Daily Alta California, Volume 26, Number 8801, 6 May 1874 — THE "SPIRITS" AND THE STRANGER [ARTICLE]

THE "SPIRITS" AND THE STRANGER

The Pandemonium that broke loose, Bedlam that had its carnival, or devils that wre out on a bender in Oakland a week or so ago, appear to have left no clue to their method or purposes. At the time whoever or whatever it was that disturbed the serenity and slumber of our friend Clarke, left no clue and no explanation acceptable to any one. But from

the fact that several of those persons living in the house were nearly related to, or much attached to, the members of a party then on board the Arizona bound to Panama, and as the movements of the furniture by some unseen power were very mush as it would be on board ship in case of storm at sea or shipwreck, it was sought to be explained by supposing the Arizona to have met with disaster, and that those manifestations in Oakland were the consequence, performed through some unknown agency, spiritual or otherwise, to warn the friends in Oakland of the dangers of the friends on the Arizona. This theory won't do, for, instead of her being lost, and that scream and the queer movements of bureaus, chairs, trunks, brass fenders, etc, being indicative of the fast, here comes the telegram to the effect that the Arizona is all right, having arrived in Panama on May Day. Now what is the next guess ? Judge Hastings' theory of an "ethereal cyclone " will scarcely do. Was it the mysterious effects of laws and forces the nature of which are as yet unknown, or but partially known or imagined, or was the whole affair a trick, a swindle and a delusion ? If the former, who will study out a solution ? If the latter, who is the cheat?