Truthful Tourists

1895

Note: The word "drummer" means a salesman.

REMARKABLE STORIES TOLD BY COMMERCIAL TRAVELERS.

An Account of the Tennessee Man's New Pair of Eyes Starts Them — Two of Them Relate Incidents About Severed Limbs That One Will Take With a Sack of Salt.

"Well," said a drummer to a group of his colleagues sitting around the lobby at the Continental hotel, "here's a great yarn. Have you read about the remarkable cure of blindness?"

"No; let's hear it," was the responsive echo.

The first speaker cast his eyes upon his newspaper and read as follows:

CHICKAMAUGA, Tenn. — A wonderful case that has greatly puzzled local doctors has just been published. About ten years ago Thomas Jingle, a well to do farmer, was suddenly smitten with blindness. His eyes were in such a horrible condition that a surgeon removed them, leaving a stump of each optic nerve in the socket. The poor farmer was disconsolate at first, but finally became reconciled to his affliction. One day last month he told his wife that he thought he could distinguish the glare of the lamp. Investigation proved that new eyes were gradually forming around the old nerve remnants. Since then his eyesight has gradually improved as his second set of orbs have developed, and the physicians who have investigated the case have no doubt whatever that he will be able to see as perfectly as before.

"This is a great country," said a drummer at the conclusion of the reading. "A glorious country! The effete monarchies of Europe couldn't begin to show such a marvelous case."

"I don't believe a word of it," said another. "It is nothing but a newspaper fake."

"Not so sure about that," said a commercial tourist from Chicago, "for I know of a case somewhat similar, the truth of which I can guarantee. An uncle of mine was crossing Wabash avenue some five years ago when he fell right under a cable car, and before you could say 'Jack Robinson' his right leg was cut off three inches below the knee. He lay for three months in the hospital, and when he was able to hobble about on a wooden peg he sued the railway company for $5,000 damages. The company paid the amount after considerable litigation. One day my uncle determined to get a new and improved artificial leg, but when he went to remove the old pin, which had served him as a temporary makeshift, he found it had grown tight to the bone. In fact, the flesh of the stump was beginning to grow over the wood, and the doctors said it would have to be amputated above the knee to remove it. He refused to submit to the operation. To his surprise he found that the flesh was gradually growing downward, assuming the shape of the original leg. In the course of a year his limb was entirely restored, the wooden stump taking the place of the original bones. The foot began to form, a little club footed, 'tis true, but perfect enough to kick with, and he now goes about as gracefully as you or I."

"That is really marvelous," said one of his audience.

"Yes," said The veracious narrator from Chicago, "the strange part of it is that the railroad company sued him for the recovery of the $5,000, claiming that, as the leg was restored, they were not liable to damages."

Great indignation was expressed at such smallness, after which a gentleman from Rochester took the floor. Said he:
"I can tell you a stranger tale than that, which I know to be absolutely true. Sam Revere, a friend of mine, was bitten in the arm right above the wrist by a rattlesnake last summer in the Rocky mountains. With great presence of mind he fastened a strap above the wound, and by pulling hard managed to stop the circulation of the poisoned blood. Then he jumped on his burro and galloped to town to see a doctor. It was high time! The hand and wrist were swollen to twice their natural size and were almost black. The doctor reached for his knife and instantly amputated the arm at the elbow. It was the only way of saving Sam's life. I felt sorry for the poor fellow, as he was engaged to be married, and that was the arm he did most of his hugging with. Well, Sam recovered, but though his lower arm was gone he complained of feeling an uncomfortable sensation where his wrist should have been. A month passed and still this impression clung to him. He felt a terrible pressure between the elbow and wrist of the missing arm, and at times the pain was so acute that he could not sleep. One day he determined to go back to the Rocky mountains and see the doctor who had performed the amputation.

" 'By Jove,' said the surgeon, 'I think I know what ails you!' They went out into the yard, where the doctor dug into the earth and after a short hunt brought up the amputated limb. The strap was still tightly closed over the flesh above the wound. The doctor made haste to unfasten it. 'Now,' he said, 'you can go home in peace. The pressure will not trouble you again.' Sam went home satisfied and has never felt the slightest inconvenience since."

"How do you account for that?" asked a drummer from Boston.

"I don't know. Spiritualists say that the spirit takes the exact form of the human body, limbs and everything, and it is possible that when a limb is cut off the spiritual counterpart remains with the bulk of the body, but still retains a certain consciousness of what is happening to the severed member." — Philadelphia Times.

Personal Notices – Mediums and Spiritualists, Dallas, 1929

1929

MRS. LIVINGSTON, spiritualist adviser; advice on affairs of life; no one turned away, money or no money. 2702 Bryan 7-2773.

MADAME SIERRAS — Do you find with all your natural gifts and talents that you are baffled, discouraged and unsuccessful? If so, call 506 South Harwood. 7-6482.

AMBITIOUS Young Men — I need you to fill responsible and big pay positions. $100 per week and upward to those that will prepare themselves by my short personal instructions in applied psychology. Come in, let's talk it over today. Prof. Fahrbach. Birdwell hotel, 6 to 9 p. m.

MYSTIC Tea Room. 105 Stone, announces the return engagement of the "FAMOUS ZEMAR," with the "RADIO" mind. Short engagement.

MME. RITA ARABIC, Reader, 300 N. Peak. 8-3995. Life Readings daily.

SPIRITUAL MEDIUM — READING
Satisfaction guaranteed or no charges.
Hours 9 A. M. to 10 P. M.
Mrs. White, St. George Hotel. 2-2494

MRS. CARLOTTA, spiritualist, reads your life like a book without asking questions; advisor business, marriage, love. 2110 Live Oak. 7-5238.

MRS. C. SAUNDERS, Spiritualist. If troubled or worried, visit this gifted lady, she can help you. 1515 S. Ervay. 7-4704.

CONSULT Mme. Virginia, spiritualist medium. Readings daily. 702 N. Harwood.

MME. LEE, phenomenal medium, tells everything, asks no questions. 3011 Bookhout, one block west Maple Terrace. Fairmount ear. 2-4292. Appointments.

J. F. FELLERS, the gifted healer, has cured many when all else has failed. Trial will convince you. 4617 Garland. 3-5203.

DR. JAMES, spiritualist, recently located 88-year-old father (can give name), Dallasite, lost 38 years. Sunday readings two for $1. 2204 Ross. 7-3427.

—The Daily Times Herald, Dallas, TX, Jan. 1, 1929, p. 12.

Note: The name "Zemar" was missing the "E," so maybe some other letter went there, but in one of my copies of the ad (and these are all bad), it looked sort of like an "E." One other word "spiritualist" was misspelled in one ad, changed here.

A Two Day's Bride Insane

Kansas, 1879

July 13 — Mr. Oliver Mottier was joined in matrimony with a very estimable young lady of Williambury. On Tuesday, the 15th, only two days after her marriage, she became a raving maniac.

The first indications had of anything being wrong was her going into a trance, similar to that of a spiritual medium. Her talk appeared to be entirely with Minnehaha, or about her, she having previously read about her, then there appeared to be a struggle between Minnehaha and another, a male Indian, to get possession of her mind; the latter succeeding, she commenced going through the war-hoop and yells, and all other maneuvers incident to Indians starting out upon the warpath.

This part of the sad scene having come to an end, her ravings day and night were of a very promiscuous character, but showed very little symptoms of vicious or profane temper. Her father informed us that she had not been in the habit of reading or studying Spiritualism, and knew comparatively nothing of the subject. The woman was brought to Ottawa on Monday, where she was declared insane, and ordered to the Ossawatomie Asylum. — Ottawa Gazette, Kansas.

A Printer's Apprentice Who Can't Spell

Humor, 1874

A printer in Glasgow was sadly bothered with an apprentice who could not, or would not, be initiated into that portion of grammar which treats of the proper disposition of letters in words. One day he presented such a shockingly inaccurate proof as made his master, after starting with amazement, take the spectacles from off his nose, and give the ill-disposed "devil" the following recipe:
"My man, just gang hame the night, and tell your mither to boil Fulton & Knight's Dictionary in milk, and take it for your supper, as that seems the only way you'll ever get spelling put into ye."



Complimentary

A lumbering old stage-coach, that plies between two inland towns, is called Noah's Ark. The other morning a pompous traveler yelled at the driver, who had got under way, to "hold on."
"Do you want to get into the Ark?" asked the driver.
"Yes," said the traveler.
"Hurry up, then," was the response, "for we've all the animals aboard already except the donkey."



What does man love more than life,
Hate more than death or mortal strife;
That which contented men desire,
Which poor men have, and rich require?
The miser spends, the spendthrift saves,
And all men carry to their graves?
Nothing.



A young couple were sitting together in a romantic spot, with birds and flowers about them, when the following dialogue ensued:
"My dear, if the sacrifice of my life would please thee, most gladly would I lay it at thy feet."
"Oh, sir, you are too kind! But it just reminds me that I wish you'd leave off using tobacco."
"Can't think of it. It's a habit to which I am wedded."
"Very well, sir; since this is the way you lay down your life for me, and as you are already wedded to tobacco, I'll take good care you are never wedded to me, as it would be bigamy."



Don't quarrel with a spiritualist. He can always turn the tables on you!


What fish is most valued by a loving wife? Her-ring.

The Head Doesn't Belong In Heaven

Editorial, 1922

One of the members of the National Spiritualist Association, which has been holding its annual convention in Chicago, gives information quite as interesting and definite as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's concerning the other world. The particular value of this most instructive information is that it authentically describes what we might call spiritualization.

Most of us are too little advised regarding the spirit world. Disappointed as we sometimes are, and even despondent, we are in no hurry to look beyond the grave until we get there, and we are, in our opinion of absolute sanity, in no sanguinary haste to go there.

Now, this scientist of spiritism explains that the feet become spiritualized first, and are the part of the body first to enter heaven. The head is spiritualized last, and, of course, arrives in heaven a yard or two behind the feet.

Another spirit scientist expresses confidence that there are golf links and base ball diamonds in heaven. He argues that it is natural that a person who takes interest in a sport for ten, twenty or more years should retain his interest in that subject after becoming a spirit. From this we may imply that there will be free cigarettes, ice cream, and, perhaps, movies in heaven.

It strikes us as being most unfortunate that the great majority of us finds it to be impossible to obtain facts about the spirits and their world. And then, besides, we don't seem to be rational enough to accept and understand plausible revelations when they are offered to us.

Isn't it somewhat foolish to keep on working, and planning, and thinking, and taking old inspirations on faith, when we could, at will or by profession, practically enter the spirit world? We set such sublime and fond store on what we recognize to be sacred teachings about the other world — yet we could, if we could, obtain authentic and up-to-date knowledge from lights and shadows, which according to their own assurances, are denizens of the spirit world.

No wonder that spiritism scientists tell us that the head is spiritualized last. The wonder is that the head can be spiritualized at all. If there is infinity in the spirit world of modern spiritism, the head does not belong there. If there is anything that the human brain cannot understand it is the infinite, the infinite being supernatural, and the head does not belong in an environment which it is incapable of appreciating.

The average head fully realizes its limitations. This is why it is predisposed to be guided by inspiration concerning the other world. It rests in security on faith.

—The Monessen Daily Independent, Monessen, PA, Oct. 23, 1922, p. 2.

Alchemy, Spiritualism, Ghosts, Ectoplasm; Sharing the Secrets

1922--

LINKS THE ALCHEMIST WITH THE SPIRITIST

Ancients' 'First Matter' May Be the Mysterious Ectoplasm of Today

CAMBRIDGE. Mass., April 14-(By the Associated Press)-"It seems quite possible that the great secret of the ancient alchemist -- the nature of 'first matter' -- is the ectoplasm of the modern spiritist," said S. Foster Damon, a graduate student at Harvard university, in an interview today. Mr. Damon was named by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as the man who had established the fact that the Alchemists were familiar with ectoplasm, described by spiritualists as a combination of matter and ether emanating from bodies of mediums, which makes possible spirit manifestation.

LITERARY RESEARCH

Explaining that he was speaking only of the results of literary research, Mr. Damon said he had never personally seen the material and had never attended a seance, but that a study of the writings of the alchemists had convinced him that the ancients were familiar with estoplasm.

"There is a striking parallel between the experiments of the modern spiritists and the alchemists," Mr. Damon said.

"This old school of thought, whose writings were published for centuries and whose secret was never officially given to the world, has interpreted in several ways but never satisfactorily. Few believe now that the alchemists were really attempting to make gold. In fact, they themselves issued many warnings against being interpreted literally.

NEW SCHOOL APPEARS

"About 1850 a new school of interpretation appeared which claims that the alchemists were mystics endeavoring to unite the soul with God. This school still has numerous followers, but they cannot explain what the alchemists were doing in the laboratories.

"That alchemy was concerned with physical things is obvious since modern chemistry developed from it. On the other hand, the alchemists were certainly concerned with metaphysics.

"Spiritualism may well furnish the link between the altar and the laboratory. Of spiritualism, I know nothing, but I could not fail to be impressed by the literary parallels between its writings and the works of ancients.

"The great secret of the alchemists centered about a substance which they commonly called the 'first matter or mercury.' To find this substance, which they distinguished from common mercury, was the first and most important step in their art."

"Too many persons," Mr. Damon said, "have insisted that they have seen, handled and analyzed ectoplasm for us to believe that it was anything intangible. On the other hand," he added, "chemists have found nothing remotely resembling it.

"It seems quite possible that the secret of the alchemists was estoplasm.

"I base this identification," Mr. Damon continued, "upon the many photographs and descriptions published by Mme. Alexander Bisson and Dr. A. Freihern Von Schrench-Notzing. Considering the obscurity of alchemistic symbolism, it is possible that no interpretation satisfactory to every one would be reached, but if so the ancient and modern investigators are certainly making the same mistake."

--The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden City, Utah, April 14, 1922, page 7.

Seance Features Conversation With Woman Dead 30 Years

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1920--

SPIRIT MEDIUM HELD SEANCE HERE LAST NIGHT

Mrs. Eva Middleton of Davenport, spiritualist, gave local followers of the cult something to think about last night when she gave a trumpet reading at the Jadwin home in South Ninth street, west. The most interesting event of the evening, say some of those who were present, was conversation., through the medium and a girl named Rose who has been dead thirty years. There was a woman present who had been a close friend of the girl during the childhood days and she recalled to the women many things that happened between them, it is said.

--The Evening Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, September 14, 1920, page 12.

Marriages In Heaven, Says Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

1922
----------
MARRIAGES IN HEAVEN SAYS SIR CONAN DOYLE

NEW YORK, April 10.- There are marriages in the spirit world, but no births, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said today.

The celebrated English creator of "Sherlock Holmes," who has come to America to lecture on matters psychic, made this statement, in giving reporters a more intimate view of the next world as he conceived it than on his arrival yesterday on the steamer Baltic.

Marriages, he said, were on a higher level than in this world. They constitute the mating of affinities and always continue happily. Indeed, he said, there was a very complex form of society of the world hereafter.

Sir Arthur said that the great agreement among spirits of various nationalities as to life in the spirit world will be one of the strongest proofs of the existence of such life. He added that the spirit world was all about us but that it was expressed in colors and sounds which our senses were too gross to understand.

Sir Arthur said that some ministers taught that it is hard to get into heaven, but a normal, decent person could not keep from going there after death.

Asked about a suicide, Sir Arthur said that no one could force the hand of providence, and that a suicide would have to bear in the spirit world the trouble that had caused him to end his life.

He said that the object of life was to spiritualize ourselves and that riches and successes here did not count against that.

Some Stumbling Blocks

Climatic conditions are one of the stumbling blocks in the path of mediums, declared Sir Arthur.

Expressing the belief that all could become mediums if the talent were developed, Sir Arthur said that it was through ectoplasm that conversation with the spirit world was conducted.

"Ectoplasm," he explained, "is a substance emanating from the medium. At first it is a vapor or gas, which becomes glutinous or puttylike, and in that state can be felt.

"I have felt it myself; it can be photographed. I have a number of photographs.

"It has been analyzed by Dr. Schrenck-Notzing in Germany and by Parisian scientists. It has been found to contain phosphates, carbonates and sulphates, and some other substance undetermined.

"It is only on ectoplasm that a spirit can materialize. A spirit passing through it becomes visible to the medium. I saw my mother's face in the ectoplasm following her death a few months ago. There is not the slightest question about that. It was while I was in Australia. The face seemed as solid as in life."

--Nevada State Journal, Reno, Nevada, April 11, 1922, page 5.