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1935 SPOOK LECTURE

THE SPOOK LECTURE - My object at this time is to enlighten you on the so-called miracles produced by fraudulent mediums, who to the police are known as spook crooks, fake fortune tellers and clairvoyants. It is really hard to believe that the public is so easily fooled by these imposters. But one must take into consideration the fact that they have everything in their favor in the way they conduct their gatherings; also how unconsciously a person will give a medium the necessary information they are seeking. I could relate hundreds of instances where manifestations occurred and messages were received that bordered on the supernatural, until the fraud was uncovered.

The trickster mediums, which include the vast majority, insist on darkness and other limitations of control, which make their so-called evidence no evidence at all, except that those who accept it are amazingly credulous. When this type of medium does submit to rigid tests, either he is caught and exposed or nothing happens. 99% of the phenomena which we hear about are due to fraud (conscious or subconscious) self-deception, natural causes, mal-observation or sheer lying.

Spiritualism is riddled through and through with fraud. Practically every major physical medium who has placed himself or herself in the hands of a dispassionate group or scientific investigators has been caught cheating, or has ceased to produce phenomena when the opportunity for so doing has been removed.

Of course, it is much more difficult to unmask a mental medium than a physical one. If a clairvoyant in a real or an alleged trance tells you that she sees standing by your side the spirit of your great-grandmother wearing a red dress and a green hat, you cannot disprove her statement. You can only test what she tells you by concerning dates, names, times, places, etc. And even if you are impressed with the intimate details of your life she seems to have acquired, there still remains the question of whether she has secured the Information from your sub-conscious mind or by trickery.

Before proceeding with this part of my performance, I think I should give those of you who have never attended a spiritualistic seance an idea how these affairs are conducted. When the patrons are seated, hymns are sung and very often a prayer is offered by the medium, after which a collection is taken up. Then the lights are turned off and the seance begins. If of a physical nature, raps are heard, bells ring, tambourines jingle, tables move and so on, according to the ingenuity of the medium.

In the famous trumpet seance, the medium is held in some way by the committee, the lights are turned off and almost immediately the trumpet becomes illuminated and is seen to float through space. Strange sounds and voices issue from the trumpet, supposedly the work of the spirits. A psychic seance is much harder to detect for the simple reason that the medium merely talks through a control, and though they frequently state that a figure is standing by your side, such figures have never been seen. In special materialization seances where spirit forms are produced, mediums state the substance that appears is Ectoplasm, but it has been proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that this material is nothing more or less than fine muslin treated with white of an egg. For a time Ectoplasm had a great vogue among spirit mediums, and it was claimed that this was the material that ghosts were made of. Madam Eva, Sir Conan Doyle's favorite medium, perfected the use of Ectoplasm and when she was exposed by the National Laboratory of Psychical Research of London three years ago, it was proved that she regurgitated this from her stomach. I have nothing to say on the subject of the religion of Spiritualism but I do say that it is a crying shame and nothing less than a racket the way fraudulent mediums who, under the cloak of religion, prey on the public and rob hard working people of millions of dollars annually. We will get on with the seance, but will omit the hymns, the prayers and the collection.

SLATES - One of the feature tricks of fraudulent mediums is that of receiving messages from the spirit world. They have been known to charge five to as high as one hundred dollars for this test. Two ordinary school slates are shown and cleaned thoroughly on each side. The slates are then secured in some way; very often wrapped in some kind of material and placed on the table, so that the patron can place his hands on one end of the slates and the medium his or her hands on the other end. The lights are dimmed and after a considerable time elapses, sometimes as long as thirty minutes, the lights are turned up, the slates unwrapped and sure enough when opened writing appears on each side of the slate. Now as we are not producing a message for any one particular person we will read what the spirits have to say (read) "There is one born every minute. Signed - P.T.Barnum," "Go to church now. Don't wait for a hearse. Signed - The Spirits."

Now we all know that the spirits had nothing to do with that. In fact, I wrote these messages on the slates before the performance began. Let me show you how easy it is for a medium to fool the public. These slates are made especially for fraudulent mediums and in addition to the two slates there is a third slate made of a composition material and no thicker than ordinary paper. One message is written on one slate and the second message on the imitation slate. Notice how I get this imitation slate into the ether slate, and as you can plainly see, no matter how much the slates are cleaned the writing is not interfered with. It is merely a question of inverting slates when they are wrapped to expose the message. So you see, there are no spirits connected with that.

REACHING ROD - Another popular device is the mechanical rod. These are made to open out to twelve feet in length, (remove rod from hip pocket). This one I have is of the small size type. To be quite truthful with you, I stole this in a seance at ___________. The medium dropped it. I grabbed it quickly and when the lights were turned up, she could not protest for she was supposedly a genuine medium. You can readily see how easy it is for a medium, located in one part of the room to reach with this rod and touch someone present in another part of the room. Then again in the stillness of the seance, a bell that is quite a distance from the medium is heard to ring and a bell is heard to be ringing in all parts of the room and then falls to the floor with a clatter. Small articles of furniture are caused to rise and fall to the floor, using the same device. The handle on small cowbell is so that the end of rod can be engaged in same. Swing bell all around room, then allowing bell to fall off. Light table can also be tipped over with rod. So you see there are no spirits connected with that.

BILLET READING - Don't think for one minute that these imposters are satisfied with the collections or small change made at the collective gatherings. Such gatherings are only used as a means of getting a person more interested and arrange for a private or personal seance. They have been known to take thousands of dollars from individuals in this way. The demonstrations of billet reading that I am about to show you is used extensively by fraudulent mediums all over the country. I know of more than forty different methods of doing this, but this one seems to be the most popular. Any number of questions may be answered, but time at my disposal permits one question which will be sufficient to enlighten you on this fraud. I want you, sir, to take this blank card and write a short question on any subject and sign your name. (When this is done) Now, insert the card blank side down in this envelope. We will now seal the envelope. Now, friends, we have a written question in this sealed envelope. And take note that the envelope does not leave your sight for one second. I will return to the stage and place the envelope in this glass. (Bottom edge of envelope is cut away and upon returning to stage, hold the envelope on each side, edge between fingers and just as your hand reaches across table to place envelope in glass, press on both edges which will open up bottom of envelope allowing card to fall on table) You must admit that it seems Impossible for me, or anyone, in fact to be able to tell what the gentleman has written on the card inside this sealed envelope, (It is easy now to read the card and get possession of it as you lean on the table. Hold card palmed now.) Some mediums hold the envelope to their foreheads in this way, seemingly concentrating. (Business now of reading and answering questions) We must admit that it does seem supernatural but let us show you how this is accomplished. (During this get card behind envelope) We will cut the end of the envelope and remove the question. (Pulling card from behind envelope as if it is coming from inside envelope.) Sure enough the question is as I have already stated. Now it was unnecessary to cut the same as this one. (Pick up second envelope) The card is placed inside and the envelope sealed, and the medium pressed slightly on each side of the envelope which permits the card to slide out into his hand. After the question has been read and so that he can return the envelope to you he cuts the end like this, but instead of pulling the card from inside the envelope it is pulled from the back in this way. Easy, yes when you know how and you see there are no spirits connected with that.

PSYCHIC WIND - Some years ago I attended a seance in New York City. Incidentally, this medium has worked up quite a reputation for producing, thru his spirit control, unusual effects. During this particular seance the spirit control stated that as there were unbelievers present he would show his presence by causing a current of cold air to whirl around the room. Sure enough, you could not only hear the wind but you could feel it. In fact, after the seance was over, several of those present stated that they felt a drop in the temperature during the manifestation. Of course this is much more effective and illusionary in a small room. However, we will turn out the lights and I will produce the effect for you. (At the finish of talk you are standing in aisle. Call for lights to be turned off, remove your trouser belt and holding it by the end swing the belt in a wide arc over the heads of the audience. Call for lights to be turned up and allow audience to see what you are doing. It's a sure laugh. Return to stage and let audience see you put belt back where it belongs. This is a bigger laugh). You see there are no spirits connected with that.

QUESTON EFFECT - At this time I want the assistance and co-operation of two members of the audience for closer inspection. There will be no tricks played on you so come right along so the program will not be delayed. Thank you, gentlemen. Sit here. With the assistance of these gentlemen it will be impossible for me to give you a very interesting demonstration in the seemingly impossible. I want you sir, to take this blank piece of paper and write a short question on any subject. Something about your business --- some athletic event --- your sweetheart --- etc. and then sign your name. Just a minute, I'll make it easy for you. I'll get something for you to write on. (Exit to wings, get tray and return quickly) There you are sir. Now write your question as quickly as possible and sign your name. (Walk to opposite side of stage while this is being done getting a duplicate folded paper in right hand). Finished sir? Now fold the paper so the writing is on the inside. Yes, that's right. Now fold it again, (you are standing by his side by this time). Take question from him giving paper another fold. Switch the paper giving the dummy to him and to assist in the misdirection by saying "Did you sign your name?" You did. Place the question in your pocket. (He does this) Say, does this gentleman know the question? Oh, he does, that's fine. (You are still standing near him during this and as you have taken the tray from him when he placed dummy in his pocket you hold the tray in the same hand with the question). Now return the tray to the wings and with it the question to the assistant. If you have no assistant place question in pocket until you exit for chair and then quickly write subject's name on side of card to be used over message something like this (Name) "The answer to your question is, 'Yes' - The Spirits."

Now give off stage man time to read and answer the question tell the following tale: About four years ago I was in Philadelphia. I heard of a Madam Morris who was giving seances and specializing in receiving messages from the spirit world so I decided to pay her a visit, but I was all prepared. I had a fictitious letter in my overcoat pocket supposedly from an uncle in the Fiji Islands. The letter mentioned in a casual way that his banana plantation was flourishing and that he would like me to pay him a visit. When I arrived at Madam's house I hung my overcoat and hat in the hall and was then taken into the reception room. After waiting about fifteen minutes Madam Morris came in. I told her that I wanted a message from the spirit world but that I would prefer it to be from some living person that I knew. I paid the stated fee of five dollars and the seance began. The lights were turned down very dim. After about twenty minutes Madam produced the message.

The message stated that my uncle in the Fiji Islands was doing a very good business and that he would like me to pay him a visit within the next three months. Now, when you take into consideration the fact that I have no uncle in the Fiji Islands or anywhere else running a banana plantation, the message was rather startling. It is easy to see how she got her information. I'll show you how she got the message to me.

(Set table end on to audience) You, sir, bring your chair over here and sit at this table. For the next few minutes I want you to imagine that you are me and that I am Medium Morris. If you can imagine that we can do anything with you. Just a minute, I'll get another chair. (Exit and bring on chair with loaded slate. Then remove cloth and throw it over back of this chair. Fancy cloth wrapped around slate is fine for this. Duplicate slate and eraser should be on table) Now, sir, clean this slate thoroughly on both sides. Now hold the slate by the frame only. (Position is he is holding one end of slate in both hands, the other end in your hands). Slate elevated about eight Inches above table top. Now the business of you taking the slate under the table, then back to original position, under the table again each time the subject's hands going under the table to hold slate. When this has been done several times, as you take the slate under the table the last time with your left hand pull out duplicate and with right hand slide the other slate in its place. Audience sees this exchange - but the voluntary assistant does not.

Subject is now holding one end of duplicate slate under table. Now remove cloth from back of chair, fold it and place on slate under table. Saying, "Let's have darkness." Then let subject bring slate up above table as at first but cloth covers writing. Now, sir, hold the slate above your head and repeat the Lord's Prayer either mentally or orally. Now place the slate on the table and remove the cloth (You pick up slate allowing the audience to see writing). The message reads________________. Does that answer your question sir? It does. Now I want you to remove the question from your pocket and read it to the audience. (He opens blank paper) What, no writing? And still we have the answer here. Just a blank. That should show you how easy it is for a person's mind to become a blank when they are visiting these imposters. Now friends, I want you to see how easy it is to be fooled in this business. You can get possession of the original question when you bring on chair with concealed slate, and when assistant opens paper and finds it blank, you take it from him as if you are checking to see that it is really blank. Fold and switch for original, saying tonight put this blank paper under your pillow, you will have fantastic dreams and in the morning you will again be able to read your question. At times this assistant will open up the paper after he return to his seat, and he will let you know that the question has returned. This makes the effect all the stronger and you see there are no spirits connected with that.

TRUMPET AND GHOST - The most popular form of seance today is the famous Trumpet seance. The medium is usually held in some way during the demonstration. The lights are turned out and almost immediately the trumpet is seen to become illuminated floating through the air and strange sounds, and voices issue from the trumpet giving messages to those present. Less than a hundred miles from here a trumpet and materialization seance is being held tonight. I'll show the method used by this seance medium. You, sir, bring your chair over here and you move your chair here. That's right. (Take studs from cuffs and thread tape through bottom holes in cuffs tying one knot. Get each assistant to hold ends of tape firmly. The position is, you are center facing audience, each assistant with side to audience and facing each other.) Ladies and gentlemen don't leave your seats and don't scream as positively nothing will happen to you. Call for lights out, slip hands through cuffs telling assistants to be sure and hold tape and to remain in their seats. With your back to audience get trumpet and walk back and forth on stage waving trumpet making weird sounds, pitching voice as high and low etc. Then call out in a long drawn sing song voice, "I have a message for Mrs. Smith. I am happy with the spirits." Put trumpet back on chair. Pick up a luminous ghost you have hidden (ghost can be made from cheesecloth with luminous paint), back to audience, turn toward audience making more groans, mutterings, etc. Call for lights on and quickly return to stage. As soon as laughter has subsided say, "That is a sample of the Ectoplasm which I was telling you about."

TABLE LIFT - (Ask guest to take his chair back and be seated with other committeeman. Move table to left of stage away from committee and remove table cloth. Get gloves (and hidden ring, see pic after article) and as you put them on say) Pedro Torlino was born in Naples, Italy, but for eleven years he was one of America's foremost mediums, recently made the following statement; He said that he was sick and tired of the mediumistic racket. He said that the spirits got all the credit, the manager all the money and he did all the work. He specialized in fooling investigators and was entirely different to other mediums in everything he did. He went so far as to ask the public to bring white gloves with them to his seances. He said that is was so much easier to see them in a dim light than the bare hands. I want to show you one of his special effects as he did it. (Get one glove set on table)

You sir, some forward and place your hands on this end of the table and don't take your hands away unless I tell you. (Business -- tip table forward on two front legs, then tilt backwards on two back legs, next on one on one end keeping the other two legs on floor). Pivot table around in a circle then back. Now slide table along floor to left pushing assistant up against small table, knocking it over then move quickly right across stage to right, pushing other assistant up against other small table knocking that over.

Now to center of stage telling assistants to let go. Then raise table up high and swing completely over your head finishing up at the starting point. There is no need to say anything when removing gloves from table as audience are laughing. Put gloves down asking assistants to be seated.