In the other experiment the medium uses a papier mache slate, set in the usual wooden frame. A papier mache pad is prepared with a spirit message on one surface; on the other is pasted a piece of newspaper. This pad is laid, written side down, on a sheet of newspaper. After the genuine slate has been washed, the medium proceeds to wrap it up in the newspaper, and presses the trick pad, writing up, into the frame of the slate where it exactly fits into a groove prepared for the purpose.
Since Dr. Slade’s retirement from the mediumistic field, Pierre L. O. A. Keeler’s fame as a slate-writing medium has been spread broadcast. He oscillates between Boston, New York, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, and has a very large and fashionable clientele. He gives evening materializing séances of the cabinet type three times a week at his rooms. During the day he gives private slate tests which are very popular.
I had a sitting with him on the afternoon of April 24th, 1895. In order to gain his confidence, I went as one witnessing a slate séance for the first time, that is, I accepted his slates, and had no prepared questions.
I was ushered into a small, back parlor by the medium who closed the folding doors. We were alone. I made a mental photograph of the surroundings. There was no furniture except a table and two chairs placed near the window. Over the table was a faded cloth, hanging some eight or ten inches below the table. Upon it were several pads of paper and a heterogeneous assortment of lead pencils. Leaning against the mantelpiece, within a foot or so of the medium’s chair, were some thirty or forty slates.
“Take a seat”, said Mr. Keeler pointing to a chair. I sat down, whereupon he seated himself opposite me, remarking as he did so, “Have you brought slates with you?”
“I have not,” was my reply.
“Then, if you have no objection,” he said, “we will use two of mine. Please examine these two slates, wash them clean with this damp cloth, and dry them.” With that he passed me two ordinary school-slates, which I inspected closely, and carefully cleaned.
“Be kind enough to place the slates to one side,” said Keeler. I complied.
“Have you prepared any slips with the names of friends, relatives, or others, who have passed into spirit life, with questions for them to answer?”
“I have not,” I replied.