and that we would have a social chat. He replied that he would be happy to do so. I invited Mr. Kramer to be present also. Mr. Kramer came to my office on this evening about 8:30 p. m., and Mr. Dallas, who had no intimate acquaint- ance with Mr. Kramer, came to my office at 9 p. m. My office is located in the Roberts Block, Bradford, Pa. After we had engaged in conversation for some little time I said to Mr. Dallas: "From what you told me about hearing raps about you, I believe you are a medium." He wanted to know what I meant by "medium." I explained to him very briefly, and proposed to him and Mr. Kramer to form a circle about the table and see if anything would come of it, to which they assented. We seated ourselves about a small table and placed our hands thereon. In 32 death; the meaning and result. a few moments loud and distinct raps were heard by ns all as if proceeding from the table near Mr. Dallas' hands; also from the chair on which he was seated. He seemed to be surpris- ed and puzzled, but neither of us conversed but little. I soon spoke and said, "if these are spir- its producing the raps we will seek to communi- cate with them by a code of raps, having one rap signify no, two raps don't know, and three raps, yes, and so on. That was agreed upon. I then said, "Are there spirits present?" In re- sponse three raps. Did they wish to communi- cate anything special? In response, three raps. After this there was a silence of perhaps two minutes, neither of the sitters speaking, and no raps heard; then Mr. Dallas gave a sudden start from a sitting to a standing position. I took hold of his hand and felt that it was shaking and observed by his looks that he was frighten- ed. I then said to him, "Mr. Dallas do not get frightened or nervous; there is no one or noth- ing whatever here that will harm you in the least; now please be calm, sit down in the chair, and I will keep hold of your hand and assure you that no harm will come to you." He again sat down in the chair, but kept his eyes turned in a certain direction as though intently looking at something of more than passing interest. 1 still kept hold of his hand and observed that he was very nervous. I again said: "now, Mr. Dallas please calm yourself and tell us what frightened you so." He replied to this: "all death; the meaning and result. 33 right Mr. Wilson, I will not be frightened, but this is strange; it is enough to try the nerves of the bravest; I don't understand it; here is a gentleman, a stranger to me, who seemed to grow or build up from the floor. He is nearly six feet tall, rather corpulent, well built, light brown hair, has a mustache, high forehead, in- clined to baldness, regular features, fair complex- ion and very red cheeks. Why, Mr. Wilson, he is now going towards where you are sitting; he is now standing near you, and now rests his hand on your left shoulder; as soon as he touch- ed you he seemed to be illuminated; he is going to talk, and he says he wishes to talk to you; he holds out his hand to me and calls me Mr. Dallas and says: 'Please repeat after me so Mr. Wilson can hear what I have to say.' " Then Mr. Dallas coughed, cleared his throat as though preparing to talk and said: "All right sir, I am ready." Mr. Dallas then proceeded and said: "My dear friend John, I am William Patterson Shoemaker, who passed into spirit life at Cam- bridge Borough, Pa., in January 1889, oi heart trouble. I knew you very well while in earth life, at Edenburg, Pa.; you will recollect that I was living at Edenburg at the time you was burgess of that place. I moved from Edenburg to Bradford. I treated you for fistula here and performed an operation on you June 7, 1886 in the presence, and who assisted me, of Doctors Buss and Straight, in your room on the third floor of this block. You will remember my 34 death; the meaning and result. brother who lived in Elk City, Clarion County, Pa. at the time you were burgess at Edenburg. "John, I wish to say in order to identify my- self, that when you asked me for your bill for treating and performing the operation on you for fistula, I told you your bill was $45.00; the same day you sent up to my office a check for $50.00, and I sent down to your office a box of cigars. You will remember these things. "John, do you remember your old friend J. T. Geary?" I did not answer this question and Mr. Dallas resumed, "answer please." I then said: "Yes, I remember Air. Gealy, and Mr. Dallas proceeded: "I met J. T. Gealy on the spirit side of life. He used to be a partner of yours at Edenburg. Mr. Gealy knew I was coming here this evening to talk to 3 r ou, and he wished to be remembered to you." To this I replied: "Dr. do I understand you that Mr. Gealy is on the spirit side of life? I have not heard of his pas- sing from earth life." Then Mr. Dallas resumed: "Yes, Mr. Gealy is on the spirit side of life; he has not been in spirit life long." "We are all glad on our side to know that you are looking into, and so well understand the philosophy of spirit return. Such knowledge elevates you above those of your fellow men who care to know nothing of it. This is a great and glorious truth. Pay no attention to what phil- osophical fools may say who deride it. We have been about you a great deal for the past four or five years helping you what we could. We death; the meaning and result. 35 will help you all we can, and smooth your trials and difficulties in your present life to the utmost of our strength and ability, and at any time you wish to communicate with us you can do so through this our medium. I have an impor- tant message for you from your brother who is in spirit, but he does not desire me to deliver it to you now. Your mother is here, John, but cannot show herself to you because this medium is not sufficiently developed. "Mr. Kramer I remember you very well; am glad to meet you in this way. I am about my old office number 30 Main Street and 78 consid- erable, to refresh reminiscences of the past. I cannot stay longer. I have a sister who re- quires my immediate help and attention, and I will say good bye for the present, but will come again." Mr. Dallas stopped talking for about fifteen seconds and then resumed: "Why, the gentlemen has gone, he seemed to pass through the wall." We then arose from our sitting, and after dis- cussing ior awhile the very wonderful and strange phenomena, separated for the evening. Note. The foregoing record to a casual reader would be of very little interest, and apart from any explanation by me other than therein con- tained would suggest no evidence of the identity of this shade. Here I was in the company of Mr. Kramer and Mr. Dallas with whom I had no extended intimate acquaintance. I have satisfied myself, however, that Mr. Kramer knew 36 death; the meaning and result. very little by experience or by others of so-cal- led Spiritualism or psychological laws, and Mr. Dallas knew less; therefore, it was not likely that either alone or in concert they would or could simulate conditions along those lines; and if an effort were made, they being novices, detec- tion would be certain. Besides, b}*- their actions, deportment and conversation, I know they were as much astonished and puzzled over the mani- festations obtained in this, our first sitting, as am I, and are just as anxious to find out if pos- sible the cause which produced the effect. I am certain that Mr. Dallas was perfectly honest and truthful in what he said and did during this sitting; that he was, so to speak, in a supernor- mal condition, and truthfully told us what he saw, and faithfully repeated what he heard. I base this conclusion on the expression of his face, his attitude, his nervous condition and general deportment at the time of this occurrence, as well as the very correct description he gave of Dr. Shoemaker, and the evidence contained in his repeating what the Doctor had to say. I am certain that neither of the sitters produc- ed the loud raps heard by us all, emanating from the table about which we were seated, from the floor and walls of the room, and chairs on which we- were sitting, by any mechanical device, but were produced in a manner unknown to us, be- ing the effect of a cause to us at the time inex- plicable. Dr. W. P. Shoemaker, whose shade or spirit claimed to be present, rapping and talking 37 in a manner heard by Mr. Dallas and by him repeated to Mr. Kramer and myself, was, while in earth life, an M. D., and stood at the head of his profession at the time of his death. I first became acquainted with him at Edenburg, Clar- ion County, Pa., ir> 1877, at which place and time I began the practice of law, and Dr. Shoe- maker began the practice of medicine. We were at that time thrown into each other's society quite often, and we became social and may be termed intimate friends. In 1879 Dr. Shoemaker left Edenburg and located in Bradford, Pa., and engaged in the practice of his profession. I fol- lowed him in August 1880, also located in Brad- ford and engaged in the practice of my profes- sion. Dr. Shoemaker and myself kept up oui friendship to the time of his death which occur- red at Cambridge Borough, Pa. on January 28, 1889, while there temporarily. The cause of his death was heart failure. He was slightly known by Mr. Kramer, but a stranger to Mr. Dallas, he never having been met by him during his earth life, as Mr. Dallas informs me. Now, assuming that the personality producing the result as related in the foregoing record was really the shade or spirit of Dr. Shoemaker, did he give me any evidence to establish his identity? And what did he say through Mr. Dallas that would really convince me that he was the enti- ty he represented himself to be? He said: "I am William Patterson Shoemaker," giving his two given names in full. I knew his first name was 38 death; the meaning and result. William but did not know what name the initial P. represented. Neither did the other sitters know. I have ascertained since through Dr. Russell, a former student of his, that the initial P. stood for ' 'Patterson." He said: "I knew 3 r ou very well while in earth life at Edenburg, Pa.," a fact unknown to Kramer and Dallas. He also said: "I was living in Edenburg at the time you were burgess of that place," a fact un- known to the other sitters. He said: "I treated you for fistula and performed an operation on you, June 7, 1886." A fact unknown to the other sitters. He says: "You asked me for my bill for treating and performing an operation on you and I told you your bill was $45.00, and the same day you sent up to my office a check for $50.00, and I sent down to your office a box of cigars." Facts certainly known to only Dr. Shoemaker and myself. He said: "I met J. T. Gealy on the spirit side of life; he used to be a partner of yours in Edenburg." Mr. J. T. Gealy was a partner of mine in the practice of law at Edenburg in 1877 and 1878, but that fact was certainly not known by either Kramer or Dallas. He said: "Mr Gealy is on the spirit side of life." Mr. J. T. Gealy, spoken of as be- foresaid, was a partner of mine at Edenburg. In 1879 Mr. Gealy and I dissolved partnership and he moved to Bradford, Pa. In a year after that I also moved to Bradford. Mr. Gealy and I had an office together here but were not part- ners. He was of a roving disposition and left death; the meaning and result. 39 Bradford in 1881. About two months after he left Bradford I got a letter from him saying he was not located as yet, and was going further west, and when he got settled he would write to me again; but the first letter was also the last, and I heard nothing from him until this sitting September 18, IS 93, twelve years having elapsed, when what purports to be the spirit of Dr. Shoemaker, being repeated by Mr. Dallas said: "I have met J. T. Gealy on the spirit side of life." I was surprised to hear that, and thought it certainly must be a mistake. After this sitting I wrote to some of Mr. Gealy's friends but they could give no information about him, and I failed to verify what the shade of Dr. Shoemaker had told me until October 9, 1895, at which time I met, in Pittsburg, Mr. P. Canning formerly well acquainted with Mr. Gcaly who informed me that Mr. Gealy had died some time previous to 1893. So here is a tact told to me in this wonderful way, in 1893, not known to me at the time, and certainly not known to the other sitters, as Gealy was entirely unknown by them in his life time, which I ascertained to be true two years thereafter. He speaks of my brother and mother being spirits. Mr. Kramer or Dallas knew nothing of their death, they having been dead for many } T ears. He said: "I am about my old office number 30 Main St. and 78." Neither Mr. Kramer, Dallas or I knew at the time the number of the Doctor's office while in life but 40 death; the meaning and result. on subsequent investigation we found it to be number 30 Main St.; but what he meant by 78 was a mystery to us all at the time and after- wards until I happened to remember that in about 1881 the Doctor had an office on Main St. further down from number 30. I followed down from number 30 Main St. until I came to number 76 and number 80, but the building be- tween these two numbers had no number on it that I was able to discover, but evidently should be number 78, and on inquiry found that the building was at one time numbered 78, but the number had become detached, and that Dr. Shoemaker at one time had an office in this building. While these things are of themselves trivial, they, however, form a chain of evidence and the spirit Doctor had made out a fairly good case in establishing his identity. CHAPTER II. The Spirit of William Schopperle Appears— The Spir- it of Dr. Shoemaker Appears— What He Says— Dr. Shoemaker's Further Effort to Prove Identity— Zith- er Played by Unseen Master— The Spirits of Dr. Eddy and George C. Steel Appear— What They Say— Spirit of Dr. Shoemaker Talks of Spirit Return. On September 22, 1893, 9:30 o'clock p. m., Mr. Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office. We formed about the table as on former occasions. Soon loud and distinct raps, so forcible as to perceptibly jar the table, came thick and fast. Soon Mr. Dallas said: "I see the outlines of a form near your chair, Mr. Wilson, it is now growing brighter and I can see it very plainly. It is a gentleman whom I do not know; I never saw him before as I remember; he has high cheek bones, sallow complexion, rather high forehead; his hair is straight, jet black and slightly streak- ed with gray, light weight, black mustache, streaked with gray; he has black eyes. He wish- es to speak to you, Mr. Wilson." I said: "All right 42 death; the meaning and result. let him proceed." Mr. Dallas began speaking and said: "Good evening, Mr. Wilson; this gentleman is repeating after me so you may hear what I have to say. I am Will Schopperle who passed away at Warren, Pa. Dr. Shoemaker could not be here this evening but a few moments owing to other engagements, so he kindly brought me here and instructed me how to appear and talk in this way. This is the first time I have been back into earth's condition since I passed out of the body. They called it an asylum for the in- sane, but John, it is more a prison than anything else. When they took me there I did not know where I was going. I started from my brother's house in Oil City, in company with Johnnie Mo- ran. They told me they wanted me to look at an oil lease, but they fooled me and landed me in prison. I know now that I was mentally un- balanced at the time; but, John, I had plenty of money, near $40,000.00, and instead of putting me in that place in Warren they should have placed me in some private institution and had me treated for the ailment with which I was af- flicted. Some of my relatives thought more of getting my money than having me restored to health. They did me a great injustice, and retri- bution will surely overtake those who wronged me so much. Say, J. K., don't you remember when you and I used to go to Fred Heckel's place on Chambers Street to eat sauerkraut and speck, and drink beer?" I said: "Yes." "Well we used to meet many of the pipe line boys there. death; the meaning and result. 43 Many whom we used to meet there I find over here on the spirit side of life. Many of them knew I was coming here to talk to you this evening, and they all wished to be remembered to you. Well, I am getting weak and must go. I thank you very much for allowing me to come here in this way, and for showing me so much indulgence; I will come again. Good night to all." Mr. Dallas stopped talking for a few mo- ments and then said: "Mr. Wilson the gentleman has left; he seemed to pass through the wall; he seemed to be very much pleased to have met you." After discussing the events of the evening Mr. Kramer, Dallas and myself separated. Note. We all expected that what purported to be the spirit of Dr. Shoemaker would visit us on this occasion, but in that we were disap- pointed. The shade we expected did not mani- fest but another instead, who claimed to be the spirit of Will Schopperle. I knew Mr. Shopperle very well in life. He was unknown by Air. Dal- las. Mr. Schopperle lived in Bradford some eighteen years preceding his death. He lost his mental equipoise, and was taken to the asylum for the insane, at Warren, Pa., some three years previous to this sitting, and soon thereafter died, a fact known to me but unknown to Mr. Dallas. The description given of Mr. Schopperle by Dallas, as he came in view, is perfect. He says: "I started from my brother's home in Oil City in company with Johnnie Moran," a fact 44 death; the meaning and result. unknown to any of the sitters at the time, but I have ascertained since that the statement of what purported to be the spirit of Schopperle was correct in every particular. He says: ' 'Don't you remember when you and I used to go to Fred Heckel's on Chambers Street?" etc., which is a statement of a fact only known by me and Mr. Schopperle in his earth life, and forgotten by me, as that was twelve years previous, until now mentioned by this shade. It is also a fact that it was a popular resort for employes of the Pipe Line Company. Many of those whom Mr. Schopperle and myself have met there are now on the spirit side of life, a fact entirely unknown to Mr. Dallas at the time of this sitting, so that the shade, ghost or spirit, being repeated by Mr. Dallas, certainly said many things to- wards establishing Mr. Schopperle's identity. On September 24, 1893, 9 o'clock p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office and formed about a table with hands resting thereon. Soon Mr. Dallas said: "Here come Dr. Shoemaker; I can see him very plainly and he asks me to re- peat after him so you may hear what he has to say." Mr. Dallas then proceeded to repeat as follows: "Good evening John." I said "Good evening Doctor." Mr. Dallas then said: "Good evening friends. I will not stay long in view of Mr. Dallas at the present time; other spirits are here who wish to show themselves and be recog- nized. I will, however, come into view again later on in the evening." Mr. Dallas then said: death; the meaning and result. 45 "Why, he has disapeared." Soon Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes an old lady and also a gen- tleman who has got her by the hand and is helping her along. They are moving toward where you are sitting, Mr. Wilson; now they are close by your side; the gentleman now steps away a few paces leaving the old lady by you. They are both strangers to me; I never saw them before; she has a round face, large high forehead t light complexion, light hair somewhat gray and parted a little to the left of the middle of the head; she is stout built not very tall and she has on her head what looks like a black lace cap; she has also what looks like a cape on her shoulders, the same material as her dress; she puts her arms about your neck, Mr. Wilson; she is trying to talk and says, 'John my dear boy I am your mother, Margaret Wilson; although I have been in the spirit land many years I have not forgotten you; I still love you as only a mother can love her son. John, how glad I am to be able to speak to you in this way. I am with you often and many times I have tried to talk to you but 1 could not make you hear. With the aid of your friend, Dr. Shoemaker, I am able to come into view of Mr. Dallas and talk to you in this way. I am weak and must go. I will come as often as I can to see you; good by John." Mr. Dallas said: "She has disap- peared." Mr. Dallas resumed: "The gentleman who helped the old lady to your side, Mr. Wil- son, now steps up to where you are sitting; 46 death; the meaning and result. he places his hand on your shoulder and is facing me; he is tall, fully six feet, I should say, well built, brown hair and eyes. The expression of his face and eyes somewhat resemble yours, Mr. Wilson; he is preparing to speak. He says: 'John, I am your brother, William Wilson, who passed into spirit life suddenly from Chicago, 111. My taking off was by poison taken by me through mistake. I supposed it to be medicine. My family consisting of Ellen, my wife, Eddie and Emma, my son and daughter, still live in Chi- cago. George, my youngest son, is with me in spirit life. I came here this evening with mother who has been talking to you. John you did not enquire about me but I suppose I am welcome to come with the rest all the same. I wish to have a talk with you when no person is present in the body on your side of life except Mr. Dal- las and you. I cannot sta} r longer and will say good bye.' Why he has disappeared." After resting for a few seconds Air. Dallas proceeded: "Now I see a number of people in a group; in the group I see Dr. Shoemaker, your mother and brother, Mr. Wilson, Mrs. Kramer and a gentle- man I have never seen before. Now, Dr. Shoe- maker steps apart from the group and says: John, I saw you at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on the 21st and 22d of June, 1892. You were in the company of Rob- ert Mason of this city a part of the time. When you went into the building called the wigwam, you entered through the Madison street entrance death; the meaning and result. 47 and occupied a seat in section E of the building. I heard Mr Abbot make the nomination speech placing Grover Cleveland before the convention. Mr. Wilson, a name sake of yours, presided as permanent chairman. You stopped during your stay in Chicago at the Atlantic Hotel, corner Van Buren and Sherman streets, of which Geo. Cummings and F. H. Cummings were the pro- prietors. I got no opportunity, of course, to talk to you at the time. I tried to make my presence known to you but could not. John, do not think I was in Chicago at that time on purpose to attend the convention; you will re- member that I was a Republican when in earth life. I was in Chicago at that time to visit an old friend of mine, Charles Holman, who lives in Chicago. John, I think you will remember Charlie Holman. He used to keep books for the Tuna Valley Bank, in Bradford, and afterwards was an oil broker on the Bradford Oil Ex- change.'" I said: "Doctor, I do not at this time call to memory who Charlie Holman is. Perhaps I knew him by sight but have forgotten him." Mr. Dallas resumed: "I am quite certain you will remember him on reflection. I am sorry, John, that I could not stay longer with you night before last. I desired to witness an oper- ation for fistula which I learned was going to be performed at Ann Arbor University. I grad- uated in the medical profession at Ann Arbor and naturally feel an attachment for the insti- tution. I expect to visit our mutual friend John 48 death; the meaning and result. Eckbert, soon. Well I must go. Now, John, you will not doubt spirit return, and that I am really who I represent myself to be, after what I have said and after giving you such proof of my identity?" I answered and said: "Doctor, you have certainly said much to prove to me that you are really who you represent yourself to be." Mr. Dallas resumed: "Good night, Mr. Dallas; good night, Mr. Kramer; good night, John. Why he has disappeared." Mr. Dallas stopped talking for about two minutes and gave a sudden start, looking in a certain direction and said: "Why here is Sam McBride. He walked into this room as natural as anybody. He looks just as he did before he died. This is the only spirit I have seen whom I knew in earth life. This is all very strange to me; there [oes Mc^rjje_^r ^^h ^the^^all. He did not speak." Shortly after this we separated for the evening. Note. This sitting is certainly freighted with evidence to me astounding, and entirely unex- pected. At this meeting as well as on former occasions, I had made no requests for the pres- ence of any particular spirits or any special line of evidence; in fact I was there to receive what might come, and to observe what might be pro- duced with no requests mentally or otherwise. Mr. Dallas or Kramer knew nothing of my rel- atives either living or dead. I expected that the spirit or intelligence calling himself Dr. Shoe- maker would manifest at this meeting and was death; the meaning and result. 49 expecting no other shades or spirits until the shade of Dr. Shoemaker came into Mr. Dallas' view and said: " Other spirits are here who wish to show themselves and be recognized." I was all attention however, and curious to know who the "other spirits" were. Then as Mr. Dallas proceeded, he described to perfection my mother, whom he claimed he could plainly see and whose body had been laid in a grave twenty years pre- vious to this time; at the same time stating a fact known to me only that during her life she wore her hair parted "a little to the left of the middle of her head." Also concerning her attire. For many years previous to her death she wore a black lace cap partly covering her head, and also a cape about her shoulders invariably the 1 'same material as her dress." This certainly could not have been known to Mr. Dallas or Kramer. My mother left no photograph of her- self, never having a picture of any kind taken during her earth life. Mr. Dallas repeated: "I am your mother, Margaret Wilson." That was my mother's name, certainly unknown to Dallas or Kramer. Then she disappeared and another spirit steps to the front and Mr. Dallas repeats after him saying: "I am your brother, William Wilson," and proceeds to relate the place of his taking off, the cause, the persons, naming them, of his family living on this side, and the one in spirit life, all of which are correct, and facts cer- tainly beyond the possible knowledge of either 50 death; the meaning and result. of the other sitters. Now follows a correct statement of facts in this sitting, by Dr Shoe- maker, he being repeated by Mr. Dallas, which are true in every particular and were unknown by either Mr. Dallas or Kramer at the time. He says that I was "at the Democratic National Convention at Chicago the 21 and 22 of June, 1892," which is true. He says he saw me there; but I have only his word for that, coupled with the query, however, how could he make the statement, including dates, unless he did see me there as claimed? He says: "You were in the company of Robert Mason of this city a part ol the time," which is true. He says: "When you went into the building called the Wigwam, you entered through the Madison Street entrance,* and occupied a seat in section E of the building in which the Convention was held." That is a true statement. He says: "You stopped during your stay in Chicago at the Atlantic Hotel, cor- ner of Van Buren and Sherman Streets, of which Geo. Cummings and F. H. Cummings were pro- prietors," which is a true statement. At the time this was given to me by the Doctor I had forgotten who the proprietors of the Atlantic Hotel were at the time spoken of, but on subse- quent investigation I find he gave the names correctly. Then the spirit speaks of Charles Holman. I could not at the time ;recall who Charley Holman was of whom he was speaking. The spirit proceeds: "John, I think you will re- death; the meaning and result. 51 member Charley Holman. He used to keep books for the Tuna Valley Bank, in Bradford, and afterwards was an oil broker on the Brad- ford Oil Exchange." Now here is a statement of facts entirly unknown to me at the time. I did not know who Charley Holman was. If I ever did know I had forgotten. I did not know that he kept books for the Tuna Valley Bank, which was ten years previous to this sitting, and it would be nonsense to suppose that Dallas knew of this circumstance which happened when he was a mere lad in Scotland. I have, however, on investigation ascertained that what the shade said in relation to Charley Holman and his em- ployment was true. Now think of it. Here was what purported to be the spirit of W. P. Shoe- maker whose body had been lying in the grave nearly five years previous to this conversation. He was buried with Masonic honors. I being a Mason and a friend of the Doctor's, was one of the pall bearers at his funeral and burial. I saw his body in the coffin, helped to carry it to its resting place, helped to lower it in the grave, and yet in less than five years thereafter his spirit claimed to be in my presence, as much alive, if not more so, than when in the body, relating to me circumstances with the view of establishing to my satisfaction his identity at the time, and removing if possible all doubt in my mind that it was other than the spirit addressing me by being repeated by this won- derful Mr. Dallas. I could not see him. I could 52 death; the meaning and result. not hear him talk or speak, but what has been said and done in this sitting cannot be explained by me, only in one way; that my friend, Dr. W. P. Shoemaker, had been speaking to me in this strange and unaccountable manner. On September 27, 1893, 9:30 p. m., Mr. Dal- las, Kramer and myself formed about the table in the manner before described . In a few mo- ments distinct raps came upon the table. Soon Mr. Dallas said: "Mr. Wilson I see a gentleman standing by your chair; it is the same gentleman you called Schopperle the other evening; he tries to talk but I cannot hear what he says. He is trying to tell something about Oil City; he has disappeared." After sitting a few moments I asked if any spirits were present, and we immeditely heard three distinct raps signifying yes. I had a zither in the room on which Mr. Dallas, Kramer or myself could not play a tune, and more in levity than otherwise, I said: "Are there any spirits here who can play on this instrument?" Pointing to the zither. Answer in raps, "yes." "Would you play?" "Yes," I then placed the djjier in a position at least four feet from either )allas, Kramer or myself, entirely out of reach and in view of all. I said: "Now play on it if possible." I had no idea that a sound would proceed from the instrument. I cannot describe my astonishment when immediately the scale was sounded loud and clear. My astonishment increased when "Home Sweet Home" with var- iations, was played and four tunes thereafter; all death; the meaning and result. 53 so well plaj-ed that it was evidence that the zither was being manipulated by a skilled mas- ter of music. I watched the instrument closely while being played. I could see nothing about it that indicated its manipulation except the vi- bration of the strings as they produced the sound in the music. After talking a while of what had so strangely taken place we separated for the evening. On October 4, 1893, 9:15 p. m., Mr. Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office; having formed about the table soon loud and distinct raps were heard on the table, on the chairs and on the floor near by. I felt a cold sensation, and a local disturbance of the atmosphere about me. In a few moments Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker; also two other gentlemen with him, one on each side of him holding on to his arm; he seems to be helping them along; they are now standing still, and they are look- ing at you, Mr. Wilson; they seem to be convers- ing with each other. I see their lips move but I do not hear what they are saying. Now one of the gentlemen leaves Dr. Shoemaker's side and advances to the side of your chair on which you are sitting. I do not know this gentleman. I never saw him before. He is not very tall, about five feet nine, stout in build, brown hair, heavy weight brown mustache, light complexion, large head, high full forehead; he wears a black prince albert coat buttoned up; he has a quick firm step and is rather pompous in demeanor but has a 54 death; the meaning and result. kind expression. He requests me to repeat after him; lie says: "Mr. Wilson I came here through the kindness of Dr. Shoemaker. I used to know you well in Edenburg, Pa. I was a practicing physician at that place. I passed to spirit life from Edendurg, very suddenly; you no doubt will remember the occurrence when I tell you who I am, and I think you will recognize me when I say that I am Dr. W. D. Eddy and am now talking to you through the help of your friend, Mr. Dallas, who is a stranger to me." I said: "Dr. Eddy I remember you well, though it has been so long ago, I have not recalled you to my mind for years." Mr. Dallas proceeded: "Yes, Mr. Wilson, I have been in spirit life for about fifteen years. I am very glad to have this opportunity to let you know that I am as much alive, if not more so, now than when you knew me in the earth life, although by many friends I have been mourn- ed as dead. I am glad, very glad, to meet you, Mr. Wilson, in this way; I can't stay in view longer, but hope I may have the pleasure ol meeting you again soon. Good bye to you and your friends here.' He has gone." After resting a few moments Mr. Dallas pro- ceeded and said: "Now the other gentleman who came with Dr. Shoemaker advances to your side; he puts his hand on your shoulder and looks at you and smiles. He is a stranger to me. He is slender in build, light hair, large blue eyes, and has a very pleasant and cheerful expression. death; the meaning and result. 55 He says: "Why, Air. Wilson, I am so glad to meet you in this way. Dr. Shoemaker had the kindness to bring me here and show me how to make myself visible and heard by your friend, Mr. Dallas. I am a member of Dr. Shoemaker's school on the spirit side of life. I knew you very well at Edenburg, Pa. I lived while there on the corner of Main and State Streets, in what is called the Mendenhall property. I think you will remember me, though it has been a long time since we met. We used to meet occasionally, if 3'ou remember, at Ira Hatha way's restaurant r in Edenburg. I am George C. Steel. I am not able to stay long at this time but will come again if I get an opportunity. Good night." "He has gone from view. Dr. Shoemaker has been in full view during the time these gentlemen were talking to 3'ou; it seemed to please him very much when you recognized them. He now moves up close to j-our side, facing me. He says: 'Good evening friends. I am very glad to be among you again.' " We all said: "Good evening Doctor." I then said: "Doctor can I say a few words?" He replied through Mr. Dallas: "Cer- tainly, say what you wish." I then said: "Dr. Shoemaker, I wish to say to j'ou, that I thank you very much for what you have done for me and my friends here in proving to me and them by such indubitable and incontrovertable proof of the continuity of life after passing through the transition commonly called death, and that spirits can and do return and converse with 56 death; the meaning and result. spirits still in the flesh. I can speak for myself, and I think I can say for my friends here, that we all owe to you a debt of gratitude which I am fearful we shall never be able to repay. We all appreciate your kindness in making this great truth so clear to us, and in giving so much certainty and light on this subject." Mr. Dallas then proceeded and said: "Dr. Shoemaker says: "I am only too happy to do what I can along these lines for all of you. I will say this; we are now entertaining upon the verge of this deep and almost impassible abyss, which mighty ocean mediums only are able to span. It is beyond conception of any in your sphere of life, indeed we of the spirit world re- quire all our power and force to attain this result. We are forming a power on your side of life, which, when completed, will be almost incom- prehensible. The result will not only be highly beneficial to mankind in general, but will destroy this iron-bound spirit of selfishness which is so rife, and which has remained in its fulness since the creation of man; which has been a prominent attribute through all ages, and is today as it was in the formation and development, even on our side of life. We, as spirits, have this element to contend with. Spirits in the spirit world are more or less selfish. They bring with them their earthly selfish characteristics into the spirit world, but the great spirit of love predominates over here, and rules with such power that sometime the darkness shall be dispelled and this wicked death; the meaning and result. 57 attribute be destroyed. Then love and harmony shall reign and spread with the wings of thought, till all developed spirits shall know selfishness no more and be brought into the radius of har- mony and love and understand and appreciate this great and beautiful immortality. Love is our power. it comes to us from still higher intelligences. It grows and will continue to grow until it will fill the entire universe, unfold- ing itself, it will roll on and on to one everlast- ing happiness. I will now leave you for the present. I will come again. Good night to all.' The Doctor has gone." Soon after this Mr. Dal- las, Kramer and myself separated for the night. Note. At this meeting unexpected shades came forward. It seemed to me, judging by what was said, that their object, one and all, was to prove to me their identity. They said nothing of impor- tance, but frequent reference by them to incidents happening in their life time, known to me, I think bears me out in this conclusion: The first unexpected one claimed to be the spirit of Dr. W. D. Eddy. I knew Dr. Eddy in life, during 1877, at Edenburg, Pa. He was entirely un- known to Kramer and Dallas. I think it was in the fall of 1877 or spring of 1878 that Dr. Eddy passed suddenly away. Mr. Dallas on this occasion described the Doctor, as I remember him, very accurately in appearance, manner and style of dress. At this time he tells me his initials are W. D. If I ever knew them I had forgotten, but on investigation since this occurrence I find 58 death; the meaning and result. that, sure enough, his initials were, W. D. Eddy. The next to be repeated by Mr. Dallas purport- ed to be one whom I knew quite well in 1877 and 1878. I had not thought of him for years. Mr. Dallas never knew him in life, still he gave me a correct description of the appearance and personality of this shade who tells me he is George C. Steel. I knew him in earth life as George Steel. I did not know he had a middle initial but on this occasion he announces himself as George C. Steel. On investigation since this meeting, I have ascertained that he gave me the correct name including the initial C. being the name be bore in earth life. He mentioned the location where he lived when I knew him, and the occasional meeting at Hathawa3 r 's restau- rant, all of which are facts. My conclusions are that by mentioning so many things in their lives, known long ago to me, has established their identity, and having that in my mind I addressed Dr. Shoemaker orally as mentioned in the record to which he replied in his characteristic way. CHAPTER III. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Makes Date for Meeting— Dallas Tardy— The Effect— Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Appears— Gives us Advice— Divulges a Plan— Obstacles to Over- come—Selfish Spirits— The Spirit of O. P. Happer Appears — What He Says to Establish Identity — The Spirits of Dr. Eddy, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kramer, Mr. Schopperle and Others Appear— Strange Light— Airs. Wilson and Mrs. Kramer Come In View. On October 10, 1893, 9 p. m., Kramer, Dallas and myself met and formed about the table. Soon loud raps came upon the table. After wait- ing for some time, and Mr. Dallas not being able to see spirits or hear them talk, I said: "Is Dr. Shoemaker here?" "Yes," by raps. "Can you show yourself to Mr. Dallas this evening?" "No," "Are conditions bad for demonstrations?" An- swer, "Yes." "Shall I name some evening to sit?" Answer, "Yes." "Will Friday evening, October 13, suit you?" Answer, "Yes." And according- ly we all agreed on Friday evening, October 13, 9 o'clock p. m., for our next meeting. Soon thereafter we separated for the night. €0 death; the meaning and result. October 13, 1893. As stated in former record, our meeting was set for 9 o'clock p. m., on this date. Mr. Dallas was at the time employed in a jewelry store in this place. The store closed at 9 p. m. as a rule, and according to previous arrangements, Mr. Dallas was to meet Mr. Kra- mer and myself at nine p. m. sharp or sooner if he could get excused by his employer. Mr. Kra- mer came to my office at 8:15 p. m. We waited until 9 o'clock for Mr. Dallas but he did not re- port. We waited until 9:30 still Air. Dallas did not put in an appearance. I concluded that Mr. Dallas was not going to keep his appointment. I started out of my office^intending to go down the street. I stopped at the hall door, then step- ped out upon the street. I looked up the street and saw Mr. Dallas coming down in the direc- tion where I was standing. He was walking very rapidly, almost a run, and had a side front I as though he was being hurried along by some one beside himself. I thought his stride and position strange. Soon he reached the place where I was standing. I spoke to him and said: "Good evening Mr. Dallas, I concluded you had given up your appointment." He paid no atten- tion to me or to what I said and I noticed as I he passed me he had the expression and deport- ment indicating something out of the ordinary. After he had passed me and entered the hall of the block, without slackening his pace, he turned and said: " please come with us into the office; a gentleman is here with me who washes i death; the meaning and result. 61 to meet you in your office." I then followed him into my office in company with Mr. Kramer. He seemed to be excited and had a look or ex- pression indicating perplexity. He said: "Why this beats anything; I was writing a letter in the store where I am employed and all at once your friend Dr. Shoemaker appeared by my side and said to me: 'Mr. Dallas have you forgotten your engagement at Mr. Wilson's office this even- ing? The time is past that you were to report there and Mr. Wilson is tired of waiting for you and is about to leave his office; put on your overcoat and please come with me.' The Doctor then took me by the arm and led me out of the store and down the street as fast as I could go and [into your office, so here I am. And the Doctor has stepped through the door into the rear office; he desires us to form around the table as usual." I said to Mr. Dallas: "Could you see the Doctor when he was coming down the street with you?" Mr. Dallas said: "Yes, just as plainly as I see you now, and heard him talk to me as plainly as I did when you asked this question." Immediately following, Mr. Dallas, Kramer and myself formed about the table. We heard loud raps on the table and on the back of the chair in which Mr. Dallas was seated. Soon Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker and wishes me to repeat after him. He says: 'I am glad the conditions are such that I am able to communicate with you with such ease. I 62 death; the meaning and result. have been very busy with the work, arranging things and conditions whereby we may be able to communicate with you at all times and places readily with comparative ease. I am happy to say that we are progressing nicely. Now I would like to give you some advice which I know will benefit our cause by establishing this direct line of communication. In the first place you have had demonstrated to you greater, more wonderful, powerful and I may say more beauti- ful features of spirit possibilities than have ever before been given by spirit to mortal, and our friends on the spirit side of life are happy to know that you have the appreciation of the worth and import of the demonstrations which have been given to you. We give you this proof and evidence of immortality, spirit return and communion, not only for your own personal satisfaction, but also that you may be able to teach others these great and glorious truths. We as spirits on our side of life feel, and think we know that, in selecting you to spread the tidings of great joy, we have chosen wisely, and that you will earnestly and candidly perform the trust thus imposed on you by the spirit -world. It is the highest aim and greatest ambition of the better class of spirits to open up an unob- structed intercommunication between the spirit side of life and earth on the earth plane, to the end that all may know that they are immortal, and that their conditions in spirit life depend on the characteristics formed and propagated on death; the meaning and result. 63 the earth side of life. We could do this with ease and dispatch if the obstacles were confined to the earth plane; but we must tell you, as strange as it may seem to you, that we have forces to overcome superinduced by selfish and designing spirits on our side of life, whose de- sign seems to be to hinder and prevent the true light shedding its effulgent rays on the bosom of mother earth. We know, however, that we shall be able to brush aside those barriers which sel- fish spirits have, as they think, so well builded. Now let me say further; this is new, and to you strange and somewhat startling, and fixes upon you a great responsibility, but we promise to make your burden light and yoke easy. You will be able to face the world with this great truth in perfect equanimity and with the brav- ery worthy of the cause and raze to the ground, so to speak, the strong walls of superstition which is a child of ignorance. At first you must not be too zealous in this work; do not try to hurry and thus over-reach your strength; but have a time set for all things. When you have fully entered into this work give it your entire attention. When you are not in communication with us have your mind free and at rest or em- ployed by light diversion. If, in our absence from you a spirit should call on you, treat him as you would a friend, but be not over-indulgent with him, and when he has spoken let him pass on. Many things will be shown to you in the future that will astonish you, and at first seem to you 64 incredible. Bear in mind that those things are born among yon, and it is their first appearance from our side. Do not have over-confidence in yourself. But let perfect harmony prevail among you, and slowly but surely you will reach the highest pinnacle of success in understanding and teaching those truths. I will say again that it is our highest hope and most cherished wish, that with our help you will be able to convince the world of immortal life and everlasting hap- piness which awaits all men and women and all human beings in the spirit world. I will now help other spirits who are here to show them- selves to the medium and talk so that he may repeat what they say.' " Mr. Dallas rested about two minutes and then said: "Here comes a gentleman whom I have not seen before; he is rather slender in build, a little stooped and has a brown mustache; he moves up to your chair, Mr. Wilson, and says: 'Good evening, Mr. Wilson. I am here through the kindness of Dr. Shoemaker. I came direct here from Little Washington, Pa., my former home. I was visiting there. I knew you quite well, Mr. Wilson, about fifteen years ago, at Edenburg, Pa. I have been in spirit life for quite a few years, but I was sort of paralyzed or dor- mant, and did not know or care much where I was until Dr. Shoemaker, whom I used to know in earth life, came across me and lifted me out of the careless and despondent condition in which I have been since in spirit life and e. eh\. lataff^s. death; the meaning and result. 65 taught me that I was a spirit and informed me of my possibilities as such. Many spirits are in the same condition 1 was in, and have to be taught and helped to grasp the fact that they are out of the plrysical body and really a spirit in the spirit world. I knew nothing of the phil- osophy of spirit return to earth until taught by Dr. Shoemaker and many, yes, very many, spirits are as ignorant about it as I was. This is a wonderful great truth in coming to earth and communicating in this way. This truth and its philosophy is known but to the fewest number even in the spirit world, or at least in the sphere in which I am located. As it becomes known on our side it creates great joy and happiness, and myriads seek to learn the way so as to do good and communicate with the loved ones on earth. You are well known Mr. Wilson, and have many friends on the spirit side of life. You are doing a great work in assisting to open up a communication between earth and the spirit world. Spirits over here are talking about you and your work almost constantly. You will, I think, remember me, Mr. Wilson, when I tell you I am Lawyer 0. P. Happer." ' I said after thinking a minute or so in trying to remember him: "Mr. Happer I do not recall you; I do not remember you." He then said: "Well, it is some time ago that we met, but I think I can refresh your memory so you will remember me. Do you remember a man who lived in Edenburg by the the name of Ben Painter?" I said: "Yes." Mr. 66 death; the meaning and result. Dallas then proceeded, "Well, do you remember a building on Main Street, in Edenburg, called the Wigwam?" I said: "Yes." "Well, do you remember that in 1877 a man who was room- ing in that building with Ben Painter was acci- dentally shot at a time when Mr. Painter and this man were preparing to attend Mr. Paint- er's wedding?" I said: "Yes I remember." "Well I am the man that was shot at the time and place." I remembered the circumstances as related by this shade and then recalled who Mr. Happer was. I had never been intimately ac- quainted with him but knew him and had spok- en to him before his death. I said: "Mr. Hap- per, after relating the circumstances, place and time of your taking off I remember you well and am glad you called on me in this way. I have not only had the pleasure of meeting you but by your talk I have learned much." Mr. Dallas then said: "I see Dr. Shoemaker beckoning to me and I must go; good night." Mr. Dallas said: "The gentleman has disappear- ed." After Mr. Dallas had rested about five minutes he continued and said: "Dr. Shoemaker now comes into plain view and says: "I will now try and focus our forces so you, Mr. Wil- son, and Mr. Kramer, can see your spirit friends. Why there now comes into view besides Dr. Shoemaker, Dr. Eddy, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kram- er, Mr. Schopperle, Mr. 0. P. Happer and many others whom I have never seen before. They have formed a circle by joining hands in the death; the meaning and result. 67 rear of where we are sitting; they all seem to have their eyes fixed on a point to the left of where you are sitting, Mr. Wilson." I looked in the direction indicated by Mr. Dallas, and saw a light about four feet from where I sat. When I first saw it, it was round in shape and about two inches in diameter; at first it seemed to be unsteady*- and slightly moving and not very bright. I kept my gaze fixed on it. It be- came more steady and brighter, and changed from a light vapory appearance to a bright color resembling an illumination by electric ap- pliances. Shortly it begun to increase in dimen- sion and expanded retaining its brightness until it was at least 12 inches in diameter; shortly after assuming such proportions I observed something with dim outlines approaching the light from the side remotest from me; the dim outlines approached slowly but steadily; nearer and nearer it came to the light, and soon the outlines so dim at first passed into and almost through the light. I looked with rapture and astonishment, spell bound with ecstacy, for there before me, radiant with j oy and such an expression of love as only can light the countenance of a mother on meeting her child, stood my beloved mother, who had been, or all that was mortal of her, laid in the cold earth twenty years pre- vious. There could be no mistake; there she stood looking exactly as she looked when I knew her so well on earth. Only one word was spoken while she remained in my view and 68 death; the meaning and result. that by me and that was ''mother; " the only answer by her was a sweet smile. I could not talk, I was too full for utterance. I thought of that home in which I was reared in which the brightest jewel was that mother, who so long mourned as dead still lived, of which fact there was a living witness before me. Slowly she vanished from my view, but the impression is and always will be with me. Soon after the the first light and its results had vanished anoth- er light appeared, in appearance much as the first which I have described. Soon a face ap- proached it and came into view. It was a strange face to me. I did not know it. Mr. Kramer said nothing. Mr. Dallas then spoke and said: "Mr. Kramer that is your wife tr} T - ing to come into view so you can see her." Mr. Kramer said: "It don't appear plain to me. I can see the outlines, but it seems dim to me." In a short time the second light disappeared from view. Mr. Dallas then said: "The Doctor says, 'That the forces are getting weak and that they will not be able to do more tonight.' " I then thanked the Doctor for what he had done. Soon thereafter Dallas, Kramer and myself separated for the evening. Note. The events occurring at this sitting were of a nature very much unexpected to me, and very far beyond anything I had seen or heard or supposed within the pale of possibili- ties. In the previous sittings I had been startl- ed and confounded, but this as the record shows death; the meaning and result. 69 is beyond anything occurring heretofore. I had supposed up to this sitting that the demonstra- tions hy Dr. Shoemaker, and 03- other shades under his supervision had been produced to prove to me that there was life after so-called death, and to show me that my friends and ac- quaintances I mourned as silent in death lived, moved and had their being, and that was the limit in view by my spirit friend. In this record a further object is developed, for the Doctor says: "We give } r ou this proof and evidence," etc. "not only for your own personal satisfac- tion, but also that you may be able to teach others these great and glorious truths." In this as in other walks of life, the more opportunities the more knowledge, and as opportunities and knowledge increase, responsibilities multiply. He also informs us that they have obstacles to surmount and difficulties to overcome emanating from selfish spirits on his side of life. If that be so not all spirits are angels as we have been taught to think of them. Here comes another spirit to the fore as the record shows, who calls himself 0. P. Happer saying that he knew me in Edenburg in 1877, sixteen years previous to this sitting, and that his former home was in Washington, Pa. When this spirit spoke to me I had no recollection of ever having met him, but the way he refreshed my memory brought to my recollection who he was. I slightly knew Mr. Happer who was ac- cidentlv shot in 1877 at Edenburg; but so long 70 death; the meaning and result. a time had elapsed, and he, at the time being only slightly known to me; the man, and circum- stances of his taking off had entirely escaped from my mind. At the time this sitting was go- ing on, I did not know that the Happer I recall- ed was 0. P., James or George, or that he lived in Washington, Pa. before the time I recalled having met him. On investigation after this sit- ting I have ascertained that O. P. were his ini- tials and that his former home was Washington, Pa. All other things stated by him on this oc- casion are true. Of course Mr. Dallas who was repeating after the spirit, had never heard of O. P. Happer or anything concerning his life or death. Greater things and more astounding wonders, however, were to follow as the record shows. Up to this sitting all demonstrations had been addressed to only one of my five senses, the sense of hearing. I had heard raps and heard what the purported spirits had to say by being repeated by Mr. Dallas, but I had seen nothing. Read the record, and then imagine yourself in my place, in beholding in the manner I describ- ed, my mother, whom I had mourned as silent in death for twenty years. Truly seeing in this instance at least, "is the naked truth." Condi- tions had been made whereby not only my serse of hearing was addressed b} r spirits present, but my sense of sight as well. I asked myself at the time, and am still inquiring, u has spirit power any limit?" CHAPTER IV. Spirits Can Read Thoughts— New Element in Circle— W. S. Brown Present — How it Happened — Spirits of Theodore Marlin, Dr. Shoemaker, Ira Hathaway, John P. McQuiston, Mrs. Miller and Plum Mitchell Appear— What They Say to Brown— What Plum Mitchell Said to Wilson— Who These Spirits Were in Earth Life — Ed. 0' Davis Present — His Experience — Indian Spirits Appear— The Effect Explained by Spirit Mitchell— Spirit of Peter Spargo Appears— What He Says— Spirit W T ife of J. L. Kramer Appears —What She Says— Further Experience With Indian Spirits. On October 17, 1893, nine o'clock p. m., Dal- las, Kramer and myself met at my office. Be- fore I proceed with the record of what occurred at this meeting I wish to state what I omitted to mention in the previous record of October 13. About the time Dr. Shoemaker was to take his departure on the evening of October 13, I asked the Doctor if he could as a spirit- read my thoughts, or in other words tell what I was thinking at a given time; he replied: M I think I 72 death; the meaning and result. can. Now think of some thing or person and I will tell you what your thoughts are." I then proceeded to formulate thoughts with- out proclaiming them as follows: "Dr. Shoe- maker, do you remember W. S. Brown who liv- ed at Edenburg when you were there? And if so would it be agreeable to you to have Mr. Brown present in this office next Tuesday even- ing, October 17, and witness what manifesta- tions you may be able to give of spirit power?" Mr. Dallas immediately said: "The Doctor wish- es me to repeat after him, he says: 'Yes I remem- ber the gentleman well. Have him come as you suggest and we will see what can be done.' " I thanked the Doctor and said: "All right." I said nothing to Mr. Dallas or Kramer as to what the Doctor meant by these instructions. I went to Mr. Brown the next da} r and said to him that I was investigating Spiritualism somewhat and asked him if he would like to join me in a sitting at my office the following Tuesday evening. Mr. Brown said: "I know nothing about Spiritualism whatever, but I am always anxious to find out all I can. I shall be glad to come to your office if there is anything to learn." I told Mr. Brown nothing whatever of what I had been getting along these lines. So it was arranged that Mr. Brown should re- port at my office on the evening stated. I found out that Mr. Brown was a stranger to both Dallas and Kramer and said nothing to them about my arrangements with him. death; the meaning and result. 73 I arranged to have Mr. Brown come to the office on this evening before Mr. Dallas or Mr. Kramer came and accordingly Mr. Brown came at 8 o'clock p. m. I then explained to Mr. Brown that I expected two other gentlemen to be present, but I desired to secrete him in the room in such a way that neither of them would know of his presence, to which Mr. Brown con- sented. Before Mr. Dallas or Kramer came I had Mr. Brown placed so he could not be seen by either Dallas or Kramer. Kramer reported at my office at 8:45 and Dallas at 9 p. m. We formed about the table as usual and soon very distinct raps were heard. In a short time Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker and with him are two gentlemen who are strangers to me; I never saw them be- fore. They all seem to lack strength; the Doctor is trying to talk, I see his lips move but cannot hear what he says, why, now they have disap- peared from view." Mr. Dallas said nothing for a few moments and then resumed: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker and with him are the same two gentlemen who appeared a few moments ago. One of these gentleman leaves Dr. Shoemaker passes the chair you are sitting in, Mr. Wilson. He seems to be talking to someone. He says: 'I used to know you well, Mr. Brown, I knew you in Edenburg, Pa., some years ago. I came here this evening through the kindness of Dr. Shoemaker. You will remember me, Mr. Brown, when I tell you I am Theodore Marlin. I used 74 death; the meaning and result. to be a close neighbor to you when you lived in Edenburg. Do you remember me Mr. Brown?' " Mr. Brown then spoke for the first time after Dallas and Kramer came in the office and said: "Why I remember Mr. Marlin well." Mr. Dallas resumed: " 'Well, I am glad you remember me. I cannot stay long; other spirits are here who wish to speak to you.' He has disappeared." "The other spirit who came with the Doctor now goes over to where the first spirit stood and says: 'Good evening Mr. Brown. I knew you also in Edenburg. I think you will remem- ber me when I tell you that I am Ira Hathaway. I kept a restaurant in Edenburg when you knew me. I have been on the spirit side of life for some time." Mr. Brown replied: "Yes I remem- ber you well Mr. Hathaway." "Well I am glad to meet you, Mr. Brown, in this way but must go now, good night." Mr. Dallas then said: "Here comes another gentleman. He is a tall, well built gentleman, stands up very straight, light complexion, brown hair, clean shaven ex- cept a long heavy mustache. He says: 'Mr. Brown I am very glad to be here tonight. I have been in spirit life for some time. I did not know of this power which enables me to come into earth's condition and manifest in this way until I was instructed by Dr. Shoemaker, through whose kindness I am here tonight. I also knew you very well in Edenburg quite a number of years ago. I was in the dry-goods business in Edenburg and I know you will remember me death; the meaning and result. 75 when I tell you I am John P. McQuiston.' " Mr. Brown said: "Mr. McQuiston I remember you well." Mr. Dallas then resumed: "I have talk- ed quite awhile, and the Doctor has other spir- its here, Mr. Brown, whom he wishes you to identify if you can. I will say good night." After resting a few moments Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes a lady and she is going over to where the last gentleman stood and saj^s: 'Mr. Brown this is new business to me and I have but little strength to manifest in this way. I have been in spirit life for some time. I do not know as you will remember me. I knew you when I lived in Edenburg. I used to live in the house on State Street which you afterwards oc- cupied. My husband sold you the house. My name is Mrs. Miller. Perhaps you remember my boys who were small when in Edenburg. One of them is now man grown, still on the earth side of life, and lives in Bradford, Pa. I wish you would look him up. I would like so much to talk to him. I must go now, good night." Mr. Dallas after resting a moment resumed: "Why here comes a gentleman. He is quite a young man, rather slender build, dark eyes and black hair. He looks at } r ou, Mr. Wilson, and smiles; he now passes over to where the other spirits stood when they were talking and says: 4 Why W. S. Brown how do you do? and Mr. Wilson I am glad to meet you in this way; you will both remember me. I am Plum Mitchell. I knew you both in Edenburg.' " I said: "Yes, 76 death; the meaning and result. Plum, I remember you well, but I did not know that you were on the spirit side of life; can it be possible? Mr. Dallas resumed: "Yes I have been on the spirit side of life for quite a while. I went from earth life very suddenly; about as rapidly as transition can be done; my body was blown to pieces by glycerine in March, 1890. I supposed you had heard of the accident." I said: "No, Plum, I did not hear of it and this is the first I knew you were in spirit life. Mr. Dallas continued: "Well I am glad to meet you in this way, Mr. Wilson. George Steel told me about meeting yon a few evenings ago. You know George is on our side of life. He told me Doc- tor Shoemaker brought him to see you so I went to the Doctor and told him I would like to meet you very much and he kindly consented to bring me here tonight, and if he will permit me I shall be very glad indeed to come again. Good night to all." Mr. Dallas after resting a few moments resumed: "Here comes again the spirit who called himself Plum Mitchell and says: 'Mr. Wilson you remember me as Plum Alitchell but my initials were J. P. and my name was often written J. Plummer Mitchell.' Why he has disappeared. Now, Dr. Shoemaker comes for- ward and sa3's: 'Good evening Mr. Brown; good evening to all. I am sorry that we could do so little this evening in the way of manifestations. I find it makes quite a difference in the elements to have a person in the room who never affili- ated with us before. I was afraid for a while death; the meaning and result. 77 that we would be unable to do anything, but by hard work we succeeded in producing what you heard. Mr. Brown I am glad to meet and see you here investigating this grand truth. I looked about a good deal in the spirit realms for some of your immediate relatives so that they could talk to you, but did not succeed in finding any of them. Come again and we will try and do better. We will all of us now bid you good night." I then brought Mr. Brown out to view and introduced him to Mr. Dallas and Kramer. Explanations followed and we all had a good laugh about the stowaway. After discussing what had been heard for awhile we separated for the evening. Note. As will be observed the first of the sitting bears a relation to the previous one in that I had then tested the possibility of spirits reading the thoughts of mortals which I find can be done. In this I had a double purpose; first to ascertain if that could be accomplished, and second, to arrange, with the spirit Doctor, a meeting with Mr. Brown unknown to the other two mortals, Dallas and Kramer. Each purpose was accomplished in a way very satis- factory to me. I knew Mr. Brown well having formed his acquaintance in 1877 at Edenburg, Pa. In the previous sittings the spirits of for- mer residents of Edenburg had been so much in evidence I was anxious to see what effect, if any, it would have by introducing a new sitter in the circle, and also to observe what evidence, if any. 78 death; the meaning and result. would come to Mr. Brown of the identity of shades known by him while in the bod}\ What impression the phenomana had on him must be told by himself. After the sitting he expressed himself as truly astounded at what had occur- red. All the spirits speaking to him on this occa- sion were known by me while on the earth side of life except one and that one said she was Mrs. Miller. Mr Brown acknowledged to me that he knew Mrs. Miller years ago, and what she told him was true, but that he did not know at this time that one of the Miller boys lived in Bradford as the shade said, but when he knew them they were small boys and he very likely would not know them now since grown to manhood. He said however he would make an effort to ascertain if possible if one of them did live in Bradford. A few days after this Mr. Brown told me he began to make inquiries and in a few days thereafter he ascertained that the shade, Mrs. Miller, had told him the truth about one of her boys living in Bradford. He went to Mr. Miller, made himself known and renewed acquaintance long since forgotten. Here is a fact, told by a spirit, worthy of spec- ial notice, in that the fact so related was, at the time stated by the shade, unknown to any of the mortals present at this sitting. I wish also to call attention to the spirit claiming to be Ira Hatha \Yaj. I knew Mr. Hathaway years ago. Mr. Brown also knew him in 1877 and 1878. death; the meaning and result. 79 He was entirely unknown to Kramer or Dallas. Mr. Brown had heard nothing of Mr. Hatha- way' s death — neither had I; but since the sitting I have ascertained that he passed to spirit life some time previous. Another spirit came to the fore on this occa- sion which surprised me very much and that is the one calling himself Plum Mitchell. I used to know Plum intimately 3-ears ago in Franklin and afterwards in Edenburg, Pa. We became friends soon after our acquaintance and, espec- ially at Edenburg, we were in each other's com- pany much of the time. Plum was a staunch and true friend, a pleasant and congenial com- panion. The last time I met Plum in the body was in the }-ear 1880, thirteen years ago, since which time I very seldom heard from him, had lost track of him and had no idea whatever but that he was still a mortal like myself. He was entirely unknown to Mr. Kramer and Mr. Dal- las. He was slightly known some fifteen } r ears ago by Mr. Brown, but Brown had heard noth- ing of his death, and now here comes a shade asserting that he is Plum Mitchell whom I knew so well at Edenburg, telling me that he had a speedy transition, via glycerine explosion, in March 1890; also telling me that his initials were J. P., a fact that I did not know as I al- ways knew him as Plum Mitchell. After this sitting I communicated with parties in Franklin, Pa., Alitchell's old home, and ascertained that Plum Mitchell had passed to spirit life on the 80 death; the meaning and result. date mentioned by the shade; truly remarkable how accurate in the statement of an event en- tirely unknown to any of us mortals present at the time. On October 20, 1893, 9 o'clock p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office. Mr. Dal- las had invited Mr. Ed. Davis to be present. Mr. Davis came to my office on this occasion with Mr. Dallas. We formed about the table as usual. In a short time loud raps were heard on the table. Mr. Dallas then said: "Here comes Mr. Shoemaker; also two other gentlemen. They have hold of the Doctor's arms; they all seem weak and unable to come close to me; Dr. Shoemaker is trying to talk; he looks at me moves his lips but I cannot hear what he sa}^s. The Doctor now points his finger towards you, Mr. Davis. Why they have disappeared." During this time Mr. Davis seemed to be great- ly disturbed and very uneasy. Mr. Dallas re- sumed: "I see some person about you Mr. Da- vis. He looks like an Indian; he is dark with long dark hair hanging over his shoulders. Of course this person I describe is a spirit although he looks to me as though he was on the earth side of life. He waves his arms and seems to be making passes about your head. I think he is trying to mesmerize you. Don't you feel or hear him Mr. Davis?" Mr. Davis replied: "Yes I see some person near me and I feel him too; he seems to have hold of my coat collar. I tried to break his hold but did not succeed. I am death; the meaning and result. 81 sure I do not want him to interfere with me in this way. He is a stranger to me and is entire- ly too familiar; now whoever you are please step away from me; I don't like this sort of acquaint- ance. He has now let go of my coat and has gone." In a few moments Mr. Dallas resumed: "Here comes Mr. Schopperle; he says: 'Good evening to all. It has been quite a while since I came here in this way. I am quite busy on our side of life doing what I can to help along this work. I cannot stay in view longer, good night.' Now, here comes the young man who was here the other evening; he says: 'Yes, I was here the oth- er evening; I am Plum Mitchell. Good evening to all. It is very hard to accomplish anything here this evening. We have all been working to make things harmonious so we could produce manifestations. There came here with this large gentleman you call Mr. Davis a number of In- dian spirits; one of them was trying to control Mr. Davis a few moments ago. They bring with them a disturbing element which works against our force. They have now stepped to one side and perhaps we may be able to do something. Dr. Shoemaker kindly requested me to be present here tonight and assist him what I could. We have spirits here who I think Mr. Dallas will be able to see and hear. I must step aside now.'" After a few moments Mr. Dallas resumed: "Here comes a gentleman whom I never saw be- fore; he goes to where you are sitting, Mr. Wil- 82 death; the meaning and result. son; he is tall and slender a little stooped in his shoulders, has light hair, his beard is full and long. He says: 'Good evening, Mr. Wilson. I am here this evening by the kindness of Dr. Shoemaker. I belong to his school on the spirit side of life. He told me he had a school on the earth plane and Plum Mitchell told me about meeting you in this way and I asked the Doctor to let me come here this evening and he consent- ed. I do not know that you will remember me, Mr. Wilson. It has been a long time since you saw me. I lived in Edenburg, Pa. when you were living there. I knew you quite well at that time. I am Peter Sprague — no, not Sprague, but S-P-A-R-G-O," (spelling it,) "Peter Spargo." I said after thinking a few moments, for it had been near fifteen years since I had met or thought of this man: "Yes, Air. Spargo, I remember you." Mr. Dallas resumed: "Do you? Well, I am very glad you remember me. I was afraid it had been so long ago since we met, that you had forgotten me. After you moved from Eden- burg I was appointed postmaster there. I did not get along very well and became despondent. I went out of earth's condition suddenly in March 1885. I was glad to make the change. I sup- posed when the deed which ended earth's condi- tion was committed, that what is called death, ended all. I have found that I was mistaken; here I am more alive than ever. Well, Mr. Wilson, I must go; I hope we will meet in this way again. Good night." I said: "Good night, come again." death; the meaning and result. 83 Mr. Dallas resumed: "Here comes your moth- er, Mr. Wilson, and your wife, Mr. Kramer; those two ladies come together. Your mother says: 'Good evening John.' Mrs. Kramer says: 'Good evening Len; Mrs. Wilson and I come to- gether. We are together in each other's company much of the time.' She now goes to your side, Mr. Kramer and says: 'My dear husband I am so glad to be with you. It seems so good to get near you. Len, I have lost none of the affec- tion and love I had for }^ou before I passed into the spirit world. W^hen you meet me on this side you will find me much the same person as when on earth. I will come to yon in spirit as often as I can. I must go now, good bye Len.' " We all said: "Good night, come again." Mr. Dallas resumes: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker again. He says: 'I am sorry we could not do more tonight. Wc find an element here this evening which makes it very difficult indeed for us to come into view of Mr. Dallas and talk so he can hear and see us.' " We assured the Doc- tor that he had done well and that we appreci- ated his efforts. I said: "Doctor I wish you would fix the time of our next meeting." He said: "Will October 25, 9 p. m., suit you?" I said: "Yes." The Doctor then said: "Well I must go; good night to all." Soon after this we separated for the evening. On October 25, 1893, 9:30 p. m., Dallas, Kra- mer and myself met at my office. We formed about the table as explained in the preceding rec- 84 death; the meaning and result. ord. We sat lor about thirty minutes and got no raps or other demonstrations. I wish to ex- plain here, that after one hears a rap produced by a certain spirit and becomes familiar with it, it can be recognized as being produced l>y a par- ticular spirit with as much certainity as you can recognize a human voice. Raps produced by dif- ferent spirits have their separate characteristics the same as voices produced by different persons. After waiting thirty minutes as stated above we •,all heard a loud sharp rap. We discovered and agreed that that rap was unfamiliar to all of us and must have been produced by a strange spir- it. Mr. Dallas then spoke and said: "Why here comes into view an Indian; he is the same In- dian who came here the evening Mr. Davis -was here." I then said: "Are you the same In- dian who came here with Mr. Davis the other evening." "Yes" by raps. "Will you permit our spirit friends to come here this evening?" "No." I then said: "Well we expected our friends here this evening; will you step aside and permit them to show themselves to Mr. Dallas?" "No," by raps. "Do you desire to control some person here?" "Yes" by raps. "Do you desire to control Mr. Dallas?" "No." "Me?" "No." "Mr. Kramer? "Yes." Mr. Kramer said: "Well you can't con- trol me." Mr. Kramer and the Indian spirit continued to dispute the question pro and con, the Indian insisting that he could control Kra- mer, and Kramer asserting that he could not. I then took up the question and said to the death; the meaning and result. 85 Indian shade: "What right have you, if you are a spirit, to intrude yourself on us. We do not desire you here and wish you to go away." Mr. Dallas then said: "He has gone." We were con- gratulating ourselves on getting rid of the In- dian, when Mr. Dallas gave a quick glance at the door and said: "Here comes the Indian again." I then said: "Do 3-ou not think, Mr. In- dian, that you are a little mean, and contempta- ble to intrude yourself in this room against our wishes? even if you are a spirit you have no more right to do this than you would if you. were in the body. Now I wish you would get out of here and stay away." Mr. Dallas then said: "He disappeared when you told him to get out." Soon thereafter Mr. Dallas, Kramer and myself separated. Note. At this meeting, as in one preceding this, a stranger to our investigations is intro- duced, by name of Ed. Davis. I was acquainted with Mr. Davis. He was also an acquaintance of Mr. Dallas, and when Mr. Dallas suggested that Mr. Davis be invited to our sitting on thi& evening I did not object. I am glad now that he accepted the invitation for as the record shows a new element was introduced from the spirit side, drawn here seemingty by the presence of Mr. Davis. It gives more experience along^ lines of unseen forces, and experience is a great teacher. Although in the main this new' spirit element seems to be a disturbing and discordant 86 death; the meaning and result. one, still it takes demonstrations of this kind to learn of those discordant forces. Mr. Davis who by nature is skeptical, as a rule, seemed to be fully convinced, judging by what he said during the sitting, that some shade or spirit not only approached him but actually laid hold of him by the "coat collar." I have talked with Mr. Davis since this occurrence and he tells me that he is convinced that on this oc- casion he stood face to face with immortals in the spirit world. My friend Mr. Schopperle speaks a few words, and then comes to the front my friend and chum, Plum Mitchell, and proceeds to inform us of the presence of a number of In- dian spirits who work against the force of our spirit friends. Then there comes forward a shade purporting to be the spirit of Peter Spargo. I knew Mr. Spargo, at Edenburg, Pa., in 1877 and 1878. I heard of his death soon after it occurred but did not know the date of his taking off; but this spirit, like others preceding him, gives me the month and year of his death, which on sub- subsequent investigation I find to be correct. This man whose spirit claimed to be talking in a manner which enabled Mr. Dallas to hear and repeat his words was entirely unknown to Dal- las. Mr. Dallas as will be observed by the rec- ord misunderstood the name in the first instance calling it Sprague, and was immediately correct- ed by the spirit, spelling out his last name and then pronouncing it in full, "Peter Spargo." death; the meaning and result. 87 It was supposed at the time of Mr. Spargo's death that he committed suicide and by what the spirit said here it might be construed to con- firm that supposition. Anyway he seems to be disappointed with what he finds a reality on the spirit side for he says: "I supposed when the deed which ended earth's condition was commit- ted, that which is called death ended all; I have found out that I was mistaken." Then at the conclusion Dr. Shoemaker comes to the fore and speaks of the "element" which he says "makes it very difficult indeed for us to come into view of Mr. Dallas and talk so he can see and hear us." We have also had a new experience and have made the discovery that the entities claiming to be spirits seemed to differ with each other in personality and characteristics the same as mor- tals. Mortals, as all know, differ in looks, in expression, in tone of voice, in manner and ac- tions. One can tell the approach of an acquaint- ance by the sound of his step, although entirely unseen, and say here comes so and so. So it is with the human voice. If you are familiar with the voice of an acquaintance you can tell who is speaking though the speaker is unseen. In the same way that you thus distinguish and recognize unseen mortals, you will learn, if you have consort with immortals to distinguish and recognize unseen immortals, and when you hear the rap of a spririt acquaintance you are able to say this is so and so, though entirely unseen; 88 death; the meaning and result. so in the sitting mentioned in the foregoing rec- ord -we were able to say when we heard a strange rap, "this rap is not produced by any familiar spirit." We did not have to depend on that however, for Mr. Dallas said: "Why here comes into view an Indian." It proved to be such, and a determined, persistent Indian at that, who in- sisted on staying after he was politely told to get out. It has been said that, "there is no good Indian except a dead one," but here is what people call a dead Indian, and by his actions I do not believe he is a good Indian at that. CHAPTER V. The Spirit of Joe Zuver Appears— His Trouble in Mak- ing His Presence Known— Spirit Mitchell Appears— Has Message From Spirit Dr. Shoemaker — Indian Spirit Appears— Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Again Appears— Informs Us that Indian Spirits Will Not Trouble Us Again— Sets Evening for Next Meeting. October 28, 1893, 9 o'clock p. m., I left my office and walked up Main Steeet and stopped at Hart's drug Store. I talked a few minutes with Mr. Hart and among other things said I would like to get a bottle of citrate of magnesia. Mr. Hart replied that they had none fresh in stock. I left the store and continued up street and called on Mr. Dallas where he was employed. He was packing away the goods and preparing to close the store. I bid him good evening and started to leave him when he said: "Mr. Wilson I am about to close the store and if you will wait a few minutes I will walk down the street with you." I said: "All right." After the store was closed we started down '90 death; the meaning and result. Main Street together. The evening was very cold and when we got opposite my office I said to Mr. Dallas: "Won't yon come up to my office a few minutes?" He accepted the invita- tion and we both passed into the office. We each took seats at least four feet from a large office table. Soon our attention was attracted to the table as one end was raised about two inches by some force and dropped suddenly again. The rising and falling of the table was repeated twice in rapid succession. I then said: 4 'Mr. Dallas that is certainly strange; this is a heavy table and requires strength to raise it that way." Again the rising and falling was repeated. I said: "That must be spirit power." I also said: "If any spirit is present rap on the table;" no rap came. We sat a few minutes when Mr. Dallas gave a sudden start as he happened to glance toward the door, and said: "Here comes Plum Mitchell." Mr. Dallas' eyes seemed to follow in the direc- tion crossing the room until they seemed to focus on a point near the hall door leading from the office, when he, with a sudden start said: "Why, here is another gentleman standing by the door. Mr. Mitchell walked up to the gen- tleman and they shook hands; they seemed to be pleased to meet each other. They are now talk- ing together but I cannot hear what they say; the man talking to Mr. Mitchell is a stranger to me. I never saw him before; he is quite tall, not very heavy in build, fair complexion, blue death; the meaning and result. 91 e}-es, light hair, has a long mustache, light in color; they are both looking toward } r ou. Now they move towards where you are sitting; the stranger smiles and says: "Good evening Mr. Wilson. I heard spirits on our side of life talk- ing about you. They said, or some of them said, they had been down to earth and talked with you in Bradford, Pa. Well, I could not believe them. 1 thought they were certainly mistaken. I wanted to see if such a thing were possible and was anxious to try the experiment myself; I did not wait long, or invite any person to come with me, but started alone. This is cer- tainly a wonderful experience for me as this is the first time I have been back into earth's con- dition since I passed into spirit life. I knew where Bradford was, but I did not think to en- quire of your spirit friends before starting to come here where your office was. I came here to Bradford about 7 o'clock this evening and have been trying to locate A 7 our office continu- ing the search until I met you on the street a while ago. I knew you the minute I saw you. You have not changed very much in looks since I knew you on earth. Well, when I met you on the street I turned and went up street by your side; } r ou went into a drug store and enquired for citrate of magnesia. The druggist told you he had none fresh in stock. You then went out and up street further and went into a jewlery store and met this young man sitting here who is repeating after me; you then came down street 92 death; the meaning and result. in company with him and into this office. I stuck close by your side and I have not only found you, but located your office also. When I met you on the street I spoke to you but you did not answer and seemed to take no notice of me. I could not understand why I could see you and hear you talk so plainly and you did not see or hear me. When I came here with you into this office I tried to make you hear but you paid no attention to what I said so I walked up to your table here and lifted the end of it two or three times. You noticed that and then asked for raps. I did not know how to rap or what you wanted. I could think of no way to make myself known and was about to leave when our old and mutual friend Plum Mitchell stepped into this room and showed me how to talk in this way. I do not know that Dr. Shoe- maker would be pleased if he knew that I was here without his permission. Mr. Wilson, I am very glad to meet you in this way; and this pleasure and experience is worth much more to me than the trouble I had in coming here and in finding you after I got here. I used to know you very well when you lived in Edenburg, Pa. I used to live there also. I am Joe Zuver. I used to keep a billiard room on State Street in Edenburg. Do you remember me?" I said: "Mr. Zuver I remember you well, but I did not know you had passed into spirit life." Mr. Dallas then resumed: "0 yes! I have been over here some time. I am glad you remember death; the meaning and result. 93 me, Mr. Wilson. I must step aside as Plum wants to talk to you, good night." I said: "Good night, Mr. Zuver, come again." Mr. Dallas resumed: "Mr. Mitchell now steps near you and says: 'Good evening, Mr. Wilson. I came here this evening at the request of Dr. Shoemaker, with a message for you. When I stepped into the office a few moments ago I was surprised to see Joe Zuver here. I knew Joe very well while in earth life and meet him often in spirit life. Dr. Shoemaker desired me to say that bad and designing spirits have been about your office for a few days past. They seem to work against your spirit friends and do all they can to prevent demonstrations here. He is glad 3'ou know what the trouble has been. It has been no fault of your friends that bad spirits have presented themselves here, and all of your friends on our side are trying to overcome their influence and hope to dispel and disperse them soon. The Doctor thinks that it is not best for him to be seen by the bad spirits about here or in your office for a few days; so do not be sur- prised if you do not hear from him for a few days. He will come to you again as soon as he thinks advisable. Now Joe and I must go before we come in contact with those bad Indians. They are on the alert for us, so good bye, Mr. Wilson; good bye, Mr. Dallas.'" Soon after the spirits of Mitchell and Zuver departed, Mr. Dallas looked toward the hall door leading into the office, manifesting much 94 surprise and said: "Why here comes that Indian you ordered away the other evening; he seemed to come through the door with as much ease as though it had been open." I said: "So you are here again, Mr. Indian. Now what do you want? Talk to this young man (pointing to Dallas) and tell us your object in coming here." Mr. Dallas said: "Go slow, Mr. Indian, I can't understand what you say. He tells me that he is an Indian Chief, and lived when in earth life in Colorado. That he has with him here twen- ty of his braves who have joined him in spirit life; that he killed eleven white people and has nine scalps on his belt. He says he came here with his band to prevent any more white spirits coming to white chiefs." I said: "Well chief, you are frank to say the least; but let me say to you that you and your band can't get any scalps about here; we will watch and see that you don't do any mischief. We have said to you to get out and not return. I will tell you now to go and if you come about here again there will be some sick Indians around this room. Now go and never return." Mr. Dallas then said: "The Indian disappeared when you ordered him away." After discussing the events of the evening, Mr. Dallas and myself separated. Note. In this sitting a strange experience presents itself. A spirit who claimed to have been in Bradford for two hours walking up and down street looking for me comes to the fore. He death; the meaning and result. 95 talks quite freely to me by being repeated by Mr. Dallas. He claimed to be the spirit of Joe Zuver. I knew Joe Zuver fifteen years previous to this date. I did not know that Joe Zuver had passed over, but he proceeded to identify himself by telling me where he lived in earth life when I knew him, what his business was, etc. Mr. Dallas also gave a very good descrip- tion of the Joe Zuver I formerly knew, so if evi- dence is worth anything I had to admit that in all likelihood I was face to face with the shade of Joe Zuver I at one time knew in Edenburg. Mr. Dallas never knew or heard of him. It must be true that this shade was present with me at Hart's drug store, else how could he tell me so accurately what was said there by me. My friend Mr. Plum Mitchell also being present vouches for the other shade as being Joe Zuver. Mitchell claimed to be here on this even- ing to inform us, by Dr. Shoemaker's instruct- ions, that bad and designing spirits had been about my office, and that they do all they can to prevent the demonstrations by spirit friends. Soon after the departure of Mitchell and Zuver the troublesome Indian again appears on deck, and by what he sa}-s he was certainly a tough quality while in the body, and very likely improved but little, if airy, since he became an inhabitant of the "Happy Hunting Ground. '* He says while on earth he was after scalps and is in the same business yet and may get mine before he is through with me, but I don't think 96 death; the meaning and result. he will; being forewarned is being forearmed and I shall be on the alert. On November 7, 1893, 9:15 p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office and formed about the table. We soon heard loud and familiar raps. We knew by the construction and intonation of the raps that they were produced by spirit friends. Soon Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker with two gentlemen, one on each of his arms. The Doctor seems to be assisting them to come near us. They have now stopped advancing and are standing still. Now the Doctor advances and says: 'Good evening all.' " We all said: "Good evening Doctor. " Mr. Dallas then continued to repeat and said: "I am very glad to be here again. We have worked very hard on our side to overcome the bad spirits who persisted in coming here. I am happy to say that we have accomplished our purpose and are glad to know that you under- stood the situation when they came here. We required your aid to succeed as well as we did. If you had encouraged them or been over indul- gent with them, they would have been much harder to dislodge. You will not be troubled by them again. We are completely rid of them. I have two gentlemen here tonight who have not been here before. I have tried to get them in a condition whereby they could talk to Mr. Dallas so he could hear them and repeat what they said. I am not able to do so this evening. I will try again some other evening." I said: "All right Doctor any evening will do." death; the meaning and result. 97 Mr. Kramer then said: "Can I ask you a question Doctor?" The Doctor said: "Certainly." "Well Doctor," Mr. Kramer continued, "Am I a medium?" The Doctor replied: "Yes, you have mediumistic properties in your composition; by development and proper influences, you could be controlled by spirits hypnotically and talk under control. My friend Mr. Wilson here will be a fine inspirational speaker." I said: "Doctor you certainly do not mean that?" He replied: "Yes sir, I am certain of it." I then said: "Well Doctor, excuse the remark, but I will have to have the experience before I can believe what you say." The Doctor replied: "Very well, you will have the experience, and soon." The Doctor then continued: "Well, we will have to leave you for this evening, but before I go please name an evennig that will be convenient for you to meet us here again." I said: "Will Sun- day evening suit?" The Doctor replied: "Yes, good night to all." Soon thereafter Kramer, Dallas and myself separated for the evening. Note. Dr. Shoemaker is again on hand during this sitting and tells us that we are rid of the bad spirits who are hovering about us for the past few days. He also tells me that I will be a "very fine inspirational speaker." That is so improbable to me that at first I thought the spirit Doctor was jesting, but on further con- versation he seems to be quite in earnest and even goes so far as to say: "I am certain of it." Strange things have happened in the past sit- 98 death; the meaning and result. tings, but here is another strange thing proph- esied. I am not prepared to say that it would be impossible speaking in the light of what I have recently seen and heard. CHAPTER VI. Spirit Dr, Shoemaker Appears— He Brings With Him and Introduces The Spirit of Hon. Charles Sumner — What Mr. Sumner Says— His Effort to Establish Identity— Spirit Sumner Trys to Control Wilson- Fails— Disappointed at Failure— Spirit Shoemaker and Sumner Again Appear— Trys To Control Wilson —Succeeds— Wilson's Experience— Wilson's Spirit Mother Again In View— Spirit of Judge Theo. S. Wil- son, R. F. Borckman and T. H. Tomlinson Appear —What They Say. November 12, 1893, 8:45 p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office and formed about the table as usual. We heard loud raps on the table and about the room. Soon Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker and says: 'good evening to all. I have a gentleman with me this evening who belongs to our circle of spirit friends. He is a great help to all of us. He is one of the highest authorities we have in our realm of the possibilities of spirit power and the philosophy and science of bridging the chasm which separates the spirit world from the planet 100 death; the meaning and result. earth. He is your control, Mr. Wilson, so to speak. Great pains have been taken on the spirit side of life to select a control or intelligence to manipulate }^our mental organism. I will now introduce to you the gentleman of whom I speak. I have the great pleasure of introducing Hon. Charles Sumner, formerly of Boston, Mass." I said as well as I could, for this was unex- pected to me: "Good evening, Mr. Sumner. I am very glad to meet you in this way. I did not have the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with you while 3-ou were in the earth life. I know, however, who you are from history." Mr. Sumner then said through Mr. Dallas: "Good evening, Mr. Wilson; you are no stranger to me. I have, as a spirit, been about you for some time. I was afraid 3 r ou would not recall to your mind who I am. I was a member of your profession, and I used to edit the American Jurist. I also reported Judge Story's decisions. My reports of Judge Story's decisions are in four volumes and known as Sumner's reports. I have published an annotated edition of Yesey's Law reports in twenty volumes. I assisted Judge Story in Harvard University Law School. I passed into spirit life in 1874. While in earth life I was before the public a great deal and represented my state in the United State Senate for a number of years. I succeeded Daniel Web- ster in that honor in 1851." Mr. Dallas after resting a few moments resum- death; the meaning and result. 101 ed: ''Now Dr. Shoemaker steps to your side and says: 'Now John, please pay particular atten- tion to the following: Mr. Sumner wishes to give his expression of thought through your mental organism. He will first begin with Mr. Dallas, say a few words through the organism of Mr. Dallas and then transfer the impress to your brain. Give close attention to what Mr. Dallas says and when he ceases to speak you take up the theme and proceed.'" Mr. Dallas then said: "Mr. Sumner now steps to the back of the chair where you are now seated, Mr. Wilson, and Dr. Shoemaker takes a position a few paces to the side. Mr. Sumner says: 'Mr. Wilson, I am about to impress your mental or- ganism, control your vocal organs and thereby give expression to my thoughts. I wish to be, and by your consent will be, your'guide and control in the work which you will soon be en- gaged in. You will deliver many lectures by my .aid and assistance in this way, on the phil- osophy of spirit power, immortality of the soul, spirit return and kindred subjects. You have been instructed somewhat by the Doctor. As I said before I have been about you more or less for some time and am conversant with what I can do with you in this way. Be careful to fol- low with your thoughts what I say through Mr. Dallas; after saying a few lines through Mr. Dallas I will transfer my thoughts to you, and you will express them. The subject willbe,the relation of matter to man and man to spirit.' " 102 death; the meaning and result. I said: "All right, Mr. Sumner, I will try and follow your instructions." Mr. Dallas then resumed: "Spiritualism is the philosophy which teaches the relation of matter to man and man to spirit, and one of its car- dinal principles is the ability of excarnated spirits to return to earth and brush aside the veil which has so many centuries hidden from mortal gaze this glorious truth. It is that which unfolds the hidden mystery of occult forces; it is the true and natural religion of the human race, and raises man in thought to an altitude wherein a true and harmonious relationship is established between him and the Creator of all Things." Mr. Dallas stopped talking. I was so charmed by wmat had been said that I forgot my instruc- tions. I did not take up the threads where Dallas dropped them. Mr. Dallas then said: "Mr. Sumner has left me and has gone to you, Mr. Wilson; he is at the back of your chair, with his hands on y our head." At that mo- ment I felt a sensation like an electric shock passing over me; my brain seemed to be on fire. I could not speak. The strange feeling continued for perhaps three minutes when it left me and I again felt natural. Mr. Dallas then resumed: "Now Mr. Sumner steps away from where you sit; did you not hear him speak to 3'ou?" I said: "No I felt much but heard nothing." Mr. Dal- las again resumed: "Mr. Sumner looks and acts as though he was disappointed in failing to im- press you more forcibly. Now Mr. Sumner and death; the meaning and result. 103 the Doctor are conversing with each other. I •cannot hear what they say. The Doctor now saj's: 'I am sorry we could not start the flow of language and enable you to give expression to the impressions. I think we sprung this method on you too suddenly, and your timidity, lack of confidence and fear made you too positive to manipulate you freely. I have no doubt about being able to impress you so Mr. Sumner can give expression to his thoughts through your organism. I am certain of it. I have witnessed Mr. Sumner manipulate your organism, Mr. Wilson, unconsciously to you, and you would invariably express his thoughts. We will soon try the experiment again. Well, we must be going; will next Friday evening suit for the next meeting?' " I said: "Yes." "Well, good night." Soon after this occurrence Dallas, Kramer and myself separated. Note. A new shade is brought to the fore in this sitting who claims to be that of Charles Sumner. He is formally introduced by my friend, spirit Dr. Shoemaker, and I am told by the Doc- tor that this entity or spirit is to "manipulate my mental organism" and be the source of in- spiration by which 1 am to talk. I must confess, as I had not been informed that so em- inent a personage was to be introduced, that I was a little embarassed and ill at ease. I knew Charles Sumner while in earth life only by his- tory and very little of that except so far as his public acts were noted in the periodicals at the 104 death; the meaning and result. time of his service in the United States Senate. I knew nothing whatever of his early life or private affairs, never having read a history of this eminent man. Mr. Dallas or Kramer knew nothing of the man while on earth. The shade, however, by being repeated by Mr. Dallas, proceeded in a way to establish his iden- tity, which at the time did not prove anything of certainty to me, but on subsequent investiga- tion, in consulting history, etc., I find that what he says concerning himself is true in every par- ticular. He says: "I am a member of your pro- fession and used to edit the American Jurist," facts of which at the time of this sitting I was ignor- ant. He also says: "I reported Judge Story's decis- ions; I published an annotated edition of the Ves- ey's Law reports in twenty volumes. I assisted Judge Story in Harvard University Law School." I knew nothing of those things in connection with Mr. Sumner's life until he told me in a manner here described, all of which, I have as- certained since, are true. The spirit Doctor then proceeded to give me instructions for the pur- pose of being controlled or manipulated by Mr. Sumner's spirit; the record shows the outcome of this experiment. November 14, 1893, Mr. Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office at 8:30 p. m. We form- ed about the table. Soon Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner. They say: 'Good evening all.' Dr. Shoemaker says: 'The conditions seem to be good this death; the meaning and result. 105 evening. I think Mr. Sumner will be able to control you tonight, John. Now remain in a passive condition; there is no doubt whatever but that Mr. Sumner can control you and con- vey to you his thoughts by impression, to which you can give utterance.' Now Mr. Sumner says: 'I will commence with Mr. Dallas. When he stops speaking you take up the threads and proceed.' " I said: "All right Mr. Sumner." Mr. Dallas then said: "Now Mr. Sumner steps to your side, Mr. Wilson; the subject is the re- lation of matter to man and man to spirit." Mr. Dallas began to speak on the subject. I do not recall what he said; in fact I did not hear what he said. Immediately, as he began talking, and more forcibly when he stopped talking, I felt an electric or vital thrill pass through and along my nerves, having for a com- mon centre the brain; a very perceptible pressure was felt on front part and top of head; the thrill and strange sensation became almost en- tirely confined to the brain. The sensation was not disagreeable, rather the reverse; presently I seemed to myself to expand, and to float out into a vast field of thought and logic. I began to express those thoughts of which I seemed to be deluged. I was talking; I knew I was talk- ing, but the thoughts came so rapidly and struggled so hard for expression, that I did not know what I was saying. It seemed to me af- ter the start, that my own personality and spir- it were held in abeyance and that some pow- 106 death; the meaning and result. er was manipulating my brain and using my vocal organs. While I was talking I heard some- one say, he is becoming exhausted, and as I heard those words I immediately became normal. For about two minutes I seemed to be dazed and somewhat depressed, but at the end of that time I felt no ill effects resulting from what had occurred. I could not remember anything that I had said; it was all a blank to me. I was surprised when I was told by Mr. Dallas that I had talked for thirty minutes. It did not seem two minutes to me. Mr. Dallas then said: "Mr. Wilson, what a strange proceeding. I never heard such eloquence as you uttered while you were talking; your voice changed, and no person would have recognized it while your were talk- ing; you also changed in manner, and the very strange part is, that when you began to talk, Mr. Sumner seemed to pass into you and I could see your spirit standing outside your body; you were double,* your spirit, in looks and everything else, is an exact duplicate of yourself. When you ceased speaking I could see Mr. Sumner emerge out of your body and your own spirit enter it. "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker again and sa3 r s: 'We will now try to show } 7 ou some spirits. We think we can make them so plain that you can all see them. Now Mr. Dallas, please rise from your chair, step to the rear of it and join hands with the spirits next to you; you will thus be in a spirit circle.' " Mr. Dallas arose from his seat and stepped to the rear of Mr. Kramer and death; the meaning and result. 107 myself and immediately said: "Why here is Plum Mitchell he has got hold of my hand, and a gentleman whom I never saw before has hold of my other hand. Mr. Mitchell was just going to introduce to me the gentleman to my left, but Doctor Shoemaker says: 'No don't do that please, I wish to surprise Mr. Wilson by show- ing him the spirit you thought of introducing. He will show himself and will be known by Mr. Mr. Wilson.' " Soon thereafter there appeared, about four feet from where I sat and about five feet from the floor, a pale light, in appearance much the same as the light described in a former record. When first observed by me it was round in shape and about two inches in diameter. It en- larged until it was fully twelve inches in diame- ter and became much the color and brilliancy of an electric incandescent. As soon as my eyes rested on the light I beheld approaching from beyond the light the outlines of a face; slowly it approached the light and finally it entered in- to and through the light and again there stood before me in plain view, looking radiant with joy, and with a countenance wreathed with a smile, my mother. I was much pleased to see her again. There could be no mistake, my eyes could not deceive me; there was every lineament of her face in full view and her whole form standing out from the light in bold relief. She spoke and said: "My dear son I am as pleased and happy as you possibly can be to be 108 death; the meaning and result. able to come to you. I come to you often, John, from the spirit world, but } t ou are not able to see or hear me. I am often with 3-ou when you least expect. I am the same mother to you you knew so well in our earth home many years ago. John, a mother's love never grows less, and what a blessing it is and what happiness it brings to me, as your mother in spirit life, to be able to talk to you in this way. I have not the power nryself to do this; it is by the strength and through the kindness of Dr. Shoemaker and other spirit friends I am able to appear to you in this way and talk to you. I must go now, good b} r e." I said: "Good bye, mother;" she immediatery disappeared. Mr. Dallas then said: "Dr. Shoemaker now says: 'Our forces are becom- ing exhausted and we will not sit longer.' " We said all right Doctor, you certainly have done much for us this evening. Soon after Kramer, Dallas and myself were standing about the office discussing the wonder- ful demonstrations of the evening, when sudden- ly Mr. Dallas looked toward the door leading from the front into the back office. I noticed he had a surprised expression; he said: "Why here is a gentleman who walks out of your back of- fice. He is the same spirit whom Mitchell was going to introduce when the Doctor stopped him. He is a very large man, fleshy and quite corpu- lent; he has a round face, regular features, blue e3'es, light hair, somewhat bald, light weight mustache trimmed short; he walks up facing you, death; the meaning and result. 109 Mr. Wilson, extends his right hand as in the act of shaking hands and says: 'Mr. Wilson I am very glad to meet you indeed. I knew you very well when you lived in Edenburg, Pa. At that time I lived in Clarion, Pa. I was practicing law when you knew me and my office at Clarion was near the court house on the opposite side of the street. You have been into my office quite often. After you moved from Edenburg I was elected to the bench in the counties of Clari- on and Jefferson. I am a namesake of yours. I am Theophilus S. Wilson.' " I said: "Judge Wil- son, I remember you very well." He continued: "I came here with Dr. Shoemaker. I heard Mr. Sumner talk through your organism this even- ing, and I have congratulated Mr. Sumner, and I now wish to congratulate you on the complete success of the experiment. I will bid you good night, but with your kind permission will come some other time.' " I said: "Good night Judge come again." Mr. Dallas said: "He has disap- peared." Soon thereafter Mr. Dallas said: "Mr. Wilson here comes another gentleman to you; he is a stranger to me. He looks like a German. He has blue eyes, brown hair and beard, he says: 'I am Robert F. Borckman who recently passed away from Chicago, 111. I knew you well in Bradford. I was at one time President of the Bradford National Bank and of the Bolivar Nat- ional Bank; later I was president of the Com- mercial National Bank. I passed away very 110 death; the meaning and result. suddenly into spirit life. I met you in Chicago in June 1892; do you remember of meeting me at that time?' " I said: "Yes I remember it well." He continued: "I have not been in the spirit world long and as yet am rather weak. I came here tonight against Dr. Shoemaker's advice; but I heard of this wonderful thing of spirits coming back to earth and talking with you and I was bound to see it for myself. I wish to congratulate you also. I will go now; good night." Mr. Dallas resumed: "He has disap- peared, but another gentleman comes to you; he is slender in build, a little stooped in shoulders, blue eyes, full beard, brown or rather chestnut in color and brown hair. His hair and beard are somewhat curly; he says: "Good evening Mr. Wilson. I know you will remember me; I am T. H. Tomlinson. I was cashier in the Brad- ford National Bank and was shot by a robber while on duty. Of course you remember the manner of my taking off. I am glad to meet you in this way. I little dreamed of this grand truth when I was in earth life." I said: "Yes, Harvey, of course I remember you very well and the manner in which you met your death." I also said: "Do you know this young man?" pointing to Mr. Dallas. He replied: "No I never met him until tonight." I said: "Well if you can, take a seat and tell this young man all about the way you met your death." He said: "All right." Mr. Dallas sat down and for some time carried on a conversation with somebody Ill to^ me r | entirely unseen. *g At its conclusion! Mr. Dallas related to me what Tomlinson £had told him at this time which was in detail just as I knew the circumstances of the murder of Tom- linson. Note. What Mr. Sumner failed to do the pre- ceding sitting he seems to have accomplished during this sitting. The record explains that part. Other spirits are made known here, none of whom were known to Dallas or Kramer. The first one to be announced is Judge Wilson, giv- ing his name in full and making other statements known by me to be true and clearly establishing his identity. The next was Robert F. Borckman who also succeeded in establishing his identity, followed by T. H. Tomlinson. I knew all of these people in earth life. Mr. Dallas' descrip- tion of them was perfect, and what they said is known to me to be true. CHAPTER VII. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Appears— Has a Surprise for Dallas— Dallas' Spirit Sister and Chum, Robert Mar- tin, Appear — What They Say — Spirit Charles Sum- ner Appears— Controls Wilson— Speaks Through his Organism— Name Written— Spirit of Judge James Campbell Appears— Mrs. Burns and Miss Burns Meet Spirit Mrs. Kramer— Wilson's and Dallas' Strange Experience— Visit of Strange Spirit— Effect on Dallas. November 21,1893, 2:30 p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office, and formed about the table as usual. After sitting for a few mo- ments, Mr. Dallas spoke and said: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker. He has with him a lady and gentleman, a person on each arm. He now says: 'Good afternoon gentleman. I have with me here today a lady and gentleman, whom I have no doubt you will be pleased to meet, Mr. Dal- las.' " Mr. Dallas suddenly arose from his seat, rap- idly stepped forward, with a pleased expression, with right hand extended as though for the pur- pose of shaking hands and said: "Why sister is death; the meaning and result. 113 this you? I am so glad to meet you." Mr. Dallas then explained to Mr. Kramer and my- self that his sister was there; he then commenced and carried on a conversation for some time re- lating, I should judge by what I heard Dallas sa}-, to family matters. He questioned the person to whom he seemed to be talking, about his father and mother in Scotland, and other peo- ple, how his sister was coming on in spirit life, etc. After he had thus talked for about fifteen minutes, he said to me: "Mr. Wilson, I am so glad to meet my sister. She has been in the spirit land for a good many years. She was five years old when she passed over. I knew her by the family resemblance the moment my eyes rested on her. I think she looks enough like me to be my twin sister. Notwithstanding she was only five years old when she passed to spirit life, she has grown to be a well rounded woman. She tells me that she grew from child- hood to womanhood in the spirit world; that she has been educated there and is considered a good musician. She says that your friend, Dr. Eddy, came to her spirit home, east and across the Atlantic Ocean and told her about her broth- er, meaning me, being able to see and hear spir- its, and told her if she cared to come where I was, he would be glad to conduct her to me. She said she gladly accepted the invitation after Dr. Eddy explained to her about it. She says that Dr. Eddy, a gentleman friend of mine, and herself started from her spirit home being nearly 114 death; the meaning and result. in a perpendicular line from Inverness, Scotland r at 10 o'clock a. m. today and arrived at this office at 11:45 a. m., coming the distance in one hour and forty-five minutes, and she says they took it very easy and did not hurry at that. Is that not wonderful, to travel that distance in less than two hours?" Mr. Dallas after resting a moment said: "Now the gentleman I see with Dr. Shoemaker is ad- \ r ancing towards me." I was watching Mr. Dallas closely, and as he finished the last word of the sentence just quoted, I saw an expression of great surprise and recognition come over his face and features. He sprang from the chair in which he was sitting, with right hand extend- ed, advanced two steps, and exclaimed: "Rob- ert Martin can this be you? there must be some mistake; you were not dead, you are not in spirit are you?" Then Mr. Dallas stopped as if listening to a reply to his question. Then he continued: "Is that so? I did not hear of your taking off. I supposed you were in earth life yet. I would have known you anywhere, Bob r but, old friend, I never dreamed that we would ever meet in this way." Then followed a lengthy conversation, Mr. Dallas seeming to be talking to a friend and chum from whom he had been long separated. I heard Dallas ask the question: "Robert, when and how did 3^ou pass to spirit life?" After their conversation ceased, Mr. Dal- las turned to me and said: "Mr. Wilson excuse me; this has taken me so by surprise that I for- death; the meaning and result. 115 got to introduce my sister to you. Sister, this gentleman is a friend of mine, Mr. Wilson; this is Mr. Kramer, a friend of mine; gentlemen this is my schoolmate and friend Robert Martin." I said: "Good afternoon, Miss Dallas; good after- noon, Mr. Martin; I am glad to meet you in this way." Then Mr. Dallas continued and said: "Mr. Wilson, Robert Martin who is now here in spirit, is a neighbor's boy who used to live near Inverness, Scotland. He is about my age; we used to be chums. I knew he had some time ago enlisted in the army. He told me that he was drowned in attempting to ford a stream near Gharbeeyeh, Egypt, about one hundred miles north of Cairo. That as a rule the stream he undertook to ford is not deep at the point he tried to cross, but owing to recent rains it had become swollen and turbulent and he was drowned in trying to ford it. He says his body has not been recovered by his friends." Then Mr. Dallas turned from Kramer and my- self and conversed in a familiar way with what he claimed to be his sister and chum; he bid them good bye on a promise that they would call again. Soon thereafter Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes Mr. Sumner; he says he desires to speak a few words through your organism, Mr. Wilson." In a moment I felt that peculiar thrill and sensation as though I was being lifted into space; involuntarily I arose from my seat to a standing position and with no effort on my part I began to speak. I sensed that I was 116 death; the meaning and result. talking but did not know what I was saying. In what seemed to me but a few moments I again became normal and found myself sitting in the same chair I formerly occupied. I did not feel depressed, tired or at all unnatural. I then said to Mr. Dallas: "It seems to me that I have been talking and the peculiar feature of it is I do not remember what I said." Mr. Dallas said: "Well, I should say that you had been talking or rather Mr. Sumner had been talking through you. He has occupied just one hour in making a speech. I wish you could have heard it, it was a grand production, and I tried to take notes of what was said but I was so charm- ed and engrossed by what he said that I did not succeed in getting much of it on paper." He then showed me what he had written in his effort to take down the speech. I found that he had made pretty much of a failure, but on ex- amination of the notes he had taken I made a discovery. In what seemed to be a different hand-writing from the balance I noticed a name. I could not make out what it was at first, but in holding the paper between me and the light there appeared in a legible hand as follows: "Hon. Charles Sumner." Mr. Dallas assured me that he did not know the name was written until I made the discov- ery as above explained. Mr. Dallas seemed as much surprised as I was when the discovery was made, and furthermore the position in which Mr. Dallas sat and the paper on which death; the meaning and result. 117 the name appeared, to have been written by Mr. Dallas, he would have to write the name up side down and from right to left, a feat I am satisfied he could not perform. Mr. Dallas said however that "at the conclusion of his tak- ing notes and conclusion of the speech his hand moved without effort on his part, but he did not know that anything had been written dur- ing the movement." Moreover, if written by the spirit who had been expressing his thoughts; through my organism assuming that the spirit when he wrote his name was facing Mr. Dallas y which from where he stood and where Mr. Dal- las sat, would have been the most probable pos- ition, the name would be written by the power propelling the pen from left to right and right side up, or in other words in a natural way- No further demonstrations being offered we sep- arated for the night. Note. At this sitting there were brought for the first time spirits unknown to me in earth but, as it developed, well known to Mr. Dallas. Personally I have no means at hand to verify the truth of what they said. I have no doubt, however, that the entities representing them- selves to be Mr. Dallas' sister, and his friend and chum Robert Martin were whom they rep- resented themselves to be, and that the cir- cumstances relating to Robert Martin's taking off are true; however I leave the verification to Mr. Dallas himself. I know at the time this was given that neither Mr. Dallas or myself were 118 death; the meaning and result. well enough versed in Geography to know of a place in Egypt called Gharbeeyeh of which the shade spoke, but soon thereafter we looked it up and discovered that a place by that name was on the map and about one hundred miles from Cairo. November 24, 1893, 3 o'clock p. m., Dallas and myself met at the office. We did not form around the table and were not expecting any demonstrations. In a few minutes after we be- became seated we heard very loud raps on the table and floor of the room. Soon Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes the Doctor with a gentleman whom I never met before. They are looking at you, Mr. Wilson, and they both smile. This strange gentleman is quite an old man, tall and slightly stoop shouldered, regular features, hair brown, streaked with gray, blue eyes and clean shaven. He is quite a large man and wears what looks like a black prince albert coat, and is dignified in demeanor. He looks at you and seems pleased to see you. Now Dr. Shoemaker says: 'How do you do, John? Good day, Mr. Dallas. John, I have brought with me today a spirit who used to know you and I think you will remember him. He will talk for himself.' " After resting a moment Mr. Dallas said: "Now this gentleman goes up to you reaches out his right hand to you and says: 'Mr. Wilson, I am indeed glad to meet you. Before I left the mor- tal body I knew nothing of this great truth of spirit return; in fact I did not know that spirits death; the meaning and result. 119 could come back to earth in this way until re- cently. Judge Wilson told me about it on our side of life and said he had visited you and talk- ed to you. I then went to Dr. Shoemaker and asked him if he would take me to you; he kind- ly consented and here I am. I assure you this is a very happy surprise to me. I used to know you well when you lived at Edenburg. I lived at that time in Clarion, Pa. and was engaged in practicing law. I was at one time on the bench. You have been in my office in Clarion and I know you will remember when I tell you I am James Campbell. I was called Judge Campbell when you knew me.' " I said: "I re- member you well but did not know you were in spirit life." Mr. Dallas continued: "Oh yes, I have been on the spirit side of life for over one year. Well, well, this is a great revelation to me. How I wish I had known of this possibil- ity and great truth before I came to spirit life. You are creating a great furor on the spirit side of life, greater by far than ever occurred in spir- it realms before. You are in the beginning of a great work. Well I must go; I will shake hands with you and wish you God speed in the work. I will come again, good bye." I said: "Good bye, Mr. Campbell." Mr. Dallas then said: "He has gone." Note. At this time Dr. Shoemaker brought a new spirit in our presence. I knew Mr. Camp- bell well in earth life having practiced law at the same bar with him during the years 1877 120 death; the meaning and result. and 1878 in Clarion. He was a lawyer of ac- knowledged ability and a man of sterling quali- ties. He served one term on the bench before my acquaintance with him. Dr. Shoemaker was also acquainted with the judge before his death. I moved from Clarion County in 1880 since which time I had not met Mr. Campbell until at the time designated in this record. I had not heard of his death, and supposed he was still on the earth side of life. He was entirely unknown to Mr. Dallas. Mr. Kramer was not present at this sitting. I could hardly believe that the spirit could be that of Mr. Campbell, but he insisted that it was so, and that he had passed over to the spirit side of life over a year previous to this time. After this occurrence I wrote to an acquaintance in Clarion and inquir- ed if James Campbell was dead. I got a reply informing me that he died in August 1892, and thus it was verified that he had been on the spirit side of life, "over one year" at the time he so informed me in this wonderful way. Mr. J. L. Kramer of whom I have spoken in a former record, married, some time before my ac- quaintance with him, Miss Minnie Burns who passed to spirit life about one year before the demonstrations ocurred which I have recorded. She had, on several occasions, conversed with her husband through Mr. Dallas during those demonstrations. Mr. Kramer's deceased wife's mother and sister lived in Bradford. Mrs Kra- mer was raised a Catholic, and was a devout death; the meaning and result. 121 member of that church at the time of her death. The mother and sister, and I think all of the Burns family, are devout Catholics. Mr. Kramer was very anxious to have his mother-in-law and sister-in-law witness the phenomena and if pos- sible talk with the spirit of his wife. According- ly it was arranged that Minnie's mother and sister were to call at my office November 25 at 8 o'clock. They reported promptly at the time. Mrs. Burns seemed to think by her conversation that it was wrong to disturb the dead and call their spirits back to earth, if it could be done, which she doubted very much. Soon after the ladies arrived loud raps were heard about the room, on table, floor and furniture. The spirit claiming to be the cause of the raps said she was Minnie Kramer, who, by a code of raps al- ready explained, carried on a lengthy conversa- tion with her mother and sister. Mrs. and Miss Burns were considerably excited over what they heard and seemed to think that they had really met the spirit of Mrs. Kramer. Soon after the occurrence Mrs. and Miss Burns took their de- parture. November 26, 1893. I am now about to re- cord a very strange experience. I am aware that in the ordinary or semi-extraordinary, hu- man evidence has its potency in the affairs of the human family in material matters. But in the realm of that finer matter commonly denom- inated spirit, human evidence loses much of its force if it is not entirely discredited. Especially 122 death; the meaning and result. is this so if the evidence given is based on ex- perience far transcending the experience of man- kind in general. Such evidence, receiving no cre- dence by the incredulous, is usually attributed to falsehood, for a purpose centered in the wit- ness, or an emanation of a diseased mentality. To the former I plead not guiltj^. In penning this record I have no purpose whatever to serve except to tell the truth. To the latter I will say that I firmly believe in my sanity, and think at least that I know, as I know any other fact, what I am about to record concerning my own experience is not a creature of a mentality lack- ing in a healthy condition or proper equipoise. Outside of my own judgment as to my men- tal condition I will leave the question to my friends and acquaintances who knew me before the occurrence and perhaps will know me subse- quent thereto. Furthermore, those who may come in contact with the record herein penned will observe as they proceed that my evidence is corroborated by the evidence of E. M. Dallas, in-so-far at least as the possibility of such ex- perience is concerned. I now proceed with a record of events. Last evening after the departure from my office of Mrs. and Miss Burns, Kramer and Dal- las, as mentioned in preceding record, which was about 10 o'clock p. m., I lit a cigar, went to my library, took therefrom the work entitled ' 'First Principles" by Spencer, and began to read leis- urely. I became interested in the book and read death; the meaning and result. 123 on oblivious of fleeting time; but finally in fin- ishing a chapter I looked at my watch and was surprised to see that it was thirty minutes past midnight. I replaced the book in the library, locked the door leading into the hall from my office and commenced to prepare for bed. My office consists of two rooms one of which serves me as a sleeping room. As I deliberately pre- pared for bed, I was thinking about what I had been reading a few minutes before. I had taken off my coat and vest, collar, necktie, and was about to sit down to remove my shoes when I felt what I thought to be a draft of cold atmos- phere coming into the room with quite a force. I thought I had left one of the windows in the other room open and stepped in to close it, but I found all the windows closed. I again made sure that I had locked my door thinking I might not have done so. I found the door locked. I then passed into the bedroom part of the office and was about to sit down to re- move my shoes when in came the draft of cold air. I looked up and was much startled to see two men standing, one a little behind the other, but not far distant from me. I thought when I first saw them that they were robbers and that I was in for it, and to confirm that idea I noticed that they had a peculiar dress and rath- er swarthy complexion which I supposed was a make-up to hide their identity. I did not think of spirits. Such things had no place in my think- ing machine just then. I had some money on 124 my person and a watch and the disagreeable thought of losing them disturbed me. A person under trying circumstances thinks very rapidly. Not a word had been spoken by the supposed rob- bers or myself. I expected every moment to hear the command given * 'hands up" but that did not come. I was looking into the eyes of the fore- most man. They did not seem to be unpleasant eyes to look at; quite the reverse, rather fasci- nating. In a few moments in reality, but what seemed an age to me, I finally said: "What business have you in these rooms and what do you want here?" The foremost or one nearest me replied: "You evidently take us to be men in the flesh but we are not; we are spirits, and have been sent here by our superiors to conduct your spirit to a place designated." Strange to say, but it is a fact, I felt sort of a relief to find out that they were spirits and not robbers in the flesh. I said: "Who are you and what do you and your superiors want of me?" The re- pry was: "It matters not who we are or what is wante.d we are commanded and must obey and so must you." I began to feel peculiar and shaky. I began to be drowsy. One of the spir- its approached closer to me and finally took hold of my hand. I tried to arouse myself. I tried to speak and shake off the spell but I had no power of speech or resistance, and the spirit then ordered me to lie down on the bed. I had to obey. I then observed the other spirit ap- death; the meaning and result. 125 proach me and both of them made passes over my body. I tried to move. I could not stir a finger. I tried to speak. My tongue refused to obey my will. In a few minutes I saw myself, or what looked like me, standing between the two strange spirits, and I also saw myself lying on the bed. My mind seemed to be clear, but try as I would I could not speak. I thought: "Is this death. Is this the separation of the spirit from the body and if so is it final?" Many thoughts ran through my mind. When I first beheld myself outside my body I felt rather weak and exhausted, but I noticed that I was growing strong rapidly, and the exhaust- ed sensation was giving place to a feeling of re- lief. After viewing the situation for a moment I made an attempt to approach my bodj^, but seemed to be withheld by the strange spirits and the avenue of approach barred. Soon one of the spirits said to me: "Follow us." I sensed that I ought not to go and tried to speak but could not talk. I summoned all the resisting power I could, but it was of no avail, and as the strange spirits seemed to pass right through the solid brick wall of the room I followed them through also. On the outside of the wall one of the spirits took the lead, bade me follow him and the other spirit followed me. When we began to move it did not seem to be at a fast rate, but soon it seemed to me that we were going at a rapid speed. It was not unpleasant to me, 126 death; the meaning and result. rather a nice sensation. It seemed to me that we were at quite an altitude, and that our course was south-east. My sense of sight seem- ed to be increased, for while flying through space I could see hill and valley, river and lake, city and country. Not a word had been spoken since leaving the room. Finally we seemed to slaken in speed and all at once I felt we had stopped advancing and were slowly settling to a lower level. In a moment a strange sight came to view. I seemed to be standing still, and had entered what looked to me to be a very large room with oval roof, not very high, round in shape, and commencing about twelve feet from where I stood, in what seemed to be the center of the room, there arose a pyramid of seats or benches one above the other, and occupied as far as my vision extended by myriads of people, many of whom seemed to be attired in a peculiar way and of dark swarthy complexion. When I arriv- ed in the place I seemed to be the center of attraction and there was quite a commotion of people. After I found myself in this place the guide left me and twelve strangers approached. About this time, kind of getting acclimated to my surroundings, I happened to look over to my right and, horror of horrors, could it be possible? I looked hard and long. I certainly could not be mistaken; there about twenty-five feet from me stood E. M. Dallas. I tried to speak to him, but I could not utter a sound. death; the meaning and result. 127 He looked at me and I thought he tried to speak; he acted as though he was anxious to tell me something. He was also surrounded by a group of men. The people about me began to examine me closely . I was carefully scrutinized by them. I then heard what seemed to be the leader say: "So these are the men who propose to bring to the planet earth this great light; well men and brethren shall this light rest on the earth planet in the Nin teen th Century?" By what followed it would seem that the question was put to the assembly to decide, for as the last words were pronounced, there came from the vast multitude present a chorus of "noes" in such thundering tones that it appeared to me to make every- thing tremble with the vibrations. It would seem that the speaker considered that the "noes" had it for he did not wait for or give the oppor- tunity for any "yeas." The speaker then said: "Well then we must see that these men are pre- vented from accomplishing their purpose. They should have been stopped long since. They have been permitted to proceed too far; they now know too much." I again looked toward where Mr. Dallas stood. He seemed puzzled and alarmed and was being, as far as I could make out, closely examined by the group of men about him. About this time a discussion commenced by the men about me as to the better way of disposing of Mr. Dallas and myself. Some sug- gested that by far the better way would be to- 128 death; the maning and result. hold our spirits and retain them in the spirit world; others argued that to do so would arouse to frenzy our friends in the spirit world and cause them to inaugurate a force which, to say the least, would be annoying to our captors. That view seemed to be generally accepted. Then it was suggested by one whose judg- ment and opinion seemed to carry weight with his associates, that the better way would be to discover wherein lay the power of Mr. Dallas and myself to bridge the chasm between the two worlds, and when found or ascertained to destroy as far as possible that element or attribute; that being done, to conduct our spirits back to our respective bodies and then use all their power to obliterate or banish from our memory the occur- rence of the night. That plan seemed to be the favored one. I was then submitted to a very close examination. I heard them say that 1 possessed mediumistic properties which might be dangerous. What these properties were I did not hear them define. I again looked over to Mr. Dallas and was surprised that I could only see him from his knees up. The men about him were working at something. It looked to me that they were building a wall about him. It looked like solid substance with which they were adding to the obstruction which was gradually hiding him from my view. I watched closely, and little by little the wall grew. It had the appearance of being round in shape, in the cen- ter of which stood Dallas. I tried again to call £ R parrjep, death; the meaning and result. 129 to him but I emitted no sound. Dallas appeared to me to realize that he in some way was in danger. He looked about himself as though seeking some avenue of escape, but none opened before him. Higher and higher grew the wall until Mr. Dallas was entirely out of my view. He had been to all appearance literally walled in before my eyes. I then thought "Can it be that the}' have concluded to hold Dallas' spirit and make its separation from the body final?" I turned my attention to my own condition. My hosts were busy. I should judge from their conversation they had found something in the composition of my organism that they wished to eliminate and that they were working to that end. After a while the individual whom I judged to be the leader came forward again and examined me closery and said: "No doubt that is sufficient. He will not be able to harm our cause again." He then spoke in a voice as though calling some one, and immediately the same spirits who had conducted me from my office to the place ap- peared and he said to them: "Take this spirit back from whence it came, see to it that it enters its mortal body and is made comfortable, after which return here." Immediatebr I seemed to be on the move. I was being lifted up; by what I could not under- stand. At a certain altitude, after a little hesita- tion or halting, our course was taken, one spirit ahead and one in the rear of me. I realized that I was returning by the same route as I came. 130 The speed seemed to be about the same; in a little while another halt and a settling down and Bradford came in view. We were at the Robert's Block, and we re-entered my office. Once in the office and bedroom, I saw my body lying in the same position in which I left it. I was drawn towards the body; I was at its side and my spirit hovered over the body for a second and settled on and merged into it. What awoke me from slumber I cannot tell but I was aroused suddenly. I assumed a sitting position on the bed. I felt confused but not tired. What had happened? There I was on my bed with pantaloons, over-shirt, shoes and stockings not removed. How came I in such a condition? I sprang off the bed very much com- plexed. In a moment the whole proceeding flashed before me. All the occurrences passed before me in panorama and everything as related appeared real and substantial. I looked at my watch and was surprised to learn that it was 11:30 a. m. I am usually an early riser and generally have trouble in sleeping after 8 a. m., and here I had slumbered to 11 o'clock and past. I thought of Dallas and the condition he was in when last seen in that horrible place. I thought: "Can my experience be real and will I find Dallas' body cold in death?" I became alarmed and as rapidly as I could do so I put on my vest, coat and overcoat to go where Dallas was rooming, in the Nickel Plate Block r a short distance from my office. I was in the death; the meaning and result. 131 act of opening the door and about to pass ont of the office on my mission when I met Dallas in the body of flesh. I grasped his hand and said: " Dallas I am glad to met you this morn- ing." We passed into the office and I was about to tell him my experience. It then occurred to me that perhaps I had better say nothing to him about it as it might make him nervous. I am glad that I did not for had I done so I would never have known to what extent what he pro- ceeded to relate to me might have been colored by my intended narration. He looked very much troubled and careworn, and I said: "Dallas, I do not wish to frighten you but you do not look well. You look more careworn than I ever have seen you before; has anything happened?" He looked at me for a moment and said: "Did nothing happen to you last night?" I said: "No, not much; why do you ask that question?" He said: "John, I am afraid that we will not be able to communicate again with our spirit friends. I have had a very strange experience. About twelve o'clock last night, or perhaps a little earlier, I undressed and got in bed in my room. Soon after I was in a reclining position, and before I went to sleep, I saw two men come into my room. I knew by the way they came in that they must be spirits. They were strang- ers to me. I had never seen them before. They looked and were dressed like Eg}'ptians. "While I was looking at them and wondering 132 death; the meaning and result. who they were and what they wanted the}*- came tip to my bed where I lay and addressing me said: 'We have been sent here for you and 3-011 must come with us.' When I first saw them come into my room I did not feel afraid for I had seen so many spirits that I had got used to them; but when they came up to me and told me I must go with them I became frightened. I tried to move but seemed to be unable to stir. I tried to speak and was horrified to find that I could not utter a word. I really saw my spirit separate from my body and after the sep- aration I could see myself standing a little dis- tance from the bed, and could see my body lying on the bed. My face had no expression and I thought: 'Is this a final separation of body and spirit?' The strange spirits said: 'Come with us without delay: we have no time to lose.' I followed them without a question for I could not help doing so. We all passed through the outer wall of the room with no inconvenience, and once out of the room we seemed to start at a high rate of speed; but I was able to take things in as we passed along, for I could see long stretches of beautiful fields, now a forest, now a village and large cities. "It was a pleasant sensation as I sped along and I seemed to go without any effort or concern on my part. I did not, while in transit through space, think or wonder where I was going, who was leading me or for what purpose. Finally we seemed to enter into a different atmosphere, death; the meaning and result. 133 and I could hear voices in the distance but could not hear or distinguish what was being said. We then in an instant settled down to a lower level than the one in which Ave had been trav- eling and all at once I was ushered into the presence of many, many thousand spirits. They seemed to be in a commotion and more or less excited. Some of the spirits were evidently offi- cers or leaders of the rest. After a few moments, a tall man, with a commanding demeanor, rather swarthy in complexion, with small but piercing black eyes approached me accompanied by a few other spirits. The leader then said: 'So this is the spirit of whom we have heard so much?' My guides answered and said: 'This is the spirit.' The boss then said: 'You did well to bring him here.' "I could see and hear very plainly what was going on, said and done, but was given no opportunity of speaking a word myself. I was wondering all the time what they were going to do with me. I could see thousands of spirits, most all of whom seemed to be sitting in a room built in aphitheater style. All of them as far as I could see had their gaze fixed on me and I could feel sort of a magnetic current about me produced perhaps by their stead}' fixed gaze. I began to feel uncomfortable and won- dered if there was am- way 1 could escape. I was riveted, to all appearances, to the spot where I stood. My mind seemed clear and ac- tive. I soon became convinced b} T their conver- 134 death; the maning and result. sation and actions that they were examining me very closely to ascertain nry mediumistic prop- erties and nry possibilities as a medium if allow- ed to proceed as heretofore. I began to realize my position and that my spirit was far from where my body lay, and wondered with much uneasiness whether the spirits intended to de- tain me with them or permit me to return to my body. When I was thus reflecting, I heard your name mentioned. I heard an order given to bring your spirit there; then followed a loud shout of approval. Meanwhile they kept on inspecting me. In about one-half hour or maybe longer after the order was given to bring your spirit, there was a great commotion and many voices talking. I looked in the direction of the noise and was amazed at seeing you standing a little distant from me. I am ashamed to say it, but I was so miserable and so alone among a strange people, that when I saw you I felt a sensation of relief and I thought 'well J. K., we are each in this mess and I guess to sta} r too/ I tried to speak to you but I could not utter a sound. You looked at me at that time as nat- ural as I ever saw you on earth except you had an expression of trouble and astonishment. You seemed to be taking close notice of everything done and said about you. "I saw you looking in the direction where I was standing, and I thought you saw me and it appeared to me that you made an effort to speak to me, but if j r ou did speak I did not hear death; the meaning and result. 135 you. I could hear the spirits talk and argue about your possibilities as a medium, and I heard them say: 'So these are the individuals who have been selected to establish intercom- munication between the two worlds. They must be stopped and this work must be stopped; it must not be permitted to proceed further. Their development and powers must be arrested.' At the conclusion of some of these sentences the shouts which would proceed from these spirits were almost deafening. They discussed and talked over what had better be done with your spirit and mine. I heard some suggest that the better way would be to retain our spirits in the spirit world; that plan was opposed by others. After several propositions were argued pro and con it was agreed by them that the best way would be to build about us a wall or magnetic force which would prevent our spirit friends from approaching near us, and then conduct our spirits back to the body. From the time they arrived at this conclusion up to the time I met you a few moments ago here, I did not know what had become of your spirit. I was busy watching the movements of those strange peo- ple. They commenced to build around me what looked to me like a solid wall; higher and high- er it grew. I realized my danger and I tried to escape, but found I could not move. I was rooted to the place. The wall continued to grow by their manipulation. I tried to speak but found that I could not utter a sound. Fin- 136 death; the meaning and result. ally I became literally walled in. Before the wall had entirely closed over mj^ head I looked up and could see the opening above, and through the opening I saw a face looking towards me which I am quite certain was your friend Plum Mitchell. He appeared to be alarmed and ex- cited. He tried to talk to me but I could not understand what he said. He started to come to me but before he got very close he seemed to be forced to retreat. I think if he had come sooner he could have rescued me from the peril- ous position. The opening at the top of this wall grew smaller and smaller until it closed en- tirely. I was a prisoner, solitary and alone. "I felt at that time a loneliness and despair I never had experienced before. I began to feel disagreeable generally, and suddenly I collapsed entirely and lost consciousness. When I partial- ly came to myself again I felt as though I was being lifted up. Soon I regained consciousness and knew that I was going through space very rapidly. On closer notice I came to the conclu- sion that I was being conducted towards Brad- ford over the same route I traveled before. Af- ter a while I arrived at my room. The same strange spirits were with me who conducted me away. When I entered the room I saw my body lying in bed motionless and in the same position in which I had left it. I was anxious to enter my body and my spirit seemed to be drawn to the body and finally entered into it with the same ease it had left it. As soon as death; the meaning and result. 137 my spirit entered the body the strange spirits departed. I went to sleep almost instantly and did not wake up until a little while ago and hastened up here to see what had become of you. I am glad to see that you are all right. "John, I am certain that what I saw, heard and felt last night was not the result of a dream. I know it was real, and I am just as certain that your spirit and mine were taken away from Bradford and earth last night, and by the con- versation I heard among those strange spirits I am very sure I am not mistaken in my conclu- sions. I know they are very much opposed to spirits coming to us and they tried to do some- thing last night to stop it. I believe that many of those strange spirits I saw last night are Egyptians, and some are Jesuit Priests. They talked our language, or some of them did be- cause I could understand them. I doo't know how I get the idea, but I think the place where I was last night and where I saw your spirit is really the Catholic Purgatory. "Now what do you think? What, in your opinion, does this experience of mine mean? I should think you would have a recollection and remember of being there yourself. You were certainly there for I saw you last night or early this morning just as elearly as I see you here now." I said: "Well, Dallas, that is a wonder- ful experience. What it means I do not know." I did not tell him then that I had the same ex- perience in detail almost identical. He seemed 138 death; the meaning and result. to be very much cast down and disturbed and I thought it the better way to defer relating my experience to him until a later date which I did. After a little further conversation Mr. Dallas left my office at 2 p. m. At 3:20 p. m. Messrs. Dallas and Kramer called at my office. We were discussing the strange experience related by Mr. Dallas above set forth. Suddenly I felt a cold draft or current of air, similar to the one previously described. I said nothing about it to Dallas or Kramer but watch- ed closely to see if they would notice it. Soon Mr. Dallas said: "I feel as if a cold wind was rush- ing through this room; it makes the chills creep over me." I was looking at him but said noth- ing. In a few minutes I noticed a decided change in his looks; the color receded from his face and he looked very ill. I said: * 'Dallas do you feel well?" He replied: "No; when I came into this room I felt all right but a little while ago I felt a chilly sensation and I now feel very sick. I wonder what can be the matter with me?" By this time he appeared very ill. I went up to him as he seemed about to collapse. I raised him from the chair and assisted him to the bed and placed him thereon. I spoke to him but he made no reply. He had lost consciousness. As I turn- ed to get some water to bathe his face I saw a strange man in the room. I looked closely, there could be no mistake; before me stood the identi- cal spirit I remembered of meeting in the early morning in that strange place I have already 139 described. I can never forget that personage. He was quite tall, swarthy complexion, small piercing black eyes, black hair, high forehead, rather hollow cheeks and small receding chin. He had a quick stealthy-like tread and rapid movements. His dress was peculiar and struck me as being of Egyptian style. He stepped close to the bed on which Mr. Dallas was lying. At that time I do not think he realized that I had seen him. His whole attention seemed to be centered on Dallas. I was startled and puzzled. I then without getting water stepped towards the bed where this spirit was and as I did so he turned and looked at rpe. I caught his eye, he looked malicious and angry, and it then came to me that perhaps his presence was the cause of Dallas' illness. He then seemed to realize that I could see him. I looked straight in his eyes and said pointing my finger towards the door: "Sir, I know I have met you before in what I supposed was your abode. I now meet you in my abode. You were master in your household, I am master in mine, and demand that you ab- sent yourself from here immediately and now." My words and jesture seemed to make him un- comfortable, and more, my words, perhaps back- ed by will power really had the appearance of fairly hurling him several feet from me, and by will power as it appeared to me I succeeded in banishing him entirely from the room and place. As soon as this spirit departed Mr. Dallas began to revive and soon entirely recovered, and in about one hour thereafter left the office seeming- ly in as good health as when he entered it. CHAPTER VIII. A Procession of Spirits — Spirits Sumner and Shoemaker Appear — Spirit Sumner Controls Wilson — How Spirit Hypnotism Feels — Spirits Opposed to Communica- tions — Wilson and Dallas in Purgatory — Arraigned — Convictions Fix Locality in Spirit World — Effort to Destroy Mediumistic Properties — Visitation of Strange Spirit Explained — Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Eddy Appear — Find Dailas' Clairvoyance and Clairaudience Impaired — Call it a Calamity — Dallas' Power to See and Hear Spirits Destroyed — Spirits Emplov Telegraphy — Wilson Sees Strange Spirit. On November 27, 1893, 3 o'clock p. m., Dal- las Kramer and myself met at my office. Soon thereafter we were talking about and discussing our experience on Saturday night and Sunday morning last. After thus engaged for about one hour loud raps were heard on the floor near the table, also on the table. We recognized by the tone and other characteristics that they were produced by Dr. Shoemaker. We then formed about the table. Soon Mr. Dallas remarked: "Well, well, this is strange. death; the meaning and result. 141 Here comes Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner walking side by side with arms locked. A little in advance of them I see Plum Mitchell; he seems to be carrying something which resembles a flag. Following Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner is a long procession of spirits. The procession is so long that it extends far beyond my vision. The\^ are all singing, and such harmonious music and melody I never heard before. Now and then I can understand the words of the music. They are all moving along in the procession two abreast. The head of the procession has now reached to where you are sitting; as they reach this place the rows separate, one line filing to the left and one to the right. Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner are standing close by us; the rest of them form in about us. The first circle is quite close to us, we being in the center with Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker. The second circle is immediately in the rear of the first circle and so on until a series of circles are formed extending out as far as I can see. ''Dr. Shoemaker now says: 'Good afternoon to all. We are all glad to meet you again. I will not talk to you much today; Mr. Sumner how- ever, will speak through the organism of un- friend John. We have learned something of what happened to you Saturday and Sun- day last.' Now Mr. Sumner steps up to where you are sitting, Mr. Wilson." I felt that peculiar sensation with which I have become familiar having experienced it on 142 death; the meaning and result. former occasions and I knew what it meant. I felt myself rising to a standing position and immediately with no effort on my part I began to talk. Previous to this time I had requested Messrs. Dallas and Kramer to note the time if I should be controlled, observe how long I con- tinued to talk and what was said. After I began to talk on this occasion I knew very well that I was talking, but on what subject I did not know. Once in a while I sensed that a certain word had been spoken but in what con- nection it was used I did not have the slightest conception. In what seemed to me a few mo- ments I again became normal and found myself seated in the chair I had occupied preceding the speech. I said to Mr. Dallas: "That was a short speech." He replied: "How long do you think you were talking?" I said: "About two min- utes." He began to laugh and said: "From the time you began to talk, or rather from the time Mr. Sumner began to talk, until you resumed your seat just one hour elapsed." I could hardly believe it. I said: "What did Mr. Sumner say?" Dallas then said: "Mr. Wilson, I never heard greater eloquence, and the manner and force of delivery are indescribable. He seemed to be talking more, or as much, to the great concourse of the spirits here than to Mr. Kramer and my- self. Some of it was a plane of thought too high for us to understand." Messrs. Dallas and Kramer had taken some death; the meaning and result. 143 notes of the speech but had failed to report it very clearly in this way, but on talking it over they agreed that the substance of the speech was as follows: "That a certain class of designing spirits in the spirit world were very much opposed to spirit communications reaching mortals on the earth plane unless it be under the supervision and control of those selfish spir- its. That these spirits had resolved to stop all demonstrations through spirit power which might be brought about through the organisms of Dallas or Wilson and to that end, in the ab- sence of our spirit friends, on Saturday night and Sunday morning last the unfriendly spirits had conducted the spirits of Dallas and Wilson from their respective bodies, into a condition or place in the spirit world known as "Catholic Purgatory." That spirits were held in that condition in the spirit world by force of their erroneous education in relation thereto which was given them on the earth plane before enter- ing the spirit world; that spirits so taught be- fore leaving the mortal body on entering the spirit side of life expect to find just such a condi- tion, and their expectation and force of mind fixes and locates their abode. "On reaching their expected condition or loca- tion in the spirit world they are perfectly satis- fied and resigned; they hope some time, indefinite to them, to meet the Virgin Mary and the Saints, but think that the only road leading to the throne of the Immaculate is through Purga- 144 death; the meaning and result. tory, and by no other route do they think it possible to reach the hoped for goal. As time is not an element in spirit conditions it sometimes takes many, many years to grow and rise above the condition into which error and superstition have consigned them. That this condition, if a name may be applied to it designating a prov- ince of the spirit world, could be called a dominion. In that dominion they have their organizations, governments, rulers and subjects and that Catholicism rules supreme. That rulers there like power as well as they did on earth and to perpetuate their power they encourage and propagate superstition among their subjects. "Some of those spirits, in time go higher and become wiser; this is brought about as a rule through the missionary efforts of a better class of spirits. But the rulers thereof do all in their power against the missionary work of this kind. That the condition in the spirit world is sus- tained and encouraged by Catholicism, and by the Catholic Church both on earth and in the spirit world. That in this dominion Catholics have as good if not better organizations than on earth and the reflex impress and psychological influence of Catholicism on the spirit side of life have much to do in perfecting that institution on earth. That this dominion you might say borders on the earth plane and forms a barrier to the better class of spirits visiting and com- municating with spirits still in mortal body. At the place to which the spirits of Dallas and Wil- 145 son were conducted is this dominion or Purga- tory. That the spirits that they saw there were rulers and subjects. That many Jesuit Priests may be found there and former Popes on earth, who assume to rule by divine right. That the spirits of Dallas and Wilson were taken there for the purpose of keeping them on the spirit side of life, as we have reason to believe; but that on inspection they thought they could des- troy your mediumistic properties which they had sought to do. How far they have succeeded we will be better able to determine later on. We are glad, however, that they concluded to per- mit your spirits to return to their respective bodies. So far as we know, no spirit, no matter in what way it entered the condition in which you were placed last evening, was ever permitted to again return to its mortal body, and we are rather at a loss to know why they made an exception of you. "We think by your experience j^esterday after- noon, that on reflection the Purgatory rulers re- gretted that they had not detained your spirits indefinitely. We have no doubt but that the spirit who came yesterday came after the spirit of Mr. Dallas and would have accomplished his purpose had not the clairvoyance of Air. Wilson discov- ered him in time, and the psychological force been able to combat his power and thwart his pur- pose. We will watch you more closely and see that these designing spirits shall not be able to repeat the experiment. We know our strength 146 death; the meaning and result. and have confidence in our ability' to fully pro- tect you in the future." Mr. Dallas then began to repeat and said: "We will now leave you but will come again; good bye" Note. Mr. Dallas' description of what he saw at this sitting was truly remarkable. The way it was told by him, his expression and demean- or all indicated that he was faithfully relating what his eyes beheld and his ears heard, or at least what he thought he saw and heard. An explanation also follows by our spirit friend, Mr. Sumner, of our strange experience on the twenty-sixth. It is explained that Mr. Dallas' spirit and my spirit were actually separated from their respective bodies and conducted to a dominion of the spirit world for the purpose of ascertaining how it was we had been able to communicate so freely with spirits in the spirit world. Then it was decided by the enemies to destroy all mediumistic properties discovered in our compositions and that means were employed to that end; that our spirits friends were unable to tell just how far the adverse power or spirits had succeeded. We are told that we have ac- tually 7 been in Purgatory, and that it was by the good graces of the power under whose con- trol we were that we returned to earth and re- entered the mortal temple. To me this is indeed a strange and incomprehensible proceeding. On November 28, 1893, 2 o'clock p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at the usual place. Soon thereafter we heard raps. We formed about the death; the meaning and result. 147 table and waited for some time before anything developed. Finally Mr. Dallas said: "Here comes Dr. Shoemaker. I do not see him as plain- ly and distinctly as usual, but I see him plain enough to recognize him. He at times becomes so dim I can hardly see him and then he seems to come into plainer view. He looks sad and troubled. I do not think he tries to talk to us; if he does I do not hear him. He seems to be examining something; now he comes to me and seems to be looking me over; he occasionally looks at Mr. Kramer. He holds out his hand and appears to come in contact with some element or substance which he ex- amines closely. Now, here comes Dr. Edd}-. He is talking to Dr. Shoemaker; I cannot hear what he says. Now he goes away and Dr. Shoemaker continues to examine this substance. I wonder what it can be. I don't understand what the Doctor is trying to do; he don't say a word. Now here comes Dr. Eddy again; he goes up to Dr. Shoemaker and they talk to each other very earnestly, but I cannot make out a word they say." Mr. Dallas stopped talking and sat for a few moments and then gave a very sudden start. I was watching him closely and he had every ap- pearance of being startled by someone speaking unexpectedly to him, close to his ear. He sud- denly looked around as if to see who had spok- en and said: "Dr. Shoemaker can that be pos- sible; it is too bad." Mr. Dallas then seemed to 148 death; the maning and result. be listening and said: "The Doctor has bad news for all of us; it is very hard for him to talk and be heard; he says: 'Friends, I am very, very sorry to say that I find here a condition little short of a calamity. When making the ef- fort to approach Mr. Dallas a few minutes ago I came in contact with a force or element which I never before found in this atmosphere. I find it, on examination, to be psychological in its nature, and has in it a powerful repelling force to spiritual elements. Mr. Dallas seems to be entirely walled in by this substance. By a strong effort and will power I have succeeded in break- ing through this wall, but as I came near Air. Dallas I met another obstacle and condition more to be regretted. I find that the spiritual sight and hearing of Mr. Dallas have been great- ly impaired. You would say, diseased, in your vocabulary, if reference were had to the physical eye and ear; perhaps we may use with propriety the same expression in reference to the case be- fore us. In order that you can better under- stand I will put it as follows: I find over the spirit vision of Mr. Dallas a growth or film which almosts destroys the sense of vision and may in time become entirely blind to spiritual substance. I find also that a disease or condi- tion exists impairing for the present and in time may entirely destroy his sense of hearing spirit voice and articulation. We may be able how- ever to remove the barrier, and arrest, if not en- tirely cure, the disease. Ever}' effort will be death; the meaning and result. 149 made to that end. It ma3 r however take months to do so. I have no doubt and in fact I know, that the conditions I find here so pernicious in their effect, and their existence so much to be regretted, are the results of the workings and the manipulations of the selfish spirits whom 3'ou met and to whose abode 3 r ou were con- ducted Saturday night and Sunday morning last. In my opinion, Air. Dallas, this will not be per- manent with 3^ou, and in time you will see and hear clairvo3'antly and clairaudently as well as before this happened. I perhaps can compare this trouble or condition of 3-our spiritual sight to bring it within range of your comprehension in no better wa3' than to sa3^, that the difficulty I find here bears a similar relation to the spirit- ual sight as a cataract does to the pln-sical sight. It may take a long time to remove it but please be patient and I assure you that all will be done that possibly can be. John, Mr. Sumner will be with you a great deal of the time. I connot see that your mediumistic properties have been interfered with. You have clairvo3~ant properties which are being stimulated and devel- oped. I think you will be able to see spirits clearty in the future. In fact 3-ou have already seen spirits clainw-antly but 3 r ou did not fully realize the fact. This will not prevent Mr. Sum- ner or nnrself and other spirits from coming in your atmosphere, although Mr. Dallas may not be able to see us or hear us talk. It is by very great effort that I make him hear at the present 150 death; the meaning and result. time. We will devise some means to keep you advised. Now I will say good bye but will come again." We all bid the Doctor good bye. Some few minutes after Mr. Dallas stopped re- peating what Dr. Shoemaker had to say we be- gan to discuss the wonderful revelations. Mr. Dallas among other things said: "The Doctor had to get close up to me and talk in my ear, and then I could hardly hear what he said." Note. What is told us on this occasion, if true, is deplorable. We are informed by the spirit Doctor that sure enough the designing spirits had succeeded in impairing if not entirely destroying Mr. Dallas' clear seeing and clear hearing properties through which he had been able to see spirits so plainly and hear them so distinctly. If this be so it is a calamity taken in the light of our present investigations. The spirit Doctor, however, holds out some hope of recov- er\~. He speaks of my mediumistic properties and thinks they have not been impaired by my experience in Purgatory. If we should become spiritually blind and deaf our investigations must end; time alone will determine that. On November 30, 1893, at 8:20 p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at the usual place. We formed about the table and soon loud raps were heard on and about the table. By the charac- teristics of the raps we recognized them as being produced by spirit Dr. Shoemaker, but to be sure I asked: "Is this Dr. Shoemaker rapping?" Answer "Yes," by raps. I then said: "Can you death; the meaning and result. 151 show yourself to Mr' Dallas tonight?" "Don't know." Question— " Will you try?" Answer — "Yes." We then all remained silent for about twenty minutes w r hen the familiar raps began on the table and the following dialogue occurred: Question — "Have you been able to do so?" "No." "Is his inability to see you the result of the difficulty and injury to his spiritual sight or clairvo3^ance of which you spoke at our last meeting?" "Yes." "Do you find his spiritual sight more impaired than you supposed when you were last here?" "Yes." "Can Mr. Dallas see anything in that way?" To this question no answer came. I then said: "Do you desire me to ask Mr. Dallas concerning it or if he does see you?" "Yes." I then asked Mr. Dallas if he had seen Dr. Shoemaker this evening. Mr. Dal- las said: "I did not see him this evening or any other spirit and have heard no spirits talk or converse except by raps." Question — "Doctor do you think Mr. Dallas' clairvoyance destroyed for the time being?" Answer — "Yes." "Also his clairaudence?" "Yes." "Do you think it can be restored to him again?" "Yes." "Will it take some time to do so?" "Yes." "During the in- terim will you and your spirit friends try and devise some means of talking to us or commu- nicating with us more expeditiously than by raps?" "Yes." "Can anything along that line be done this evening?" "No." "Will it take time to devise some means of communicating?" "Yes." "Do you wish to say anything more to 152 death; the meaning and result. us this evening?" "No." We bid the Doctor good night and in response a succession of raps were heard about the room and then all was silent. Note. In the conversation had with the spirit Doctor a bad state of affairs is developed and the worst of our fears realized. After the exper- ience in the sitting preceding this I was much concerned by what the Doctor said in regard to Mr. Dallas' clairvoyance and clairaudence being impaired, still he then held out hope to us that it could be restored; but in this interview less hope is entertained of a complete restoration. We are promised, however, that our friends will make an effort to devise some other means of communicating with us. On December 3, 1893, 8 o'clock p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my offiice. We were not expecting any spirit demonstrations at this meeting. We had much to say to each other about the great calamity that had befallen Mr. Dallas in his being deprived of his ability to see and hear spirits. I made the remark: "Well it is certainly to be very much regretted that we are now unable to talk to spirits direct. I won- der if Mr. Dallas' spirit sight and hearing will be restored to him; if that proves to be impos- isble I am anxious to know if our spirit friends can devise any means whereby they can con- verse with us with greater ease and more con- venience than with raps, as raps are usually limited to answers to direct questions." death; the meaning and result. 153 As I concluded the last sentence there came on the table a succession of distinct raps. This in- novation stopped our conversation. The raps were different than any we had heard before. A continous rapping was kept up by the unseen force for at least three minutes. Neither Dallas, Kramer or myself spoke. When the rapping" stopped I said: "Is this a spirit friend who is rapping?' ' Answer— "Yes." The raps answering this question we all recognized as being pro- duced by Dr. Seoemaker. Nothing further was said for a few minutes, and then a peculiar suc- cession of tapping on the table began and con- tinued for some time. When the tapping ceased I said: "Dallas, that sounds like telegraphy.' * immediately as if in response, there came on the table three very loud raps with such force that they perceptibly jarred the table. I then said: "Dr. Shoemaker, were those continous tappings on the table intended for telegraphy?" Answer by raps: "Yes." "Can you operate in tele- graphy by tapping so we can understand and read?" "Yes." Mr. Dallas by that time had become considerably excited and much interested and informed me of the fact, of which I was before ignorant, that he had, in his boyhood days, studied telegraphy and could at one time send and receive messages quite readily. I was pleased to learn that for I knew very little about the art. I then said: "Well Doctor, have the spirit operater proceed slowly in rapping tele- graphy and maybe Mr. Dallas can make it out."" 154 death; the meaning and result. Immediately the tapping began on the table. Mr. Dallas was all attention. At first and for a few minutes he could not read the message. I reached him paper and pencil and the tapping became less rapid. Mr. Dallas began to write, and in a few minutes we had on the paper our first telegraph message which is as follows: "We, your spirit friends, believe we can open up direct and satisfactory communications to you by telegraphy. W. P. Shoemaker, Plum Mitchell, opr." We were overjoyed. A new way had been found whereby our spirit friends could communicate with us and in a way least ex- pected; but which, if successful, will be a won- derful thing. The tapping began again slow but distinct. Dallas wrote as he received the follow- ing: "At the present time it requires much force to operate in this way. We are confident the process can be simplified and made practical. We will study to improve it; good night. W. P. S., Plum Mitchell, opr." When we read the message we were all highly pleased and thanked the spirits for their efforts. Note. At this time a ray of light appears to illumine the gloom. We are told that a means has been devised b}^ our spirit friends of com- munication with us by telegraphy. In fact it is here put to the test by raps and proven to be a success, though in this way, relying on the ability to read by rapping out the Morse alpha- bet by dots, dashes and spaces, is rather unsat- isfactory, That, however, by itself is a wonder- death; the meaning and result. 155 ful phenomenon. Just think for a moment. Rap following rap, on a table with no visible being within four feet of it, and by the succession of raps you are made aware that in this way the unseen power is using the Morse alphabet in telegraphy, and can thus convey to you what they wish to say. This is what actually occurred at this sitting. By this it is made plain that the operator though unseen is conversant with the Morse system of telegraphy. Now if they can in any way utilize and employ a telegraph in- strument the phenomena will be still more wonderful. On December 4, 1893, it so happened that J. was in my office reading. My mind was entirely engrossed and occupied by the subject of peru- sal. • I was not thinking of spirits. The time w^as ten o'clock p. m. Suddenly I felt what ap- peared to be a forcible draft of cold air. I look- ed up from my book and toward the door sup- posing the door had not been latched and had blown open by a gust of wind. I saw the door w^as closed but my eyes rested on the unex- pected. About eight feet from where I sat stood a man. I did not know him; had never seen him before. He was not looking at me when I first saw him and seemed to take no notice of my presence whatever. He stood sideways to where I sat, one foot in advance of the other foot, left hand in his pants pocket, his right hand hanging carelessly by his side. His dress and general appearence indicated that he was pol- 156 death; the meaning and result. ished, educated and refined. At first when I saw him it startled me quite a little, and then on second thought it occurred to me that what I saw was a spirit. I was not excited or nervous then. I sat still with eyes riveted on him, but I said nothing. He finally took two steps in ad- vance from where he stood when first seen by me. He had the appearance of being in a great study, as if revolving in his own mind some complex problem. After thus advancing he stood with head a little inclined to one side, gaze seemingly fixed on the floor, for, I should judge, three minutes. He then turned his face toward me, and looked me squarely in the face. What a face his was to study. I shall never forget it. He looked at me for fully a minute and seemed to be studying my makeup or read- ing, or at least making an effort to read, my thoughts. I expected every moment he would speak but he uttere'd not a word. I was fast becoming uneasy and embarrased under his fixed steady gaze and said: "Good evening sir." The very moment I spoke he disappeared from view. I sat still for a few moments hoping that he would come again into view. I wanted to talk to him if possible, and find out who he was and what he wanted, but he failed to re-appear. CHAPTER IX. Spirit Mitchell Present— Gives Messages by Telegraph —First Message— War in Spirit World— Its Cause — How Conducted— Spirit Telegraphy Explained— Ad- vised to Procure Battery and Telegraph Instrument — Battery and Instrument Procured — Spirit Mitchell Directs Arrangements— Operates Instrument— First Spirit Message by Telegraph Instrument— Messages From Spirits Sumner, Eddy and Shoemaker — Spirit Prof. F. R. S. Introduced— Christmas Meeting— Din- ner and Banquet— More Messages. December 7, 1893, 8:30 p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at the usual place. Since our meeting on December 3, I had provided my- self with a Morse alphabet in telegraphy and familiarized myself with it as much as I could. Mr. Dallas had also, as he informed me, been practicing what he could in receiving by telegra- phy. We had been together and in conversation about half an hour when a tapping or clicking was heard by all present. It seemed to proceed from a place on or near the table from which we happened to be seated quite a distance. Mr. 158 death; the meaning and result. Dallas and myself immediatery recognized the sound, and distinguished the formation of letters of the Morse alphabet. Mr. Dallas then spoke and said: "This is Plum Mitchell operating. He says that he was somewhat familiar with tele- graphy before he entered into spirit life and that it comes sort of natural for him to operate now. He says that Dr. Shoemaker is here and wishes to give us a message. Mr. Mitchell says that the Doctor is not familiar with telegraphy and that he will do the operating for the Doctor. " I said: "All right we will be glad to receive the Doctor's message." Then the tapping began on the table very plainly and quite rapidly and Mr. Dallas said: "Mr. Mitchell, you will have to send much slower than that as I am rusty and cannot receive rapidly." While Dallas was talking the tapping or tick- ing ceased, but as soon as he concluded it began much slower, however, than at first. Now and then I could make out a letter myself but was not familiar enough with the system to get the letters quick enough to combine them into words and at this particular time I was ignorant of what he was sending. Mr. Dallas was all at- tention and finally the clicking stopped. Mr. Dallas then said: "Mr. Mitchell, I think I got your message in substance but not word for word. If you will please repeat it to me I will read it out loud to Mr. Wilson as I receive it, and if I make any mistake correct me." Im- mediately the tapping or ticking began and Mr. death; the meaning and result. 159 Dallas began to read as follows: "Dear friends: I am very glad to be able to communicate to you in this way. We have been able to arrange so we can telegraph to } t ou in this way with less force than was required the other evening. We are certain we can still further improve along these lines. I must tell you this evening what will sound strange to you, but never-the- less it is a fact of which we, your spirit friends, think you should be informed. The many spirits in the spirit world who desire to establish lines of direct communication to mortals on the earth, find themselves opposed in their efforts by a force emanating through and by a low order of spirits of which 3 t ou have been informed some time ago. We, for a long time, tried to allay the opposition by kindness, moral suasion and argument, but all to no purpose. As a last re- sort to accomplish our purpose we have been obliged to resort to force. In fact the efforts to establish, by spirits in advanced spheres, a line of direct communication between them and earth and the opposition to that plan by spirits of lower spheres have brought about a condition of warfare in the spirit world. This warfare is carried on along much the same lines as a war- fare on the earth plane, so far as tactics go, but of course the weapons and their effects differ from those emplo3^ed in earthly combats. Our weapons are psychological and electrical. They do not kill, as we are dealing with immortals, but they wound, and those who come within 160 death; the meaning and result. range are shorn of their strength for a time corresponding to the force of the discharge. We have had several brushes with our enemy. We prepared ourselves for possible emergencies, and to show you how determined the opposing forces are, I will state that on yesterday as you meas- ure time we met them in battle and the disabled spirits resulting from the engagement were as follows: number of enemy wounded 65,826 — num- ber of friends wounded 33,422. So you see friends that warfare is a possibility in spirit life. We will keep you informed from time to time as to results. The operator is getting very tired and we will have to quit for the present; good evening to all. William Patterson Shoemaker, Plum Mitchell, operator." The effort to receive this message tired Mr. Dallas considerably, but he soon recuperated. What a triumph in telegraphy. Another way has been found to hold converse with spirits freely. What a revelation in this message. "Warfare" in the spirit world. How strange and startling. On reflection, however, intelli- gence of warfare in the spirit world should not be strange or considered impossible, for are not spirits human and many of them only one move on the great chess board of eternity from earth conditions? December 14, 1893, 9 o'clock p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office. We were soon engaged in discussing matters in general when, in about twenty minutes after our meet- Position of Instrument after May 15, 1894. 1 ' 1 .. .■ i | I Position of Instrument when First Used by Spirit Power. death; the meaning and result. 161 ing, our attention was arrested by quick, sharp raps on the table which we recognized as similar to those produced at our last meeting. The raps continued. I could not read telegraphy well enough to make out what was said. Mr. Dallas was again all attention and said: "I can read the message; this is spirit telegraphy. Dr. Shoemaker is here and desires to give us some more messages." I said: "I am glad to hear that the Doctor is here. Please proceed with the telegraphing." Immediately the raps began and Dallas read as follows: "Dear friends I am glad to meet you again. We, your spirit friends, met the enemy in combat again on last Tuesday, December 12, as you measure time. I am glad to be able to say that your friends won a great victory. In the engagement I am sorry to say that many of j^our friends were wounded, among whom is Dr. Eddy. The number of friends wounded are 242; the number of enemies wound- ed are 2,113. This victor}-, as we look at it, will give us an opportunity to establish an elec- tric line direct from our sphere to earth and will enable your friends to communicate along this line by telegraphy by currents conducted much the same as currents are conducted along material wires in the S3 r stem of telegraphy now in use on the earth plane. We desire you as soon as possible, to get a Gassner dry battery, number fifteen, and connect therewith a Morse telegraph instrument. Connect the instrument to the battery, the same as those in use gen- 162 death; the mantng and result. erally. W. P. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." The tapping stopped, but I had the message on paper; I wrote as Mr. Dallas read. I then said: "All right, Doctor, we will get a batte^ and instru- ment as you direct." The rapping then began and Dallas read as follows: "We must now leave you; will come again soon; good night." Note. At this time we were told to provide for the use of our spirit friends a battery and a Morse telegraph instrument and connect the instrument with the battery. If they can use a Morse instrument for telegraphing it will cer- tainly simplify the manner of communicating with our spirit friends. On December 20, 1893, Lyman C. Howe de- livered a lecture in the evening at Armory Hall this city. Dallas, Kramer and myself attended the lecture. The subject was on Spiritualism and was a very able production. After the lec- ture, Dallas, Kramer and nryself met at my office. After being seated and making ourselves easy we began to discuss what had been said in the lecture. After talking thus for a few min- utes the familiar sharp and distinct raps began on the table. Mr. Dallas took a seat at the table and remarked that this was rapping tele- graphy, in which way we received the following message: "Good evening, gents. We were over at the hall with you and enjoyed hearing the lecture very much. Mr. Sumner was there and he is also here now, but he is not able to rap. We are working hard to complete our arrange- death; the meaning and result. 163 ments. We have been very successful so far in overcoming all points of opposition since our victory. Very little resistance has been offered to us since our last battle and we think that no more obstructions will be thrown in our way by our enemies. We will have everything in readiness on the evening of December 24 to try telegraphy on an instrument. If possible pro- cure batter}^ and instrument, as before suggested, by that time, and we will see what we can do. W. P. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." After the above message was received the rapping ceased. I then said: "Thank you Doctor for this message. I will see, through Mr. Dallas' assistance, that a battery and instrument are provided and con- nected up as you instructed us on the evening of the 14; so you can rest easy on that point. " As soon as I quit speaking the rapping began again and the following message was received: "Thank you. This is rather a tedious work operating in this way and draws heavily on our force. We are all confident of success with the instrument. Now we will leave you for the evening; good night to all. W. P. Shoemaker^ P. M., opr." December 24, 1893. During the interim from the time we received the last message, December 20, we had busied ourselves as we could towards procuring a battery and telegraph instrument for use this present evening. A number fifteen Gassner dry battery and Morse telegraph instru- ment, such as is in common use by telegraphers,. 164 death; the meaning and result. were procured, with sufficient insulated wire to make proper connections of the instrument to the battery. Messrs. Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office at 8 o'clock p. m. We were anxious to see and learn if telegraphy could be accomplished on the instrument by spirit power and intelligence. Mr. Dallas and myself were examining the battery and instrument and dis- cussing the best way to make the connection. While thus talking the familiar rapping telegra- phy began on the table and informed us that our spirit friend and operator, Plum Mitchell, was present, and that he would be glad to as- sist us in any way he could. W T e thanked him and asked him how we had better arrange it. He suggested setting two tables which were in the office in a parallel line with a space of eight or ten inches between them, placing the key in the centre of one of the tables and the sounder at the farther end of the other one, and the battery near the centre on the floor and connect tip b}r wire. We proceeded to follow his instruc- tions. After placing the ke\r and sounder as before indicated I measured the distance between the two and found it to be six feet and two inches. We then placed the battery on the floor near the centre of the key and sounder and connected them to the battery by wire in the usual way. Two large gas-jets directly above the tables made it very light in the room. Mr. Dallas took his seat at the table on which the sounder had death; the meaning and result. 165 been placed and about four feet from the key, thus being entirely out of reach of the key. I took a position opposite Mr. Dallas, near the sounder, with Mr. Kramer to my left. We had been seated about one minute and what a revelation opened to my vision and sense of hearing. I saw a sudden vibration of the key of the instrument to which touch by unseen hands the sounder responded loud, rapid and clear. Again and again that was repeated and had every appearance and indication that the instrument was being tested by a skilled electri- cian. After testing, letters began to be formed in the common Morse alphabet, letters into words and words into sentences which were ticked off by the instrument clearly, distinctly and intelligibly as though at the helm was a master in the art of telegraphy. We were all attention and amazed at the result. The first -words received from the instrument in this won- derful way were: "Everything is in good work- ing order. We have a line, invisible to you, connected with this instrument and leading to the headquarters of your friends in the spirit world. I will now arrange the circuit and you will receive messages over the line on this instru- ment. P. M., opr." Dallas, Kramer and myself looked at each other but said nothing. I can say for nryself that I was for a moment paralyzed with aston- ishment. Mr. Dallas had provided himself with paper and pencil and again the key vibrated, the 166 death; the meaning and result. sounder responded with every resemblance of a call and response by operators over a line. Let- ters and words followed and we received the following message written by Mr. Dallas as he took it from the instrument: "December 24, 1893. Spirit headquarters. To our fellow work- ers of the earth plane: We, your spirit friends, send you greetings. Our success is complete. This is another victory over our enemies, one which will do much for our cause both on this side as well as on your own. Charles Sumner." Strange results! wonderful phenomena! The first message by telegraphy, so far as I know, ever received by mortal on the earth plane from a spirit along a line direct from spirit abode. The instrument was again in motion, and a second message was received which is as follows: "Hello, John, this is indeed a great success. It greatly pleases me to be able to speak here for you; I am very happy indeed. We will be able to do much for 3^ou through this phase, but excuse me from saying more to } r ou; others have mes- sages to send. Plum Mitchell." And another message follows: "I am happy to be able to speak to } t ou direct once again; you no doubt will be overjoyed at j-our success. Dr. Eddy." Still another message: "December 24, 1893. To my friends: Again we are placed on the highest pinnacle of success, from which never again will we fall; and friends, it is with the greatest of pleasure I greet you all. William Patterson Shoemaker." I also received a private message death; the meaning and result. 167 from my mother, and then we received the fol- lowing message: "We have much to tell you but will hold over until tomorrow. Many of your spirit friends will call on you tomorrow and if agreeable to you will accompany you to dinner. Goodnight. C. S." After congratulating each other upon the success of the recent experi- ment, Dallas, Kramer and myself separated. December 25, 1893, 10:30 a. m., Dallas, Kram- er and myself met at my office; this was Christ- mas morning, a day held sacred in commemora- tion of an event which happened several centuries ago, and on which Christian people, or many of them at least, base their hope of a future life. I was cogitating in my own mind what addi- tional evidence I would receive on this day of the resurrection of at least some of my friends and acquaintances. The telegraph instrument had remained connected with the battery as when in use last evening. In about twenty minutes after we were seated about the table, the telegraph instrument began to operate. It started to click so sharply and clearly and just at that particular time so unex- pectedly, that it startled us; only for a moment, however. Soon it stopped for a minute or so then began again. I could plainly see the key working to which the sounder was responding. Letters in the Morse alphabet were being sound- ed. I was familiar enough with the alphabet to distinguish many letters but as yet could not receive or read readily. Mr. Dallas began to 168 death; the meaning and result. read the message which I wrote and we soon had the following on paper: "Good morning friends. I am very glad to meet you on this Christmas morning. I hope you are all well. W. P. Shoemaker." We all said: "Good morning Doctor," and I continued: "We are well and we are very glad to meet you again." "John, do you remember of seeing a spirit in your office on the evening of December 5, a stranger to you? W. P. S." I said: "Yes, Doctor, I remember the occurrence very well." Then the following message: "Well, the spirit you saw then is here now. He is one of our leaders in this work and has done much to make what your spirit friends have shown you, possible. He had before leaving the earth plane acquired fame as a scientist and since his advent into the spirit world has applied himself to the study of the law governing the return to earth of excarnated spirits. He has been brought into close relation with our spirit friends and with you as our work has progressed, and has been here at your office very often although not vis- able to you except on that occasion. While he is a stranger to you in the general acceptation of the word you are by no means a stranger to him. He does not desire me to introduce him to you gentlemen by the name by which he was known on earth for reasons perhaps with which you will become familiar later on. He will be known to you for the present at least only by some of the titles or degrees conferred on him death; the meaning and result. 169 by scientific associations and institutions before he entered spirit life. I now take pleasure, gen- tleman, in introducing to you Professor F. R. S. W. P. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." The telegraph instrument came to a rest and I said: "Prof. F. R. S. we are all glad to meet you and hope we may be favored with your presence often." Again the instrument was in motion and Dallas read as follows: "Good morning, gentlemen, I am very glad to meet you in this way. I also thank Dr. Shoemaker for so kindly introducing me to you. While I am a stranger to you, still, as the Doctor said, you are not strangers to me. I have met you at this place often since our work began. I hope that your acquaintance -with me will be as agreeable to you as I know yours will be to me. I have watched with great interest the progress of our work among you, and have been much pleased with the results. It is my highest ambition to do what I can to prove to the human family on your side of life: First, that every human being has a soul. Second, that that soul survives physical death. For the purpose of working to that end with the inevitable chain of effects which will follow I have joined hands with your spirit friends, aided by myriads on our side of life, with a force which we think will prove irresistible. F. R. S." The telegraph instrument again rested. A stranger had been introduced, and, judging from the clear cut expressions contained in the mes- 170 death; the meaning and result. sage, of no contracted caliber. The instrument resumed and ticked off the following: "Well, we must leave you for the present. Before going I wish to say that some of your friends from our side of life will be here to dine with you today. What time do you have dinner?" I said: "We would be pleased to have all come who can. We will have dinner at 1 p. m." The instru- ment resumed and said: "Thank you, we will be here in time; good day until we come again. W. P. S." We all said: "Good bye." When leave was taken as above noted Dallas, Kramer and myself discussed much of the unprec- edented phenomena witnessed by us and won- dered if spirit possibilities had no limit. Time sped along. We had attended to ablutions and made ready for dinner. We seated ourselves to await our expected guests. 12 o'clock came, 12:30, and no evidence of spirit presence. Soon thereafter a very perceptible local disturbance of the atmosphere of the room was felt by all of us, followed by raps, loud and distinct, seem- ingly in all parts of the room. We looked at each other not knowing what to expect next. Soon the telegraph instrument began to rattle and said: "Well, gentlemen, many of your spirit friends are here and awaiting your pleasure to join you at dinner. We are not very large eaters so don't be alarmed. We will accompany you to your hotel but wish you to excuse us from returning here after the meal for if agreeable to you we wish to meet you here this evening; so death; the meaning and result. 171 after dinner, with your permission, we will repair to our spirit homes. W. P. S." The instrument rested and I said: "Dr. Shoemaker and friends, I and my friends here welcome you all on this occasion. We will excuse j r ou after the meal if you so desire and shall be pleased to meet you this evening." Again the instrument resumed: "Thank you, we are ready at any time." We put on our over-coats bade our friends join us and started for the hotel. On the way to the hotel, and as we passed down the street, we heard lotid raps on the side-walk close beside us and in the rear very much resembling the marching of quite a large concourse of people. That continued to the very door of the hotel. We entered the dining room and seated ourselves at the table. It so happened that no other per- sons in mortal form except ourselves sat at the table. After being seated a succession of raps were kept up on the table, about the table on the floor, and on our plates. W T hen the waiter came to take our orders the rapping ceased. When the waiter got our orders and went to get them filled the rapping continued with but little intermission until we had finished our repast and started on our return to the office. On reaching the office all seemed to be quiet. Evidently our spirit friends had not returned with us. After a few minutes of conversation Dallas and Kramer took their leave on promise to return to the office at 9 p. m. W T e again met at my office at 9 o'clock. We 172 death; the meaning and result. were soon commenting on what had been pro- duced by our spirit friends during the morning and wondering what was in store for us along the same lines during the evening. They had promised or expressed a desire to meet us this evening. I was certain they would keep their promise, for at no time up to the present writ- ing have they failed to keep their engagement. On this particular occasion I was at a loss to know just how I could entertain them to best conduce to their pleasure. It was Christmas evening; they had dined with us, but had excus- ed themselves immediately after dinner, so that their calling would be practically an after dinner gathering. Taking this view of it I had provid- ed or rather had at hand some wine and cigars which I placed on the table in the office, as evi- dence, if for no other purpose, of our hospitality to our expected guests. At 9:30 we all felt that peculiar current of air circulating about the room of which I have be- fore spoken. We understood what it meant. Our friends were present. In a few minutes the telegraph instrument began to work in a man- ner before explained. The key was vibrating, the sounder responding, but no visible agency appeared. Mr. Dallas read as follows: "Good evening, gentlemen, we are glad to meet you again. We observe you have your hospitality in evidence here on the table for which accept our thanks. Please move your chairs closer to the table. Place what other chairs you have death; the meaning and result. 173 around the table in a circle then be seated and we will give yon some messages. W. P. S." We did as directed; took our seats; Mr. Dallas provided himself with paper and pencil; the in- strument resumed and Mr. Dallas wrote the following message: "December 25, 1893. Christ- mas evening, 9:45. Gentlemen, this is indeed a pleasure to us to be gathered around this gay and festive table. It is the acme of success, and now for the first toast of the evening. 'Long life and prosperity to our fellow workers who have so generously provided for us.' Prof. F. R. S." The instrument stopped for a moment and then resumed: ''The Profpssor is very mod- est in signing his abreviations. Before he came into spirit life besides a right to use F. R. S. he had a right to use many others and also had con- ferred on him the Legion of Honor of France. C. S." There was a short intermission between the messages, and the} r evidently emanated from two different personalities. I take the initials C. S. to be the initials of Charles Sumner. After a few moments the instrument resumed and we received the following message: "X'ms evening, 1893, 9:56 o'clock. My beloved friends and co-workers, John Wilson, J. L. Kramer and our worthy operator, E. M. Dallas: I am so overjo} r ed with success and happiness that I do not know what to say to you at present. I will speak again during the evening. William P. Shoemaker." The sounder rested for a moment and then resumed: "How little do we know 174 death; the meaning and result. of the wonders of spirit life while in the body, John; of the power and love which fills the at- mosphere in which we exist. You, my friends, are the beginning of all direct work and truth from our great plane, and I am happy to say, know and trust that what can be done, you will do to your utmost in fulfilling the duties required of you. Judge Campbell. ' ' After the above was given and signed the instrument rested for a moment and then gave the following: "I will propose 'to the love and strength which binds us together and the power which shall never be broken.' C." Evidently the message was given by the same personality who gave the one signed "Judge Campbell, ''and very likely the "C." stands for Campbell. However that is only my opinion. After a rest of a few minutes the sounder tick- ed off the following: "After what had been said by my leaders what can I say that would in any way add to the greatness of this noble work which has been born here and which will spread until it has filled the entire earth with its glory. Success to the mediums through whom it shall be brought about. Judge Wil- son." A little pause and the instrument resum- ed: "I have indeed looked forward to the time when I could speak through this instrument as I am now and be able to aid this cause. There is no mistake in our success this time. Why we are here, is to unite us all and we hope ere long to advance this cause to stay, and we say with that love which will be shed abroad will reach death; the meaning and result. 175 all. Now that we are able to come direct we feel most happy and cannot really express our feeling. Our power is incomprehensible and we might say almost unlimited. A great many ladies here bless you all. We have dropped threads soon pick them up and be able to con- vince all, great harmony among you as near as possible to us. Charles Sumner." The sounder rested and Mr. Dallas complained that the last message was sent too rapidly and that he was not able to get all the words. I discovered it had some disconnected sentences which would indicate that Mr. Dallas' complaint was well founded. After reading the message I said orally: "Mr. Sumner your message is evidently abreviated by the receiving operator." On finishing the last sentence the instrument began as follows: "Yes, so I perceive. I sent a little too rapidly for Mr. Dallas but that don't matter; I think you have the substance of what I wish to say. C. S." I then said: "Mr. Sumner your controlling me to talk seems very strange to me. I cannot understand how it is done." The instrument re- sumed and said: "When I enter into your body as a spirit I have a full control of all your sen- ses even more so than you have yourself in your normal condition. C. S." After a brief rest the sounder began to tick and we got the following: "I will say in con- clusion be ready for a call from us at any time. Your duty will be set forth to you clearh^ here- 176 death; the meaning and result. after by Charles Sumner. Have no fear, remem- ber we lead and you follow; the way is open, success is yours from the start, glory and tri- umph at the finish, and an untold of spiritual and earthly battle will be won in all points with the aid of your spirit band and your hum- ble servant. William P. Shoemaker." A rest for a moment and again we got: "I wish be- fore leaving you for the evening to thank you in the name of your band for the beautiful dinner you served us today; we all enjoyed it very much indeed. For the spirit band, Charles Sumner." A little short rest and then we got: "We will now leave you for the evening but will come again soon. Good night to all. W. P. S." The sounder rested and we all said "good night." December 26, 1893, 9 p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office. The telegraph in- strument had remained connected with the bat- tery. We took seats quite a distance from the instrument and began to talk on general topics. Soon the familiar tick greeted our ears, and the telegraph instrument was again in motion. Dallas had provided himself with paper and pencil and he received and wrote the following: "Good evening to all. We are glad to have the pleasure of meeting you again. It gives you much more strength to be together often and also gives us opportunities of working about you which we otherwise would not have. You are very kind in providing for us in this way. I am sure we enjoy it. Charles Sumner." I will death; the meaning and result. 177 state here that on this evening after Dallas and Kramer came to the office I set a box of cigars and a bottle of wine on the table and made the remark, after passing a cigar to Dallas and Kramer, that if any of our spirit friends were there that I hoped, in their own way they would help themselves. I will also state that we had trouble with the telegraph instrument. It did not seem to work with that ease and clearness as on former occasions. After a little rest the instrument was in motion and we received the following: "Let us drink to the success of the cause while we have the opportunity to do so, before the instrument gives out. W. D. Eddy." On the foregoing suggestion I prepared glasses and poured a little wine in each one as evidence of sort of a love feast over the success of this wonderful spirit telegraphy. Soon the instru- ment was again in motion and the following received: "Friends, I wish to thank you person- ally for your kindness to me and our spirit friends. Minnie Kramer." Then a short rest and the following was received: "We will now leave you for the evening; we will soon visit you again; good night to all. William P. Shoe- maker." December 31, 1893. At this time Dallas and Kramer met at my office at 9 o'clock p. m. Previous to this meeting Mr. Dallas had taken the telegraph instrument and battery away from the office for the purpose of repairing some- thing that had become detached about the 178 death; the meaning and result. sounder and getting the battery recharged. Soon after meeting this evening, we heard raps on the table. They soon developed into rapping tele- graphy which I have already explained and we got the following message: "Good evening to all. I see that you have removed the instrument and battery. Be sure to have them here to- morrow afternoon. We have to go back now and do not know that we can be here again tonight. Charles Sumner." A rest of a few moments then the following message: "Tomor- row being the first of the year we would like to have the same arrangements as were made on Christmas day. All of you try to be here. Dr. Shoemaker." I said: "All right, Doctor, we will be here tomorrow afternoon and have the in- strument and battery. We also desire all spirits who can to dine with us tomorrow and attend an informal banquet at the office after dinner." Immediately after I ceased speaking the rapping telegraphy began and said: "Thank you very much. We will be glad to do so and join you in anything you may have to offer. Good night to all. W. P. S." Getting nothing further Dal- as, Kramer and myself soon separated. CHAPTER X. More Spirit Telegraph)'— Spirits' New Year Greeting — Spirits J.Gould and William H.Vanderbilt Introduced — Banquet to Our Guests — Spirits of Professor F. R. S., Mr. Gould, Mr. Vanderbilt, Dr. Eddy, Plum Mitchell, William Mitchell, Mrs. Kramer, Mrs. Wilson, Judge Wilson, Judge Campbell, Mr. Bethune, William Shop- perle, Charles Sumner, Dr. Shoemaker Present — Con- trolled by Sumner — Entertained at Dinner — How Spirits Eat and Drink Explained — Manner of Dress Explained. January 1, 1894, 10 a. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office. Mr. Dallas had brought the battery and telegraph instrument. As soon as he arrived we connected the instru- ment with the battery in the same manner as before described, and took seats quite a distance away and awaited results. In a few minutes the key began to work without the aid of any visible agency, the sounder responded and ticked off the following message: "Good morning, gen- tlemen. I wish to bid you all a Happy New Year. I will now connect this instrument with the invisible wire which leads to spirit head- 180 death; the meaning and result. quarters on our side. Plum Mitchell." We all said: "Good morning, Plum; we wish you also a Happy New Year." Soon the instrument clicked off what resembled a call, a moment's rest, and then what seemed to be a response to the call, then rested for a few minutes. During the meantime Mr. Dallas had provided Himself with paper and pencil and took a seat at a table quite a distance from the instrument, ready to write any message that might come. The sounder finally began and ticked off the fol- lowing: * 'Spirit headquarters, January 1, 1894. To our friends J. K. Wilson, E. M. Dallas and J. L. Kramer: All the spirit world join in wish- ing a bright and Happy New Year. Charles Sumner, Plum Mitchell, opr." A rest of a few moments and then the following was ticked off: "Dear friends: Allow me to join hands with you on the breaking forth of this New Year, one which means so much to you and one which will be filled with entire victory from beginning to end. Dr. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." A little rest and we received the following: "I will add that we have found it impossible to be with you at dinner today. W T e will join you at dinner later on. We will, however, be at your office about 5 o'clock p. m. Try and be on hand at that time, say 5:30 p. m. We will defer further telegraphing until that time. Dr. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." The telegraph instrument was at rest. After discussing the wonderful phenomena in telegraphy we were witnessing, we separated to meet again at the office at 5 p. m. death; the meaning and result. 181 5 o'clock p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office. During the interim I had provided cigars and wine in way of having an informal banquet on the New Year day, as an evidence te our spirit friends of hospitality to all who could be present. The instrument had remained con- nected with the battery. At 5:20 o'clock we seated ourselves to await results. I was looking at my watch to see how punctual our spirit friends would be in their appointment. At 5:30 p. m. to a minute the instrument began to click and we received the following message: "Good afternoon, gentlemen, I have with me today two gentlemen from our side of life to whom yon have not been introduced. Although they have been here before but invisible to you. I now take the pleasure of introducing to you Mr. J^ Gould and Mr. W. H. Vanderbilt. Dr. Shoe- maked, P. M., opr." The sounder rested and I said: "Mr. Gould and Mr. Vanderbilt, I am sure we are very glad to have you here; all are wel- come." The sounder resumed and we received the following: "John, I see you have sort of a banquet provided here. We all appreciate your hospitality. We have here with us this after- noon Prof. F. R. S., Mr. Gould, Mr. Vanderbilt, Dr. Eddy, Plum Mitchell, William Mitchell, Mrs, Kramer, Mrs. Wilson, Judge Wilson, Judge Campbell, Mr. Bethunc, and William Schopperle, Please arrange what chairs you have in a circle around the table for those whom I have named. Dr. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." The sounder rested 182 death; the meaning and result. and I said: ' 'Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to all." I then arranged the chairs as directed and said: " Please be seated." Dallas, Kramer and myself also took seats in the circle of chairs, though some distance from each other. In a few minutes after being seated the instru- ment ticked off the following: "5:48 p. m., Jan- uar}^ 1, 1894. Gentlemen, you are now entering into a vast field of that future which laj^s before you. You are about to start on a great mission of spirit work; about to begin in the battles of good against evil; but let me assure you that we are here to help you, to guide and direct you through all. You are born to rise to that height never attained before. Your path is open and soon your march of glory will be sung in choirs of the spirit world. Therefore I am hap- py to say to you, welcome 1894. Prof. F. R. S." A short rest and the following message: "Allow me to say to 3 r ou in the name of the ladies present, we give you our love and best wishes for the coming year. Judge Wilson." I then said: "Ladies and gentlemen, on this occasion I will ask 3^ou to join me in a libation of wine." I suited the action to the sentence by pouring from the bottle setting on the table at the time a small quantity of wine for each spirit who as we had been told was present, and set the glasses on the table and waited results. Soon the in- strument was again clicking and we received the following: "We drink to future success in this, our hour of victory, confusion to our enemies death; the meaning and result. 183 and a glorious future to all. Charles Sumner.' ' A little rest and then the following message: "It more than repays me for all I have gone through to be here among you this evening and see the results which have been brought forth. Plum Mitchell." And then the following mes- sage: "The greatness of the work before you all and the earnest way you enter into it more than repays me for the feeble manner in which I have helped to produce these results. J. Gould." And then the following message: "I will also repeat the sentiments expressed by my friend, J. G. I am pleased to be of any service to you and to help you with all my power. We are satisfied and trust you are. W. H. V." And then the following: "I am not of much use to you in your work but my inclinations are in the right direction and if I cannot help you, you have my best regards. Will Schopperle." And also another message as follows: "John, this reminds me of old Edenburg times. I am proud to think that I have the advantage over so many spirits of knowing you while in the body. Success to our work. Dr. W. D. Eddy." A little rest and then the following: "Last, but not least, I will say to you for all present who have not spoken, we are happy in the present state of things and can say you deserve these results. We have all enjoyed the kind way you have treated us. Now we will leave you for the night but you will hear from us again soon. I will say for the present, good night. W. P. 184 death; the meaning and result. Shoemaker." The instrument was finally at rest after being manipulated b}' an unseen power in such a wonderful manner. January 3, 1894, 1 o'clock p. m., Dallas and myself met at the usual place. Soon after Mr. Dallas' arrival at the office the telegraph instru- ment began its mysterious ticking and we receiv- ed thereby the following message: "January 3, 1894. Mr. Sumner wishes to say to you, John, that he would like to operate on you today. Be all alone from three to five p. m. and he will meet you here at 2:30. You will see him when he comes. Plum Mitchell, opr." "That is all for the present. All be here on Sunday next. P. M." I met Mr. Sumner at the hour designated. I did not see him clearly. He controlled me hyp- notically. I had the usual experience as des- cribed on former occasions. On this same date, Mr. Dallas and Kramer called at my office at 9:30 p. m. In a few min- utes after they entered the office the unseen oper- ator began to work the instrument and we had the following message. "Good evening, boys, glad to get you together. Mr. Sumner wishes to send you a message, John, over the wire. Please wait a few minutes. Plum Mitchell." A few minutes elapsed and then we received the following message: "Spirit headquarters, Jan- uary 3, 1894. To John K. Wilson: I wish to say to you that I am much pleased at the way you allowed me to control } r ou this afternoon. We are not perfect yet but with very little prac- death; the meaning and result. 185 tice will soon be. Thanking yon very kindly for giving me your entire attention, I remain, your spirit control. Charles Sumner, P. M., opr." A little rest and then the following: "I may also state if everything progresses as rapidly as it has done the past few days we will have you all at work within two months. From what I can now do with you gives me a good idea of what we shall be able to do with you when you start out. Charles Sumner, P. M. opr." After receiving this message and waiting for some time with no other demonstrations coming we separated. January 5, 1894, Dallas, Kramer and myself met at 9 p. m. The instrument had remained connected with the battery in a manner already described. After a few minutes conversation it began to tick and we received the following message: "Good evening all. I have nothing of importance for you tonight. I am glad to see you are together. One thing I would like ta say; we are all coming to dinner with you on Sunday next, so be prepared for company. Charles Sumner, Plum Mitchell, opr." In re- sponse I said: "Mr. Sumner we are glad to meet you again and glad to know that you, with spirit friends, are going to dine with us on Sunday. We shall be most happy to have as many spirits with us at dinner next Sunday, January 7, as can come. I am sure you are all welcome." In reply we received the follow- ing: "Thank you. We all feel that we have a 186 death; the meaning and result. standing invitation on those occasions. I must now leave you for the night. Mr. Mitchell will remain here with you for a while. C. S." We said: "Good night, Mr. Sumner." Soon again the instrument began and we re- ceived the following: "John K. Wilson. Oh, -we are going to have a great time on Sunday and don't you forget it. I expect to take a few of our old boarders down to your hotel and we are going in for a good dinner. I hope you will have wine and cigars. From all your Edenburg friends and Plum Mitchell." I said in response: "All right Plum, bring them all with you on Sunday." Immediately after I pronounced the last word the instrument was again in mo- tion and ticked off the following: "Thank you. I am going to bring with me nearly all the Eden- burg boys you know who have passed to our side of life and I want to show them what kind of a spread we can treat them to once in a while. They have heard so much about you that they all want to come. Plum Mitchell, opr." I then said: "All right, bring all who can come." In a few minutes thereafter the follow- ing: "This is going to be the dinner of the sea- son and between you and I, John, we want to do the thing up in good shape. P. M." Imme- diately we received the following: "Say, John, am I in this dinner business on Sunda3'? Ira Hathaway." The last message was the first intimation that Ira Hathaway was present on this occasion. death; the meaning and result. 187 He was an old friend of mine whose acquaint- ance I formed many years ago at Edenburg, Pa. I had not heard from him for many years and did not know that he was on the spirit side of life until October 17, 1893 at which time he informed me that he had passed over. On sub- sequent investigation I ascertained that Mr. Hathaway passed to spirit life some time pre- vious to that date. In response to Ira's mes- sage, I said: ''Certainly }'ou are in this dinner arrangement and don't fail to come." Immed- iately we got the following: "Thank you, I shall be on hand with the rest of your friends. Say, John, do j t ou remember Frank Murray at Edenburg? I. H." I said: "No, I do not re- member him." Then the following: "Well it don't matter, he knew you at Edenburg very well he is on our side of life now and he desired me to ask if you remembered him." A rest of a few minutes and then the follow- ing message: "Charles S. has gone home, also Ira and as no one else is here from our side of life I will go unless } r ou wish to ask some ques- tions or have a chat with me; I am well posted. Plum Mitchell." I said: "Plum, don't be in a hurry." I then asked him many questions oral- ly to which he gave full answers by telegraphy. He inquired about man}' of his friends whom I know, who still live on this side of life and in return I asked him about many of my friends whom he knew on the spirit side of life. We in this way talked over our first acquaintance 188 death; the meaning and result. commencing in Franklin, Pa. many years ago, and how our acquaintance had ripened into friendship. Many circumstances when Plum and I lived in Edenburg were mentioned by him and fully discussed many of which I had forgotten until he called my attention to them. In fact, we had an enjoyable visit of nearly an hour's duration in this way. He, although entirely un- seen by me at the time, operating on the tele- graph instrument in this truly mysterious way. I asked him many questions and among others was the following: "Plum you speak in one of your telegrams of having wine and cigars on next Sunday; do spirits really enjoy such things?' ' He answered as follows: "Of course they do in their way. We do not literally drink the wine or smoke the cigars as you do while in the mor- tal body. We sort of absorb the finer qualities of the wine; inhale by induction what } r ou would call its fumes. To illustrate: supposing your mouth was closed so that to drink through that channel was impossible but for some rea- son you required your system to be toned up by alcoholic stimulant; you would take a sponge, saturate it with the alcohol, inhale what you could and then give yourself a sponge bath with it; you would get more or less of it in your sys- tem by induction so to speak. That will give you something of the idea how spirits eat and drink when they come back here in earth's con- ditions." Question: "What is the effect of food and drink taken in this way by them?" Answer: death; the meaning and result. 189 "Very much the same effect as on spirits before leaving the mortal body. The food, that is the very finest of its properties, assimilates and is en- joyable to partake of, and drink stimulates to a greater or less degree, if it has that property in its composition. As to cigars, the only way a spirit can get any effect is by taking in, as be- fore explained, aroma when being smoked by a mortal.' I "I have had the pleasure of seeing some spirits since these demonstrations began at this office. I have observed that they are the exact duplicate or counterpart of their former selves in dress, style of dress and in all other particulars. Can you explain to me in what manner spirits dress?" "That is a pretty hard thing to explain so you can understand, but I will see what I can do towards giving you an explanation. Supposing } r ou was in this room perfectly nude; that in the next room you had twelve different suits of clothes, numbered 1-2-3- 4, etc. up to and including number 12. Now supposing you would wish to don suit number two. You would centre your mind or spirit force on that suit and by force of the spirit will power it would be on your spirit body. Now suppose you would wish to don suit number six you would, by force of spirit mind, will suit number two off and suit number six on, the change would immediately follow. This is effect- ed much the same as the will power affects dress of the mortal body. It is will power, as you will perceive on reflection, that dresses the 190 death; the meaning and result. mortal body. While in the body your will for- mulates and plans for the suit of clothes, you follow the plan of your will and employ mater- ial means to procure material clothing. A spirit out of the mortal body by its will formulates and plans for a suit of clothes; it employs spir- itual means to procure spiritual clothing. You will perceive that in each case the end desired is attained by a similar process, though differing in characters as spirit differs from mortal. I don't know that I have made my answer to your question plain. I never tackled that prob- lem before and I find it a very hard thing to explain." I said: "Plum I think you have an- swered my question admirably. I thank you very much." Again he said: "I have enjoyed this chat very much. It seems like old times to sit down and talk to } t ou. We have had many happy hours together and I hope we may have many more; in fact I know we will both before and after you enter the spirit side of life. I will have to leave you now, but will come again soon. Good night, Mr. Dallas, good night, Mr. Kramer, good night, John. Plum Mitchell." CHAPTER XI. One Hundred Spirits Entertained at Dinner— Proces- sion From Office to Hotel— Their Appearance— Their Deportment— Wonderful Telegrams from Spirits — Promised Restoration of Dallas' Powers— Demonsta- tions of Spirit Sumner's Ability to Impress Wilson — Spirits Excuse Themselves— Promise to Return- Spirit Mitchell Directs Diagram by Telegraphy- Spirit Mitchell and Wilson Talk of Boyhood Da3'S — A Song by Spirit Telegraphy— Spirit Sumner Ex- plains Difference in Present Method of Communica- tion and Method Formerly Employed— Entertain Spirit Friends at Wagner's Opera— A Strange Mes- sage — Sudden Departure of Spirit Friends. January 7, 1894, Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office at 12:30 p. m. We expected to have our spirit friends for guests at dinner. At 1:15 the telegraph instrument began to tick and we received the following message: "How do you do, gentlemen. We fixed up the weather to suit us and hope it pleases you; this is indeed a beautiful day for the occasion. Charles Sumner, Prof. F. R. S., Dr. Shoemaker, Dr. Eddy." We said: "Good afternoon, gentlemen." I then re- 192 death; the making and result. marked: "This is a beautiful day. I hope you are ready to accompany us to our hotel for •dinner." As I finished the last sentence we heard a succession of rapping about the office in differ- ent places and the telegraph instrument ticked off the following: "We are nearly ready for the dinner. We are awaiting the arrival here of one or two more spirits. On their arrival there will be an even hundred from our side of life. Here come the expected spirits. Allow me to intro- duce to you all the ladies with us. Prof. F. R. S." A little rest and the instrument resumed: "Now we will arrange for the dinner. You will please take Mrs. Kramer to dinner, Len, she wishes to go with you. Sumner." "John K., you will conduct your mother to the hotel. Sumner." "Dallas, you will take Grace Sumner, my niece. Sumner." "The rest of the band will follow you down. We will all be ready to move at 1:30 sharp. After dinner the ladies will ex- cuse themselves and we -will be pleased to enjoy a cigar along with you. C. S." A few minutes elapsed and I received a private message from my mother which read as follows: "My son, I am so glad to be here with you along with the rest of the band. Your Mother, Margaret Wilson, P. M., opr." Then a moment's rest and the following was ticked off: "To give you an idea how we appear to ourselves we are now lined up four deep in regular marching or- der. At our head are C. S., Dr. S. and the Prof. In the centre is Dr. E. and a place remains for death; the meaning and result. 193 me in the last rank bringing up the rear like a Major General. You three will lead the proces- sion. How little will the people who pass on the street think there is such a large company. We are ready now. Plum Mitchell, opr." After the instrument came to a rest I said: "We are ready; come everybody." Dallas, Kramer and myself passed out of the office and on to the street. We started towards the hotel and in our rear came a succession of cadences resem- bling the noise occasioned by a large company of people marching in step. That noise continued to the very door of the hotel. We passed into the dining room and took seats at a table at which no other mortal was seated. After being seated a constant rapping and noise by an unseen force was heard by us all during the meal. The rapping seemed to pro- ceed from the floor and chairs about the room and on the table and dishes. It became so loud and distinct that it attracted the attention of other guests seated some distance from our ta- ble; not very long, however, for as soon as we became the centre of attention the rapping ceased but continued at intervals during the meal. Wc spent quite a time at the repast, but finally took our leave of the dining room and hotel. When again on the street and during our walk back to the office we heard the same noise or step cadence which accompanied us to the hotel. Ar- riving at the office, I arranged all the chairs I could muster and invited all to be seated. 194 death; the meaning and result. In a few moments the instrument began to tick and gave us the following message: "Well, boys, I should say we got up a great dinner and no mistake about it. Ira H. and myself were in the kitchen looking after the cooking and seeing that everything was all right. It was worth all the trouble } r ou were put to to see the band eating that dinner and the smile each spirit wore. It is a feast long to be remember- ed among us. Plum Mitchell." A rest of a few moments and the following was ticked off: "Well, John, we are ready for the finale of the din- ner. The ladies will be conducted by George Wilson to the residence of Charles Sumner. They again wish to thank you for the handsome way in which they were treated. Dr. Eddy, P. M., opr." Immediately after receiving the message I said: "All right friends, I am sorry the ladies are to withdraw so soon. If they desire to do so, however, we will excuse them on promise to visit us again as soon as convenient." On finishing the last sentence the following message was re- ceived: "They wish to be excused for the pres- ent but will return here later in the day." Soon thereafter I placed on the table a box of cigars, a bottle of wine, along with some wine glasses and said: "Now, gentlemen, I await your pleasure, but I hope all spirits here will join in the festivities of this occasion and enjoy themselves in their own way." Immediately the instrument ticked off the following: "Thank you. Please arrange the chairs in a circle about death; the meaning and result. 195 the tables, pour a small quantity into each glass. Mr. Dallas, Mr. Kramer and Mr. Wilson will please light a cigar each for themselves and smoke slowly and we will proceed to enjoy the banquet. C. S." I proceeded to carry out the instructions, each of us mortals lighting a cigar as requested. Af- ter being thus conditioned the instrument began to tick and gave us the following: "Now, gen- tlemen, in the first place allow me to thank you in the name of all present for the gorgeous spread which you have prepared for us; it is very fine and you have the united thanks of the whole spirit world. Dr. Shoemaker,P. M., opr." In reply I said: "I am sure, friends, you are most welcome." Again the instrument ticked off the following wonderful message: "Januar3 r 7, 1894. To my forces across the valley of the shadow of life. Today you are placed on the top of the highest summit of the spirit world. We have transported this whole room and its contents over among us. You can look down on the vast space which lays between you and earth. See how the world rolls around like a fiery ball. See that glimmer of gold threading its way through the darkness of the earth plane. That gold band of sun-light is your power which has been given to you from the spirit world. See, it spreads and spreads 'till it envelopes the whole earth in its beauty and glory. Now }-ou can see yourselves leading the way in the path of glory to the very throne of immortal life. 196 death; the meaning and result. Hear the whole world shout, glory and victory O. . have been completed; immortal happiness reigns in your life hereafter, victory at the beginning, everlasting life at the end and all men shout amen. Prof. F. R. S." A few moments rest and then the following was received: "To John K. Wilson: As you have already been impressed, it will only be necessary for me to state that you will hereafter have the power of seeing and hearing spirit friends in the future. We are of the opinion that Mr. Dallas will have his full power returned doubly strong within a few days. I think that is the best news I can give you. Charles Sum- ner, P. M. opr.," Immediately following we re- ceived this message: "As there are some spirits here who have not witnessed me impress } r ou, John, and use your organism to express my thoughts, I will, by your permission, give them a demonstration. C. S." I said: "All right Mr. Sumner } t ou have my permission." Then the instrument ticked off the following: "To demonstrate to them that I have complete control of your mentality, I wish you to step out into the hall and out of hearing of this in- strument and remain there about five minutes then return to this room and resume your seat. During your absence I will give Mr. Dallas a message over the telegraph instrument, the con- tents of which will be unknown to you, and on your return I will impress its contents on your organism and you will repeat it audibly; now death; the meaning and result. 197 please go far enough from this room so it will be impossible for j^ou to hear the instrument. C. S." I said: "All right" and left the room, passed out into the hall and up to the third floor of the block. I heard no sound of the in- strument during nry absence. I remained five minutes and returned to the room perfectly ig- norant of any message which had been received during my absence. I took a seat in the room. In a moment or two after resuming my seat I experienced a thrilling sensation. I began to talk in a slow manner. I knew what I was saying but it was entirely foreign to my thoughts when I took my seat. I noticed Mr. Dallas was taking down on paper with pencil what I was saying. I kept on talking for a few minutes and stopped. The strange feeling left me as suddenly as it came upon me. Mr. Dallas opened a draw- er of the table and took therefrom the message he had received during my absence and held it up in front of me together with the slip of paper on which he had written what I had just said. I observed that they were exactly alike word for word. I took them and compared them more closely. There was no mistake it was a true repetition with no variations. Truly a wonderful thirg, and another evidence of spirit power and possibilities. Soon the instrument was again in motion and said: "Mr. Wilson, that was a perfect impress and astonishes many of 3'our spirit friends here as much as it does you. I thank you for sub- 198 death; the making and result. mitting to the test. Charles Sumner." A little rest and then the following: "We will take a rest. Some of the spirits here will return to their homes. We will be here again this evening and the ladies will be here also, so after supper please all be here. We will all say good afternoon. W. P. S., P. M., opr.," The sounder rested and we all said: "Good afternoon; but come again." Dallas and Kramer left the office at 4 p. m. promising to return at 7 p. m. After their de- parture I reflected on the wonderful demonstra- tions of the day. How wonderfully mysterious and at the same time how natural and like, hu- man entities, what had been done and said by our unseen visitors. Then I thought of the prom- ise of the presence of ladies from the spirit world during the evening. In order to in some way show proper appreciation of their presence I substituted a mixture of candies for the cigars which had formed a part of the luxuries of the afternoon banquet. At 7:15 o'clock Dallas and Kramer again met at my office. The telegraph instrument had re- mained connected with the battery and the chairs had remained about the tables as placed in the afternoon. After our meeting at this time, perhaps ten minutes having elapsed, the instru- ment began to tick in that mysterious way and gave us the following: "Good evening, gentle- men, glad to meet you again so soon. Several spirits are here including Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kra- mer, Miss Dallas and Miss Sumner. We will death; the meaning and result. 199 give you a diagram of how we are seated about these tables and how we appear to ourselves and to each other. We will instruct Mr. Dallas, the receiving operator, how to draw the dia- gram. C. S." A rest of a few minutes and then the instrument resumed and the diagram shown on the following page gradually assumed shape with names written as therein appears. After the diagram was finished the instrument ticked off the following: "This is the way in which we are seated around the table. We give the names of some of the most important spirits. The rest of the band are lined up at the back of the others. Charles Sumner, P. M., opr." After examining the diagram the drawing of which did not exceed twenty minutes, each line drawn and name written being the result of telegraph instructions by the unseen operators I said: "Gentlemen, we thank you for this dia- gram." I wish to say also that the position shown in the diagram occupied by Mr. Dallas, Mr. Kramer and myself, the key and sounder are correct. Of the names written Wm. W T ilson is my brother, George Wilson, my nephew and Mrs. Wilson I have no doubt is intended for my mother. All the rest except Mrs. Kramer, Miss Dallas, Miss Sumner, William Mitchell, Vander- bilt, Charles Sumner, J. Gould and Prof. F. R. S. were intimate acquaintances of mine before their decease, and all of whom I know have passed through the transition called death, either by my personal knowledge or by well founded and 200 death; the meaning and result. CJ a C2 o CO >. - £ 02 n CO O - w u ^3 O g >^ rt £ ri 2 "9 ^ o C*> CO ■ W ^ rt ol aj cd u Q C Dr. Shoemaker. John K. Wilson. I •% ll j 1 a •av 2 13 X ? ? O * w a ? death; the meaning and result. 201 I think, reliable information, except H. J. Beth- une of whose decease I have no knowledge at the present time except what he tells me as a spirit. All the names written on the diagram are of people entirely unknown to Mr. Dallas, except Miss Dallas, barring what acquaintance he had acquired with them as spirits since these demonstrations began. A few minutes having elapsed after the production of the diagram, Mr. Dallas spoke and said: "Why, sister, I did not know you were here this evening until your name was mentioned in connection with the diagram, I have just drawn by instructions. I am very glad to meet you again." Immediately thereafter the instrument began to click and for some time a conversation was carried on between Mr. Dallas and his spirit sister, he speaking orally and she responding by telegraphy. I asked Mr. Dallas if his sister could operate on the telegraph instrument; he informed me that she could not do so and that Plum Mitchell was doing the operating for her. After this conversation ceased I received the following message: "My dear son, I am more than pleased and more than repaid for all my efforts in trying to do my share in this great cause. You know I do not like to say much in company. Please accept my thanks for the way in which you have treated us this evening. Mother." A little rest and then the following: "Mr. Sumner would like to hear a few remarks from Mr. Wilson and Mr. Kramer. Also the 202 death; the meaning and result. ladies would like to hear from both. P. M., opr." In response to this Mr. Kramer excused himself by saying that he was not used to public speak- ing, and that he felt embarrassed in the presence of such distinguished company. I replied: "I felt somewhat embarrassed myself but was willing to do the best I could." I arose from my chair to make a few remarks as requested. During this time I felt entirely normal but after I began to talk I felt a little thrill pass over me but I had no idea but that it was the result of enjoy- ment and ecstacy in consequence of my happiness in having the honor of, in my weak way, speak- ing a welcome to our guests. I had said but a few words when I sort of lost m3 r self and kept on talking hardly knowing what I was saying. I thought I was making a failure in "what ought to be said on such an occasion but kept, what seemed to me, blundering on for a while and sat down. I noticed that Mr. Kramer's cheeks were wet with tears, and that Mr. Dallas looked sur- prised and I said: "What is the matter?" Mr. Kramer said: "Mr. Wilson, I never heard such a grand speech in all my life. It was so grand and pathetic that it did what no other speech ever made me do before, that is, shed tears." I laughed and said: "I think I know all that was said and I am sure that what I said were very common place remarks." Mr. Dallas smiled and shook his head. I said: "Dallas, is that so?" He said: "Mr. Wilson, that was not you talk- ing. Some person was talking through your organism." death; the meaning and result. 203 I had to smile at the idea expressed by him and called his attention to the fact that Mr. Sumner, who would be the individual likely to control me to speak, if any spirit, had said, by telegram, just before I began to speak, that he wished to be excused and had left. Mr. Dallas still insisted that his theory was correct. Just at this time the instrument began to tick and said: "Well, gentlemen, we will have to leave 3^ou for the evening; we have all had an excel- lent time. The ladies thank you for the prepar- ation you have made far them. They enjoyed this very much. Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Kramer, Miss Dallas, Miss Sumner. P. M., opr." We all said they were very welcome, and hoped they would come again soon, and bid them good night. Following this Dallas, Kramer and myself were carrying on a conversation in relation to what we had seen and heard during the day and even- ing when suddenly the instrument resumed and ticked off the following: "Hello, boys, I have seen the company all home and I have returned to stay a few minutes with you. John, please sit down opposite the key here. I am sitting by the key. I wish to have another visit and talk over the old times. Plum Mitchell." I did as requested; soon the telegraph instrument was in operation and Mr. Dallas read what it had to say. Plum and myself, old friends and chums, were again talking of our by-gone daj's, about old friends we had known long ago, about 204 death; the meaning and result. Edenburg and its people. After visiting for some time Plum said: "John, don't you remember some of the old songs we used to sing when we used to sleigh-ride down from Eden- burg to Mogs' and Wentlings' corners?" I said: "Yes, Plum, I remember some of them but I am out of practice and would not attempt to sing." Plum resumed and said: "Well, I will sing one to you over this instrument before I go." I said: "All right, I would like to hear it." The instrument then proceeded as follows: "For he is a jolly good fellow, For he is a jolly good fellow, For he is a jolly good fellow; Which no one can deny.— Plum." This was one of the old college songs that Plum and I used to sing on our sleigh-rides, long ago, when Plum was a mortal like myself. Now. after many years of separation, he elevated to spirit, I still a mortal, but clasping hands across the chasm, he establishing his identity bej^ond question or cavil and proving utterly erroneous that trite saying: "He has gone forth to that undiscovered country, from whose bourne no traveler returns." He has gone to that country but has returned. After the song or rather the words of the song, I said: "How well I remember those words sung so long ago." Then the instrument ticked off the following: "Yes, John, long ago; been many changes since then. Well, I must go, so good night all. P. M." death; the meaning and result. 205 Note. On investigation subsequent to meeting H. J. Bethune as a spirit, and of whose decease I was only informed at the time by him, I have ascertained that he passed to spirit life some time previous to 1893. January 10, 1894, 2 p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at the usual place. The tele- graph instrument remained connected to the battery as used on former occasions. For a few minutes after we met all was very quiet so far as demonstrations by unseen forces was concerned. Soon, however, it was very evident that the spirit operator was at his post, and he gave us the following message: "Good after- noon, boys. Mr. Dallas, you were in rather a bad way last night; you were a prett}' sick man. We worked on you all night under the Doctor's directions and I think we have done well in restoring you from the most dangerous fever which ever entered into your system. You will be all right in a few days. Plum Mitchell." I did not understand the message until Mr. Dallas told me that early last evening he was taken very ill, and that soon after his sickness came on him Dr. Shoemaker came to his room and by raps told him that he was threatened with fever and advised him to go to bed and that the Doctor would try and break the fever. On being thus advised he immediately went to bed and woke up feeling much better in the morning. After receiving this message Mr. Dallas orally thanked Mr. Mitchell and wished him to thank 206 death; the meaning and result. Dr. Shoemaker for being so kind as to attend him in sickness. Again the instrument began to tick and gave us the following: "Good day, gen- tlemen, I was so busy last night with my sub- ject that I feel exhausted. However, I am glad to see that he has improved wonderfully. Mr. Sumner will be here and speak in a few min- utes. Everything is going along smoothly and to our satisfaction. Dr. Shoemaker." A little rest and then the following was ticked off: "Good day, gentlemen, I hope you are all well. Charles Sumner." We all said; "Good afternoon, Mr. Sumner, we are glad to meet you again." And then the following: "To John K. Wilson. There is one important question which you wish explained. Ask it. Charles Sum- ner, P. M., opr." Previous to Mr. Sumner's coming I had on my mind a question to ask him when he came again. The question being: "How is it possible for our spirit friends to send a message along the lines from their spirit head- quarters to us and which we receive on our instrument in my office, while heretofore it had been so difficult to get intelligent communica- tions from what were termed 'advanced spheres' in the spirit world, even by the means of med- iums generally?" I had said nothing to Dallas or Kramer or anyone else about the question I was going to propound or that I thought of asking any question at all. How Mr. Sumner knew what was in my mind I do not pretend to say; but certainly in some way he found out. death; the meaning and result. 207 I asked the question orally when he requested me to do so and in answer the instrument ticked off the following: "As you know there are sev- eral divisions or circles through which a message has to be transmitted. In the first place our magnetic force was not powerful enough to pen- etrate the distance between your state and ours so we had to employ those lower spiritual pow- ers to carry the message from us to you. In transmitting it lost nearly all of its originality and became so changed that we would hardly know it by the time it reached you. Since then we have been able to establish relay stations or batteries along this line of thought so that now we can send a message directly to you without the aid of any other power than that of our creation, thereb}^ preserving the full power and sense of the information. We have therefore wiped out of existence that lower force which intercepted and retarded us in our work. Charles Sumner." After receiving this message I said: "Mr. Sumner, I thank you very much for this infor- mation. It fully answers my question." Im- mediately we received the following: "I am sure you are very welcome. Any question that you may desire to ask from time to time I shall be pleased to answer to the best of nry ability. Well, gentlemen, we will leave you but will be here again this evening, and I might add, that some of yonr spirit friends, if you have no ob- jections, would be pleased to attend the per- 208 death; the meaning and result. formance to be given at the Opera House this evening, and among your guests will be some ladies. C. S." The instrument rested for a few moments and I said: "Mr. Sumner, I am sure we would be happy to have all who can come as our guests this evening and with them we will attend the entertainment at the Opera House." As soon as I ceased speaking the in- strument resumed and said: "Thank you, we will be here immediately after supper; good after- noon. C. S." We said good afternoon to all. Soon thereafter Dallas and Kramer left the office on promise to return again after supper. We met at my office at 6:45 p. m. We got our suppers on this evening as early as possible so as to be prepared to meet our expected guests. At this time after meeting we were dis- cussing the question of securing seats at the Opera House for the evening. It was so late we were afraid we would not be able to get good seats and Mr. Dallas made the remark, 1 'That if we failed to get seats in the parquet we could perhaps fare well in the balcony." The diagram of seats for the entertainment was at Brennan and Davis' store several blocks from my office. I was about to start for Brennan and Davis' for the purpose of inspecting the dia- gram and securing seats when the telegraph instrument began to tick and we received the following message: "Hello, boys, you see I am on hand. I was up to Brennan and Davis' store looking over the board. I am sorry to say that death; the meaning and result. 209 I do not see any unsold seats that would suit us in the parquet. Dr. Shoemaker says it will be just as well for you to go in the balcony, as otherwise } t ou would not have Mr. Kramer with you and we want you all together. Plum Mitchell, opr." I said: "All right, Plum, I will go up to Brennan and Davis' and procure three seats together in the balcony." I immediately repaired to Brennan and Davis' and inspected the board or diagram of seats and found that all the seats except a few scatter- ing ones had been sold and I procured three seats in the balcony and returned to the office. As soon as I stepped into the office the instru- ment began to tick and gave us the following: "Those seats you procured in the balcony are all right. I was with you when you bought the seats, or rather the tickets. P. M., opr." I said: "All right, Plum. How soon will our guests for the Opera be here?" Immediately we received the following: "In time for the show. I will let you know when they come. P. M., opr." Dallas, Kramer and myself waited, and at 7:30 the instrument ticked off the following: "Here comes your mother, John, and Mrs. Kramer; also Dr. Shoemaker, Dr. Eddy and your brother and nephew, William and George Wilson. P. M., opr." I said: "Good evening, mother, good evening, to all. Glad to have you all here, and hope you will all accompany us to the show." Immedi- ately we got the following message: "Good 210 death; the maning and result. evening to all. We anticipate enjoyment at the entertainment. All of your spirit friends will accompany you to the Opera House except me, and I will join you there before the entertain- ment closes. John, with }^our permission, I will, during your absence this evening, use your office and this instrument. I have invited some of our spirit workers to attend a meeting here this evening, beginning at 8:20. Charles Sumner." I said: "Certainly, Mr. Sumner, you are wel- come to the use of my office at any time and I wish you at all times when here to make your- self at home in all respects." Immediately we got the following: "Thank you." Nothing was said for a few minutes and then we got the fol- lowing: "We are ready any time you are. P. M., opr." I said: "Very well." We put on our overcoats and started for the Opera House. When we passed down the stairs in the block and along the hallway to the exit on the street, loud raps were heard in our rear, in front of us, and, in fact, all around us. We arrived at the Opera House passed in and took our seats. During the entertainment when a good thing was said or clever acting done, by the members of the troupe, we could hear our spirit friends applauding by loud raps. That occurred quite often and was evidence to us that they were being entertained and enjoyed the preformance. When the show came to a close we returned to the office at about 10:30 p. m. We took seats and soon received the following death; the meaning and result. 211 message: "We all enjc^ed the show very much, the ladies more especially. They all thank you and hope you also enjoyed it. Was not that a most funny little creature? Plum Mitchell." In explanation of the last sentence there was- among the performers at the show a very little man, in fact, a Lilliputian ol the small type and he was funny. I said in response to the message: "I am glad you all enjoyed the entertainment and hope all spirit friends will join us on such occasions." In a few moments we received the following message: "Mr. Sumner wishes to say that he, along with the rest of the band, enjoyed the pla}^ very much. And he also wishes me to thank you for the use of your office. He was not able to get over to the Opera House until 9:30 but he enjo}^ed the part of the play which he witnessed. They had quite a meeting here while you were at the Opera House. P. M." The instrument came to a rest. Some little time elapsed before much was said by either Dallas, Kramer or myself. I finally said: "I wonder if our spirit friends have left us without bidding us good night; that has never happened before." We waited a little longer, but little conversation occurred during the interim. I did not feel like talking. For some reason I felt strangely depressed. I thought to myself: "Why should I feel so strangely? I ought to be happy and mirthful," but try as I would I could not throw off that feeling which had taken possession of me and I could not imagine the cause. After "212 death; the meaning and result. waiting for a while longer I said: "Plum are you here?" No answer came. I said: "This is strange; this is something new. It never hap- pened before that our spirit friends left us so unceremoniously without even saying good bye." I felt perturbed. Soon thereafter the instrument began to tick but I could not see the key move and I concluded that the message must be com- ing over the outside invisible wire. Another thing I observed, as did Mr. Dallas, that the operating was different from the very familiar operating by the unseen entities we had before heard and become accustomed to but we got the message which is as folio wes: "Private. This is to you, Len. I enjo\^ed the show immensely. I hope you and I can go to many more in the future. Everything will be all right. Don't show this to J. K. Wilson. Minnie." I had not succeeded in making out the message as it came, some of it, however, I had, and either by intuition, psychological impress or some other means which I cannot explain, I knew something out of the ordinary had happened. I was certain something had gone wrong, but what? that was the question. As Mr. Dallas finished writing the message he handed it to Mr. Kramer. He took it, stepped aside and silently scanned it over. I watched him, for a moment his countenance lit up with a joyful expression and then was followed by an expression of doubt, bordering on alarm. He passed me the strange message, without saying a word, and I death; the meaning and result. 213 read it. I then said: "I am afraid something has happened to our friends. I can't tell why, but I feel that way. This message bears me out in my apprehension. It is a strange mes- sage and I am certain sent by a strange opera- tor." Mr. Kramer was the first to speak in re- sponse to what I had said and remarked: "Things do not look right. Why should my wife send me a message like that after being here this evening. I can't understand it." When Mr. Dallas said: "Well, I know there is trouble somewhere but I can't tell what it is. I know that the operator who sent the message is a strange operator to me. It was no person who ever sent a message which I received before." I then spoke and said: "Plum, are you here?" No Answer. "Are any of our spirit friends here?" The telegraph instrument maintained absolute silence. We waited until midnight in hopes of being enlightened as to what had happened but our spirit friends, and all spirit entities for that matter, were as silent as the Sphinx. The in- strument was dumb to our questions and finally Dallas and Kramer took their departure, all wondering, but profoundly ignorant of what was wrong. CHAPTER XII. Mystery— Suspicion Aroused— A Forged Telegram- Deception Detected — Warned By Spirit Friends — Another Forged Spirit Telegram — Detected — Spirit Friends Betrayed — A Judas in Camp — Again Warned — Wilson Meets Spirit Judge James B. Knox— More Spirit Warfare— A Visit by Pope Leo II— A Visit by Cardinal Manning — Informed Who Betrayed Spirit Friends — Another Victory — Telegrams From Spirit Friends— Ultimatum for Kramer. January 11, 1894, 9 o'clock p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office. Soon after our meeting we began to discuss the strange pro- ceedings of last evening. We were all of the opin- ion that something out of the usual had happened but what it was we were unable to divine. We waited until one hour had elapsed for some in- telligence from our spirit friends which would explain the mystery. No rap greeted our ears and the telegraph instrument, heretofore so ready to tick a message, maintained absolute silence. I had often asked the question: "Are any of our spirit friends here?" But no answer came. death; the meaning and result. 215 We still waited and hoped against hope that we would be able to hear from our friends. All to no purpose, however, for two hours had passed since our meeting this evening. The long wait and entire absence of any indication of the presence of our spirit friends convinced us more than ever that something was wrong. But what could it be? That was the unsolved mys- tery. Finally Dallas and Kramer took their de- parture. January 12, 1894, Dallas, Kramer and myself met at the usual place. We had been seated but a few moments when the telegraph instrument began to click. At first I was pleased for I thought that our suspense was to lose its ten- sion and the mystery would be solved. As the instrument continued its work I observe that it was being operated differently than on previous occasions. The tone was different and in many other respects it was apparent to me that it was being worked by a different spirit operator than I had before heard. However, I said noth- ing. Mr. Dallas was receiving the message and writing it as received. After he finished the writing he passed the message over to me. I had. noticed that Mr. Dallas while receiving the message exhibited an unusual degree of nervous- ness. I glanced over the message and saw that the phraseology was different than messages which had been received from our friends, and instead of explaining anything, or speaking of the mystery which we expected our friends 216 death; the meaning and result. would solve for us at their earliest opportunit}-, it made things more complex. The message thus received is as follows: "January 12, 1894. Good evening, gentlemen, I have been waiting here for some time. I knew the operator would put in his appearance. Mr. Sumner, Dr. Shoe- maker, Dr. Eddy, Colonel Knox, and the Prof, are here for the evening, so you see we are in good company. Plum Mitchell, opr." The more I looked over the message the more I became convinced that it did not emanate from our friends and that the operator was not Plum Mitchell. In other words that it was a fabrica- tion and the operator some entity or spirit im- personating our friend Mitchell. Up to this time, after receiving the message, I had said nothing. The instrument had remained silent. I finally spoke, handing the message back to Dallas and said: ' 'Dallas look that over carefully and tell me what you think about it." Dallas took it looked it over and said: "Well, it is strange. I hardly know what to think about it." I said: "Do you think that Plum Mitchell did the operating?" He promptly replied: "I am certain that it was not Plum who did the operating." I then said: "Well, that confirms my idea. I am now certain that message was not sent by a spirit friend of ours and that the operator who signs himself Plum Mitchell is quite another person or spirit." During the time we had been examining the message and discussing its contents, the instru- death; the meaning and result. 217 ment remained silent. I then said, addressing the unseen operator: "Now, Mr. Operator, am I right in my conclusion in this matter?" No answer came. Again and again I tried to get a response from the unseen entity, but none was given or explanation offered. Dallas, Kramer and myself discussed the question concerning the telegram and the mystery preceding it for some time and we all came to the conclusion that something had happened to our spirit friends and that their place here had been usurped by other spirits who sought to mislead us by im- personating our friends. Dallas and Kramer were about to leave the office, when we heard raps which we immediately recognized as being produced by Dr. Shoemaker. In a hurried way by rapping telegraphy he gave us the following: "I wish to warn you. Our enemies have broken through our lines and tried to intercept us. Be very careful how you act and be sure it is us you are in communication with before you give credence to any information you may receive. This is a serious break and may take some time to repair, perhaps some months; but have cour- age. The enemy were in here this evening. I watched my opportunity and when they left I came in. Good night. Dr. Shoemaker." At last the mystery was explained. Something was indeed wrong as we*had anticipated. Our friends have been routed and their places taken by spirits adverse to them and to us. We had been right in our conclusion. We are all glad 218 death; the meaning and result. to receive the explanation, but very sorry the way things were shaped. We now know what has happened, but the cause or how it was brought about we are yet entirely ignorant of. January 13, 1894, 9 o'clock p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office. The tele- graph instrument had been left in its usual pos- ition and connected with the battery. We took seats made ourselves easy and awaited results. We had been warned and were on the alert. Soon the instrument began to rattle. It was being manipulated by some spirit operator who was giving us a message. Again I detected a difference in the operating from that produced by our spirit friends and a great resemblance to the operating at our last meeting. Mr. Dallas was receiving and writing down the message. After he had received he handed it to me and is as follows: "January 13, 1894. How are you all. We are glad to see you once more in the sacred chamber. Dr. Shoemaker, opr." After carefully looking over the message I was more certain than before that Dr. Shoe- maker was not the operator and that the mes- sage did not emanate from him as purported. Not only the peculiar operating but the phrase- ology proved clearly to my mind that my sus- picions were well founded. I handed the mes- sage back to Dallas who had maintained silence while I was examining it and said: "Mr. Dal- las what do you think about that message?" He replied: "I am certain that Dr. Shoemaker death; the meaning and result. 219 did not send this message, and I am quite cer- tain that the operator who sent it, or did the operating, is the same person or spirit who did the operating last evening." I said that he had •expressed my conviction exactly. I then said: "Now I will say to this spirit operator and those whom he represents that I consider it a contemptible imposition lor him or them to in- trude themselves in this office and in this way try to mislead, and I cared not who they were or from whence they came, I desired them to distinctly understand that their room was much preferable to their company and to depart with- out delay." Whatever it was, or whoever it might have been, they must have taken me at my word for after waiting for some time for a reply we got none and silence reigned supreme. After this we began to discuss what had transpired. While thus talking we heard raps on the table. That were not loud, but distinct, and what is better they were familiar raps and we all recognized them as being produced by spirit Plum Mitchell and by rapping telegraplry he gave us the following message: ''The enemy just stepped out and I watched my opportunity to come in. We all know that you feel anxious about your spirit friends. We were betrayed to the enemy by one of our number on January 10, about 11 p. m. It was Yerj unexpected to us and we were taken by surprise. Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker were hurt but only slightly. I must not stay longer I may be discovered by 220 death; the meaning and result. the enemy. Goodnight. Plum Mitchell." We all thanked Plum for this message. We waited some minutes and again heard raps near where I was seated. They too were familiar raps and were easily recognized as be- ing produced by Mr. Sumner. He began by rap- ping telegraphy and gave us the following mes- sage: "Good evening, gentlemen. Dr. Shoemaker has already informed you of the break in our work. It is somewhat serious though we may be able to repair it soon. We are not in the position we were two weeks ago. We have gone back although it is hard to believe. Please disconnect the instrument from the battery and be on the alert for our enemies will try in every way they can to mislead you by impersonating your friends. Some of your friends will report to you as often as opportunity permits. I can- not stay longer, good night. Charles Sumner." We all thanked Mr. Sumner and said to him: "Good night." After waiting some time and get- ting nothing further we again discussed the strange proceedings and wondered who the Judas was who betrayed our friends into the hands of their enemies. On that question none of us could give even a semblance of a guess. Waiving the person or the name of the person or spirit, what could have been the motive for the betray- al resulting in such a calamity. We did not know nor even imagine, and we have to rely en- tirely on the future for light along these lines. I disconnected the telegraph instrument from the battery as Mr. Sumner had instructed. death; the meaning and result. 221 January 17, 1894. During the interim from the date of the last meeting Dallas, Kramer and myself had met every evening at my office but saw or heard nothing of our spirit friends or their adversaries. On this particular evening Mr. Kramer came to my office about 8:30 p. m. Soon after he arrived we entered into conversa- tion on the general topics of the day. Nothing had been said about our spirit friends or on the sub- ject of spirit return. I have a zither in my office to which I have referred, and when our conver- sation began to lag a little I picked up the zither and made an effort to hum a tune and play an accompaniment. After being engaged for a few minutes I looked up, and there, at the end of the office table, with one hand resting thereon, and about seven feet from where I sat stood Judge James B. Knox. I cannot say that I was frightened but there came over me a sort of creeping sensation. Judge Knox was looking me square in the face and in appearance was the exact counterpart as I remember him in earth life; same style of dress and personal characteristics to all appearance as when I knew him as lawyer and advocate some years ago in Clarion County, Pa. I knew him well in earth life in 1878. and 1879. I had not thought of Judge Knox for years until his name was men- tioned as noticed in a former record. When I thus observed the Judge I stopped trying to play the music but said nothing. I expected every second that he would speak to 222 death; the meaning and result. me. I finally spoke intending to address him and did pronounce "Judge," but before I could proceed further he vanished from my view. He went as suddenly as he came and as noiseless. I wondered what he wanted and why he did not speak; that, however, I may never know. January 25, 1894, 9 p. m., Dallas, Kramer and myself met at the usual place. We had met, however, each evening since receiving that last message from our friends in order to give them an opportune, if they so desired, to communi- cate. On this particular evening a few minutes after our meeting we heard raps on the office table. We recognized them as being produced by Plum Mitchell and by rapping telegraphy he gave us the following message: "Have had sev- eral engagements with the enemy. We are slowly but surely regaining our former position, good night. Plum Mitchell." After receiving this mes- sage and waiting for some time for others but hearing nothing we separated. January 26, 1894, Dallas, Kramer and myself met at the office at 9 p. m. After being seated for a few moments we heard raps upon the office table. We all noticed the fact that they were unlike any raps produced by our spirit friends. I finally said: "Are these raps produced by a friend of ours?" Answer, by raps, "No."" Question — "Can you telegraph to us by raps?" Answer — "Yes." "Well, who are you and what to you want?" "We are Pope Leo II and Card- inal Manning. We would like to advise you death; the meaning and result. 223 and do you good." I then said: "Pope Leo and Cardinal Manning, we do not know that you are really whom you represent yourselves to be and have no way of finding out that I know of. If we were sure that you are whom you say you are, you are strangers to us and we to you. We have spirit friends whom we know and can trust. We wish to hold communi- cations with no spirits at present at least except with them." To which they replied by rapping telegraphy, "All right, good night. C. M., P. L. II." January 27, 1894. Mr. Dallas called at my office at 9 p. m. Mr. Kramer was not present. Some few minutes after Mr. Dallas called we engaged in a discussion on the subject of the be- trayal of our spirit friends. I said: "I do not like to name any -particular spirit for fear of doing an injustice. I have, however, had the name of a particular spirit in my mind more or less all day as the guilty one. But it is one that I can not think would do such a thing. I have caught myself several times through the day repeating to myself, as the spirit name would come to me, 'impossible, that cannot be the guilty spirit' but all I can do toward banishing that name from my mind seems to' be futile. It has the presistency of 'Banquo's Ghost,' it will not down." Mr. Dallas replied: "John, I have had the same experience exactly but I do not think the spirit I have thought about in connection with the betrayal could or would do such a 224 death; the meaning and result. thing." I then said: "Well, Dallas, I will men- tion no name to you as the guilty one. I do not care to have you mention any name to me as the guilty one but we will undoubtedly find out who it is as soon as our friends get the opportunity and care to advise us, so let me make a proposition to you. I will now write the name of the spirit whom I think betrayed our friends; you shall not see it or know what is written. I will put the slip in my vest pocket. You write the name which you have in your mind as the guilty one on a slip of paper and put it in your pocket, which name shall be un- known to me and when we are informed who the guilty party really is we will compare the the names written by us and see if either of us are right." To that proposition Mr. Dallas as- sented, we procured slips of paper, each wrote a name thereon unknown to the other and de- posited the slips respectively in our vest pockets. January 28, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 9 p. m. Mr. Kramer was not present at this meeting. We were soon discussing the mystery which was in our minds. In about one-half hour after we met we heard a familiar rap on the table which developed into a succes- sion of raps. They were the well known rap- pings of Charles Sumner. We had heard them so often before that we were able to identify them as readily and with as much certainty as we could identify any friend of ours by his voice. Mr. Sumner proceeded and by rapping telegra- death; the meaning and result. 225 phy he gave us the following message: "Good evening, gentleman, I am glad to be with you at this time. We are progressing to our satis- faction in repairing the break, and hope soon to be able to again communicate with you by the telegraph instrument without being interrupted by our enemies. You are both right in your impressions about the break and in relation to the individual who betrayed our cause. We gave you the impression and you are both cor- rect. You may produce your slips of paper on which you have written a name each and you will find that you agree as to the individual who betraj^ed us. Charles Sumner." I was indeed astonished when I read the mes- sage. How could Mr. Sumner, though a spirit, know we had slips in our pockets on which a name was written for no doubt he referred to the slips of paper Air. Dallas and I had prepar- ed the previous evening. I immediately took the slip out of my pocket and laid it on the table. Mr. Dallas did likewise. We found each had written the same name on his respective slip. I was very sorr}- to know that the indi- vidual spirit whose name was written was really the one who had so wantonly betrayed our spirit friends into the hands of their enemies. I am pained to be compelled to write the name in this record, but a complete record requires all this to be truthfully recorded, nothing added, nothing omitted. After we had compared the slips and laid them side by side on the table the 226 death; the meaning and result. rapping resumed and gave us the following message: "The name written on these slips is the name of the individual spirit who betrayed our cause. Good night. C. S." The name so written and who, as we have been told, is the Judas, is Mrs. Minnie Kramer, who, when in earth life, was the wife of J. L. Kramer our co-investigator. I was glad Mr. Kramer happened to be absent this evening. I know that such news would fall heavily on his sensitive nature. It was some time after this before Mr. Dallas or myself spoke. I felt sad. Mrs. Minnie Kramer had been an attend- ant in company with our spirit friends at almost every meeting since these demonstrations began. She had been at man}' of our banquets. She had supped with us and dined with us so to speak. We had showed her that defference and extended to her as a spirit that courtesy due a lady and a welcome guest. Notwithstanding all that, what has she done? Well, from my view judging from an earthly standard it is perfidy and ingratitude to say the least, but perhaps there may be attenuating circumstances unknown to me which lessen the enormit}' of the crime. I hope there are. And then again ma} T be I have no right to judge in the premises, she being ele- vated to spirit and I still a mortal. I am wil- ling to let the matter rest and she be judged by her peers in the court of the spirit realms. Finally Mr. Dallas spoke and broke the silence. He said: "John is it not terrible? how could death; the meaning and result. 227 Mrs Kramer do such a thing." I said: "Dallas, it is too awful to think about. It is done, it seems, and what has been done can't be undone, so we must accept the situation as we find it." I was at this time wondering in what manner Mr. Kramer could be apprised of this fact, or whether it would not be better to keep him in ignorance concerning the awful truth; that may be the best wa} r , for it seems to me if ever ig- norance is bliss it has its full force and applica- tion in this case. Mr. Dallas and myself, to be sure, are wiser on one point at least than when we met earlier in the evening, but I can say for myself that such wisdom makes me sad. January 31, 1894, Mr. Dallas, Kramer and myself met at 9 p. m. Soon after we met we heard familiar raps, and by rapping telegraphy we got the following message: "Good evening. Mr. Sumner desires me to say that your friends have succeeded in closing the break in their lines. It has been a sharp contest but a decided one with victor}' again on the side of light and truth. We will soon have our telegraph line re- paired so we will be able to communicate with you direct. It will take three or four days to get in complete readiness, so for that time you will hear very little, if an3'thing, from us. Good night. Plum Mitchell, opr." February 4, 1894, Dallas, Kramer and myself met at my office at 9 p. m. Soon thereafter we heard raps, readity recognized by us, on the table and by rapping telegraphy we received the 228 death; the meaning and result. following: ' 'Hello, bo3's: I am here all in good shape and ready for business. Please connect the telegraph instrument with the battery and I will connect our ware with the instrument and you will receive a message. Plum Mitchell.' ' We all said: "Good evening, Plum." We imme- diately connected the instrument with the bat- tery. Soon a call was sounded over the instru- ment, and a response to the call and then we received the following message: "February 4, 1894. Spirit headquarters. To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: We are glad to be able to say to you that we have won and are now able to use all of our force and power. Charles Sum- ner, Dr. W. P. Shoemaker." The instrument rested for a few moments then we received the following: "We will let } r ou know when to meet us this week. Nothing further tonight. C. S." And then the following: "That is enough good news for tonight. Dr. W. P. S." In a few minutes thereafter I said: "Plum are you here yet? And immediately we got the following: "Yes, Dr. Eddy is here also. Mr. Sumner says we must not speak much to you tonight as our forces have to multiply for more important work. Good night. Plum Mitchell." Note. The initial C. S. signed to the first message I think are intended for Charles Sumner and the W. P. S. to the second message are the initials of W. P. Shoemaker, spirit entities who have figured so largely in these demonstrations. We have instructions here from spirit Plum death; the meaning and result. 229 Mitchell which implies that our spirit friends have what they call a wire, though invisible to us mortals, running from this instrument to the outside, and by the heading of the message, "Spirit headquarters," I infer that the message was sent from there over this invisible wire to this office. Where the place is they call "Spirit headquarters," I am not able to state. February 5, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my office at 7:20 p. m. The telegraph instrument had remained connected with the battery. Soon after his arrival the instrument ticked off the following message: "We had a battle on Friday night and 42,631 of the enemy were disabled and 6 of our force were hurt. It was the most telling battle of all we have fought. I wish to meet you, Mr. Dallas and Mr. Wilson, here to- morrow evening at 8 p. m. We have something we wish to say to you alone. Good night. Charles Sumner." Note Here we have a message signed Charles Sumner again telling us of warfare in the spirit world. I have no doubt of the identity of Charles Sumner in this instance or on former occasions, whom the American people knew so well in earth life and who, as successor to Dan- iel Webster in the United States Senate, did so much in shaping the affairs of this country. He was, while in earth life, distinguished for probity of character and honesty of purpose aud it is only fair to presume that in spirit life he still retained those qualities; but who among mortals 230 ever supposed that a state of war could be pos- sible in the spirit world. February 6, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 8 p. m. We had been requested by Mr. Sumner to meet here at this hour. Mr. Kra- mer was not present. The telegraph instrument had remained connected with the battery as on former occasions. In a few minutes after we met, the instrument began to tick. Mr. Dallas had provided himself with paper and pencil and we received the following message: "February 6, 1894. To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: I feel happy in saying to you tonight that all is in readiness for us to commence the opening moves in this grand work, which is to us and to you hereafter to occupy our entire lives. I have a great many things to say to you and I hope you both will follow closely what I have to say tonight. Charles Sumner." After receiv- ing this message I said: "All right, Mr. Sumner, we will observe closely what you sa\ r ." The instrument again began to tick and gave us the following message: "Now in the first place I wish to mention that Mr. Kramer will not be requir- ed in the work we have set forth for jou to do, and I will leave it to your own judgment, John, how to break the news to him. I am sorry it should be thus, but what is has to be, and after looking carefully over the situation we find it most necessary for us to give the above verdict. C. S." I carefully read this message. It contained a death; the meaning and result. 231 surprise for me and for Mr. Dallas also. By what our spirit friends had said in former mes- sages it was plain to us that they contemplated a life's devotion by Dallas, Kramer and myself, to teaching, spreading and propagating, the phe- nomena and philosophy of spirit return to this earth planet from spirit realms, on something of a scientific basis, by the assistance of our spirit friends. While we had not expressly agreed to conform to their implication, we had, by our comparative silence on the subject, tacitly agreed to do so. I am, futhermore, certain that our spirit friends had construed our silence, and ab- sence of objections on the point suggested to that end as practically conforming to their wish. In fact, all of us had, to some extent, prepared to be led by our spirit friends in the direction so often mentioned. Mr. Kramer was exceptionally enthusiastic in this matter, and now by the wording of this message it is an in- novation to say the least. Mr. Kramer is to be dropped and the work is to be carried on by Dallas and myself. I felt disappointed. I knew that it would be a great surprise to Mr. Kra- mer and that he would be sadly disappointed. His anticipation of being an instrument, to some extent at least, in substituting the true spiritual light for error and superstition, and supplanting the uncertainty of mere faith by incontroverta- ble evidence of the immortality of the human family had to all appearances so elated him, that now to be turned from that possibility I knew would be a sad blow to him. 232 death; the meaning and result. I again re-read the message carefully and saw that dispensing with Mr. Kramer's services in the contemplated work was couched in such terms that it amounted really to an ultimatum and for that reason I did not, as I first intended plead for Mr. Kramer's retention. I said noth- ing but passed the message back to Dallas and said: "Mr. Dallas, read it carefully and tell me what you think about it." He took the message, read it carefully and said: "John that is a sur- prise to me. I know Mr. Kramer will take it very much to heart, but it is put in such a way that I see no other way than to accept the new order of things." I agreed to his conclusions and we ceased discussing it for the time being. Soon thereafter we received the following mes- sage: "Our progress will not be so rapid as it has been heretofore but we know with whom we are working and time will be no object as long as we know that our work will be accom- plished in the end by you two alone. All that we have promised will be fulfilled. All we ask is your entire attention and service. C. S." A short rest and them the following message: "Further directions will be given you at a future date. At present that is all we have to say to you, but will be glad to answer any questions you care to ask. C. S., Dr. W. P. S., Dr. Eddy, Prof. F. R. S." After receiving this message I said: "Well, gentlemen, I am glad you are here and able to communicate with us so freely. I wish to ask you if it is not possible to permit death; the meaning and result. 233 Mr. Kramer to remain in the work?" Imme- diately the answer was ticked off as follows: "No, John, it is impossible to retain Mr. Kra- mer. We are very sorrow to be obliged to come to this conclusion but it is inevitable. C. S., Dr. W. P. S., Dr. Eddy, Prof. F. R. S." I then said: "Well, gentlemen, I am very sorry also but you know what is best. We will be content with your decision." Soon the instrument tick- ed off the following: "Well, gentlemen, we will say good night, but will come again soon. C. S." We said: "Good night" and the instrument was at rest; our friends had departed. Note. I -did not ask our spirit friends during this meeting why Mr. Kramer was barred from further participation in this work. They volun- teered no reason and I did not interrogate them concerning it, but following so soon after the betrayal by Mrs. Kramer, Mr. Kramer's spirit wife, I am of the opinion that move on the part of Mrs. Kramer had something to do with the new order of things; that, however, is only speculative. CHAPTER XIII. Spirits Shoemaker and Eddy Present — Give Telegrams —Spirit Plum Mitchell Present— Joke by Spirit Eddy —Spirit Shoemaker Speaks— Loss of ExpendedForce by Break— Kramer's Suspicions— Informed Who Betrayed Our Friends — Barred From Future Proceedings — Its Effect — Meeting of Dallas, Kramer and Wilson Planned by Spirits Shoemaker and Sumner — What Was Said —Telegram From Spirit Sumner— Speaks of New Work— Spirits F. R. S., Shoemaker, Eddy, Mitchell, Wilson and A Stranger Entertained at Dinner— Tele- gram From Dr. Eddy— Going to Write a Book- New Spirit Operator — More Telegrams — Another Spirit Battle— Wonderful Message by Spirits F. R. S., Sumner and Shoemaker — A Proposition — More Tele- grams — Answer to Proposition — Spirit Mitchell Cap- tured. February 9, 1894, Dallas met me at my office at 8 p. m. Mr. Kramer was not present. I had said nothing to Mr. Kramer about his services being dispensed with. I have been and am now cogitating how best to approach him on the subject. As yet I have no definite plan but hope some way will be suggested whereby it will be made easy for me to break the news of 235 the betrayal of our friends by his wife and its consequences. Time will tell and I shall wait and watch for the opportunity. Soon after Mr. Dallas came to the office the instrument began to tick and gave us the fol- lowing message: "Good evening, gentlemen. Dr. Shoemaker has worked so hard of late that it will not be possible for him to operate much tonight. He tells me to say that Mr. Sumner is very much pleased with the way you have car- ried out his wishes. Mr. S. cannot be here tonight as he was called away just as he was coming here. Plum has worked so hard that he will not be able to operate tonight. He came here thinking he could do so; you know how willing he is to be right in this work. W. P. Shoemaker, W. D. Eddy, opr." After receiving this message I said: "Good evening, gentlemen. I am very glad you are here with us again." Immediately the instrument ticked off this mes- sage: "John, do not leave the good things till the last. I should think after receiving that message you would offer me something more than water. W. D. E." Before we received the first message Mr. Dallas had taken a drink of water and after drinking had set the glass, with some Water in it, on the table close to the key. Undoubtedly spirit Eddy referred to the glass of water on the table, and for aught I know sup- posed it had been placed there for his benefit. After reading the last message, Mr. Dallas and I laughed at the sally and I said: "Doctor, we 236 death; the meaning and result. did not intend to put you on a water diet, and to show you that it is impractical to preach what you don't practice I will change the liquid," and suiting the action to the word I stepped to the side-board took a bottle of wine, emptied the water out of the glass and replaced it with wine. As soon as this was done the instrument ticked off the following: M Thank you, John, what I said first was intended for a joke, but what 3 t ou have done is evidence that jokes sometimes are vineyards out of which wine is produced. We appreciate your hospitality. W. D. Eddy." Mr. Dallas and I again laughed after receiving the last message at the very clever way the Doctor received the wine. More espec- ially was his remark applicable from the fact that the wine was sweet catawba a product of the vineyard. Soon the instrument was ticking and we re- ceived the following: "There is no news of any importance for you tonight. Everything is pro- gressing satisfactorily with us. We find the work hard and up-hill at present but we will soon be able to regain our power in all directions. That unfortunate break made by Mrs. Kramer has given us more trouble than we at first anticipat- ed. It has cost us more expended force than we otherwise would have used in years of work, and we are thankful to you for undaunted sup- port through it all. W. P. Shoemaker, W. D. E., opr." In a few moments we got the following: "We will all go now but will come death; the meaning and result. 237 Perhaps some of your spirit friends will dine with you next Sunday. W. D. E., opr." After receiving: this message I said: "All right, gen- tleman, we will be pleased to have as many as can do so dine with us Sunday. All of you will please remember that you have a standing invitation on these occasions." The instrument said: "Yes, we know we have, and thank you very much. Good night. W. D. E. opr." Note. In the first message on this occasion the signature thereto, is, "W. P. Shoemaker, W. D. Eddy, opr." I have observed that when a message comes to us in this way if the spirit from whom the message emanates does not do the operating, the operator's name is signed to the message or sometimes the initials as well as the name of the spirit dictating the message, often using 'opr" as an abbreviation of operator. February 11, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my office at 12:30 p. m. Before this meeting I had made up my mind that I must inform Mr. Kramer of the change and the sooner it was done the better. I realized that it would relieve my mind of a very unpleasant task. I had ob- served, also, that intuitively or in some way at least, Mr. Kramer's suspicions had been aroused relating to his connection with the work, and that something had happened of which he had not been informed by us. He did not so express himself, but by his deportment I observed that something out of the ordinary was troubling him. Yesterday morning I con- 238 death; the maning and result. eluded to inform Mr. Kramer of all that had transpired concerning his connection with the work. He called at my office at 10 a. m. After he came in I engaged him in conversation and finally invited him to take a stroll with me. He assented, and we passed out on the street. After strolling about for some time I engaged him in conversation concerning the break and to some extent its results. I finally said to him: "Have you thought or tried to guess who the individual spirit is who betrayed our friends?" He answered: "John, I have thought a good deal about it and I have strange forebodings. I seem to be impressed that it is a certain indiv- idual or spirit, but I cannot think it possible that my impressions are correct. John, can it be possible that my wife who is now a spirit can be the guilty one?" I must confess that I was somewhat surprised at his question. He had not been told concerning it by Dallas or myself. He always seemed to be devoted to his spirit wife and to have implicit confidence in her, and a feeling bordering on adoration, and here he had con- fessed to me that his thoughts had gone out to her as the spirit who had caused the recent trouble. At the same time I realized that a way had been opened whereby I could inform him of the fact with comparative ease. I embraced the opportunity thus presented and said: "Len, your impression as to the guilty one is correct." For some few minutes we walked on in silence. death; the meaning and result. 239 He finally said: "Well, my fears are realized. It is hard to believe but it must be so. I can- not understand why she should do such a thing." I then said: "Len, I have been delegated by Mr. Sumner to inform you of another matter, which is unpleasant for me, but I must do as instructed. Mr. Sumner has informed Mr. Dal- las and myself that owing to conditions of some sort your services will be no longer required in this work or in further proceedings. He also expressed himself, as did others of our friends, that they were sorry that such should be the case but gave it as their verdict, 'after much deliberation,' and said that it was inevitable." We strolled on in silence some minutes then he said: "This is a great blow to me and a sore disappointment. I do not know what to say or do. I am sorry, very sorcy, things should take such a turn in relation to our or rather my prospects." By this time our stroll had brought us back near the block in which my office is located. Mr. Kramer was silent. Fin- ally when we got opposite the block I said: "Len, won't you go up to the office with me?" He replied: "No, not at present. I will go to my room. I wish to be alone and think in sol- itude. This is bad news though not entirely unexpected." I saw nothing more of Mr. Kramer after this occurrence until he came to my office in company with Mr. Dallas on February 11. Soon after they stepped into the office we heard raps about 240 death; the meaning and result. the room. I recognized them as being produced by Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner. Immediate- ly I began to talk to Mr. Kramer and said to him that we were all sorry that things were so shaped but said: "Len, you have seen and heard many things which have proven to you that we are all immortal. That every human being lives after the so-called death. Death is now no hid- den mystery to you, but a change of conditions along lines of natural evolution. While it seems you are to be dropped from further partici- pation in this work you have learned what millions would give all their earthly possessions to know. And, moreover, you have been brought in contact with well disposed and intelligent spirits who no doubt will see to it that you are protected from baneful influences here and hereafter; so that viewing this matter in its worst light, while you may be impoverished in immediate prospects, you are rich in that knowl- edge which the world and all its people have so long labored to find out." As I finished the last sentence I realized that some of our spirit friends were present for I heard a succession of loud and distinct raps. I said many other things to Mr. Kramer along lines tending to induce him to take the new or- der of things in a philosophical way. What I said seemed to impress him, and I think served as a panacea to his troubled and perplexed mind. He appeared to reconcile his thoughts to the existing conditions and after a few min- death; the meaning and result. 241 utes said: Well, I will say good morning but will drop in on you occasionally." He then took his departure. Soon after he was gone Mr. Dallas told me that he and Kramer were togeth- er in his room before coming to my office and that Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker, by rapping telegraphy said to Mr. Dallas: "We desire you to take Mr. Kramer up to Mr. Wil- son's office as soon as convenient today. Say nothing to Kramer what we desire; but we wish to have Mr. Wilson talk to him concerning this break. Do not tell Mr. Wilson that we so ad- vised until after the conversation. After Mr. Kramer and Mr. Wilson meet we w T ill do the rest." From this message to Mr. Dallas I infer that the meeting was planned by Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker *and that they directed the conversation along the lines they desired. After Mr. Kramer excused himself the telegraph instrument ticked off the following message: "Good day, gentlemen. The work is proceeding favorably and in a few days I will have a great surprise for you in the shape of a new work which will occupy your attention for some months to come. I will give you full directions later. C. S." I said: "All right, Mr. Sumner." Soon thereafter the instrument ticked off the fol- lowing: "We are ready to join you at dinner at any time. Among the spirits present today are Prof. F. R. S., W. P. Shoemaker, W. D. Eddy, Plum Mitchell, William Wilson, Mr. Wilson and my French friend whom I shall introduce to you 242 death; the meaning and result. in a few days. Charles Sumner." In response to this telegram I said: "I am glad to meet you. We will be very glad to have you dine with us." We donned our overcoats, invited all to join us and we started for the hotel. We immediately went into the dining room and took our accustomed seats at the table. During the meal our spirit friends reminded us of their presence by continual rappings on and about the table at which we were seated. Dinner be- ing despatched, we returned to my office. Some time previous to this occurrence, and before this meeting, Mr. Sumner had told us that he had with him at my office a strange spirit who he advised us was French by birth with whom he formed an acquaintance during his travels abroad while in earth life. This was the spirit, I have no doubt, to whom Mr. Sumner refers in his mes- sage. Soon after Mr. Dallas and I had returned to the office the instrument ticked off the folio-w- ing message: "Allow me to thank you, gentle- men, in the name of our company for the excel- lent dinner yon provided for us. Charles Sum- ner." I said: "I am sure } t ou are all very wel- come." The instrument then said: "If you will excuse us we will go now." I said: "You are excused on condition that } t ou come again soon." The instrument said in response: "We promise to come soon. Good afternoon. C. S." February 14, 1894, Mr. Dallas came to my office at 9 p. m. Soon after his arrival the tele- graph instrument began to tick and we received the following message: "Good evening, John, death; the meaning and result. 243 good evening, Mr. Dallas. Just dropped in and thought I would bid you the time of the even- ing. W. D. Eddy." I said: "Good evening, old friend, am glad you are here. How are you any- way?" Immediately the following: "I am hap- py and all right. We are getting along with the work in good shape. Say, John, you gentlemen are going to write a book by the aid of your spirit friends I am informed. W. D. E." In res- ponse I said: "Glad to know you are happy. I have heard nothing about the book you speak of." Immediately we got the following: "It is strange that you have not been told about the book you are to write. It is freely talked of on our side and I supposed you knew about it. W. D. E." I said: "No, Doctor, I know nothing about the book." Immediately the following was ticked off: "Well, I must go. I did not come to stay long tonight. Good bye. W. D. E." Note. It appears, if my spirit friend Dr. W. D. Eddy is correct in his information, that a book of some kind is to be written by us b} r the aid of our spirit friends. This is the first inti- mation that we have had that such a thing was in contemplation. February 15, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 8:45 p. m. I was not expecting him this evening. During the day I had suffered with a nervous headache. I had been thinking over some of the wonderful phenomena I had witness- ed during the last few weeks, how strange they were and wondering where and how they would 244 death; the maning and result. end. I realized that I had been put in posses- sion of a great truth, and was deliberating how I should ever be able to effectually impart it to the world, knowing well how difficult it is, even by indubitable evidence, to overcome well in- trenched error and inherited superstition. I was perturbed and perplexed, for I well comprehend- ed the fact that the knowledge I had acquired imposed on me a duty and a responsibility of no contracted proportions. While I was thus cog- itating Mr. Dallas stepped into the office. He looked flushed in the face and had ever appear- ance of being in a hurry. I asked him what the trouble was. He replied: "I have made all ar- rangements to go sleighing this evening." I said: "Why don't you go?" He replied: "Some spirit came up to the store a few moments ago and bade me come down here as some of our friends had something to say." Immediately thereafter the instrument began to tick and gave us the following message: "Good evening, boys, I have been sent to make connections between our wire and the instrument. After that is done you will get a message from headquarters and I think some spirits will be here also. Say, John, before I make the connec- tion I wish to say I have an old friend of yours here from our side of life; do you remember Good- win who passed over in Edenburg? He is here. I could not keep him away any longer. He was here twice before but did not make himself known. Plum Mitchell." I thought for a few death; the meaning and result. 245 minutes and replied: "No, Plum, I do not re- member Goodwin. It has been so long since I lived in Edenburg that I have forgotten many of its people." Immediately the following: "Well, it don't matter. I will now connect up. Plum Mitchell." Soon the instrument began to tick and we heard what resembled a call sounded and a reply and then the following: "February 15, 1894. We come here tonight to relieve you of that mental strain which we know } t ou are carrying. We are getting along well in our work and hope soon to be able to report pro- gress to your satisfaction. Charles Sumner, P. M., opr." A few minutes after receiving this message the instrument ticked off the follow- ing: "Good evening, gentlemen. I am inform- ed by Dr. Eddy that he let the cat out of the bag. He is correct in his information regarding your future work. After much deliberation we have concluded that this is the best method for introducing you to the world and also of estab- lishing a reputation for you at the same time. The work of collecting material for this book will commence almost immediately with us and we will be able to give it to you in about three weeks time. How it is to be transmitted to you is not worked out at present but you may rest assured that it will be given to you in such a manner that it will in no way injure its clear force and meaning and I can say to you with all confidence that when complete you will have accomplished a volume which will take its place 246 death; the meaning and result. among the best in the world and will repay 3'ou for all your energy spent and time lost in con- nection with it. I expect the time required to complete this work will be four months. The work of developing you will not be neglected and I think by the time you have finished you will both be perfect instruments in our hands, able to convince the world of spirit communication and intercourse with the human race. Prof. F. R. S. opr." In reply I said: "We feel gratified to receive a message so interesting. I also feel grateful to you for your solicitation in regard to my mental strain. Since you came here to- night I feel relieved." Immediately the follow- ing was ticked off: "Dr. Shoemaker will be with you for a while, John, to fix you up but he will not rap or operate. Good night. F. R. S., opr." Note. In the messages received during this meeting the information given to us at our last meeting by Dr. Eddy is confirmed that we are to publish a book through the aid of our spirit friends. I hope they may accomplish their pur- pose. February 18, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my office at 9 p. m. Soon the telegraph in- strument gave us the following: "Spirit Head- quarters, February 18, 1894. To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas. Brothers and fellow workers of the true faith: we of the spirit world send 3^ou greetings. All are well, and our work is proceeding to our entire satisfaction. Charles Sumner, H. H., opr." After receiving the forego- death; the meaning and result. 247 I scanned it very closely. The phraseology was somewhat different from that employed in former messages sent us by our spirit friends, and I also noticed that the oper- ating was by some strange operator. The mes- sage being dated and the heading of it being 4 'Spirit Headquarters" I presumed that it had been sent to us from there and that neither the operator or the person who dictated it was present at the office. I wrote the following on a slip of paper and instructed Mr. Dallas to send it over the wire: "Office J. K. Wilson, February 18, 1894. Message just received sign- ed 'Charles Sumner, H. H., opr.' Suspicious. Is it genuine. J. K. Wilson." After sending the foregoing we got the following reply: "Spirit Headquarters February 18, 1894. Yes, message all right, we have a new operator. Charles Sum- ner." And then the following was ticked off: "The work of getting material for our book has already commenced. There is much labor in connection with this and it may take us longer than we at first figured on. This will be all this evening. Good night. C. S., H. H., opr." February 20, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 9:30 p. m. Soon we received the fol- lowing message: "Good evening, gentlemen, Dr. Eddy and myself are here. Mr. Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. wish me to say that all are well. Dr. Shoemaker has been very busy at the work, in fact, we are all hard at work getting ready for you. Plum Mitchell, opr." 248 death; the meaning and result. In reply I said orally as usual: ./'Good evening, Plum. Good evening, Doctor. I am glad you came," and then the following was ticked off: "I wish to state to you that our new work will lead you further and further away from the usual lines in which we have been following for some time past. There are many points in con- nection with this which at present it is impossible for me to define or explain the nature to you, but they will come up of themselves and you will have no difficulty in solving them. The work is progressing at a rate which surpasses our ex- pectations and as yet we find nothing to retard us in very shortly completing the same. Charles Sumner, P. M., opr." And then the following: "We will now leave you. Good evening." March 6, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my office at 9 p. m. We had met several times since the 20th of February but heard nothing from our spirit friends. In a few minutes after Mr. Dallas came to the office the instrument gave us the following: ' 'March 6, 1894. Good evening, gentlemen. We are not ready for } r ou }-et but will be very soon. Eve^thing is moving to our satisfaction. Dr. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." Im- mediately we received the following: "We cannot stay longer with you tonight. We are all work- ing hard and employing all our spare force. Good night. Dr. S., P. M., opr." March 12, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 9. p. m. We have met nearly every evening since March 6 in order to give our spirit death; the meaning and result. 249 friends an opportunity to communicate with us if they so desired, but heard nothing from them until this evening. Soon after Mr. Dallas came to the office the instrument ticked off the following: "Good evening, John, good even- ing, Ed. We know that you are feeling uneasy about us and Mr. Sumner sent me here tonight to say to you that the enemy are making great efforts to retard the progress of our work and that a conflict with them seems inevitable,, so do not think it strange if you do not hear from us for some time. Plum Mitchell, opr."" In reply I said: "Good evening, Plum, we are glad you came. We were feeling somewhat uneasy about our friends. Are the enemy strong in force?' * Immediately the answer: "Yes the enemy is strong but we have no fear as to the result. You must excuse me for not staying long, Mr. Sum- ner instructed me to return soon. We will keep you advised as opportunity affords. Good night. Plum Mitchell, opr." March 29, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 9 p. m. We had met on several even- ings during the interim from March 12, but had heard nothing from our spirit friends. We could not account for their silence only on the hypothesis intimated in the last message from them. This evening the instrument ticked off the following message: "Spirit Headquarters, March 29, 1894. To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: Once again we greet you after a hard fight with the enemy and it gives us great 250 death; the meandjg and result. pleasure to see you both ready at your post of duty. It was impossible for us to communicate to you during the fight, but we knew that you would support us loyally in this work and we have not been disappointed. We have been dam- aged to a great extent, although few of our party have been injured. The Catholic influence which we have been fighting against are a very low order and no dependence can be placed on them and although for the time they have been surpressed they are liable to break in upon us in the future. Now while this opposing power exists, it will be impossible to succeed in our work and a proposition is therefore placed before you which will be entirely in your hands to accept or reject. We are determined to forever wipe out this low Catholic influence which has given us so much trouble, but this will take some time to accomplish. It may be a year, two, or more, and what we ask of you is, will you remain together during the period? We do not ask any other conditions of you. It will not matter what you are employed at or where you are located as long as you are willing to take up the thread where we left off, when we are read3>- to do so. We must have entire control of the spirit world before we can go any further, and although we expect a long and hard struggle we will win in the end, for is not our liberty and our religion threatened to be overthrown? We must either conquer or go on fighting into Eternity, for we will never fail, and we ask for death; the meaning and result. 251 your help in this. You will have our help and guidance in the meantime and we will be ready at any moment to advise you in anything you may wish to ask. You have done nobly with us up to the present time and you have won the admiration of the spirit world. Then will we go on further till at last we have overcome all and our great and noble work is complete? It is for you to say. Give this careful attention. Be not too quick in answering until you have satisfied yourselves on all points and then give us your answer. Your spirit friends, Charles Sumner, William Patterson Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S." Here is a great message. It is lucid and self- explanatory. It contains a proposition to Dal- las and myself of momentous import. The con- flict is on between the hosts of the spirit world and its result as portrayed in the message meant much, very much. That which is dear to mortals is threatened, and undoubtedly to spirits with their quickened perceptions a thousand times more dear than to mortals with, at the best, clouded understanding. What mortal could, with any sense of propriety, turn a deaf ear to such an appeal freighted as it is with a sentiment so grand and lofty? For myself I can say that after reading this message I am prepared instanter to enlist in the cause along lines therein expressed, but at this time I am not sure how Mr. Dallas will view it; and then again they have requested that we be not 252 death; the meaning and result. hasty in coming to conclusions evidently desiring that we should first understand its import and digest its contents by calm deliberation. After reading the message I handed it back to Mr. Dallas without saying a word. I was too full of patriotism just then to express myself! Mr. Dallas read it through carefully and as he fin- ished reading it the instrument ticked off the following: "Now, gentlemen, we will leave you for the night. Talk over the fact between yon and we will see you on next Sunday and explain more fully. Good night. Charles Sumner." April 1, 1894, Dallas met me at my office at 7:30 p. m. We expected some of the spirit friends to visit us this evening, as they had made an appointment to do so. Mr. Dallas and myself had met several times since March 29 and on each occasion had earnestly discussed and deliberated upon the proposition submitted to us by our spirit friends at our last meeting. I had continued in my determination to accede to their proposition. The more I read the mes- sage submitted b}- them the more I discerned its importance and the lofty sentiment expressed therein. A battle not for conquest but for prin- ciple of the greatest consequence, was on among the hosts of the borderland. Victory for our spirit friends meant the shedding of the true light on the earth planet and a substitution of truth for error, knowledge for superstition. Their de- feat meant the reverse with all its baneful influ- ences. death; the meaning and result. 253 Mr. Dallas was not so enthusiastic in the mat- ter. He loves the right, despises the wrong and is in sympathy with the cause espoused by our spirit friends, but he almost shrinks from his responsibility should he endorse and accept the proposition submitted; however, somewhat re- luctantly he said he would do what he could to assist them in their cause, to stand by their colors and attain the master}^. Soon after our meeting on this evening the telegraph instrument began to click and gave us the following mes- sage: "April 1, 1894, Spirit Headquarters. To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas. Gentlemen: We will be at jour office according to appointment. Charles Sumner, P. M., opr." And immediately the following: ' 'Hello, John, I am all right again. P. M." Mr. Mitchell then informed us that Mr. Sumner, F. R. S. and Dr. Shoe- maker were with us in person. I then said: "Good evening, gentlemen. We are pleased to meet you. This is the time you were to come here for your answer to the proposition submit- ted during our last meeting. I am ready to give you my answer, which is, I accept your propos- ition in its entirety without qualification of any kind. Any assistance I can give you to further your cause you can rely on at all times. Wherever you lead I will follow. I have implicit confidence in your ability and realize your lofty purpose. I answer for myself only; Mr. Dallas must do the same." Mr. Dallas then said: "I admire your purpose as disclosed in your mes- 254 death; the meaning and result. sage. I have thought over the matter a great deal, and have come to the conclusion to accept your proposition. I will follow in the work with Mr. Wilson." Immediately the instrument gave us the following: " Gentlemen, your answer gives us great joy and we know you will have the gratitude of the spirit world. We are certain of victory in the end, the obtaining of which will give us a better opportunity to show our appreciation of the noble way you have sus- tained us in this great cause. We would like to answer any question you wish to ask us while we have strength. C. S., P. M., opr." I then asked our spirit friends some questions pertaining to the work contemplated by them, to which I received ready answers. Among the questions was: "Mr. Sumner, do you know how long it will take to subdue this adverse force?" To which the following reply was given: "No, but as far as we can judge it will take at least eighteen months. C. S." I then said: "I do not think of any other questions I care to ask at present." In a few seconds we received the following: "Before I go I would like to say a few words to you, John. I was hurt in the most important battle we have had since the break. I was carrying a very important message from Mr. Sumner to Dr. Shoemaker who was near the out-post of the enemy when I was cap- tured by the enemy and taken down into their low conditions. Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner managed to rescue me through great effort. I death; the meaning and result. 255 think they are the only spirits who could have planned and effected my escape. And I assure you I never can do enough for these gentlemen, and the cause for which they are contending, to repay them for what they have done for me. I have only partly recovered from my injuries but will be as well and strong as ever in about two months. Well, I must not take the time of these gentlemen. I am holding them here and they wish to go. We will come again when we can. Good night. Plum Mitchell, opr." Note. In the message here noted from my spirit friend, Plum Mitchell, he speaks of having been captured by the enemy and rescued by Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker. He speaks highly of their efforts and declares allegiance to their cause. The circumstances of his capture as related by Mitchell seems so very strange to me that sometimes I hardly know what to think about it; but then, Plum, with other spirit friends, have appeared to me to be truthful, hon- est and candid, showing at no time any dispo- sition to intentionally mislead. I must therefore accept his statement as true. CHAPTER XIV. A Strange Spirit— Interferes With Instrument— Spirits F. R. §., Sumner, Shoemaker and Mitchell present- Spirit Telegrams— Dallas Desires to Leave Bradford — Informed of Letter — Received Letter — Spirit Sum- ner's Message About Letter— Why Dallas and Wil- son Selected— Dallas Advised to Remain in Bradford — Message From Spirit Mitchell— Severe Engagement — More War— Message— Victory Won— Message From F. R. S— Mode of Warfare— Forty-Eight Hour En- gagement — Spirit Mitchell Wounded — Spirits Sumner and Shoemaker W T ounded — Spirit Eddy's Capture Planned — Invisible Wires — Electric Storm Disturbs Instrument — Dallas and Wilson Intercept Messages — Intercepted Spirit Telegrams— Cipher Message- Strange Telegrams— Intercepted Message Repeated to Spirit Friends— The Result. On April 2, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at* 9 p. m. We were not expecting our spirit friends to be with us on this occasion. Some few minutes after Mr. Dallas came into the office, the instrument ticked three or four times and stopped. We thought that strange and I asked: "Plum, is this you around the instrument?" No answer. I stepped up to the death; the meaning and result. 257 instrument and discovered that the sounder or hammer rather was held down as it naturally would be if the key were depressed. I went to the key and discovered that it was pressed down. I made a movement toward putting my finger on it and just before I came in contact with the key it resumed its proper position. This was a new proceeding to us and we did not know what it meant. While we were trying to dis- cover the cause we heard raps on the table. I said: "Is this spirit ,who rapped an acquaint- ance of ours?" In response we heard one dis- tinct rap which in the rapping code means no. Before I could ask another question the in- strument began to tick and we got the follow- ing message: "April 2, 1894. Spirit Headquar- ters. To J. K. W. and E. M. D.: Good evening gentlemen. We had some difficulty in getting a strange spirit out of your office but all is clear now. Plum Mitchell will operate for us tonight. If there is anything important that you want answered let us know as Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Sumner are here. Prof. F. R. S." In re- sponse I said that "I had no question of impor- tance to ask." Mr. Dallas then said: "I have been thinking that I could do better in my busi- ness in a larger city than this; is it necessary for me to stay in Bradford during the time you are preparing the way for the work?" Imme- diately we received the following: "We would much prefer that you would remain in Bradford. We are aware that you have thought some of 258 death; the meaning and result. leaving but we think it would be as well for you and much better for us for you to remain here. Charles Sumner." Before Mr. Dallas made any reply the following was ticked off: "Mr. Dallas, you will receive an important letter from St. Thomas, Ontario. It will be sent by your uncle, F. P. Mac Donald. It was written today and contains information of importance to you and will have some bearing on your decision as to remaining in Bradford. We will not disclose to you its contents for it will soon reach yott and you will then know what it contains. Your spirit sister informed us that she was present with your uncle this p. m., read the letter as it was written and informed us of its contents. Charles Sumner." Soon after the foregoing mes- sage was ticked off, we received the following: "Well, gentlemen, if you have no more questions to ask, we will bid you good evening. C. S." We said: "Good evening to all." Note. During this sitting we were informed by a message which we received in this myster- ious way that a letter had been written, on this date, by Mr. Dallas' uncle, F. P. Mac Donald, at St. Thomas, Ontario. I asked Mr. Dallas if he had an uncle by that name living at St. Thomas; he replied that he had. This message tells us something of the contents of the letter and we are told also how our spirit friends were informed of this letter and its contents. After our spirit friends had departed we discussed the subject and wondered if the statement in regard death; the meaning and result. 259 to the letter was correct; we concluded that we had no reason to doubt what had been told to us about it. April 6, 1894, Mr. Dallas and myself met at the usual place at 9 p. m. We had met every evening since April 2, in order to give our friends an opportunit\ r to communicate with us should they so desire. We were also anxious about the letter which our spirit friends told us had been prepared by Mr. Dallas' uncle at St. Thomas. We expected by what the spirits said that the letter would reach Bradford on April 3, but no letter came. We were sure it would reach Brad- ford on the following day but no letter put in its appearance. W T e began to think that our spirit friends had made a mistake this time,, sure. The morning of the 5th came and no letter, but during the day a letter bearing the post- mark of St. Thomas, Ontario, was placed into the hands of Mr. Dallas by the postman. Mr. Dallas came directs to my office before he had opened the letter. I had requested him to do so,, in order that I might see this letter of which we had been told with my own eyes. He handed me the letter and I examined it closely and ob- served that the outgoing postmark was "St. Thomas, Ontario, April 4, 1894." When I made this discovery I thought our spirit friends had made a mistake in dates as they told us that the letter was prepared on April 2. I also ob- served that the letter, as the incoming postmark showed, had been received at the Bradford Post 260 death; the meaning and result. Office on April 5, 1894. By Mr. Dallas' permis- sion I opened the letter and was much surprised when I observed that the date of the letter was April 2, 1894, the exact date given to us by our spirit friends. By Mr. Dallas' permission I read the letter and it was on the subject intimated by Mr. Sumner and signed F. P. Mac Donald. Mr. Sumner had been surprisingly accurate in his information concerning the letter, its date and contents. It had been prepared on April 2, but not mailed until April 4. This is indeed wonderful. Air. Dallas and I had been informed while in Bradford, Pa., through a telegraph instrument, with no visible connec- tions to it leading outside of my office, being operated by an intelligence claiming to be the spirit of Charles Sumner, on the second day of April, 1894, that on that da}' a letter on a cer- tain subject had been prepared by F. P. Mac Donald in St. Thomas, Ontario, a distance of at least one hundred and fifty miles from where we were at the time, the latter on its receipt veri- fied in every particular what had been told us concerning it. If the force or intelligence giving us this information is not spirit, as it claims to be, I will leave the matter with some savant to figure out what it is. Soon the instrument began to move and tick- ed off the following message: "Good evening gentlemen, I hope I find you both well. I ob- serve that you have received the letter of which I spoke at our last meeting. Your uncle, Mr. death; the meaning and result. 261 Dallas, was a little tard} r in mailing it. Charles Sumner." We both bade Mr. Sumner good even- ing and informed that we were as well as usual; then Mr. Dallas said: "Yes, Mr. Sumner, I re- ceived the letter all right and it contained what you said it did." Following this Mr. Sumner and Mr. Dallas carried on quite a lengthy con- versation, Mr. Sumner using the telegraph in- strument and Mr. Dallas speaking orally, on the subject of Mr. Dallas remaining in Bradford. After they had concluded their conversation Mr. Sumner asked me through the instrument if there was anything special that I wished to ask him. In response to the invitation I asked a few questions to which I received prompt replies. Then I said: "Mr. Sumner, I feel that the re- sponsibility resting on me in pursuing the work you have marked out for me to do is very great, and a sense of inability and weakness creeps over me once in awhile and forces me to the conclusion that you might have chosen one much better adapted to your work than myself. I am quite certain Mr. Dallas feels about as I do in the matter." In response the instrument ticked off the following message: "In choosing you, we have selected the best material in existence at the present time. You have the forces in you which combine and make up the power we lack over here. That power has been wanting for many centuries and now that all is complete and our enemies gone from us forever, the work will go forward slow but with the power of the 262 death; the meaning and result. ocean tide and^shall sweep all before it. It is our wish that you be as brothers to each other, bound together by a sacred band which cannot and will not be broken. We cannot say that you both will be able to see the final victory in the end but if one of you passes over to our side the other will carry on the work and what a happy meeting it will be for you when you join us on our side after a hard fought victory; everlasting glory, fame and happiness await you in the spirit world. Charles Sumner." And im- mediately thereafter we received the following: ''Well, I must now leave you. I will come as op- portunity affords. Good night. Charles Sumner." On April 8, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 1:30 p. m. Soon we received the fol- lowing: "To J. K. W. and E. M. D.: Good day gentlemen, we trust 3^ou are both well. Dr. Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S., Dr. Eddy, P. M., opr." We informed our spirit friends that we were in our usual health. Following this Mr. Dallas and the spirits carried on a lengthy conversation, the spirits talking by telegraphy and Mr. Dallas orally, concerning Mr. Dallas leaving Bradford during the time the work was being prepared. The spirits seemed to be firm in their opinion that the better way would be for Mr. Dallas to remain in Bradford and finally he acceded to their wishes and promised to remain in this city until advised further by them. April 9, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my office at 9 p. m. Soon after his arrival the instrument death; the meaning and result. 263 ticked off the following message: "April 9, 1894. To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: Meeting postponed; severe engagement with the enemy. Good bye. Plum Mitchell, opr." This message informs us of another conflict among the hosts of the border land. Well, where will it end? What will be the result? These are problems which time alone can solve. April 12, 1894, Dallas and myself met at the usual place at 9 p. m. We had met every even- ing since the 9th but heard nothing from our spirit friends. Mr. Dallas had been in the office about one-half hour when the telegraph instru- ment gave us the following: "April 12, 1894. To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: Still fight- ing, great losses on the enemies' side— few friends wounded — more news later — by Sunday. Plum Mitchell, opr." In response to this telegram I said: "Good evening, Plum; I hope you will come out victorious, and very soon. Immed- iately w r e received the following: "The enemy heard of our meeting which we had planned for Monday evening at your office and they intend- ed to break in on us but we are making it warm for them. Good night, I am wanted by Mr. Sum- ner. Plum Mitchell, opr." April 15, 1894, Mr. Dallas came to nry office at 3 p. m. We had heard nothing from our friends since the 12th inst. At this time however, we had been together but a few minutes when the instrument gave us the following: "April 15, 1894. Spirit Headquarters. To J. K. Wilson 264 death; the meaning and result. and E. M. Dallas: Once more we greet you, gentlemen. After a hard fight with our enemies we have been able to overcome them in such a manner that it will be some time before they regain enough force to make another attack. Their loss is 4,561. In many other ways they have been defeated, and I may say that never again can they make such a stand. Charles Sumner, P. M., opr." The instrument was silent for a few seconds then we received the following: 4 'Gentlemen, it gives me indescribable joy to be with you again under the conditions now- exist- ing. How grand it is to open direct communi- cation again. The battle was a long and hard one, but we were victorious in the end as we always were and always will be. Your spirit friend, W. P. Shoemaker, P. M., opr." After a few moments rest the instrument tick- ed off the following wonderful message: "J. K. W. and E. M. D. Fellow workers: Flying be- tween the enemy and our friends one moment, controlling electric forces greater than can be imagined by you, at another moment directing the movements of our party against the enemy has been my work for the past few days, and often have I thought of the noble support offered by you gentlemen, and I say to you that you have done much in helping us in suppressing the low order of spirits which we are now bat- tling against. We have undertaken a long and fierce struggle for victory, and I tell you, gen- tlemen, we are to be victorious in the end as death; the meaning and result. 265 sure as the sun shines today. Prof. F. R. S., opr." In explanation of the Professor's reference to victory, "as sure as the sun shines today," the day on which we received the message was a beautiful one and the sun shining brightly. Some few minutes elapsed after receiving the last mes- sage and then the following came: "To my lov- ing son, John Wilson: I have seen much of the trials of spirit warfare and your good friends are trying hard to gain a victory. I hope you will not part with your friend, Mr. Dallas, but maintain the conditions that you have been in- structed to keep. Your Loving Mother. P. M., opr." A short rest followed after the last mes- sage and then the following: "We will keep you advised from time to time as opportunity affords. This will be all today. Good bye. C. S., P. M. r opr." April 21, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 7:30 p. m. As usual we had been together every evening since the 15th inst but heard nothing from our friends. By what they said in their last message in regard to the conflict in spirit realms we concluded that they were having more trouble. Mr. Dallas had been in the office but a few minutes when we received the follow- ing message: "Good evening, boys, we have been engaged with the enemy for the past forty- eight hours. I cannot give any particulars at present but the losses on both sides are great. I think we have the best of the battle. More news in a day or so. Plum Mitchell, opr." April 27, 1894, Mr. Dallas called at my office 266 death; the meaning and result. at 8 p. m. We had heard nothing from our friends since the 21st inst. We had construed their silence to mean that the battle among the spirit hosts was still raging. At our meeting this evening we received the following message: 4 'We are sorry to say that Plum Mitchell is wounded. I will take his place for a few days. We are still fighting. Good bye. Dr. W. D. Eddy, opr." It was very evident to me that friend Eddy was in a hurry as he remained only long enough to give us the message and was gone. April 29, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 2. p. m. In a few minutes after he came in we received the following telegraph message: -Sunday, April 29, 1894. To J. K. Wilson: The battle is still on. Many of our friends are in the hands of the enemy. Dr. Shoemaker and Charles Sumner are both wounded but are able to attend to their duties. Prof. F. R. S. is in command. Plum is improving rapidly. W. D. Eddy, opr." This message contains startling news. Our friends are evidently being repulsed or defeated in the engagement judging from w r hat this message contains. In response I said: "Dr. Eddy, what is our friends' outlook in this affair?" Immediately the reply came: "Not very promis- ing for immediate success. We have been met by a very large force of the enemy. We have retreat- ed from our former position and the enemy are in possession of some of our works and wires. W. D. E." Immediately after these initials had been given on the instrument the following was death; the meaning and result. 267 ticked off: "To W. D. E, Be careful, enemy know you are on earth side. W. P. S." And immediately the following: "Be ready to return here when we give you the signal and we will meet you with a force. W. P. S." Following this the instrument ticked off this message: "John, the enemy have discovered that I am here and they are planning for my capture on my return. W. D. E." In reply I said: "Doctor, can't you stay here?" He immediately answered: "I am afraid not." Soon after the instrument ticked off the word "Come," and was then si- lent for about five minutes. I felt uneasy about Dr. Eddy. Had he been captured, or had he safery returned to his friends on the spirit side? At the end of about five minutes silence, and to me suspense, we received the following message: "Dr. Eddy reach- ed his friends in safety. W. P. S. 66." In ex- planation of the "66" added to the signature of the last message, it had been arranged between spirit Dr. Shoemaker and myself, that, if at any time it should become necessary for him to iden- tify a message coming over the instrument dur- ing his absence, he should use "66" after his initials. This is the first time those figures have been so used; I can see why it was necessary in this instance. Dr. Eddy had informed us that the enemy now occupied our friends' former posi- tion and were in possession of their "works and wires," evidently meaning telegraph wires as we would call them on the earth side, and in 268 death; the meaning and result. this instance might use them to give us false messages, hence the necessity to use the quota- tion "66" to prove the genuineness of this message. Our spirit friends had informed us soon after we began to communicate with them by tele- graphy, that an inductive substance, invisible to us or the physical eye, was connected with our instrument, and led thence to what they termed, i 'Spirit Headquarters," and that they had a system of those wires in their localit}' in the spirit world which bore the same relation to their system of telegraphy as material v wires do to the system of telegraphy on the earth plane. The fact that the telegraph instrument in my office had an invisible connection leading there- from has been proven conclusively to me by electric currents coming in on my instrument during an electric storm which would be im- possible if there was no outside connections. My explanation in reference to the invisible con- nection leading to and from nry office, and thus forming a circuit is given, so that what follows may be better understood. Soon after we received the message signed, "W. P. S., 66" the telegraph instrument began to tick and we were surprised to receive the fol- lowing message: "In a short space 100 from two sec. with 500 strong you are to blame for a safe return. Warner, opr." And immediately thereafter the following was ticked off: "With the remaining force we will meet tonight at 412 sec. F. R. S. is at 31 all will be safe and death; the meaning and result. 269 sure victory Theseon atcion rex is on P. 0. Q. CM. Reply if 0. K." The last two messages were Greek to Mr. Dallas and myself. We did not understand their contents or what they meant. It is very evident that they were not intended for us. We were not many minutes, however, in coming to a conclusion, satisfactory to ourselves, as to how we got the messages. Our telegraph instrument was evidently in the circuit used by that force called by our spirit friends their enemy, and very likely unknown to them, their messages were passing through my office and ticked off by our instrument. Our curiositA^ was aroused and we waited for devel- opments. We had not long to wait for in a few minutes our instrument was again in motion and ticked off the following as near as we were able to read: "Secum on ubis vetun valbus et semi nerat. Warner, 0. K. it." After getting the above message we waited for some time and as the instrument remained silent I instructed Mr. Dallas to rattle the key of our instrument rapidly for a couple of seconds, and then sign Warner by telegraph and see what effect if any it would have along the line. Mr. Dallas did as directed, and immediately thereafter our instru- ment ticked off the following: "What do you mean, I do not understand you? CM." A moment's rest and then the following was ticked off: "There is something wrong with the line, but I got the last message all right. Warner, 0. K." And immediately following this the 270 death; the meaning and result. instrument ticked off this message: "See that the information is kept private from all the force. We will be there. C. Manning." And then the following came: "Break the line C. M. O. K. Warner." After receiving this last message Mr. Dallas and I waited for some time but all was silent. The contents of these mvsterious messages we had every reason to believe was not intended for us. Fnalry we agreed to separate for the afternoon and meet again after supper and accordingly Mr. Dallas took his leave. At 8:30 p. m. Mr. Dallas again called at my office and we were soon discussing the wonder- ful messages we had intercepted during the after- noon and wondering if the enemy had discovered that our instrument was on the circuit in use by them. In about one hour our instrument was recording what was evidently a call going over the wire, then followed a response to the call. We wrote down the call so as to remember it r as we might have occasion to use it. Im- mediately following this our instrument ticked off the following: "The enemy sent Eddy along the line this afternoon. Do you know what he said to the earth side of life? Warner, opr." Immediately following this the instrument ticked off the following: "He told them of the battle and a few other things of no importance. C. M." And then the following; "Did you get all the message I sent? C. M." "I O. K.d all I got. Warner." In a few minutes thereafter the fol- death; the meaning and result. 271 lowing was ticked off: "Our force is more than enough taking a surprise into consideration. We are all 0. K. here. C. M." And then the follow- ing: "Everything has been attended to. Wires are all 0. K. CM." In a few minutes there- after we received the following message: "The lines must have been tampered with. C. M." A rest of a few moments and then our instrument ticked off the following: "At 9 sharp we have all power placed for attack 412 sec. we expect your aid on 402 must be ready so their power will be cut off. C. M." And then the following: 1468 31 7621 46 815 3367 31 26514 9810 132 21 43778 18912 2169 81 466. C. M. O. K. it if all right. C. M." After receiving the figure message there was a long wait by Dallas aud myself. We had caught on to several calls which had passed along the line, during the operating, and recorded by our instruments during our wait and before. In about one-half hour after receiving the last message the instrument ticked off: "G. H., G. H." that was repeated several times but we heard no reponse to the call. I instructed Mr. Dallas to answer the call; he did so, and then the follow- ing came: "To G. H. Have the lines been in- spected?" We answered up over our instrument: "Yes, all O. K." Then the instrument ticked off: Have you telegraphed C. M." Mr. Dallas ans- wered over our instrument, "Yes, O. K." Then came: "Repeat message over wire to me. War- ner." Here was a stunner; we had run up against 272 death; the meaning and result. the real thing; we had received a body blow too soon to suit us. We did not know to what message Mr. Warner referred. We then tele- graphed: "What message? G. H." In reply we received the following: "The message you sent to C. M. Warner." After receiving this message Mr. Dallas rattled the key of our instrument very rapidly in imitation of operating though making few if any letters and signed, "G. H." After received this we waited results. We had only to wait, however, but a second or two until we got in reply: "What in Hell are you doing? If I come down I shall make you under- stand. Warner." After receiving this Mr. Dallas and I looked at each other in amazement and the query was, would our connection be discov- ered and would we have Mr. Warner as a visi- tor? Everything was quiet for a few minutes and the following was ticked off: "I will come over, there is something wrong, cut the line, C. M." After receiving this Mr. Dallas and I concluded that just at the present time discretion would be the better part of valor, and we ac- cordingly cut out our instrument and separated for the evening. On April 30. 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 10 a. m. Soon thereafter we received the following message: "To J. K. Wilson, E. Dallas: If you get any messages today send them to me. Dr. W. D. Eddy, 66." And imme- diately after receiving this the following was ticked off: "Do not be afraid, they have cut I/VSTRU/YvE/ J.K.W- U AP ^'howinc- Pd then the following message greeted Dr. : "Hello, Doctor, how are you. Awful glad to see you. Guess you know me. Plum Mitchell." After receiving this message Dr. read it and death; the meaning and result. 303' said: "My God, is this my old friend Plum Mitchell?" Well, for some time after receiving this last message a conversation was carried on between spirit Mitchell and Dr . I think Dr. was convinced that Dr. Shoemaker and Plum Mitchell, whom he had looked upon as dead, were really alive. Following this conver- sation this message was received: "How do you do, Professor. What are you doing with your old bones. Dr. Eddy, of Edenburg." Following this a long conversation was carried on between Dr. and the spirit Dr. Eddy who were old acquaintances. At the conclusion of this conver- sation Dr. Shoemaker informed Dr. that his spirit mother was present and then a conversa- tion ensued between Dr. and his mother.. The Doctor's childhood da} r s were pretty thoroughly discussed I should judge by what I heard of the conversation. She mentioned an accident which happened to him when a small boy, having fell down a flight of stone steps cut- ting his head and leaving a scar which he has^ now. Also a spell of sickness after the accident,, where, and by whom attended, etc. I remember one question which Dr. asked during this conversation which is as follows: "Dr. Shoemak- er, will you please tell me if my mother has any particular mark on her face?" After a few mo- ments of silence the answer was ticked off: "Yes,, your mother has a large mole on the left side of the neck near the face. Is that what A r ou mean, Dr. ?" On receiving this answer Dr.. 304 death; the meaning and result. looked more astonished, if possible, than ever, and answered: "Yes, that is what I referred to." After conversing with his mother some little time, she, aided by Dr. Shoemaker, talking by telegraphy, the following message was ticked off: "How are you, boys, do you want any- thing to eat? Say, Doctor, do you remember the stolen soft shell crab business? I know all about it now. Ira Hathaway." Dr. began to laugh and said: "Well, well, this beats every- thing I ever dreamed of." And then he explain- ed that years ago in Edenburg he used to take his meals at a restaurant kept by Ira Hatha- way and for a joke on Hathaway he and one or two others had taken quite a large quantity of soft shell crabs and several bottles of wine from Hathaway's place during his absence, which incensed Hathaway very much. Now Hatha- way, who long since had passed out of this life, was reminding him of this circumstance. After this explanation to us by Dr. the following was ticked off: Say, Doctor, don't you remember at one time in Edenburg that 3'ou and I were walking along State Street about 2 a. m. when we met a girl walking in her sleep clad only in her night gown? Plum Mitchell." After receiving this message Dr. said: "Well, well, I remem- ber the circumstances very well indeed and it is just as you relate it." Then the following was ticked off: "Say Doctor, don't you remember the times you and I read Shakespeare in our old office at 78 Main together for many evenings, death; the meaning and result. 305 and also on one occasion after you had retired for the night I woke you up about 2 a. m. and told you that Mr. was in a very bad way at his home number Cerydon Street, and that you got out of bed and went with me to the house and we tapped the bladder and reliev- ed him of his distress? W. P. Shoemaker." I will state in relation to the above message that the number of the street and the man's name were given in the message, but I neglected to write them down at the time and have forgot- ten them. After receiving the message Dr. again seemed puzzled and surprised and after thinking for a few moments said: "Yes, I re- member all; it is given in this message just as it occurred." It was evident to me by Dr. 's looks, words and actions that he was pumped about as full as he could hold of indisputable evidence of the identity of the individuals holding converse with him in this way. Some further conversation was had and then the following was ticked off: "John, we have something to say to you in con- nection with Dr. which I do not wish him to hear. You can tell him so. \V. P. S." I told Dr. what the message was and then the following came: "Well, I think we have done enough for the Doctor tonight and given him something to think over. W. P. S." In reply Dr. said: "Yes, I have indeed seen and heard wonderful things, such as I never dreamed of before. I thank you all for giving me such 306 death; the meaning and result. evidence." After some further conversation Dr. bid us all good night and departed. After he had gone Mr. Dallas and myself received the following message: "J. K. Wilson: I know the circumstances which have brought you both to- gether, and I hope and trust you wall do all in your power to assist Dr. . He requires all the help you can give him, and by attending to his wants you will be rendering me a great ser- vice. Do you understand me? Leave no stone unturned and perhaps you will be the means of lifting an unhappy soul to a position of happi- ness. William Patterson Shoemaker." In reply to this message I said: "Yes, Doctor, I know to what you refer. I will do what I can along lines suggested by you." Again came: "Thank you, John; well, we will say good night. W. P. S." I wish to say that the physician in the mortal form who had the experience just related by me, perhaps would not care to have his name written in this record. I have not mentioned the fact to him and therefore leave his name in blank in relating the circumstances. Note. Many things were told on this occa- sion to the mortal Dr. that neither Mr. Dal- las or myself knew of. We knew nothing of Dr. 's former life or antecedents. We did not know that his mother had passed to spirit life; in fact, we had never seen her or heard of her. We knew nothing of any of the circumstances which Dr. Shoemaker refers to in his conversa- tion with the mortal Doctor concerning things death; the meaning and result. 307 which had happened and were acknowledged by Dr. to be correct. We knew nothing of the circumstance referred to by spirit Plum Mitchell as happening years ago, or the circumstance spoken of by spirit Ira Hathaway which the Doctor in mortal form admits to be facts. June 25th Dallas met me at my office at 8:30 p. m. Soon we received the following message: 1 'Good evening, gentlemen. I am afraid you will not be able to get my call. If so you can let me know. I will now go and you will see if you can get the call over the wire. Plum Mitchell." I made reply: "All right, Plum." In a few minutes our instrument ticked off in repetition "E. M. D.," which was our call. Mr. Dallas immediately answered over the instrument: "Received call all right," and then he sent the call "W. P. S." Immediately our instrument ticked off: "What do you want? W. P. S. is over here tonight. P. M." And then the fol- lowing: "Good evening. Do you want to see me? Dr. Shoemaker." Mr. Dallas then sent the following message: "June 25, 1894, J. K. W.'s office. To W. P. S.: Nothing of much impor- tance but if not inconvenient to you would like to speak with you for a few minutes. J. K." then the following came: "All right, will be there in a few minutes. W. P. S." In a few minutes after receiving this the instrument ticked off as follows: "Good evening, I am here. How can I serve you? W. P. S." In' reply to this message I said: "Doctor, I have a sister on my 308 death; the meaning and result. side of life who is now on a visit to me in this city. She is a Presbyterian, I believe. I am cer- tain she knows nothing about spirit return. Some time if agreeable to you, Mr. Sumner and the Professor I would like to have you meet her. Can I bring her some evening to this room and have her meet you?" In response the fol- lowing was ticked off: "Yes, you can bring her here any night you wish. I will tell your broth- er and mother that your sister is with you. W. P. S." I need hardly mention that my mother and brother to whom the Doctor referred in his message are in the spirit world. I soon said to the Doctor: "Could you bring my sister's hus- band, George Murray, who is a spirit, and also my brother so that my sister may be able to converse with them?" Immediately the following answer came: "I do not know if I can do what y on ask, but you can bring her at any rate. Please explain to her our methods and other matters. W. P. S., opr." Following this I said: Thank you, Doctor, how would Friday evening suit for the occasion?" Immediately the follow- ing: "I think that will do. Good night. W. P. S., opr.," June 28th Mr. Dallas called at my office at 9 p. m. Soon we received the following message: "Good evening, gentlemen. We wish to postpone our engagement for Friday evening as certain causes have brought us to say so. Charles Sumner." In reply I said: "Very well." I fur- ther said: "Mr. Sumner, I spoke to Dr. Shoe- death; the meaning and result. 309 maker when he was here last about bringing my brother and my sister's husband here to meet my sister; would that be all right?" And in reply we got the following: "Let Mr. Dallas come to the office some day next week and I will let you know. Personally we will explain further at a future date. Charles Sumner." I said: "All right, Mr. Sumner," and tken came the words: "Good night." The wording of the last message puzzled me somewhat, and I am at a loss to know why the Doctor and Mr. Sumner are not sure of their ability to bring the spirits of my sister's husband and my brother, but they will no doubt explain the reason. July 2nd Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 9 p. m. Soon the instrument ticked off the following: "Hope you are both well. I came this evening to tell you that a business meeting will be held here on the evening of the 6th of July. Dr. Shoemaker, Mr. Sumner and others will be present at 9 p. m. That is all. I must hurry back. Good night. Plum Mitchell, opr." Jvdj 6th Mr. Dallas reported at my office at 8:30 p. m. I had invited my sister, Mrs. Murray, to be present and she came before Mr. Dallas arrived. I had told her something of the phenomena we had been receiving. She was very incredulous, and wondered how I could believe that dead people could return to earth and make themselves known. I did not try to convince her by any argument, and up to this time had told her but little of my experience. I 310 death; the meaning and result. was anxious to see how and to what extent she would be impressed with any spiritual phenom- ena she might witness. At 8:50 p. m. the in- strument began to tick and gave the following message: "Good evening alK Mr. Sumner will be here shortly, also the Doctor. They are go- ing to make a long call. P. M., opr." At the time this message was coming over the instrument and immediately after I noticed that my sister looked puzzled and amazed to see and hear the telegraph instrument ticking with no visible person to manipulate it. She also look- ed about the room in a nervous way as though she expected to see a ghost. I remarked to her: "Mrs. Murray, I hope you are not frightened. I wish you as near as possible, to treat my spirit friends who come here this evening the same as you would treat mortals or friends in the body." She replied in rather a frightened way: "Will I see these people?" I told her that I thought not; that seemed to be a comfort to her. Evi- dently she had, hereditarily or by education, ac- quired a superstitious horror of departed spirits, so common among people who do not know the fact that a spirit in looks, deportment, contour, characteristics and individuality is the exact counterpart of what he or she was in the mor- tal body, excepting, however, a spirit who leaves the mortal body before full stature is obtained. At 9 p. m. the instrument ticked off the fol- lowing message: "Good evening, gentlemen. I death; the meaning and result. 311 am glad to see you. Dr. Shoemaker." We all bid the Doctor good evening, and then the fol- lowing: "Is this your sister?" I replied: "Yes, Dr. Shoemaker, this is Mrs. Murray, my sister." Then came: "Good evening, Mrs. Murray, glad to meet you." In a few moments the following came: "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, I am here with the rest. Dr. W. D. Eddy, opr." I said: "Good evening, Dr. Eddy, I wish to in- troduce to you my sister, Mrs. Murray." And the following came: "It is with great pleasure I meet any of Mr. Wilson's friends and espec- ially his sister. W. D. Eddy." And the follow- ing: "Good evening, gentlemen. Is this the lady 3 r ou spoke about, Mr. Wilson? Charles Sum- ner." I said: "Good evening, Mr. Sumner. Yes, this is the lady. Mr. Sumner, I wish to intro- duce to you, Mrs. Murray, my sister." Imme- diately the following: "I am pleased to meet you, Mrs. Murray. Charles Sumner." And then the following was ticked off: "We are here on a business meeting tonight and I trust Mrs. Murray will excuse us proceeding on our work. C. S." To this I replied: "Certainly, Mr. Sum- ner." Then came the following: "The work during the last few weeks has been progressing to our entire satisfaction and I hope ere long to give you the order to go forward. In regard to the Lily Dale trip, we heard you discussing the sub- ject a few days ago. We are of the opinion that a few weeks there would be a great advantage 312 death; the meaning and result. to us, not only as a trial, but as experience, and we advise both of you to go and spend from two to four weeks there. We will give you full particulars about the preparations to make later on. I feel proud to say that the enemy is no- where to be seen, and we have had no further trouble with them since our last engagement. Charles Sumner, W. P. Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S., P. M., opr." In reply to this telegram I said: "Very well, gentlemen, a trip to Lily Dale will suit me." Mr. Dallas then remarked in sub- stance, that he "would like to take the trip but he was not sure that he could make arrange- ments with his employer, Mr. Rothstein, to ab- sent himself at that time." Then we received the following: "I do not think it will be neces- sary to rent a cottage for any length of time at Lily Dale, although we would probably be bet- ter able to carry on our work should we do so, but we will leave that to your own judgment. I expect that you will go to Lily Dale about the end of the present month, but we will not commence operations there until you are both together. I would like to have you get a new sounder and key as this one might not be strong enough for our experiments, at least that is what I think at present. However, we will see what Prof. F. R. S. has to say on the subject. I think that is about all we have to say to you at present. Charles Sumner, opr." Then we re- ceived: "I am sorry to state we will not be able to bring any of the immediate friends of DEATH; THE MEANING AND RESULT. 313 Mrs. Murray tonight although we knew she was to be here, but we hope to do so in the near future. Charles Sumner." And still another message: "Before going further I wish you to give your sister a summary of our work from the beginning up to the present time as briefly as possible so that she will more easily under- stand the work. Charles Sumner, opr." I proceeded to explain to my sister as best I could who my spirit friends were and along what lines and in what manner they had been working and communicating to me. Mrs. Mur- ray has been afflicted with a throat trouble for a number of years and requires great effort to speak audibly, the disease having partially des- troyed the tonsils and organs of speech. She has been under treatment by some of the best specialists for a. long time, but they fail to cure, and the disease becomes more aggravated as time speeds along. I said nothing to the spirit Dr. Shoemaker about my sister's physical condi- tion. In fact it had not occurred to me to ad- vise with him about the matter. Being thus ignorant of the fact that he had noticed her condition I was very much surprised to receive the following message: "Dear John: I have been looking into your sister's case and I think I will be able to relieve her. I have been treating her for the past week or so, although I do not sup- pose she has any idea that such is the case. Dr. Shoemaker." Mrs. Murrav had become interested as I read 314 death; the meaning and result. the messages I received but when I read the last message she was greatly surprised. In answer she said: "Dr. Shoemaker, I thank you for your kind words and attention. I am sure such talk as I have heard here tonight could only emanate from good people. I have suffered much from my ailment and if you can help me I shall be most happy and under great obligations." I thought this was a good speech for a skeptic, and that it was evident from what she said that she was getting over her fear and superstition. In a few moments we received the following: "I wish her to be placed entirely in my hands and to follow my directions. Dr. S." I read this message to my sister and without hesitation she consented to submit herself to his treatment and to abandon any other medicine than that perscribed by him. Soon the instrument ticked off: "I will have to know first what the treat- ment has been up to the present time, and then I will be better able to counteract the effects and to proceed with her. Dr. Shoemaker." After receiving this message Mrs. Murray explained how she had been treated for the dis- ease and showed the Doctor the medicine which had been perscribed for her by other physicians. After this the following message came: "She will see what spirit doctors can do for her in a few days time. W. P. S." To this she replied: "Thank }'ou, Doctor, I hope yoti can cure my throat." Then came: "We will do our utmost to restore it. Dr. Shoemaker." After receiving death; the meaning and result. 315 these last messages and reading them to my sister I said: "I also thank you, Doctor, for tak- ing an interest in my sister's ailment." He answered: "I have not got much spare time at present but I will do this for you sake, John. You know me. W. P. S." I thanked the Doctor for what he had said and soon the fol- lowing was ticked off: "This is all gentlemen, we will now leave you. We are very pleased to have met your sister and hope to be able to convince her beyond any doubt of the possibility of spirit return. She is welcome to come here at all times. Good night. William Patterson Shoe- maker, W. D. Eddy, Plum Mitchell." CHAPTER XVII. Telegram by Spirit Sumner— Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Diagnosis Mrs. Murray's Ailment — Wilson's Spirit £ Brother a Prisoner of War— Spirits Mitchell, Prof. F. R. S. and Shoemaker Telegraph— Spirit Dr. Shoe- maker Perscribes for Mrs. Murray— Strange Device —Meeting Prevented by Electric Storm— Dangerous for Operators— Dallas' Trouble About Lily Dale — Telegrams From Spirit Friends — Spirit Power— To Start for Lily Dale— How Brought About— Spirit Prof. F. R. S.'s Instructions For Lily Dale. July 7, 1894, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 1:30 p. m. In a few minutes the instrument gave us the following: "Dear friends, Dr. Shoe- maker told me you were together and I find this opportunity of speaking to you again. We are resting very quietly before the time of trial which is to take place shortly. I have no doubt what we have in store for you will surprise you somewhat, but it can keep until we are ready to divulge the secret. This is about all I have to say of any importance today. I will let you know later when the next meeting is to be; can death; the meaning and result. 317 tell you on Monday, if Mr. Dallas will drop in here for a few moments. I trust Mrs. Murray will be greatly relieved by the treatment of our friend, the Doctor, and I am quite certain if she puts herself in his hands she will be in safe keeping and greatly benefitted. Good day. Charles Sumner." July 7, Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 1:30 p. m. and I received the following message: "Dear John: After looking over your sister's case, I find some of the vocal cords entirely gone. This is where the danger arises. I will do all in my power to restore them but you know if the material is gone it will be very difficult to do so; but trust in me. Do not let her know that such is the case. This is private. W. P. S." I thanked the spirit Doctor for the interest he was taking in my sister's ailment. She was at this meeting and I told her that Dr. Shoe- maker was present. She made the remark: "Doctor, I hope you can cure me." In response: "We will do our best for you. W. P. S." I read this message to her and then received the follow- ing: "To J. K. Wilson: John, you know the difficulties in a case of this kind, and even if I were sure of an everlasting cure I am in duty bound from saying so to the patient, but you know what I can do if I put my will to it. W. P. S." I said: "All right, Doctor." Of course I did not inform my sister what was in the mes- sage. She supposed it was on another subject, and that it did not interest her. In a few mo- 318 death; the meaning and result. ments the following was ticked off: "Well, I must go. Good day to all. W. P. S." We did not expect any more messages and had entered into conversation about what had occurred, when unexpectedly the instrument began to tick and gave us this message: "To J. K. Wilson: Dr. Shoemaker wishes me to state to you in private, that your brother, William, has been seriously wounded by the enemy and is now in their power. We will do all in our power to release him but this may take some time. We cannot find the location of Mr. Murray up to date. Charles Sumner, opr." This message tells why my spirit friends could not bring my brother here to meet my sister. I am sorry to hear of my brother's misfortune. I said nothing to my sister about it. Soon the following was ticked off: "We will hold a meeting here on Thursday night, at 9 o'clock. This is import- ant. Charles Sumner, opr." When the last mes- sage was being received my sister stepped out of the room and I said: "Mr. Sumner, I am very sorry to hear of the condition of my brother. I know all my friends in the spirit world will do what they can for him, and I presume no one is to blame for his misfortune except our enemies. It is one of the fortunes of warfare. A great cause is seldom won without a fabulous price and no doubt my brother will bear his imprison- ment with fortitude and heroism and console himself with the thought that to suffer for the sake of truth is a martyrdom which must make death; the meaning and result. 319 the hosts of heaven rejoice." Soon the following message came: "Well, gentlemen, that is all to- day. I am glad you look on the subject in that light, John. We will help all we can and your saying as you have, places the confidence we have in you one step higher. Good day, gentlemen. Charles Sumner." Note. At this meeting the fact is developed that Dr. Shoemaker, having long since passed the portals called death, is diagnosing my sis- ter's ailment, who is still in the mortal body, and promises a treatment and possible cure. I am also informed that my brother, William Wilson, long since mourned as dead, has met with the misfortune of having been wounded in spirit warfare, taken prisoner, and is now in the hands of the enemy. If these things are possible how different the spirit world must be, and the condition of the so-called dead, from the generally accepted conception of mortals. July 12, Mr. Dallas came to my office at 8:45 p.m. We were expecting our spirit friends at 9 p. m.; they had set that hour to meet us and they had never failed to keep their appointment unless unavoidably delayed. We had everything in readiness for them. The instrument had been tested and found to be in good working condi- tion. We had "our house in order" for the recep- tion of friends from the border land. Precisely at 9 o'clock the instrument gave us the first message of the evening which is as follows: "Good evening, John. Good evening, Ed. Well, 320 death; the meaning and result. boys, I suppose I can say my say while the chiefs are holding a confab. How are you feeling? did you get my last message? 0, 1 am feeling bully , now. I have got rested up from all our fights. We had a devil of a time for a long while but you bet they have taken in their horns now and you can't get a blessed one of them to come within a mile of any of us and they are going to keep away this time. I heard the Professor say a few days ago that the enemy were licked so badly that they would never make another stand, and I know what he says is law over here, I mean on our side. Well, that is all I care to say now. Plum Mitchell." In the foregoing message several questions are asked. Plum did not wait for us to answer them but talked right along until the finish. After he stopped telegraphing I said: "Good evening, Plum. We are well, thank }^ou. Yes, I understood your last message. Glad to hear you have recuperated and that you are now ready for anything which may be presented."' Directly after I had ceased talking the instrument gave us this message: "To J. K. W. and E. M. D. Gentlemen and brothers: I wish to say that it will not be necessary for you to engage a cottage at Lily Dale for the work, as I do not think we will be able to be together for any length of time. Frof. F. R. S." And the follow- ing: "To J. K. Wilson. Dear John: I will first commence with outside business. I saw my friend, Dr. , whom I met the other evening, death; the meaning and result. 321 up here today. Do you see the wonderful change we have made in him? Please look after that lit- tle matter I mentioned to you; you know what I mean. W. P. Shoemaker." And this: "You will observe that we are all here; Dr. Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S., Dr. Eddy, Plum Mitchell." In reply I said: "Good evening to all. I hope you are well and happy." I will state in connection with the telegram in which Dr. Shoemaker refers to Dr. , that he was in my office this morning. I had observed a radical change in his looks, dress and deport- ment. He looked bright and contented, his dress was clean and tidy. He deported himself in a polished sort of way and had every indication of a man with judgment, well poised on the throne of reason, with a hope, a purpose and a plan. What a metamorphosis had taken place in him in the past few days. What had worked this wonderful change? The question is an- swered in the foregoing message. In a few min- utes we received the following: "There is very little more to be done or said at present. We are now awaiting an opportunity to get you together at Lily Dale when we will open new lines for you. In my opinion we have nothing more to fear from the enemy. Prof. F. R. S." And then the following: "We will all bid you good night, except Dr. Shoemaker, who wishes to advise you about your sister. P. M., opr." In response we bid our friends good night. Very soon the instrument ticked off: "Now, John, 322 death; the meaning and result. about your sister's ailment. First, she must get a small collar, three inches wide and about five inches long, the outside to be of thin leather, and the inside of sponge. Running along the center of the sponge, have small copper wires, from three to five rows and connected so as to form a circuit; then get a small medical battery, sufficiently strong to produce a good current; attach this to the collar so that an electric cur- rent will be formed around the neck when it is adjusted thereon, moisten the sponge with water just before each application; this is to be applied about the neck twenty minutes twice each day. William Patterson Shoemaker, M. D." After reading this message I said: "Doctor, this is a strange device." He answered: "This is the very best I can do. I have consulted sev- eral experts on our side of life on the subject and this is the treatment they have decided on. W. P. S., M. D." I then said: "Doctor I have no doubt about it being the best you can do. Do you know where I can get the kind of collar you prescribe? The answer came as follows: "You can write to some supply house in New York or elsewhere, explain to them what you want and get the collar made to order, or per- haps you could get it made in Bradford. I pre- sume that Mr. Pomeroy who has a shop and store on Pine Street could make the collar if you explain to him thoroughly what you wish. I knew Mr. Pomeroy before I passed into spirit life and I remember he is quite a workman in death; the meaning and result. 323 his line. W. P. S., M. D." I then said: "Doctor, thank you very much. I will see Mr. Pomeroy before writing to any outside supply house. I am glad you spoke of him, for otherwise I would not have thought of him in connection with this collar." And then the following was ticked off: "That is all for the present. Good night. W. P. S." Note. The day after receiving the message from the spirit Doctor in which he advised me to get the device for treating my sister's neck I visited Mr. Pomeroy and showed him a diagram of the collar. He said he could make it and would have it ready the following day. I accord- ingly called at his place and found that he had made the collar according to design in ever3 r particular. I then secured a small medical bat- tery, attached the collar thereto, and all being in readiness adjusted it about my sister's neck, turned on a slight current, and the spirit Doc- tor's treatment was being followed. I observed the directions as to time of application, twenty minutes each time twice a day. I continued the treatment; she experienced a relief at every application and in a few weeks she was entirely cured of her ailment. The improvment was so perceptible from the start, and the cure so sud- den, that it was indeed a mystery to me how such a treatment was so efficacious, when her ailment had baffled the skill of experts for years. After the cure I asked the spirit Dr. Shoemaker, if electricity alone was to have the credit for the 324 death; the meaning and result. cure. He informed me that it was not by any means; that while the electrical currents did some good, they were in this case employed more for the purpose of conveying the substance saturated with medical properties, furnished and applied by spirit power to the affected parts, thereby affording a direct application to the seat of the disease. A wonderful thing, and a wonderful cure in a strange and mysterious way. July 16 Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 8:30 p. m. We waited some time without hearing anything from our friends. Mr. Dallas then stepped to the instrument and sounded the fol* lowing call: "W. P. S., W. P. S., W. P. S., W. P. S.," intending it, in telegrapher's parlance, as a call for W. P. Shoemaker. In a few minutes we received the following: "Good evening, gen- tlemen. The Doctor is not able to come tonight, but we will all meet at your office on Friday night next at 8 o'clock. Prof. F. R. S." Mr. Dallas O.K.'d the Professor's telegram, and, hear- ing nothing further, took his departure. July 20 Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 8:45 p. m. ' Our friends had made an appointment to meet us this evening at 9 o'clock and we were expecting them. At 9 o'clock sharp our instrument sounded the call, "E. M. D., E. M. D., J. K. W., J. K. W." which, in telegrapher's par- lance, is the call for Mr. Dallas and myself. Mr. Dallas stepped to the instrument, answered the call and immediately we received the following message: "Friday, July 20, 1894. Good evening, death; the meaning and result. 325 gentlemen. We will not be able to come to your place tonight owing to the electric storm in pro- gress, but will use the wire. Prof. F. R. S." At the time we received this message an electric storm was brewing and had every indication of being a severe one. Soon we received this mes- sage: "To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: It is dangerous to the operators at both ends of the line tonight. I will send you only one message giving all that is necessary in as short a space as pos- sible. F. R. S." On receipt of this Mr. Dallas telegraphed to F. R. S. as follows: "All right, Professor, we are both at this end of the line. Mrs. Murray is present also. E. M. D., J. K. W." Then we received this message: "As I cannot get to your place tonight we will have a meeting on the 24th or 27th at your office and make all arrangements for Lily Dale. Remember it is important that you shall both go together and both be there not less than three weeks This will give us about all the time we want to try our experiments. I overheard Mr. Dallas say that he could not get away for that length of time. You must make a way at all hazards even if he has to leave his present position. We can- not do anything with his employer and that mat- ter will have to be left in your own hands. Nothing must stand in the way now between you and your work if success is to be accom- plished. Other matters of importance will be given to you at our next meeting. As we said at our last meeting nothing much can be done 326 death; the meaning and result. until we arrive at Lily Dale and are fairly set- tled there. Good evening, Mrs. Murray and gen- tlemen. Have Mr. Dallas come up to this room some time next week and we will advise him of the date of our next meeting. Prof. F. R. S., Plum Mitchell, opr." In answer to this telegram Mr. Dallas telegraphed as follows: "0. K. Good night. J. K. W. and E. M. D." Several times while receiving the foregoing message the current was disturbed by the electric currents coming in on our instrument from the electric storm that was raging during the time, proving beyond question that the instrument located in my office had an outside connection, though entirely invisible to mortal eye. The Professor speaks of overhearing a conversation about Dallas' inability to go to Lily Dale at the time our spirit friends desired him to go there. A conversation of this kind did occur, but at the time I was not aware that airy of our spirit friends were present. Mr. Dallas was em- ployed by Mr. Rothstein, at number 7 Main Street, in this city, who kept a jewelry store and repair shop and Mr. Dallas was not sure that his employer would consent to his leaving at the particular time desired by our spirit friends. A few- days previous to this he had been informed by his employer that he, Rothstein, intended to go to New York about the first of August and would very likely be absent for two weeks or more, therefore the chances for Mr. Dallas to get away, with his employer's consent, at the death; the meaning and result. 327 time specified by Prof. F. R. S. looked very un- likely, and to go without his consent would perhaps cost Mr. Dallas his position. I had known for a few days that this condition of things existed and at one time told spirit Dr. Shoemaker the difficulties in Mr. Dallas leaving Bradford at the time desired. I think that is what the Professor refers to in his telegram. July 27 Mr. Dallas came to my office at 9 p. m. We had met on the 24th as our friends had said during our communication with them on the 20th that our next meeting would be on the 24th or 27th. They did not meet* us on the 24th so we were expecting them this evening. We had not long to wait. Soon the instrument ticked off the following message: "I hope all is well with both of you. Charles Sumner." In reply to this Mr. Dallas and myself remarked that we were well. Following this message came: "Good evening, all. Dr. Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S., Plum Mitchell." We said: "Good evening" and that we were "glad to meet all." And then the following: "Before we proceed with direc- tions for our outing at Lily Dale we would like to know if you can give us an idea of when you can start. Prof. F. R. S." After receiving this message we had quite an extended conversation about the time of starting for Lily Dale. Mr. Dallas told our spirit friends that it would be impossible for him to leave for Lily Dale the first of the month and that he was now unprepared to tell them when he would be able 328 death; the meaning and result. to go. His employer had told him that he intend- ed to go to New York the first of the coming month, to be gone some two weeks or more, in which case he (Dallas) would be expected to have charge of the store during his absence, and for this reason he did not see how he could get away before his employer's return. Mr. Dallas also informed our friends that he was very sorry, but that he was helpless to change matters. This left the question of time in starting for Lily Dale very uncertain. If Mr. Dallas' employer left for New York on August 1st to be gone two weeks or more that would consume nearly all the time allotted by our spirit friends for Mr. Dallas' sojourn at Lily Dale. I am free to confess that I could see no way out of the difficulty. Mr. Dallas depended on employment for the neces- saries of life and he did not wish to leave his situation with Mr. Rothstein. We could not explain to Mr. Rothstein the importance of Mr. Dallas going away just at that particular time. If such a thing had been undertaken by Mr. Dallas his employer very likely would discharge him as a dangerous lunatic. If the writer had undertaken the task, very likely, for his pains he would have been reported to the proper auth- orities whose business it is to look after those who are afflicted with aberration, so the dil- emma is great. Mr. Dallas insisted that he could not see how he could get away before the mid- dle of the month of August. After discussing the subject for some little death; the meaning and result. 329 time the following message was ticked off: "To Mr. Dallas: We can't see any way to solve the problem for yott. We would like to have you both together there as soon as possible. If Mr. Dallas cannot go until the time mentioned by him that keeps us at a standstill, and we are as helpless in the matter as you are. Mr. Wilson, you had better go there about the first of August, take our telegraph instrument with you and we will have to wait for Mr. Dallas. That is all we have to say. F. R. S." I think the Professor, judging from the tone of the latter part of his message, was somewhat out of patience the way things had combined to pre- vent Mr. Dallas starting for Lily Dale on an earlier date. Everything remained quiet for a few minutes, then the following came: "To J. K. W.: Looking at the situation as it now stands, we deem it advisable for you to go to Lily Dale as soon as you are ready, and let Mr. Dallas follow as soon as he is at liberty, but we cannot commence work there until you are both together. Charles Sumner." In reply, I said: "Mr. Sumner, I will go as }'ou direct and will be ready to start for Lily Dale on the first day of August and will start then." Then the following came: "That is all. We will bid you good night. Plum Mitchell." In reply Mr. Dal- las and I bade our friends "good night" and all was quiet. I realize that our frier»ds were disappointed, for they had calculated on Mr. Dallas and 330 death; the meaning and result. myself going to Lily Dale on the first of Au- gust, but their plans have been frustrated by a combination of circumstances which it seems they have been unable to control and much less by Dallas or myself. July 30, Mr. Dallas reported at my office at 9 p. m. Soon thereafter we received the following message: "Good evening, gents. I see Dallas is a sick boy tonight but he will be all right in a day or two. Plum Mitchell." In reply we both said: "Good evening, Plum. Mr. Dallas looked badly, and complained of feeling very unwell which accounts for his condition being referred to in the message. Soon after this I said: "Plum, are others here from the spirit land?" He answer- ed: "No, Mr. Sumner, Dr. Shoemaker and F. R. S. are busy arranging matters for our outing and cannot be here tonight, but I think from what I hear that when you go to Lily Dale you will have a slick time. Mr. Dallas will be there on time and don't you forget it. Plum Mitchell." Soon after receiving this message Mr. Dallas' call came over the instrument. He answered and we received the following message: "July 30th 1894. To John K. Wilson, from Spirit Head- quarters. We wish you to postpone the day for starting for Lily Dale until you hear from us. Yours fraternally, F. R. S." Immediately after I received this, I had Mr. D. telegraph the follow- ing answer: "July 30, 1894, Office J. K. W. To Prof. F. R. S.: Your message received. Will not start for Lily Dale until I hear from you. J. K. death; the meaning and result. 331 W., E. M. D. opr." "The answer came: U 0.K., F. R. S." And then: "Well, that is all. Good night. P. M." After Plum took his departure Mr. Dallas and I discussed the peculiar wording of Plum's mes- sage and wondered what he meant by saying: "Mr. Dallas will be there on time." No doubt he referred to Mr. Dallas' trip to the Dale, but it had been practically settled before that he could not get there on time; then why was the matter referred to in such a manner by Plum? Well, maybe he was jesting, but up to the pres- ent time he has refrained from jesting concerning real matters of business and he would hardly begin now. If I had noticed this peculiar word- ing before he left I would have asked him to ex- plain; but as it is an explanation will be in order later on. August 1, Mr. Dallas came to my office at 9 p. m. He had also called last night but we heard nothing from our friends. During his stay last evening we had quite a lengthy talk concerning the proposed trip to Lily Dale. He said that he was in hopes of yet being able to get away much earlier than he expected. I asked him what made him think so; in reply in substance he said that on yesterday his employer had told him that he had almost concluded to defer his trip to New York until September and that he remarked to him (Dallas) that if he concluded to wait until September to take the New York trip Dallas could take his vacation during 332 death; the meaning and result. the fore part of August. Mr. Dallas informed me that he was surprised how things had changed, and that his prospects for going to Lily Dale early in the month were much brighter. He also informed me that during the afternoon of today his employer had telegraphed to a Mr. Lippman, a young man employed bj- Mr. Roth- stein at his store in Altoona, requesting him to come to Bradford immediately, and after the telegram had been sent Rothstein remarked to Dallas that as soon as the young man came here from Altoona, Dallas could take his vacation. In substance my reply was: "Well, it certainly looks as though you were going to Lily Dale at the time desired by our spirit friends," to which he replied: "Yes, it does look so, but I cannot see what has so changed the plans of Mr. Roth- stein; they are so different now than forty-eight hours ago." At about this stage in our conversation we were interrupted by the ticking of the instrument and received the following message: "To J. K. W. and E. D.: Good evening, gentlemen. I am glad to see you both tonight. The Doctor and and Charles Sumner will be here shortly and then we will talk business. Prof. F. R. S." We bade the Professor good evening and said that wre were glad to meet him. Soon the following came: "Good evening all. William Patterson Shoemaker, Charles Sumner." And this: "Are you ready for business? To J. K. W." In reply I said: "Good evening, gentlemen, glad to meet death; the meaning and result. 333 you. Yes, I am ready for any business j'ou wish to submit." Then the following message: "In the first place, after we heard your position at our last meeting we had to alter our plans some- what. First, we commenced with Rothstein, and after we changed his mind, which was no very easy task, we set to work on the people in Al- toona. The young man expected here has been sick but will be here tomorrow night. We have now arranged all our plans to suit yours. J. K. W. can start for Lily Dale as soon as possible and we will see that Mr. Dallas will follow as soon as possible. You will take the battery, key and sounder along with you but will not set it up until Mr. Dallas gets there. I wish also to say to } r ou in regard to your stay at Lily Dale, that no one is to know what you are engaged in, and no outsider is to be admitted to hear the instrument in operation unless allow- ed by us to do so before hand. If you wish to admit any person during meeting hours the fact must be first stated to us in person. I also wish to state that you are not to make a task of this work during your stay there, but have all the pleasure you desire, and remember that the more you enjoy yourself the better we will be able to do so and the more able you will be to work when the time comes. F. R. S." In reply I said: "Gentlemen, I am glad to get such good news and to learn that after all, through your manipulations, Mr. Dallas will soon be able to join me at Lily Dale." Mr. Dal- 334 death; the meaning and result. las was also delighted to learn that the pros- pects of his getting away for an outing were bright and really reduced to a certainty. I also said: i 'Gentlemen, your instructions so far as they relate to me will be observed and followed to the letter. I will start tomorrow at 10:25 o'clock via Erie railroad for Lily Dale." Imme- diately the following came: "All right, Mr. Wil- son. Charles Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker will meet you at the depot at 10:25 a. m. tomorrow and accompany you to Lily Dale. We all wish you a pleasant and safe journey. We will not meet again until Mr. Dallas arrives at the Dale. That is all. Good night. Prof. F. R. S." Well, the query of Mr. Dallas and the curiosity of myself about why Mr. Rothstein had so changed his plans in the past few hours, and why he was hurrying the young man from Al- toona to Bradford was answered and satisfied by the message of Prof. F. R. S. relating to that part of the proceedings. CHAPTER XVIII. At Lily Dale — How Received — Quarters Procured— rA Surprise— Dallas at the Dale— Surprised— Prepared Telegraph Instrument— The First Telegram at the Dale— Spirit Mitchell Explains— Spirit F. R. S. pres- ent — Line of Communication From Our Instrument to Spirit World — Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Eddy in Evidence — What They Sa}- — Spirit Charles Sumner Present — What He Says — Commence Business— Wil- son's Spirit Mother Present — What She Says — A Vis- it by Spirits Mitchell, Schopperle, Shoemaker, Sum- ner, Prof. F. R. S. and Mason — Mason's Message — A Visit by Spirits William Wilson, Mrs. Wilson, George Steele, Hathaway and Bethune — Controlled by Sum- ner — What Sumner Says — Incredulous Spirit Profes- sors — Entertain Spirits Mitchell and Mason — Again Controlled by Sumner — Spirit Shoemaker's Assurance —Spirit Telegrams— Spirit Wilson Explains His Es- cape — Controlled by Sumner. Lily Dale, N. Y., August 3, 1894. Well, here I am at Lily Dale. I started from Bradford, Pa. yesterday morning at 10:25 a. m. and arrived here near 5 p. m. the same day. On my arrival here I was met at the depot by the landlord of the Grand Hotel, or one of the landlords I may 336 death; the meaning and result. say, as the Hotel is presided over by two gen- tlemen, Gregory and Cooke. It was landlord Gregory whom I met at the depot on my arrival. He came up to me with a bland smile and a jolly "How do you do, Mr. Wilson." That was nothing strange as I had met Mr. Gregory on former occasions and perhaps he saw in me a prospective guest for his hotel, and to be smil- ing and courteous to all new comers is in his line of his business. In reply to his salutation I said: "How do you do, sir." He continued: "Mr. Wilson, I was expecting you this evening." I thought that remark was a jolly, but he con- tinued: "Get right in the Hotel Bus here. Give me your checks and your baggage will be taken care of." I did as he requested. I seated myself in the designated bus in which a few men and women had preceded me. Mr. Gregory followed me in and took a seat beside me, signalled the driver to start and away we went towards the "Grand Hotel." On the way to the Hotel Mr. Gregory said: "Yes sir, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Cooke and myself expected you this evening. Our Ho- tel is filled with guests. We have, however, re- served rooms for you in the Lord Cottage which will suit you exactly." To this I replied: "Why, Mr. Gregory, how is it you expected me? I sent you no word." He replied: "Well, I don't know the reason but I would have bet any man, if I were a betting man, big money that you would be here this evening. So sure was I that I talk- ed with my partner, Mr. Cooke, about your com- death; the meaning and result. 337 ing and prepared those rooms in the cottage for you. I said nothing further. We arrived at the hotel. Soon we repaired to the cottage of which Mr. Gregory had spoken. I found the cottage to be nicely located on a beautiful park facing the placid water of what is known as the upper Cassadaga Lake, near, or not very far from, the Grand Hotel. I saw at a glance that it was as pleasant a place as could be found anywhere on the grounds at Lily Dale. We passed in the cottage, and found two nicely furnished rooms with a rear truck room. The furniture was matched being chairs and sofas, upholstered plush, fine tapestry and rich carpets. The rooms in- cluded all the first floor of what is known as the Lord Cottage. As we passed into the cot- tage Mr. Gregory remarked: "Mr. Wilson, this is yours and all its contents as long as you care to stay at the Dale." I surveyed the rooms and elegant appointments and thought: "Well, to have such grand and elegant quarters, is. all right and desirable, but they will be more expensive than my pocket will justify." I thought such accommodations would command a high rate. I saw, however, that the place and its appoint- ments were admirably suited for what I suppos- ed my spirit friends wanted. I finally ventured to ask Mr. Gregory what the rates would be, and imagine my surprise when he answered: "These rooms and board at the hotel, and rooms taken care of, will cost you $1.25 a day." At 338 death; the meaning and result. first I thought I had misunderstood him and said: "Did you say $1.25 per day for the use of these rooms and board at the hotel were the rates?" He replied: "Yes $1.25 a day to you." I could hardly believe then that I had under- stood him correctly and in a careless way said: "$1.25 per day and board?" He replied again: "Yes, those are the rates to you." I did not ask him why to me, but said: "Mr. Gregory, I will take the rooms at that rate providing you will, in a day or two, put another bed in here as I expect a friend in a few days whom I shall be glad to have share the rooms with me." Mr. G. replied: "Certainly, Mr. Wilson, I will be glad to do so, and he shall be accommodated at the same rate." I then said: "Very well, this is my home for a few days at least, and your Hotel my mealing place. He bowed himself out leaving me ensconced in the pleasantry situated, elegantly furnished and superbly appointed cottage by the sea, or rather by the .beautiful Cassadaga Lake. I took a seat and thought, "well, this beats all expectations.. Am I really here and so comfortably situated, or shall I awake from slumber and find the seeming reality fading away into the dead out- lines of a dream?" All this was yesterday, last evening, and if it be a dream I am still sleeping; but I am satisfied it is no dream but tangible reality, for here I am this afternoon of August 3rd. I can't say that I am a stranger at Lily Dale. I have visited here before. It is more death: the meaning and result. 339 beautiful at present than ever before, for the Association who have it in charge have, by genius and wealth, began, where bounteous na- ture found a limit, to build up, beautify and embellish, until at the present time for grandeur and picturesqueness, Lily Dale stands looming in her greatness and possibilities the unrivalled queen of summer resorts in the states. My bag- gage has been delivered here and I feel content- ed and at home and I am patiently waiting the arrival of Mr. Dallas and a visit from our spirit friends. August 7th Mr. Dallas arrived at Lily Dale at 5 p. m. Since arriving here myself I received a letter from him informing me that he intended to leave Bradford for this place on the morning of the 7th, so I knew, barring accidents, that he would reach here this afternoon. I met him at the depot on his arrival. He looked well and hearty, which I was glad to see. We got into the Hotel Bus and were off for the Hotel and cottage by the lake. I had said nothing to him about the pleasant rooms I had secured. I wanted to surprise him, and I did. I ushered him into the cottage. He glanced around. His eyes fairly bulged and danced with delight. He said: "Are these our rooms?" I replied: "Yes, and all their contents." He walked about the rooms, looked at the bric-a-brac, furniture etc., and wheeling about facing me he said: "J. K. how in the world did you happen to secure such rooms? Why it would cost a fortune to occupy 340 death; the meaning and result. such rooms; at least for the use of these rooms and board it will cost $3.00 or $4.00 a day, and you know I have no money to burn." I replied: "Dallas, we have struck it rich. I have make a contract as to rates. We have the use of these rooms, well taken care of, and meals at the Hotel Grand for $1.25 per day each." He could hardly believe it. When he had really com- prehended the situation he tossed his hat up in the air and even made an effort to dance before he succeeded in bridling his ecstas3 r . The ad- ditional bed had been placed in the room. Dal- las brought his bicycle with him and found a suitable place for it in the storage room. The appointments were perfect to meet every require- ment. We finally went to supper and enjoyed a pal- atable repast. After supper we walked about the grounds. Soon after we began to stroll I offered Mr. Dallas a stogie from my stock which I had brought from Bradford. He looked at me in rather a disgusted way and said: "Excuse me, Mr. Wilson, but I do not think it would be good form, inasmuch as we occupy such ele- gant quarters in an aristocratic neighborhood to smoke stogies" and taking from his pocket two cigars, handed me one and said: "These cigars cost a nickel each and even they are not too rich for our blood." Of course these things were said in jest and I quite agreed with him and enjoyed the sally. We lit our cigars and took in the beauties of Lily Dale by eventide. death; the meaning and result. 341 After walking about for some time we repaired to our ''Cottage by the Lake." I had heard nothing from our spirit friends since August 1st, at Bradford. Neither had Mr. Dallas, as he in- formed me. I had brought the telegraph key and sounder, and the battery, as formerly di- rected by Prof. F. R. S. I had not, however, connected them up. Mr. Dallas and I had con- cluded not to connect them until morning. Af- ter conversing for a while we retired to be lulled in slumber by the merry rhythm and constant swash of Cassadaga Lake. Lily Dale, N. Y., August 8, 1894. Mr. Dallas and myself awoke from refreshing slumber about 7 a. m. I had rested well and Mr. Dallas said he had also. We repaired to the Grand for breakfast. That being despatched we came back to the cottage and prepared to connect the tel- egraph instrument with the battery. We were both anxious to hear from our spirit friends and learn if they were suited with our surroundings. At 10 a. m. we had the instrument connected, tested it and found everything in good working order. We took seats and awaited results. In about twenty minutes we heard the familiar tick of the instrument, and received the first message from our friends since our arrival here which is as follows: "Well, I am here. P. M." Of course we greeted Plum Mitchell with the same hearty salutation we would a friend in mortal form. Soon the following was ticked off: "I can hard- ly believe }'Ou are both here together. But the 342 death; the meaning and result. Professor and Mr. Sumner are the stuff, and what they can't do I would like to see done. I was sent here this morning to look out for you and let them know when you are ready for us. Plum Mitchell." In reply I said: "Glad to meet you here, Plum. Are we not fixed nicely? Just take a look at these grand rooms." Immediate- ly the following was ticked off: "I suppose you take the credit all to yourself. Well, I can give the snap away now. We fixed these rooms for you and have been keeping them for 3'ou, so don't put on any airs and think it was all done by yourself. Plum Mitchell." In reply I remark- ed: "All right, Plum, we know now who to thank for our elegant surroundings here. I be- lieve in giving credit to whom credit is due, so please accept our thanks for the part you have taken, also please tell our spirit friends that we appreciate their kind consideration." Imme- diately thereafter we received this: "Oh, that is all right, John. You know how we feel. Any- thing that can be done for your comfort and pleasure will be done; you can always rely on that. I must now go and report, so good bye for the present. Plum Mitchell." Mr. Dallas and myself spent the balance of the day up to 5:30 p. m. about the grounds. At this time we repaired to our cottage, and in a few minutes we received the following message: "August 8, 1894. Good evening, gentlemen. It is a great pleasure for us to know that you have both attended to our wishes and are at 343 last at Lily Dale. I trust you will find every- thing to 3 r our liking and if there is anything that you are not suited with please let us know and we will see that it is set aright. I cannot enter into details tonight as we are not quite ready to commence. We are at present building a line of connection between the spirit world and your key here. As soon as that is complete- ed we will commence operations. In the mean- time enjoy yourselves to the best of your ability. F. R. S." In reply we assured the Prof, that we were glad to meet him at Lily Dale, and also that everything was to our liking and all things suited far beyond our expectations. Hear- ing nothing more and taking it for granted that the Professor had departed we repaired to sup- per. After supper we again returned to the cot- tage each lit a cigar and prepared for a chat. We were not expecting any of our spirit friends. We had chatted for a while and Mr. Dallas had just made a proposition to take a stroll, when the instrument began to tick and gave us the following message: "J. K. W; and E. D.: The line is near complete. F. R. S. wishes to see you here tonight at 7:30 o'clock." In reply I said: ''Very well, Plum, we will be here at that time." 7:30 o'clock came and so did the Professor, and he gave us the following message: "Good evening, gentlemen. I have the pleasure of say- ing to you that our line is near complete and very shortly will be in working order. Your friends Doctors Shoemaker and Eddy are here 344 death; the meaning and result. with me. Mr. Charles Sumner is expected every moment. F. R. S." Immediately the following message came: "Good evening, John. I am in- deed pleased that you are located here. It more than pays us for all we have gone through. I hope you find everything satisfactory. Is not this a lovely spot? I am going to enjoy myself here with you both. I do not think we could have selected a better or more fitting place in the U. S. I am so happy to think that we are now fairly under way for success in the noble work, and I know as you get further on you will like it more and more. We have all prepared for you and when we have finished I think you will be greatly surprised at the rapid strides we have taken in the last few months. Again I must express my joy at seeing you both here. Believe me, dear workers and brothers, W. P. Shoemaker, M. D." Immediately thereafter the following message came: "To J. K. W. and E. D.: Gentlemen, to say that I am delighted with the present state of affairs would be putting it mildly. We have worked hard to attain this and now I can see the result of fine leadership and good generalship. I am delighted to be of any service in the work of establishing the great truth throughout the world and 1 can only quote the words of the noble poet, .'some are born great, others attain greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.' W. D. Eddy." And then the following came: "Good evening, gentlemen. It is with great pleasure that I death; the meaning and result. 345 greet you both at Lily Dale. There is nothing else standing in the way of our success. Your friends have nobly assisted us. I must thank Dr. Shoemaker personally before you all for the noble way he has worked for our cause. Indeed without him we would not now be standing on the solid rock on which we are to build up our work. And I thank you both, gentlemen, for attending strictly to our instructions and car- rying them out to the letter. Charles Sumner." At the conclusion of Mr. Sumner's message I said: "Gentlemen, fellow workers and brothers. I am so glad to meet you all here at this beau- tiful place I hardly know how to express my joy. I know I am also voicing the sentiment of our friend, Mr. Dallas. We are pleasantly sit- uated, have elegant surroundings, and know our stay here will be very pleasurable as well as in- structive. We both hope, gentlemen, that you will find everything up to the full measure of your expectations, and that you may be able to make such progress in the work in which you are all so much interested as will meet your most cherished wish. This cottage, situated as it is on this beautiful lake, and in this inviting garden spot, is our home and the home of all our spirit friends. We are all brothers of one household, united in love, with our whole soul bent to the task of doing good to our fellow men in this and the spirit world. You, gentle- men, are our leaders; wherever you lead we will follow." Immediately came the response by 346 death; the meaning and result. telegraphy: "We all thank you for the senti- ment so well expressed. We will do nothing fur- ther tonight. Tomorrow morning at 10:45 we will all meet here and at that time we will explain the further workings to you and the reason why we have brought you here, so we will bid you good night. Charles Sumner." We said: "Good night, gentlemen," and our first meeting with our spirit friends at Lily Dale was a thing of the past. Lily Dale, N. Y., August 9, 1894. At 9:30 this morning we had put our cottage in order for the reception of our expected spirit friends. At 10:30 the following message was ticked off by the telegraph instrument: "Good morning, gentlemen. I suppose you are ready for busi- ness. Dr. Eddy." We bid the Doctor good morning and informed him that we were ready. Immediately the following message came: "Good morning, to all. What a lovely morning. We have everything looking bright and full of splen- dor. From this time on so shall your work be also. Charles Sumner." And then the follow- ing: "Good morning, gentlemen. I trust I see you both well and happy after a good night's rest. Dr. Shoemaker." I bid the Doctor good morning and informed him that we were well and happy, and then the following was ticked off: "What a lovely place this is, my son. I thought at first my friends were taking me to another heaven. I am so glad that you are going to be able to do so much good. I am death; the meaning and result. 347 very happy and your friends are taking good care of me. Mr. Mitchell is so kind to take this message from me to you. Mother, P. M., opr." Soon this message came: "To J. K. Wilson and E. M. D.: Good morning, all. We will now commence to explain matters to you. We will first talk among ourselves. Prof. F. R. S." We bid the Professor good morning and after a few minutes received the following message: "When the enemy deprived Mr. Dallas of the power of seeing us at all times and under all conditions they accomplished far more than ever they ex- pected to do, and built up a barrier between him and us which has taken us all this time to demolish; but at last we are again able to have a way clear and from now on you will both begin to see us; not very clearly at first but gradually be- coming more so each day. The progress will be much more rapid with J. K. W. that with E. M. D. We do not know how long this will take, but we know that the situation and the surround- ings will greatly help along, and we expect by the time you leave Lily Dale that we will be able to talk to you also. When this is completed nothing will aid us more and help us more than 3'our being able to see us at all times. Mr. Sum- ner wishes to test you, Mr. Wilson, every after- noon. He will explain everything to you him- self. Do not get impatient if you do not see us well at first. Remember this work will grow on you slowly but surely and I can assure you that we will do our best to aid you. Prof. F. R. S." 348 death; the meaning and result. Following this the instrument ticked off: "Dear John: I wish to have the pleasure of operating on your brain nearly every afternoon. I also wish to state that you will now be able to see me when I come into the room which will greatly help you and me also. Charles Sumner/ ' In reply I said: "Mr. Sumner, it will be a pleas- ure for me to serve you in any way you may suggest." Immediately the following came: "Thank you, John. We will do nothing more today. We wish you an enjoyable day and will bid you good night for the present. C. S." August 10, 1894. On this morning Mr. Dallas and myself awoke from a refreshing slumber at 7 o'clock and prepared for the occasion of break- fasting. After breakfast we returned to our cottage and at 9 a. m. received the following message: "There will be nothing for you today, so enjoy yourselves to the extent of your ability. F. R. S.,P. M., opr." Lily Dale, N. Y., August, 11, 1894, 9 a. m. Mr. Dallas and myself were seated in our cot- tage awaiting orders for the day from the spirit world. Soon we received the following message: "Good morning, boys. I suppose you had a good night's sleep and a pleasant walk in the woods. Plum." We informed Plum that we slept well and were enjoying ourselves generally, and then the following was ticked off: "Good morning, John, I am here again beside you as I love to be. Mother." I said: "Good morning, mother. I am sure I like to have you with me." And death; the meaning and result. 349 then the following: "Good morning, old friend John. Nice place this. They let me come now, I wanted to come before. Hope I can stay here. How is everything? Will Schopperle." In reply I said: "Good morning, Will. I am glad to meet you here. I wish you to stay as long as you can. Everything is all right." In a few mo- ments the following was ticked off: "Good morn- ing, my dear brothers. What a beautiful day. We are going to spend the entire day with you. Dr. Shoemaker." I bid the Doctor good morn- ing and informed him that we were glad to have him spend the day with us, and that if he could suggest anything to us -which would add to his pleasure it would be done. The following mes- sage was then given: "How are you anyway? I have been kept at work all of the time by your friends and now I know what real happi- ness is. Mr. Wilson, I wish to thank you per- sonally for taking an interest in my welfare. When I was more than miserable in the spirit world, chance brought me in contact with you. Your kind words aroused in me a sense of love which attribute had been permitted to slumber since my advent into the spirit world. Your noble advice to me, and your kindly act in requesting your spirit friends to assist me out of my unhappy condition places me under greater obligations to you than I can express or ever repay. You will never find me hesitating in expressing by word, act and deed my apprecia- tion of your kindness to me. Harvey Mason." 350 death; the meaning and result. In reply to this message I said: "Good morning, Harvey. I do not want you to feel obligated to me. I only did my duty, and that I hope I shall always be more than willing to do for any unhappy mortal or immortal." Then came the following: "Good morning, gentlemen. I trust you are both well today. Charles Sumner." I informed Mr. Sumner that we were both well, and then the following: "I wish to have you alone this morning from 10 o'clock to 10:30. C. S." I replied: "All right, Mr. Sumner," And the following was ticked off: "Good morning, gentlemen. As many of your friends wish to be here with you today I have given them the lib- erty of remaining here the entire day. Therefore with the exception of Mr. Sumner's appointment with you, that is all we have for you today. F. R. S." To this I replied: "All right, Prof- essor, I am very glad to have my friends with me and thank you for being so kind and con- siderate to them and to me." Immediately following this the instrument ticked off as follows: "Among the friends who will spend the day with you are your mother, Mrs. Wilson, 3^our brother, William Wilson, W. D. Eddy, William Schopperle, Harvey Mason, George Steel, Ira Hathaway, Mr. Beth- une and Plum Mitchell. P. M., opr." After receiving this message I remarked: "I am glad you are all here, and I wish you to direct me if there is anything special I can do to add to your enjoyment." And then the following mes- death; the meaning and result. 351 sage: "Your mother and brother wish to stay close by you during the day. Whatever you enjoy they will enjoy. The rest of us will scat- ter over the grounds and pick up any enjoyment we may find. P. M., opr." At 9:45 Mr. Dallas excused himself and left the cottage; I remained. I had an appointment with Mr. Sumner. I closed the outer door of the cot- tage and waited his arrival. At exactly 10 o'clock I experienced a disturbance of the atmos- phere of the room and looking toward the door saw the outlines of Mr. Sumner passing through it and into the room. He approached me with his accustomed smile, polite bow and extended hand as though in the act of shaking hands. I met him, extended my right hand, which came in contact with his, and as I did so I felt that peculiar electric sensation coursing from my hand up my arm to the shoulder. I saicl: "Good morn- ing, Mr. Sumner, I am here to keep my appoint- ment with you." He bowed and motioned me to be seated. I sat down in a chair; he approached me, and soon I was again influenced in this wonderful way by this wonderful entity as des- cribed in previous records. During the time I was talking I sensed the fact but did not know what I was saying. When I again became nor- mal I consulted my watch and observed that it was 10:30 a. m. After I became normal I did not see or hear Air. Sumner. At 11 o'clock I strolled about the grounds until dinner time when I invited all of my visitors to join Mr, 352 death; the meaning and result. Dallas and myself in the noonday meal. I pre- sume they did so, though I have no positive evidence of it. After dinner we all went our way, or at least Mr. Dallas and I did and enjoy- ed the scenery and other things as our fancy directed us. At 5 p. m. Mr. Dallas and I repaired to our cottage and soon thereafter received the follow- ing message: "Well, John, your friends wish me to say for them that they had a delightful time. They all reluctantly bid you good bye for the present except your mother and Plum Mitchell who will go to supper with you. Mr. Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. will give you further orders in the morning after breakfast. Your mother and Plum will not return to the cottage after supper but will repair to their spirit homes. P. M., opr." I replied: "Well, friends, I will bid you good bye for the present. I am glad you enjoyed your visit. I am sure I enjoyed having you with me. Come again as soon as you can." Soon after this Mr. Dallas and myself went to supper at the Hotel Grand. I presume my mother and my friend Mitchell were our guests at sup- per. We heard nothing further from them, how- ever. So passed the day with added evidence of spirit return and their natural ways as human entities, possessing love and consideration for their kind in mortal form. Lily Dale, N. Y., August 12, 1894. Mr. Dallas and myself felt refreshed this morning by a good night's rest. We went to breakfast at 8:15 a. death; the meaning and result. 353 m. After breakfast we repaired to our cottage for orders during the day. They came at 9 a. m. in the following message over the telegraph instrument: ''Good morning, gentlemen. Mr. Charles Sumner will be here from 10:30 until 11 o'clock. Others after dinner. C. S. wishes to be alone with J. K. W. at 10:30. H. M." We bid Harvey good morning, and then I replied: "All right, we are here to obey orders and keep appointments." At 10 o'clock Mr. Dallas excus- ed himself and left the cottage. I was left alone to await the arrival of that great, kind and good spirit from the world of souls. I closed the outside doors of the cottage so there would be no intrusions by spirits in mortal form. At 10:15 I took a seat in the front room, facing the outer door. I had my watch laying on the table close at hand. Exactly as the hands point- ed to 10:30 I heard a slight rustling near the outer door. I looked and there I could see the form of a tall gentlemen whose contour denoted a man of distinguishment. He was not a strang- er to me. I had met him before under similar circumstances. I recognized him as my spirit friend Charles Sumner. I arose from my seat and extended my right hand. He approached me and reached out his hand toward mine which I had extended and the spirit and mortal hands came in contact with each other. I felt the electric tingle passing up my arm- as the two hands touched. He bowed very politely but said nothing so far as I heard. He motioned 354 death; the meaning and result. me to be seated and I complied. He stepped up to the side of my chair and that peculiar thrill which I have before described swept over my form. I arose from my seat and as I did so I lost sight of Mr. Sumner. I began to talk, but what I said I do not know and perhaps never will know. All at once I stopped talking and resumed my sitting posture. As I did so I again beheld the familiar form of my spirit friend. He was facing me and seemed to be looking me over carefully. Soon he stepped to the outer door which still remained closed and bowed him- self out of the room. I consulted my watch at this time and observed that it was 11:10 o'clock. Again Mr. Sumner had come and gone in that strange and incomprehensible manner. I felt no inconvenience from my experience and soon left the cottage. At 2 p. m. Mr. Dallas met me at the cottage and in a few moments we received the following message: "To J. K. Wilson: As I know you already understand, I wish to test you for our friends on my side of life. Today, John, I had five hundred of our most learned spirits here. I have to demonstrate to them the philosophy of this work before they will aid me in the future. You have no idea of the work we have to go through before we can complete all arrangements and start out on the work. It is as difficult for the Professors on our side to understand as it is for some on your side of life. As I say, with their aid we will be a power of powers, able to death; the meaning and result. 355 convince the world. That is my reason for mak- ing the appointment with you, and do not wish Mr. Dallas to be present as his presence might be a barrier to some of our people; but in the near future I hope both of you will be present and be able to remember what I say, although perhaps a little deep for you at first, but I must be up with the times over here and our people are much further advanced in this life than you are. Charles Sumner." After waiting for some time and hearing nothing further Mr. Dallas and my- self left the cottage and sauntered about the grounds. At 5:30 p. m. we were again at our cottage and soon thereafter received the following mes- sage: "We will be pleased to take supper with you. After supper we will retire, having spent a very enjoyable day among you. Charles Sum- ner, Prof. F. R. S., W. D. Eddy, W. P. Shoe- maker." In reply to this I said: "Glad to have you take supper with us, gentlemen." At 6 o'clock Mr. Dallas and I repaired to the Hotel and par- took of supper. I have no doubt that our friends accompanied us; if they did, however, none of them were seen or heard. After supper we went to the cottage and soon the instrument ticked off the following: "Harvey and I will be with you tonight. Plum Mitchell." In reply I said: "Hello, Plum, glad to have you with us." And then the following came: "Well, boys, have you got through with supper? What are you going to do to night? Any fun? H. M." Mr. 356 death; the meaning and result. Dallas and I bid Harvey good evening and then I said: "We will try and entertain you to the best of our ability," and afterwards, I can say that I am certain we did as we promised. Lily Dale, N. Y., August 13, 1894. After break- fast Mr. Dallas and myself returned to the cot- tage. At 9 a. m. the instrument ticked off the following: "To J. K. Wilson: Mr. Sumner wishes to be with you this morning from 10:30 to 11. After dinner call us up. H. M." In reply to this I said: "All right, Harvey, we will do as you direct." At 10:15 o'clock Mr. Dallas excused himself and I remained in the cottage to keep my engagement with Mr. Sumner. I closed the outer door, took a seat facing the front door, placing my watch on a table near by. At 10:30 sharp I heard a slight commotion near the outer door and the familiar form of Charles Sumner imme- diately came through it. He approached me before I could rise from my chair extended his right hand which I took in mine. Very soon I had the same sensation as formerly. I talked just thirty minutes by my watch. Again I became normal and Mr. S. bowed out as usual. After dinner Mr. Dallas and I met at the cottage. Mr. Dallas stepped to the telegraph instrument and sounded thereon, "H. M." Very soon the following came in response to the call. "To J. K. Wilson: There is nothing of importance today. We are now waiting for Mr. Sumner. He will be ready tomorrow. H. M." Lily Dale, N. Y,, August 14, 1894. At 9 o'clock death; the meaning and result. 357 this morning the instrument ticked off the fol- lowing message: "To J. K. W.: Mr. Sumner will be with 3'ou at 10:30 for half an hour. After dinner about 3 p. m. be at the cottage. H. M." At 10:30 Mr. Sumner was on hand. I had the same experience from start to finish with Mr. Sumner today as on yesterday. At 3 p. m. Mr. Dallas and I met at the cottage. Soon after meeting we received the following message via the instrument: "To J. K. W. and E. D.: Good afternoon, gentlemen. [ trust you have passed the day pleasantly. We are now preparing new work for you which we will give you when com- plete. We intended to explain to you this even- ing, but on consideration of other spirits we will hold back from you until we are all ready. Mr. Sumner is working very satisfactorily with J. K. W. and ere long will have him under his entire control. This pleases us very much, indeed, more so than any other branch of our work. I have nothing more to say at present and will bid you good day. Prof. F. R. S." Lily Dale, N. Y., August 15, 1894. At 9 a. m. we received the following: "Good morning, gen- tlemen, hope you are both well. W. P. S." We bade the Doctor good morning and informed him that we were both well. I then said: "Dr. Shoemaker, how are our friends progressing in the work?" In response the following came: "Dear John: As far as I can see or hear I am sure that every branch of the work is progress- ing very satisfactorily indeed. Of course this 358 death; the meaning and result. experiment of bringing you here has been success- ful far beyond what we expected and we have succeeded in our endeavors to see what such results would naturally bring forth so far. I know what is to take place in the future but I am not at liberty to tell, but, dear brother, remember if we are slow we are sure and cannot fail, no never. William Patterson Shoemaker, M. D., H. M:, opr." After receiving this message I inquired of the Doctor when Mr. Dallas would regain his power of seeing spirits. Immediately the answer came: ' 'That I am unable to say at present as we are working on other lines for the time being and do not require his power just now. But I think before long he will regain all he has lost. W. P. S., H. M., opr." After receiving this answer I inquired of the Doctor how Mr. Sumner was progressing in his work with me. He replied: "Mr. Sumner says that with a little more confi- dence on your side you will be a perfect instru- ment in his hands. W. P. S., H. M., opr." To this I replied: "Then you see progress all along the line." He answered: "I see a great improve- ment and I can say in confidence to you that within a month from now you will be able to see me just as well as you did on your side of life. W. P. S., H. M., opr." And then the following: "I shall be here about the grounds most of the day. I will meet you here at the cottage after supper. W. P. S., H. M., opr." After supper, about 7 o'clock, we received the death; the meaning and result. 359 following message: ''How do you do this even- ing, boys? I hope you are having lots of fun and resting peacefully. We are again hard at work but will be able to spend a part of the day with you tomorrow. Trust you will have a pleasant time tonight. W. P. S." In reply I said: "Well, Doctor, we hope you enjoyed the day." The answer came as follows: "I have en- joyed the day very pleasantly indeed, and I wish I could stay with you until the dance begins but I will have to go trusting I may be able to spend many such days. Good night. W. P. S." Note. In the last message the spirit Doctor says: "I wish I could stay with you until the dance begins," etc. No doubt he refers in his his message to a dance to be given at the public Auditorium later in the evening which pleasure is indulged quite often at this summer resort. Lily Dale, N. Y., August 16, 1894. At 9 a. m. we received the following message: "Good morn- ing, gentlemen. Nothing on hand this morning. Call us on your instrument after dinner. Charles Sumner." At 10:30 a. m. the instrument ticked off the followiug: "Good morning, gentlemen, At 2:30 today Mr. Sumner, Dr. Shoemaker, Dr. Eddy, Plum Mitchell and myself, along with your brother, mother and nephew, will be with you to spend the day and have a talk with you on matters in connection with the work and I think both of you will be able to see some of us. Prof. F. R. S., H. M., opr." At 2:30 p. m. Mr. Dallas and myself met at the 360 death; the meaning and result. cottage at which time the following message was ticked off: "Hello, boys. How is everything? Got along in fine shape last night. The Doctor and Harvey may be with you tonight. Answer. Plum." By the wording of this message it was evident that Plum was not present but operat- ing at the other end of the line, therefore Mr. Dallas sent the following telegram to him: "To P. M.: If Doctor and Harvey spend the evening with us we will see that they are entertained in good shape. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." In a few minutes we received the following mes- sage: "J. K. W. and E. M. D.: Good afternoon, to you both. I am coming over to bask in your sublime atmosphere this afternoon. How is that? suitable to you? W. D. Eddy." It is evident by the wording of the message that Dr. Eddy was not at the cottage, but somewhere along the line and was sending the message to us over the wire from his station. In answer to Eddy's message I had Mr. Dallas sent the following: To W. D. E.: Good day. Glad to hear you are coming here today. Will do all we can to make it pleasant for you. Come. J. K. W., E. M. D. r opr." Soon after sending this message we received the following message: "Gentlemen: Mr. Sumner wishes me to state that between two and three he will be with you. He wishes to have J. K. W. alone during that time. Some new feature he is to try. Prof. F. R. S." Mr. Dallas answered back by instrument as follows: "Prof. F. R. S.: death; the meaning and result. 361 All right. Will be glad to meet Mr. Sumner at the time mentioned. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." Then the following came: "How are you, broth- ers, I will be at liberty this evening if our friends have no meeting. I will know by supper time. W. P. S., H. M., opr." Soon the following message: "To J. K. W. and E. M. D.: Mr. S. and I will be with you at supper this evening if we can spare the time. Please call us up over the wire just before supper time and we will let you know then if we can come. Prof. F. R. S. T H. M., opr." And then the following: "Well, gentlemen, Dr. Shoemaker, Mr. Sumner, Dr. Ed- dy, Plum Mitchell, your mother, brother, nephew and myself are here. We will all, except Mr. Sumner, scatter about on the grounds and enjoy the balance of the day to 5:30 p. m. at which time most of us will return to our homes. Mr. Sumner will operate on you, Mr. Wilson, in about five minutes. W. P. S., H. M., opr." Soon after receiving this message Mr. Dallas ex- cused himself and left the cottage. I took a seat, after closing the outer door, and waited for Mr. Sumner. Soon I observed his approach. My experience was similar in all respects as those explained on former occasions when he operated on me. I talked for about thirty min- utes. After the operation I sauntered about the grounds. At 5:30 o'clock Mr. Dallas and I again met at the cottage. We sent a call over the wire to Prof. F. R. S., who immediately an- swered as follows: "Mr. Sumner and I find it 362 death; the meaning and result. impossible to be with you at supper this even- ing will defer the pleasure until some other evening. Mr. Sumner wishes me to say that his experiment with J. K. W. this p. m. was very satisfactory. Prof. F. R. S." Soon after receiving this message the follow- came: "Well, boys, all your friends wish me to say that they enjoyed the day very much. They will say good day and come again tomorrow if possible. Harvey Mason, opr." In reply I said: "I am glad, friends, you enjoyed the day; would be glad to have you go to supper with us. Come again soon." In answer we received the following: "Your friends would be happy to stay for tea but cannot this time. Good bye. Your friends, H. M., opr." After getting our suppers Mr. Dallas and I met at our cottage and soon thereafter we received the following: "I had lots of fun today, John. A real good old time. Sorry I am not going to stay with you tonight but shall be busy. Plum." In re- ply to this I said: "Plum, 1 am glad you had a good time; come often and stay long." Imme- diately the following was ticked off: "Thank you, John. Good night. Plum." Lily Dale, N. Y., August 17, 1894. Mr. Dallas and I after a refreshing slumber repaired to the Hotel for breakfast, and having done full justice to the repast we returned to the cottage. It was 9 a. m. Mr. Dallas stepped to the instru- ment and sent a call over the invisible wire to Harvey Mason who is one of our friends and death; the meaning and result. 363 spirit operators. The call was immediately an- swered and we received the following message: "To J. K. W. and E. M. D.: Good morning, gentlemen. Hope you are both well. Some of your spirit friends will visit you today. Mr. Wilson's mother, brother and nephew will be visitors also. We will be with you at 1:30 p. m. sharp. Until then enjoy yourselves as your tastes suggest. F. R. S., H. M. opr." After re- ceiving this message I had Mr. Dallas telegraph a reply as follows: "Glad to know you are to visit us today. Will meet you at the cottage at 1:30 p. m. sharp. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." At 1:30 p. m. Mr. Dallas and I met at the cottage. W T e were expecting some spirit friends to meet us at this hour. Soon after we met the instrument ticked off the following message: "How are you all? We are all here. W. P. Shoemaker, Plum Mitchell, H. Mason, opr., Mr. C. Sumner, Mrs. Wilson, your brother, and nephew, George Wilson, are present. Prof. F. R. S." In reply I said: "Good afternoon to you all. Mother, I am very glad to meet you again and I am much pleased to meet my brother and nephew. I am glad to meet you all. Please suggest in what I could engage to best enter- tain you." Immediately the following answer came: "Dear John: We have brought your mother, brother and nephew here today to show them the progress of the work, as they take so much interest in it. Prof. F. R. S." And then the following message: "You know what love I 364 death; the meaning and result. have in this work with my whole soul, and trust that we will be successful in all of us fulfilling our duty towards the Almighty Spirit and to the whole world. W. P. Shoemaker." Followed immediately by this: "Dear John: As we are all here together I think that I may say that your friends would like to have some wine. William Patterson Shoemaker." I said in reply: . "Certainly. I am very glad for the suggestion." Suiting the action to the words I provided a glass for each spirit guest, one for Mr. Dallas and one for myself, filled each glass part full of wine. Immediately we received the following: "We all thank you for this evidence of hospital- ity. W. P. Shoemaker, H. M., opr." Follow- ing, this message came: "My Dear Son: Mr. Sumner has again given us the privilege of seeing you today. I am happy to be here and will be with you all day perhaps. Mr. Sumner is going to show us something of the work today and what he can do. Mother, H. M., opr." I re- plied: "Mother, I am indeed happy to have you here. I wish to thank Mr. Sumner for being so kind and indulgent to you. I hope you -will en- joy the balance of the day. I am also very glad that my brother William and nephew George are here. By the way, William, I would like to have you, sometime, give me your experience when a prisoner in the power of the enemy." In a few minutes the instrument ticked off the following message: "Dear brother John: I am very pleased to be here again. You wish me to death; the meaning and result. 365 state my experience during my captivity as a spirit. Well, some time ago, while we were fighting the enemy, I had occasion to advance over the line drawn for our safety, and got in the hands of the enemy. As they dared not keep me a prisoner without consulting their leaders I was brought to headquarters and was just about to be exchanged for some of the spirits of their band when C. Manning found out I was a brother of yours, and he at once ordered that I should not on any account be exchanged until such time as he deemed necessary. I saw at once that all chance to escape was impossible, and so I had to linger in their low condition until they had their demands satisfied. Now, as our friends found out their plan they tried hard to relieve me but could not succeed, so closely was I watched, and their demands were too high for F. R. S. to concede, therefore I had to remain with them. Although the enemy used me with much consideration, the condition was a very miserable one. Our good Dr. Shoemaker now took the task upon himself to find some way by which 1 could escape, and one day when all was quiet on both sides he impersonated C. Manning so well as to decieve the band sur- rounding me, and at the peril of his spirit power he found me and assisted me to our friends. We had much difficulty in getting back, but at last arrived worn out and tired at the outpost of our friends. Nothing I can do or say will ever repay him who risked all for my sake. He 366 death; the meaning and result. is loved by all here and by no one more than your brother William." Immediately after receiving this message the instrument ticked off the following: ''Gentlemen: Before our friends here I will operate on J. K. W. for a very few minutes so they can see for them- selves the wonderful work in which we are engaged. Charles Sumner." I replied: "Very well, Mr. Sumner, proceed.' ' Very soon there- after I experienced the sensation formerly des- cribed on occasions when Mr. Sumner controlled me to speak. At this time I passed under his control and began speaking and talked about 15 minutes. Soon after I stopped talking the fol- lowing was ticked off: "Dear John: I never before heard such language spoken by man. Will." I should judge by the last message that what Mr. Sumner said through my organism had captivated my brother, William; and then the following was ticked off: "My dear Uncle: I would like to say to you that I know of all that our friends have been doing for you and us. and how happy I am to be one of the band. Your nephew, George Wilson." I remarked, "I am glad to hear what you say, George." Then the following was ticked off: "Well, we have nothing more to say just at present. We will scatter around the parks and at 5:15 we will meet you and Mr. Dallas here. We would like to take supper with you but will defer that pleasure for the future. W. P. S." At 5:15 p. m. Mr. Dallas and I returned to the cottage death; the meaning and result. 367 from a ramble about the grounds. Soon after we met we received the following: "My dear son: I have enfoyed myself very much and will now leave you for the present. Mother, H. M., opr." In reply to this I remarked: "Mother, I am very glad you have enjoyed the day. Come again as soon as possible." And then came: "Your brother, Will, and nephew George both had a nice time as they desire me to say. H. M. ,r And immediately the following: "Well, John, we will all say, good afternoon, for the present. W. P. S." CHAPTER XIX. Telegrams To and From Spirits — Wilson Controlled by Spirit Sumner— Talk with Spirit Prof. F. R. S. Over Invisible Wire — Dallas Desires to Return to Bradford —Spirit Friends Wish to See Manifestations— Wilson, Dallas and Spirits Sumner, F. R. S. and Shoemaker at Materializing Seance— The Result — What Spirits Sumner and F. R. S. Say About Seance — Explained by Spirit Shoemaker — Dallas Leaves For Bradford — Wilson and Spirits Sumner, Shoemaker and F. R. S. Visit Mediums. Lily Dale, N. Y., August 19, 1894. We heard nothing from our spirit friends yesterday. This morning at 9 o'clock Mr. Dallas called over the invisible wire "H. M." in the same manner one would call another over the wires on this side of life. Very soon after the call was sounded came the answer as follows: "Good morning, gentlemen. I received your call all right. Plum and I left you in bed early this morning. I will see what the orders are for today and let you know. H. M." A few minutes elapsed and then the following came: "Nothing this morning. death; the meaning and result. 369 Call us up before dinner. H. M., opr." At 12 m. Mr. Dallas again called "H. M." and soon the following came via the wire: "To J. K. Wil- son: At dinner today your mother and brother will be with you. Call us after dinner. H. M. M In about thirty minutes after receiving the last message the instrument ticked off the following: "My dear son John: I, in company with William and Mr. Mason, am permitted to be with you again. Mother, H. M., opr." On receipt of this I said: "Good day, mother; good day, William; I am glad you are here. I wish you both, in company with Mr. Mason, to take dinner with me." And then the following: "Thank you, John, we will be happy to do so and we are ready any time you are. Mother, H. M., opr." Mr. Dallas and xm'self repaired to the Hotel and par- took of dinner. We did not see or hear am' thing of our spirit friends during the dinner hour. After dinner we returned to the cottage and received the following message: "Your mother and brother wish me to say, Mr. Wilson, that they enjoyed the dinner very much. I wish to say that I did also. Your mother and brother now wish to bid you good afternoon as they leave you for the present. I w T ill accompany them over. Please call us over the line at 2 p. m. Harvey Mason, opr." To this I replied: "Well, mother, I was in hopes that you and Will could stay during the day. Be sure and come again soon. Good bye." At 2 p. m. Mr. Dal- las again sounded the call over the line for "H. 370 death; the meaning and result. M." Very soon came the answer as follows: "Mr. Sumner wishes to be alone with Mr. Wilson from 2:30 to 3:30. H. M., opr." Mr. Dallas replied over the instrument: "0. K., E. D., opr." At 2:15 o'clock I was alone at the cottage. 1 had closed all the outer doors and awaited the arrival of my expected guest. At 2:30 o'clock I heard near the front door that slight noise pecul- iar to itself of which I have often spoken. I looked in the direction and again I was face to face with the spirit of Charles Sumner. He bowed courteously and approached near where I was seated. As on previous occasions he extended his hand, I met it with mine and the familiar electric currents passed up my arm. I did not hear Mr. Sumner speak. I must on these occa- sions, be deaf to spirit voices. In a few seconds I lost sight of Mr. Sumner; arose to a standing position and began to speak. I do not know a word I uttered. I ceased to talk and again took my seat. As I sat down I again saw Mr. Sum- ner. He bowed very politely and passed through the door and out of sight. It was then 3:45 o'clock and I must have been speaking for nearly one hour but felt no inconvenience from my exper- ience. I remained at the cottage. At 5 o'clock Mr. Dallas returned and soon after his arrival we heard a call sounded by our instrument for Mr. Dallas. He stepped to the instrument, answered the call, and we received the following message: "To J. K. W. and E. D.: I wish to talk with death; the meaning and result. 371 you over the line. Will be ready in a few min- utes. Prof. F. R. S." Mr. Dallas answered via line as follows: "To Prof. F. R. S.: We will be here to receive what you have to say. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." In a few minutes the telegraph instrument began to tick and we received the following message. "To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: Gentlemen, I trust you will not think yourselves neglected in the fact of our not being with you as much as we would like to be. The most of the work now remains to be completed on our side. We have been considering the pros- pect of keeping you here together for some time. Mr. Sumner has been to Bradford (Saturday) on Mr. Dallas' account, as he seems uneasy in con- nection with his situation. As far as we can find out he is expected back this week. Now we leave it in his own hands either to remain and take the chances of losing his place there or continuing here with us. We can carry our work on in Bradford although not so rapidly as we do here, and there are many things we wish to work into before returning. Of course we could dispense with them but it would greatly add to our success. As it will be some time before we are able to have this complete and not wishing to have him idle during the intervening time we leave it for him to decide. Prof. F. R. S., P. M., opr." When Mr. Dallas got permission from his employer at Bradford to take a vacation his employer limited the time to two weeks. That 372 dea/th; the meaning and result. time has about expired and Mr. Dallas is uneasy about staying here longer than the time allotted by Mr. Rothstein. He does not feel like running the chances of losing his situation by remaining away from Bradford overtime. He spoke to me this morning about the matter. After receiving this message from F. R. S. Mr. Dallas wanted to know what I thought about his remaining over- time. In substance I said to him that I was at a loss to know how to advise him in the premises. I suggested to him to ask the Pro- fessor for his opinion concerning it. Acting on my suggestion he telegraphed the Professor as follows: "To Prof. F. R. S.: Your message received. I hardly know what to say about remaining here, and Mr. Wilson desires me to ask your opinion. E. M. D. M Immediately the following reply came:, "Now, gentlemen, it is a very hard matter for me to say what to do in this case. If we were like many we would saj r to you give us all your time and attention, but we want to be open to you on all matters. We are not ready yet and could get along with you both attending to your duties but better if not. F. R. S." In a few minutes after this the following came via line: "You gentlemen think it over. We will see you soon. F. R. S." After receiving this message Mr. Dallas and I went to tea during which time we discussed the propriety of Mr. Dallas remaining overtime here. Mr. Dallas seems to be set on returning to Brad- ford in a day or two, otherwise he fears he may death; the meaning and result. 373 lose his position. I would much prefer him to stay. I am certain our spirit friends, especially Prof. F. R. S., wish him to remain here for some time 3'et. We shall see what time will develop. Lily Dale, N. Y., August 20, 1894. After par- taking of breakfast Mr. Dallas and I returned to the cottage at 8:45 a. m. We sat down to make ourselves easy and be ready for any call which might come to us over the line. At 9 o'clock Mr. Dallas stepped to the instrument and called "H. M." In a very short space of time we got the following message: "Good morning, gentlemen. There is nothing this morning. Call us at 2:30 p. m. Prof. F. R. S., H. M. opr." Immediately Mr. Dallas 0. K.'d the message over the line. "At 2:30 p. m. we were at our cottage and Mr. Dallas called over the line: "F. R. S." Immediately we received the following message: "To J. K. W and E. D.: Good after- noon. I trust you are both well today. I have my answer ready for you now in connection with Mr. Dallas/ Prof. F. R. S." In reply Mr. Dallas telegraphed as follows: "All right, Profes- sor, we are ready to receive your answer. J. K. W., E. M. D. opr." Immediately after this the telegraph instrument ticked off the following: "we had a meeting among ourselves last night and after taking all things into consideration we have decided to say that Mr. Dallas can re- turn to Bradford as soon as he wishes. F. R. S." In answer to this I had Mr. Dallas tele- graph the following: "To Prof. F. R, S.: Can 374 death;Cthe meaning and result. you get "along without Mr. Dallas being here? J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." Immediately the an- swer came: "Yes, we can. We say this to him, after much thought, for his benefit. F. R. S." I then prepared the following message and Mr. Dal- las sent in over the line: "I am glad you can do without him as he seems uneasy about his situ- ation in Bradford. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." Immediately the following came: "Yes, but as I explained to you yesterday, that we would like to see some of the workings of other spirits at Lily Dale. We cannot at present do so, but that does not matter; we will have other opportuni- ties of doing so in the near future. If he could only be content and satisfied in his present work matters would come much easier and perhaps he could have stayed here longer. F. R. S." I wish to say in relation to the above mes- sage that when we received the message from the Professor yesterday in which he said, "there are many things we wish to work into," I instructed Mr. Dallas to say to the Professor "what you refer to as desiring, to work into, is of course, Greek to us." Mr. Dal- las did as instructed and immediately the an- swer came: "One of the things is, we desire to see the workings of the spirits here if possible." This is the explanation he refers to in his mes- sage of today. After receiving his last message I instructed Mr. Dallas to send to the Professor the following: "I am sorry, Professor, that Mr. D, is not contented here. He will be here tonight DEATH; THE MEANING AND RESULT. 375 and perhaps tomorrow night; can't you, with other spirit friends, accompany us to a seance before we separate and there see the workings of the spirits? J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." Imme- diately the following came: "We have been dis- cussing that among us here. Cannot be with you tonight will let you know in the morning. F. R. S." And then the following: "We now know what we can do with both of you and I have to thank you personally for the kindness you have shown towards us in submitting to this test of ours. To J. K. Wilson. Prof. F. R; S." Lily Dale, N. Y., August 21, 1894. At 9 a. m. Mr. Dallas and I were at the cottage. A call was sounded on our instrument, Mr. Dallas an- swered, and we received the following message: "Good morning, gentlemen. I am glad to say to you we will be able to accompany you to- night if you can make satisfactory arrangements. You had better see to this and let us know af- ter dinner. C. S." I instructed Mr. Dallas to reply to C. S.: "Glad you can be with us this evening. Will ascertain right away if we can make arrangements; will let you know at 11:30 a. m. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." Immediately the following answer came: "Very well, call us at 11:30. C. S." After receiving this Mr. Dallas and I began to discuss the question as to where we had better go on the mission for this evening. Many me- diums were on the ground and all the different 376 death; the meaning and result. phases of mediumship and phenomena were to be seen every night, if you were fortunate enough to have the price of admission. The price of admission to the various seances ranged from 2561 to $1.00, depending on and regulated by the kind and quality each respective medium had to offer. During our stay here Mrs. , whose phase of mediumship is what is called materialization, has many admirers who speak very highly of her as a medium, and assert that she is able to produce your spirit friends at the asking, bring them into plain view and clothe them with ordinary material, having bodies the exact counterpart of their mortal ones long since mouldered to dust. In fact, judging by what peo- ple sa3' who have seen her and witnessed her powers, she is certainty the star actress in her line on these grounds. So it was natural for Mr. Dallas and I to select her seance as the most fitting place to take our spirit friends, as we desired them to witness the best. Accordingly we called at the cottage to arrange for two seats at her seance. I had no personal acquaintance with her, but knew her by sight. I rapped at the door of her cottage and was met by Mr. ; I said that I desired tickets for two at Mrs. 's seance this evening. He consulted a small book which he had in his hand and said he could not say just then if he could accommodate me, but that he would let me know in one hour. I left her cottage but again called in one hour and was successful in procuring the tickets. I paid death; the meaning and result. 377 $1.00 each for them. I hurried back to our cottage called up Mr. Sumner over the line and inform- ed him of the arrangements I had made for the evening to which he replied: "Arrangement sat- isfactory. Will be at the cottage to accompany you at 7:45. I also wish to say that I would like to be alone with you today at 2:30. Charles Sumner.'* To this I answered: "All right. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." 2:30 p. m. I was seated alone in the cottage prepared to meet Mr. Sumner. He came. He never fails to keep his appointments. My experi- ence was in all particulars as on similar occa- sions. I talked for thirty minutes. Mr. Sumner said nothing I heard except through my organ- ism. After I quit talking he politely bowed and departed. At 7:30 p. m. Mr. Dallas and I were at the cottage awaiting the arrival of our ex- pected guests. Exactly at 7:45 the .telegraph in- strument began to tick and gave us the follow- ing: "Good evening all. We are ready. When you are ready we will follow. Keep perfectly still during the performance and no matter what occurs during the time we are with you do not give any expression to the outer world. That is all. F. R. St, C. S., W. P. S. In reply I said: "Gentlemen, I am glad you are here for the oc- casion. Alter the seance, if agreeable to you I would like to have your opinion as to the merits or demerits of the performance. " Immediately the answer came: "We do not know if we can discover their methods of working at first but 378 death; the meaning and result. we will do our best to find out all that is re- quired of us and give you our opinion. C. S." I replied: "Very well, we will go now." Very soon we started for Mrs. 's cottage where the seance was to be held. It was near 8 o'clock when we arrived. We entered and found about thirty people there who had pre- ceded us. Soon after our arrival we were told that we were at liberty to examine the cabinet, rooms and their surroundings to satisfy our- selves that there were no opportunities for fraud or deception by confederates or otherwise. Mr. Dallas and I accepted the invitation and went on a tour of inspection. We examined the walls, •ceiling and floor as well and thoroughly as op- portunity permitted. We detected nothing which would suggest an ingress or egress for confeder- ates. The place of meeting consisted of two rooms each about fifteen feet square, separated by an arch and in the arch were hung curtains of black material. The sitters or audience occu- pied one room facing the other room which was used as a cabinet room for the medium and spirits who were supposed to materialize. It was the cabinet room Mr. Dallas and I inspect- ed more closely. The floor of this room was carpeted so we had no opportunity to examine the floor under the carpet. Everything so far as we could see seemed to be all right. There was one door leading out of the cabinet room into a hallway. I was requested to close this door and lock it and put the key in my pocket. death; the meaning and result. 379 I was also given some sticking plaster to paste- here and there across the door with my own private mark thereon excluding the possibility of the door being opened or disturbed without subsequent detection. The windows leading out of this room were likewise pasted over with plasters and private marks; they could in no- way be manipulated by confederates without •detection. Everything being in readiness and to all ap- pearance no possible way for any person in the body to enter the cabinet room without being observed, the audience being all seated, the per- formance began. While the medium was in plain sight of the audience, three, or what had the appearance of being three forms, came in plain view, standing under the arch separating the rooms. They could not, from where I sat, be recognized b} r me had I known them intimately for the reason that most all light was excluded from the room. Some of the audience were call- ed to the arch and curtains by the reputed spirits and held converse with what purported to be their departed friends. Some said that the}- recognized them, or some of them, as their long since departed. I was not called to the curtains, neither was Mr. Dallas. If these forms seen by us were spirits out of the body how strange it is that they had so much strength, coarse body material and such strong voices as they were manifesting. If they had confed- erates impersonating spirits where were they 380 death; the meaning and result. when the room was examined or where their avenue of ingress. I was puzzled as the play proceeded. What purported to be many spirits made their bow to the audience and then dis- appeared behind the curtain. Others more dar- ing, and, as was claimed, had more strength, came from the cabinet into the audience room and talked with different persons in the audience, and so the play went on seemingly to the delight and satisfaction of the sittei's. Mr. Dallas and I heard nothing from our spirit friends who had accompanied us there, except a few raps soon after we entered the seance room. Finally the show came to a close. Mr. Dallas and myself got our hats, I inserted the key I had in my pocket in the door, unlocked it, and without bidding any person good bye prepared to leave. How- ever, immediately after the conclusion of the performance I had examined the strips of plas- ter with private marks I had placed across door and jamb, also the windows* They were all in- tact. Evidently no mortal person had entered, either through door or window, since the seance began. The quer} r to me then was if what I saw purporting to be materialized spirits were really mortals impersonating the same where did they get in after I had fixed the door and windows? That was the question. We passed out and wended our way to our cottage. I said very little to Mr. Dallas or he ±o me on the way. I was in a thoughtful mood and I think he was also. I was cogitating in death; the meaning and result. 381 >my mind for a solution of what I had just wit- nessed, and I asked myself, "had I really seen spirits at the seance?" I have beyond doubt or cavil seen spirits as I have already testified, but the spirits I have been permitted to see and recognize were so different in contour, makeup and deportment from those I witnessed at this seance that it was no easy matter to reconcile the difference. Mr. Dallas and I walked on in silence, came. to our cottage, unlocked the door and passed in. It was dark in our room, the curtains having been drawn over the windows before we left the cottage. An oil lamp was on the table in the rear room; I stepped to where the lamp was, struck a match and lit it. On the table near the lamp was a pencil and pad. As I turned on the light I glanced at the pad and saw. to my astonishment, some writing thereon. I knew the writing I had discovered was not there when we left the cottage to attend the seance, for just before I passed out of the cottage to go to Mrs. 's cottage I had occasion to tear from the pad two of the leaves or flies, and if any writing had been on the pad when we left the cottage 1 would have noticed it. The windows and doors were fastened and locked during our absence and everything was, on our return, except the writ- ing, in the same condition as when we left. Evidently no mortal had intruded during our visit to the seance. Then how came the writing and by whom? I picked up the pad and called 382 death; the meaning and result. Mr. Dallas' attention to it. It was plain, legible and stood out in bold relief, but the writing was in a different hand than I had seen before. Imagine my great surprise and the astonishment of Mr. Dallas, when we read that which was so mysteriously written thereon which is as follows: "From beginning to end, is, we are sorry to say, a willful imposition. F. R. S., C. S." We were aston- ished! When I recovered from my astonishment sufficiently to express myself I said : ' ' Wonderful! ' p Not only is the way the writing was produced wonderful but that which was written. The statement and the very emphatic expression was peculiar to itself. I wish to say that whatever force, spirit or personality wrote the production, wrote at the bottom thereof the letters "F. R. S.," and following them were the initials "C. S.," the initials "C. S." being written in quite a dif- ferent hand than the initials "F. R. S." Another peculiarity about this writing is that the paper on which it appears is soft and very susceptible to indentations, but no impress of pencil can be detected. We had not long to wait for an explanation before the mystery was solved. The instrument manipulated by our good spirit friend Dr. Shoe- maker soon cleared the mist, and he ticked off the following message: "To J. K. W. and E. M. D.: You have our answer in the Professor's hand- writing. He feels too sorry to stay and say so himself. Dr. Shoemaker." In reply I said: "Doe- tor, can it be possible? Is there a human being death; the meaning and result. 383 so degraded in the scale of honesty and moralit}-, along lines that should be considered sacred, to impose on the incredulous people?" To this remark the following answer came: "Yes, John, I am sorry to say it is too true. Not one dem- onstration which you witnessed at Mrs. 's seance this evening was produced by excarnated spirit or spirits from our side of life. The forms- purporting to be spirits were the forms of two confederates and a dummy. In that way you saw three forms at the curtain at the same time while the medium was in plain view. While you and others were examining the seance room the confederates and dummy were under the floor of the room. After all was in readiness and the lights turned down the confederates gained access to the seance room through a trap door in the floor. This trap is a triangle in one corner of the room. It has hinges countersunk so as to be invisible from the upper side should the car- pet which covers it be raised for the purpose of inspecting the floor, and the joints are so well fitted and matched that it would be difficult to detect it from the upper or room side of the trap. During the examination the trap is securely fastened from the underside. I will give } r ou a diagram of the rooms as well as I can if Mr. Dallas will take his pencil and trace as I direct him by the instrument. W. P. S." Mr. Dallas traced as directed and the following diagram assumed shape: 384 death; the meaning and result. B^or. CABINET ROOM CURTAINED ARCH, AUDIENCE ROOM OR SEANCE ROOM. I wish to state that the diagram so far as I am able to judge, is a very good one, showing points of interest in the two rooms, and explain- ing how it was possible for Mrs. to produce the phenomena and wherein lay her power to call forth such frisky spirits clothed with real material bodies. Evidently she did not call her spirits from the " Vasty Deep" as Glendower told death; the meaning and result. 385 Hotspur he could do, but from the cellar under her cottage. If this be so this woman is an infamous woman, or rather animal, for she is not worthy the name woman, selling as she is her heritage, capitulating her birthright for a mess of pottage. Yea, worse! she is a vampire of superstition, who, with 3 r ellow poisoned fangs, is sucking the life blood from the veins of spirit- ual truth; parasitical wretch, feeding upon the credulity of mortals who are trying to reach those who have been separated from them by the barrier called death; cowardly hypocrite, who is counterfeiting the unit value of the me- dium of exchange between the condition in this life and the condition produced by the change called death. If her conduct along the lines she has chosen are the result of her own personality, she is to be blamed more than pitied; if the re- sult of excarnate personalities through pyscholog- ical impress, she is to be pitied more than blam- ed. It is always well, however, to cover faults by the mantle of charity, but then some faults, by their protuberance, mar the otherwise graceful symmetry of the mantle, and cover them how 3^ou will, they will show their ugliness still. The two X marks in the diagram designate the res- pective positions occupied by Mr. Dallas and myself during the seance. Other people, about thirty in number, being seated about us as shown by the dashes in the diagram. After the production of the diagram I remarked: "Dr. Shoemaker, I noticed one form at the seance and 386 death; the meaning and result. represented as a spirit appeared very tall. How did he raise or add so many cubits to his stat- ure?" Immediately the instrument ticked off the following: MI am glad you spoke about that. That is effected by an ingenious device. Mr. Dallas please trace with your pencil as I direct. W. P. S." Mr Dallas with pencil traced as by directions via instrument and produced the fol- lowing diagram: death; the meaning and result. 3S7 After this diagram was drawn the instrument ticked off the following: "The first figure repre- sents a shoe worn by the tall form you saw at the seance, and the second figure the foot of the individual. When the foot is in the shoe it rests on the bottom of the inside represented by the line drawn from the top of the heel forward. That line is twelve inches from the bottom of the heel, so that when the shoe is on the foot the foot is twelve inches from the floor when the individual wearing the shoe is in a standing position. The individual who had the shoes on at the seance this evening is five feet six and one-half inches tall in his stocking feet, and with the shoe on he was twelve inches taller making his stature six feet six and one-half inches which, as you see this evening, makes a very tall person. W. P. S." In reply to this I said: "We thank 3^011 very much, Doctor, for making things so plain to us," and immediately he answered as follows: "I am sure, John, you are very welcome. I am sorry, very sorry, the seance turned out the way it did. Well, I must now leave you. Some of us very likely will be with you tomorrow. Good night. W. P. Shoemaker." We bade the Doctor, good night and soon retired to dream either awake or asleep of the truth so often proclaim- ed, that all things, at all times, are not what the}' seem to be. Note. I had no opportunity of verifying by examination what spirit Dr. Shoemaker told us in reference to the trap door. The family was 3SS death; the meaning and result. still in the house when I left Lily Dale. I was certain, however, that the door was there. Nei- ther Mr. Dallas or myself said anything to a mortal of what we had been told, or anything concerning our experience at this seance. After the close of the season the family and medium moved from the cottage in which the seance was held, and, as I am informed by a Mr. Agnew, a verv reliable gentlemen, the trap door was dis- covered at the place designated by Dr. Shoe- maker. This much being verified I have no doubt whatever that all our spirit friends told us in regard to this seance is true The initials F. R. S. I have no doubt is the signature of the spirit Prof. F. R. S. and the initials C. S. wher- ever they occur on occasions like this are intend- ed for the initials of Charles Sumner. Lily Dale, N. Y., August 22, 1894. It has been decided that Mr. Dallas will leave here for Bradford tomorrow at 9:50 a. m. Our spirit friends have been informed of the fact. After breakfasting we returned to the cottage. At 10 a. m. we received the following message: "Good morning, gentlemen. So this is your last day together on the grounds. Well, if I had my way about this I would have kept you for another week or two. However, I am over-ruled for the present. There is one favor I would ask of 3 r ou, if it will be possible for you to do." A break ot a few moments occurred and then the instru- ment resnmed: "Well, I will not ask it as C. S. does not think it right for me to ask for any death; the meaning and result. 3S9 conditions. F. R. S." In a few minutes after receiving this the instrument ticked off the fol- lowing message: "To J. K. Wilson. Fellow worker and brother: I feel a sincere regard to- ward you for the noble way in which you have assisted us to obtain the results which we now have on our records. Were it not for your help we could not have seen so far as we now do into the future. I thank you personally and also in the name of our entire band and this much I can say, you will be repaid a hundred fold for your trouble and present outlay. From your friend and guide, Charles Sumner." The instrument was silent a few moments and then resumed and we received the following: "To J. K. Wilson. My Dear Friend John: My heart is too full to express my sentiments, at this moment of part- ing, concerning the way you have so nobly as- sisted us. It is the greatest pleasure that could be granted me here, to say to my friends, 'he was a friend of mine before I passed over.' I told them we could depend on you and my hopes are realized. Your friend and brother, William P. Shoemaker." After receiving the foregoing messages, I pre- pared the following and instructed Mr. Dallas to telegraph it: "To Prof. F. R. S., C. S. and W. P. S. Friends, fellow workers and brothers of the spirit world: Your messages of this morn- ing are before me and in reply will say that any- thing I may have done to assist you in shedding light in dark places, or establishing truth on the 390 death; the meaning and result. • bed rock of human understanding has only been along the line of plain duty. If there are debits and credits of obligations between you and me I am sure the credits are on your side of the ledger. I thank you all on the spirit side of life for the great light you have shed into my understand- ing, and the heartbeats of joy I have experienc- ed by absolute knowledge you have given to me of the continuity of life beyond the heretofore dark recesses of the grave. J. K. Wilson." Soon after this was sent we received the following message: "To J. K. Wilson: Your message is before us. We all join in saying that we very highly appreciate your sentiments therein ex- pressed. F. R. S.; C. S., W. P. S." And then the following: " Please call us over the line at 8 p. m. F. R. S." Mr. Dallas O. K.'d this mes- sage and the instrument was at rest. At 8 p. m. Mr. Dallas sent along the line Prof. F. R. S.'s call. In a few minutes the call was answered and we received the following message: "Well, gentlemen, our last orders are as follows: E. M. D. is to proceed to Bradford in the morn- ing and if his situation is closed, he is to return here immediately. You will remain here, J. K. W., until September 1. Go around and visit one medium or more, and take some slate writing, and painting also. Otherwise you can do as you see fit. We will be with you every day, and Mr. Sumner will be along with you as follows: Friday, first, 11 a. m., Sunday at 5:30 p. m., on the following Tuesday at 10:30 a. m. and Thurs- death; the meaning and result. 391 day at 3 p. m. We will all be with you at dinner on Sunday next. F. R. S. and C. S." In an- swer to this message we telegraphed the follow- ing: "To F. R. S. and C. S.: Your message re- ceived. We will observe your instructions. Would be glad to have you and as many who can accompany us to the dance to be given at the Auditorium this evening. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." Soon we received this answer: "Thanks for your invitation. Some of us will be with you at the Auditorium but will not manifest to you further. Good day. F. R. S." Lily Dale, N. Y., August 23, 1894. Mr. Dallas and myself rose quite early as Mr. D. was to leave for Bradford and it was necessary for us to be astir earlier than usual to prepare for his departure. We took breakfast at 8 o'clock re- turning to the cottage immediately. At 9 o'clock Mr. Dallas called over the line "F. R. S." We did not know but what something had been omitted, and that our friends might wish to say something to us before Mr. D. departed. Very soon the call was answered and we receiv- ed this: "Good morning, gentlemen. I trust you enjoyed yourselves last night. We were there for two hours and enjoyed the dancing. I wish you to take the sounder and key apart, and discon- nect them from the battery some time today as we will not use them until we return to Brad- ford with you. All the friends join me in wish- ing Mr. D. a safe and happy journey. P. M. and Dr. S. will see him home. Prof. F. R. S." 392 death; the meaning and result. On receiving this Mr. D. O. K.'d the message. By the Professor's orders it would seem that our telegraph instrument had ticked its last message at Lily Dale. Mr. Dallas, with bag and baggage, left for Bradford this a. m. I am very sorry to part with him on my spirit friends' account, and also on my own. I bade him good bye as the rail- road train pulled out of the depot at Lily Dale and promised to meet him in Bradford, no pre- venting providence, on September 1st or soon thereafter. Lily Dale, N. Y., September 2nd, 1894. Since the previous date I have been enjoying nry self at this place as best I could. On August 23rd p. m. I disconnected the telegraph instrument from the battery as directed by Prof. F. R. S. and packed them preparatory' for shipment to Bradford. I have heard from Mr. Dallas by let- ter and he informs me that he arrived home safe and sound, and found his situation still open and is now at work. Several of my spirit friends have visited me since August 23 and Mr. Sum- ner met me alone on the dates mentioned in the the orders by F. R. S. At my meeting with Mr. Sumner, my experience was the same as on for- mer occasions. I also, in pursuance of Prof. F. R. S.' instructions made dates with the follow- ing mediums on these grounds for sittings — Mrs. Moss, materializing medium, August 24. Mrs. Roberts, same phase, August 28. Dr. James, trance, August 29. Mrs. Gillette, slate writing, death; the meaning and result. 393 August 30. Mr. Campbell, painting on porcelain, etc., August 31. Mrs. Gillette, slate writing, September 1. After making these engagements I informed my spirit friends of the fact through Mr. Charles Sumner. He informed me that he with others would accompany me to the mediums and as- certain the mode of producing the phenomena, if possible, and I presume they were with me during the time of each engagement. I kept each engagement I had made. I say I presume my spirit friends were with me on these occa- sions, but I do not, however, know as a fact whether they did or did not accompany me at this writing; if they were with me I did not see or hear them. I intend to start for Bradford tomorrow a. m., so perhaps, unless something special occurs, this will be the last record writ- ten by me at Lily Dale for some time to come, if not the verv last. CHAPTER XX. At Bradford— Spirit Telegram — Spirit Professor Tele- graphs—Trouble With Line— Spirit F. R. S. Gives Experience at Lih' Dale— Trouble With Telegraph Instrument— New Battery— Spirit Sumner Makes Appointment— Meeting With Spirit Sumner— Controll- ed — Intercepted Message — Indicates Trouble — Spirit F. R. S. Present— Two Strange Spirits Introduced— Newton and Grant— What They Say— F. R. S.'s Attention Called To Intercepted Message— Strange Proceeding— Spirit F. R. S. Taken Prisoner— Treach- ery— Enemy Control and Use Our Telegraph Instru- ment—Spirits Mitchell and Eddy Allured— Captured —How Done— Spirits Mason and Shoemaker Appear — Their Escape — Spirit Telegram — Message From Spirit Shoemaker— Enem\' Preparing to Attack- Reply— Attacked by Enemy— Break in the Room — Terrible Indictment — Dallas and Wilson Threatened — Enenry Gain Victory— Spirit Mason a Prisoner— Deus— Spirits Sumner, F. R. S., Mitchell and Eddy Prisoners — Dallas and Wilson Accused — Answer — Olive Branch— Refused— A Visit by Deus— What He Says— Our Answer— Price for Spirit Friends' Liberty — Refused. Bradford, Pa., September 5, 1894. I arrivecb in Bradford from Lily Dale on the evening of the third with nothing happening out of the usual death; the meaning and result. 395 in material life. I connected up the telegraph instrument in my office, in a manner so often described in these records, yesterday. I heard nothing from my spirit friends en route from Lily Dale to Bradford or since my arrival here until this evening. Mr. Dallas met me at my office at 9 p. m. and soon we received the fol- lowing message: "To J. K. Wilson: Have reported to headquarters that you arrived safe. Will connect wires up this week. Good bye. Plum Mitchell." Plum had come and gone so quickly that we had no opportunity to even say good evening to him Evidently he was in a hurry. September 6, Mr. Dallas came to my office at 9 p. m. and soon we received the following mes- sage: "Good evening, gentlemen. I am glad to see you back again in the old place. Prof. F. R. S." In reply I said: "Good evening, Profes- sor. W T e are glad to be in Bradford again. Did you mid everything in good shape here on your return?" And immediately the following: "Yes, in fair shape. We have some trouble in clear- ing the line. Good night. F. R. S." September 11, Mr. Dallas and I met at my office at 9:15 p. m. Soon we received the fol- lowing message: "Good evening, gentlemen. The line is now clear and we are able once again to proceed on our work unmolested. First, I shall give you a statement of how we stand in relation to all we saw and heard at Lily Dale. As we mentioned to you before we have discov- 396 death; the meaning and result. ered the method they have of producing the so- called materialization. In regard to the slate writing process, when we arrived at the differ- ent houses at which you had engagements, we were not admitted, as the spirit friends of the mediums on the grounds got on to the fact that we were working on new lines and that when we had succeeded they would lose their hold on the mediums they had at present control over. So you see it was policy for them to protect themselves. I have not } r et discovered how they were posted in all the details of the work but I suppose the enemy went ahead of us and they were prepared for us; so you understand, handi- capped as we were, it was difficult for us to get at the inner working of their ways, but as far as I can see at present each medium has a few spirits about him or her and they impersonate all other spirits who are called by the friends of this side. I paid particular attention to Mr. Campbell's work but as no results were given while we were there we had nothing to work on. This was the only house we were admitted into without a severe inspection on the part of the spirit bands. Apart from this, however, we are now able to judge what our own work will amount to. We are also in a position to know what each of you can do and are satisfied with the way we work together, and I may say that it is the opinion of Dr. Shoemaker, Mr. Sumner, and myself that from now on your progress will be more encouraging to both of you. Prof. F. death; the meaning and result. 397 R. S., H. Mi, opr." Mr. Dallas, after receiving the foregoing message, 0. K.'d it via line and soon we received the following message: "There will be nothing further tonight. F. R. S., H. M., opr." Mr. Dallas met me at my office on September 12, at 9 p. m. Previous to this meeting, since my return from Lily Dale, each time we have received messages from our friends we have had trouble with our telegraph instrument. It would not work properly. We would adjust it in many ways, and all we could do did not seem to rem- edy the difficulty. The sounder would not respond readily to the pressure of the key, and at other times the sounding lever would strike and remain stationary. Something was out of order but just what Mr. D. and myself w^ere not able to discover. We called the attention of spirit F. R. S. to the trouble we were having with it and he informed us that he was aware of the difficulty, and had come to the conclusion that the trouble was in the battery, the current being too weak, and he advised us to procure a new battery; so on this day I procured a Le Clanche battery, connected the instrument with it and I should judge by the improvement that the Professor was right in locating the difficulty. At any rate the trouble seems to be entirely removed and so far as I can see in A. I. working order. Soon after our meeting we received the following message: "To J. K. W.: Mr. Sumner wishes to be with you tomorrow at 10:30. Plum Mitchell." 398 death; the meaning and result. September 13, 1894. At 10 o'clock this morn- ing I was sitting in my private office awaiting the arrival of Charles Sumner with whom I had an appointment at 10:30. Exactly at the time appointed Mr. Sumner came. The outer door of the room was closed and locked. Mr. Sumner seemed to pass through the doorway when he entered with as much ease and convenience as if the door had been open instead of closed and locked. He came in smiling in that famil- iar and congenial way so characteristic of him and approached me with a bow and extended hand. I arose from nn^ sitting posture reached out my hand and grasped his. I had the same electric shock or sensation when my hand came in contact with his as on former occasions. I said: "Good morning, Mr. Sumner," but he said nothing in salutation or otherwise that I heard. When I said good morn- ing he smiled and bowed. I took my seat again and he approached close beside my chair. Very soon I felt the peculiar sensation creeping over me that I have fully described on former occa- sions. I was entirely conscious of rising to a standing position and beginning to talk, also of the fact of stopping and sitting down. That is all I do remember. When I again became nor- mal I observed by consulting my watch that I had been talking about thirty minutes. Soon after resuming my seat Mr. Sumner departed in the same manner as he came. At 4 o'clock this p. m. I felt a feeling creeping death; the meaning and result. 399 over me which is hard to describe, a feeling, however, which no doubt very many people have experienced. It is almost a certainty or convic- tion permeating your conscious self that some- thing has gone wrong, and that an evil trail of consequences are to follow. Such a sensation settled down upon me at this time, but I could not divine its cause or to what it was in any way related. I tried to shake it off but I failed to do so. It evidently had come to stay until it got good and ready to depart or until the cause was removed. Mr. Dallas came to my office at 8:30 p. m. but I said nothing to him of the feelings which had been about me since 4 p. m. The telegraph instrument, to which I have so< often referred, is in my private office, which serves me as a bed room and parlor, separated from my public office by a partition. At this particular time as Mr. Dallas and myself stepped into the room where the instrument was, it was ticking off a message, and we got part of the message thus passing over the line or curcuit which reads as follows: "Before they have dis- covered where the line is connected I believe F. R. S. is on to something although he said to them that their battery had to be changed. However, be careful about sending any news over to us and we will let you know when to operate so that all will be O. K. I. N. S." To say that we were astonished would be putting it mildly. We had not expected such 400 death; the meaning and result. news. Something was indeed wrong. The enemy, or someone at least, was plotting and planning for some purpose. The wording of the intercepted message presaged intrigue and trouble. What we got of the message evidently is only a part of what had passed over the circuit and recorded by our instrument. The first of it that came to our ears is beyond doubt the middle of a sen- tence. None of it was intended for us. It was signed "I. N. S." but to whom sent we had no means of knowing and who "I. N. S." is we can- not make the faintest guess. We said nothing to each other at the time but anxiously awaited with all attention for more. For a few minutes the instrument was persistently silent, and then it began that clear strong ticking which Mr. Dallas and myself had long since learned to recognize as the operating of Prof. F. R. S. I was also able to see the outlines of a form with arm extended and hand in proximity with the key of the instrument which ticked off the following message: "How are you all. I have brought some new spirits to you tonight. U. S. Grant and Sir I. Newton are here. F. R. S." In reply to this message I said: "Good even- ing, Professor." I did not nor did Mr. Dallas greet the "new spirits" with a cordial salutation. Intuitively I felt a repulsive, combative sensa- tion pervading my organism. I did not say good evening or anything else to the so-called U. S. Grant and Sir I. Newton. I wondered at the feeling I had towards them and the very cool death; the meaning and result. 401 reception I accorded them, as towards such hon- ored and distinguished personages as the immor- tal U. S. Grant and Sir I. Newton the most cor- dial reception should have been extended. A very little time had elapsed since receiving the last message when the following was ticked off: 4 'Good evening, gentlemen. I am glad to be introduced to you on this occasion. Sir I. Newton." I made no reply whatever to this message and soon the following was ticked off: "It affords me much pleasure to be able to speak to you in person. I have longed for this opportunity to offer itself, and through the kindness of your friends am here and am permitted to use their strength. I know your friend, the Doctor, very well and have helped him in many of his strug- gles against our mutual foes. I. N." I made no answer to the foregoing message. The feeling of repulsion still had its hold on me. However, I addressed Prof. F. R. S. and said: "Professor, are you certain your telegraph lines are all right?" He replied: "Yes, everything is all right." I then said: "Professor, when Mr. Dallas and I stepped into this room just before you came we heard the following message going over the line: 'before they have discovered where the line is connected. I believe F. R. S. is on to something although he said to them that their battery requires to be charged. However, be careful in sending any news over to us and we will let you know when to operate so that all 402 death; the meaning and result. will be O. K. I. N. S.' Now, does that not show that something is wrong with the line? Other- wise how can the message be explained?" Im- mediately he gave the answer as follows: "No, the line is all right. We have examined it today. I can't explain the mess-." The instrument stopped in the middle of a word. I at that instant jumped to a standing- position. It came to me like a flash what had happened. Prof. F. R. S. had been captured! Taken prisoner by the enemy! The supposed (by the Professor) U. S. Grant and Sir I. New- ton was evidently enemies in disguise imperson- ating these two great men. I remarked to Mr. Dallas as I sprang to my feet: * 'Dallas, some- thing awful has happened! F. R. S. is captured by the enemy!" As I finished this sentence and before I could say more I was interrupted by the telegraph instrument which began to tick and we read the following: "Send them imme- diately. We have secured two. I. N. S." And Immediately the following: "All right." I again began to talk about what had hap- pened and was again interrupted by the ticking of the instrument and we read the following: "I am sorry, gentlemen, we left you so hurriedly, but we had some matters to attend to. Newton." Immediately following this: "F. R. S. is here also." I then said: • "Whether your name is Newton or not I do not know, neither do I care. I do know, however, that you are not who you would have us believe } r ou are. I know what death; the meaning and result. 403 has happened. You are an imposter as well a& the individual introduced here as U. S. Grant. I know you are an enemy to F. R. S. and to Mr. Dallas and myself, and that Prof. F. R. S. is a captive in your power or the power of those whom you serve. Your coming here this evening is a ruse and deception to accomplish what you have done. Now get out of my office and stay out. I do not know whether or not he went at my bidding; at any rate he made no reply. I then said: "Dallas for heaven's sake telegraph to our spirit friends what has happened; tell them to be on their guard or the same fate may happen to them as has overtaken the Professor." Mr.. Dallas began to follow out my instructions to telegraph word to our friends, and, imagine our consternation, the telegraph instrument had gone wrong. It would not work. The lever of the sounder seemed to be stuck fast. While Mr. D. was working at the instrument in despera- tion, the sounder loosened up and before we could stop it a call for P. Mitchell was sent spinning over the line. In a very few seconds- Plum Mitchell was here and answered up as> follows: "Hello, boys, what is the matter? I am here. I do not understand what has become of F. R. S. I can't see him around. P. M." I then v as hurriedly as I could, told Plum what had occurred. He replied over the instrument as- follows: "The devil! I see something wrong in- deed. I will have to go and see." The instru- 404 death; the meaning and result. ment suddenly stopped and in a few seconds, in fact, almost instantly resumed when Plum left off and said: "Here is another. I. N. S." Immediately following this, Mr. Dallas and I heard a call for W. D. Edd^v go over the line. All this time Mr. Dallas was trying to get a message to our spirit friends of what was going on, but try as he would it was a complete fail- ure. Some force was interfering with our instru- ment. Soon after we heard Eddy's call, he re- sponded, supposing of course, as did Plum when he heard his call, that it proceeded from Mr. Dallas. As Eddy stepped into the office he an- swered up as follows: "What is it? Eddy." I said in reply: "Doctor, flee if you can while it is time. The Professor and Plum have been cap- tured by the enemy." He replied as follows: "I am afraid," and again the instrument stopped. He too had fallen a prey to the wily foe. In a few moments our spirit friend Harvey Mason stepped into the office and answered upon the instrument as follows: "What has become of them? H. M." I answered: "All captured, don't stay. Hurry to Headquarters." To that I got no reply. In a second or two after this Dr. Shoemaker came into the office and said over the instrument as follows: "John, what has happened?" I said: "Doctor, F. R. S., Plum and Eddy I fear are captured, and, Doctor, I am afraid if you stay here you will be captured also." He replied: "John, how did this occur or wiry do 3'ou think our friends are captured? Move death; the meaning and result. 405 your chair close to Mr. Dallas' chair and take hold of his right hand with your left, first plac- ing a chair between you. W. P. S." I did as directed, when he resumed and said: "Tell me how you come to your conclusions?" I then re- lated to him about the Professor bringing two spirits here and introducing them as Grant and Newton and what occurred subsequent. He re- plied: "I knew the Professor was coming here tonight and that he was to bring two spirits with him. I did not meet the spirits he was to bring here. I did not like the arrangement alto- gether but never thought of a calamity like this being possible." As the Doctor stopped talking the instrument began to tick which proved to be a message for Dr. Shoemaker which said: "To W. P. S.: Come to Spirit Headquarters immediately or all will be lost. Harvey Mason." Immediately following this Dr. Shoemaker said to us by telegraph: "Friends, you hear that message. I must leave you. I must go where duty calls. If I can, I will send you a message when I get to our Headquarters. Good b} r e. W. P. S." A few minutes of silence and then we re- ceived the following: "The enemy are out in full force. Have captured F. R. S., Plum and Eddy. They are now preparing to attack us here. What can we do? I wish we had stayed with you. I am afraid this is serious to us all. William Patterson Shoemaker, 66." I hastily prepared the following reply and instructed Mr. Dallas to hurry it over the line: "To W. P. S.: 406 death; the meaning and result. Do your duty to your Gocl, to }'our fellow man -and to yourself as you see it and all will be well. J. K. W." Immediately the following an- swer came: "I will do my best; can't do more. Be very careful how j^ou act, John. If we suc- ceed in defeating them I," the instrument stop- ped and I knew pretty well what had happened. Undoubtedly the enemy had begun the attack and interrupted the Doctor in sending or finish- ing this message. An electric storm had been brewing for the few moments preceding the receipt of the last message, and soon the storm in all its fury was raging about the building in which we were, to some extent, actors in the drama of life then to the fore. The lightning in serpentine girations streaked the curtains of night, and seemingly with ghoulish glee danced about things mundane in reckless abandon. Mr. Dallas was seated in a chair with a look of despair on his face. I was pacing the floor, knowing not what the next moment would bring forth. Peal following peal of electric artillery greeted our ears, as the vivid lightning in its swift sweeping stride, here and there, burst asunder the ether of the uni- verse. Just at this particular time the telegraph instrument began to tick off a message. Mr. Dallas and I were all attention. Was it good news or bad? We had not long to wait for the ticking proceeded and gave us the following: "To you both at the earth's side: We, your sworn enemies have at last scored a point death; the meaning and result. 407 against you. We have in our power C. Sumner, F. R. S.j P. Mitchell and W. D. Eddy, your right hand leaders, and we intend to keep them here until such time as you will come to our terms. You both have dared to tread on forbidden ground, ours which we have inherited since the beginning of all things. You have tried to des- troy our religion and our gods. You have tried to shatter our mediums, and for all this we still spare you, but remember, I, the Almighty One, who was almost the great spirit, will take re- venge. From now henceforth your lives are not worth the smallest vestage of any living thing. We will destroy you, your .power and your friends on this side, and here on this night even on earth } r ou can hear our mighty forces throw- ing missiles at the. camp of your stronghold, and I say nothing shall remain, not even a sin- gle stone. Deus." I was in a standing position at the time this tirade was ticked off. As the letters greeted my sense of hearing and by their relation formed into words and words into sentences I under- stood the trend of what was coming. Mr. Dal- las with pencil was taking down what was said over the instrument. I was thoroughly aroused. I could hardly maintain silence during the receiving of the message by the operator. At its conclusion I glanced over it to be sure I had made no mistake in its version or meaning. A terrible indictment lay before me and I wait- ed not a moment to enter my plea. I walked 408 death; the meaning and result. up near the chair close to the key were the au- thor of the indictment was supposed to be and said: "You, whoever you ma} r be, come here and lay before us what is contained in this mes- sage which I say to begin with is a tissue of assumption and falsehood from beginning to end. You apprise us of the fact that you have in your possession or power C. Sumner, F. R. S., W. D. Eddy and P. Mitchell; that may be so r or it ma}' not. Your declaration that such is the fact would not carry any weight with me as to the truth of your statement. From cer- tain things which I have witnessed here this evening I believe that certain of our spirit friends have been taken in by a power or force at the time being superior to their attribute of resist- ance. I know that what has been accomplish- ed is the result of treachery, deception and mis- placed confidence, in which despicable art, you and yours are adepts, I have no doubt. You boast of your ability to hold j-our captives at will and your intention of so doing until we come to your terms, therefore you assume you are in a position to dictate. "Who are 3'ou, or where your credentials, and by whom given, or from what source comes your authority to capitulate with us on any subject whatever? Remember, to even induce us to in any way consider any proposition leading in any direction you might wish to offer, your credentials must be beyond suspicion and from a source we are willing to recognize as having death; the meaning and result. 409 authority, and even then we would spurn any- thing }'OU might offer if behind it was a threat- ening lash or an abridgment of the widest lib- erty. You say, we have both, referring, I take it, to Mr. Dallas and n^self, 'dared to tread on forbidden ground.' Ah! indeed! by whom for- bidden? To what ground do you refer? If you refer to and mean that we have dared to inves- tigate into the comparatively hidden things in the storehouse of nature; that we have been try- ing to reach out for light and knowledge to and into the whither; to and into the realms of spirit and learn of the destiny of those of our friends who have gone before, and also the des- tiny which awaits us; an effort to turn the search- light of investigation on the hidden things of the future; an effort to blaze the way along which those who are summoned hither travel so that all may know the shortest and safest route to the grandest possibilities in human effort; abridg- ing of the chasm separating the so-called dead from the so-called living; if this, or any of thenu is what you mean by 'forbidden ground,' pray tell us when such things were forbidden and by whom? "Will you tell us it has been forbidden by popes, holy fathers, bishops or prelates? If so you will have established your identity as one belonging to this planet when such presumptuous frauds or fanatics pretended or thought the}- were vicegerents of the center of intelligence and holy of holies. Let me tell you if that is your 410 death; the meaning and result. claim, those selfish entities have long since been beaten from the brambles of superstition, routed from their lairs of abomination, and the 'grounds' thrown open for common settlement by all the children of the universe, and the sooner you get into closer relations with this planet the sooner you will realize the truth of this statement. You claim these 'grounds' are yours hy inheritance which you say we have trespassed upon. From whom did you inherit so much? Where or who is the parent of this gigantic 'ground' syndicate? From whence came the title to the holdings by the few of such immense possessions to the exclusion of the many? Until these questions are answered, your assumption of ownership by inheritance or otherwise deserves no answer, and it is in no way worthy of ser- ious consideration. You proceed to state that "we have tried to destroy your religion, your gods .and shatter your mediums.' Can't you conde- scend to be more explicit? What is your relig- ion? Who are your gods? And what do you desire us to understand by 'our mediums?' Until you define your meaning we shall defer the answer. If you should mean by 'our relig- ion,' the culmination of centered superstition focused on the human race by centuries of ignor- ance, then we are free to admit that we are trying to gain such vantage ground whereby we will be able to pierce its armor of arrogance with the arrow of truth. If by 'our gods' you mean those creatures of rapine, war, famine, death; the meaning and result. 411 disease, sin, degredation and failure, born from the selfish conception of perverted minds in the past, clothed with base passion, and whose attribute of hate predominates the emotion of love, then we now say that we would at any time be willing to lend our aid in completing their destruction and as you sign your name Deus,' which is God in English, if you are one of the gods of whom I have spoken I know no reason wiry you should be spared the fate of your companions. 44 You assume to have great power, even the power to take our lives. I do not believe it. I have no way of knowing the extent of your power. You may be able for aught I know to •destroy the mortal body. If you have that power, to do so would be the act of a coward and would only elevate me to a vantage ground in which I could measure you at your true worth or strength, so I have no fear on that score. I know your assumption to be able to take life in its true sense is mere bosh and could only emanate from an entity grossly igno- rant or with the design to mislead. We, here on this side, are entities and as much a part arid par- cel of this universe as are you. We have a niche in nature to fill freighted with as much design- and function as the niche which you fill at the present time. It is not your province to speak beings, constituting a part of the whole, either into or out of existence. Your extreme egotism evidenced by the wording of your message labels 412 death; the meaning and result. you in a way whereby it is an easy matter to catalogue you among the antiquities of darker days and make no mistake. To conclude, whether you are God or devil, go back to your native heath, to those whom you rule or serve and tell them my answer to your accusation." At the conclusion of my answer the telegraph instrument ticked off the following: "From your side of life this seems all very well, but as I cannot explain to you, or do not wish to spend any more of my valuable time with you now I shall answer you in full at some other time. Remember, gentlemen, I do not wish to see any harm befall you, but as surely as the sun shall rise tomorrow, j^our lives are in danger from this moment. Deus." I answered this as fol- lows: "We do not desire you to explain beyond your pleasure now or hereafter. Our time is as valuable to us. as your time can possible be to you. In relation to your threat of loss of life, you already have our answer. Your reluctance to spend your time with us, and our more than willingness to have you conspicuous by your absence argues that this interview has already lasted too long, so we will close it here and now by commanding you to at once and forever absent yourself." A few minutes silence and then the following was ticked off: "To the would-be great of the earth plane: Our terms are as follows: Be ruled by us in all things, and for this we will set at liberty your friends. We shall bring you death; the meaning and result. 413 out among men as Christ was among his peo- ple. For my leader. I. N. S." In answer to this I replied: "It will be plenty of time for you to offers terms when you are asked for them. No doubt judging from the information I now have, that an acceptance of your leadership would mean our crucifixion. We have no inclination just yet to start for that goal." Immediately after this the instru- ment ticked off the following: "Until you accept our offer we do not wish to hear from you and any other information shall not be answered. Deus." To this I replied: "When we ask infor- mation from you it will be your province to refuse to give it if you so feel; but as we measure time it will be very long before we come to you or yours for anything whatever." Finalry quiet reigned supreme. Mr. Dallas and I had a chance to pull ourselves together, and see if we could tell "where we were at." Our friends undoubtedly had been overpowered and many of them are prisoners in the power of an enemy to them. We were confronted by a personality representing the adverse force who laid at our door serious charges and made threats if carried into excution the end would be hard to determine. It may be that we are between the devil and the deep sea; but I do not think so. We have committed no crime. We have done nothing to offend a just God or loving Father. Surely it is not wrong to search for truth in all avenues of the universe. Light to 414 death; the meaning and result. our understanding is a birthright of which no mortal or immortal, except the most selfish, would try to deprive us. Then why fear or be parried by forces evidently adverse to our acquiring the knowledge so earnestly sought. , The capture and detention of our spirit friends is a calamity no less to them than to us. We feel their loss keenly. Is this to close all avenues of communication between them and us? Are we never again to clasp hands across the ab} r ss separating the living and so-called dead? Is the bridge so well built and so nearly complete, unit- ing the two worlds, to be swept away by the torrents of a rapacious enemy to human pro- gress? Well, time alone can answer these ques- tions. As 3 r ear follows year it will be shown what the harvest' is. We are willing to watt for results. Mr. Dallas and myself discussed the condition in which we find ourselves, until far into the beginning of the next day. We finally laid down upon the bed to sleep, if we could, and to think if we could not sleep. Sleep soon claimed Air. Dallas, but not so with nryself. I thought of our long series of strange experiences and of the culmination of the night. Sept 14, 1894. I awoke Mr. Dallas from slumber at 9 o'clock. He informed me that he had slept quite well bnt he looked haggard and wan, the result of the nervous and mental strain of the night just passed. I felt annoyed and depressed over what had happened. We were soon discussing the recent events and were about death; the meaning and result. 415* to leave the office for breakfast when the tele- graph instrument began to tick and gave us the following message: "Good morning. I am glad to say that Mr. Harvey Mason and a few more of your set are in our hands. We are progress- ing very favorably for the short time we have been in power. I heard you talk this morning and may say it is not necessary for you to come to our terms unless you wish to. Deus." I answered: "We will not say 'good morning'' to you as I do not believe in using deception in salutation. You come here uninvited, and if } r ou do not realize the fact I will tell you now plainly that you are not welcome and a trespasser to the full extent of the meaning of the word. W T e said nothing this morning at the time 3 t ou admit you were eaves-dropping, that we would not be willing to say to you now. You are spending more of your 'valuable time' as you termed it last evening, uselessly, and to no purpose in tell- ing us that it is not necessary for us to come to your terms. We knew that last night, and we knew it this morning before you told us. You are not welcome here, and nothing but impudence and calloused indifference can account for your presence this morning." No reply was- made to what I said. Waiting a few minutes- to give "Deus" an opportunity to say more if he cared to and hearing nothing further we repaired to breakfast and separated for the day. CHAPTER XXI. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker a Prisoner— Present Under Guard —What He Says— Establishes Identity— Efforts to Hear From Friends — Denied By Adverse Force — Impudent Spirit Message — Answer — Heated Colloquy With Spirit Antagonists — Message Intercepted— Plan to Impersonate— Discovered— More Messages Inter- cepted—Decoy Message— Detected— Message Signed, "A Friend"— Mystery— Masters From Hell— Strange Discovery — More Spirit Telegrams — Terms Urged by Deus — Another Colloquy — Hope — Message, "Be Pa- tient" — Name By Impression — Message By Sam Mc Bride — Spirits Dr. Shoemaker and Sumner Escape From Captivity — Spirit F. R. S. Escapes — Telegram From Spirit Mitchell— Mitchell and Others Gain Lib- erty — Time Set for Meeting — Directed to Prepare Instrument. On September 16, at 2 p. m., Mr. Dallas and I were sitting in my private office. We had heard nothing from either friend or foe from the border land since the morning of the 14th. We had come to the conclusion that our spirit friends could not reach us, for if they could we had every reason to believe that some of them would have communicated with us during the interim. Our death; the meaning and result. 417 spirit enemies, it would seem, controlled the avenue of approach and they were giving us a rest. As might be expected at this time we were talking over the very radical change in the condition of things which had been wrought in the two or three days last past, and how unlook- ed for and sudden had been the change. While thus conversing the telegraph instrument began to tick and we were informed that spirit, Dr. Shoemaker, was present under guard of the enemy, and if we so desired he would be per- mitted to say a few words to us. In answer I replied, that "Dr. Shoemaker was under all cir- cumstances welcome here, and we desired to hear from him." Immediately the instrument began to clatter and gave us the following message: "Shortly after leaving you the night of the at- tack we were surrounded on every side and I, with many other spirits, was taken prisoner. The} 7 allowed me to come here today so that they may take delight in our downfall. I am not allowed to give any information. Suffice it for me to say that the password is 66, that I cured you of fistula, that the lady's name at Edenburg is Bird, that I passed out at Cam- bridge and that I was an old friend of yours at E. and B. both. William Patterson Shoemaker, M. D." The Doctor it is plain to be seen wished to establish his identit} 7 and he succeeeded in doing so fully. I have no doubt but that Dr. Shoe- maker dictated the telegram. I was somewhat 418 death; the meaning and result. embarrassed. I knew he told the true state of affairs when he said he was not allowed to give any information. He was under guard and re- straint. I dared not say what was in my mind about his enemies for the reason that I had no means of knowing how much it might mitigate against his comfort and treatment by those in whose power he was. I said as mildly as I could: "Well, Doctor, I recognize the intelligence which dictated the telegram just received as William Patterson Shoemaker. It is no doubt very unexpected to 3 r ou, and it certainly is to Mr. Dallas and me to meet in this way. It is the fortunes of warfare or at least would be so considered on our side. To be a prisoner of war is no evidence of crime, and therefore no dis- grace. I have many things to say to you but cannot do so while other spirits are present who hold you captive. This thing, however, I will say: You will always find your friends on our side of life loyal to the cause you love so dearly. What we fail to do in time we may be able to finish in eternity. Come to us whenever you can, and wherever you find us you will observe that every heart throb will be in sympathy with the right as we understand it, so I will bid you good bye for the present." There was no response to what I said to the Doctor. At 8 p. m., we concluded to send a call for Plum Mitchell over the line and watch the effect and accordingly Dallas stepped to the key and sent a call for P. M., and soon we received death; the meaning and result. 419 the following: "To J. K. Wilson and E. M. Dallas: For the last time we say to you no friend of yours will be permitted near this key today and you are onh~ giving us strength by remaining together. A Spirit." So emphatic was the telegram that we had no reason to doubt that it meant what it said and we did not meddle with it further for the time being. Note. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker could not have said more in the same length of time in his mes- sage to convince me of his identity. He undoubt- edly realized that just at this particular time we were expecting an attempt on the part of the enemy to impersonate our spirit friends, hence his efforts to prove his identity at this time. Our password as before stated is 66. It is true that Dr. Shoemaker before passing from mortal form cured me of fistula. We also had used the word "Bird" as a password on ex- traordinary occasions being the name of a lady in Edenburg formerly known by the Doctor, and myself. It is also true that the Doctor passed to spirit life in Cambridge and that he was an old friend of mine at Edenburg and Bradford, and so he convinced me that it was he, who was talking to me at that time. September 17, Mr. Dallas and I met at my office at 10 a. m. After consulting for a while we concluded to call via telegraph instrument our spirit friend and operator Plum Mitchell, and Mr. Dallas stepped to the instrument and sounded Mr. Mitchell's call over the line, and in 420 death; the meaning and result. response the following telegram was received: "Do you come to us for terms? If so, say so, if not shut up. P." In reply to this I had Mr. Dallas send the following telegram: "We come to you for no terms whatever. Do not imagine that a call from us to a spirit friend means a coming to you in any sense. Our call suggested to you nothing of the kind. J . K. W." In reply to this we received the following: "Most cer- tainly it did, as you said you did not wish to have further dealings with us. P." After receiv- ing this we telegraphed the following reply: "Hereafter do not mistake a call over the line for a spirit friend by us to mean a coming to you for terms or anything else. J. K. W." Im- mediately the following: "You realize only too well that in his present position Plum Mitchell cannot receive your call. P." To the last telegram we made no reply, but soon we received the following: "If you wish to speak to him w T e will grant him the privilege for a few moments on one condition and that is — he will not give you any information in re- gard to our position. P." In reply to this we sent the following message: "We have asked you for no favors and do not intend to do so now or in the future. If we cannot meet our friend except under restrictions by you we pre- fer not to meet him at all. J. K. W." To this w r e got no answer and hearing nothing further Mr. Dallas and I separated for the time being. At 8 p. m. Mr. Dallas again called at my death; the meaning and result. 421 office, and soon we quietly stepped into the pri- vate office in which the telegraph instrument was, and to our astonishment it was ticking off a message of some kind. We said nothing but lent an attentive ear and as we did so we caught what was not intended for us to hear as follows: " as they have been heretofore but they can- not regain the power they have lost. We will not attempt to make any further connections until such time as we are fully satisfied that we hold the reins. We have folio wed your in- structions to a letter and they are in good keep- ing. We will do as you desire and I do not see any motive for the break but as you said they cannot get away as we have all in our power, watch and see if their friends try to get any in- formation from them and be ready to answer them in their name. You know the calls and I think you can work the rest. D. E." After hearing this message ticked off a few moments elapsed and then we heard what is evidently a reply as follows: "We will do as you desire and depend on us. Good bye. P. L." So the slick enemies were going to do a little impersonating over the line. Well we shall see. Perhaps we will be "on," for being forewarned is being forearmed; anyway we will be on the alert. Soon we heard one word passing over the line and that was, "beware." That was a word of caution and perhaps our enemies have got on to the fact that we had intercepted their messages. While we were thus finding a mean- 422 death; the meaning and result. i ing and why the}^ had given a word of caution, the instrument ticked off the following: "Gen- tlemen: We have just found out that you inter- cepted our message. It won't do you much good and we are on to you. Your friends are with us — all of them. This is the last tick today. D." We made no reply to this message; we treated it with silent contempt. September 18, Mr. Dallas called at the office at 8 p. m. Again we adopted the tactics prac- ticed by us last evening and quietly slipped into the private office and discovered the instrument was ticking away, and we caught the following passing over the line: "Well, you talk with much confidence, but remember they may wait for years. I. N. S." And then the following: "Would find this a very easy matter but I said they would not concede to that point and they must be ready by this ." The telegraphing stopped short, and I think before the last sen- tence was finished, and the query was, had they again discovered that we were intercepting their messages? About the time I had come to the conclusion that we had been discovered, again, the ticking resumed and we caught the following: tk As long as their friends remain in their present position we can hold them, but if they should take it into their heads to locate elsewhere we would not retain the power over the lines as we do now and it is important that J. K. W. should not know of this. See that you examine the lines when I finish. D." death; the meaning and result. 423 On close examination of this message I thought I discovered quite a different meaning than the one expressed in the telegram and I asked my- self the question, is it not possible that the ene- my are trying to beat us at our own game by sending decoy telegrams over the line for the purpose of misleading us. We evidently have to deal with a wiry foe whose cunning is often to the fore. I said nothing to Mr. Dallas of this recently developed suspicion, but while I was thus meditating, we received the following mes- sage: "Gentlemen, innocent boys, I cannot re- sist in saying, you think you are both very sharp, but if you did get any of our messages tonight, I hope it will do you a pile of good. Good night. I will leave an operator here who will answer any further conversations. A Friend." I must confess that I was somewhat puzzled by the wording of this message. On reflection, however, I thought I could see ear marks which confirmed my suspicion of decoy messages. And another thing that I am not able to account for, is the peculiar signature of this message. Our friends, as we have been led to believe, are in the power of the enemies, and as they have taken the pains to inform us, "sworn enemies." We have, also, every reason to believe that our "sworn enemies," are in possession of the tele- graph line or circuit over which the message was received, then why should it be signed "A Friend?" After debating with myself for a few minutes I remarked: "Whom is this who signs 424 death; the meaning and result. himself 'a friend' to this message? If you are near us and can hear me talk, tell us who you are. Are you a friend in the sense that word implies or, are you a wolf masquerading in sheep's clothing?" Immediately we received the following: ' 'Gentlemen: I hear you speak but cannot answer you, as I am but a tool in the hands of masters. M." To this I replied rather sharply: "Well, where are your masters from?" Immediately the answer came via the instrument: "From Hell." The manner of telegraphing seem- ed and sounded strangely familiar. Under ordi- nary circumstances, I should have no trouble in naming the operator, but under the present status of things, I was not sure but that it was some personality trying to imitate, as near as possible, my friend's operating. And then again, the abrupt way in which the last answer was given, -went far in convincing me that it certain- ly could not be the operating of my friend, and the way it was put sort of nettled me; but I finally said: "Why is it you come here and jest over matters so serious to me? What have we done to you that you should be an enemy of ours? We have in no way tried to harm you that I am aware of, then why try as you are doing to embarrass and harass us? We make no distinction between spirit or mortal. If any come to us in a proper way, and we think them worthy, they will always find a helping hand to assist them up and on." Immediately we re- ceived the following: "For God sake, Mr. Wil- death; the meaning and result. 425 son, don't talk in that strain. I can stand any- thing better than that. I was not jesting when I answered your question. Say, did you ever see an electric belt for the neck? M." The last sentence of this telegram let in a flood of light. I was certain now, that a certain friend of mine in spirit, and the one I thought the operating was so much like his, was at the key. At the same time it flashed on my mind that while he was held in captivity, he was compelled at this particular time and place, to do the operating for the enemy. Immediately following this last message this was ticked off: "You understand?" In answer I said: "Yes." I have mentioned no name as to the operator neither will 1 do so in this present record for if I did it might mitigate against my friend. Note. Now that I am adding to the record explanatory notes, I will say that the operator sending the messages at this time was my spirit friend, Harvey Mason. I was at the time, as I have learned since, perfectly correct in con- cluding that notwithstanding Mr. Mason was in captivity, he was drafted into service and compelled to do the operating for his captors on this occasion, but had succeeded in dropping a sentence unnoticed by his captors informing me who the operator was. It has been some time since hearing from friend or foe. On September 22, we ventured to send a call over the line for someone of our friends and to watch the result, and immediately we receiv- 426 death; the meaning and result. the following telegram: "I hope you are both well. Your friends have given us so much trouble lately, that we have not had time to visit with 3 r ou. Do not be anxious for their safety, all are in good keeping. P." I asked: " Who is this operating?" And this answer: "That is the message I w r as to deliver to } r ou immediate- ly when you called us up. I am not at liberty to say more. Good bye. P." The operating today sounded familiar and wonderfully like a friend of mine. I said nothing in answer to this last message, and soon after receiving it, Mr. Dallas and I separated for the day. Note. Subsequent events developed the fact that the sending operator of the messages on this occasion was my spirit friend Plum Mitchell. He too had been pressed into service by his captors. September 25, 1894. It has been three clays since we have received a message from the border land. Mr. Dallas has called regularly at my office every day. We have tried our old tactics by slipping quietly into the presence of the tele- graph instrument, to — if possible — garble or in- tercept messages not intended for us, but we heard none going over the circuit. Our instru- ment was as silent as the Sphinx. Perhaps our enemies have cut out our instrument from the circuit. On this particular date we concluded to see if we had a cold deal sounder on our hands, or one which, by pressing the button, could give us much talk, so Mr. Dallas pressed the key and death; the meaning and result. 427 sounded the call of the spirit operator, "P. M." which is the call to my old friend Plum Mitchell. Very soon our call was answered and the fol- lowing message ticked off: "Greetings to you both. We are glad you called P. M. Of course he not being here in person we have to take up his call. Wait until I notify the chief. M." We waited for about five minutes after receiving this message and then the following came: "Good evening, gentlemen. I trust you have both at last come to a conclusion in regard to arrang- ing with us about the future work we have in store for you. Deus." Ah — Ah — another message from God or deity as he styles himself. Judging from the tone of this message, compared with the tone of the first message we received from his royal high- ness, this God was becoming more reconciled to us poor mortals. In this last message he gets down off his perch and condescends to call us "gentlemen." What has brought about this change? I am sure I do not know. I do know, however, that we offered up no sacrifice to this so-called diety to appease his dis- pleasure or for any other purpose, and we have in no way catered to his vanity. In no instance have we shown fear or developed trembling in his august presence. Now, maybe after all, that it is literally true that "God hates a coward." It may be that he respects very little, those of his children who consider themselves mere worms groveling in the dust and not worthy of a fav- 428 death; the meaning and result. orable consideration by their God. For my part I am inclined to think that God has very little respect for those who do not respect themselves. If one respect himself it is generally conceded that he is worthy of respect by his fellow man, and if he has as much consideration for his fel- low man as he has for himself, then as a matter of right he may expect favorable consideration by his God. Well, in answer to this last mes- sage from "Deus" I hastily prepared the follow- ing and Mr. Dallas sent it over the line: "We will say good evening, although the salutation is only between entire strangers. In reply to your message will say, we called P. M., who is an old friend of mine, not for the purpose of considering any propositions you might wish to offer. Do not understand us to ask for terms, when we call a friend. If you desire terms treat with our leaders on your side of life. They un- derstand the situation much better than we do and are better posted with whom to talk of terms. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." In reply to this we received the following message: "Gen- tlemen, we will show your friends your message just as we received it from you and will give you their answer in a few days. Good night, unless you wish to speak on any other subject. D." In answer I prepared and Mr. Dallas sent the following telegram: "You being an entire strang- er to us, we know nothing of your honesty or integrity. We have no terms to ask or compro- death; the meaning and result. 429 mise to make. The matter must rest entirely with whom you call our former leaders. We know them and trust them implicity. But if they conclude to in any way, treat on matters pertaining to a compromise we must be thor- oughly convinced that it is done on their part of their own free will and without restraint by their captors. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." In re- ply we received the following: "In answer to yours we would say, your former leaders have been broached on the subject and their reply is, 'ask our friends on the earth side, they will make all arrangements with you,' so you see, gentlemen, the matter rests entirely in your hands. D." This last message certainly con- tained news to me at least. So our spirit friends have been "broached" by their captors on the subject of compromise. In that view the thought occurred to me that possibly our telegrams sent to the enemy might be reconstructed by them so as to have a different meaning than intended by us and thus embarrass our friends in captiv- ity. To guard against that possibility, I pre- pared and Mr. Dallas telegraphed the following message: "Please repeat back to us the messa- ges you have received from us today. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." In reply the following was ticked off: "We do not think that is necessary and do not intend to repeat or add anything to the messages we have received from you, and I may say that you shall have full evidence that it is from your friends when they reply. D." 430 death; the meaning and result. In answer to this we sent the following: "Our request was only a precaution to prevent any possible mistakes and as we understand is the custom and practice to do and that our request is only in common fairness. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." Then we received as follows: "We do not keep a record of messages passing between us and therefore cannot give word for word, but we will give to them your message as near as possible. That is all we can say. You have to take our word for it, or not, just as you feel about it. D.'V In answer to the foregoing I sent to "D" the following: "Quibbling is never in good taste so we will say in conclusion, }-ou can do as you like in repeating our message to our friends. We do not speak directly or indi- rectly for them in the premises. If the matter in controvers} r is referred to us as you say it is by our friends, you have our answer. We will not be led in any direction nor to any extent by entities or intelligences from your side of life except those of our own selection, and by them only so far as our judgment dictates to us that it is safe and best to follow. J. K. W., E. M. D., opr." And then this answer came: "Good night, gentlemen. We do not blame you for so con- cluding as the matter stands at present. Let each man be on his guard and the best man shall win. No further call will be recognized to- night. D." Well, the last message signed "D" who I take it stands for "Deus" practically admits that the death; the meaning and result. 431 enemy have abandoned all hope of bringing us to their terms by tactics which they have em- ployed for a few days past. They have thrown down the gauntlet and the issue is formed. The conflict is still on with our spirit leaders in the power of opposing forces, and our "sworn ene- mies," as they style themselves, still free but unseen, to raze to the ground, so to speak the psychological wall surrounding our respective personalities and thus expose us to their subtle potency and power. We shall be on the watch. In matters objective and subjective "eternal vig- ilance is the price of liberty." If we are not permitted to again see, hear and talk with our spirit friends on this side of the great divide we shall perhaps enjoy the privilege of doing so on the other side, and during the interim we shall be buo3 T ed up by that which is expressed in that little word with such significance, HOPE. October 10, 1894. Fourteen days have come and gone, as this great planet swings around on its centre, since the last meeting, so far as we know, with friend or foe. During this time we have heard nothing from our spirit friends or "sworn enemies" on the other side of life. No doubt our friends are silent perforce and our enemies from choice. Mr. Dallas and I have spent a portion of nearly every evening togeth- er. Often have we called over the line via the telegraph instrument for our friends but no an- swer came back to us. It is evident that the force in power was playing a game of mum. 432 death; the meaning and result. Until yesterday the telegraph instrument had remained connected up as usual but its persist- ent silence convinced us that for the present at least it has outlived its usefulness. To demon- strate to the adverse element, should they be in position to observe our movements, that we could also play in the mum and wait game, I disconnected the instrument from the battery and packed all securely in a drawer of the dres- ser in my private office. It may be that it will never again be called into requisition, never again respond to the touch of a friendly spirit of the silent border land. Still somehow, I do not know why, I have hope. It is now my highest ambition to be of some service, if I can, in restoring to statu quo my spirit friends who have done so much for me, in making clear to my understanding that it is not "all of life to live or all of death to die." No matter what the sacrifice may be, if I can in any way help them in their time of reverse and trouble, I am and shall.be more than willing and anxious to do so. Mr. Dallas, I am sorry to say, is con- siderably discouraged. He seems to think that there is no hope or possible chance of again be- ing brought into close relation with our spirit friends. I do not wonder at his conclusions. Things as they are at the present time, rather favor his judgment. There comes to me, how- ever, from where, whom, or how, I do not know, a mandate to be patient, wait and hope. I shall obey it and be as resigned as it is possible for death; the meaning and result. 433 me to be. Time solves many puzzling problems. On October 18, Mr. Dallas and I met at my office. We have met every evening since the 14, but up to this evening we have heard nothing from border land. At 9:45 p. m. we were sit- ting in my private office engaged in conversa- tion when a rap greeted our ears. We were all attention. It was a strange rap, but it might be some friend and then again it might be an enemy. As we listened a succession of raps came and developed into rapping telegraphy and we received the following message: "Don't speak, I am a friend. Your friends over here need help. Be patient. Rome was not built in a day. Good bye." Neither Mr. Dallas or I spoke to the unseen visitor. He, whoever he was, so en- joined us; neither did we speak to each other at the time concerning the message, but engaged in a conversation on common mundane topics. I felt at the time, as Mr. Dallas informed me he felt, that the operator was indeed a friend, and as he stepped out of our presence an enemy ap- peared upon the scene and hence the impress we each experienced to be silent. At the time the message was given, a name flashed on my brain. The name was the name of an entire stranger to me. One whom I had never met in earth life. It came to me as I have said simultaneously with the message though in a different way, and I was so taken up with the message and its contents that at the time I thought of no connection between the message I received and 434 death; the meaning and result. the name that came to me in such a different way. The operator came unexpectedly and de- parted suddenly, but the name is with me still,, as well as the telegram. It may be that the name so mysteriously photographed on my brain is the name of the one who sent the tele- gram. That is something, however, time will alone develop. This news gives me more hope. Our spirit friends undoubtedly have someone who is not in captivity willing to help them if he can. I like the tone of the message. I think 1 see in it volumes of hidden meaning. Since the memorable night of September 13th last Mr. Dallas and I have with but few excep- tions spent the evenings together. To me, since that date, have been many long days which have wearily lapsed into night and long sleep- less nights which have merged into days, com- ing and going with nature's regularity, and with now and then an exception, nothing to particu- larly distinguish the one following the preceding one. In order to be in a position to be more together I had provided an additional bed and put my house in as good order as I could, and induced Mr. Dallas to take permanent quarters with me, hence we are more together which fact affords more opportunities for our friends from the border land to reach us in person or by messenger. None of them have been able, until this November 25, to reach us in person, but have so managed to reach us by messenger a very few times. On October 25, Mr. Dallas and death; the meaning and result. 435 I were sitting in my private office at 9:30 p. m. when we heard a faint rap on the floor. We listened attentively, the raps increased and by rapping telegraphy gave us the following mes- sage: ''Your friends desired me to come here and say that they are all well but still in captiv- ity. Good night. Sam McBride. ,, On the 31st of October, we received the following message by rapping telegraphy: "Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker have escaped from captivity. Good night. E." On the 8th of November, the follow- ing message by the same process: "All are well. Have patience. Good night. E." On the 15th of November at 10 p. m. we received in the same way the following message: "Prof. F. R. S. has escaped. Be of good cheer. Good night. E." On the 21st of November we were delighted to receive the following message by rapping tele- graphy: "Hello, boys. Just slipped in to say I am, together with several of your friends, again at liberty. All are well. Say nothing. Good night. Plum Mitchell." And on this evening November 25th at 5 p. m., we received in the vsame way the following: "Good afternoon, gen- tlemen, all of your spirit friends whom you know intimately, excepting Dr. Eddy have succeeded in gaining their liberty. I am not permitted now to enter into details. The Professor and Mr. Sumner sent me here today to say to you, that they, in company with Dr. Shoemaker, will be here on the afternoon of the 29th of this month at 12:45 p. m. and if all works well will 436 death; the meaning and result. take dinner with you. Connect up the telegraph instrument and attach to battery in the middle room at 12:30 p. m. on the 29th. I will be here to assist you. Say nothing to each other about this appointment. Good bye. Plum Mitchell." So, thanks to providence and good strong friends in the border land we are again to have the great pleasure of once again meeting our spirit friends. I will also add that at the time we received the two last messages we were quite sure the operating was done by Plum Mitchell, but for fear of impersonation we requested him to give us certain passwords and sentences which satisfied us that the messages were genu- ine. CHAPTER XXII. Spirits Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S., Plum Mitchell and Charles Sumner Present— What They Say— Enter- tained at Dinner— Speak of Their Captivity— How- Liberated— Wonderful Message by Spirits Sumner, F. R. S., Shoemaker, Mitchell and Mason— Plan formu- lated — Telegrams From Spirit Sumner — Telegram From Spirit Prof. F. R. S— Working on Plan— Wil- son and Dallas to Leave Bradford — Destination — In- structions—When to Depart— Where and When to Meet. November 29th, 1894. Mr. Dallas and I were elated and a trifle anxious. We were expecting guests from the border land, whom we had not met since the memorable evening of September 13th. In reality not a great lapse of time, but so many things had happened during the interim that the meeting today promised to be more than passing interest. In the darkest hour of our friends' imprisonment I had hoped, as might be said, against hope, that soon the captives might be free, and now I am to experience the realization of that hope so sedulously entertain- 438 ed, by meeting my long absent friends face to face. We got the appointments in readiness to receive our expected visitors. At 12:30 p. m. we connected up the telegraph instrument in the middle room of my office, and at 12:40, we re- ceived the following message: "Good afternoon. All 0. K. Friends will be here on time. Plum Mitchell." At 12:45 the instrument was again manipulated by an unseen operator and gave us the following message: "Good afternoon, gen- tlemen. Hope you are both well. We are all extremely happy to meet you again in this way. There are present to greet you with this salutation, Dr. Shoemaker, Prof. F. R. S., Plum Mitchell and Charles Sumner, our leader. P. M., opr." We both bid our guests good day and then I remarked: "My friends, I am indeed happy to meet you all. I cannot express my joy to know that once again conditions accord us this privi- lege. I can say, however, I congratulate you on your timely escape from the power and domin- ion of your enemies." Immediately we received the following telegram: "Our dear friend and brother: At last we are again to dine together. We can hardly find words to express our delight, but will make up something to say later on. We will also give you all directions before com- mencing with the most important part of the work. For all, P. M., opr." And immediately the following: "We will not express our satis- faction of meeting here today, at the present death; the meaning and result. 439 time, but will leave all until after dinner. We are ready for dinner when you are. We will not accompany you to the hotel. We are in- formed that you are to dine today at the St James and we will meet you at the Hotel. Af- ter dinner we will hold our meeting, time about 3:30. P. M., opr." And then this: "I might say that it will not be necessary to come up here directly after dinner as we would like to smoke and have a walk to digest the dinner. We wish to say that during the meal you are to say nothing about our presence and do not address us by name. Dr. W. P. S." In reply I said: "All right, gentlemen, I understand. We will now go to the St. James Hotel for dinner." Mr. Dallas and I left the office at 1:30 p. m. for the Hotel. During the meal we heard very little of our spirit friends. Once in a while a rap to let us know that they were present. Af- ter the meal Dallas and I took a walk, but we heard nothing of our friends during our stroll. We returned to the office at 3 o'clock. At 3:30 the instrument ticked off the following wonder- ful message: "Dear Brothers: If the gratitude of our eternal love and help will in a way rec- ompense you for the noble way in which you have assisted us to overcome our enemies, you have it and not only ours but the entire spirit world of love. This in itself would be but little reward for the great services rendered to us all, if we did not know what a glorious life awaits you in the spirit world. But a short space of 440 death; the meaning and result. time longer, and you will both enter into the great work of the future. Always have confi- dence in us, for although you can not see us at present, we are ever on the watch to guard and protect you from all plots of the enemy, and remember it is always the darkest before the dawn breaks. " Immediately after the severe check we receiv- ed from the enemy, our people found that their entire leadership had been taken from them and that they were utterly powerless to act in any direction. Remaining in this condition for some time, any hope which at first seemed to glimmer in the distance faded away before the great wall, which was built by the enemy, our foes. But happily for the cause and us, a leader came forward and offered our friends his services, for he was in every way capable of managing and directing our cause in our absence. That gen- tlemen you both know, as he came here several times to encourage you, when no one else dared venture. "He at once proceeded to gather up the several threads where they were broken off, and after much hard work and skill succeeded in establish- ing a means of correspondence between him and us. The master piece of the whole work was the liberation of Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Charles Sumner. You can form no conception of the many dangers encountered in rescuing these gentlemen from the prison within a prison, provided for them by our foes. Suffice it to say death; the meaning and result. 441 that after much plotting this was accomplished r and then the work of liberating the others fol- lowed. This again took much time and trouble, but as we were too much for them, succeeded in this also. On our side we knew that you under- stood how everything came about from the first break up to the present time, as Mr. Sumner still maintained that force of penetration which enabled him to telegraph his thoughts to the brain of Mr. Wilson, so that you knew exactly what position we were placed in. " Gentlemen, you acted like generals. You did not despair but stood strong, bound more firmly together in such a manner that whatever inten- tion or design the enemy had upon you they saw clearly that all hope in their controlling you was lost. The result of this move was as we anticipated, so that once again, gentlemen, we are all for the present in a position of safety. Although we have not exterminated the band of spirits who wish to usurp our cause and work, still we are strong enough to give you the satis- faction of communicating with us on this tele- graph instrument. "We will not attempt to explain to you at present how the last break occurred, but will leave that matter until a future date when we will have more strength and time at our command. Our work at the present time is to repair and build up as fast as possible that which the enemy destroyed. We will explain to you first the sit- uation as we see it from our side and then show you how this is to be rebuilt. 442 death; the meaning and result. "The enemy have destroyed all our wires lead- ing from this office to our headquarters and now possess and occup3 T the intervening space between you and us. This necessitates our friends to soar far above their line of power in order that we may reach you without their being able to perceive what direction we take. Now this method is both dangerous and fatiguing so that at all hazards we will have to regain our old position. But after looking over the ground carefully we find it would not be policy to boldly attack them in open battle as we can illy spare the strength and force, and situated as they are at present a very strong force would have to be brought to bear on them. "Well, gentlemen, we have a plan from the master brain of Charles Sumner which, if follow- ed closely by you, will no doubt save us all this trouble. "Now observe the directions that follow: The enemy have no idea that we will attempt to continue the work while they hold their present position, and as long as they guard the outside walls they think you are safe from us, but we are glad to state that in no way can they see or enter into this office, therefore if we changed our meeting place and did so carefully and in secret, the chances are we could establish a close connection and build up a force between us which would defy them before they could dis- cover what we were about. "It was our intention in the summer to send death; the meaning and result. 443 you to the Southern Camp in Florida, to con- tinue and complete our work, as we hardly had enough time to do so at Lily Dale. It is our intention to do so now and this is how you are to proceed in the matter: "The camp opens about Febuary 1st and you will endeavor to get there as soon after we advise you as possible. At a future date we will give you the exact time of starting. You will take everything necessary to your staying there for two months or longer. We will try and arrange even^thing for you as far as lays in our power, as we did at Lily Dale. On your jour- ney down there you will not attempt to commu- nicate with us, nor after you arrive, or in any way pay an}' attention to your work until such time as we shall advise you, and above all you must not let anyone know your destination. Mr. Wilson, can say that he is going on a visit to his sister in Denver, Colorado, and Mr. Dallas will give out that he is going to Scotland. "Air. Dallas will give up his present situation as soon after the first of January as possible, so that his mind and time will be free from all bus- iness cares and be prepared for us. We will also want him to leave Bradford for a short time before starting for the South, but full par- ticulars about this matter will be given later. "This plan with the aid of us on this side will lead the enemy (should they discover anything) in the direction we wish them to take, and if on the other hand they find out nothing we will 444 death; the meaning and result. also be safe. In the meantime we will have a meeting on a future date which has not yet been decided on and we shall see that the enemy are around and spying on us at that meeting. We will tell you that we will give up the work for the present as we have not the power, and will beg of you to give it up also. You will do all you can to help us to deceive them and lead them to believe that we have failed to complete our work. Mr. Dallas' going away for a week or two afterwards will give color to our remarks. "In conclusion we say that if you play your parts well we will have no difficulty in working our plans out successfully. You will see each part fits the other and we have to thank our leader, Mr. Sumner, for it all. He has looked over the result on each point carefully, and studied every detail, so that it is the opinion of us all that the outcome of it all can only be success. "Our meetings hereafter will have to be in se- cret and when we know the enemy is otherwise engaged. Today we sent half of our force to fight against them while we were here with you. "Follow us carefully and in the end which is not far distant you will be the Christs of the Nineteenth Century, held in respect by princes and kings, as far above them as the noon-day sun. "We are glad to be here again today and only wish we could stay with you for supper but we must not run any chances. 445 "There is so much in detail we have omitted to say owing to the short time left to us, but we will find other opportunities before long. We have given you today an outline of the plan so that you can be preparing for the time when it comes. "Thanking Mr. Dallas for the effort he has made in getting our message correctly, we remain, dear brothers, forever and ever your loving spirit friends. Charles Sumner, Prof. F. R. S., William P. Shoemaker, Plum Mitchell, Har- vey Mason." This is, as I have already stated, a wonderful message sent from start to finish without inter- mission, except a few moments of time, when the sending operators spelled each other, in changing positions. The sending operators were spirits Prof. F. R. S., Plum Mitchell and Harvey Mason. One of them would operate a few min- utes and then give away and another take his place and so on. The sending or operating rather, seemed to tire them. The receiving oper- ator was Mr. Dallas, who, with pad and pencil, recorded it as received. I was about four feet from the instrument. Mr. Dallas, busy with pen- cil, writing it as received, occupied a position of about the same distance from the key of the instrument. Wonderful sight! Convincing phe- nomenon! The telegraph instrument ticking off the long, well worded and intelligent message, no visible agency near the key, no outside con- nection in any way reaching it. Neither Mr. Dal- 446 death; the meaning and result. las nor myself were able to see our spirit friends on this occasion. They were centering their force in another direction, that of operating a common Morse telegraph instrument, which they had often done before, with as much strength and vigor as any operator in mortal form could do, which to me at least is as great a phenom- enon as to address themselves to mortal vision or to the sense of mortal hearing by spirit voice. After a few minutes rest the instrument resumed and gave us the following: "Well, gentlemen,. we have already stayed over our time by a few minutes. Think over the plan outlined in our message. We will find other opportunities to meet. We enjoyed the dinner very much and will say good bj^e for the present. Charles Sumner."" In reply I said: "Good afternoon, gentlemen. We are much gratified by your presence today. Come again as soon as possible and during the interim we will think over the plan outlined in your message." On December 1, spirit Mitchell visited us at 8 a. m. and informed us that Mr. Sumner would be with us on the second of December, at 7:30 p. m. and requested us to have the telegraph instrument in readiness in the middle office for Mr. Sumner's use on his arrival. Accordingly I had the instrument in readiness and awaited the arrival of our expected guest on the second day of December. At 7:30 p. m. we received the following message: "Good evening, gentlemen. I hope you are both well. Charles Sumner." In 447 reply to this we bade Mr. Sumner good evening and informed him that we were in our usual health and also remarked as follows: "Mr. Sum- ner, I have ascertained since your last visit here that the Spiritualists have abandoned their plan of holding a series of meetings at Lake Helen this winter. That is the place as I take it from your last message to us on the 29th of Novem- ber, you had in view as Mr. Dallas' and my destination when you spoke of sending us to the Southern Camp." Immediately we received the following message: "That is something new to me. We understood, while at Lily Dale last summer and since, that all would be in readiness- for such purpose in Febuary. That was some time ago, however, and we have not enquired into the matter since. This will alter our plans. Our going away to Camp in Florida gave us the opportunity we required to get away from the enemy in secret, but in my opinion any other direction would suit as well. We will have to locate you somewhere until we accomplish what we explained to you in our former message. Charles Sumner." In reply I said: "I am sorry that conditions are such as will compel you to change your plan. I wish to sa3 r to } r ou that Mr. Dallas and I have talked over the matter and have fully concluded to be led by our spirit friends now as in the past." Immediately the following was ticked off: "Thank 3 t ou. We appreciate the confidence you have in us. Yes, this will change our plan some- 448 death; the meaning and result. what. I will have to consult the Doctor and Prof. F. R. S. in the matter immediately. This will be all for this evening and I will bid you good night. Charles Sumner." On December 9, at 9 a. m., Mr. Dallas and I being together at my office, we received the fol- lowing message via telegraph instrument: "Good morning, gentlemen. Mr. Sumner has told us, and we have otherwise found out, that there is to be no Camp in Florida this year. We have not come to any conclusion as to choice of place, as we have to locate you where we can get the best results. After looking several cities over carefully, we find a disadvantage in each but ex- pect before another week has passed we will find a place suitable for our work. "I am in favor of the West, but Mr. Sumner thinks the journey too far for you to undertake. However, we will decide this week. Dr. Shoe- maker is in favor of the South. "I am glad to state that Dr. W. D. Eddy has escaped from the enemy and is among his friends again. So you see we are getting more strength every day. "The enemy are on the watch night and day, but we manage to elude them and must con- tinue to do so until the day we all meet in the open field. "Further instructions we cannot give you until next Sunday. We would like to visit you during the week but think it safer to be here as little as possible. We will hold the meeting we spoke death; the meaning and result. 449 to you about immediately after the city or place is decided on. Prof. F. R. S., P. M., opr." I re- plied to this: " Professor, I am glad to meet you again. We note all you say in your message. It makes but little difference to us where you send us." And then this message: "This will be all this morning and unless occasion requires we will not see you until on the 16th of this month. Good day. F. R. S., P. M., opr." On December 16, at 10 a. m. Mr. Dallas and I met in the middle room of my office/ We had connected up the telegraph instrument in the usual way, as we were expecting some of our spirit friends. We had been advised yesterday by Plum Mitchell that some of them would visit us at this hour and instructed us to have every- thing in readiness. At 10:05 a. m. we received the following message: "Good morning, gentle- men, we hope we find you well. Charles Sumner, Dr. W. P. Shoemaker." After bidding our friends good morning, the instrument resumed and gave us this message: "Gentlemen, we have at last decided where our work is to be renewed. Jacksonville, Florida is the place. We have look- ed over many other towns and cities, but in no place could we find such good advantages as in Jacksonville. The West coast has been spoken of very favorably by F. R. S. and several others but we consider the journey too far and the conditions not much better than in Jacksonville "The arrangements we have made for you will be given on the first Sunday of the New Year, as at present we have not completed in detail. 450 death; the meaning and result. "I am glad to say to you, that we are work- ing along our present lines with much success and you have helped us well. "The enemy know nothing, but still keep a sharp lookout. Although you do not hear from them from time to time, they have not by any means forgotten 3 r ou, so do not get careless, but be as cautious as ever. "You will be delighted to hear that Dr. Eddy, is progressing favorably and will soon be able to return to work with us and we shall be very glad of it, for he is of great help. "Keep right on in the way you have been do- ing until you hear from us again. You under- stand why we do not spend more time with you, not from any reason of our own. Your fellow worker, William Patterson Shoemaker, M. D."" A few moments of rest after receiving the last message and then this was given: "Gentlemen,, the Doctor, has given you as much information as I think necessary at present, and I have but one word to add. Rest assured that all will go well and success awaits us at each turn of the road. It gives us much pleasure to have all in readiness for you when the time comes, so keep a good heart. Everything is drawing slowly but surely to a final victory. Charles Sumner. "' Mr. Dallas and myself after receiving these messages, informed the Doctor and Mr. Sumner, orally, that the place selected was agreeable to each of us, and that we would be ready to start at any time they instructed us to do so. In re- death; the meaning and result. 451 ply to this they both thanked us and then said: "Well, gentlemen, that is all for today. You will hear from us again soon. Good day. W. P. S., opr." January 6, 1895. At 10 a. m. on this date, Mr. Dallas and I were engaged in connecting up the telegraph instrument with the battery and preparing to receive our spirit friends, for we had been told that the arrangements for leaving Bradford, Pa. for Jacksonville, Florida, would be given to us on the first Sunday of the New Year, and this is the day. After the instrument was connected up and everything in readiness, we took seats to await developments in the middle room of my office. We had not long to wait for soon the instrument began to tick, operated by that mysterious unseen power, and we re- ceived the following message: "Good morning, gentlemen, hope you are both well. This is the day we set to give you instructions concerning the contemplated trip. Mr. Dallas will provide himself with pad and pencil and write what we have to say through the use of the instrument. Prof. F. R. S., Charles Sumner, Dr. William P. Shoemaker." Mr. Dallas and I orally bid the gentlemen good morning and informed them that we were as well as usual and very glad to have them with us again. Mr. Dallas provided with pad and pencil took his seat at the table, received and wrote the following message as it was tick- ed off by the instrument: "Gentlemen and 452 death; the meaning and result. Brothers: We are here today to give you your final instructions, and trust you will carry them out faithfully. "First. Mr. Dallas will leave Bradford about January 24th or 25th for good. He can use his own judgment where to go and how to act un- til you both meet again. Dr. Shoemaker tells me that Mr. Dallas has friends in Canada. If agreeable to him it would suit us well, that he would visit there until we want him. If such arrangements can be made, Mr. D. must act there as if he is on his vacation, and let no re- mark fall during his visit where he is going. "On the evening of the 14th of February he will. meet Mr. Wilson at Buffalo, N. Y. During the intervening time you can both write to each other, but no other party is to know the loca- tion of Mr. Dallas. "Mr. Wilson will leave Bradford for Buffalo on the 13th of February, taking all baggage of both parties with him. On the evening of the 14th of Februar} r , you will both meet at the Stafford House on Washington St., Buffalo, N. Y. "After breakfast on the morning of the 15th, Mr. Charles Sumner will be with you to advise you on any point of uncertainty that may turn up. As soon as Mr. Sumner is with you, you can immediately make all arrangements to go south. Everything is to be arranged in Buffalo, N. Y., and you must not return to Bradford, Pa. until you have our permission to do so. "After you leave Buffalo for Jacksonville, you death; the meaning and result. 453 can take your own time about getting there. If your tickets admit of stop over at any point of the route. 3 t ou may do so, in order that you may completely cover up your tracks. We wish 3'ou to take as much pleasure out of the journe\ r as possible and be in no hurry in anj^ direction. We leave route to Jacksonville, to your own choice. Take the one which suits you best and that will satisfy us also. "Before leaving Bradford make all arrange- ments to have any mail that may come to you here left in care of some trustworthy party, such as J. G., who shall forward same to private Post Office box, which you can procure on your arrival at Jacksonville. You will register there as E. M. D. and J. K. W. of Buffalo, N. Y., and Mr. D. is to be the nephew of J. K. W. You are both traveling for pleasure and will try and act as such, as no doubt there will be many eyes on } r ou, trying to find out what your busi- ness is. "We have not at present selected a house to locate you in at Jacksonville, so that on your arrival, you will put up at a good confortable Hotel until w r e give you further notice. Make no attempt to communicate with us at the hotel and do not get anxious if you do not hear from us for four or five da}'S. You may rest assur- ed that we, in the meantime will be looking af- ter your interests and take good care to have you in our midst all of the time. "When all is in readiness we shall send Dr. S. 454 death; the meaning and result. who will rap as usual and give you the follow- ing passwords . Take no notice of anyone else, or any spirit or rap, unless the passwords are given first, and above all be careful not to write or mention the passwords after you leave this room. From him you will learn how to pro- ceed further. "In our work we think it will be a better plan to give you the directions as we go along, so that they will be fresher in your memory and you will not have so much to remember at one time, also, what you do not know cannot reach or be reached by any other spirit who may try to gain access to your atmosphere. "As far as we can see for the present you will spend about nine weeks in the south of Florida, so you will be careful and see that you take everything you may require with you, so that your minds will be perfectly at rest. We will leave all minor details to your own judgments, which have guided you well up to the present time. We do not limit } r ou to any action, place or time which is not occupied by us. Act as you feel, go anywhere and you can do almost any- thing after leaving Buffalo. You will understand by that, that you are at liberty to do as you please when we do not require your services, and that the strict lookout while here in Brad- ford, may not be carried in any other city, Mr. Wilson will arrange all his private business in Bradford, so that only the most important will have to be forwarded to Jacksonville. death; the meaning and result. 4-55 •"If there is any thing else, or any questions to be asked, I will be here myself in person to answer them on Sunday, January 20th. "The meeting we spoke of will be held between the 21st and 24th of January, but will decide later what day and hour and will let you know so you can be prepared for same. We are fully satisfied that all is to be successful and that our work will soon be rolling on with such force that no sect or community can dare to resist us. "We are progressing even better than we an- ticipated and are now waiting anxiously for the time when we can all grasp each other by the hand and see one another as in the days of our beginning; that we know, and all are fully satisfied, is very close at hand. Your brother workers, Prof. F. R.*S., operator, Charles Sum- ner and Dr. William P. Shoemaker." The telegraph instrument stopped and we had on paper this wonderful message, so plain, so well connected and to the point that its mean- ing could not be misunderstood. We know now when to start on our mission, where to go, how to deport in order that the wishes of our spirit friends be complied with. Well, after reading the message in which no corrections were neces- sary, I said orally: "Gentlemen, this message is plain and thoroughly understood by Mr. Dallas and myself and your plan as mapped out for us to do will be strictly observed by us in every detail. I hope and we both hope, that you may be successful in your undertaking. We are ready 456 death; the meaning and result. to serve you to the end in assisting you in your work. We will be ready to start at the time you suggest and will closly follow directions." When I ceased speaking the telegraph instru- ment again began to tick and gave us the fol- lowing: "Thank you, gentlemen. We think that is all for the present. Will meet you here on January 20th. Good day. Prof. F. R. S., opr." The instrument came to a rest. Our spirit friends had evident^ departed and left Mr. Dal- las and myself to wonder where it would end. Time alone can tell. I wish to add in explana- tion of the meeting, referred to in the message, to be held on January 21st to 24th, it had been spoken of by the spirit F. R. S. at a previous meeting and is fully understood by us. CHAPTER XXIII. Spirit F. R. S. Present— What He Says— Dallas Leaves Bradford— Wilson Leaves Bradford— Experience — Wilson and Dallas Meet at Buffalo— Meet Spirit Sumner— Instructs Wilson and Dallas— Leave Buffalo for Washington, D. C— At Washington— Meet Spirit Mitchell— Mitchell Criticises Manner of Registering — Enemy Discover Wilson's and Dallas' Absence — Effort to Trace— Ordered to Proceed to Charlotte, N. C. — Leave Washington— At Charlotte— Meet Spirit Mitch- ell—Informed That Enemy had Traced to Buffalo — Ordered to Savannah, Ga.— At Savannah— Meet Spirit Mitchell— Efforts of Enemy to Find Wilson and Dal- las — Ordered to Jacksonville, Fla. — Meet Spirit Mitch- ell — Keep Advised — Spirit Mitchell Consults R. R. Time-Table— Meet Spirit Mason— Ordered to St. Au- gustine, Fla. v On January 20, at 11 a. m. Mr. Dallas and I were seated in the middle room of my office en- gaged in conversation on the topics of the day. At the conclusion of our last meeting with our spirit friends we had disconnected the telegraph instrument from the battery. We had been con- versing for some few minutes when suddenly there came loud and distinct raps, near where 458 Mr. Dallas was seated; familiar raps, however, and we recognized them as being produced by our spirit friend, Prof. F. R. S. By rapping tel- egraphy he informed us that he desired the tele- graph instrument connected with the battery which we did forthwith. After we had complet- ed the connection we took seats and the instru- ment began to tick and gave us this message: u 'Gentlemen, I meet you here today by appoint- ment at our last meeting. Is there any question you wish to ask or any further information you •desire in relation to your southern trip? Prof. F. R. S." I replied to this message orally: "We are al- ways glad to meet you, Professor. Your message at our last meeting is so plain and full that I think that Mr. Dallas and I fully understand in •detail what you expect us to do, and I do not think I have any questions to ask in relation to our southern trip." Mr. Dallas also informed the Professor, that he had no questions to ask, and then this message via instrument: "All right, gentlemen. I am glad that I made my former message full and plain which I tried to do. I will be here again tomorrow evening. Nothing of importance, but as we desire Mr. Dallas to leave Bradford, on January 24th, as intimated in former message, will merely call and be prepared to answer any questions which may be suggested to your mind during the interim. Good day. Prof. F. R. S." On January 21st at 8:30 p. m., Mr. Dallas death; the meaning and result. 459 and I connected up the instrument at the usual place as we expected a call from spirit F. R. S. Very soon thereafter we received this message: "Good evening, gentlemen." We each said, orally: "Good evening, Professor." The instrument re- sumed: "Well, gentlemen, everything is in read- iness for our start. Mr. Dallas as beforesaid will leave Bradford on Januaay 24th. I am told that he has concluded to spend the time to Feb- ruary 14th with his relatives in Canada. I do not know of an3 r thing else to add. Do you wish to ask questions?" I replied: "No, I do not de- sire to ask any questions. I think we under- stand your instructions thoroughly." The tele- graphing resumed: "I think we understand everything in relation to our trip in detail so far as is necessary to know at the present time, so will say good night. Prof. F. R. S." Mr. Dallas and I were left alone to talk over and arrange the details for our departure from Bradford on a mission, so far as I know, never before attempted. Mr. Dallas was to start on the 24th of January. He concluded that it was best for him to spend the time until we were to meet in Buffalo, N. Y., with his relatives in Can- ada. I am to leave Bradford on February 13, 1895. On January 24, at 8 a. m., we met at the usual place and connected the telegraph instru- ment with the battery. We had not been in- structed to do so, but did not know but what some detail of our undertaking had been over- 460 death; the meaning and result. looked, if so, we were ready to receive an}- fur- ther instructions our spirit friends might wish to offer. We waited for some time but the instru- ment remained silent and hearing or seeing no indication that any of our friends from the bor- der land were present, we disconnected the in- strument and Mr. Dallas began preparations for the journey, which, as before mentioned, he was to make the start today. After concluding his preparations, Mr. Dallas left Bradford on the morning train for Canada, via Buffalo. What follows will be for a few pages a memorandum of my start on the contemplated trip and inci- dents connected therewith. Bradford, Pa., February 13, 1895. In three or four days after Mr. Dallas left Bradford, I re- ceived a letter from him informing me that he had reached his destination in Canada all right and without particular incident. This is the day set for me to make the start from here for the southern trip as per programme. Since Mr. Dallas' departure, I have not seen or heard any- thing from our spirit friends. They evidently consider their former instructions so full and plain that they have nothing to add and consid- er that it is not necessary for them to visit me before my start. I started from Bradford to Buffalo via the B. R. & P. R. R. at 7:45 a. m., having expressed Mr. Dallas' and my own bag- gage to Buffalo yesterday. I saw no one nor heard nothing from the spirit world, but [ felt sure as one can feel by impression that some death; the meaning and result. 461 strange spirit joined me on my way to the de- pot after departing from my office. The impres- sion gave me an uneasy feeling and I thought: "Can it be possible that an enemy from the spirit world is watching my movements?" however, I kept on and said nothing. On arriving at the depot I stepped into the Rochester Hotel to get a cup of coffee and lunch. While there Mr. Galla- gher, the proprietor, asked me where I was trav- eling to. I replied that I was going to Sala- manca, N. Y., from there to Olean, N. Y. and from there to Smithport, Pa. I answered thus, for the reason, that should am- curious spirit be present listening to our conversation and curious to know where I was going, as I really expect- ed there was, that it would satisfy his curiosity and at the same time mislead as to my real des- tination. I speak of this in detail for the rea- son that subsequent events may prove my sus- picions well founded. I arrived in Buffalo, N. Y. at 11 a. m., without further incident and stop- ped at the Broezel Hotel. Buffalo, N. Y., February 14, 1895. I left the Broezel Hotel at 10 a. m., on this da} r and took up quarters at the Stafford House, registering there, J. K. Wilson, Bradford, Pa." At 4 p. m., Mr. Dallas arrived at the Stafford House, Buffalo, N. Y. as per previous arrange- ment and registered "E. M. Dallas, Bradford, Pa." Up to and including this time we had not been instructed as to how we should register at the hotels on our way to our destination south, 462 death; the meaning and result. but we presume the proper way is to register in our own names. On this day we heard nothing whatever from our spirit friends. Stafford House, Buffalo, N. Y., February 15, 1895. After Mr. Dallas and I had partaken of breakfast, we repaired to our room to await developments. We had not long to wait, for very soon we heard rapping telegraplvy on the floor near by. We recognized it, or thought we did, and it proved to be our spirit friend, Plum Mitchell, with whom was our spirit friend Har- vey Mason. They informed us that spirit Char- les Sumner would visit us in about one hour, and that we had better connect the telegraph instrument with the batter} r , which I had brought with me, as it would be much easier for Mr. Sumner to say what he wished to say on the telegraph instrument than in any other way. We connected the instrument as instructed and waited until 10:30 a. m., when Charles Sumner answered on the instrument. He had nothing of great importance to say, but entered into general conversation with us about what route we would take to the Florida Coast. He said everything looked all right for success as far as he had been able to see, and instructed us to take the train at 7:30 p. m., February 16, via N. Y. C. R. R. on our way south which would get us to Washington, at 11 a. m. the fol- lowing day, and to stop at Washington, D. C. for further orders by our spirit friends. With these instructions and bidding us a happy jour- nev he left us. death; the meaning and result. 463 Stafford House, Buffalo, N. Y., February 16, 1895. After breakfasting, Mr. Dallas and I waited in our room for anything that might come from the border land. About 10 a. m. spirits Plum Mitchell and Harvey Mason were on hand and reported by rapping telegraphy that everything looked rosy except that they had noticed a little commotion above normal among our opponents in the spirit world, which in their opinion, indicated that the enemy had discovered our absence from Bradford, and were anxious to learn our whereabouts, but said that they did not think anything serious would come of it. They also advised immediate preparations for our journey south in way of purchasing rail- road tickets, shipping our baggage etc., to be sure to take the train via N. Y. C. R. R. to Washington, D. C. at 7:30 p. m. and stop at Washington for further orders. They also in- formed us that the}' would remain in touch with us all day and if an3'thing of importance turned up they would let us know. Accordingly we set about to purchase our tickets etc., for our jour- ney. On inquiry we found that we could pur- chase railroad tickets to Jacksonville, Fla. and return, at reduced rates, good until May 31, 1895, with privilege to stop over going and coming, wherever so desired. We therefore, pur- chased a ticket each via Washington, D. C. from Buffalo to Jacksonville and return and checked our baggage through. At 7:30 p. m. we took the train on our journey. 464 death; the meaning and result. Emerick Hotel, Washington, D. C, February 17, 1895. We arrived here at 11 a. m. Noth- ing of importance happened on the route from Buffalo. Spirit Plum Mitchell reported to us on the railroad train when about two hours out from Buffalo. He communicated to us by rap- ping telegraphy which we could distinctly hear on the side of our car as we sat facing each other. He informed us that all was well and that he would be on the train with us until we arrived at Washington. On our arrival here we engaged rooms at the Emerick Hotel. After lunch we repaired to our room and soon heard rappings which proved to be produced by our spirit friend Mitchell. He informed us that he had nothing to report or say, except, that he had noticed that I had registered at the hotel here in my own name, which, he said, in his opinion was bad policy, for if the enemy among the spirit hosts traced us to Washington the name on the register would show them of my presence here. Mr. Dallas registered here, "F. P. Mac Donald." I replied to Plum, that it did not occur to me to register under an assumed name, as I had not been instructed to do so, but perhaps I had better change the name now on the register; he suggested it would hardly do for it would excite the suspicion of the hotel clerk, and I had better let my name remain as it had been written. I then asked Plum, if in his opinion, Mr. Dallas and I were liable to be followed by the bad spirits and enemies. Spirit death; the meaning and result. 465 Mitchell replied that it might be possible that we would be traced by our enemies, but in his opinion not probable; but as a precautionary measure he advised that hereafter on our jour- ney south, we register under an assumed name in a disguised handwriting at such place or places we might stop on our way to Jackson- ville. I inquired of the spirit how long Mr. D. and I were to stop here? He replied that he had not been advised on that point, by the lead- ers of the movement, but as soon as he ascer- tained he would let us know, and that during the interim to go about the city and enjo3 r our- selves as best we could, bid us good day, and departed. Emerick Hotel, Washington, D. C, February 18, 1895. Air. D. and the writer visited about this interesting city most of the daj r . We met Mr. Matt Ruddy and Mr. John B. Brawley who formerly resided in Bradford, but are now living here. Mr. Brawley showed us much courtesy, and accompanied us to several places of interest in the city. While I was glad in a social way to meet Mr. Rudd} r and Mr. Brawley here, it oc- curred to me that it might be to our detriment on this particular occasion, especially so, should they write to any of our acquaintances in Bradford and mention our presence in Washington. How- ever, I said nothing to Ruddy or Brawley that our mission was such that we preferred their silence in regard to our meeting. I thought it better to trust to luck on that score. 466 death; the meaning and result. Emerick Hotel, Washington, D. C, February 20, 1895. Nothing worthy of note happened yesterday. After lunch today we repaired to our rooms in the Hotel, lit a cigar each, and settled down to enjoy a smoke. We had not been engaged long when by rapping telegraphy we were informed that our spirit friend, Mitchell, was present. He said that we were to leave Washington via Southern Railroad at. 10:05 p. m. today, and travel as far as Charlotte, N. C. and remain there until further orders. He also said that the enemy had sent a spirit to trace Mr. Dallas and myself, but did not think any- thing would come of it. We informed him, orally, that we would observe instructions, at which the spirit bid us good day and left. Ruport Hotel, Charlotte, N. C, February 21, 1895. As instructed by spirit Mitchell, Mr. Dal- las and the writer left Washington, D. C. yes- terday at 10:05 p. m. via Southern Railroad and arrived here today at 8:30 a. m. Nothing occurred in transit worthy of note. After par- taking of breakfast we went to our room in the Hotel and soon thereafter spirit Mitchell informed us of his presence in the usual way. He had nothing of importance to report and no instructions to give. Mr. Dallas registered here "F. P. MacDonald" and I registered an assumed name each disguising our handwriting as best we could. Ruport Hotel, Charlotte, N. C, February 22, 1895. After breakfast we went to our room death; the meaning and result. 467 and soon thereafter were advised by spirit Mitch- ell that he was present. He informed us that the spirits leading the adverse force had traced us to Buffalo, N. Y. and ascertained that we had met there at the Stafford Hotel, but that they were at a loss to know in what direction we started from there. He also informed us that the enemy were active and much chagrined because of our flight and would use every effort to find our whereabouts. He also gave us instructions to leave Charlotte at 8:40 a. m. tomorrow for Savannah, Ga. February 23, 1895. We started for Savannah, Ga. at 9 p. m., via Florida Southern Railroad, as per instructions given to us } r esterday and arrived at Savannah at 4 p. m. Nothing worthy of note occurred in transit. We stopped at the Paliska Hotel registering under an assumed name. Paliska Hotel, Savannah, Ga., February 24, 1895. Spirit Mitchell reported to us here by spirit telegraphy at 9 a. m. He informed us that the enemy were making efforts to find us, but that our spirit friends were making every effort to cover up our tracks. He also informed us that he had not been advised as to how long we were to remain here. Paliska Hotel, Savannah, Ga., February 25, 1895. Spirit Mitchell reported at 10 a. m. In answer to my question as to how long we were to remain here he said that he did not know at the present time. We were visited again by 468 death; the meaning and result. Mitchell at 4 p. m. and he informed us in the usual way that the enemy were active and determined. He also informed us that we were to leave Savannah at 7 a. m. for Jacksonville, Fla. February 26, 1895. We started from Savan- nah for Jacksonville, Fla. as previously instruct- ed arriving at Jacksonville at 12 M. We stop- per at the Placide Hotel and registered under an assumed name, disguising our handwriting as on former occasions. Nothing worth}*- of note occurred on our journey from Savannah to Jacksonville. Jacksonville, Fla., February 27, 1895. Think- ing our stay here would be protracted we rented a room at number 304 Main Street and planned to take our meals at a restaurant. Spirit Mitchell visited us at 3 p. m. He informed us that a spirit friend had visited Brad- ford, Pa. and among other things had heard some Bradford people planning to make a trip here, and as our spirit friends wished to keep our whereabouts unknown, it would not be advisable for us to stay here long, especially, as other Bradford people contemplated a visit to Jacksonville. He was not sure at this time how long we would stay but in his opinion not long- er than one week. He also informed us that our spirit enemies were very busy trying to trace us and seemed to be thoroughly satisfied that we were together, and that we had, per- haps by the advice and planning of our spirit 469 friends, stolen a march on them; that they were suspicious that the purpose of our spirit friends was to build such a force about us and estab- lish such affinity between us that it would be nearly if not entirely impossible to overcome. Well, after being thus informed we concluded that the enemy were good guessers to say the least. Jacksonville, Fla., March 1, 1895. Nothing of importance occurred yesterday and this morning we started on a pleasure trip on St. John River to Palatka. Before starting we received a report from spirit Mitchell. He informed us that noth- ing would be required of us today by our spirit friends, and if we so desired could take the trip we had planned; he also said if it was agreeable he would accompany us, to which we readily assented. We enjoyed the trip in this beautiful tropical climate very much, and our spirit friend entered into the enjoyment, to all appearances, fully as much as we did. We all returned to Jacksonville at 8 p. m. and soon thereafter spirit Mitchell took his leave. Jacksonville, Fla., March 2, 1895. On this day spirits Mitchell and Mason reported to us by rapping telegraphy. They informed us that all seemed to be going well and also told us that our stay here would be short. Where we were going on our leaving here they did not know. Jacksonville, Fla., March 3, 1895. Spirit Mitch- ell cheered us up by his presence this morning and afternoon. In fact he traveled about the 470 death; the meaning and result. city with us, taking in the places of interest, and informed us that he was open to an invita- tion to a 6 o'clock dinner; of course we took the hint, extended the invitation, and he accepted. He accompanied us to the restaurant and to dinner, keeping up a conversation most of the time by the use of rapping telegraphy on his part and responses by us orally. Soon after din- ner he excused himself and took his leave for the day. Jacksonville, Fla., March 4. Spirit Mitchell put in his presence this morning. On invitation accompanied us to lunch at noon. After lunch spirit Mason also put in an appearence. Our spirit visitors informed us by rapping telegraphy that we were to leave Jacksonville tomorrow at 12:50 p. m. for St. Augustine, Fla. That after considerable discussion by our spirit friends in the borderland, St. Augustine had been selected as a place of sojourn for some time and at that place our spirit friends hoped to accomplish the mission of our journey. I asked the spirits pres- ent if they were sure as to the time that the train would leave here for St. Augustine, as they had mentioned 12:50 p. m. as the time for our departure. They informed us that the3 r had examined the time table and that they were cer- tain as to the time. T wish to state that at each place where Mr. Dallas and I stopped on our way here we were informed, and very correctly, as to the departure of the railroad train on which our friends wished us to embark. On that death; the meaning and result. 471 score we were sure of correct information, so much so, that we depended entirely on our spirit friends for the time of the departure of the train which they wished us to take, and we have not consulted a time table since leaving Bradford. At 4 p. m. spirits Mitchell and Mason took their leave. March 5. As instructed yesterday Mr. Dallas and I started for St. Augustine at 12:50 p. m. Nothing worthy of note occurred on the journey. We arrived at St. Augustine at 2 p. m., and in appearance the place seemed to be a beautiful one. We repaired to the Algonquin Hotel, secured rooms and prepared to make ourselves as comfortable as possible. At the Hotel we registered assumed names for reasons before intimated. CHAPTER XXIV. At St. Augustine, Florida— Meet Spirits Mitchell and Mason— Spirits Select Quarters— Inform Wilson and Dallas— Move Into Quarters— Pleasantly Situated- Visit by Spirits Mitchell and Mason— What They Say— Getting Ready For Work— Meeting Appointed —Prepared Telegraph Instrument— Something New in Telegraphy— Watch Established— Visits by Spirits Mitchell, F. R. S. and Shoemaker— Give Password- Wall Built— Wires Being Constructed— Enemy Still in Buffalo, N. Y.— Question Asked Shoemaker— His Answer— Danger of Discovery— Visited by F. R. S. — Spirit Telegram— Explains How Enemy Discovered Wilson's and Dallas' Absense— The Effect— Being Traced— Manner of Registering Criticised— System of Wires— Visit by Spirit Sumner— What He Says — He Loves the South— Visit by Spirits Sumner and F. R. S.— Trouble— Dallas' Mail— Rothstein Writes Elder Dallas— Father Alarmed— Dallas' Uncle on the Hunt —Spirits Sent to Scotland— Writes Letter to J. G — Plan Formulated — Dallas Writes His Father — How- Arranged — Visit by Spirit Eddy — What He Says — Telegram by Spirit Sumner— Traced to Washington, D. C— Controlled by Sumner. St. Augustine, Fla., March 6, 1895. Mr. Dal- las and I rested well last night and at 8 a. m. were ready for breakfast. After breakfast we death; the meaning and result. 473 retired to our room in the Hotel and were informed by rapping telegraphy that spirits Mitchell and Mason were present. They also informed us that the enemies of our movement were still very active and seemed determined to trace us, and if possible ascertain our where- abouts, but that in their opinion the enemy would fail in their attempt. They also informed us that we were at our journey's end and that work would commence immediately by our spirit friends to prepare for the consummation of the object for which our journey was planned; they also advised us to look around the city and select some comforta- ble rooms in a pleasant locality, move therein and prepare the facilities for operating the tele- graph instrument. They said that a suite of rooms had been selected by them for us that they thought well suited for the occasion, and if they suited us that we had better arrange for them. On inquiry of spirits Mitchell and Mason where the rooms were located they informed us that they were in a building on King Street, nearly opposite the Ponce De Leon Hotel, and said if we were ready to go and look at the rooms the}- would accompany us. We informed them that we were ready to go and we started for the building they designated. On arriving at the building I rapped at the outer door and a lad}' opened the door. I enquired of her if she was the lady of the house and she said she was. I said to 474 death; the meaning and result. lier that I had been informed that she had rooms to rent; she replied that she had a suite of rooms on the second floor, fronting on King Street, which is really the most pleasant street in St. Augustine. The rooms were nicely carpeted, nicely furnished, and everything had the appear- ance of cleanliness. Indeed, I was almost afraid to ask the terms for the rooms as I thought that rooms so nicely furnished and in such a pleasant location would command a high rental. I hesitated and the lady said: "Well, how do the rooms suit you?" I replied, "That I liked the rooms all right but that I might not like the rental price she might ask." She replied: "Well, the party who last occupied them paid $25.00 for two weeks occupanc\ r ." I said but little but started to leave, thinking the rate too high if we were to remain here long, and as I got to the outer door of the building the lady said: "How long would you desire the rooms if we could agree on terms?" I replied, "One month at least," and added that "If she could afford to take $20.00 for the use of the rooms one month with the privilege on our part of a longer term we would take them and pay her monthly in advance:" She hesitated a few minutes and said: "Well, that is certainly much less than I have ever rented them for before," and said further in effect that she needed money just at the present time, and that we could have the rooms at that rate; that she would take care of them, keep them clean and death; the meaning and result. 475 in good shape. I paid her the $20.00, and soon thereafter we moved our baggage from the Hotel to the rooms, and thus we find ourselves very pleasantly and comfortably situated for the time being at least. St. Augustine, Fla., March 7. We passed a refreshing night's slumber in our new quarters last night. Alter breakfast we retired to our rooms. Soon thereafter spirit Mitchell informed us that he was there also. He told us that Prof. F. R. S. had called at our rooms last evening to arrange something relating to the telegraph S3 r stem the spirits were constructing, which was to serve as a connection by their invisible wires to our telegraph instrument, which was to be stationed at our quarters. I presume that dur- ing the Professor's presence last night we were in peaceful slumber, at any rate he was not seen by either of us. We were also informed by spirit Mitchell than it would very likely take at least one week's time for the spirits to complete arrangements for the commencement of the work at this point. St. Augustine, Fla., March 8. We spent the day in looking around the city. We also visited South Beach, U. S. Light House, and other points of interest. Spirits Mitchell and Mason called at our rooms on our return from the Beach. The}' accompanied us to supper and had to all appearances and indications a jolly good time. They informed us just before their departure that we would not hear from the 476 death; the meaning and result. spirit side of life for a few days as the3 r would be busy constructing the telegraph system which they intended to use in connection with our instrument. They bade us to be of good cheer and take good care of ourselves during their absence, and took their leave. St. Augustine, Fla., March 13. We heard nothing from our spirit friends during the 9, 10, 11 and 12 inst., and nothing of special interest occurred during these days. While preparing for breakfast at 8:30 o'clock this morning spirit Mitchell manifested his presence. He informed us that all was progressing in a satisfactory manner in their preparations to begin work on our side. He said that we would not hear from our spirit friends for a few days as they were yqvj busy, bid us good morning, and was gone. St. Augustine, Fla., March 17. We heard nothing from our spirit friends during the 14, 15 and 16 inst. This morning spirits Mitchell and Mason reported at our rooms. They informed us that everything was nearly ready to begin operations. They gave us their opinion that by Tuesday next all would be in working order, and they instructed us to prepare our telegraph instru- ment and attach it to a small battery as on former occasions. They also informed us that spirit, Dr. Shoemaker, would be here in a day or two and to try and have the telegraph instru- ment in as good working order as possible for the occasion. The spirits accompanied us to death; the meaning and result. 477 dinner signifying their presence during the meal by rapping telegraphy, cracking jokes and con- versing on general topics. They returned with us from our repast to our rooms and soon there- after departed. St. Augustine, Fla., March 18. Spirit Mitch- ell reported at our rooms at 8:45 a. m. He ac- companied us to breakfast. After returning to our rooms from breakfast he informed us that he would have to leave us, but would again be at our rooms at 1 p. m. He was with us again at this time and accompanied us to dinner. Af- ter returning to our rooms, spirit Mitchell by rapping telegraphy advised us to prepare the telegraph instrument and batter}^, and connect up. We went about the task of getting the in- strument in readiness. We prepared the battery and by wire attached the instrument thereto. Spirit Mitchell remained with us and superin- tended the job, suggested by rapping telegraphy how he desired the battery to be prepared and the instrument connected, the place and room he desired to have it located. We followed his instructions. After all was in readiness and everything having the appearance to us as being in complete working order, spirit Mitchell in- formed us that he had tried the instrument but was not able to operate. He finally suggested that we join our right hands which we did. That seemed to form an additional electric cur- rent which spirit Mitchell seemed to be able to utilize and thereby give him strength and access 478 death; the meaning and result. sufficient to operate the instrument. That was something new to us, and it was also new to Mr. Mitchell, as he informed us. When Mr. Dallas and I would separate our hands, spirit Mitchell could not work the instrument; as soon as we joined hands the difficulty seemed to van- ish and the spirit could work the instrument with ease. The spirit, after studying over the matter for a while concluded, as he informed us, that a psychological condition had been estab- lished about the telegraph instrument and about Mr. Dallas and myself by Prof. F. R. S. through some process and for some purpose which spirit Mitchell was not able to divine or explain. Dur- ing this visit he informed us that a constant watch about the vicinity of our rooms had been established by our spirit friends so as to pre- vent any interference by strange spirits or sur- prises by our old foe from the border land. St. Augustine, Fla., March 19. Spirit Mitch- ell reported toda3 r at 4 p. m. By rapping tele- graphy he gave the password as he had done on former occasions since we located here. He could not work the instrument, however, until Mr. Dallas and I joined our right hands as on yesterday. He informed us that spirit Dr. W. P. Shoemaker would be here in a few minutes and also, that spirit Prof. F. R. S. would be with the Doctor, and would so arrange things that the telegraph instrument could be operated by the spirits without our joining hands. Spirit Dr. W. P. Shoemaker reported his presence at death; the meaning and result. 479 4:10. He gave to us, through rapping telegra- phy, the password agreed upon before leaving Bradford, after which he began to operate the telegraph instrument. He was able to operate with apparent ease and after a few salutations, spirit Mitchell took the key of the instrument and did the operating. Among other things said by the spirit Doctor, the following telegram was ticked off: "To J. K. W. and E. M. D. Dear brothers and fellow workers: I am so hap- py over this event that 1 do not know what to say to you. However, shake hands on this our first success in operating in Florida. William Patterson Shoemaker." I replied orally and said: "Well, Doctor, we are very happy indeed to again have your pres- ence with us. We have each looked forward with some anxietv to the time of this meeting." And then the following telegram was given to us b}^ the instrument: "Well, I am glad to find you in such suitable quarters and I expect you are satisfied with the situation. I have not had much time to look over the town, but I see many advantages we have in coming here to continue our work. "Although we operate today, we are not yet ready to commence work. Our wall is complete, but our wires are not yet in order, but will be in a few da} T s. "I suppose the first question you will put to me will be, 'What have you been doing since we met last?' Well, John, we all had our share of 480 death; the meaning and result. work since you left Bradford. I have been keep- ing close watch of the enemy, and I know it will be good news for you to know that they are still in Buffalo, N. Y. They are very active, but have no fear, we will look after them. I am in first rate order myself, and able to go through the entire lot of them. I hope you are satisfied with these rooms and all arrangements we have made for you. W. P. S." To this I replied: ' 'Doctor, we are pleased to hear such encouraging news. We hope that we may be able to complete our work here, and that everything will terminate as you have planned and desire. We are each well pleased with all arrangements up to the present time and will be suited to follow in whatever direc- tion you and our spirit friends may see fit to lead us." I then asked the spirit Doctor, if he thought our spirit enemies would discover our whereabouts? And if we were discovered what in his opinion would be the result? The reply was ticked off as follows: "If we are not dis- covered by our enemies of course there is noth- ing in the way of success. I am not able to say whether your whereabouts will eventually be discovered by them or not. If you are discover- ed before we succeed in establishing about 3-ou an impregnable psychological environment, and an unbreakable magnetic affinity between you and your spirit friends, we shall have the same trouble and interruptions experienced before com- ing here, and our object in bringing you here death; the meaning and result. 481 will be thwarted. We all hope that our antic- ipations may be fully realized and that our work here will not be interrupted. Of course there is danger of discovery but we hope for the best. W. P. S." After a little more conversation, I speaking orally and the spirits by use of the telegraph in- strument, I suggested that it was past supper time and invited the Doctor and friend Mitchell to supper; they accepted the invitation and dur- ing the meal they signified their presence by rap- ping telegraphy. After supper we returned to our rooms and soon thereafter the spirits bade us good night. St. Augustine, Fla., March 21. Nothing of importance transpired yesterday. At 11:30 a. m. today spirit Mitchell informed us of his pres- ence by rapping telegraphy and said that spirit Prof. F. R. S. would visit us at our rooms at 3 p. m. and to have the telegraph instrument connected with the battery as the Professor de- sired to operate it. At 3:05 p. m., the spirit Professor, reported his presence, and by rapping telegraphy gave us the password and began in a strong clear manner to operate the telegraph instrument and gave us the following telegram: "As you have been told, Mr. Dallas on leaving Bradford was not discovered by the enemy, and it was not until Mr. Wilson disappeared for good that any mistrust showed itself on the part of the enemy. "You arranged everything well and but for 482 death; the meaning and result. one point you would not have been seen leaving Bradford. However, the enemy did not think it worth their trouble to follow you. Had they done so we would not be here today. Strange as it may seem to you some of them were at Salamanca when you arrived there, but through some careless spy you were lost. "At first the absence of Dallas was not thought of; it was you, Mr. Wilson, who was occupying their attention. When they found out that you both had gone, their anger knew no bounds and they immediately set to work to discover the direction you had taken. They arrived in Buf- falo three days after you had gone, that is to say on Tuesday following, and so complete was their system that in twelve hours after their ar- rival they found the Hotel Stafford. They were convinced before leaving Bradford that you were both in Buffalo, and after examining hotels they found your names on the register. Their next move was to find out in what direction you had gone. At Bradford they kept close watch of our friend J. G., but he is as close as marble. "Dr. Shoemaker told me today that you met sorne Bradford gentlemen in Washington, D. C. If they have said anything of your doing so to Bradford people we do not know of it, but will be on the lookout. "I hear you, Mr. Wilson, registered at the Ho- tel in Washington, in your own name. That was bad policy, but we will try and take care death; the meaning and result. 483 of matters there by keeping a man on the look- out. You were well looked after on the way down, and I think that the choice of St. Augus- tine has been a good one for both. "It was my intention to have you spend some time in Jacksonville, to see if the coast was clear before leaving there, but as we expected difficul- ties you were sent here three weeks in advance. "On our arrival here we commenced to build a wall of defence, and as soon as that was com- plete, I built one around each of you by a new method which I have just discovered, and so complete is this wall that none but those who have the key can enter, so in case of the enemy stealing a march on us they could not injure you in any way. "We can commence work in a day or two where we left off at Lily Dale last summer. Mr. Sumner will be here before the end of the week and will test you, Mr. Wilson, and see what can be done, or if you have lost any of the force he was building up in you. With the exception of time lost we do not think this break will inter- fere with us. If everything is favorable we will have you ready to commence work in public by the end of the year. Prof. F. R. S." After receiving this message I orally thanked the Professor, for his information and instruc- tions. After some further conversation he con- tinued to operate and gave us the following: "We have now about completed our system of wires leading from these rooms to our headquar- 484 death; the meaning and result. ters in the spirit world. Hereafter, call over the wire, by use of this instrument, at 9 o'clock each evening, spirit Mitchell or Mason, and they will wire your instructions for the following day. F. R. S." Soon after receiving this telegram the spirit Professor, bade us good evening and departed. At 9 p. m., Mr. Dallas sent a call over the wire for spirit Mitchell, and in a few seconds he an- swered and informed us that spirit Charles Sum- ner would be with us at 3 p. m. tomorrow at our rooms. St. Augustine, Fla., March 22nd. At 8 o'clock this morning spirit Mitchell informed us by rap- ping telegraphy that he had been with us dur- ing the night. He said a constant watch was kept so as to prevent any surprises by hostile spirits. At 3 p. m. spirit Charles Sumner in company with Mitchell put in his presence. He gave the password by rapping telegraphy, and then began to operate the telegraph instrument and gave us the following message: "Gentlemen, I welcome this meeting today with much satis- faction, and I am pleased to see that you have carried out our plans to perfection. It shows the confidence and trust you place in us for which you shall in the near future be repaid. It further shows us the material we have employed to carry out our work, and you have met with much praise from the Professor and others on our side. I say again I am happy to meet you face to face again. I am now ready to com- death; the meaning and result. 485 mence work immediately but F. R. S. has a few arrangements to make before entering on it. 44 I had no choice in the matter of selecting St. Augustine. That was left to the Professor and others, but I think the spot is beautiful and the situation lovely. "I love the South, my friends, and while on earth my happiest moments were when I was defending its interests. The influence around you here seems to be perfect, and I see no reason why we should not accomplish the remainder of our work here. Dr. Shoemaker tells me he feels very secure on the part of the enemy, and I believe he is right. I trust you had a pleasant journey down and I hope you like the climate well and are satisfied with the location. "I know 3-ou are anxious to hear from all old friends and I hope to have a few of them here soon. Dr. Eddy is well again and working as hard as ever. I wish to have Mr. Wilson alone here Sunday morning, at 10:30. Your friend and fellow worker, Charles Sumner." After receiving this message I replied orally: "Mr. Sumner, we are very glad to meet you again; we are much gratified by 3'our encourag- ing words. We had a very pleasant journey coming here, and are suited with the climate and think the location beautiful. We thank a^ou for 3 r our kind promise to again make conditions whereby we may meet our old spirit friends. We hope to have the pleasure of 3*our presence vetfy often and I shall be pleased to meet 3 r ou 486 death; the meaning and result. tomorrow at 10:30 a. m. as requested. To this Mr. Sumner replied via instrument: "Thank you. Now I will say good afternoon. Charles Sumner." It was 5 p. m. when Mr. Sumner left us. Everything seemed to be in a fair way to suc- cess. At 6:20 p. m., spirit Mitchell signified his presence and gave us the password by rapping telegraphy. He also informed us that spirits Charles Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. would be here on important business, bid us good day, and left. At 8 p. m., spirits Sumner and Prof. F. R. S put in their presence, and after giving the pass- word, began to use the instrument and gave us the following message: "Gentlemen, it is only business of the greatest importance that calls us here again tonight. Charles Sumner and Prof. F. R. S." Then immediately the following was ticked off by the telegraph instrument: "Two days ago we sent Dr. Shoemaker to Bradford to inspect the mail matter there, and see if he could devise any way of forwarding same to you. He dis- covered almost immediately that through some mistake in the Bradford post office that Mr. E. M. Dallas' mail was left right along at Roth- stein's. As this has been going on since he left Bradford, there are several letters and papers there for him. Now, it seems Air. Rothstein thinking that E. M. Dallas has been lost in a storm which occurred about the time of his de- parture, has written a letter to E. M. Dallas' death; the meaning and result. 487 father. Mr. Dallas has telegraphed to E. M. D.'s uncle, F. P. Mac Donald, who has been down to Bradford himself or sent someone to inquire about him. As no news could be found, his uncle has written to Scotland stating that he was there about January 20. Further than that we do not know. W. P. Shoemaker sent a spirit to Scotland and as Mr. Dallas cannot be found at his home we think that he has started to look for his son. Such is the Doctor's story which has cost him much trouble. Charles Sum- ner, Prof. F. R. S." In repry to this message I said: "Gentlemen, it seems that trouble is brewing sure. I cannot see how it comes about that the Postmaster at Bradford ignores instructions concerning Mr. Dallas' mail as Mr. Dallas informs me that be- fore leaving Bradford he instructed the Postmast- er to deliver all his mail to my office. I do not know what to suggest. It may be that the Doctor, is mistaken." To which the spirits re- plied via telegraph instrument: "No, we do not think that the Doctor can be mistaken. To sum- marize—First — we know that Rothstein has writ- ten to E. M. D.'s father in Scotland. Second— we think it probable that Mr. Dallas has left for U. S. A. Third— we think Mac Donald has traced E. M. Dallas to Buffalo, or further, as he would be informed at Bradford of you both having been seen there. Charles Sumner, Prof. F. R. S." Well, here is a dilemma sure. The spirits 488 death; the meaning and result. Charles Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. discussed with Mr. Dallas and I pro and con the new. fea- ture and how best to proceed to meet the new condition. Finally it was agreed that we should think over the matter until morning, and that at 9 a. m. the spirits would again visit us. Note. After my return to Bradford from the South I consulted Mr. Rothstein to verify, as far as possible, the statement made to us by spirits Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. while in St. Augustine, Fla. Mr. Rothstein informs me that when Mr. Dallas left Bradford for his trip South he told him (Rothstein) that he was going to Scotland; that after Dallas' departure from Bradford his mail was delivered to his place of business; that for a week or ten days he thought nothing of it, but mail matter from Scotland delivered after Dallas should have reached his home there caused him to become uneasy about his safety, then he wrote a letter to E. M. Dal- las' father informing him that his son had left Bradford, saying he was going to Scotland r and the mail for E. M. D. was still being deliv- ered at his place in Bradford. Mr. Rothstein also informs me that he received a reply to his letter from the elder Mr. Dallas saying, that his son had not arrived there. Thus verifying the spirits' statement in relation to the mail matter and Rothstein's acts in the premises. I have also ascertained that the elder Dallas communi- cated at this time to E. M. Dallas' uncle, F. P. Mac Donald, making inquiry about his son, and death; the meaning and result. 489 that Mr. Mac Donald did make an effort to lo- cate the son and visited Buffalo, N. Y. for that purpose; that the uncle informed the father that he was unable to find the son's whereabouts which caused great alarm on the part of the elder Dallas, which was only allayed on the re- ceipt of a letter from the son, postmarked New York, U. S. A. These facts were entirely unknown to Mr. Dallas and myself at the time of being informed by the spirits, but true in all essential particu- lars I have since ascertained. St. Augustine, Fla., March 23. I did not rest well last night, The events of yesterda3 r con- vinced me that unlooked for difficulties had loomed up, which, as was very apparent, were giving our spirit friends much trouble and caus- ing them much concern. I am worried over the possible results. It is very bad indeed that the Postmaster at Bradford has disregarded the instructions given him by E. M. Dallas before leaving Bradford, that all mail matter should be delivered to my office in Bradford during E. M. Dallas' absence; instead, it seems Mr. Dallas' mail has been delivered to Mr. Rothstein's right along until a large amount has collected there. It opens the way for much trouble. At the time Mr. Dallas lelt Bradford he told Mr. Rothstein, in whose employ Mr. Dallas had been that he (Dallas) was going to visit his home in Scot- land. Soon after Mr. Dallas left Bradford ter- rible storms at sea were reported in the news- 490 death; the meaning and result. papers of the day, and several passengers liners reported lost with all on board. Mr. Dallas' mail collecting as before stated undoubtedly has given rise in Mr. Rothstein's mind that possibly Mr. Dallas had been lost at sea, and hence the motive on Mr. Rothstein's part in writing to Mr. Dallas' father in Scotland, which in the absence of any news from his son created alarm in the mind of the elder Dallas about his safty. Well, we must await the result anyway, and it may end well yet. At 9 a. m. of this date the spirits, Prof. F. R. S. and Charles Sumner put in their presence at our rooms as per appointment last evening. During the interim of their visit yesterday a spirit messenger sent out by our spirit friends to Scotland had returned and brought the news, as we were informed by spirits F. R. S. and Sumner, that the elder Dallas had been found at his home in Scotland and had not started for U. S. A. as was supposed by our spirit friends when they visited us yesterday. That was some- what of a relief. We then discussed with the spirits the propriety and urgent necessity of getting word to the elder Dallas that his son was alive and well, so as to prevent the awk- ward position of having the father come to the U. S. A. in search of his son, but how to pro- ceed to get the word to the elder Dallas with- out revealing our locality to the spirit enemies was the dilemma. Another thing, only of less importance, a letter must or should be written death; the meaning and result. 491 to J. G., a friend of ours in Bradford to allay his uneasy feelings, as we had been informed by the spirits that he was in no sense contented. We finally concluded to write our friend in Bradford and run the chances of giving our spirit enemies a clue to our whereabouts, which w^as something of a risk as we were cognizant of the fact that the enemy might be watching the mails in Bradford. However, we wrote the letter to our friend, and directed it to Bradford, Pa. Spirit Mitchell was to accompany the let- ter and report immediately to us, if thereby our location should be discovered by our enemies. The question of getting word to Mr. D's father is a more intricate problem to solve, as it is fair to presume that our spirit enemies in their anxiety to locate us would be watching for mail at the elder Dallas' home. We discussed the matter pro and con with the spirits, but could see no way clear to attain the desired result. At the suggestion of spirit Prof. F. R. S., our meeting was adjourned until 2 P. M. At 2 p. m. the spirits, F. R. S. and Sumner, again signfied their presence, and the question of getting word to the elder Dallas was taken up. Spirit F. R. S. finally formulated a plan as follows: E. M. D. was to write a letter to his father directed to the proper address in Scot- land, heading the letter as follows: New York City, March 23, 1895; the letter to be mailed at St. Augustine, Fla., but the Professor suggested that perhaps the mailing clerk here would stamp it 492 death; the meaning and result. so illegibly that the place of mailing could not be made out; that it was the custom at the distributing office in New York City to re-post- mark all letters going abroad, and perhaps the New York City postmark would be plain and legible, so that the letter would have every appearance of having been written and mailed in New York City and therefore our locality would not be divulged. Of course the Professor's plan was adopted; the letter was written, headed as before intimated and posted here, with what success, however, time will only tell. Soon after writing the letter and posting it Mr. Sumner and the Professor took their leave. At 9 p. # m. we sent a call over the wire, as we had been instructed to do, to know if anything was required of us tomorrow, and spirit Mason answered from the spirit end of the line that nothing was on the program for tomorrow. He informed us that the illegibility of the post- mark here on the letter was a success. St. Augustine, Fla., March 28. Nothing of special inportance occurred on March 24, 25, 26 and 27. On each of these days we sent a call over the wire to our spirit friend operator at the other end of the line, and he would invaria- bly answer and inform us what the program was for the morrow. We were told toda}' by our spirit operator that the letter written to our Bradford friend had reached him, undiscovered by the enemy. That was good news to us. On the 27th spirit Mason telegraphed to us that death; the meaning and result. 493 spirit Sumner would visit us at our rooms today at three p. m. At 3 p. m. spirit Sumner, in company with spirit Dr. Eddy whom I had not had the pleas- ure of meeting for some time put in their pres- ence. Dr. Eddy via telegraph instrument said: 4 'My friends, John Wilson and Dallas: I am delighted to be permitted to look upon 3-ou once more and will be glad to welcome a hearty handshake all around. W. D. Eddy." To this I replied orally: "Friend Eddy, we are delighted to again meet you, and glad to know that you have sufficiently recovered from your injuries received from the enemy, to be with us." Spirit Eddy again telegraphed as follows: "Well, I suppose you have all the latest news from Bradford through Plum Mitchell." To this I replied: "Yes, Plum has told us about the letter reaching our friend and some other things." Again spirit Eddy telegraphed: "I have been to Bradford for quite a few days, until yester- day, looking after the enemy and helping you in your work. I saw your friend in Bradford take your letter out of the postoffice there. I am certain that no spirit enemy saw him receive the letter or in any way had access to it before it reached him." I asked spirit Eddy if he had been very busy in Bradford during his stay there, to which he replied: "Yes, I have been very busy, and a great time I have been having. Your friend 494 death; the meaning and result. there to whom you wrote the letter seems a good bit worried notwithstanding your letter. I saw the Rev. Weil go up to your office about three weeks ago, but of course did not find you. He seemed much surprised that you had not called on him before leaving Bradford. He has started a church of his own and preaches rank Spiritualism every Sunday, and quite a few peo- ple go to hear him. W. D. E." I thanked the spirit Doctor for his informa- tion. I did not know until so informed at this time that the Rev. Weil had organized a church in Bradford or that he was preaching Spiritualism rank or otherwise. Soon after receiving this telegram spirit Sum- ner gave us the following message: "Good after- noon, gentlemen, I trust you are both well. C. S." To which I replied: "Well, thank you." He then resumed: "I think you have been told by Plum and also by Dr. Eddy that your letter to Bradford arrived safely, but we are at a standstill in many other matters. The letter addressed to Mr. Dallas, Scotland, will not arrive until the end of the week. In the mean- time we think that Mr. Dallas' uncle is on the lookout and and has traced him as far as Wash- ington, D. C. We have, also, sure proof that our enemies have taken advantage of this search for E. M. Dallas and are following up tracks of his friends. We will have to wait patiently and see if you can be traced further. If not you are safe. You can have all conn- death; the meaning and result. 495 dence in us to do the best we can in the matter. In the meantime I would like to see what progress I can expect of you, Mr. Wilson, and tomorrow at 3 p. m., I wish to meet you alone. I have much pleasure in sa\nng that our outlook is fairly favorable. Charles Sumner." To this message I replied: "Mr. Sumner, we are very glad to meet you again. Of course we are aware that we are liable to be discovered by our spirit opponents. I shall be very pleased to meet you tomorrow at 3 p. m. Soon there- after our spirit friends bade us good day and departed. Note. I have ascertained since my return to Bradford, Pa., that my friend, James S. Gal- braith, referred to as "J. G." in the spirit mes- sage, received my letter written to him from the South in the Post Office at Bradford, instead of having it delivered, the latter being the usual way, by our delivery system. Also, that Rev, Weil did call at mj T office at the time stated in the spirit message and that he had started a church and was preaching and advocating the philosophy of Spiritualism. All the facts stated by spirit Dr. Eddy in his message as having occurred and entirely unknown to me at the time, or to Mr. Dallas, I find on investigation since my return to be true in every particular. St. Augustine, Fla., March 29. At 3 p. m. I was alone in my room. I expected to meet my spirit friend, Charles Sumner. I was anxious to see if I could behold him as in times past. I had 496 death; the meaning and result. not long to wait. I presently felt in the room and about me a very perceptable disturbance of the atmosphere. I knew by past experience that an entity had entered my immediate environ- ment. As on former occasions I noted the time which was 3:10 p. m. I could see the outline of a form, but there seemed to be a sort of a vapor or mist about it, or between my line of vision and the form. I could not distinguish it well enough to either recognize or describe it. How- ever it gradually approached me, and when seemingly right before me, I felt that peculiar mesmeric sensation so often experienced before when in the presence of this great spirit. I felt myself rising from a sitting 'to a standing posi- tion, and sensed myself talking and that was all. When I again become normal I consulted my watch and found that it was 3:45 o'clock. I had been partially unconscious for about 35 minutes. I saw nothing nor heard nothing from Mr. Sumner after becoming normal. He must have taken his departure. I do not remember a thing that I said, still I know that I was talk- ing at least 35 minutes. Well, once again that very strange phenomenon of being controlled by a spirit, other than my own, had been my lot to experience. At 9 p. m. we sent a call over the line and enquired what tomorrow's pro- gram would be. Our call was answered by the spirit operator at the other end of the line, who informed us that spirit Dr. W. P. Shoemaker and other spirits would be at our rooms at 3 p. m. tomorrow. CHAPTER XXV. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker Present— Enemy Still Tracing— A Surprise for Wilson— Meets Spirit Brother— What He Says— Meets Spirit Mother— W x hat She Says— Dr. Shoemaker Talks— Strange Spirit Introduced— Prov- ed To Be a Friend — On Judicial Bench in Earth Life —What He Says— Spirits Mitchell and Mason Enter- tained—Spirits Sumner and F. R. S. Present— Came From Washington, D. C— Liable To Be Discovered- Enemy Very Determined— Now In Charlotte, N. C— Wilson and Dallas Ordered to Return to Bradford, Pa.— All Hope Gone— Spirit F. R. S.'s Parting Tele- gram—Leave St. Augustine— At Bradford— Meeting Appointed— To Invite Friends— Meet Spirits Sumner, Shoemaker and Mitchell— J. S. G. Present— Enemy Trace to Jacksonville, Fla.— What Saved Wilson- Controlled— Effect on J. S. G.— Telegrams From Spirit Shoemaker— To Go To Lily Dale— Wall Col- lapsed—Visit by Spirit Judge Corbett— A Surprise- Wilson and Dallas Assaulted— Pope Aggressor— How Rescued— Explained. St. Augustine, Fla., March 30, 1895. At 3 p. m. Mr. Dallas and I were in our rooms. We expected spirit company. We had been informed that at this hour our very good friend, spirit Dr. Shoemaker, and other spirits would be with 498 death; the meaning and result. us and make their presence known. Who the others were who were to accompany Dr. Shoe- maker here at this hour we had not been informed. We had our telegraph instrument connected with the batten- as on former occa- sions. At 3:10 p. m. spirit Shoemaker made his pres- ence known b} r rapping telegraphy, after which he operated our instrument and gave us the following message: ''Good afternoon, John. Good afternoon, Ed. I hope you are well. W. P. S." To this I replied orally: "Good after- noon, Doctor, we are both well, thank 3 r ou. We are glad to have you with us today. Any news from our spirit enemy?" To my question he replied: "No, nothing new. Mr. Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. are watching their efforts in find- ing you. When Mr. Sumner and the Professor return we will know just how far the enemy have succeeded in tracing you. I have a sur- prise today for one of you. Your brother from the spirit side of life, John, is here. W. P. S." In reply: "Thank you, Doctor," and immedi- ately the telegraph instrument resumed ticking and said: "How are you, boys? Plum." To this I responded: "Very well, Plum — glad to have you here." The instrument resumed: "Your brother wishes me to operate for him and says, 'dear John I am glad your friends see fit for me to be here today. I am very happy since I regained my liberty and I am working hard to help you death; the meaning and result. 499 all I can. I knew you were coming down here, and wished to speak to 3-ou often but could not. I am sorry to hear that you are followed part way, but trust in Mr. Sumner and I am sure he will bring you out all right. Will.' P. M., opr." To this message I replied: "Will, I am glad to meet you again, I hope it may be our lot to meet often in the future. How is mother?" To this he answered via instrument: "Mother will answer for herself, John, for Dr. Shoemaker has gone to bring her here." I answered: "Very glad to hear that." In a few minutes the instru- ment resumed: "Here is the Doctor with } r our mother. Plum, opr." In reply to this I said: "Dear mother, although I cannot see you nor hear you speak, I know you are here. I am always very glad to have you come to me. Let my friend, Plum Mitchell, tell me by the telegraph instrument what you desire to say to me." The instrument then resumed: "John, my dear son, I am so happy to once more have the pleasure of being near you that I can hardly tell your good friend here what to say. I am, through 3^ our friends in the spirit world, often told about you, and how you are getting along. In fact, through your friends I am always happy. Mother, P. M., opr." A few moments of silence after this was ticked off and then the following: "Friend John: Ever since the break I have promised to help your mother to see you some time, but you know 500 death; the meaning and result. how difficult it has been for me to fulfill the promise. However, I have kept my word today and although she cannot express herself to you in words, I know she is delighted to be here, and she says to me, 'you are a good Doctor, and very kind to me. I am so happy to see my son again.' She does not know where St. Agus- tine is, but that does not matter as long as she is near you. She understands the work very well and although she cannot help directly, she is always pleased when we speak of you. W. P. S., P. M., opr." To this message I replied: "Dr. Shoemaker, you are indeed kind to my spirit mother, and to me, for which I thank you very much. I hope I may some day be able to repay you for all you have done for me." After this reply to me the instrument resumed and ticked off the following: "I have the pleas- ure of introducing to you this afternoon a gen- tleman whom I know you will welcome; but for him we would all be lingering in the strongholds of the enemy, and I hardly think it will be necessary for me to mention his name, as I have no doubt you know who I mean. W. P. S." To this message I answered orally, as usual, as follows: "I am indeed delighted to meet the gentleman you refer to and to whom we owe so much. No, you need not mention his name for I know you refer to Judge . You are cer- tainly most welcome, Judge. Our spirit friends have told me how much thev are indebted to death; the meaning and result. 501 you in helping them from the power of their enemies; in helping them you help me and my friend Mr. Dallas, nfore than we can tell you." The instrument again resumed as follows: "Gen- tlemen, I am glad to be among you here. I did but that which I would do many times for such friends as you and I have. ." I do not care to use the name of this spirit in these records, for the reason that I omitted to ask him if I could do so. However, he is a mod- ern spirit whom 1 knew by reputation in earth life, distinguished for his ability as a jurist be- fore passing to spirit life. I said in reply to his message: "Judge , I suppose 3'ou were so well informed on spirit laws before passing to spirit life that you were but little if any disap- pointed in the change." To which he replied via instrument: "Yes, I was prepared for spirit life, and was not disappointed when I passed over here. I have known Mr. Sumner for many years, also Prof. F. R. S., and I can say to you, gen- tlemen, you have indeed the most perfect leaders among us over here. While I do not under- stand much of their work in connection with you, I know that what such people undertake must be a good and noble work, and while I have other matters of my own to attend to, 1 wish you all success, and you shall have all my spare time and experience. Judge ." I replied: "Thank you, Judge. I appreciate what you say. I hope it may be our lot to meet you often." After some further conversation the spirits 502 death; the meaning and result. Judge , my mother, brother and Plum Mitchell bid us good afternoon and took their leave. Spirit Dr. Shoemaker remained with us for a few minutes, and informed us that our spirit friends Plum Mitchell and Harvey Mason had asked leave of absence from duty in the border land, and wish to spend the evening in a social way with Mr. Dallas and myself, and also said that they had been working hard and deserved the favor and it had been granted to them. I replied in substance that I was very glad and that we would entertain them the best we could. At 7:30 our friends in spirit life, Mitchell and Mason, whose names so often appear in these records, put in their presence. They did not talk to us via the telegraph instrument, but by rapping telegraphy which was as easily under- stood by Mr. Dallas and nryself as operating the instrument. We took our friends to the Ponce De Leon Hotel to listen to a band concert; also to the Casino to witness bathing, swimming, and water sports generally. They seemed by their merry telegraphy and rapping applause to enjoy themselves hugely. At 10:30 we returned to our rooms, and after thanking us for our efforts to entertain them they bid us good night. St. Augustine, Fla., April 1, 1895. At 2:30 p. m., yesterday, we sent a call over the wire to the spirit operator at the other end of the line which was promptly answered by him. We inquired if they had any late news from Mr. Sum- , death; the meaning and result. 503 tier or the Professor to which the spirit operator answered as follows: "No news from Mr. Sum- ner or the Professor. P. M., opr." At 9 p. m. yes- terday, we sent another call which was answered and the following: "No news from Mr. S. or the Professor. We think they will return by morning. P. M., opr." At 2:30 p. m. today we sent a call over the invisible wire. The operator on the spirit side answered and informed us that spirit Charles Sumner and Prof. F. R. S. had returned from their investigation tour, and would be with us at our rooms in about 10 minutes. At 2:45 spirits Sumner and F. R. S. signified their pres- ence by rapping telegraphy and said: "Good afternoon, gentlemen.'' I replied: "Good after- noon, friends." In a few moments the spirit, Prof. F. R. S., began to operate the instrument and gave us the following message: "Mr. Sum- ner and myself have just returned from Wash- ington, D. C. and find the situation as follows: The enemy have left Washington and are now in Charlotte, and have found name there on hotel register of F. P. MacDonald. We cannot find any trace of Mr. Dallas' friends, and I think they must have returned home. Gentlemen, I am sorry to say you will have to return to Bradford, Pa., as all hope for continuation of the work is now gone. At the rate the enemy are following us up they will find us in 8 or 10 days. Their tracing force is very small, but they have their best men with them. All others have 504 death; the meaning and result. returned to Bradford for some reason I cannot fathom. This is the only plan we have left. Mr. Dallas will return to Bradford, starting tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday morning, whichever suits him best. As the eneim^ are on the lookout there, Mr. Dallas will be reported as soon as he returns to Bradford and their tracing force, very likely, will be withdrawn. We desire Mr. Wilson to stay here until we have time to withdraw our force and wires from here. As matters now stand I am not able to say if at any time we will be able to enter into the work which we started out to accomplish. Cir- cumstances which we could not overcome have come up against us and brought about the pres- ent condition of affairs. I wish to say to you, gentlemen, that from my heart I thank you both for the noble way in which you have both helped us. I think I may add that Mr. Dallas had better start for Bradford tomorrow after- noon, and J. K. Wilson follow on the following Sunday or Monday. I hope to have the pleas- ure of meeting you again on the earth plane. If not on the earth plane I shall rejoice when I meet you on our side of life. As ever, your friend, Prof. F. R. S." In a few moments after receiving this message I replied: "We are sorry Professor, that matters have culminated in this way. We, however, attach no blame whatever to our spirit friends. They have done the best they could to accom- plish the desired end from start to finish. We death; the meaning and result. 505 will return to Bradford as you have instructed us to do. Feeling grateful to you for the efforts you have made to prove beyond a doubt to the children of the earth plane the immortality of the human family, and the intercommunication between the earth and spirit worlds, we shall always hold each of our spirit friends in very grateful rememberance. If we chance to meet any of them again on the earth side of life, it is well; we are certain of meeting them one and all on the spirit side of life. Prof. F. R. S., Mr. Dallas and myself extend to you our right hand of fellowship and say for the present, good bye. To my remarks the Professor replied by the instrument: "Thank you for the words uttered. Farewell until we meet again. Prof. F. R. S." I wish to add that Mr. Dallas started from St. Augustine to Bradford, Pa. on the second day of April, 1895. I followed him starting from St. Augustine on April 8. We each reached Bradford, Pa., without special incident. We have, indeed, had a wonderful experience as all will agree who take the pains to read these records. We have heard nothing from our spirit friends up to and including April 12, the day of my arrival in Bradford from St. Augustine. Bradford, Pa., April 21, 1895. On the 15th of April Mr. Dallas and I were sitting in my office discussing our eventful trip from which we had so recently returned. We had heard noth- ing from our spirit friends since our return, but at this time our conversation was interrupted 506 death; the meaning and result. by spirit raps which we thought were produced by Plum Mitchell; not being certain, however, we asked the spirit to give the password which we had established by instruction of Prof. F. R. S. for the purpose of establishing identity'. The password was given correctly and spirit Mitch- ell by rapping telegraphy proceeded to inform us that the line of communication between Dallas, myself and our spirit friends was still sufficient- ly intact to enable them to communicate with us; that he was sent by Charles Sumner to in- form us of that fact, and to say that our spirit friends were glad that we had reached Bradford safely and in good form. He then bid us good bye and departed. We heard nothing further from the spirits until today at which time our spirit friend Plum Mitchell again manifested his presence and established his identity. His stay with us was short but time enough to say by rapping telegraphy, that Mr. Sumner had sent him to inform us that Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoemaker would visit us at my office on the 24th inst at 9 p. m., and instructed us to pre- pare and connect the telegraph instrument for use at that time, also to invite a friend of mine, James S. Galbraith, whose home is in this city, to be present at this meeting. I informed spirit Mitchell that we would carry out his instruc- tions and be prepared on the date named. He then bid us good day and departed. Mr. Galbraith, who is a prominent citizen in this cit} r , having resided here for about twenty death; the meaning and result. 507 years, knew little if anything about the possi- bility of spirit return. He has been acquainted with me in a business and social way during my residence in this city. Previous to this time, however, I had told him of some of my investi- gations along those lines and some of the evi- dence I was receiving, but he had seen or heard nothing of the manifestations. I had also ad- vised my spirit friends of Mr. Galbraith's friendly feeling toward me and his sympathy in my in- vestigations. Mr. Galbraith is the individual referred to as J. G. in some of the former records. He had been informed by me before starting on my intended trip to Florida, my mission there, also some of the circumstances which led me to undertake the trip. On April 24, early in the evening, Mr. James S. Galbraith, Mr. Dallas and myself assembled at my office. At 9 p. m. we connected the in- strument and had all things in readiness to meet spirits Sumner and Shoemaker. A few minutes after this hour the instrument began to tick and gave us the following: "Good evening, gentle- men. Good evening, Mr. Galbraith. We hope you are all well and in your usual health. Charles Sumner, W. P. Shoemaker." To this message each of us orally replied: "Good evening,- gentlemen." We also informed them that we were glad to have them with us; at the conclusion the instrument resumed and said: "We assure you that we are ver3 r glad to be with you. We are glad to meet Air. Galbraith 508 death; the meaning and result. as a friend of Mr. Wilson. We are sure his ac- quaintance is our pleasure. C. S., W. P. 8." The instrument was silent for a few moments, then ticked off the following: "Gentlemen: In the first place we will give you the particulars of the enemy; how near the}' were discovering you. When Mr. Wilson left St. Augustine and came to Jacksonville on his way home, two spies of the enemy were at the Hotel Placide, Jackson- ville, Fla., the last Hotel to be searched, strange to say, and there they found } r our handwriting on the register. Now, on the same day some of them were in St. Augustine also, but could not find any trace of you there. They took the evening train to Jacksonville, meeting the other party at the depot. You will remember Mr. Wilson, going into the Pullman Car before the train was made up at Jacksonville. Your spirit friend, Harvey Mason, who was with }*ou at the time, impressed you to do so, and that alone saved you. From Jacksonville, Fla., they went back to Savannah, Ga., and while there were re- called to Bradford, Pa., as Mr. Dallas was seen there by others of the enemy. They know }-ou are both back to Bradford now, but cannot un- derstand our proceedings. They are sure you left Buffalo, N. Y. together and were together at several places along the route, but further than that they cannot get. The}' are determined how- ever, not to allow us to proceed with our work; they keep a closer watch on } r ou than ever be- fore. Charles Sumner, W. P. Shoemaker." death; the meaning and result. 509 After receiving the above message I replied orally:- "Thank you, gentlemen, for the infor- mation." A few minutes wait and the instru- ment then ticked off as follows: "As I cannot remain long I would ask a favor of you, Mr. Wilson, and that is to permit me to speak through you and give your friend Mr. Galbraith an idea of what I can do. Charles Sumner." I informed Mr. Sumner that I was happy to comply with his request and to proceed at any time. I was seated at the time and said noth- ing further. In a few moments I felt that pecul- iar sensation stealing over me so often describ- ed. I felt my own personality waning, going out as it were; as it receded I sensed approach- ing me another personality which soon control- led my organism, and as Wilson faded away so to speak, Sumner grew brighter until the imme- diate surroundings seemed to me to be illumin- ated with a brilliancy hard to describe. I was perfectly conscious of rising from a sitting posi- tion to a standing, I was conscious of talking but what I was saying J was not capable of noting at the time. When I became normal I found myself seated as before. In a few moments after gaining my equipoise I realized the fact that I had been psychologized. Mr. Galbraith looked amazed and finally said: "Well, Wilson, this is wonderful indeed; what eloquence, what profundity, what logic. I have never heard its equal." I apprised my friend Mr. G. that I was perfectly oblivious of what I said during my ab- 510 death; the meaning and result. normal condition. He thought that wonderful,, as it is, indeed. Soon after I had ceased speak- ing the telegraph instrument was again in mo- tion and said: "Dear brother, I thank you very much for submitting to the effort. Charles Sum- ner." To this I replied orally: "I am sure Mr. Sum- ner, you are very welcome. I am only too glad to serve you." To which he replied: "Thank you. Now I must leave you. Dr. Shoemaker and Mr. Mitchell will remain with you a while. Good night. C. S." Spirits Shoemaker and Mitchell remained after Mr. Sumner's departure and soon a general con- versation was in progress. Mr. Galbraith was acquainted with W. P. Shoemaker before he passed to spirit life, but not intimately. Soon Mr. Galbraith, speaking orally and spirit Shoe- maker using the telegraph instrument engaged in quite a lengthy conversation. Mr. G. does not understand telegraphy, but on this occasion Mr. Dallas read for him as the Doctor operated. After carrying this conversation on for some time the spirits bade us good night and departed leaving Mr. Galbraith, Mr. Dallas and myself, so far as I know, alone with no spirits present except our own. My friend Mr. G. expressed himself as wonderfully surprised Ipy what he saw and heard and remarked in substance that he had no doubt but that he had, for the first time in his life, stood face to face with spirits who once inhabited mortal bodies but had pas- death; the meaning and result. 511 sed through the transition called death. After discussing the events of the evening in a general way for some time Mr. Galbraith, Dallas and myself separated. The incident spoken of by Mr. Sumner in his message in regard to my boarding a Pullman Car at Jacksonville, Fla. on my way home, before the train for the north was made up, is correct. I was puzzled at the time why I should do so, as the Pullman Car stood alone and quite a distance from the depot. Note. On our way south Mr. Dallas and I stopped, as before noted, at Jacksonville, and on our arrival there stopped at the Hotel Placide, mentioned in the spirit's message, and we each registered assumed names on the hotel register. We tried to disguise our handwriting as much as possible and supposed we had succeeded ad- mirably, but it seems by the message of spirits Sumner and Shoemaker, that our spirit enemies were experts enough to identify our writing. On our arrival at St. Augustine we stopped at the Algonquin Hotel for a night and day, when as before mentioned, we rented rooms and left the hotel. Soon after we left the Hotel Algon- quin, before the time mentioned bj spirits Sumner and Shoemaker in their message, the Algonquin Hotel stopped business and closed its doors, the proprietor thereof moving to Chicago, 111. taking the Hotel register with him, in which Mr. Dallas and I had registered assumed names on our ar- rival there. This fact no doubt accounts for the inability of our spirit enemies to find any trace of us at St. Augustine. 512 death; the meaning and result. On May 13th we were expecting a visit from our friends in the border land, as on the 10th spirit Mitchell advised us by rapping telegraphy, that Dr. W. P. Shoemaker would visit us on this date and advised us to connect the tele- graph instrument with the battery. At 8 p. m. we connected the instrument as instructed and soon thereafter it began to tick and gave us the following message: "Good evening, John; good evening, Mr. Dallas. W. P. Shoemaker." We bade the Doctor good evening, and inform- ed him that we were glad to meet him again. The instrument resumed as follows: "I have but little to report to you this evening. Our position is at the same point as when we were here last. The enemy are keeping their eyes open and we can't do much of anything without their getting on to it. Prof. F. R. S. and Mr. Sum- ner are well and are getting on admirably. If you have any questions to ask I wish } t ou to do so now as all work for the present must be abandoned. W. P. S." After receiving this telegram I asked a few questions, of but little importance, however, to which the Doctor answered with his usual frank- ness. Among other things he advised Mr. Dallas and I to go to Lily Dale, N. Y. the latter part of the coming July or the first of August, for the reason that very likely our spirit friends could better communicate with us there than at Bradford. We informed the Doctor that we would go to Lily Dale about August 1st. Finally he bid us good night and was gone. death; the meaning and result. 513 On July 14th at 10:30 a. m. Mr. Dallas and I were sitting in my private office engaged in a general conversation, when we were interrupted by the familiar raps of our spirit friend Plum Mitchell. By rapping telegraphy he said: "Good morning, friends." We bade him good morning and he again started to talk to us in this way but after saying a few words and before finish- ing the sentence the rapping suddenly stopped. I asked Plum what was the matter and why he did not proceed with his rapping telegraphy, but to this no reply came. We waited a few min- utes and hearing nothing we concluded that something had gone wrong. We had been in- formed and our experience had proven the infor- mation correct, that we were surrounded by an opposing force catalogued as enemies, and that we were protected from their attacks by a wall of some kind built by our spirit friends around the rooms which we at this time occupied. After again making the effort to hear from Mr. Mitch- ell, and failing to do so, we concluded that the enemy had attacked the wall and perhaps suc- ceeded in gaining access to our rooms and pres- ence. While we were discussing this phase of probabilities, we heard raps, but knew from their sounds that they were not produced by spirit Mitchell. The raps began slowly but in- creased in their succession which suggested to us that someone, not familiar with rapping tele- graphy, was making an effort in that direction. This confirmed our suspicion or rather made it 514 death; the meaning and result. more certain that the "wall" had been penetrat- ed by the enemy. I said to the unseen spirit: "Are you a friend to Mr. Dallas and me?" The answer came in raps, "Yes." I then asked, "Is the wall broken?" Answer by raps, "Don'tknow." There was silence for a few minutes when Mr. Dallas suggested that very likely it was best to interrogate the spirit further. I then asked the question, "Can you tell us who you are?" An- swer in raps, "Yes." I then asked the spirit if he could employ rapping telegraphy to tell us his name. The rapping then became quite gen- eral and following each other in succession. It was very evident to us, that the spirit was mak- ing an effort to tell us who he was but could not succeed, and we were unable to, make any- thing out of it. Soon after this occurrence we left the office for dinner. We returned to the office in about one hour and on entering we heard the familiar rap of our friend Mitchell. He proceeded to explain the mystery of the forenoon. In substance he said that soon after he called at the office in the forenoon, and opened up a conversation with us a part of the "wall" about the rooms collapsed; that he had brought with him a friend of mine, but as he was about to inform me of the fact, the "wall" gave way and he hustled out to see the cause of the collapse; that in leaving so sud- denly he left in our rooms the friend he had brought with him; that the cause of the "wall" giving way, was a weakening thereof by Prof. death; the meaning and result. 515 F. R. S.'s experiments with it; that the break in it was repaired so soon that the enemy knew nothing about it. To this information I replied: 4 'All right, Plum, but you have not told me whom the friend was who was with you." He resumed: "W. L. Corbett, called Judge Corbett,. late of Clarion County, Pa." In reply to this I said: "Plum, can that be possible? I had not heard of Mr. Corbett's death. "Yes, he has been on our side only a few months." It was a great surprise to me to hear that Judge Corbett was on the spirit side of life. I knew Mr. Corbett very well in earth life, having practiced law at the same Bar with him, and who subsequently occupied the judicial bench in the counties of Clarion and Jefferson, Pa. Well r it must be so, as our friend Plum never misled or fabricated since our consort with him as a spirit. After some further conversation Mr. Mitchell bid us good day and withdrew. Note. I have said that I knew Judge Corbett very well. At the time I practiced law at the same Bar with him was in 1878-9. I was at that time located in Edenburg, Pa., ten miles distant from Clarion, the home of Mr. Corbett. He was also known at that time by my friend Plum Mitchell, then on this side of life and residing at Edenburg, Pa. Mr. Dallas did not know Mr. Corbett, never met him in life, and he tells me he never heard of him and did not know of the existence of a man by that name. As I have- stated before, Mr. Dallas and I spent the great- 516 death; the meaning and result. er part of the winter of 1895 in the South, which I think accounts for my not having heard of Mr. Corbett's death through material channels. Some time after being told by spirit Mitchell of Mr. Corbett's death, and that he had been on the spirit side of life but a few months, I chanc- ed to meet Mr. C. A. Lavens who knew Judge Corbett in his life, and I inquired if he knew of Mr. Corbett's death. He replied: "Yes, the Judge died some time early in 1895," but he could not tell the exact death. I subsequently wrote to a friend of mine in Clarion, Pa., and he informed me that Judge Corbett died January 5th, 1895, and as we were informed of his presence in spirit at my office July 14, 1895, and that he had been on the other side of life but a few months, turns out to be a true statement of facts, at the time unknown to either Mr. D. or myself. I have before stated that I had arranged an additional bed in my sleeping appartments for Mr. Dallas. Since that time he has been shar- ing my rooms with me. During the night of July 18th we had an experience worthy of note. I retired at this time as did Mr. Dallas about II p. m., each in usual health. Toward the fol- lowing morning, I shotild say about 3 a. m. I was partially aroused from slumber, sufficiently to realize that something was wrong with me and that I was in danger. In my half conscious condition 1 was not able to determine what the trouble was. I experienced a smothering sensa- tion, and had quite a difficulty in breathing, death; the meaning and result. 517 and the heart's action was similar to that caused by agitation following a fright or sudden excitement. I realized that I was in a bad way. I had never been afflicted in any way with heart trouble before. I sensed that it was necessary for me to arouse myself arid seek relief, and finally made a great effort and succeeded in becoming thoroughly awake. At first I thought my con- dition must be the effects of some hideous dream. I was not given to dreams to any great extent, and besides I could not recall a dream of any kind, much less one that would produce such an effect. Just at the time I became conscious of my surroundings, I heard a voice, or at least thought I did, which plainly said, "The Pope is here and at Dallas." I immediately got out of my bed and started over to the bed which Mr. Dallas was occupying, but before I got close enough to shake him he arose to a sitting posi- tion and said, "John, what is the matter with me, I can hardly breathe," and he began to rub his left arm and leg and further said, "My arm and leg have no feeling in them." I assisted him in restoring sensation to his limbs. I then told him what a time I had been having and what I had heard somebody say. We concluded that something out of the ordinar} r had been going on in our rooms. We dressed and repaired to breakfast both feeling much the worse for our experience. We heard nothing of our spirit friends until 3 p. m. at which time spirit Harvey Mason signified his presence by rapping and gave us 518 death; the meaning and result. the following message: "Don't be alarmed. All is well. The Professor laid a trap for the Pope last night and got one. Don't know what his name is. The Professor opened the wall, and the Pope rushed in and attacked both of you while you were asleep. Plum arrived in time to rescue you. All is well and in good order. I must leave you now. Plum will be here later. Good bye. Harvey Mason." At 10:30 p. m. we got this message by rap- ping telegraphy: "Good evening, John and Ed. I had a great time last night. Prof. F. R. S. laid a trap for the enemy by apparently remov- ing part of the wall surrounding your rooms. The opening was discovered by one who was a Pope on the earth side before passing over. The Pope rushed in, and before I could get in, after the wall closed, he had attacked both of you. I spoke to Mr. Wilson and got him aroused, and Dallas woke up. The pope was trying to strangle you and stop the heart's movement. He is a strong spirit and if he had not divided his time between you and centered his force on one, he would have ended the mortal part sure. The Pope is in our possession. I do not know how long we will hold him. It will teach the enemy not to get too fresh with our wall. Plum Mitchell." I thanked Plum for his coming to our rescue and thus saving us. I also asked him what Pope it was who had been thus trapped. He said he was not sure but thought it was Leo IX. After a little further talk Plum bade us good night. CHAPTER XXVI. At Lily Dale— Meet Spirits Mitchell and Mason— Spec- ial Meeting Arranged — Meet Spirits Shoemaker and F. R. S. — Cordiality Extended — Important Message — Directed by Spirit F. R. S— Comments on Trip South — Wall Stationed — Danger — Carefully Guarded by Spirits Mitchell and Mason — Comments on Assault — Trying Experiment — Advice Given — Hope for Success — Return to Bradford— Meet Spirit Mason— Special Meeting Arranged — Meet Spirits Sumner, F. R. S. and Shoemaker — Plan Changed — Dallas to Go to Buffalo, N. Y.— Wilson to Remain in Bradford, Pa.— Preliminaries — Efforts of Enemy to Ridicule Spiritists — Instructions — Messages From Spirits Sumner, F. R. S. and Shoemaker — Spirit Mason Expert Telegra- pher — Message Translated and Transmitted — Wall Opened— Visit by Strange Spirit— Wall Closed. Lily Dale, N. Y., August 25, 1895. Mr. Dallas and I came to this place from Bradford, Pa. on the first day of this month. We heard nothing of importance from our spirit friends since our last meeting, already noted, until this date. Oc- casionally, spirits Mitchell and Mason would signify their presence by raps. Yesterday Mason signified his presence by rapping telegraphy and 520 death; the meaning and result. informed us that on this day at 9:30 p. m., spir- its F. R. S. and Shoemaker would meet us at our rooms here, and instructed us to prepare the telegraph instrument as on former occasions for the meeting; therefore we were expecting to meet some of our leaders from the other side of life. At 9 p. m. we repaired to our rooms and invited James S. Galbraith to accompany us. We connected our telegraph instrument to a small battery fully explained heretofore. Soon after we had thus connected the instrument it was being operated by a spirit unseen by us at the time and gave us the following message: "Good evening, gentlemen and brothers. I am happy to grasp you by the hand once again. William Patterson Shoemaker." We all bade the Doctor, good evening and I said further: "Doctor, I am very happy to meet you again, and I know I can say as much for Mr. Dallas and my friend Mr. Galbraith.' ' A few minutes rest and the instrument was in motion and by spirit power gave us the follow- ing: "I am glad to be here among you. I hard- ly expected as much a few months ago, but our leader is ever on the watch for an opportunity to communicate to you. I expect F. R. S. here in a few moments. He will direct the important message you are to get this evening. I hope I find you as well as you look. W. P. S." In reply to this message we all assured the Doctor that we were well. A few minutes elapsed and again the instrument was being operated by death; the meaning and result. 521 the wonderful spirit Prof. F. R. S. and we received the following message: "Gentlemen: When last I met you, I did not expect to see you again so soon, but hard work and willing hands can ac- complish much, and through the aid and work of us all we are enabled to be together tonight. Many things have happened since we left the South last winter, and I will try and explain how matters stand with us at present. You know of the enemy finding out your absence from Bradford, Pa. and tracing you to Jackson- ville, Fla., and of your return home. It was not unexpected to me and I was prepared for such a turn of aifairs. Immediately on your re- turn to Bradford I stationed a wall around your building so that you could be free from the ene- my, but this did not prevent them from several times making an attack on the power which surrounded you. Several times you were in dan- ger of joining us over here, but I am pleased to say that to Plum and Harvey you owe much, for by their careful watching over you alone have you escaped. As I wished to save as much power as possible I made a number of experi- ments with the wall, and only to find that un- less the enemy gave me a clear coast I could not use it. "One day the thought came to me that I might lay a trap for some of them, so that a warning might be of use to them and their outlooks. Where the wall is weak I took away enough to make the room look transparent and the wall 522 death; the meaning and result. gone. At the time one of their leaders came along, and seeing the parting, entered. You were both asleep at the time, and recognizing you the gentleman tried to strangle you, but he was too anxious and in too much of a hurry so you both escaped. Plum was on the outside at the time and seeing how matters stood, rushed in and captured him. We took him prisoner, but through some fault he escaped, and it may be just as well, as we have all we can do at present to look after our own party. Now, that he is back among his Catholic friends and other ancients I trust that will be a lesson to them. I have an idea we will be left to ourselves now for some time. I find that the enemy have not given up the idea of doing all in their power to prevent us in our work, and they expect that you are now keeping together for that purpose. Dr. Shoemaker spoke to me some time ago about a proposal to go to Buffalo, N. Y., and he could help you some way in regard to business matters. Now, while I would like to see you both successful in business, I am of the opinion that it would be better to try and get along without our help. I believe that if you would both go to Buffalo and enter into some business determined on by you it would help us greatly. "If the enemy saw you had given up Bradford and taken up something new, I think that would end matters so far as they are concerned, while if you continue in Bradford they will still suspect us. They know we are able to see you at death; the meaning and result. 523 times, as Plum Mitchell was on hand so readily the night before spoken of in this message. Therefore, I would suggest that you leave Brad- ford and enter into a business where you could both have some work until I see how they take the move. I cannot say how long before our work will be recommenced, but at the furthest it will not take more than three years. I may say in conclusion that I am preparing a force which will wash them out of their position if at the end of that time the}^ maintain their present position. I thank Mr. Galbraith for the interest he has taken in our cause. He will not be forgotten by me in the future. F. R. S." After this long message without a break or interruption, operating the telegraph instrument seemingly with ease and dispatch, this wonderful entity unseen by us mortals, came to a rest, and the instrument became silent. A few minutes elapsed and then the following was ticked off: "Well, gentlemen, the foregoing is our mes- sage. It required a great deal of hard work and expenditure of energ}' to prepare for and give you what you have, but it is indeed a pleasure to us all to be able to to do as well as we have. F. R. S., W. P. S." At the conclusion of this message I replied: "Well, gentlemen, we mortals appreciate your great efforts and the results. We note carefully what you say, and thank you for the information and will consider and take your proposition under advisement." After some desultory talk between mortals and 524 death; the meaning and result. immortals, spirits F. R. S. and W. P. S. bade us good night and withdrew, and soon thereafter Dallas, Galbraith and myself separated. Bradford, Pa., September 17, 1895. Since returning here from Lily Dale, we have heard nothing of importance from our spirit friends, except on the 14th inst. at which time spirit Mason signified to us by raps that he was pres- ent, and by rapping telegraphy he informed us that spirits Prof. F. R. S., Hon. Charles Sumner and Dr. W. P. Shoemaker would visit us at my office on the 17th inst. and instructed us to have the telegraph instrument in readiness at 4:30 p. m. So on this day at the hour named, we were prepared for our expected visitors. After our preparations we had not long to wait, for as the hands of the clock pointed to the hour the instrument began to tick and in a vigorous man- ner, without break or interruption gave us the following message which Mr. Dallas wrote down, as it came to us: "September 17, 1895. To J. K. W. and E. D., Gentlemen: Since communicating with you at Lily Dale I have had Plum and Mr. Mason in the camp of the enemy. "We placed them there to learn if possible the enemy's intentions and plans if they had formed any, and to observe the attitude of their leaders in regard to your present position here in Brad- ford. After much labor and difficulty Plum return- ed and submitted a report which although expected by me places a somewhat different light on the present position occupied b} r them. death; the meaning and result. 525 "The investigation finds that they have taken your return to Bradford in a very suspicious manner, and they are looking closely for another move. They are of the opinion that you will not remain here long and are now forming plans to watch 3'ou as closely as possible. Now the position it places us in is this: If we follow the last plan suggested by us at Lily Dale, we are liable to enter right into their hands or trap of which we alone are aware. It is most import- ant that we should mislead them from the start, and if you both went to Buffalo that would not be doing so. Mr. Sumner, Dr. W. P. Shoemaker and myself have talked over the situation for several days, and at my suggestion, the follow- ing move is the only one we know of at present that can be carried out with safety to us all. " After the 24th or 25th of this month we will remove a portion of the wall surrounding this building, move just enough to admit the enemy to observe and hear your conversation. During the week following Mr. Dallas will make arrange- ments to leave Bradford for Buffalo, on a day which we will agree upon later, where he must locate for the present. He will take eve^thing that he possesses along, as he is not likely to return here. In Buffalo we will find him a posi- tion that will suit him, and something that will lead the enemy to believe that 3^ou have parted for good. ' 'There are two propositions we offer to Mr. Wilson: First— He can remain here in Bradford 526 death; the meaning and result. and we will help him to regain his business until such time as we deem it advisable for both of you to meet and remain together. Second — He can select some other city in which he wishes to do business. Of course the latter proposition would necessitate us building an additional wall, but that we are willing and able to do if the latter plan is adopted. I, myself, apart from C. S. and W. P. S. would prefer the first plan, as in my opinion going back as he does to his old business the enemy could not possibly discover our movements or plans. "Much as I know that you do not want to be separated, it is most important that this plan be followed, as the future of our work all depends on the retirement of the enemy from their present threatening attitude. During the week the wall is removed you can both act your parts, and as you in reality are parting this will not be difficult. As Mr. Dallas cannot find enough work in this city he has to leave for a larger city, and Buffalo is a good field for him to find work; this will be the substance of \-our conversation in the pres- ence of the enemy. After Mr. Dallas leaves we will close the wall again, or remove to the place determined on by Mr. Wilson. In the meantime we have a power surrounding you which will enable you to remain safe from the enemy, and this individual wall Mr. Dallas will take along with him to Buffalo, so he can rest assured that no advancement can be made upon him, or an}' bodily injury be attempted on him. We 527 will look after that part, and as to Mr. Wil- son, the same care will be taken of him. "Of course we cannot expect to communicate to you as often as we otherwise would, but in case of inportant information, we will have Mr. Dallas come to Bradford, or wherever J. K. W. is located, or J. K. W. go to Buffalo, just as the opportunity presents itself. Lesser news will be given by raps, but Ave will do as little com- municating as possible until we see how this plan will form out; and how long we will have to keep you separated will depend on methods employed by the enemy. We fully realize that these plans are not as you both would like them, but if ultimate success is to be obtained this is the best and at present the only method I know of. "As we told you early in the spring the enemy are at present trying to shake the confidence of the people by showing them that so-called man- ifestations are impositions, and I am sorry to state they are succeeding beyond my expecta- tions. They are responsible for most of the work done at Lily Dale this summer and other places of which you will learn later. They are bringing all the spare force at their command into play to ridicule Spiritists and their work before the pub- lic eye. Their success naturally encourages them to leave no obstacle unturned that will in any way help them, and we who have so much at stake must stand aside and see all this without daring to stop them in their damnable work of des- 528 death; the meaning and result. truction. Sometimes, gentlemen, I can hardly refrain from giving orders to our people to do battle with them before they go a step further, but I am only held back by that sense of duty which recognizes a false step towards attaining the end and goal of our work, but the day is coming and not far distant when over here this opposing force shall be swept away with- out mercy, and woe to any who shall dare ask it of us; it was better for him that he never was born of human or spirit life. Prof. F. R. S." After this message was given a few moments elapsed and then the following was ticked off: "So, this is our plan and you know just how the matter stands between you and us. Think it over carefully and we will return this even- ing about 9 o'clock Leave everything as it is until we come again. Charles Sumner." And then this message came: "Gentlemen, I will see you this evening so will reserve myself until that time. William P. Shoemaker." Mr. Dallas and I abided our time until 9p.m. at which time the telegraph instrument was again doing service and operated by spirit power and we received the following message: "Good evening, gentlemen: We are again with you only to discuss in a general way the plans and propositions contained in our message to you this afternoon. Prof. F. R. S., Charles Sumner, W. P. Shoemaker." We bade the spirits good evening and informed them that we were glad to have them with us, to which they replied via death; the meaning and result. 529 instrument: "We would like to ha\ r e each of you express your opinion to us in regard to our propositions. F. R. S." After receiving this message we engaged in a general conversation with the spirits in reference to the propositions and plans submitted by them and set forth in their message of the afternoon; the spirits using the instrument to convey their thoughts to us, and we speaking orally. We went over their plans and propositions carefully and after due consideration Dallas and I assented to them, realizing that we could only rely on our spirit friends to formulate plans to accom- plish the work which they had set apart to do. It was decided by us that Mr. Dallas should go to Buffalo, N. Y., and I would remain in Brad- ford, Pa. All the arrangements being thus com- plete our friends bade us good night and retired. Note. In this message the spirits refer to the demonstrations at Lily Dale, and that the enenry are responsible for what occurred there. During the season of 1895 at Lily Dale many mediums were exposed, and brought into disrepute by palming off fake demonstrations on credulous people, claiming that they were produced by spirit power, and thereby reflecting on Spiritual- ists and their philosophy. I have no doubt that this is what spirit F. R. S. referred to in his message. On the 21st of September, spirit Dr. Shoemaker signified his presence at my office and informed us by rapping telegraphy that spirit F. R. S. 530 death; the meaning and result. would visit us on September 23, at 9 p. m., and he instructed us to have the telegraph instrument in readiness at that time, so on this, the 23rd r we were in waiting for the Professor. At 9 o'clock sharp the instrument began to tick and gave us the following message: "Good evening, gentlemen: We thought best to give you a few more instructions along lines of plan as disclosed in our message of the 17th. Understand, you are not to see each other personally, after Mr. Dallas leaves here for Buffalo, until such time as we think it safe. As far as correspondence is concerned you can write each other with freedom, but don't send over one letter a week for the first three months. If Mr. Wilson should be in Buffalo on business, do not call on Dallas, unless you advise us first, and we will let you know when it is best to meet. On all other matters you are free to act as you think best. We will open the wall Wednesday morning at 6 a. m., and close it Monday, 30th, at 6 p. m. Go about your business as if nothing was trans- piring, and do as you were in the habit of doing" for the past months. Do not talk on the subject of Spiritualism much, but you may men- tion the failure of the work and the success of the enemy, in moderation. Have Mr. J. G. remain away from rooms until after Monday, when we will close up the wall again. J. K. W. can write him to that effect. "It is not necessary for Mr. Dallas to finish getting ready before the Avail closes, but he can death; the meaning and result. 531 prepare to that end and finish about October 3rd. He will leave Bradford between the 4th and 7th of October. We will give the date b} r raps after we close the wall. Mr. Dallas must not be anxious if we do not find him a position right away, but take matters as natural as possible. If Mr. Dallas wishes to leave Buffalo for a few days at a time be sure he lets us know first, so that we can follow, but it will not be necessary for Mr. Wilson to do so. This is all we have to say over the line, but Mr. Sumner and W. P. S. will come to you and answer any question you may have to put. F. R. S., by trans., Harvey Mason, opr. In about thirty minutes after receiving this message the instrument was again manipulated by unseen power as usual and ticked off the following: "Good evening, gentlemen: We hope we find you both well. Charles Sumner, W. P. Shoemaker." We bade Mr. Sumner and Dr. Shoe- maker good evening and the instrument resumed : "We came at the suggestion of Prof. F. R. S. to answer any questions you may wish to put in relation to his last message, or any explanation you may desire. Charles Sumner." After receiving this message we entered into a conversation with the Doctor and Mr. Sumner in reference to the contents of the Professor's message, we speaking orally and the spirits con- veying their thoughts by telegraph. After dis- cussing the subject for about one hour they bade us good night. Before they left, however, and 532 during our conversation I asked Mr. Sumner how Prof. F. R. S. managed to give us his last message, as by its wording I inferred that he was not with us at the time in person, and what was meant b}' the words following his signature, "by trans., Harvey Mason." Mr. Sumner replied in substance that the Professor was not in our presence at the time, but that an electric element answering the purpose of a wire had been established, at the furthest end of which the Professor manipulated the "break and make" of the circuit, to a position occupied by Harvey Mason, an expert electrician in spirit, who received the message from the Professor, in cipher, and stationed a few feet from our instru- ment; that on receipt of the message he trans- lated it to Plum Mitchell also a spirit tele- grapher who controlled the current of our instru- ment from which- the message was received by us. October 7, 1895. Since September 23 we have heard but little from our spirit friends. On the morning of September 25th the day on which, as we had been informed, the wall about our rooms would be opened, Mr. Dallas and I went about our routine of business in the usual way. About 10 o'clock of that day we heard raps loud and distinct, about the office. We paid no attention to the rappings, and conducted our- selves In a manner indicating that we did not hear them at all. We surmised that the enemy of whom we had been so often appraized, and death; the meaning and result. 538 especially on this occasion, were creating the dis- turbance. Occasionaly Mr. Dallas and I would engage in conversation with each other on com- monplace topics, during which the raps would come thick, loud and persistent, evidently for the purpose of attracting our attention. However, we paid no attention to them, and thus averted opening a conversation with our unseen visit- ors, which no doubt they desired to have us do. This same program was followed by us during September 26, 27, 28, 29 and until 5 p. m. on September 30, when the rappings and disturb- ances in and about my office created and pro- duced by that nrysterious and unseen force, ceased, and we heard nothing further from them. At exactly 6 o'clock and 10 minutes p. m., Sep- tember 30, we heard a familiar rap and recognized it as being produced by spirit Harvey Mason, and by rapping telegraphy he informed us that the wall was closed, and all intruders barred out. On yesterday spirit Shoemaker visited us and by rapping telegraphy he informed us that the day for Mr. Dallas to go from here to Buf- falo, N. Y. and take up his residence there until further ordered, was the morning of October 7. In pursuance of this arrangement Mr. Dallas left Bradford for Buffalo on this day. What will come of the move is hard to determine; whether a failure or success time alone will determine. Our spirit friends advise us that it is quite certain to be a success, but they are not infallible, and can only predict the future by 534 death; the meaning and result. reasoning from cause to effect. We shall wait and see. I am to remain in Bradford until further advised. CHAPTER XXVII. Important Meeting — Wilson, Galbraith, Dallas, and Spirits F. R. S., Mitchell and Mason Present— The Object — A Wonderful Message — Important Move — Ego After Passing Divide — Plan Disclosed — Dallas and Wilson to Separate — The Object— Outlook For Success — Instructions — Dallas to Leave Buffalo — Wil- son to Remain in Bradford — To Meet in Near Future — Powers to be Submitted — Its Effect — Revolution in Doctrines — Message by Spirit Shoemaker — What He Says — Great Confidence — Predicts Success — Dallas Leaves Buffalo — Settles in Portland — Message From Spirit Mitchell— Difficulties Arise— Delay— Spirit Von Helmholtz Joins Force — Complications Arise — Success Doubtful — Another W^onderful Message — Spirit Shoe- maker Directs — Climax Reached — Priests and Popery Proposition to Withdraw Resistance — Refused — Unable to Proceed — Failure Admitted — Cause Explain- ed — Leaders Enter College — Spirits' Leave-taking. Bradford, Pa., July 12, 1897. One year, nine months and five days have elapsed since writing the last item in this record. During this time Mr. Dallas had remained in Buffalo, N. Y., employed at his trade as jeweler most of the time. I have remained in Bradford, Pa. giving most of my > 536 death; the meaning and result. attention to the practice of law. We corres- ponded with each other but made no extended reference in our letters to each other, about the work to which to some extent we had engaged, under the direction of forces and individualities from the other side of the great divide. When we did refer to it in our correspondence it was in cipher known only to us and a small coterie of our spirit friends. We heard but little from our friends on the other side of life. If they were meeting with success or reverse we knew it not. Intercommunication was, to all appear- ances, conjested. On the 11th of this month (yesterday) I was advised by my spirit friends that the time had come to bring Mr. Dallas and me together for further instructions and advice and that Dallas would be in Bradford on the morning of July 12, and that our spirit friends would meet us at my office room at 8:30 p. m.; they also instructed me to connect the telegraph instru- ment with the battery as on former occasions and to have everything in readiness to receive a message of importance from them. True to my information Mr. Dallas arrived in Bradford today at 12 M. He came to my office imme- diately on arriving here, and at 8:30 p. m. we had everything in readiness to receive our spirit friends. During the meantime I had advised my friend, James S. Galbraith, of our intended meet- ing, and he was on hand for the occasion. At 7:45 p. m. our spirit friend and electrician signi- death; the meaning and result. 537 fied his presence by rapping telegraphy. He inspected the telegraph instrument, the way it was connected, tried the circuit and pronounced it O. K. He informed us that he was here for the purpose of assisting in telegraphing the mes- sage we were to receive, and informed us that spirit F. R. S. would be present at 8:30 p. m. Exactly at 8:30 o'clock the telegraph instrument began to tick being operated by that unseen force as on former occasions and gave us the following message: "Good evening, gentlemen: Glad to meet you all again. I see j^ou have things in readiness, and Plum and Harvey tell me that they have examined the instrument and connections and find them in good condition. F. R. S." We in turn bid the Professor good evening and assured him that we were glad to meet him again. Soon thereafter the instrument, operated in this won- derful way, ticked off the following message: "To J. K. W., J. S. G. and E. M. D. Gentle- men: We have brought you together on this occasion, as we are going to make a very important move at this stage of our preparatory work. During the interval of time that has elapsed since we first met we have remod- eled our plans and have now established new and more reliable methods of working with you. We have carefully submitted our future plan to the most searching examination by one of our highest intelligences over here, and the workings have been pronounced a complete sue- 538 death; the meaning and result. cess, both in the practical forms and in the advantages it gives us over the old system. "You understand, gentlemen, that when we first took up the work of demonstrating the truth to the world that the ego has a remark- able personality and future after passing the great divide, we took upon ourselves the task never before .attempted, on such a grand scale, by any large body of spirits and as we were amateurs in this direction, we could only cope with the points that appeared in our way as they were presented to us. But now we have studied up a theory which is well nigh impreg- nable, and with our past experience, should the enemy offer any objections to our going ahead, they would present a very sorry spectacle after we got through with them. Although we have the means at hand to destroy this force, we deem it best for several reasons to let them stand, as we have ascertained beyond all doubt that the leaders of the small minority now existing have thought better of their former opinions, and have given up the idea of retarding us. At any rate we are now ready to cope with them and will be ever on our guard. We are going to proceed with the utmost caution, as a careless move on our part might arouse their leaders from the distrait into which they have fallen, and as we do not care to come unnecessarily in contact with the Catholic ubiquitary force, we have de- termined on a course of action which has been selected by us after careful deliberation. death; the meaning and result. 539 '•III. In renewing our work with you both we desire that the surroundings will harmonize with our new method which Mr. Sumner and his able aids will submit to you when we are ready. We, therefore, have selected a site in Europe to bring our final issue to a locus. We now wish to separate you further apart be- fore coming together for good. We do this to enable you to meet at a given point from differ- ent localities without the acumen of the opposi- tion being aroused, and several other reasons which 3'ou will understand later. We have ar- ranged through spirit influence, that a college will be offered to you for your use, which has the proper surroundings for us and with the help of some of the most learned scholars in Europe we will develop you in the several phases set aside for each. This offer will come to you in such a manner that }-ou will easily distinguish the source from which it is derived, as I have some of my own personal friends at work, now in the body, preparing for this move, and when once you are established in what I know will be very agreeable quarters to you both we will commence the work of building up to the cul- minating point without any fear of retrogression or intrusion. We expect that in three months from the start we will have Mr. Dallas' powers established on a tinner and everlasting basis. Mr. Wilson will be operated upon by Mr. Sum- ner in one phase of mediumship only, while Mr. Dallas will have all his old powers developed he possessed before the break. 540 death; THE MEANING and result. "IV. After we have perfected you both it is our intention to submit 3-our powers to a com- mittee of Professors from a famous university who will test you in such a manner that no doubt will remain in their minds as to your ability of demonstrating that which they are in search of, which we know you can do. Your way will be clear and smooth, and through them you will reach the masses. We do not intend, however, that you will give public demonstra- tions for some time afterwards, as private calls will be more urgent and will establish a record which cannot be broken or doubted. I once gave a lecture in the college spoken of among many of my friends, some of whom are with us now, and as only one record still exists, and that kept private, I intend to repeat the same in order that a friend of mine may learn and understand. "V. This, then, is a faint outline of what you may expect in 1898, and by the opening of the new century a new faith will be universally ad- mitted. But this must suffice you for the mo- ment as particulars will be given 3^011 anon and you can rest assured that when the opportune day is at hand your instructions will be given you in such a manner that there will be no room for mistakes. Make no advancement towards this day unless advised through us, as we will see that plenty- of time be allowed 3 t ou to make the necessary changes. I would also mention the fact that Mr. J. S. G. could accompany 3-011, after y^our training is complete, so that some- death; the meaning and result. 541 one in whom we have entire confidence can act as your manager and attend to all business relations. We have no doubt but that you will be besieged on all sides when you are fully under wa} r , and a system must be decided on, early in the work. We have therefore given the prefer- ence to Mr. J. S. G. as he is one of us, but this offer must not be considered compulsory on his part, and may be acted upon as he may here- after decide. "VI. As we have but a short time left we de- sire Mr. Dallas to leave Buffalo without any un- due haste, and locate in some western city near the Pacific Coast for the balance of the time and there await our final orders. We will specify special location through Mr. Plum Mitchell be- fore he leaves Buffalo, as we have not decided what offers the best advantages to us. You. will be advised by D. from Buffalo, as he will not start for about three weeks. There are several points to be considered in so doing. Mr. D. can enter some kind of business in a small way in order that a sufficient sum be derived from it for his support, which can be dropped about the time we desire. The future work, gentlemen, will not only make you famous, but will place you far above the ordinary man in knowledge, wis- dom and riches, if you so desire. "VII. Let your correspondence be as limited as usual when Dallas is settled; you can use the same cipher as employed by you at present. Mr. Dallas, entering as he does a new alumni, 542 DEATPi; THE MEANING AND RESULT. will be able to progress in the preparatory work thus enabling us to gain time which otherwise would be lost if he remained in Buffalo, so we take this method which gives us the advantage in preference to any other. "VIII. 1 wish the conditions were such that we could introduce all of your friends, both old and new, at this meeting tonight, but you will understand that on such an important occasion the less we deviate from the normal lines the safer we are from intrusion. Mr. Sumner in- tended to accompany me here, but as we ap- proached the zonoic circle we found it best that I should come over alone. Plum Mitchell and Harvey Mason have so saturated themselves with the zoophyte at present surrounding you that they find no difficulty in overcoming the laws of spirit power, while any other spirit could find no access to such a metallic vivicatuaL "IX. We have worked for one month to create the effect here produced, and we can guarantee that while Mr. Dallas is in Bradford he is safe from the sight of any denomination of spirits that are around. This force has been invented by a prominent Professor in one of our colleges on our side of life, and were it understood by mortals, could be applied by man among men, but the force is of such density that extended over a long- period it would- produce an elaolite which we do desire to contend with, so that we will remove it as soon as it serves our purpose. Mr. Dallas can use ordinary liberties while here; you can be seen together with safety. death; the meaning and result. 543 "X. What there is in future for us all I am not at liberty to state, but ire can see the day at hand when your protocol will not only as- tonish the philosophic mind, but the masses in general will raise such a furor that a revolution may take place in mam- doctrines. We are ready to produce the cause and the effect remains to be witnessed by future generations. XL Our first experience resulted in a very fair issue considering the odds we had to contend with, but under our new laws we can extermi- nate any foreign opposition that may be offered. Since our last effort in this direction we have been joined by a class of spirits who have at- tained the highest sphere of perfection in the spiritual world. This force has the experience of years of time, and a gravity of power which will be of great benefit in future work. "XII. As soon as you have arranged matters for your parting Mr. Dallas can return to Buffa- lo, where final information for the completion of our plans will be given him by Plum Mitchell. You, gentlemen, remain in the same roittine of life as you have followed, and so let not any- thing said in this message influence you from the daily life in which you serve. But when the time comes, I know we can count on the ready action of the mortal material which we have selected from among the many. Serve us faith- fully, we can and will do what we say } and when your work is oyer on your side, ) r ou can enter into the everlasting glories and rest, 'stat mag- ni nominis umbra 1 for eternitr. 544 death; the meaning and result. "XIII. This then, is our message, given to you this 12th day of July, 1897. I have tried to be precise and pointed, a very hard feature in a long message. I had to consider three oper- ators, Plum Mitchell and Harvey Mason spirits, and E. M. Dallas mortal, and as the importance of such information is of vast import to get correctly. We have been careful and I think the foregoing expresses what we wish to convey to you in all particulars. We have taken this course which also gives you the privilege of interchange of thought and the pleasure of meeting once again. "XIV. Your good friend and leader, Dr. Shoe- maker, sends you all the love and respect one brother can have for another, also your noble leader, Charles Sumner, a man whom you may well be proud of. And now, wishing you all a pleasant Au Revoir, I will close trusting you will follow out our wishes in the same spirit as has been shown in your past. Prof. F. R. S." Sending operators, Receiving operator, "Plum Mitchell, E. M. Dallas. Harvey Mason." Bradford, Pa., July 13, 1897. During the in- terim from receiving the last message the instru- ment remained in the same position as when used at that time. I had, however, disconnected it from the battery. At 10 a. m. today Mr. Galbraith, Dallas and myself met at my office. Soon after our meeting we were discussing the wonderful message received on yesterday, when death; the meaning and result. 545 we were interrupted by spirit raps. They were familiar to Air. Dallas and I, and we readily recog- nized them as being produced by spirit Dr. Shoe- maker. He instructed us by rapping telegraphy to connect the instrument with the battery, which I did and gave us the following message: "Gentlemen: I have no doubt you are surprised at the message received from us through Prof. F. R. S. last evening, but we find that this move is the best under the circumstances, and we think the safest method. I am sorry to ask you to part once more, especially >at this time of the year, when we all would like to breathe the lovely breezes of Lily Dale, but the Professor has pointed out to us the advisability of this plan, and in the end it will be best for us all. I personall}- long for the day when we can get to- gether as of old, but we have not long to wait now. When the time arrives you can be assured that I, among the others, will be on top of the heap. "We have worked out our new methods very successfully, and I have great confidence in F. R. S. In fact the work has assumed such great pro- portions that we have given over the con- trol to the Professor and Mr. Sumner. Many new friends have joined us since I met you gen- tlemen last; their strength gives us more courage. We did not realize when we started in our small way what the result would be and perhaps it is best we did not, as the task at that time would seem impossible. But thanks to Prof. F. R. S.'s 546 DEATH; THE MEANING AND KESULT. unbounded success and management we are now on the high road to accomplish the end. I have given my entire attention to our plans, and we are ready when the opportunity arrives to go ahead as of old. All that the Professor has said in the message has our assent. I may say that most of the plans are complete or almost so now. Wil- liam Patterson Shoemaker, M. D." After receiving this message a general conver- sation was carried on by us mortals and the spirit Doctor, we speaking orally and he expres- sing his thoughts 03^ use of the telegraph instru- ment. He seemed to have great confidence in the outcome of the plan indicated by the former message. I had, before the Doctor signified his presence, in conversing with Mr. Galbraith and Mr. Dallas, expressed myself that it might de- velop that the Professor was over confident of the ultimate attainments set forth in his message, and 03- the tone of the Doctor's message I should judge it was, in part at least, for the purpose of stimulating my confidence in the ability of our spirit friends to accomplish what the3' had promised. The spirit Doctor and I, after the last message, had a long talk concerning this new move. He went over the plans quite in de- tail, and expressed himself as having the utmost confidence in the ability of our spirit friends to do all and more than thej- had said. The plans, as near as I could judge, were feasible, and know- ing Dr. Shoemaker so w T ell before he passed to spirit life and knowing him to be a man of honest, death; the meaning and result. 547 high and good purpose, and keen clear judgment and fully cognizant that his presence was before me as a spirit, maintaining his individuality and integrity, I believed what he said. We assured him that all instructions would be carried out to the best of our ability and our hope was for their ultimate success. Finally the Doctor bade us good day and departed. Bradford, Pa., September 1, 1S97. In pursuance of the instructions contained in the messages of July 12th and 13th last, Mr. Dallas left Brad- ford for Buffalo. I remained in Bradford. Dur- ing the last Aveek of July Mr. Dallas left Buffalo, N. Y. and started on his journey towards the Pacific Coast. I have heard nothing from our spirit friends since Mr. Dallas left Bradford, ex- cept being apprised of the fact that he had started west, but was not advised as to the site- selected for his sojourn, or that it had been de- termined upon. Bradford, Pa., February 10, 1899. One year,, six months and some days have elapsed since- we received the communications noted in the last record, from our spirit friends. Mr. Dallas,, by their direction, located in Portland, Oregon. During his sojourn there he has followed his trade- as jeweler, and also paid some attention to the study of optics. I have remained in Bradford,, following my profession in the practice of law. We have, now and then during the interim, heard from our spirit friends. They report that prog- ress along lines of their work is slow, that 31-S death; the meaning and result. many things have come up to hinder and delay. They express themselves, however, as confident of success. On February 10, 1899, I received the following communication given by my friend in spirit, Plum Mitchell, by telegraphy: **« RETURN EDUCATION-PSYCHOLOGY LIBRARY TO— ► 2600 Tolman Hal l 642-4209 LOAN PERIOD 1 SEMESTER ONE RENEWALS ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS 2-hour books must be renewed in person Return to desk from which borrowed DUE AS STAMPED BELOW ncrn wpAl ZZ' $3 "5 P* FORM NO. DD10 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY BERKELEY, CA 94720