The "spook" was Detective Clifton R. Wooldridge.
When Miss Sarah Nichols, "the ghost," Miss Jennie Nichols, "the trance medium," and Mrs. Catherine Nichols, mother of the other two known as the "overseer," appeared in court to answer to charges of obtaining money by false pretenses through spiritualistic seances, Detective Wooldridge crowded to the center of the stage.
He bore a great board, on which were tacked white shrouds, grinning skulls and cross-bones, the costume of an Indian, and other instruments of the medium's trade.
"For the benefit of the public at large," he said, addressing the court, "I ask permission to expose the methods of these fake spiritualists."
The permission was given, and "Spook" Wooldridge took the wool sack.
"Spook" Wooldridge Demonstrates.
He lit the punk with which the mediums were wont to light up the skull. He burned incense. He put on a white gown.
"This is Carrie's garment," he said, pointing to where "Ghost" Carrie, twenty-four years old and buxom, stood.
He went through the whole performance, save the grease paint. He started to daub his face with the stuff, which gave a ghostly hue, when the justice interrupted: