EXPOSURE OF THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 214, 16 January 1865, Page 3

EXPOSURE OF THE DAVENPORT BROTHERS.

(From the Toronto Globe, Sept. 16.)

A short time since, two men, representing themselves by advertisement to be the “ Davenport Brothers,” paid a visit to this city, and, performed what they claimed to be “ spiritual manifestations.” It will bo remembered that the music-hall'was crowded on each evening of their appearance, and much speculation was indulged in as to the real modus operand! by which the tricks were performed. Some gentlemen determined if possible, to fathom the mystery. A challenge was sent to the pseudo Davenport Brothers,” but, after delaying from time to time, they stated that they would not give these gentlemen “ a private sea ace, because they knew they woidd not act with them in good faith. After this the “Davenports” visited Hamilton and St. Catherine’s. In the latter town they were so cornered for a piivate exhibition that they, fearing an expost', suddenly left the place. It appears that Mr. Fay has been rimming the concern on his own account in Cleveland, but has met his match and been thoroughly exposed. Mr. Fay h id been gleaning a very good harvest there until the appearance of a Rev. A. S. Dobbs, who did not believe that the spirits bad anything to do with the “ manifestations.” He challenged Fay, and said that what Fay would do he would follow. Tne challenge was accepted, a night appointed for the trial, but we will let the Cleveland Herald, of the 28th of August, tell the rest of the story:— .

A fair audience, composed about equally, we should judge, of believers in spiritualism and those rvho did not, assembled in Braiuard’s-hall. About eight o’clock Mr. Hobbs made his appearance. He remarked that plays and tricks were all very well in their place, and were often a great source of amusement, which was necessary to our happiness, but no persons had a right to use tricks and mummeries and deceptions in the sacred name of religion. After a few more-remarks ho proceeded to his exposition. 1 • - Fay and his wife came into the hall, apparently in high feather, to all appearance confident of the utter failure of the attempt to expose their manifestations. The same Committee that acted for Mr. Fay—John S. Ryder and W. R. Moundwere chosen to act for Mr. Dobbs. They examined the box and pronounced it similar to the one used fay Fay. Mr. Dobbs then entered the “cabinet,” the lights were turned down, and the “ spirits” proceeded to tie him fast, .which they did in an incredibly short space of time. The lights were turned on, the doors of the “ cage” thrown open, and there sat the reverend gentleman, tied tight, in hands, arras, legs, and body. The Committee reported that that he was fully as tightly tied as air. Fay was, although the knot was slightly different. A manifest though not extravagant round of applause greeted the report. The doors were then closed, and he went rapidly forward, doing one after another all the rtiarvels ever attempted by Fay. Loud noises were heard in the box, and the sound of bells, beating on drums, and various other demonstrations. When the “ spirit hand” wasjexhibited through the aperture, the he tue came do ivn with a perfect storm of applause. Several times during the evening .Mr. Fay had attempted to interrupt the proceedings, but be was always answered good-humoredly, and told that when the performance came to a close, if he was not satisfied, he could ask as many questions as he chose. He then announced that he would do the “ vest trick,” which Fay would seldom do before a public audience, but reserved foa the edification of believers in private circles, as the “ spirits” had told him that it was too ■ mysterious and sublime for unbelieving eyes to behold. About this time, the Fays began to show strong symptoms of wishing they .were somewhere else; but still H. Melville put as good a face oh the matter as possible. It was evident the

sympathies of the audiencef were fast running towards the Her. Mr. Dobbs.. He was succeeding admirably. A vest was borrowed from a gentleman in the audience and placed in the box, not in reach of the operator—for it must be remembered that during all these demonstrations he was not only tied tightly down to his seat by strong cords, but his bauds and feet were so securely fastened that it seemed almost impossible for him to move. The doors were closed, the room darkened, arid in less than a minute he called for “ light,” and there was a vest, with one aria of the operator passed through the arm-hole, and his hands still tied as tightly as before. The applause now was deafening, and the heads of the Fays and some of their most ardent admirers and firmest believers caine down another peg. The great “ flour test” seemed to be Fay’s “ best holt,” as he had alluded to it once or twice during the evening. Mr. Dobbs now gave notice that he would attempt it. The Committee placed on each of his tied hands a small portion of flour, and in less than two minntes the “spirit hand” and other demonstrations were made, but when the doors were opened he walked upon the stage with a full amount of flour still in his hands. The audience now rose in one wild shout. The wonderful and miraculous “flour test” was triumphantly accomplished. Down went the crest of the Fays and their friends another notch.

Mr. Dobbs then proceeded to explain to the audience the whole minutise of these tricks. He was tied in a chair by the Committee on the stage, in the full glare of the gas-light, where all had. a good view, and untied himself with the greatest ease, and in a very short space of time. He demonstrated fully how the knots were tied, and lucidly explained how the “ tricks in the box” were accomplished. He did many more remarkable things during the evening than we have mentioned, but as they are ail done in as imilar way it is unnecessary to go into further detail. Suffice it to say that it was a most searching, thorough, - and sucessful exposition of one "of the boldest humbugs ever practised upon a confiding community, and the Rev. Mr. Dobbs deserves the thanks of all who hold religion sacred, and we hope he will not give np the good work commenced, but will follow not only Fay, but the Davenport Boys, and expose them in every town in which they may attempt to exhibit. It seems that Fay is an old practitioner, arid has been often exposed, though never so thoroughly as by the Rev. Mr. Dobbs, who showed him up in the winter of 1863, having been appointed on, the committee to examine Fay, who was then giving exhibitions at Titusville, and having discovered the modus operaudi of the aifair at that time he followed the fellow up, through Western Pensylvania, exposing him everywhere, and driving him out of the country into the east. He received a splendid gold watch for his effort in the matter. It is to be hoped that this revelation will open the eyes of the people to the manifold devices which the “ Davenport Boys” and other mediums are constantly palming off upon them. Let them no longer be deceived.