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vol. title: vol. period: 1879-1880 pages in vol.: 577 |
< Mr.Wallace's Defence of Mr. Fletcher (continued from page 10-448) >
columns, no jury in England could have been got to believe his subsequent denial, even had the case been otherwise more doubtful than it was.
And now, Sir, I must leave it to the judgment of intelligent readers whether Mr. Wallace’s letters are, or are not effectually answered. Mr. Wallace started this discussion, and wrote two letters, under a complete misapprehension, as he soon discovered, of what the words were upon which the whole matter rests. Yet, in his last long communication there is not one syllable to indicate that he recognises any difference in sense between the words “If American mediums have ruined Spiritualism,” and the words which Fletcher actually used. For surely, if he had seen any substantial difference between them, he would have hastened to acknowledge his error, and at least have altered the spirit of his attack. But I am still magisterially censured in terms which seem to me peculiarly applicable to those who rush ignorantly into controversy. That Mr. Wallace should have done this in the first instance, and have afterwards devised such arguments as we have been considering, will be a matter of surprise and regret to many.
<Untitled> (Sir,-I fear you must be almost tired of the Fletcher-Slade controversy...)
Sir, I fear you must be almost tired of the Fletcher-Slade controversy, but as “one fact is worth fifty arguments,” I hope you will find room for one additional fact, which might throw some light on the subject.
We have already two facts which are admitted by all: 1st. That Mr. Fletcher stated that “an American had rendered Spiritualism detestable and contemptible in this country.”
2nd. That Mr. Fletcher when questioned on the subject, at once said not only that his words did not refer to Dr. Slade, but also that “he never had any but the highest opinion of Dr. Slade, and his great gifts.”
Mr. Massey, however, declares that Mr. Fletcher’s denial is “incredible,” but most persons will admit that the “incredible” thing is Mr. Massey’s own assertion, for every one knows that a statement which Mr. Alfred R. Wallace and many others sincerely believe cannot be “incredible.”
Mr. Massey urges that Mr. Fletcher must have meant Dr. Slade, and he endeavours to support his charge by an ingenious though roundabout argument, but the facts are against him, for the only person in the world who can certainly know who Mr. Fletcher had in his mind when he wrote, was the writer himself, and he says it was not Dr. Slade.
Allow me now to add one more fact which I trust Mr. Massey will not be so uncourteous as to call an “incredible falsehood.” In the spring of this year Mr. Fletcher was dining with me when I happened to refer to Dr. Slade, and not being myself a Spiritualist, I confess I was somewhat prejudiced against him. Mr. Fletcher however assured me that Dr. Slade was in every respect a gentleman, indeed, he spoke so highly of him that ever since I have believed him to be a most maligned and persecuted man.
York House, York Place, London, W.
Hackney Spiritual Evidence Society
Sir,—Will you allow me to say that our last meeting here prior to our removal to 7, Ellingfort Road, Mare Street, Hackney, takes place Sunday next 17th inst. Tea 5 o’clock. Seance 6.30: Mr. F. O. Matthews medium.
6, Field View, London Fields.
The Prosecution of Mediums by Spiritualists
Every mail brings later news relating to the prosecution of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Fletcher, mediums, at Boston, Mass. Mrs. Fletcher has had Dr. Mack arrested in relation to the property he made Mr. Fletcher restore at Lake Pleasant. The Boston Globe of September 27th says: —
The arrest of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Fletcher, the spiritual mediums, for obtaining as is alleged, by false pretences, a large lot of valuable laces and diamonds from Mrs. Hart Davies, is still fresh in the minds of The Globe readers, and on Saturday a new development occurred that bids fair to bring it again before the general public. In an interview Saturday afternoon with Major John W. Mahan, counsel for the Fletchers in this affair, that gentleman stated that the defence will claim that the property in question belongs to Mrs. Susie W. Fletcher, and became hers by a deed of gift from Mrs. Davies, who gave her besides some articles of value that were left in London when the Fletchers came back to this country. It is also alleged that Mrs. Davies, to make the matter more binding, at the time the deed was executed, sent a letter to Mrs. Fletcher, stating that she personally made the conveyance, in order that her heirs might not interfere with the execution of her wishes, or the incumbrance of trustees be incurred, as would be the case, perhaps, if the expression of her kindness was made through her last will and testament; she offered also to give a bill of sale, if necessary. Major Mahan says that the Fletchers have paid large bills contracted by Mrs. Davies, aggregating over $500, and, also, while living in London, provided her with board, rooms, medical attendance, and incurred other expenses on her account, so much so as to give them a legal right to a lien or claim upon her baggage and personal effects as security for unpaid bills. The defence will further set forth, and expect to prove, that in August last Mrs. Davies met with Dr. James McGeary, or “Dr. Mack,” as he is better known in some circles, who obtained such a powerful control over her by the agency of alleged “Spiritual Manifestations” as to be able to induce her to give him a power of attorney to take all of this property which it is alleged by the defence she had given Mrs. Fletcher. It is further claimed that in August last, the Fletchers, who were then stopping at the Lake Pleasant House in Montague, Franklin county, the well-known Spiritualist camp-meeting rendezvous, were called upon by Mr. Geary who demanded this property and was denied. He returned on the 20th of August with an unknown man, whom he represented to be an officer, and exhibiting a warrant, called upon Mr. Fletcher, “in the name of the law,” to surrender the goods, or this officer should arrest him. Mr. Fletcher said he would deliver the property, but under protest, and did so, giving up a trunk, with jewellery, wearing apparel, etc., of the Davies bequest to Mrs. Fletcher. Major Mahan has found that such a search-warrant was properly issued by the trial justice at Montague, but no return has been made upon it. He says McGeary is reported to have openly exhibited some of this jewellery, and boasted how he succeeded in frightening it out of Fletcher. By direction of his client Major Mahan procured the issue of two writs, in each of which Susan W. Fletcher is the plaintiff. One charges James <... continues on page 10-450 >
Editor's notes
- ↑ Sir,-I fear you must be almost tired of the Fletcher-Slade controversy... by Melhuish, Arthur James, London Spiritualist, The, No. 425, October 15, 1880, p. 189
- ↑ Hackney Spiritual Evidence Society by Williams, C.R., London Spiritualist, The, No. 425, October 15, 1880, p. 189
- ↑ The Prosecution of Mediums by Spiritualists by Mack Arrested, London Spiritualist, The, No. 425, October 15, 1880, pp. 189-91
Sources
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London Spiritualist, No. 425, October 15, 1880, p. 189