[Illustration: Mrs. Margaret Fox]
THE MISSING LINK
IN
MODERN SPIRITUALISM.
BY
A. LEAH UNDERHILL,
OF THE FOX FAMILY.
_REVISED AND ARRANGED BY A LITERARY FRIEND._
NEW YORK:
THOMAS R. KNOX & CO.,
(SUCCESSORS TO JAMES MILLER,)
813 BROADWAY.
1885.
COPYRIGHT, 1885, BY
A. LEAH UNDERHILL.
TROW'S
PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY,
NEW YORK.
Dedication.
TO MY HUSBAND,
DANIEL UNDERHILL,
WHO,
BEFORE I HAD OTHER CLAIMS THAN THOSE OF TRUTH AND RIGHT,
NOBLY SUSTAINED ME WHEN OLDER FRIENDS WAVERED,
THIS NARRATIVE IS DEDICATED,
NOT LESS GRATEFULLY THAN LOVINGLY.
EDITOR'S PREFACE.
The author of this volume, having written it from time to time, from
her recollections and documentary materials, which include bushels of
letters--but unwilling to commit it to the press in the disjointed
condition which was a natural consequence of her own want of much
practice of the pen--did me the honor of requesting my aid in revising
and arranging it for publication. Her honesty and sincerity of character
have caused her to insist upon a preface to that effect. Though deeming
this a superfluous scruple on her part, I am induced to comply with her
wish for a different reason; and that is, the opportunity it affords of
bearing my testimony to the remarkable accuracy of her memory and of her
truthfulness, as those qualities have proved themselves throughout the
intimate intercourse of many weeks, during which she has often had to
repeat the same recollections of facts and incidents, under what was
almost legal cross-examination, without ever the slightest variation in
their details, and without ever allowing anything to pass which might
be in the least degree tainted with inaccuracy or mistake. As she is so
well known to so many friends, it is superfluous for me to express on
this page, which will meet her eye for the first time in print, the
high and affectionate esteem and respect with which that intimate
intercourse, with all its opportunities for observation and judgment,
have inspired the
EDITOR.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION 1
CHAPTER I.
HYDESVILLE 5
"Mysterious Noises" heard in the House of John D. Fox, in
Hydesville (Town of Arcadia), near Newark, Wayne County,
N. Y.--Statements of Witnesses.
CHAPTER II.
HYDESVILLE (_Continued_) 20
The Last Digging in the Cellar--Mob Antagonism--Noble
Friends--Experiences and Theories--Antecedents of the
House--Franklin.
CHAPTER III.
ROCHESTER 30
My First Knowledge of the Matter--Hasten to Hydesville--Rapping
on a Canal Boat--Experiences--Mother Comes to Rochester--Calvin
Brown--Devious Route of Projectiles Up-stairs from Cellar to
Garret--A Death-knell Sounded all Night on the Keys of a Locked
Piano.
CHAPTER IV.
ROCHESTER (_Continued_) 47
Ventriloquism--"Proclaim these Truths to the World"--The Call
for the Alphabet--Voices in Raps--God's Telegraph between
the two Worlds--An Eviction--Committee of Five--No Money
Accepted--Improper Questions to Spirits--"Done"--Struggle
against the "Uncanny Thing"--Benjamin Franklin.
CHAPTER V.
ROCHESTER (_Continued_), November, 1848 57
Light Articles made Immovable--The Coffins--Adieu of the
Spirits--Their Return--First Steps toward Public
Investigation--"Hire Corinthian Hall"--First Committee of
Investigation--Second--Third or "Infidel" Committee--Behavior
of a Great Dining-table--The Tar and Torpedo Mob.
CHAPTER VI.
MEDIUMISTIC VEIN IN OUR FAMILY 74
Some Family Antecedents--Our Great-grandmother--Phantom
Prophetic Funerals--Vision of a Tombstone Nine Years in
Advance, etc.
CHAPTER VII.
MEDIUMISTIC VEIN IN OUR FAMILY (_Continued_) 89
Marvellous Writing by a Baby Medium.
CHAPTER VIII.
ROCHESTER (_Continued_) 100
"Repeat the Lord's Prayer"--First Money Accepted--Muscular
Quakerism--Letter from George Willets--Letter from John E.
Robinson--Caution against Consultation of Spirits about
Worldly Interests.
CHAPTER IX.
ALBANY AND TROY. 1850 115
Excursion to Albany--Delavan House and Van Vechten
Hall--Rev. Dr. Staats and the Judges--High Class of
Minds Interested--President Eliphalet Nott--Pecuniary
Arrangements--Excursion to Troy--Trojan Ladies--Mob Attempts
on Life of Margaretta.
CHAPTER X.
NEW YORK. 1850 128
"The Rochester Knockings at Barnum's Hotel"--Hard Work--Our
Visitors--A Poisoned Bouquet--Hair of the Emperor
Napoleon I.--Hair of John C. Calhoun--Investigation at
Residence of Rev. Rufus W. Griswold, by the Leading Literary
Celebrities of New York.
CHAPTER XI.
RETURN TO ROCHESTER 142
Letters and Newspaper Articles Respecting our New York
Campaign--Letter from Amy Post--Letters from John E.
Robinson--Article from a Sunday Newspaper--From the New York
Day-Book--Letter from Dr. C. D. Griswold--Letter from Jacob
C. Cuyler--Article by Horace Greeley--Poem from the Sunday
Dispatch.
CHAPTER XII.
BUFFALO. 1850-51. 165
Urged to Return to New York--Visit to Buffalo--Attempt by a
Pretended Friend to Frighten us Away--Thunderbolt from the
Buffalo Commercial Advertiser--The "Females"--Knee-joint
Theory--Our Reply Challenging Investigation of it--The
Doctors' Day--Mrs. Patchen's Peculiarity.
CHAPTER XIII.
BUFFALO (_Continued_) 179
Investigations upon Investigations--A Meeting at the Phelps
House--Manifestations with Bells, etc.--Mr. Albro's Report--A
Death Scene--Letter from Me to the Commercial Advertiser, and
how I forced its Insertion--Article from the Buffalo Daily
Republic--Letter from Mr. Greeley--Mr. E. W. Capron--Departure
from Buffalo.
CHAPTER XIV.
BUFFALO (_Continued_) 197
Letters from John E. Robinson and Welcome Whittaker.
CHAPTER XV.
EXTRACTS FROM D. M. DEWEY'S HISTORY 206
Letters from Rev. Charles Hammond and John E. Robinson.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE OHIO CAMPAIGN 219
Return to Rochester--Attempted Burglary--Summons to
Ohio--"Rev." C. C. Burr--"Toe-ology"--Gold Medals and
Jewelled Watch--First Public Speech--Committee Investigations
as usual--Calvin's Illness, and henceforth Mrs. Brown--First
Spiritual Convention.
CHAPTER XVII.
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS CONNECTED WITH THE OHIO CAMPAIGN 231
N. S. Wheeler--E. S. Brownfield--Chillicothe Committee--Charles
F. Whippo--M. L. Wright--D. A. Eddy--Extracts from the
Press--"A Fair Challenge from Mrs. Fish" and Sequel--Columbus
Committee--D. A. Eddy--M. L. Wright--Interesting Letter from
Dear Amy Post--Article from the Cleveland Plaindealer.
CHAPTER XVIII.
NEW YORK CITY, FROM JANUARY, 1852 250
Competing Claims upon Us--Decision in Favor of New York as
Residence--Death of Calvin R. Brown--Remains Removed to
Rochester for Burial--Personal Friendships--Alice and Phoebe
Cary--Course of Test Experiments at Dr. Gray's--The Monday
Evening Circle--Rules of Séances.
CHAPTER XIX.
NEW YORK CITY (_Continued_) 269
Our Brilliant Success with the Superior Intellectual
Classes--Whiskey at Washington--Cognizance of Domestic
Secrets--Discomfiture of Anderson, "the Wizard of the
North"--Remarkable Experience with a very Notorious Person.
CHAPTER XX.
PHOSPHORUS 282
Spirit Lights Visible at Dark Séances--Private Circle in Jersey
City in 1857--Solid Granules of Phosphorus Appearing in Earth
which I had Touched--Surprising and Distressing Letter--The
Good Spirits and Daniel Underhill to the Rescue--Benjamin
Franklin--Marriage to D. Underhill, November 2, 1858, and
Close of my Public Mediumship--Analogous Phenomena in Private
at Home.
CHAPTER XXI.
BOSTON AND THE HARVARD PROFESSORS, 1857 297
Agreement for an Investigation by a Committee of Harvard
Professors--Expulsion of a Student from the Divinity School for
the Crime of Mediumship--Professor Felton--Agassiz--Varley,
the Electrician of the Atlantic Telegraph Company.
CHAPTER XXII.
BOSTON AND THE HARVARD PROFESSORS (_Continued_) 312
Disinterested Judgments upon the Sham Investigation--Our Part
in the Proceedings--More Fair Investigation by the Collective
Representatives of the New England Press--Investigation by a
Body of Unitarian Clergymen--Our Triumphant Return
Home--Theodore Parker.
CHAPTER XXIII.
ROBERT DALE OWEN AND PROFESSOR FELTON, PRESIDENT OF HARVARD
COLLEGE 326
Masterly Letter from Mr. Owen.
CHAPTER XXIV.
EXPERIENCES OF ROBERT DALE OWEN THROUGH THE MEDIUMSHIP OF THE
AUTHOR 339
Moving a Ledge of Rock on the Sea-shore--Raps on the Water, and
in the Living Wood--Seeing the Raps--Moving Ponderable Bodies
by Occult Agency--Crucial Test--A Heavy Dinner-table Suspended
in the Air by Occult Agency.
CHAPTER XXV.
EXPERIENCES OF THE AUTHOR WITH ROBERT DALE OWEN (_Continued_) 348
CHAPTER XXVI.
SPIRIT CURES--MR. CAPRON'S WIFE 361
Statement by E. W. Capron--Wife of General Waddy Thompson, of
South Carolina--Wife of Mr. Davis, of Providence, R. I.
CHAPTER XXVII.
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS 368
J. Heddon--S. Chamberlain--John E. Robinson--A.
Underhill--George Lee, M.D.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS (_Continued_) 386
E. F. Norton--John E. Robinson--Governor N. P.
Tallmadge--Pauline M. Davis--Same--John E. Robinson--Prof.
J. J. Watson.
CHAPTER XXIX.
SOME OBSERVATIONS ON MEDIUMSHIP 403
Mysteries of Mediumship--To Prove the Immortality of the
Soul--Passivity and Harmony at Séances--Honest and Candid
Scepticism--Imaginary and Self-induced Mediumship--Deceptive
Communications--Cautions--Rappings--Spirits made
Visible--Beware of Fraudulent Mediums--Not all Spirits
Reliable--Cabinets.
CHAPTER XXX.
MISCELLANEOUS INCIDENTS 415
Felicia Hemans--Spirit Dictations of Music.
CHAPTER XXXI.
MISCELLANEOUS INCIDENTS (_Continued_) 421
Crowd of Spirits made Visible by Lightning--Scarcely Credible
but True--A Game of Euchre--Margaret's Dream--Mistaken Names
Corrected by Spirits--An Unwilling Convert made Grateful and
Happy--A Spirit Knows better than the Postmaster--Opening
of a Combination Lock--A Visitor Magnetized into a Medium
Himself--Curious Story about a Mutilated Limb--Disturbance in
the Troup Street Cottage--A Caution against Cruelty to Orphan
Children--Mrs. Hopper's Mysterious End--"Touch Samantha"--"I
felt my Handkercher Tied Tighter every Minit"--"No Brimstone
yet"--Kitchen Work by Night--'Sich a Gittin' up Stairs'--The
Death of Isaac T. Hopper--William M. Thackeray--"Witch
Stories"--George Thompson--A Child's Letter--Extracts from
D. Underhill's Minute Book--Practical Jokes Performed and
Rebuked--A Prophetic Dream--James A. Garfield--"Incident"
Related by the Editor.
CHAPTER XXXII.
ACTION OF SPIRITS THROUGH THE MEDIUMSHIP OF A FIVE-MONTH'S-OLD
INFANT 464
Various Manifestations around the Baby--Writing in Greek
through his Hand.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
"THE MISSING LINK" 471
FINALE 475
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
MRS. MARGARET FOX _Frontispiece._
PAGE
JOHN D. FOX 10
DIAGRAM, PROSPECT STREET HOUSE 42
AUTOGRAPH ILLUSTRATIONS OF A BABY'S MEDIUMSHIP 90
MRS. MARGARETTA FOX KANE 122
DIAGRAM, TROUT STREET HOUSE 209
CLEVELAND (OHIO) GOLD MEDAL 225
AUTOGRAPH LETTER OF ALICE CARY 265
AUTOGRAPH LETTER OF SAME 266
AUTOGRAPH LETTER OF JOHN W. EDMONDS 267
AUTOGRAPH LETTER OF HORACE GREELEY 268
DANIEL UNDERHILL 292
MRS. KATIE FOX JENCKEN 465
GREEK WRITING BY A FIVE-MONTH'S-OLD INFANT 470
A. LEAH UNDERHILL (THE AUTHOR) 475
THE HYDESVILLE HOUSE 477
NOTE.--The steel-engraved portraits of the Fox family are from
paintings, of dates very different from those referred to on the
pages which they face. With the exception of the parents (Mr. and
Mrs. Fox), they represent the three "_Fox girls_" (as they were
called) at ages more matured than would correspond to the text of
the pages which they accompany. Photography was not so advanced and
universal as at the present day.
INTRODUCTION.
It is not that the history of Spiritual Manifestations in this century
and country has not again and again been written, nor that a library of
the splendid literature of Spiritualism--narrative, philosophical, and
religious--does not already exist, that I have deemed it a duty to give
this history to the world.
It happens that nobody else possesses--both in vivid personal
recollections and in stores of documentary material--the means and
the data necessary for the task of giving a correct account of the
initiation of the movement known as Modern Spiritualism; and the now
hastening lapse of years gives warning that if to place it on record is
a duty--as many friends have often urged--it is a duty not to be much
longer delayed.
Many mistakes and material omissions have been made in former summary
accounts from pens of friends, as well as misstatements from those of
foes; nor could any one heretofore form any clear or complete idea of
the early years of the epochal period which dates from March 31, 1848.
Since that day, starting from a small country village of Western New
York, Spiritualism has made its way--against tremendous obstacles
and resistances, but under an impulse and a guidance from higher
spheres--round the civilized globe. Starting from three sisters, two of
them children, and the eldest a little beyond that age, clustered round
a matchless mother (whose revered portrait does honor to my title-page),
its ranks of believers, private or publicly avowed, have grown within
thirty-six years to millions whose number no man positively knows, but
which, I think, cannot be less than as many as it counts of years.
Beginning in a small house, temporarily occupied while another was
building, it has established itself in sovereign palaces; and the
latest reports from England represent it as fast growing, under the
encouraging influence of the reigning royal family, even into social
fashionableness. As in the story of the weary forty years' wandering of
the children of Israel in the desert--fed by food and led by light, both
from heaven--so does Spiritualism seem to be now nearing the borders of
its Promised Land. It is but a few years since it was a favorite topic
for scoff or sneer by the press, while now it is but rarely that here
and there is to be found some writer so far lagging behind the march of
the age as still to yield, in that way, to the force of former foolish
habit. How far and how deeply it has modified the old teachings of the
pulpit is patent to all observant eyes; while among the priesthood in
the divine temple of Science, the number and unsurpassed rank of those
who, under its influence, have abandoned the materialism of their old
philosophies, after exhaustive investigation of the facts and truths of
Spiritualism, is such as to stamp with the disgrace of simple ignorance
those who may still dare to deny and deride;--even as history has fixed
the fate of those professors and priests who refused to take a look
through Galileo's telescope; or of those doctors who, being past the
age of forty, could never, to their dying day, accept Harvey's
demonstrations of the circulation of the blood.
It will be seen in the following pages how a vein of that mysterious
something which, in our generation of "the Fox family," has come to
be called "mediumship," is perceptible, cropping out in old stories,
running through ancestral generations, and how it reappears most
marvellously in an infant in the next one succeeding to us. It will
also appear how long and strenuously we resisted its influence and its
manifestations, and struggled against the absolute persecutions which at
last forced us into publicity.
I conclude this Introduction by a brief allusion to the reasonable
question which has been so often asked, _Cui bono?_--or what is the use
of the manifestations of Spiritualism?
It is that they _demonstrate_ the reality of the survival of man's
spirit, or inner self, after that "death" which is but birth into
another stage of progressed and progressive life, in unchanged
personality and identity; or, in other words, that immortality of the
soul (heretofore a mere dogma of unproved and unprovable "faith"), which
is the foundation corner-stone of all religions and of all Religion. In
the words of Paul, to "faith" they "add knowledge." They thus not only
console bereavement, snatch from death its sting, and from the grave its
victory, but through the concurrent teachings of all good and advanced
spirits they make us feel the _real reality_ of the brotherhood of
mankind, and the common fatherhood of that supreme, unnamed, and
unnamable Infinitude of Love, Wisdom, and Power, who is addressed in
Pope's Universal Prayer, as--
"Father of all, in every age,
In every clime adored,
By saint, by savage, and by sage,
Jehovah, Jove, or Lord."
THE MISSING LINK
IN
MODERN SPIRITUALISM.
CHAPTER I.
HYDESVILLE.
"MYSTERIOUS NOISES" HEARD IN THE HOUSE OF JOHN D. FOX, IN
HYDESVILLE (TOWN OF ARCADIA), NEAR NEWARK, WAYNE COUNTY,
N. Y.--STATEMENTS OF WITNESSES.
The following statements were made by the different persons whose names
are signed to them, and taken down in writing as they made them; after
which they were carefully read, and signed by them. They comprise but a
small number of those who heard these noises, or have been knowing to
these transactions; but they are deemed sufficient to satisfy the public
mind in regard to their truthfulness.
CERTIFICATE OF MRS. MARGARET FOX, WIFE OF JOHN D. FOX, THE OCCUPANT OF
THE HOUSE.
"We moved into this house on December 11, 1847, and have resided here
since that date. We formerly lived in the city of Rochester, N. Y.
We were first _disturbed_ by these noises about a fortnight ago. It
sounded like some one knocking in the east bedroom, on the floor; we
could hardly tell where to locate the sounds, as sometimes it sounded as
if the furniture was moved, but on examination we found everything in
order. The children had become so alarmed that I thought best to have
them sleep in the room with us. There were four of us in family, and
sometimes five.
"On the night of the first disturbance we all got up, lighted a candle
and searched the entire house, the noises continuing during the time,
and being heard near the same place. Although not very loud, it produced
a jar of the bedsteads and chairs that could be felt when we were in
bed. It was a tremulous motion, more than a sudden jar. We could feel
the jar when standing on the floor. It continued on this night until we
slept. I did not sleep until about twelve o'clock. On March 30th we were
disturbed all night. The noises were heard in all parts of the house. My
husband stationed himself outside of the door while I stood inside,
and the knocks came on the door between us. We heard footsteps in the
pantry, and walking down-stairs; we could not rest, and I then concluded
that the house must be haunted by some unhappy, restless spirit. I had
often heard of such things, but had never witnessed anything of the kind
that I could not account for before.
"On Friday night, March 31, 1848, we concluded to go to bed early and
not permit ourselves to be disturbed by the noises, but try and get
a night's rest. My husband was here on all these occasions, heard the
noises, and helped search. It was very early when we went to bed on this
night; hardly dark. I had been so broken of my rest I was almost sick.
My husband had not gone to bed when we first heard the noise on this
evening. I had just lain down. It commenced as usual. I knew it from
all other noises I had ever before heard. The children, who slept in
the other bed in the room, heard the rapping, and tried to make similar
sounds by snapping their fingers.
"My youngest child (Cathie) said: 'Mr. Splitfoot, do as I do,' clapping
her hands. The sound instantly followed her with the same number
of raps; when she stopped the sound ceased for a short time. Then
Margaretta said, in sport: 'Now do just as I do; count one, two, three,
four,' striking one hand against the other at the same time, and the
raps came as before. She was afraid to repeat them. Then Cathie said,
in her childish simplicity: 'O mother, I know what it is; to-morrow is
April-fool day, and it's somebody trying to fool us.' I then thought I
could put a test that no one in the place could answer. I asked the
noise to rap my different children's ages, successively. Instantly each
one of my children's ages was given correctly, pausing between them
sufficiently long to individualize them until the seventh, at which a
longer pause was made, and then three more emphatic raps were given,
corresponding to the age of the little one that died, which was my
youngest child. I then asked: 'Is this a human being that answers my
questions so correctly?' There was no rap. I asked: 'Is it a spirit? If
it is, make two raps?' Two sounds were given as soon as the request was
made. I then said: 'If it was an injured spirit, make two raps,' which
were instantly made, causing the house to tremble. I asked, 'Were you
injured in this house?' The answer was given as before. 'Is the person
living that injured you?' Answered by raps in the same manner. I
ascertained by the same method that it was a man, aged thirty one-years;
that he had been murdered in this house, and his remains were buried in
the cellar; that his family consisted of a wife and five children, two
sons and three daughters, all living at the time of his death, but that
his wife had since died. I asked: 'Will you continue to rap if I call in
my neighbors that they may hear it too?' The raps were loud in the
affirmative. My husband went and called in Mrs. Redfield (our nearest
neighbor). She is a very candid woman. The girls were sitting up in bed
clinging to each other and trembling with terror. I think I was as calm
as I am now. Mrs. Redfield came immediately (this was about half past
seven), thinking she would have a laugh at the children; but when she
saw them pale with fright and nearly speechless, she was amazed, and
believed there was something more serious than she had supposed. I asked
a few questions for her, and was answered as before. He told her age
exactly. She then called her husband, and the same questions were asked
and answered. Then Mr. Redfield called in Mr. Duesler and wife, and
several others. Mr. Duesler then called in Mr. and Mrs. Hyde, also Mr.
and Mrs. Jewell. Mr. Duesler asked many questions, and received answers.
I then named all the neighbors I could think of, and asked if any of
them had injured him, and received no answer. Mr. Duesler then asked
questions and received answers. He asked, 'Were you murdered?' Raps
affirmative. 'Can your murderer be brought to justice?' No sound. 'Can
he be punished by the law?' No answer. He then said: 'If your murderer
cannot be punished by the law, manifest it by raps,' and the raps were
made clearly and distinctly. In the same way Mr. Duesler ascertained
that he was murdered in the east bed-room about five years ago, and that
the murder was committed by a Mr. ----, on a Tuesday night, at twelve
o'clock; that he was murdered by having his throat cut with a butcher
knife; that the body was taken down cellar; that it was not buried
until the next night; that it was taken through the buttery, down the
stairway, and that it was buried ten feet below the surface of the
ground. It was also ascertained that he was murdered for his money, by
raps affirmative. 'How much was it, one hundred?' No rap. 'Was it two
hundred?' etc.; and when he mentioned five hundred the raps replied in
the affirmative. Many called in who were fishing in the creek, and all
heard the same questions and answers. Many remained in the house all
night. I and my children left the house. My husband remained in the
house with Mr. Redfield all night. On the next Saturday the house was
filled to overflowing. There were no sounds heard during the day, but
they commenced again in the evening. It was said there were over three
hundred persons present at the time. On Sunday morning the noises were
heard throughout the day by all who came to the house. On Saturday
night, April 1st, they commenced digging in the cellar; they dug until
they came to water, and then gave it up. The noise was not heard on
Sunday evening nor during the night. Stephen B. Smith and wife (my
daughter Maria), and my son, David S. Fox and wife, slept in the room
this night. I have heard nothing since that time until yesterday. In the
forenoon of yesterday there were several questions answered in the usual
way, by rapping. I have heard the noise several times to-day.
[Illustration: _John D. Fox._]
"I am not a believer in haunted houses or supernatural appearances. I am
very sorry that there has been so much excitement about it. It has been
a great deal of trouble to us. It was our misfortune to live here at
this time; but I am willing and anxious that the truth should be known,
and that a true statement should be made. I cannot account for these
noises; all that I know is, that they have been heard repeatedly, as I
have stated. I have heard this rapping again this (Tuesday) morning,
April 4th. My children also heard it. I certify that the foregoing
statement has been read to me, and that the same is true; and that I
should be willing to take my oath that it is so, if necessary.
(Signed) "MARGARET FOX.
"APRIL 11, 1848."
STATEMENT OF JOHN D. FOX.
"I have heard the above statement of my wife, Margaret Fox, read, and
hereby certify that the same is true in all its particulars. I heard the
same rappings which she has spoken of, in answer to the questions, as
stated by her. There have been a great many questions besides those
asked, and answered in the same way. Some have been asked a great many
times, and they have always received the same answers. There has never
been any contradiction whatever.
"I do not know of any way to account for these noises, as being caused
by any natural means. We have searched every nook and corner in and
about the house, at different times, to ascertain if possible whether
anything or anybody was secreted there that could make the noise, and
have not been able to find anything which would or could explain the
mystery. It has caused a great deal of trouble and anxiety.
"Hundreds have visited the house, so that it is impossible for us to
attend to our daily occupations; and I hope that, whether caused by
natural or supernatural means, it will be ascertained soon. The digging
in the cellar will be resumed as soon as the water settles; and then it
can be ascertained whether there are any indications of a body ever
having been buried there; and if there are, I shall have no doubt but
that it is of supernatural origin.
(Signed) "JOHN D. FOX.
"APRIL 11, 1848."
STATEMENT OF WILLIAM DUESLER.
"I live in this place. I moved from Cayuga County here, last October. I
live within a few rods of the house in which these sounds have been
heard. The first I heard anything about them was a week ago last Friday
evening (March 31st). Mrs. Redfield came over to my house, to get my
wife to go over to Mr. Fox's. Mrs. R. appeared to be very much agitated.
My wife wanted me to go over with them, and I accordingly went. When she
told us what she wanted us to go over there for, I laughed at her and
ridiculed the idea of there being anything mysterious about it. I told
her it was all nonsense, and that we would find out the cause of the
noise, and that it could easily be accounted for. This was about nine
o'clock in the evening. There were some twelve or fourteen persons
present when I left them. Some were so frightened that they did not want
to go into the room. I went into the room and sat down on the bed. Mr.
Fox asked a question, and I heard the rapping, which they had spoken of,
distinctly. I felt the bedstead jar when the sounds were produced. Mr.
Fox then asked if it would answer my questions if I asked any; and it
rapped three times. I then asked if it was an injured spirit, and it
rapped. I asked if it had come to hurt any one who was then present. It
did not rap. I then reversed the question, and it rapped. I asked if my
father or I had injured it (as we had formerly lived in that house),
and there was no noise. 'If we have not injured you, manifest it by
rapping,' and we all heard three distinct raps. I then asked if such
or such a one had injured it (meaning the several families who had
formerly lived in the house), and there was no noise. Upon asking the
negatives of those questions the rapping was heard. I then asked if
Mr. ---- (naming a person who had lived in the house at a former period)
had injured it; and if so, to manifest it by rapping, and it made three
raps louder than usual; and at the same time the bedstead jarred more
than it had before. I then inquired if it was murdered for money, and
the sounds were heard. Questions and answers as to different sums of
money were then given as stated by Mr. Fox. All in the room said they
heard the sounds distinctly.
"After that, I went over and got Artemus W. Hyde to come over. I then
asked over nearly all the same questions, and got the same answers. Mr.
Redfield went after David Jewell and wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Hyde also
came in. After they came, I asked the same questions over again, and got
the same answers. I asked if it was murdered by being struck on the
head, and there were no sounds; I then reversed the question, and the
rapping was heard. I then asked if it was stabbed in the side, and there
was no answer. Upon asking the negative of this the rapping was heard.
It usually rapped three times in giving an affirmative answer to my
questions. I then asked if it had its throat cut, and it rapped as
usual. Then, if it was with a butcher knife, and the rapping was heard.
In the same way it was ascertained that it was asleep at the time, but
was awakened when the knife entered its throat; that it struggled and
made some noise and resistance. Then I asked if there was any one in the
house at the time but him, and it did not rap. I then asked if they two
were alone, and the rapping was heard. I then asked if Lucretia Pulver
was there at the time, and there was no rapping. If she had gone away
that night, and if Mrs. ---- was gone away also, and the rapping was
heard each time. There was no rapping heard, only when we asked
questions. I then asked if any one in Hydesville knew of the murder at
the time except ----, and it rapped. Then I asked about a number of
persons, if they knew it, and there was no rapping until I came to
Mrs. ----, and when I came to her name the rapping was heard. Then if
any one but ---- and wife knew of it, and I got no rap. Then if they
were all that knew of the murder, and it rapped. I asked if the body was
put into the cellar, and it rapped. I then asked if it was buried in
different points of the cellar, and to all my questions there was no
rapping, until I asked if it was near the centre, and the rapping was
heard. Charles Redfield then took a candle and went down cellar. I told
him to place himself in different parts of the cellar, and as he did so
I asked the question if a person was over the place where it was buried,
and I got no answer until he stood over a certain place in the cellar,
when it rapped. He then stepped one side, and when I asked the question
there were no noises. This we repeated several times, and we found that
whenever he stood over the one place the rapping was heard, and when he
moved away from that one place, there was no rapping in answer."
NOTE.--The remainder of Mr. Duesler's statement does not vary from that
of my mother and others, and, for want of room, is omitted. It was dated
April 12, 1848.
STATEMENT OF MISS LUCRETIA PULVER.
"I lived in this house all one winter, in the family of Mr. ----. I
worked for them a part of the time, and a part of the time I boarded and
went to school. I lived there about three months. During the latter part
of the time I was there I heard these knockings frequently: in the
bedroom, under the foot of the bed. I heard it a number of nights, as I
slept in the bedroom nearly all the time that I stayed there. One night
I thought I heard a man walking in the buttery. This buttery is near
the bedroom, with a stairway between the two. Miss Amelia Losey stayed
with me that night. She also heard the noise, and we were both much
frightened, and got up and fastened down the windows, and fastened the
door. It sounded as if a person walked through the buttery, down cellar,
and part way across the cellar bottom, and then the noise ceased. There
was no one else in the house at the time except my little brother, who
was asleep in the same room with us. This was about twelve o'clock I
should think. We did not go to bed until after eleven, but had not been
asleep when we heard it striking. Mr. and Mrs. ---- had gone to Loch
Berlin, to be gone till the next day. One morning about a week after
this Mrs. ---- sent me down cellar to shut the outside door (which
fastens on the inside). In going across the cellar I sank knee deep in
the centre of the cellar. It appeared to be uneven and very loose. After
I got up-stairs Mrs. ---- asked me what I screamed for. When I told her,
she laughed at me for being frightened, and said it was only where rats
had been at work in the ground.
"A day or two after this, Mr. ---- carried a lot of dirt into the
cellar, just at night, and was at work there some time. Mrs. ---- told
me that he was filling up the rat-holes.
"A few days before I first heard the noises, or anything of the kind had
ever occurred, a foot-pedlar called there about two o'clock in the
afternoon. Mrs. ---- then told me that Mr. ---- thought they would not
want me any longer, and that I might go home; but, if they wanted me
again they would send for me. Mrs. ---- was going to Loch Berlin, to
stay that night. This was the first I had heard of it. I wanted to buy
some things of the pedlar, but had no money with me, and he said he
would call at our house the next morning and sell them to me. _I never
saw him after that._ Three days after this they sent for me to come and
board with them, and go to school. I accordingly came, and went to
school about one week, when she wanted I should stay out of school
and do house-work, as she had a couple of coats to make over for her
husband. She said they were too large for her husband, and out of
fashion, and she must alter them. They were ripped to pieces when I
first saw them. I should think the pedlar was about thirty years old. I
heard him conversing with Mrs. ---- about his family. He told her how
many children he had, in answer to her inquiry. I do not recollect how
many he said he had. Mrs. ---- told me that he (the pedlar) was an old
acquaintance of theirs. A short time after this Mrs. ---- gave me a
thimble, which she said she had bought of the pedlar, and paid him fifty
cents for. Some time after I had left her I visited her again; and she
said the pedlar had been there again, and showed me another thimble,
which, she said, she had bought of the same pedlar. She said he had
cheated her; that he had sold it to her for pure silver, but it was only
German silver. She also showed me some other things which she said she
had bought of him.
"I did not (and do not now) know what to think of the noises I have
heard. The dog would sit under the bedroom window and howl all night
long. Mr. and Mrs. ---- appeared to be very good folks, only they were
rather quick-tempered.
"This pedlar carried a trunk and a basket, I think, with vials of
essence in it. He wore a black coat and light-colored pants.
"I am willing to swear to the above statement, if necessary.
"LUCRETIA PULVER.
"APRIL 11, 1848."
MRS. ANNA PULVER.
"I was acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. ----. I called on them frequently.
My warping bars were in their chamber, and I used to go there to do my
work. One morning when I went there Mrs. ---- told me that she felt very
badly; that she had not slept much, if any, the night before. When I
asked her what the matter was, she said she didn't know but it was the
fidgets; but she thought she heard something walking about from one room
to another, and that she and Mr. ---- got up and fastened the windows
down. She felt safe after that. I heard her speak about hearing sounds
after that, which she could not account for.
"ANNA PULVER.
"APRIL 11, 1848."
It will be sufficient to sum up the important bearings of this subject
by quoting a few more extracts from the numerous certificates contained
in the little pamphlet published by E. E. Lewis, Esq., of Canandaigua,
N. Y.
"Mr. and Mrs. Weekman lived in this house for a year and a half, and
were frequently startled by the rappings, walking, etc. On several
occasions they sought diligently to discover the cause. He stood with
his hand on the latch, and when the knockings were repeated, suddenly
opened the door and ran into the yard and entirely around the house; but
nothing was ascertained by him."
Mrs. Weekman says: "We heard great noises during the night; sometimes a
sound as if a person was walking in the cellar. (There was nothing but a
single board floor, between the cellar and the upper room, so that the
sound made in one was easily heard in the other.) One night one of our
little girls, who slept in the room where the noises were heard, awoke
us all by her screaming very loudly. My husband and myself, and our
hired girl, all went to the room to see what was the matter with her.
The child sat up in bed, crying and screaming, and it was some time
before we could quiet her enough to get answers to our questions. She
said 'something had been moving around her and over her head and face:
that it was cold, and that she felt it all over her.' This was between
twelve and one o'clock. We took her into bed with us, and it was a long
time before we could get her to sleep in that bed again. At one time Mr.
Weekman heard his name called. (I was away that night, sitting up with a
sick person.) He was awakened, and supposed some one wanted him. He sat
up in bed for some time, but heard no more. We never found out what or
who called him. So many have heard these noises that it seems there must
be something unusual."
Mrs. Jane C. Lape "lived in the family of Mrs. Weekman at the time she
states. There was but one door in the bedroom. When I was doing my
work, I saw a man in the bedroom joining the kitchen. I saw the man
distinctly. I was frightened. I had been in the kitchen a long time, and
knew that nobody could have gone into that room. The man stood facing me
when I saw him. He did not speak, nor did I hear any noise at any time.
He had on light pants, black frock-coat, and cloth cap. He was of
medium size. I knew of no person in that vicinity who would answer that
description. Mrs. Weekman was in another part of the house at that time.
I left the room, and when I returned with Mrs. Weekman there was no
person there. She thought it was some person who wanted to frighten me;
but we were never able to ascertain who or what it was. I have always
thought and still do think that it was supernatural. I had never been a
believer in such things until I saw this."
THE WELL OFFENSIVE.
"We, the undersigned, do hereby certify that during the summer of 1844,
we lived near the house now occupied by John D. Fox; that it was then
occupied by ---- ----; and that, during the summer, the water in that
well was very offensive and bad. We further certify that said well is
within thirty feet of the centre of the cellar under said house.
"(Signed) NORMAN AYRES.
JOHN IRISH.
"ARCADIA, April 18, 1848."
In my brother's statement (see pamphlet by E. E. Lewis, Esq.) was given
a correct account of the digging to find the body of the murdered man in
the cellar.
STATEMENT OF DAVID S. FOX.
"I live about two miles from the house my father, John D. Fox, now
occupies, and where these strange noises were heard. It was a week ago
last Friday, March 31st, when they told me about it. I advised them to
make a thorough search, and I thought they would find a cause for it. I
heard no noise, and after remaining a short time, returned home. The
next morning, April 1, 1848, they sent for me to come again, and they
told me the noises had been heard all night. I went early in the
evening; heard the rapping distinctly. Many questions were asked and
answered by the rapping."
(It is not necessary to here repeat all of David's statement, as the
entire substance of it is given in nearly all the other certificates.)
"A large collection of people had assembled, more than could get into
the house; committees were chosen, and placed in different parts of the
house, that no deception might be practised by any one. These committees
were composed of neighbors and friends, whom we knew to be strictly
honest. I remained in the house until about one o'clock in the morning.
The noises had ceased a little before twelve. After some of the crowd
had left, we commenced digging in the cellar. Before digging I asked the
question: 'In what part of the cellar was your body buried?' naming the
different corners of the cellar. No response was made. 'Was it in the
centre?' The rapping answered affirmatively. Mr. Carlos Hyde went down
in the cellar, walked over the bottom, asking at every point if he was
over the right place, but no rappings were heard until he stood in the
centre of the cellar. It then rapped so that those in the cellar as well
as those in the room above could hear it. We dug about three feet deep,
when the water came in so fast we had to stop. I was here again on
Monday, April 3d, and we commenced digging again in the cellar, and
baling out the water; but we found it impossible to make any headway.
"On Tuesday evening they began digging again. I got a pump, and we took
up the floor and put it in the hole, and began to pump and bale out the
water at the same time. We could not lower the water much and had to
give it up. The water is in the hole, although it is lowering gradually.
I thought, from there being so many respectable people present, and they
having heard the same sounds that I did, that there must be something in
it. I never believed in haunted houses or anything of that kind. I have
heard of such things, but never saw or heard anything but what I could
account for on reasonable grounds. I cannot account for this noise as
being produced by any human agency. I am perfectly willing to take my
oath as to the truth of the statements which I have here made, if it is
thought necessary.
"(Signed) DAVID S. FOX.
"TUESDAY, April 11, 1848."