PROFESSOR MAPES’S EXPERIENCES.
45
found both boys bound, hand and foot, as I had left them. I
examined the ropes particularly about the wrists, and found
them in the precise position in which I had left them, measuring
from the processes of the radial, ulnar, and metacarpal bones.
I also found the ends of the ropes under the seats, which I had,
as previously described, privately arranged in a peculiar man¬
ner, in precisely the same position as I had left them*”
The late Professor Mapes, well known for his scientific attain¬
ments, described an exhibition witnessed by him through the
Davenport Boys. These boys permitted themselves to be bound
by cords, hand and foot, in any way the operator pleased; and
in an instant they were liberated by the supposed spirits. The
spirit of one John King claimed to be the chief actor of their
band. With this spirit Professor Mapes said he co?iversed for
half an hour. The voice was loud and distinct, spoken through
a trumpet. He shook hands with him, the spirit giving a most
powerful grasp; then taking his hand again, it w'as increased in
size and covered "with hair. The professor said he went, accom¬
panied only by his friends, among whom were Dr. Warren and
Dr. Wilson. They had a jocular sort of evening, into which
King entered heartily, and at length played them a trick, for
which they were not prepared, and which rather astonished
them. Their hats and caps were suddenly whisked from their
heads, and replaced in an instant. Turning on the lights, they
found each hat and cap was turned inside out; and it took many
minutes to replace them. Dr. Warren’s gloves, which were in
his hat, were also turned completely inside out. This exhibi¬
tion took place in a large club-room at Buffalo, selected by the
professor and his party, having but one place of entrance and
exit. The boys sat on an elevated platform at a large table;
and this table, in an instant of time, was carried over the heads
of the auditors, and deposited at the most distant part of this
large room.
It is unnecessary to multiply descriptions of the phenomena.
After giving exhibitions in the principal cities of the United
States, in the latter part of 1864, the Davenport Brothers went