PULTNEYVILLE NY OLD NEWSPAPER NOTICES
Part 3
Wayne County, N.Y.

Contributed by Allyn Hess Perry, from papers at the Office of the County Historian.

The Commercial Press was a monthly newspaper from Pultneyville, Town of Williamson. The Office of the County Historian has a small bundle of issues. A small part of the paper was devoted to Personal Items, listing various names of people from the area.

There is some fascinating reading about the Lake Ontario shipping trade in the 1860s, and neat ads for businesses from all over the place in these papers. There was quite a schedule of ships from Pultneyville to Charlotte to Toronto, naming ships and captains (the new ferry runs between Charlotte/Rochester and Toronto.) Not to be ignored in this paper are the railroad schedules, with stops in Palmyra, Oswego, Syracuse. And the Pultneyville & Palmyra Stage. "Leave daily at 6:45am - Arriving at 7:30pm connection at Palmyra with the N.Y.C.R. Road, Going West at 9:46a.m. and 4:20p.m. Going East at 11:20a.m. and 4:20p.m." The obits aren't detailed but give such an essence of the way life was. Spellings and misspellings are exactly as in the original paper.

Allyn Hess Perry
Co-coordinator, Wayne County NYGenWeb
June 2004

May 1861
June 1861
July 1861
August 1861
September 1861

THE COMMERCIAL PRESS

Pultneyville, May 1861

SMALL POX - This town and Sodus has been greatly alarmed for the past two or three weeks in consequences of this disease being among us. As far as our own village is concerned, the utmost care has been preserved on the part of those having been exposed, and only one case have we to record out of that number, that of Capt. James T. Holling, and he is all well and hearty as ever, but three or four miles from here they have had thirty or forty cases here, and the further the distances the greater the number; but such is the case with diseases of this character, and it is all right and proper for the public to guard against them and thereby prevent it from spreading, but the community can now rest assured that it is checked.

PERSONAL ITEMS

-E.M.K. Glen, of Macedon, Lectured at the Union Church in this village on Sunday, March 24. Subject, Prison Discipline.

-Geo. E. Curliss left for Charlotte Wednesday, March 20th, to get the Bay States engine in order.

-H.T. Wilcox and Charles Maloy arrived on Wednesday, March 27 - the former a Ticket Agent of the Ontario Steamboat Company, the latter a Tinsmith in the employ of Griffin & Reynolds of this place.

-Almond Sherman, son of John W. Sherman, (formerly of this place) was here, March 27th - he is traveling agent for Hallock & James, N.J., dealers in soaps of all descriptions.

-E.R. Woodhull presented us with a Hen's Egg weighing over four ounces.

-Lorenzo Fish will probably be our next Post Master - his petition has gone forward, there being no other applicant his chances are good.

-J.W. Powers started the 5th of April for New York with a drove of Sheep, and got home the 10th.

-The following Captains have left to fit out their respectful vessels:

Captain J.H. Gloyd, Cleveland

" Z. Burnell, Buffalo

" S.D. Tompkinson, Oswego

" Wm. Fleming, Kingston

" B.B. Brewer, Charlotte

" J.B. Todd, Little Sodus

" E.H. Todd, Sodus Point

-Joseph Gazley has got a Billard Table added to his Bowling Alley. He will soon have a Glass Front in the place now occupied by a stone one.

-Miss Hattie Todd, (Daughter of Bethel Todd) left on Monday morning, April 8, for Cooperstown to attend school.

-Mr. Thomas Stead, the Daguerrean, is still stopping at the Hotel. He is doing a good business. "Secure the shadow ere the substance fades."

-Hon. S.C. Cuyler is the applicant for the Custom House at this port.

-R.A. Moses has bought the house formerly occupied by Robt. Wright, on the corner fronting the square, and is giving it a thorough overhauling from top to bottom. It will be a decided improvement to that part of the village.

-Rev. Mr. Potter, the Methodist Clergiman in this place, is at work raising the amount requisite for a new Church, to stand on the south-east corner fronting the square.

-John W. Burtiss is doing a good business in his furnace this spring, it is decidedly the handiest one we were ever in. A more scientific moulder cannot be found - give him a call.

-Henry P. Vosburgh, a Tinsmith, arrived here March 1st, to work for Reynolds & Griffin.

-John Reynolds is driving the Tanning business - he has just added two more finishers to keep up with the orders. His Leather is pronounced to be superior to all others.

-There are nine persons living within a distance of two miles, near Winstead, whose united ages are six hundred and eighty-eight years - RURAL NEW YORKER.

-Mr. Abraham Popper, on seeing the above, sat down and counted nine persons, himself one of them, within a mile of this village whose united ages are 752 years, and says if it is necessary he can best that.

-H.M. Griffin, of this village has just received a letter from Leo Miller, saying he can speak in Pultneyville the Last Sunday in June, and it is the only time he can be in New York State for a year to come.

-L.O. Goodridge arrived here from New York on Tuesday evening, March 9th, and returned the next day.

-Joseph Mason and family left for the west on Thursday, April 11.

-Dr. Asabel Todd fell and broke his leg a few days since, and there is some doubt entained as to his recovery again.

-A.A. Cornwell has moved on his farm - the one lately owned by John Albright.

-H. Auchampach has bought the lot adjoining him on the west up to the square; and the southwest corner has been purchased by the Methodist society, upon which they intend to erect a new church.

-James B. Craggs is doing a good business in his Mill, and from all accounts gives perfect satisfaction.

MARINE ITEMS

-A Company is about organizing to build a vessel at this place the coming season.

-The schr. Happy Jack, owned by Capt. E. H. Todd was laid up at Sodus the past winter, and sharing one of our strong northeasters in March the whole body of ice in the bay moved off causing her and 6 or 7 other vessels to be sent adrift, but unfortunately the ice drove a hole through her and she sank in about ten feet of water. She was raised a few days ago, and will be in running order soon.

-The schr. Glen Cuyler, owned by B. Todd & Sons, is being fitted up at Little Sodus, where she laid up last winter.

-The Sodus fleet have all left the Bay found to Oswego, Toronto, Cleveland and Toledo.

-The schr. Petrel, of Genesee, cleared from this port, April 10, with 200 bbls Dried Apples for Chicago, to be reshipped at Charlotte on the schr. Rival, Capt. B.B. Brewer.

-The schr. J.J. Morley, owned by Holling & Ferguson of this place is about ready for sea, having been got out on the Dry Dock at Kingston, and had thorough repairing, and will be as good as new. Capt. Wm. Flemming is to take command of her. He and his crew have left this port for Kingston. The first trip will be to Toronto with a load of Pig Iron.

THE LATEST NEWS.

WAR! WAR!! WAR!!!

Civil War has been begun by the rebels - seven of their batteries yesterday opened a fire on Fort Sumpter. Maj. Anderson still refuses to give up the Fort notwithstanding they have breached his walls and silenced two of his guns.

The Harriet Lane has arrived and received a shot from the rebels. The rest of the fleet has not arrived.

The firing was resumed again on the morning of April 13th and continued all day.

THE COMMERCIAL PRESS

June 1861

We have not published this number as early as usual, and shall not hereafter until the 20th of every month. We shall run off 1000 copies of every issue after this.

It is rumored that Jeff. Davis is calculating to take Fort Ontario at Oswego. The question is will the Home Guards of Williamson help protect it or not.

-A. Allen
is calculating to go into the purchasing of Wool this season again.

-John N. Brownell, of this town, raised the past year, 235 bush. Flax Seed, which he sold at $1.35 per bush.; and 4000 lbs. Flax for 11 cts per lb., amounting in all to $987.25. The whole amount raised in town of Seed was 800 bush., and 15000 lbs. Flax; total value $2,730.

-We have to occasionally stop at Clyde on our way down the Central Railroad, and find the Franklin House, opposite the New York Central Railroad Depot, by P.W. Tinklepaugh, to be superior to all others. Friend Peter understands his business, and his wife knows how to get up the meals in tip top style. See advertisement in another column, and don't forget the House.

-Rev. A. Pryne, of this town has applied to the Department for the post of Chaplain of the Navy. He received a letter from S.P. Chase, in return saying that he handed his name over to the Navy Department with his endorsement. His chances are good for the post.

-Joseph Gazley has just got his Billiard Room and Bowling Saloon in order. He has been to a considerable expense in fitting them up. See his advertisement in another column of this paper.

-G.H. Case, proprietor of the Johnson House, Sodus Point, has just added a Billiard Table to his Hotel.

-J. Reynolds has just returned from New York with a large stock of Dry Goods.

-J.W. Powers has just returned from New York. He has been down with a drove of Sheep.

-J. Reynolds is a driving his Tannery. He has orders for Leather all along the Central Railroad. It is pronounced in Lyons, Clyde, Port Byron, Jordan, Syracuse and Rochester, to be ahead of anything yet for quality and finish, and destined to have an extensive sale at home and abroad.

-Geo. D. Phelps, jr., has been at Charlotte for the last two weeks or more assisting Capt. H. N. Throop in fitting out the boats.

-H.T. Wilcox has opened his Ticket Office in the Waverly Block, near the New York Central Railroad for the Ontario Steamboat Company.

-Dr. Asabel Todd is recovering from the effects of his fall, and will be out again in a short time.

-John Miller has closed up his Saloon and sold the building to Mr. Lund, who is to open a Shoe Store in a few days.

-Henry Ward Beecher sends a son to the war as a second lieutenant of one of the companies of the "Brooklyn Phalanx."

-D. Gates & Co. of Palmyra have got the contract for carrying the Palmyra and Ontario mail.

-Rev. Granville Moody is elected Chaplin of one of the Ohio regiments. He asked for a musket, for said he, "in our Methodist communion we do not believe in faith without works."

-John Roys, son of P.B. Roys has returned home after a whaling voyage of seven years.

-Leo Miller, as will be seen by our advertisement to speak in this place the last Sunday in June, the 30th. Every one that has heard Leo once will want to hear him again.

LAW - There is one thing that our community can feel thankful for, that it is seldom that we ever have a suit here of any kind, and are not pestered to death with horse suits, Pettyfoggers and Lawyers. We have only one Constable in town; none within four miles of this village; only one Justice of the Peace, and he will settle all the costs any time to avoid having any thing of the kind to occur. With such a state of things there is pleasure in living - and long may it last.

ARREST OF COUNTERFEITERS - Deputy U.S. Marshall Caleb Pierce, ex-Dept. Marshal of Greece, and Deputy Rich of Wayne county, arrested Saturday evening, at different towns on the line of the Direct Railroad, between Rochester and Syracuse, four men, named respectively Byron L. Clark, Geo. Brown, Wm. W. Lyon, and R.P. Pulver, charged with passing counterfeit coin. These men all live in Marion with the exception of Pulver, who resides at Newark. The officers have been working this case for some time and think they have a sure thing of it.

MARINE ITEMS

Lake Ontario was high (lacking four inches) as it was in 1859, when it swept the dock and store houses away along the shore.

The Steamers Northerner and New York are not sold to the government, as been reported by the Rochester papers.

Business is brisk on the Lake this spring. Vessels are in good demand and freights are high. The schr. Rival, of this port, owned by Capt. H.N. Throop, has come down with 17000 bush. wheat, at 15c to Kingston.

The schr. J.J. Morley, owned by Holling and Fergerson, of this Port, is freighting between Cleveland and Buffalo.

THE COMMERCIAL PRESS

July 1861

PLEASURE TRAVEL - Persons wishing a pleasure trip during the summer months, will find a grand opportunity by taking one of our Lake Steamers: comprising the Steamers Bay State, Capt. Morley; Ontario, Capt. Ester; and Cataract, Capt. Ledyard. The trip around the Lake is accomplished in three days, showing you all the places of note on the Lake and St. Lawrence, and a splendid view of the "Thousand Islands." Parties of this description are taken at liberal rates.

WOOL - We called on L.S. Cuyler a few days since, just at the time he was shearing his sheep. He showed us his heavy fleeces: one buck, 6 yr. Old, sheared 24 lbs.; 9 yearling bucks, sheared from 12 to 15 lbs. Each. His flock of sheep are not to be surpassed by any in the county. Those that are in want of any fine blooded stock had better call soon.

MARINE ITEMS

-The schr. J.J. Morley, Capt. Wm. Flemming, loaded at this port on June 25th with 120 tons of Pig Iron for Erie, Pa.

-The schr. Happy Jack, Capt. E.H. Todd, left for Wellington, Canada, June 20, for a load of White Fish, and returned Wednesday, June 26th, with them.

-The schr. Glen Cuyler, Capt. J.B. Todd, is in the harbor painting up.

PERSONAL ITEMS.

-Mrs. Ward and family, wife of Henry Ward, jr., Ticket Agent of the N.Y.C. Railroad at Seneca Falls, arrived at her fathers on Friday, June 14. We had the pleasure of taking tea with the "Old Subscriber," a few days since - he makes a grand Ticket Agent, and one that the Company feel proud of.

-Hon. S.C. Cuyler has received the necessary documents for the post of Custom House Officer at this port. His appointment having been confirmed at Washington. His office is at J. Reynold's store.

-Armine Holling, second officer of the Steamer Bay State, has been home for a short time with a lame foot, but left on Thursday, June 14th, entirely well again.

-The farm of William Granger, on the Bear Swamp road, is for sale. The terms are easy and title good. Enquire of Edward Pallister, who is the Executor of the said estate.

-James Sheffield, son of J. Sheffield, Esq., assistant Engineer of the Steamer Bay State arrived home the 20th June, and staid a few days.

-Chas. T. White, Ed. Of the Newark Courier, is now in New York, doctoring his eyes. His brother of the Port Byron Gazette, is now setting Editor of the paper, as well as his own at Port Byron.

-Geo. W. Jackson and Alex. G. Donnelly have been spending a short time among us. They spoke at the Union Church in this village on Sunday, June 16th, at 2 o'clock. George has improved in his speaking remarkably since the last time he was here, but his health is not as good. Donnelly is a flowery speaker, and well calculated to command an audience. They are well mated to travel together - may success attend their efforts.

-The Lyons Republican says the Rev. D.D. Buck, pastor of the M.E. Church, of Lyons, has been appointed Chaplain of Col. Slocum's Regiment, and will enter upon the discharge of his new duties immediately.

-Mrs. J. Reynolds and Mrs. Mary Farewell arrived home from Chenango county, Saturday evening, June 22d, where they have been on a visit for a short time.

-Hon. Mr. Goodwin, Presiding Elder of the Genesee District, gave us a lecture on Monday evening, june 17th, at the Union Church, on the Crisis. It was grand and imposing, and the audience would have been perfectly satisfied if he had kept them one hour longer.

-Joseph and Elnathan Allen, sons of John Allen of Adrian, Mich., formerly of this place, arrived on Tuesday evening, June 18.

-Rev. James Gregg preached at the Union Church in this village on Sunday, June 9th, at 2 o'clock.

-Persons visiting Lyons should not fail to stop at the Lyons Hotel, kept by Billy Smelt. You will there find good meals and a clean bed.

-Craggs Mill is doing a driving business. Their water power having failed at this season of the year generally, they have the steam ready, which they are now using.

-Mrs. H.G. Higgins & Brother had Pic Nic party at their Hotel, at Sodus Point on Friday evening, June 21. They had about 60 couple, and old friend M'C was the music. It was a grand time. Circumstances were such as to prevent us from being present. See their advertisement in another column.

-Capt. Hunter, of Sodus Point, received sad tidings, June 24th, of his son being drowned in the Welland Canal that day. He was some 21 or 22 years old.

-Capt. A. Holling is doing a good business with his Lumber Yard and Planing Mill.

-We visited Messrs. Dickinson & Brisbin's Stave Machine, which they have got in running order and are turning out a good stock of staves. Coopers should give them a call.

-Capt. B. B. Brewer has brought in a lot of Yellow Cedar Posts; the nicest lot that has been landed here for years, and he sells them cheap.

-Wm. Case Of Williamson, has a party at his house July 4th. Good music will be in attendance; and further more we can assure all that go that they will have a superb supper, and a quiet party.

THE COMMERCIAL PRESS

August 1861

THE SCOTCHMAN - John McIntosh, as noticed under Personal Items, as having received the appointment as Captain of a company, was formerly of this village, and while here had several military schools, of which we were one among the number of scholars. We were much gratified to hear of the appointment, as his whole drift seemed to be of a military character; and we look ahead with a good deal of confidence to his triumphant success as a military chieftain.

PERSONAL ITEMS

-Leo Miller and Wife left this place July 2d, for Bangor, Me., where they are to spend the months of July and August.

-John McIntosh, formerly of this place, has received the appointment as Captain of a Military Company, to be stationed at New London, Ct., to be called for when wanted. He has now opened a recruiting station at Ogdensburgh, N.Y.

-Capt. B.B. Brewer has sold his house and lot to John Rhodes, of Victor, N.Y., and has given possession.

-Orders for Leather from John Reynolds Tannery are being received every day. Our Customers down the old road between Rochester and Syracuse will bear with us for not filling their orders sooner, as we have been rather behind for the last month in filling orders that was to go down the direct road.

-John Baker has opened a Meat Market in this village, in the corner building opposite the Hotel, formerly occupied by John Miller as a Saloon.

-James Sheffield has bought a lot adjoining the School House, opposite the Union Church, and is going to start a Machine Shop. The timber is already on the spot for framing.

-Capt. E.H. Todd has just arrived with another superior lot of White Fish. He meets with ready sales, for the fish are A. No. 1.

-J.W. Powers has just returned from New York, having been down with another load of sheep.

-P.W. Tinklepaugh, of the Franklin House, Clyde, has leased the Hotel to his brother and enlisted in a Cavalry Company in Rochester. He is now in Washington with the rest of the Company.

-Alfred Allen has commenced the purchasing of Wool this season. Although prices range low, yet some farmers think best to sell rather than run the risk of prices running lower yet.

-Amasa O. Miller has sold his farm to Munson Seeley, and to give possession the 1st of October.

Total value of property landed for the month $669.

We clip the following from the Clyde Times: Dell Tinklepaugh, daughter of Mr. P.W. Tinklepaugh, fell from the roof of the stoop of the Franklin House to the ground on Tuesday. The distance is about 2 feet, and it is wonderful that the child was not instantly killed; when she was picked up the blood ran out of her nose, mouth and ears. She is now doing well, and is in a far way of recovery.

MARINE JOURNAL.

Port of Pultneyville, for July, 1861

Arrived.

Steamer Ontario, Capt. J.B. Estes, from Oswego

Steamer Bay State, Capt. J.J. Morley, from Oswego

Steamer Cataract, Capt. J.H. Ledyard, from Oswego

Schr. Wanderer, E. Donville, 45 cords of Red Cedar Posts, from Bay of Quinte, to H. Knapp, Marion.

Schr. Happy Jack, Capt. E.H. Todd, 45 bbls. White Fish, 6 bbls. Flour, from Wellington.

Schr. May Flower, Capt. Vandusen, 8 bbls. white fish from Wellington.

Schr. Saucey Jack, Capt. Hutchings, 10 bbls. white fish, from Wellington, to Mr. Thomas, Marion.

Schr. Happy Jack, Capt. E.H. Todd, 609 bbls. White fish, from Wellington.

Cleared.

Steamer Ontario, Capt. J.B. Estes, for Charlotte, 900 lbs. Leather to A. Cross, Rochester

Steamer Cataract, Capt. J.H. Leduyard, for Charlotte

Steamer Bay State, Capt. J.J. Morley, for Charlotte

Schr. Wanderer, Capt. Douvil in Ballast to Sodus

Shr. Happy Jack, E.H. Todd, Iron and Apples to Wellington, consigned to E.H. Todd.

Schr. May Flower, Capt. Vandusen, sea stores for Oswego

In Port,

Schr. Glen Cuyler, Capt. J.B. Todd.

Schr. Happy Jack, Capt. E.H. Todd.

THE COMMERCIAL PRESS

September 1861

In another column of our paper, will be found an interesting letter from our old friend, and fellow townsman, Dr. D.C. Higgins, now at Adrian Mich. We have been expecting a letter from him for some time, and hope it will not be the last one. We have always looked upon the Dr. from our early days as an intelligent man, although not endowed with the organ of hope as large as some, yet with all his dealings with his fellow beings, naught can be said against him. We heartily wish for him happiness while he remains among us, and finally after the clay tabernacle shall be dissolved, may be convinced, if not before of a happy re-union of his friends in the spirit world.

Sodus Academy - The Fall term of this institution opened Tuesday, Aug. 13, Lewis H. Clark Principle, Miss C.A. Prosus, preceptress, Miss E. S. Clark, in English branches.

For further particulars, address the Principle, or the President, A.M. Winchester.

PERSONAL ITEMS

-Captain H.N. Throop and lady left on the Steamer Bay State, Wednesday, August 27, to spend a few days at Alexandria Bay.

-Rev. Henry Ward Beecher and John VanBuren are at the Water Cure at Clifton Springs.

-John Rhodes is a fitting up the basement part of his house for a Saloon.

-Glen Cuyler returned home a few days since sick, and has been confined to his house, but is on the gain, and will be out soon.

-G.C. Baorradaile, son of John Borradaile of Sodus, has taken charge of the Franklin House, Clyde, formerly kept by P.W. Tinklepaugh, and is giving it a thorough overhauling - papering painting and hanging blinds. He is well calculated for a landlord, and his wife equally so for a landlady. Whoever stops with him once will again.

-Capt. S.D. Tompkinson, of the schr. Kingsford, left Oswego for Chicago, in company with a fleet of other vessels, took in his load and got back to Oswego one week in advance of any of the others.

-Capt. J.H. Gloyd has taken the schr. Ben Franklin for one trip up to Cleveland: Captain Brewer having stopped ashore on account of the illness of his wife.

-Dr. L.E. Barnard is to take up his residence in this village about the first of October.

-Leo J.D. Miller has bought the late residence of Ansel A. Cornwall, on Jay street, and is to take possession the first of October.

-Rev. J. Potter, Methodist Clergyman of this village, has returned from Conference, and is to remain here another year. He is as fine a man as has been stationed here for some time.

-Mr. Lorenzo Fish has received his papers entitling him to the Post Office of this village. It is now removed to Palmer & Albright's store.

-Mr. Chas. A. Lampenius, Chemist, from Rochester, has taken up his residence in this village, in the house formerly occupied by John Rickman, Persons wishing anything in the Confectionary department will give him a call.

-Wm. Pratt, brother of Aaron and Joel Pratt, has returned home from a whaling voyage.

-Hon. S.C. Cuyler and lady left for Courtland county, on a short visit, Thursday, August 29th.

-A. Cornwall 5th, of Alexandria Bay, stopped ashore a few days ago, on his way to Chicago, looking as well as ever apparently, but by the color of his hair it showed that time had marked him as well as others on its onward course. - But he is a thorough business man and a good one; as all confess who know him.

-Mrs. S. Burnell has been on a visit to Lockport and Buffalo, but has not returned, and ready to resume business in the Dress Making line.

-Henry Ford, formerly of Victor, Ontario Co., N.Y., now engaged in the fruit tree business, has taken up his residence in this village.

-B. Reynolds, has just received the Fall and Winter Fashions, with a new supply of cloths, and pretty styles, and from the quantity bought, we should judge, calculates, on a good fall trade.

-J. Reynolds calculates to have his leather exhibited at the State Fair, at Watertown this fall, to compete for a premium. He has not been able to manufacture any more than to supply orders for the last four months, and has lately added another man to the finishing department.

-C.N. Tuttle, of Auburn, is the Gen. Agent for Patent Medicines, for this state and Mich., to whom all orders should be addressed in the wholesale line.

For the Commercial Press.

Adrian, Aug. 26, 1861

Friend John: - One of the young Davenports, so famed as spiritual mediums, is here, and occasionally, holds a circle at a private house, where the deciples, and others if they please, go to witness the strange developments. I will name some of them, (the manifestations I mean,) as briefly as possible, for you like brevity, so do I. Well, he is bound to a chair with a long rope, his hands crossed behind the chair and strongly tied in that position; legs tied together and to the chair, and the rope wound about his arms and body, in every conceivable contortion, and knotted at every turn. The light is then extinguished, the spirits or whatever they may be, commence operations. Musical instruments fly about the room, rapping against the heads and shins of the spectators, (not so hard as to hurt them however,) and playing tunes at the same time. Chairs and other furniture assume locomotion, and shift their places, playing a variety of anticks, too numerous to mention. The spirits talk, ask and answer questions. One called for a glass of water which was brought and put upon the table. In an instant it was capsized and tumbled on the floor, but the water was gone, not a vestige of it to be seen. When the enquiry was made, "what has become of the water?" a voice replied, "It evaporated. All things will evaporate in time; this earth and all its appendages will be again converted into gas." The coat was taken off young D. while bound, a light struck that all might see; and in an instant after the light was extinguished, it was placed upon a young man who was bound in the same manner. It was then stripped from the young man's back and restored to its proper place; all in less time than I take in relating these wonders. To the enquiry how this was done, it was replied, "I reduced it to its original elements, then reformed it again." He must be a quick workman surely. When the performance was about to end the ropes were untied by invisible hands, and thrown into the laps of spectators. Voices were heard in various parts and varied as if from different persons, male and female. I saw a pale hand turned in various directions, some had a hand offered them, and avar(?) that they took in theirs one small hand and one large one. You will account for all these things by attributing them to spirits, the souls of the departed. I do not account for them; I only give the facts, on which you may rely. I have no room for more, though this is only a part - give my love to your father, mother and wife - as well as to other friends left behind forever. Rest assured of my best wishes for your welfare.

D.C. Higgins

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