CHARACTER OF THE NARRATORS.
To any one who has a fair knowledge of human nature, a glance at the line
pictures of the gentlemen who participated in the events with which this
book deals will tell that they are men of character and keen observation.
In San Francisco and throughout the West many of them are as well known as
the Governor of the State.
Their names need no introduction, and since they have been representative
men for many years it is not necessary to say much about them. For the
benefit of persons who know nothing concerning them, however, the
following information is submitted:--
PATRICK CROWLEY, Chief of Police, was born in Albany County, New York, on
March 17, 1831. When quite young he went to New York and worked in
different printing-offices. He came to San Francisco in 1850, and worked
in the mining-camps for two or three years. He was engaged in the boating
business here, when in 1854 he was elected to the office of Town Constable
on the Democratic ticket. He was re-elected on the same ticket in 1855,
and from 1856 he was re-elected every two years on the old People's Party
ticket till 1866, when he was elected Chief of Police. He held that office
by election for six years, when he quit the force and went into the
brokerage business. In 1878, by an act of the Legislature, the Board of
Police Commissioners received the power to appoint the Chief of Police.
The office was tendered him, and after considerable pressure he
reluctantly accepted it, as he was making an excellent living at his
business. He held the office by election or appointment for twenty-four
successive years. His wide experience with criminals, bunko-men, and all
sorts of tricksters gave him excellent training and amply fitted him for a
thorough inspection of all that was done during the seances. In fact, it
was his boast at the beginning of his sitting with Dr. Schlesinger that he
had helped to trap the Eddies and other disreputable mediums, and that he
would soon expose the fraud in the case in hand.
WILLIAM S. BARNES, son of the eloquent and famous General W. H. L. Barnes
(known all over America as the greatest living after-dinner orator, and
known all over the United States as a Republican orator), is a graduate of
Harvard and a man of fine legal attainments. He is one of the most
prominent Native Sons, and is famous for his shrewdness as Prosecuting
Attorney for the great City and County of San Francisco. It was he who
prosecuted and convicted Theodore Durrant in one of the most marvelous
criminal cases of the century. He was also the star lawyer in the
prosecution of the great Sydney Bell footpad case. Mr. Barnes was the
organizer and president of the Association of District Attorneys of
California; is an active member of California Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M., a
member of the Pacific-Union Club, also of the Union League, of which he is
one of a committee on political action, of the Juarez Manufacturing
Company, of which he is President. Thus his mastery in the legal
profession is no less equaled in his social and business associations.
Attorney CHARLES L. PATTON is Grand Master of California Masonic
fraternity, and is a gentleman of the highest personal and professional
character. He was a strong competitor against Mayor Phelan, and was
chosen by the Republican party a few years ago as the best candidate
against the present (1900) Mayor of the city. Mr. Patton is a man of much
erudition and wide experience with men and books. He, like all his
associates, and like the writer of this book, was and is a skeptic
regarding the truth of so-called spiritual phenomena. His account speaks
for itself.
Mayor L. R. ELLERT is a man of legal attainments and of wide business
interests. He was a popular reform Mayor, and was in office at the time of
the occurrences narrated. He is to-day one of the best-known and most
highly respected lawyers and business men of San Francisco. For many years
he was a skillful pharmacist, and his wide knowledge of drugs and
physiology was useful in the attempted solution of the various problems
presented by the medium.
Judge ROBERT FERRAL is the warhorse of Democracy, and one of the Nestors
of the California bar. He made some of the most spirited races ever
entered upon for Congress, and polled the largest vote ever known for an
unpopular political party in the old days. As a judge and criminal lawyer
of wide experience, as well as by reason of his unexcelled literary
attainments and extended experience in the science of hypnotism and
kindred phenomena, the Judge was an invaluable spectator and participant,
especially as his native wit usually enables him to see through many
things that puzzle other men. Here, however, he stood dumbfounded.
Dr. R. E. BUNKER is a regular physician of high reputation and personal
standing. He was at the time of the matters recorded in charge of the City
Receiving Hospital, and was considered one of the most careful and
competent observers at the seance. Like all others named, Dr. Bunker's
word is absolutely above reproach, and there is not a more competent man
in the country.
THEODORE F. BONNET was at the time of the seance a reporter for the _Daily
Report_. He was afterwards elected to the important position of License
Collector, and is now editor and owner of _Town Talk_. This is one of the
best weekly papers in the United States, and its success dates from its
purchase by the gentleman named. Mr. Bonnet is an Elk of high standing,
and a man of good family and social position. In addition to all these
facts, it should be borne in mind that his long training as a reporter
fitted him in a peculiarly advantageous way for the duties of trying to
detect what was done by the medium.
H. H. MCCLOSKEY was a casual visitor at the seance, being the guest of
District Attorney Barnes. Mr. McCloskey was at the time a resident of
Merced, and was a prominent lawyer and politician. He was also a
Republican State Central Committeeman and was considered one of the ablest
of the party. He is to-day a well-known San Francisco attorney. His
account of the seance explains just what occurred.
These facts, with some of the pictures, will give the reader an idea of
the men whose narratives he has doubtless read with pleasure.
In conclusion, it should be remembered that this book is sold by the
publishers only. It will be sent to any address for fifty cents. If you
have enjoyed reading it, recommend it to the next friend you meet.