WCP6743

[1]

1700, L-street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

December 20th, 1887.

Professor A. R. Wallace.

MY DEAR SIR, — I was a witness to all that General Francis Lippitt¹ has narrated to you as having occurred (regarding his spirit daughter and Miss Nellie Morris) in Mrs. M. E. Beste's séances in this city, and know that his statements are true in every particular. This I state, not because you would be likely yourself to question the verity of his statements, but to add strength to his testimony for those who do not know the General as you do. It was I who handed to him the scissors of which he speaks to cut the lock off of Nellie Morris's hair. The General, as well as myself, has had an immense experience in spirit manifestations, and here, where he lives, and has the confidence and respect of all as a man of culture and stern integrity, no one, [[2] [p. 280]² not steeped in stupid ignorance and prejudice, would for a single moment challenge the truth of his statements as he has given them to you. — Very sincerely yours,

P. O. JENKINS, M.D.

Washington, D.C., December 21st, 1887.

Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, Godalming, England.

DEAR SIR, — My friend, General F. J. Lippitt, has shown me a letter addressed to you by himself in regard to certain appearances of two forms as spirits at séances of Mrs. M. Eugenie Beste, held in this city on the 8th, 17th, 24th, and 28th of May, 1885.

I was present at these séances, and can say that I heard most of the conversations of the spirits purporting to be Carrie Lippitt and Nellie Morris. I particularly well remember the séance at which a lock of hair was cut from the head of Nellie Morris. At this séance, P. O. Jenkins, Esq., was present, and handed the scissors for the use of the spirit in severing the lock.

I was very much interested in the effort of General Lippitt to establish the identity of Nellie Morris, of the success of which I could only judge by what was incidentally uttered by the spirits, and by the disclosures of General Lippitt himself, after May 8th, 1885.

I cannot say whether Mr. Jenkins was present at all of these séances, but he concurs with me in vouching for the truth of the incident of the cutting of the lock of hair.

Both of these gentlemen are well known in this city, and need no vouchers for their credibility where they are known. As for myself, I must refer to the record of my 24 years of service in the Treasury of the United States, and my studies of the phenomena of Spiritualism since 1845 in proof of my honest endeavour to state facts as they were. — Very respectfully,

DARIUS LYMAN.