A Marshall County Séance

This is Daniel Mcdonald’s account of what he calls “Spiritual Manifestations” that took place in Marshall County sometime before the 1881 publication of Mcdonald’s “History of Marshall

County.”

Spiritualism, through the instrumentality of mediums, has at different times during the past twenty years been quite fully tested in some parts of the county, and many remarkable demonstrations have been developed. The question of the existence in a conscious state of the spirits of human beings after death, and as to whether they can in any manner communicate to the living, has puzzled the wisest heads of our time. There are many who look upon everything connected with spiritualism as being purely and simply humbuggery, while very many are just as confident there is much in it susceptible of complete and perfect demonstration.

There is something in what is known as “Modern Spiritism” that does not admit of a doubt but that the performances are the work of departed spirits. Their opinion has not, so far as the general public is concerned, been satisfactorily proven, and of course, never will be. Within a few months past, a fresh impetus has been given to this belief, in various portions of the county, by talking and writing mediums who accidentally came under the influence, as they claim, of the spirits of departed friends.

For the purpose of witnessing some of these demonstrations, the writer, in company with a friend, not long since attended a “séance” at the residence of one of the early settlers of West Township. He is a thoroughly reliable man and would scorn to be guilty of deception. The circle was formed in one of the upper rooms in his house. A common plain wooden table stood in the center, a stove in one corner, and aside from the chairs used by those present, nothing else was in the room. There were five ladies and nine or ten men and boys present, all of whom seated themselves around the table. All placed both hands upon the table, the left hand upon the right hand of the person seated on the right. The lights were extinguished, and all joined in singing the familiar hymn:

When I can read my title clear To mansions in the skies, I’ll bid farewell to every fear And wipe my weeping eyes.

A moment of silence, and the right hand of one of the mediums began to have a nervous twitching, which rapidly increased until the table resounded as from the blows of a mallet. In the meantime, two or three of the other mediums were similarly operated upon. The knocking gradually subsided and finally entirely ceased. Then the audience joined in singing: We have fathers in the spirit land -Glory, Hallelujah,

We have mothers in the spirit land -Glory, Hallelujah.

During which time the knockings increased, and four mediums were moved by the spirits of as many Indians to join in a regular pow-wow, and for the space of ten or fifteen minutes, it seemed like pandemonium had been let loose. So far as could be detected from the sound of the voices, the language was pure Indian and was the same by the lady, two boys and the man who were operated upon. The spell went off of all the mediums about the same time, and then all was again still. Then the audience joined in singing:

There’s a land that is fairer than day, And by faith we can see it afar: For the Father waits over the way, To prepare us a dwelling place there.

After which a stuttering woman, apparently, took possession of one of the lady mediums, and for the space of ten or fifteen minutes a stuttering matinee was performed, which excelled anything in that line ever heard on this mundane sphere. She was asked if she would return again, to which she stammered out, “B-b-b-by t-t-t-t-the g-g-g-grace o-o-o-of G-gg-god I-I-I-I-I’LL t-t-t-try.” She then disappeared and was heard no more during the evening.

Another song was sung, and the medium again came under the “influence.” This time the spirit had been an Irishman while in the flesh. He seemed talked glibly in his native tongue without hesitation. He introduced himself to the audience by saying,

“Good evening, kind friends; I am glad to meet you all. This is the first time I have been with you.” He was interrogated by one of the audience. “What is your name?”

“Jimmy Mcdown,” somewhat indistinctly. “Did you say your name was Mcdonough?” “No sir; I said Jimmy Mcdown.”

“Where were you when you left the earth?” “At Lafayette, Indiana.”

“What was the cause of your death?”

“I was cut in two by the cars running over me.” “How long ago?”

“Seven years.”

“How old were you?”

“Twenty-six.”

“Did you belong to church?”

“Yes, sir.”

“What church?”

“The Catholic Church, sir.”

“Did you come from Ireland or Scotland?” “From Ireland, sir.”

“Have you any relatives in this country?” “No, sir.”

“Do you know any of the friends here?”

“No, sir; never met any of them before.” “What are you doing in the spirit land?”

“All the good I can.”

And bidding all good night he took his departure. Another song brought the medium again under the “influence.” This time the spirit was a girl who said her name was Maggie Brown. She said, “What a glorious thing it is that the spirit cannot be put away, while the body can be put away in various places. Twenty years ago, I was put away by three men in a rag house at Fort Wayne, Indiana. One of the men whose head is whitened for the grave is tottering on a cane.” She became indignant upon being asked in regard to the manner of her death and declining to give the names of the men engaged in the affair; she took her departure.

And the “séance” came to a close. There are many who believe that the action of the mediums is caused by departed spirits, and many conscientious, religious people are as thoroughly convinced that it is the work of the devil, and believe anyone who gives countenance to it is in danger of going to eternal perdition, while another class of matter-of-fact sort of people, among whom the writer is one, incline to the belief that it is produced by certain laws governing electricity and mesmeric (hypnotic) influences, which, in the “world’s tomorrow,” may be fully and completely explained.

Be sure to get your tickets for the Ghost Walk on October 29 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are limited, and you’ll have a ghoulishly great time!