Fooled: Conan Doyle vs. Houdini: Who's Right?

Detroit Free Press, February 10, 1926

See Mystic Spencer produce Spirit Paintings on the stage of the Fox Washington Theatre this week.

While I was hoping that Mystic Spencer was a local psychic & crystal gazer it seems that he was a regional performer, oft in Ohio and the Midwest.

The Coshocton Tribune, September 14, 1922

Hereafter, The Raczkowskis Are Off Psychic Strangers

Detroit Free Press, December 20, 1919 (enlarge)

This story isn't exactly a spiritualist wet dream but more for the huckster in every psychic. As such when George Boudreaux scammed George and Mary Raczkowski, 799 Riopelle Street, out of a cool $820 via a sleight of hand and eventually through the wooing of their daughter Isabel it was only a matter of time before the police got involved. But not until Boudreaux was arrested for the innocuous crime of alleged operation of a Ouija board did justice find him. At that point the Raczkowskis jumped into the fray and further charged the besmirched occultist with theft.

Sawyer and His Company of Wonderful Mediums in a Remarkable Demonstration at the Detroit Opera House

Detroit Free Press,October 30, 1910

SPIRIT POWER IN THE LIGHT 

LONDON OPEN LIGHT SEANCE

A table rises from 4 to 5 feet and floats in mid-air. Spirit hands and faces are plainly seen and recognized by friends. A guitar is played and passed around the room by an invisible power. Flowers are brought and passed to the audience by hands plainly seen and bells are rung, harps are played and other tests of starting nature take place in the presence of these wonderful mediums.

ALL ARE INVITED

Hindu Palmist: Dr. L. Ramnath

The Detroit Times, December 19, 1928

Mystery revealed in a scientific manner--All is written in your palm. Moral encouragement--a pleasant and felicitating discussion. 10 to 9.

Lafayette 0328

Dr. L. Ramnath, 3515 Lovett St. At Michigan, Bet. 28th and Scotten.

*     *     *

Not much is known about Dr. L. Ramnath beyond the handful of nearly similar adverts in Detroit newspapers between December of 1928 and February of 1929. I would guess that it's a moniker.

Lying on Husband's Grave

Detroit Free Press, October 5, 1901

Sitting up with the dead has not always proved therapeutic for the aggrieved living parties but especially in the case of spouses. Suicides and attempted suicides at the site of their loved one's graves were not a rarity. Detroit had a few of its own.

Emma Kraft could not live without her husband John. He was a Detroit fireman who had committed suicide by drinking carbolic acid a few months before in August of 1901 and she attempted to reunite herself with her beloved by drinking the same toxin while lying upon his grave in Elmwood Cemetery. 

When she was discovered by a cemetery worker, who just happened to walk by the fireman's lot, a pitiable note was found beside her:

"Dear Parents:

Forgive me for all the trouble I brought upon you. I am going to John; I cannot live without him. Do not fail to have John removed and buried alongside of me. I see him before me night and day with outstretched arms calling for me. I must go. Your loving daughter.

EMMA."

Despite her injuries she was expected to live.

Detroit Free Press, October 7, 1901