A Spiritualistic Medium Demonstrates - 1877

Spiritualistic Medium and the Piano

Bainbridge Republican, November 1, 1877

 

On Monday evening, by invitation, a large number of our citizens assembled at the residence of Mr. Benjamin Hartwell to witness the wonderful phenomena, produced while in a clairvoyant or trance state by Mrs. Young, of Washington, D.C., a spiritualistic medium of considerable celebrity.  At eight o'clock the lady made her appearance and quietly seated herself at the piano which was in the parlor, and played several ordinary airs. After one or two pieces were thus played, the wonderful phenomena of the moving of the piano, keeping perfect time to the music was observed, though there was no one near it except the player and her hands only resting upon the keys as she played.  Later in the evening Mrs. Y. while in a trance state played two fine pieces which were claimed to be original with Mozart and only given through the trance medium.  Both pieces were finely executed though the lady herself has had but two months instruction in music. She then gave several muscular demonstrations, as we believe they are termed , such as lifting of the heavy end of the piano by gentlemen merely placing their hand under it without any effort of their own while it was so heavy without the interposition as to be difficult to lift with both hands. The most marvelous test however, consisted in the fact that while some half dozen heavy men sat on the piano it was drawn about with perfect ease.  keeping time to the music as played by the medium.  It certainly was not explained by those present, nor even attempted to be.  Mrs. Y., asserts that it is spiritualistic power alone.  What is it?  Mrs. Y. will give several séances on this Tuesday evening, at Mr. Sharpe's, on Hayes St., where those interested can see for themselves.  Our reporter gives it up.  - Telegraph.  [Bainbridge Republican, Nov. 1, 1877]