The Death-Blow to Spiritualism: Being the True Story of the Fox Sisters — John Shaqi
The Death-Blow to Spiritualism: Being the True Story of the Fox SistersDavenport, Reuben Briggs
History
The Death-Blow to Spiritualism: Being the True Story of the Fox Sisters
Davenport, Reuben Briggs
Fox, Margaret, 1833-1893; Jencken, Catherine Fox, 1836-1892; Mediums -- New York (State) -- Rochester; Spiritualism
And now it but remains for the other of the three "Fox Sisters" to see the
hopeless folly of continued imposture, and to add her confession to the
historical record of the dissipation of this unholy fraud. That she will
ever do this, however, those who are aware that to her malevolent will
was due the first evil growth and the wide extension of Spiritualism,
cannot easily bring themselves to believe.
The following account of Mrs. Jencken's arrival in New York and of her
determination to add her testimony to that of her sister Margaret against
the fraud of Spiritualism, was published on the 10th of October, 1888, and
is of sufficient interest to excuse my quoting it here at large:
AND KATY FOX NOW.
The Youngest of the Mediumistic Pioneers
Will "Give the Snap Away."
SHE ARRIVES FROM EUROPE.
Spiritualism a Humbug from Beginning
to End--Alleged Immoralities.
Katie Fox Jencken arrived yesterday from England on the _Persian
Monarch_ and she intends to co-operate with her sister--Margaret Fox
Kane--in her proposed exposé of the fraudulent methods of so-called
Spiritualism.
Mrs. Jencken's coming was unexpected to her sister, and it will
surprise the enemies of both.
The blow to Spiritualism which Maggie Fox struck not long ago, caused
a good deal more of consternation than spiritualists generally have
cared to confess. There is ample reason for stating that underneath a
plausible surface of enforced calm there have been the hurried
exchange of forbodings and doubtings, and many consultations and
goings to and fro. It is known that an overture was made to Maggie
Fox suggestive of a money consideration for her silence, and that she
rejected it with much indignation.
Mrs. Jencken walked into the parlor where Mrs. Kane was sitting about
five o'clock yesterday, and the sisters at once fell on each other's
necks, in an ecstasy of affection and delight at being together once
again. Mrs. Kane had but just been talking to me about her projected
lecture on "The Curse of Spiritualism," and Mrs. Jencken, who had
heard nothing of the proposed exposé, except as it was casually
rumored in her ear at the steamship dock, promptly gave her
acquiescence to it as soon as she understood the situation.
"I do not care a fig for Spiritualism," she said, "except so far as
the good will of its adherents may affect the future of my boys. They
are all I have in this life, and I live or die for them."
Mrs. Jencken looks a far different person than she was when in deep
trouble in this city and when she had to do with the rather
unsympathetic measures of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Children. No matron could bear a more placid and comely
expression, and she declares with heartfelt earnestness that she is
done forever with her once-besetting vice.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account