diff options
Diffstat (limited to '35537.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 35537.txt | 1329 |
1 files changed, 1329 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/35537.txt b/35537.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..47ea912 --- /dev/null +++ b/35537.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1329 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Do the Dead Return?, by Anonymous + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Do the Dead Return? + A True Story of Startling Seances in San Francisco + +Author: Anonymous + +Release Date: March 10, 2011 [EBook #35537] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DO THE DEAD RETURN? *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + + + + + + + + + _Price, 50 cents_ + + + Do the Dead Return? + + A Startling Story from Life + + + Crown Publishing Company + San Francisco + 1900 + + + + +[Illustration: DR. LOUIS SCHLESINGER.] + + + + + DO THE DEAD RETURN? + + + A TRUE STORY + OF STARTLING SEANCES + IN SAN FRANCISCO + + + _NOTICE_ + + _This work is copyrighted. Editors are warned + not to make unlawful abridgments._ + + CROWN PUBLISHING COMPANY + SAN FRANCISCO + 1900 + + + + + COPYRIGHT, 1900 + BY CROWN PUBLISHING CO. + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. + + + PAGE + + INTRODUCTION 5 + + THE AUTHOR'S STORY 7 + + THE "EXAMINER" SEANCE 14 + + SOME STARTLING DAYLIGHT SEANCES 19 + + CHARACTER OF THE NARRATORS 55 + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +Before this little volume is read a few words of explanation should be +carefully weighed, for otherwise the reader might go away with many false +impressions. + +The author desires to say that every word here printed is absolutely and +literally true. Nothing has been added or suppressed, but the entire truth +has been expressed, usually in the exact language of the distinguished +gentlemen whose narratives make the bulk of the book. In most instances +the witnesses summoned wrote their accounts with their own hands, and the +original manuscripts are still preserved. + +Though many years have passed since the events recorded herein +transpired, all who witnessed the phenomena are still alive, and all are +well-known and reputable citizens of San Francisco. It was only a few days +ago that the author met Captain W. S. Barnes, who was District Attorney of +the City and County of San Francisco in 1893 (the date of the occurrences +with which the book deals), and he said: "What I saw in the presence of +the medium has puzzled me all these years. I can truthfully say that the +things that took place at Mayor Ellert's office are the most wonderful +events that I have ever come upon. They are absolutely beyond my +understanding." + +The circumstances with which the narrative deals are an important +contribution to the history of psychic research, and they are presented +for what they are worth while the witnesses and actors in the story are +alive. + +THE AUTHOR. + +_San Francisco, September, 1900._ + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +THE AUTHOR'S STORY. + + +In the autumn of 1891, the author of this narrative was business manager +of the Modesto (California) _Daily News_. One afternoon while he was +engaged in an important consultation with the late Senator J. D. Spencer, +one of the owners of the _News_, there was a knock at the door of the +editorial rooms. In a twinkling an old gentleman entered; he was a +venerable-looking, long-bearded man, with Hebraic features. + +Before Senator Spencer and I could say, "Good day, sir!" the old man said +something like this: "Gentlemen, I am Dr. Louis Schlesinger, the famous +Spiritualist medium. It is well known that I can talk with the good +angels, and I desire to have a series of seances here in Modesto." + +"Our advertising columns are open," I said, "and we shall be pleased to +announce your meetings at the regular rates." + +"I have no money to spare," he replied; "but I think you will say +something about me when I show you that man lives after death." + +The Senator whispered to me (on discovering that the old gentleman was +quite deaf), "I guess he's escaped from the Stockton Lunatic Asylum." + +Stockton was but twenty miles away, and I assented, but said, "Suppose we +sound him before we send for an officer." + +So we agreed to give Dr. Schlesinger an opportunity to convince us that he +was a man of rare endowments, as he pretended to be. + +Coming to the point, it was arranged that the Senator should retire to +the press-room while I remained with the aged suspect. + +"Take eight or ten slips of paper," said Dr. Schlesinger, "and write one +name on each--some of living, some of dead persons; and don't tell me or +anybody on earth what names you have written on the slips. Roll them into +little pellets--and come back here with your mind at rest, for I am not +insane, as you think." + +We were somewhat surprised, for both were certain that the old gentleman +could not have heard Senator Spencer's whispered doubt concerning our +visitor's sanity. + +In a few minutes Senator Spencer returned, bearing a number of paper +pellets which he held in his clenched right hand. + +Doors were closed and a table was rolled to the center of the room. Dr. +Schlesinger closed his eyes and appeared to fall into a light slumber. At +once there were many distinct raps on the table, as if some one had +thumped upon it with a finger. This was rather singular, as we could see +that our visitor's hands in no manner touched the table. + +Suddenly the old man opened his eyes and said: "Gentlemen, are you +satisfied that I do not know any of the names on those papers?" + +As Senator Spencer was as truthful and honorable a man as ever lived, one +whose word was better than most men's bonds, I replied: "I am sure you +have not seen the names and that you do not know one of them." + +"And some of the names are not known to anybody in California," added the +Senator. + +"Then I'll have to show you that I can talk with the spirits of the +departed," said Dr. Schlesinger. + +Without further delay he said: "I see the spirit of your mother standing +over you. She calls you Dillard, which is your middle name, and she says +she died in Kansas City, and was buried in the old cemetery at Westport. +Am I right?" + +Senator Spencer turned pale and said: "That is absolutely correct. Which +one of the pellets bears her name?" + +He then held the bits of paper between his right finger and thumb, and +when he had picked up three or four of them, the medium said, "That is the +one which contains your mother's maiden name." + +I have now forgotten the maiden name of the Senator's mother, though I +think it was Dillard. The answer, however, was correct. + +Next, without asking me to write anything down, the medium thus addressed +me: "I see the spirit of your mother's mother. Her name was Eliza Johnson, +and she calls you 'my son,' and says, 'Tell Anne that immortality is the +glorious truth of human life.' Anne was the name of her eldest child--your +mother." + +If Senator Spencer was convinced that Dr. Schlesinger had told him the +truth, I had the same kind of conviction in my case; for every word +uttered was correct. I have never understood how this old man came to the +results announced, nor have I ever seen any one who was able to explain +his power. + +With the memory of my Modesto experiences fresh in mind, I decided, when I +came upon Dr. Schlesinger in San Francisco, in 1893, to institute a series +of daylight seances in the presence of some of the most distinguished +citizens of San Francisco. As I was then a writer of the San Francisco +_Daily Examiner_ staff I found rare opportunities for enlisting the men +desired in the experiments. I was not then, nor am I now, in any manner +affiliated with Spiritualists, nor do I set forth the facts of this +narrative for the purpose of making converts to any theory of mind or +matter. + +The manuscript from which this work is printed was written at the time of +the matters recorded, on an order from the _Examiner_. Owing to the fact +that Mayor Ellert afterwards regretted that he had allowed a seance to be +held in his office, the _Examiner_ was induced to suppress the story, +which now appears in detail for the first time. It should be borne in mind +that all that follows was written at the time of the events described. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +THE "EXAMINER" SEANCE. + + +That the reader may fully understand the origin of the experiments +recorded in the narrative that follows, it is necessary to state again +that I was a writer for the _Examiner_ in the autumn of 1893, and that I +was on the alert for what newspaper men call "stories," or special +articles--things a little outside of the ordinary run of news. + +Ambitious to arrange something of unusual interest, I approached Mr. +Hearst and S. S. Chamberlain, who were in charge of the news department of +the paper. I told them what I had seen Dr. Schlesinger do in Modesto, and +outlined the plans that were afterwards carried out--seances at the +office of Mayor Ellert and the Chief of Police, in the presence of +prominent citizens. First, however, it was necessary for the editors to +see the medium at their offices; for they feared there would be some +failure, and that the citizens invited would be disgusted because of their +loss of time in useless experiments. + +For these reasons, therefore, the first sittings were at the editorial +offices of the _Examiner_, where the editors were as much puzzled as +anybody else. They were at once convinced that, however he performed his +feats, Dr. Schlesinger was at least not a bungling master of the black +art. Several intelligent observers were present, among them one or two of +the brightest newspaper men in the city. The experiments were not only +carefully noted, but they were viewed with grave suspicion. They were, +however, wholly informal and merely preliminary to the more important and +prolonged seances that followed at the office of the Mayor of the city, +and later at the office of and in the presence of the city's Chief of +Police. A few facts concerning the occurrences at the _Examiner_ office +are given that the reader may have the full benefit of the story. + +One of the investigators (Managing Editor A. B. Henderson) wrote a number +of names on slips of paper, before Dr. Schlesinger arrived. They were not +seen or known to any one save the person that prepared them, and the slips +on which they were written were carefully folded and clasped in a bundle, +by a rubber band or elastic. Great pains was taken by Mr. Henderson to +prevent the medium from handling or seeing the slips. Without seeing the +writing, Dr. Schlesinger at once gave the names correctly. One of them was +that of Thaddeus Stevens, the eminent Pennsylvanian; and when the folded +slip on which his name was written was touched by Mr. Henderson, the +medium said: "That is the name of Thaddeus Stevens, who knew you well. He +calls you Alexander, and sends you his love." + +Then the name of the sitter's deceased uncle was properly announced, +though it had not been written on any of the slips. Correct information +was also given concerning the uncle's religion while "in the flesh." + +S. S. Chamberlain, now Managing Editor of the Philadelphia _North +American_, (then News Editor of the _Examiner_) was one of the +investigators. He wrote down, on separate slips of paper, the names of +many living and dead persons, but, contrary to the medium's request, he +did not write the names of persons he had ever known. In a few moments Dr. +Schlesinger read the names correctly while the slips were beyond his +reach, and firmly clasped in Chamberlain's hand. They were of such +persons as John Ruskin, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Shakespeare, Longfellow, etc. + +A faithful report of all that occurred was submitted to the managing +editor of the paper, who at once decided that a series of similar +experiments, conducted at the office of the Mayor of the city and others, +in broad daylight, would make the basis for some interesting Sunday +specials. Under his instructions I arranged the seances, and was present +at all of them. I subsequently wrote a faithful account of what occurred, +but the articles were rejected by the editor of the Sunday _Examiner_ for +personal reasons. This volume embraces the substance of what was then +prepared. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +SOME STARTLING DAYLIGHT SEANCES. + + +It was on September 4, 1893, that a number of the most prominent citizens +of San Francisco held a daylight seance (at high noon) at the office of +Mayor Ellert. The company had assembled in response to the _Examiner's_ +invitation, and all of the witnesses had agreed in advance to observe +everything closely and write an absolutely fair account of what they saw, +adding any theory or explanation that seemed sufficient to account for the +phenomena. + +It is as well to say that is was a mirthful assembly at the outset, and +the newspaper man who had arranged for the experiments was the butt of +many little jokes. The idea that the medium could do anything more than a +little clever juggling seemed farthest from anybody's thoughts. + +Dr. Louis Schlesinger, then a man about sixty-one years of age, was the +spiritualist medium who said he could convince all present that the dead +return, and that he could hold communion with the living. The following +spectators were present, and the written reports of some of them are given +in full in the subjoined narrative: Mayor Levi R. Ellert, District +Attorney W. S. Barnes, President Theodore F. Bonnet, of the San Francisco +Press Club, Ex-President Grant Carpenter, of the same club, H. H. +McCloskey, then a State Central Committeeman of the Republican party, and +many other casual observers. + +At another seance Chief of Police Crowley, Judge Robert Ferral, Dr. R. E. +Bunker, and Attorney Charles L. Patton were the principal investigators, +though Captain Wright and many others saw all that was done. At this +seance the observations were conducted under the test conditions arranged +by Chief Crowley, Dr. Bunker, and Attorney Patton. + +The reader should satisfy himself concerning the mental and moral +qualifications of all the witnesses named by glancing at the biographical +sketches elsewhere in this volume. + +At the Mayor's office Dr. Schlesinger was announced as a resident of No. 1 +Polk Street. He said he knew none of the committee, and nobody present +except the _Examiner's_ representative knew the Doctor.[1] + + [1] He now lives in Boston.--Editor. + +"I can converse with the spirits of your deceased friends," said the +medium, "and I am giving my life to this work. I gave up a great tea +business to teach my fellow men that life does not end at the grave. My +home is constantly filled with bands of angels from the celestial depths, +but I am able to call a few spirits around any box, table, or desk. I want +you to satisfy yourself that all that is done here is absolutely honest." + +Before proceeding further the Doctor produced a testimonial from Editor +Will S. Green, of the Colusa _Sun_ (afterwards State Treasurer), which +explained that Dr. Schlesinger's performances could not be explained on +the theory of trickery. A clipping from the _Sun_ of September 5, 1890, +gave an account of matters that had puzzled the people of Colusa. The +investigations began, therefore, with a great deal of interest, and before +their conclusion the old Doctor had greatly puzzled all present. They +could not tell whether it was some psychic power by which he operated, or +whether they had been basely deceived. + +At his own request, Dr. Schlesinger was not introduced to any of the +persons present. He soon called their names, however, and said they were +given to him by the spirits in the raps that all could hear on the desk. + +The Doctor's favorite method of communicating startling information was to +have the sitters write, before they came into his presence, fifteen or +twenty names of living and dead friends. Each name being on a separate +piece of paper, the visitors were requested to fold each slip tightly, so +as to preclude any possibility of its being read by the medium. This done, +the slips, all of equal size, were put into a hat and thoroughly shuffled. +The Doctor would then say: "Pick out any slip yourself, and I will read it +without looking and before you yourself know what the name is." There +would then be raps, and in a few seconds the Doctor would give the name +correctly. These names were written and folded in a room apart from the +Doctor. + +"Granting that there is such a thing as mind-reading," said Chief Crowley, +"I do not think mind-reading would account for what was done for me, +because he read things that were not in my mind, telling me my mother's +maiden name and where she died." + +Dr. Schlesinger calls his gift clairaudient mediumship, and says his right +ear is deaf to all terrestrial sounds, but quickened, as with a sixth +sense, for communications from the other world. He says he can both see +and hear spirits, and that bands of them encircle him, and at times, in +the presence of some peculiarly "fit" visitors, manifest themselves with +great clearness and power. To prove that the sounds he hears are celestial +voices, he does many things which baffle those who witness the strange +phenomena which abound in his presence wherever he goes. + +It was with much difficulty that those who participated in these seances +and whose accounts of what they saw are subjoined, were induced to give +the medium a hearing. Chief Crowley was particularly opposed to giving +serious attention to what he denounced as "trickery and sleight of hand," +and afterwards called "marvelous and beyond power of explanation." Finally +he wrote down a number of names on separate slips, as explained in the +foregoing, and among those names appeared that of his mother--her maiden +name. The medium at once told the Chief which pellet contained his +mother's name, then read it, and in a few moments told where she died and +where she was buried. + +A few minutes later the aged Doctor said: "The spirit of Detective Hutton, +who died a violent death, hovers near you." + +The medium then spoke of matters that were known to nobody but Chief +Crowley and the dead detective. This greatly puzzled the Chief, who was +later deeply affected over purported messages from a son and others who +had been dear to him in life. + +Speaking of the purported message from his dead mother the Chief said: "I +cannot explain this, which is marvelous, for I do not believe a human +being in San Francisco knew that my mother's maiden name was Elizabeth +McCarthy, that she died in New Jersey and was buried in New York." + +Chief Crowley then wrote down a list of years, among them the year of his +mother's death. Dr. Schlesinger pointed to the year 1833 as that of her +death. + +"Correct!" replied Chief Crowley; whereupon the medium said, "and the name +of your father, Patrick J. Crowley, is also here, and he comes with your +son Lewis, who has not been dead long." + +The Chief thought it the most wonderful performance he had ever seen. "He +does marvelous and inexplicable things," said the Chief, "and I'll admit +I cannot tell how it is done. While I cannot believe he converses with +spirits, I am puzzled. I want to see him again and look into the matter +further." + + +[Illustration: EX-CHIEF OF POLICE P. CROWLEY.] + + +The experiments with Mayor L. R. Ellert, who sprang from his chair and +positively declined to be thrown into a trance condition when the doctor +requested him thus to visit the spirit world, were fully as startling as +those with Chief Crowley. + +Mayor Ellert took a chair in front of his official table, which had thus +been dedicated to spiritual uses, and asked if any spirits desired to +communicate with him, whereupon the medium grasped his Honor's hands and +the line of communication with the spirits was declared fully established. +Quite distinct raps were then heard on the table, and Dr. Schlesinger +looked at the Mayor and said: "You are a medium yourself, sir! My, what a +power!" + +The Mayor was urged "to sit alone often and be patient," and was told that +he could develop much power by such a course. + + +[Illustration: HON. L. R. ELLERT.] + + +Mayor Ellert then wrote down ten of fifteen names of living and dead +friends, on separate slips of paper. He refused to use the paper handed +him by Dr. Schlesinger, but cut up an official letter head which lay on +his own desk. As he began to write the names, the medium stepped away and +engaged in conversation with District Attorney Barnes and Mr. Bonnet at +the other side of the room, so that he could not see what Mayor Ellert +wrote. The Mayor carefully folded the slips, put them in a hat, and +shuffled them. He then brought one forth from the hatful. + +"That's a dead one," said Dr. Schlesinger. "Open it and see whether I am +correct; but don't let me see it." + +The Mayor obeyed the request, and answered, "Yes, this is a dead person's +name!" + +"Don't let me see it," said the mysterious visitor, "and I'll tell you +what it is," whereupon he at once correctly pronounced the name of the +Mayor's sister, which was not Ellert. + +The Mayor then announced that he was unable to explain the phenomena. He +watched the medium's movements and convinced himself that there had been +no juggling in the shuffle, and said that his visitor out-Hermanned +Hermann. He would leave the solution of the phenomena to others learned in +the arts of divination. + + +[Illustration: CHARLES L. PATTON.] + + +The outcome of the seances and the story of what occurred may best be +told by those who were present, and the subjoined versions are given:-- + + +ATTORNEY PATTON'S STORY. + +"I desire to preface what I have to say by remarking that while I have +never been nor am I now a spiritualist, nor have I ever before been +present at the performance of a medium, yet what I saw of Dr. +Schlesinger's so-called manifestations from the spirit world is entirely +inexplicable to me upon any scientific hypothesis with which I am +familiar; yet at the same time I must admit that I cannot explain the +phenomena exhibited upon any theory of legerdemain or sleight of hand +within my knowledge. Therefore, I merely state that I have seen, or +seemingly seen, and heard the following remarkable things, during the +sitting or seance with Dr. Schlesinger, leaving it to others more +competent than I to determine whether they are the manifestations of some +psychic force at present unadmitted by scientists or the legerdemain of a +sleight-of-hand performer. + +"The facts are as follows: At the request of the Doctor, I wrote eight or +ten names of different persons on as many slips of paper, two of the +number being dead, and folded the slips in such a manner that the Doctor +could not read them; and so far as I can judge, the Doctor could not have +had any method of knowing what names I wrote. I then placed the folded +papers in a hat, and one of the other gentlemen present drew them out one +by one. The Doctor, as each paper was drawn out, asked some question, such +as 'Guide, is this the one dead?' Finally, after all the papers had been +held up and the questions asked, some raps on the table, seeming to have +indicated according to the Doctor that the persons whose names were on two +of the slips were dead, I, on examination, found that he was correct in +his judgment. He then without (so far as I could see) having had any +opportunity to have seen the names, desired me to place the slips with the +names on in my pocket. Presently he said: 'I see two faces over your +shoulder; the name of one is J. B. The other says: "I am glad you have +commemorated my name by writing it here," the name is V. C.;' the Doctor +being correct in naming the deceased person in each instance, and the +message being appropriate to the character of the deceased person. I will +add, that, so far as I know, Dr. Schlesinger had no possible means of +knowing the name or anything about either person. One of the names, I feel +confident, was not known to any person in California outside of myself. + + "CHAS. L. PATTON." + + +BARNES WAS PUZZLED. + +District Attorney Barnes gives the following account of the seance:-- + +"I was completely surprised at the performance in the Mayor's office. It +was the first seance I had ever attended, and I must confess that I had +not the slightest respect for such manifestations other than a natural +admiration for the quickness of the operator. I had always supposed that +batteries, wires, a tolerable acquaintance with the sitter, all aided by +darkness, were the causes of the effects produced by the medium. In this +case, however, the seance took place in broad daylight, and no attempt was +made, so far as I could see, to use any mechanical means. The medium sat +two or three feet from the Mayor's desk, and only touched the desk +occasionally with his hand, yet from that desk came the spirit rappings +that were clearly audible to all of us in the room. I watched the others +write lists of names containing each the name of some dead person, and saw +the quickness with which Dr. Schlesinger picked out the persons who had +passed away, and gave messages from them. When it came my turn I wrote a +number of names on small slips of paper, folded them and held them in my +hand. Among these names was that of a classmate of mine at Harvard, who +died long ago at Philadelphia, who had never been in California, and whose +name I have not mentioned for years. Hardly had I sat down when Dr. +Schlesinger called his full name and gave me a message from him, recalling +an occurrence, so far as I am aware, known only to the dead man and +myself. To say that I was amazed but feebly expresses it; and when I asked +the Doctor whence he got his information, he replied, 'It is borne to me +on angels' wings.' + + +[Illustration: ATTORNEY W. S. BARNES.] + + +"Whether it was or not, it was a most remarkable thing, and deeply +impressed upon me that 'There are more things in heaven and earth than are +dreamt of in our philosophy.' + + "WILLIAM S. BARNES." + +Seven years after the foregoing was written, Mr. Barnes expressed himself +as still deeply puzzled. "I cannot think of any experience in life so +marvelous," he said, "so beyond my power to explain." + + +JUDGE FERRAL'S TESTIMONY. + +Ex-Judge Robert Ferral's narrative largely corroborates what the others +said. He presents the case in his own way. + +"Having taken a deep interest from early boyhood in exhibitions of a +marvelous nature, such as magic, legerdemain, mesmerism, hypnotism, +mind-reading, and spiritualism, it was with pleasure that I accepted the +kind invitation to visit Dr. Schlesinger and personally witness his +experiments and manifestations. + +"I found the Doctor an aged, venerable man, in a large room, surrounded by +a company of ladies and gentlemen, bright, cheerful, and intelligent, all +apparently bent upon the rational enjoyment of this life, and happy in the +belief of companionable intercourse with the realm of spirits. + +"Retiring to more quiet quarters, consisting of an ordinary bedroom and +parlor, the business began without waste of words or loss of time. Having +written the names of half a dozen persons, living and dead, each name on a +separate slip, carefully folded and looking precisely alike, which were +tossed into a hat and well shaken up, the doctor proceeded to name the +contents of each paper as it was drawn out. Occasionally he made a +mistake, but in nearly every instance succeeded at the first or second +trial. He first separated the living from the dead, without opening the +slips, and sometimes not even touching them; then proceeded to give the +names. Afterward, upon writing place and cause of death, age, occupation, +etc., upon other slips, the same result followed. Some of the names +submitted by me were peculiar, and I believe known to no one else in this +city, yet they were announced--read off, as it were--with but little +hesitation and generally exactly as written. The same thing occurred as to +the diseases and places of death. + + +[Illustration: JUDGE ROBERT FERRAL.] + + +"During this manifestation of his power Dr. Schlesinger simply formed a +circle or chain of hands, connecting with himself, frequently tapped the +table, and appealed to an unseen 'guide' for his information. Raps were +said to have been heard also, but of this I cannot bear testimony. + +"How was this done? By mesmerism? No; for there was nothing in the nature +of sleep or putting to sleep. Mind-reading? Possibly; although some of the +slips of paper were read correctly when the contents were for the time +forgotten and unknown to myself. Hypnotism? Don't know, having but a faint +idea how far these phenomena extend. By sharpness of sight, trickery, +sleight of hand? I cannot answer, at least for the present, remaining, as +before, an agnostic on these matters; unable to give an intelligent +explanation, but at the same time not disposed to jeer or scoff at what I +do not understand. Respectfully, + + "ROBERT FERRAL." + September 5, 1893. + + +DR. BUNKER'S NARRATIVE. + +The following is Dr. R. E. Bunker's account, written at his old office, +No. 802 Kearny Street, just after the seances and while he was still in +charge of the City Receiving Hospital:-- + +"I saw Dr. Schlesinger in company with the other gentlemen named, and I +saw wonderful things which I am wholly unable to explain. The phenomena, +manifestations, or things that occur in the medium's presence are not only +interesting, but marvelous. I went possessed of something like eight or +ten slips of paper, on each of which I had previously written (at my +office) a name of some person I had known--some living, some dead. Not a +soul ever saw the slips, for I was alone when I wrote the names. +Furthermore, they were so folded that no one could possibly have read a +single name. Dr. Schlesinger at once picked out the names of living and +dead persons, while the slips were held between my fingers and when I did +not know what person's name was on the particular slip that I held. He +pronounced every name correctly while I held the pellet, or as it lay +untouched on his table. + +"To say that what he did was by the aid of wires or batteries would be to +impart to wires and batteries more intelligence than the greatest +philosophers have ever possessed. This is no explanation; nor has any one +ever been able to explain to me how these things were done. I do not +believe it was mind-reading (a term that conveys no intelligent idea to me +anyhow), for I did not know the name on the slip under question--not until +I afterwards unfolded it and corroborated the Doctor's readings. You +understand that the entire bunch had been thoroughly shuffled in a hat +before any slip was picked up. + +"To come to specific instances, let me give a few cases as they occurred. +On one slip I had written my mother's maiden name, which was not known to +anybody in San Francisco. It was placed among eight or ten other names of +women--some married, some unmarried, some wholly fictitious. All slips +were folded alike and placed in a hat under the table, which I held in my +hands. Dr. Schlesinger asked me to pick out the pellets, one at a time and +hold them between my finger and thumb. He would say, 'That is not the +name, throw it aside;' and so on, until he hesitated at one pellet and +said, 'That is your mother's maiden name; it is Emily J. Laumann.' + +"The answer was correct, and in a similar manner he read other names and +told me all about the persons. I had written the name of Dick Foster on +one slip. Foster had died of consumption at the old Bella Union Theater, +on June 21st. The medium did not read his name, but wrote a message +backwards--that is, from left to right--very rapidly, and when I held it +up to the light with the written surface from me, I could read the +following:-- + + _I am glad to be here, and if I can obtain the appropriate conditions + I will show my identity._ + + _DICK FOSTER._ + +"This was a puzzling thing, and I should like for some one to explain how +it was done, if there was not communication with some invisible +intelligence. In regard to Foster's name it should be said that the medium +had not seen nor heard it, and that his hand flew over the paper very fast +while he wrote the backward message. So far as I could see, Dr. +Schlesinger was quite deaf and near-sighted. He was an old man of heavy +weight and clumsy fingers. His manner was that of a devout believer in the +genuineness of his theory. If any one can explain to me how these things +were done, he will interest me far more than Dr. Schlesinger did, and it +should be said that my attention to what he did was held without +interruption from the start. There were several other like tests wherein +he read for me other names by a process equally startling, making one feel +that he had marvelous powers. + + "R. E. BUNKER, M. D." + + +WHAT MR. BONNET SAW. + +Theodore F. Bonnet, who was a reporter for the _Daily Report_ at the time +of the seance at the Mayor's office, was a guest of the author during the +seance. Mr. Bonnet, who is now editor and owner of _Town Talk_, an +influential weekly newspaper, wrote the following account of what he saw +and handed it to the author just after the seance:-- + +"After witnessing the efforts of Dr. Schlesinger as a medium, one cannot +but be impressed by his marvelous powers of divination. They are +impossible of explanation on any hypothesis calculated to reduce his work +to the vulgar plane of legerdemain. Yet the manifestations, as he is +pleased to call his marvelous, puzzling and apparently supernatural +revelations concerning matters with which he could not become familiar +under ordinary circumstances, are after all, unsatisfactory to the person +engaged in testing his power. I must give him credit, however, for having +startled me by one message. I had written on small slips of paper, which +were then carefully folded--all this an hour or more before the meeting. +One of the names was Joseph Touhill, an Oakland burglar, who had been +killed by a policeman who caught him robbing a saloon. I had known +Touhill, and had been quite friendly with him in late years, but had never +suspected that he was of the Jekyll and Hyde species. The medium did not +at once direct me to the piece of paper on which Touhill's name was +written, but afterwards he suddenly said: 'The spirit of the man with +whom you wish to communicate is here now.' + + +[Illustration: EDITOR THEODORE F. BONNET.] + + +"I signified my willingness to hear from the spirit, whereupon the Doctor +said, 'Old boy, I'm not quite as dead as you think.' Then he mentioned the +name of Joseph Touhill. Now, this circumstance deeply impressed me, +because the language was so characteristic of the dead burglar, it having +been customary with him to address me as 'Old boy.' Mind-reading will have +to be rejected as an explanation, because the Doctor subsequently read a +name that was on a pellet that I had not opened, and knew nothing about +until I subsequently read it. I picked up the pellet from the desk where I +had put it with a number of others, and handed it to Mayor Ellert, who, +without examining it, deposited it in his vest-pocket. Then came rappings +on the table, and the medium said: 'Behind you stands the spirit of the +man whose name is on that paper. He was an eminent person, and he died +far away from here. He is waving a flag over your head, and on it is +written the name of Victor Hugo.' + +"The name was correct. Subsequently the Doctor correctly read the name of +William Cullen Bryant, which I had also written. The Doctor quoted the +spirit of the poet as saying that he was delighted that I was interested +in demonstrating that there was a world of spirits. Dr. Schlesinger's +feats are bewildering to the human mind. If he is a mere trickster he +possesses in a marvelous way the skill to disguise his character, for his +appearance and demeanor are those peculiar to fanaticism or strong faith +in a cause. + + "THEO. F. BONNET." + + +MR. M'CLOSKEY'S VERSION. + +The following is the narrative of Mr. H. H. McCloskey, a resident of +Merced at the time of the seance, but now a San Francisco lawyer:-- + +"I did not attend the little seance at the Mayor's office by appointment. +I was on my way to finish up some business and catch the 4-o'clock boat, +when District Attorney Barnes suggested that I drop in and see the fun. +Intending to remain but a few moments, I accepted the invitation, and have +no reason to regret having done so. As to what happened there, while I +remember perfectly well what was done, and kept careful note of all that I +saw, I am unable to account for it on any other hypothesis than that the +Doctor was, as he claims to be, a spiritual medium. At the same time I am +not prepared to admit that much. + +"What I saw I saw clearly; it was real and devoid of illusion. There being +no one present but the Mayor and thoroughly reputable gentlemen, collusion +by which a portion of the events of that afternoon might be accounted for +is, of course, out of the question; and neither collusion, mind-reading, +nor anything else could account for all that occurred. + +"The Doctor requested me to write on seven slips of paper, one on each +slip, the names of six acquaintances, five of whom were living and the +sixth dead. On the seventh my own name was to be written. I had never seen +the Doctor before, and have no reason to suppose that he had ever seen me. +I used my own pencil in writing the names, and wrote upon paper furnished +by the city and county for the use of his Honor the Mayor. When writing +the names I was twenty feet away from the Doctor, and as I wrote upon each +slip I folded it up carefully, so that I myself could not see anything of +the writing, nor tell one of the seven slips from the others. Five of the +names were those of intimate personal friends, the sixth of a man whom I +knew in a business way, but for whom, while I was not at all intimate with +him, I had always a great regard. This man is dead, and has been so for a +couple of years. + +"In obedience to the Doctor's request, I placed the seven slips on the +table. Taking the hand of Mr. Barnes, I holding the hand of the latter, +the Doctor proceeded to take the slips one by one from the table. The +first he held a second and dropped. The second he handed to me saying, +'This contains your name.' Upon opening it I found the Doctor to be +correct, and asking him what my name was he promptly told us. + +"I confess I was a little mystified, but the Doctor didn't stop there. +Continuing, he picked up the other slips until the fifth one had been +reached. 'This is the name of your dead friend. His name is V. C. W. +Hooker--not exactly, but a name very similar. I can't quite make it out. +He says he will talk to you at another time.' As you saw when I opened the +slip it showed as I had written it the name of V. C. W. Hooper, a man who +was quite prominent in Merced during his lifetime. Just how the Doctor +found that out I leave to others who were there to explain when they have +time after accounting for the mysterious things that happened to +themselves. I cannot and will not pretend to. It was not mind-reading, +however. Of that I am satisfied. For as he picked up the fifth slip and +said, 'This is the name of the dead man,' he did not get that information +by reading my mind, for there were two more slips remaining, and I +couldn't say which was which. That is beyond any explanation. Mind-reading +will not fit it at all. + +"One of the party--I think it was Mr. Barnes--wrote the name of _two_ dead +men in his list. Leaving out the first problem--the picking up of the +right slip--putting that aside, how is it to be explained that the Doctor +chose the right name of the two dead ones? Mr. Barnes did not know. He +had not opened the slip; therefore the Doctor could not read his mind. For +myself, I give up the conundrum. + + "Very truly. + "H. H. MCCLOSKEY." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +CHARACTER OF THE NARRATORS. + + +To any one who has a fair knowledge of human nature, a glance at the line +pictures of the gentlemen who participated in the events with which this +book deals will tell that they are men of character and keen observation. +In San Francisco and throughout the West many of them are as well known as +the Governor of the State. + +Their names need no introduction, and since they have been representative +men for many years it is not necessary to say much about them. For the +benefit of persons who know nothing concerning them, however, the +following information is submitted:-- + +PATRICK CROWLEY, Chief of Police, was born in Albany County, New York, on +March 17, 1831. When quite young he went to New York and worked in +different printing-offices. He came to San Francisco in 1850, and worked +in the mining-camps for two or three years. He was engaged in the boating +business here, when in 1854 he was elected to the office of Town Constable +on the Democratic ticket. He was re-elected on the same ticket in 1855, +and from 1856 he was re-elected every two years on the old People's Party +ticket till 1866, when he was elected Chief of Police. He held that office +by election for six years, when he quit the force and went into the +brokerage business. In 1878, by an act of the Legislature, the Board of +Police Commissioners received the power to appoint the Chief of Police. +The office was tendered him, and after considerable pressure he +reluctantly accepted it, as he was making an excellent living at his +business. He held the office by election or appointment for twenty-four +successive years. His wide experience with criminals, bunko-men, and all +sorts of tricksters gave him excellent training and amply fitted him for a +thorough inspection of all that was done during the seances. In fact, it +was his boast at the beginning of his sitting with Dr. Schlesinger that he +had helped to trap the Eddies and other disreputable mediums, and that he +would soon expose the fraud in the case in hand. + +WILLIAM S. BARNES, son of the eloquent and famous General W. H. L. Barnes +(known all over America as the greatest living after-dinner orator, and +known all over the United States as a Republican orator), is a graduate of +Harvard and a man of fine legal attainments. He is one of the most +prominent Native Sons, and is famous for his shrewdness as Prosecuting +Attorney for the great City and County of San Francisco. It was he who +prosecuted and convicted Theodore Durrant in one of the most marvelous +criminal cases of the century. He was also the star lawyer in the +prosecution of the great Sydney Bell footpad case. Mr. Barnes was the +organizer and president of the Association of District Attorneys of +California; is an active member of California Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M., a +member of the Pacific-Union Club, also of the Union League, of which he is +one of a committee on political action, of the Juarez Manufacturing +Company, of which he is President. Thus his mastery in the legal +profession is no less equaled in his social and business associations. + +Attorney CHARLES L. PATTON is Grand Master of California Masonic +fraternity, and is a gentleman of the highest personal and professional +character. He was a strong competitor against Mayor Phelan, and was +chosen by the Republican party a few years ago as the best candidate +against the present (1900) Mayor of the city. Mr. Patton is a man of much +erudition and wide experience with men and books. He, like all his +associates, and like the writer of this book, was and is a skeptic +regarding the truth of so-called spiritual phenomena. His account speaks +for itself. + +Mayor L. R. ELLERT is a man of legal attainments and of wide business +interests. He was a popular reform Mayor, and was in office at the time of +the occurrences narrated. He is to-day one of the best-known and most +highly respected lawyers and business men of San Francisco. For many years +he was a skillful pharmacist, and his wide knowledge of drugs and +physiology was useful in the attempted solution of the various problems +presented by the medium. + +Judge ROBERT FERRAL is the warhorse of Democracy, and one of the Nestors +of the California bar. He made some of the most spirited races ever +entered upon for Congress, and polled the largest vote ever known for an +unpopular political party in the old days. As a judge and criminal lawyer +of wide experience, as well as by reason of his unexcelled literary +attainments and extended experience in the science of hypnotism and +kindred phenomena, the Judge was an invaluable spectator and participant, +especially as his native wit usually enables him to see through many +things that puzzle other men. Here, however, he stood dumbfounded. + +Dr. R. E. BUNKER is a regular physician of high reputation and personal +standing. He was at the time of the matters recorded in charge of the City +Receiving Hospital, and was considered one of the most careful and +competent observers at the seance. Like all others named, Dr. Bunker's +word is absolutely above reproach, and there is not a more competent man +in the country. + +THEODORE F. BONNET was at the time of the seance a reporter for the _Daily +Report_. He was afterwards elected to the important position of License +Collector, and is now editor and owner of _Town Talk_. This is one of the +best weekly papers in the United States, and its success dates from its +purchase by the gentleman named. Mr. Bonnet is an Elk of high standing, +and a man of good family and social position. In addition to all these +facts, it should be borne in mind that his long training as a reporter +fitted him in a peculiarly advantageous way for the duties of trying to +detect what was done by the medium. + +H. H. MCCLOSKEY was a casual visitor at the seance, being the guest of +District Attorney Barnes. Mr. McCloskey was at the time a resident of +Merced, and was a prominent lawyer and politician. He was also a +Republican State Central Committeeman and was considered one of the ablest +of the party. He is to-day a well-known San Francisco attorney. His +account of the seance explains just what occurred. + +These facts, with some of the pictures, will give the reader an idea of +the men whose narratives he has doubtless read with pleasure. + +In conclusion, it should be remembered that this book is sold by the +publishers only. It will be sent to any address for fifty cents. If you +have enjoyed reading it, recommend it to the next friend you meet. + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Do the Dead Return?, by Anonymous + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DO THE DEAD RETURN? *** + +***** This file should be named 35537.txt or 35537.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/5/3/35537/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. |