A Colossal Battle

Detroit Free Press, March 31, 1860

Sarah Ann Rabb and Harriet Gaines, the former a white woman who followed fortune-telling for a living, and the latter a sturdy negro wench, were arrested in a row and disturbance of the peace. They were discharged, having remained in jail over night.

"Gypsy Curse" is Feared

Detroit Free Press, October 22, 1913

Refuge Taken in Law to Put Stop to Mystic Passes

Fearing the workings of the dreaded "gypsy curse,' Mrs. Esther Holson, of 312 Winder street, took refuge in the law Tuesday, and got a warrant for Mrs. Mary Rylick, a fortune teller.

Mrs. Bolson and the fortune teller live in the same house. Mrs. Rylick, it is alleged, exchanged her professional services for Mrs. Holson's money at regular intervals.

Since Mrs. Holson ceased her visits to the fortune teller, she says Mrs. Rylick has stopped her in the hall, made mystic, fateful passes at her and projected evil spirits through the wall which separates their rooms.

The Big Hill

Detroit Free Press, March 30, 1890

This story of a treasure found and lost on the "Big Hill" by supernatural means on the outskirts of old Detroit Village as foretold to three men--one later became a prominent County official--by a soothsayer, guided by a rubber ball and recounted here by Luke Sharp ("look sharp" AKA novelist Robert Barr) is probably bunkum but who can know for sure.

I included the full page below for the excellent Wonderland advert featuring the "Mammoth Hoosier Boy" Chauncey Morlan, esquimaux, Col. Fisher the prize package midget and Zip (Barnum's What-is-it?) and Ash (The Spotted New Zealander), noted freaks who made their first appearance in Detroit in a Burlesque Boxing Bout. The two semi-human, semi-savage, semi-civilized beings. Their words, not mine.

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Fortune Teller's Unique Defense

The Detroit Times, August 1, 1908

Keywords: 1908, fortune telling, Tiny Bazy, Iren Stanley, The Detroit Times.

Heady Idea Is No Help in a Pinch

The Detroit News, November 17, 1960

Lula Tennis (great name!) had the gift of soothsaying but didn't have a license. So she used the opportunity of her aunt, Madam Mary, going out of town to surreptitiously fill in for her. Unfortunately for her she encountered Patrolman John Ruane and his "daughter" who was supposedly suffering a terminal illness. After directing Ruane to bring back a pound of coffee and five pounds of sugar Mrs. Tennis would brew up a good luck compound. It was then that Ruane pulled the curtain off the charade and identified himself. She was fined $25 by the court. Of course, the session likely wasn't her first so the money likely came out of her profits and not her own pocket.

Keywords: fortune telling, 2920 Chene Street, Judge Joseph A. Gillis,