The “Spirit” Known as “Katie King” appears in Blissfield.
Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, the Renowned “Mediums,” give a Seance.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANIFESTATIONS CONCERNING “KATIE KING.”
For the past six months the city of Philadelphia has been considerably excited over certain so-called “spirit manifestations.” Through the medium of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes, it has been said that the spirit forms of various departed persons have been so “materialized” as to appear to the senses of sight and touch of mortal eyes and hands. The principal spirit personage that attracted the attention of sceptics as well as believers in spirit manifestations, was one who calls herself “Katie King,” whose history is said to be a strange and eventful one. Up to the 21st of last May this same personage for about three years excited the literary and scientific circles of London. In that metropolis such precautionary measures were adopted, and scientific tests applied, by leading members of the scientific, legal and medical professions, as seemed to preclude anything like fraud. In London these manifestations took place through the medium of Miss Florence Cook. Immediately prior to the opening of the seances, the medium was done up with seals and cords, like a valuable express package, and placed in a dark closet or cabinet, that bete noir of sceptics. Here it is asserted she remained to the close of the seance, and so connected with conducting wires passing through the cabinet door from the electric machine, that her slightest movement was registered by the instrument. While in this condition it is said that the spirit form of Katie King appeared. She emerged from the cabinet, and walked and chatted freely time and again with the investigators and their friends. With the utmost readiness she submitted to every test necessary to the identification of her material presence, as well as the establishment of her supernatural character. She even went so far as to cut pieces from her clothing, and present to her earthly admirers, who submitted them to experienced London mercers, who, upon the closest examination, testified that the fabric was totally unknown to them. As above stated, on the 21st of last May, Katie gave notice that her mission in that place was ended, and that she was to step into
A HIGHER SPHERE.
Whether or not the “sphere” was a higher one, we cannot say, but the next heard of Katie King she was attracting much attention in Philadelphia, where she has been manifesting herself until quite recently, in a manner more emphatic and incomprehensible, if such were possible, than which characterized her appearance in the old world. Here for months through the medium of Mr. and Mrs. Holmes she courted investigations, and gave seances almost daily, and with newspaper reporter and sceptics as investigators, yet no fraud has been discovered.
HER APPEARANCE IN BLISSFIELD.
A short time ago Mrs. Holmes and her husband came to Blissfield to spend a few weeks visiting her sister, a Mrs. Lyon, who lives in that village. The two celebrated mediums have been resting very quietly there, for about two weeks. It is not strange that the presence of persons in a small place but not so as to obscure the view of surrounding objects. The singing was said to be for the purpose of harmonizing the influences. Our reporter kept his eye on the small openings in the cabinet for it was from them that he expected to see the first appearance of the residents of another world. He did not have to wait long for
THE SPIRITUAL APPEARANCE.
Follow us for Part 2