CHAPTER IX

CONCLUSIVE PROOF FROM MANY SOURCES

This concluding chapter contains a number of plain, straight statements from those possessing first-hand knowledge of the Crewe Circle. Such positive and definite evidence is of far more value from an evidential and scientific standpoint than the mere opinions of those who have never investigated. Owing to the exigencies of space it has been necessary to abbreviate most of these accounts and also to omit many others, equally convincing. For evidential reasons each report or contribution contains the full name and address of the communicator.

* * * * *

The Evidence of GEORGE H. LETHEM, ESQ., JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR THE COUNTY OF THE CITY OF GLASGOW

I first heard of the Crewe Circle in the autumn of 1918. At that time I was editor of the _Daily Record_, Glasgow, and had made the acquaintance of Mr. Peter Galloway, President of the Glasgow Association of Spiritualists, through an article on spiritualism which he contributed to that paper.

Mr. Galloway told me that the Crewe Circle were coming to Glasgow, and he invited me to attend their first sitting. This I agreed to do; I bought a packet of quarter-plates at a City shop, took note of the wrapper markings and kept the packet safe, with the cover unbroken.

My wife accompanied me to the sitting, which was held in a large, well-lighted attic room some distance from the house where the members of the Circle were lodging. I saw them arrive, saw them unpack their photographic outfit, and saw them borrow a dark cloth (which I examined) for use as a background. Obtaining permission, I examined the camera, the slide, the lens, the bellows (for pin-holes) and all the accessories, without finding anything suspicious. I treated the sitting as a test and took every step, so far as I knew, to provide against conscious or unconscious deception.

Including Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton, there were nine or ten people present. To all of these, except Mr. Galloway, I was quite unknown, and I was introduced simply as a “friend.”

I had time to complete my examination—in which I included the little adjoining dark room—before the proceedings began. All present then sat round a table, on which my packet of plates was laid within my reach and in my sight. There were hymns and a prayer, then the packet was lifted and held for a few seconds between Mr. Hope’s hands, with the hands of all the others—my own included—above and below. The packet, which was never out of my sight, was then returned to me and I satisfied myself by the markings that it was mine, that the wrapper was intact, and that, therefore, there could have been no tampering with the plates.

Putting the unopened packet in my pocket, I followed Mr. Hope into the dark room, taking with me the slide from the camera. In the dark room Mr. Hope stood in the far corner and I stood close by the door, leaving a clear space between us. Mr. Hope said, in explanation of this arrangement, that he did not want to touch the plates but only to see that I handled them properly.

Taking the packet from my pocket, I broke the cover, extracted two plates and put the packet back in my pocket. Keeping the plates within Mr. Hope’s view but quite out of his reach, I wrote my name on each of them and put them into the slide, which I carried out of the room before handing it to Mr. Hope. Up to this point, Mr. Hope had quite certainly not touched the plates. Having seen the slide placed in the camera, I sat down beside my wife, facing the lens.

The camera had been previously focussed and an exposure was made—Mr. Hope standing on the right and Mrs. Buxton on the left and joining hands (Mr. Hope’s left, Mrs. Buxton’s right) above the camera. In this attitude Mr. Hope pressed the pneumatic bulb with his right hand and so made the exposure, which was longer than for an ordinary photograph. Then the slide was turned and a second exposure was made on other two members of the party.

When the second exposure was completed, Mr. Hope took the slide out of the camera, carried it into the dark room, and emptied the plates into my hands in front of the red glass window. Making sure that my signature was on each of the plates, I placed them in a shaded receptacle, signed other two plates and put them into the slide with the same precautions as before. Then, seeing Mr. Hope out of the room, I shut the door and stood before it whilst two other exposures were made. Re-entering the dark room, I received the plates from the slide as before and proceeded to develop the four plates with material supplied by Mr. Hope, who remained in the room but stood as far from the developing dish as possible and left the whole of the handling to me.

Standing before the red window, I saw the images come up on the plates and noticed that on three of them there were figures other than the ordinary representations of the sitters. When development was finished, I carried the plates from the dark room and, before anyone else was allowed to touch them, I examined them individually and satisfied myself beyond doubt that they were the four identical plates on which I had written my name and that the normal figures on these plates corresponded with the four exposures I had seen made.

That each of the four plates bore my signature, clear and characteristic, I accepted as proof that these were the plates I had placed in the slide and no others, for it was impossible that my signature could have been forged: therefore, I reasoned, there had been no substitution of prepared plates.

Looking through the negatives, I could see that, in addition to the normal figures of the sitters, there were distinct “extras” on three of the plates, each “extra” being distinct in form from the others.

On No. 1 plate—that for which my wife and I had been the sitters—there was the clear representation of a face looking out from an arched veil. This “extra” was superimposed on the image of the sitters and partially obscured them, as if the “something” it represented had come between them and the lens.

As soon as the plate was dry, a rough print was obtained by placing a sheet of printing paper over the negative and holding it up to the window, through which the sun was shining. That rough print showed the normal figures and the “extra” as they were afterwards printed by Mr. Hope.

Five possibilities are, therefore, ruled out in seeking to account for this particular “extra”:

1. The plates were not faked before exposure. 2. There was no substitution of plates. 3. There was no double exposure. 4. There was no double printing. 5. The plate was not faked after development.

As soon as the rough proof of plate No. 1 was obtained, the face of the “extra” was recognised by my wife and myself as an unmistakable likeness of our elder son, who had been killed in the war, and this recognition was corroborated fully and completely later on by other members of the family, and is therefore beyond dispute.

In considering this likeness and its recognition, I take note of certain facts, namely: (1) That Mr. Hope did not know me and did not know my son, or even that I had a son; (2) that neither Mr. Hope nor anyone in the room, save my wife and myself, had ever seen my son, and that it is unlikely that any one of them had seen his photographs; and (3) that although the likeness is unmistakable, the image of the face is not a reproduction of any normal photograph.

In view of these facts, it seemed to me then, and seems to me still, that it was quite impossible that Mr. Hope could have consciously produced that likeness either by skill or trick or both.

I was afterwards present at several of Mr. Hope’s sittings and was allowed on at least two other occasions to accompany him into the dark room and to watch the whole of his procedure. I kept a keen look-out for tricks—with many of which I was acquainted, but I saw none.

Also I have discussed the details many times with photographic experts and I have read the accusations brought against Mr. Hope, and I am quite satisfied that—whatever may have happened on other occasions—none of the suggestions of trickery put forward can account for the “extras” I have described, and particularly for that in which I am most directly interested.

(_Signed_) GEORGE H. LETHEM.

_Hazeldene, Harehills Lane, Leeds._

* * * * *

The Evidence of W. G. MITCHELL, ESQ., OF DARLINGTON

(_Mr. Mitchell is a Vice-President of the S.S.S.P., and President of the Darlington Photographic Society. He is a photographer and investigator of considerable experience._)

I first came in touch with Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton at Crewe. My second meeting with these good people was at Middlesbrough, where they were spending a holiday. I have thus had an opportunity of experimenting in the atmosphere of their own séance-room and studio, and also under the improvised conditions of a friend’s residence.

The subject of supernormal photography was not entirely new to me. I had met Mr. Edward Wyllie, the “spirit” photographer, when in Ireland, and watched his operations almost daily during his fortnight’s sojourn in that country. I subjected him to the most stringent and ingenious tests that I could devise. As founder and president of a photographic society, I was fully alive to all the possibilities of faking, but was quite satisfied that I had removed from Mr. Wyllie any opportunity to indulge in photographic legerdemain. With all my caution, results persisted. All the ordinary laws of photography, as far as I understood them, were upset and violated.

But to get back to the Crewe Circle. I had arranged with a friend who was at that time editor-manager of an important Northern newspaper to visit Crewe for the purpose of meeting the Crewe Circle. As brother members of a psychical research society, we desired to add to our experiences. Having taken the precaution of purchasing plates locally and following the usual recommendation of carrying them in close proximity to the body, we looked forward to our journey. The appointed day arrived, but no day in modern history could have been more unsuitable or less conducive to good results. It was December 16th, 1914, and the news tapped out over the “private wire” was most disquieting; the Huns were shelling Scarborough and West Hartlepool. My friend realised that it was impossible for him to desert his editorial chair, and he hurriedly gave me his box of plates. I met Mr. William Walker, of Buxton, _en route_, and together we journeyed to Crewe. A short devotional service was held in the kitchen of Mrs. Buxton’s home, during which I was informed that only one box of plates could be dealt with. I selected the box purchased by my absent friend and expressed a desire that some result should be given that would give him satisfaction and conviction. I was instructed that four plates would be dealt with and that I could select any particular four I desired from the box; I named the third and fourth, ninth and tenth. This selection secured two pairs of plates that would be packed film to film, and would probably be hinged together with emulsion.

The unsealed box was then placed on the centre of the table, and as it bore a rubber stamp impression of the firm from which it was purchased I am quite satisfied that there was no substitution of boxes. Mr. Hope then insisted that I should dismantle his camera. This I did most thoroughly, giving special attention to the dark slides, lens and shutter.

Having placed the dark slides in my pocket, we entered the dark room, where I unpacked the box, selecting the particular plates decided upon, wrote my initials across the corner of each, placed them in the two double back dark slides and placed the remainder of the plates together with the dark slides in my pocket. We adjourned to the studio, where Hope allowed me to choose my position in relation to the background. Mr. Walker sat in the chair, I focussed the portrait on the focussing screen of the camera, placed the dark slide in position and left all ready for making the exposure. I then went and took a seat beside Mr. Walker. Mr. Hope manipulated the lens cap with one hand and with his other clasped Mrs. Buxton’s, thus forming an arc over the bellows of the camera. After the first plate was exposed I went to the camera, closed the dark slide and reversed it, then sat for the second exposure.

The third plate was next used. Mrs. Buxton asked me to place the dark slide containing the only unexposed plate on her forehead, this I did for about ten seconds.

I then retired with Mr. Hope to the dark room, where I personally developed the four plates. On three out of the four supernormal effects flashed up, and after fixing in the hypo-bath we brought them out to the light for examination.

Plate No. 1, in addition to the normal image, showed a lengthy message of exceedingly minute copperplate writing, too small to read without the aid of the magnifying glass. I could just discern that there were Greek characters intermingled with other languages, including English.

No. 2 plate bore only the normal image.

No. 3 plate showed the supernormal figure of a lady draped in some material of fine texture, standing by my side.

No. 4 plate, the one held on Mrs. B.’s forehead, showed a well-defined face of a lady.

The long message on No. 1 contained 145 words, and was written in a jumble of languages, English, Greek, French, and Latin, and concluded thus: “And now, friends, we have given you this advice in mixed languages, so that it will help to support the claim that the unlearned of to-day possess the same powers as the humble fishermen of biblical history. We thank you for the common-sense way in which you have met us....” etc. It was quite two years before I was able to get the Greek portion translated. I eventually met a young Greek, a student of Armstrong College, Newcastle, who told me that it was a very ancient style of Greek. The message, when translated, was quite intelligible to me.

No. 3 plate, with supernormal portrait, proved to be undeniably the portrait of the deceased mother of the wife of my friend. On comparing it with a life portrait it left no doubt in the mind of any reasonable person.

The portrait on No. 4 plate I cannot recognise.

I have a profound conviction that Mr. Hope is a genuine medium, honest and straightforward, and it would take a great deal to shake my confidence in his integrity. I have followed his operations for years, and find them a fruitful source of instruction. It is only those who have experimented in “fake” effects who can realise the difficulties, and with a knowledge of photography I challenge any professional or amateur photographer to produce anything approaching the same effects under any conditions. They find it absolutely impossible under the _same_ conditions.

It is unthinkable that Mr. and Mrs. Buxton would co-operate, aid and abet in a continuous fraud on the widowed wife, the sorrowing parent.

(_Signed_) W. G. MITCHELL.

_3, Harewood Terrace, Darlington._

* * * * *

An Account by J. WILLIAMS, ESQ., PHOTOGRAPHIC SPECIALIST, OF THE PORTLAND STUDIO, RHYL

It is with the greatest pleasure that I add my testimony to the truthfulness and absolute sincerity of Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton.

They have been known to me for several years; altogether no less than six times I have had sittings with them. In every case they have allowed me every facility to eliminate any possible fraud, which as a photographer of nearly fifty years’ experience, I was eager to discover.

One experience with the Crewe Circle was this: at one sitting I was asked what plate I would choose from a packet of twelve plates; it was decided on the fourth from the top of the packet. The camera was _not_ used; Mr. Hope and I entered the dark room and only myself touched the plates during development. On the fourth plate was a message from the late Archdeacon Colley. This negative I have by me and anyone wishing to see same can do so with pleasure.

No one could wish for a better test than this; no one but myself touched the plates at any time during the sitting. The plates I brought with me, tied with special knots to prevent any opening of the packet or substituting of another packet.

(_Signed_) JNO. WILLIAMS.

_Portland Studio, Rhyl._

* * * * *

The Testimony of JOSEPH HIGGINBOTTOM, ESQ., VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR PSYCHICAL RESEARCH

(_An account of a surprise visit in which the sitter secured a likeness of his mother, of whom no normal photograph is in existence._)

I am pleased to have this opportunity of adding my testimony to the honesty of Mr. Wm. Hope of the Crewe Circle.

Herewith I enclose a psychic photograph of my mother. [Not reproduced.—ED.] It has been freely recognised by those who knew her. Such is my confidence in Mr. Hope that I cannot allow myself to imagine for a moment that with his extraordinary gift, in conjunction with Mrs. Buxton he would allow himself to be led astray or deviate from the path of rectitude under any circumstances.

(_Signed_) J. HIGGINBOTTOM.

_Lees House, Norton Lees, Sheffield._

* * * * *

Proof from MRS. E. PICKUP, OF 40, WATERLOO ROAD, BURNLEY, LANCS.

(_A strongly evidential case which describes how the sitter visited the Crewe Circle as an absolute stranger and without even an appointment, and secured a striking likeness of her deceased husband. (See Figs. 28 and 29.) Extract from an original letter to Mr. Hope._)

No words of mine can express my gratitude to you since receiving the photos this morning. The extra one is my dear husband, and just as I prayed he might come—an exact copy of the one I had at home and the one I liked best. Every detail is so clear and correct, even to the dimple in the chin. What could be more convincing, when I came to you an absolute stranger and without even an appointment?

That visit will remain imprinted on my memory as one of the brightest days in my life. I am sure after such evidence as this and the way in which you carried out your work, I need never suffer the pangs of loneliness again, because I believe that God has taken him to a higher sphere. He will still guide me and watch over me so long as I do my part by keeping in touch with God and His divine laws.

I don’t know that I could ask for anything more. My cup is full and overflowing. I trust that others who come to you may get as good results, that they, too, may know the joy and happiness it brings.

(_Signed_) E. PICKUP.

* * * * *

From MRS. RISKER, LATE OF DARLASTON

(_An excellent case, in which the sitter secured an undoubted likeness of her husband. A number of questions were submitted to Mrs. Risker, and her replies are given hereunder._)

I have great pleasure in answering the questions you ask.

Question No. 1.—If there is the slightest doubt concerning “extra”?

None whatever.

Question No. 2.—Whether Mr. Hope or any one connected with the Crewe Circle knew Mr. Risker before his death, or had seen any photograph of him prior to visiting Crewe for this sitting?

No. The first time I ever knew of Mr. Hope or the Crewe Circle was through an article written by Miss Stead in _Nash’s Magazine_ during the latter part of 1916 (after my husband’s death, which occurred August 15th, 1916).

Question No. 3.—In what manner did I get into touch with Crewe Circle?

The article which Miss Stead wrote appealed to me, and knowing Miss Stead (by repute) to be a straightforward woman, the thought came, “Here apparently is a tangible proof of the after-life.” Thereupon I did not rest until I found out the address. Some weeks later, a lady from Runcorn who knew nothing of me gave me the address of Mr. Hope.

Since above I have paid six visits and have had nine results—seven “extras” and two “skotographs”; upon five visits I have taken my own plates from Darlaston.

(_Signed_) M. C. RISKER.

_Late of Bilston Street, Darlaston._

* * * * *

An Expression of Opinion from LADY GREY OF FALLODEN

I am perfectly ready to adhere to my conviction that I have obtained evidence of supernormal activities through the mediumship of the Crewe Circle, and this I would maintain however conclusively they may have been convicted of fraud on other occasions.

(_Signed_) PAMELA GREY.

_Wilsford Manor, Salisbury._

* * * * *

The Evidence of H. BLACKWELL, ESQ., A VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE S.S.S.P.

(_Mr. Blackwell is one of the pioneers in the history of psychic photography. His experiences have been quite exceptional. This description tells how he secured a photograph of a recently deceased sister._)

With great pleasure I give my experience of the good work done through the Crewe mediums. In April, 1920, having fixed an appointment with Mr. Hope for a certain hour at the B.C.P.S., I was there to time with an unopened box of plates. Of the four plates exposed I found upon development that only two had any psychic results.

These appeared to consist of several faint faces merging one into the other. From the wet negatives I could not recognise any of the features, so asked for prints to be sent on in due course.

When the prints came to hand I was delighted to recognise the face of my sister, but repeated five times, as if in her agitation she could not concentrate sufficiently and had moved during the exposure.

She appeared as in her final illness two years previously, when I had gone down into the country to bid “good-bye.”

As a testimony to the value of psychic photography I may mention that through the mediumship of Mr. R. Boursnell, in London, and of Mr. W. M. Keeler, in Washington, I have received portraits of my grandfather, mother, two sisters and several of my nieces. A number of friends have also been taken in London after promises given in Canada and elsewhere.

About twelve years ago, thanks to a personal friend who then possessed wonderful materialising power, I was enabled to obtain, using four cameras simultaneously, excellent photographs of my father, mother, niece and several friends. They manifested for the express purpose of being taken, and in each instance the medium shows by the side of the spirit visitor. The experiments were conducted in my house and in presence of witnesses.

(_Signed_) H. BLACKWELL.

_43, Brownswood Road, Finsbury Park, N. 4._

* * * * *

The Testimony of W. C. PUGH, ESQ., OF MIDDLESBROUGH

(_A straight statement by an investigator who has secured many recognised psychic photographic results, through the Crewe Circle, in his own home._)

It is a number of years since I first sat with the Crewe Circle, and I have sat with them quite a dozen times since, and on each occasion I have received convincing proof of the genuineness of their phenomena. I have beside me quite a collection of photographs taken by them, and each photo has a message of its own; some contain extras of friends who have passed on, and others contain messages from interested friends beyond the grave. The extras on practically all my photos have been recognised by relatives and friends.

I enclose copy of one of these with two extras which have been readily recognised by all my friends as my father and mother, both of whom had passed on before I met the Crewe Circle. I also enclose copies of original photos for comparison. [Not reproduced.—ED.]

My opportunities for testing the genuineness of the Crewe Circle’s work have been unique because they have taken over a hundred photos in my house in Middlesbrough. When they have spent a few days here they have lived with us. My wife and I made all the arrangements for their visit, and entertained them during their stay. Applications for sittings were made to us and we fixed them up. In the vast majority of cases the Crew Circle had never seen the sitters till they arrived at their appointed times. In many cases they never saw them again. Yet their success has been phenomenal. Many have received photos with extras which they recognised at sight. Others have taken them home and had them recognised by friends or other members of their families.

The Circle brought no plates with them. Each sitter provided his or her own. My sitting-room was the studio. My bath-room was the developing room. Unused plates were left behind when the Circle went away, and my lad, who has a camera, has been supplied with a stock of plates for use amongst his friends.

To those of us who know the members of the circle so well, some of the statements appearing in the Press have been very amusing. The idea of Mr. Hope beating the conjurers at their own game is too ridiculous for words. Expert photographers who have had experience of Mr. Hope’s methods must also have been greatly amused.

Then there is the question of motive. Let me state that _the Crewe Circle have never had one penny piece out of their various visits to Middlesboro’_. We charged sufficient from each sitter to pay railway expenses only, nothing more. We paid for the railway tickets, that was all. Where on earth was the incentive for these people to leave their homes to come here to deceive us? One’s sense of humour must have been neglected if they cannot see that the whole of the charges are too funny for words.

THAT THE PHENOMENA ARE GENUINE I AM CONVINCED. What is behind the phenomena is another matter, and does not enter into the present question.

If the scientists care to continue to drag on behind plain common-sense people let them do so. I have scores of good friends who have had that experience which no scientist can take from them, and I prefer to accept their opinions, along with my own experience, rather than listen to those people whose one desire seems to be to bolster up preconceived ideas.

The world would be better for some more people as honest as are the members of the Crewe Circle.

(_Signed_) WILLIAM COWELL PUGH.

_61, St. Paul’s Road, Middlesbrough._

* * * * *

An Account by MRS. MARGARET ELLINOR

(_A description of three remarkable recognised likenesses obtained by a lady photographer._)

I am anxious to help to prove the truth of psychic photography, and with this end in view I am sending herewith three photographs taken by Mr. Hope, of Crewe, under test conditions, which contain recognised “extras.” [Not reproduced.—ED.]

Might I say that in the first place I was extremely sceptical, having some knowledge of photography. Even after myself obtaining a “psychograph” I was still in a doubtful frame of mind, and attended the British College of Psychic Science to gather further evidence.

In this way I came into contact with Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton, and by and by arranged through the agency of Mrs. McKenzie, of the College, to have a test sitting with Mr. Hope. The results of this sitting, quite apart from any subsequent sittings, provided what to my mind were conclusive proofs of Mr. Hope’s gifts and absolute integrity.

Enclosed are four photographs marked. All these were taken under the most stringent test conditions. I took with me some plates which had previously been marked secretly by a second party (a sceptic). These plates were then put into the slide by Mr. Hope in my presence; the slide was never for a moment out of my observation and I subsequently followed every manipulation.

In the case of the photographs (1) and (2) the extra is of my father. An old original photograph of my father is enclosed. It will be observed that the extras give a view from a different angle to the original in each case. My father was unknown to Mr. Hope—there were no photographs of my father available to Mr. Hope—my father passed over when I was nine years of age.

In photograph (3) the extra is of my father-in-law, an original of whom is enclosed. My husband’s father has been passed over seven years, and no photograph of him could be available to Mr. Hope.

Photograph (4) was taken at another sitting at my home. It is especially interesting inasmuch as the extra thereon was unrecognised at the time. After a lapse of time, through incidents I need not explain, I obtained a clue to the identity of the “extra.” Finally I was able to ascertain that the “extra” was one of my girlhood’s friends who has now been passed on many years. I was able to secure an old original photograph, which is enclosed.

Having been a sceptic myself, I can sympathise with those who find it difficult to credit these puzzling phenomena. At the same time, I suggest that Mr. Hope is entitled to the sympathetic treatment and fair dealing that should be accorded to anyone who brings forward evidence in support of the super-physical.

(_Signed_) MARGARET ELLINOR.

_77, Atlantic Road, Brixton, S.W. 9._

* * * * *

From SAMUEL MADDOCKS, ESQ., HON. SECRETARY OF THE SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT SOCIETY FOR PSYCHICAL RESEARCH

(_The psychic effect secured by Mr. Maddocks on the occasion of the third sitting described hereunder is shown by fig. 22. A normal photograph of the late Mrs. Maddocks is given for comparison [fig. 23]._)

I am absolutely convinced that Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton are transparently honest and honourable, most reverent in their Circle meetings, and their only desire is to give comfort and consolation to those who have lost a loved one. To impute fraud or trickery to them wounded me to the quick.

After several months’ waiting I obtained three sittings (with three extras) as follows:

_1st Sitting._—To my great surprise the “extra” was not my first wife, but the following message:

‘Kind friends, we are glad to meet you and for the benefit of your friend of the Psychic Research Society we are giving this message, so that he may understand that, given the right conditions, these works can be done, and we ask you for our dear medium’s sake, to speak of it as you find it. God bless you.’

_2nd Sitting._—This “extra” was quite unknown to me, but on reaching home (Sheffield) my second wife (clairvoyant) exclaimed, “Why, that’s the same face I’ve seen in our bedroom nearly every night.”

_3rd Sitting._—The “extra” was my first wife at last! I recognised it instantly, also relatives and friends, as a very good picture of what she looked like at the end of twenty months’ agony from cancer. All her teeth were extracted during her illness on the advice of a London physician, and that accounts for the sunken appearance of the mouth. (See Figure 22.)

The normal photo was taken several years previously. (See Figure 23.)

(_Signed_) SAMUEL MADDOCKS.

_Supt. Royal Blind School, Broomhill, Sheffield._

* * * * *

The Testimony of JAS. P. SKELTON, ESQ., OF BELFAST

(_The account tells how Mr. Skelton obtained a photograph of his mother, and how later, with two friends, he was present when the famous message from the late Dr. W. J. Crawford was obtained on a photographic plate of their own, under strict test conditions. See figs. 3 and 4._)

I have known Mr. Hope for four or five years now, and have sat with him about a dozen times as well as being closely associated during his and Mrs. Buxton’s two visits to Belfast.

On January 4th, 1922, my mother passed to the higher life. I was summoned to Blackburn on Saturday, January 28th, 1922, and as I could not return to Belfast sooner than the Monday night, I decided to make a visit to Crewe with the hope that I might get her photograph. I wrote to Mr. Hope and made an appointment for the Monday morning, January 30th, 1922, and received his reply agreeing. On the night before I crossed to England, we held a brief circle at home, and by means of a small table, my mother manifested. I told her of my intention of going to Crewe and the time that I would be sitting, and she signified that she would do her best to get through. I arrived in Crewe on the day arranged (about 10 a.m.), and found that Mrs. Buxton was ill in bed and could not sit. Naturally I was much disappointed. Mr. Hope noticing it, said, “Never mind, we will sit without her and do the best we can.” Mrs. Buxton’s daughter sat in her place, Mr. Hope and myself completed the circle. The usual methods were adopted. The packet of plates which I bought in Crewe about five minutes before I reached 144, Market Street were lying on the table during the course of the sitting in full view of all. Mr. Hope and I then proceeded to the dark room, where I initialled the second two plates in the packet, and loaded the slide with them. Never once did Mr. Hope touch them. Miss Buxton and Mr. Hope arranged the camera, etc., after which I handed Mr. Hope the slide. He exposed the two plates and I afterwards developed them myself. On the first was the face of my mother, just as she appeared a few days prior to her death. The plate was hurriedly dried and a print was made for me to take with me, both Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton, who knew her recognised it at once. Everyone at home who knew her recognised it immediately, one gentleman saying, “I don’t know anything about spiritualism, but if you want an independent testimony, I am prepared to go on any platform and testify to this being your mother’s photograph.” To me the remarkable thing was, that it was secured exactly twenty-six days after her death. To say Mr. Hope tricked, substituted plates, or in any way defrauded, is puerile.

On a previous occasion I secured a photograph of an old friend of our family who died when I was a boy. It was not recognised for a week after getting it, and then only by chance. I compared an original photograph of her and it proved the identity up to the hilt.

My most recent experience was the securing of the now famous “Crawford” message signed by himself. Mr. J. W. Gillmour, Mr. S. G. Donaldson and myself, all of Belfast, were travelling to the Conferences of the S.N.U., Ltd., in London, and we decided to break our journey at Crewe. Mr. Gillmour bought a packet of ordinary Imperial quarter-plates from Mr. John Bell, of Garfield Street, Belfast, on Thursday, June 29th, 1922, telling Mr. Bell the purpose for which they were required. Mr. Bell parcelled it up and sealed with wax. We crossed to Liverpool same night. Mrs. Crawford also crossed over with us and we travelled together to Crewe, Mrs. Crawford went on to London and we went to see Mr. Hope, arriving there about 10.30 a.m. The usual sitting was arranged, Mr. Gillmour produced the sealed packet, and we all saw the seal was unbroken. It was then broken and the packet was seen to be intact as it came from Mr. Bell’s shop. The unopened packet was held between the hands of all present. Mr. Donaldson then took the packet and proceeded with Mr. Hope to load the slides in the dark room, Mr. Donaldson alone handled the plates from beginning to end. We were all photographed together at first, and then separately. The first plate exposed shews a message from Dr. Crawford. With Mr. Gillmour as a sitter there appears an (as yet) unknown face. With Mr. Donaldson there was no psychic effect. With myself a bright light appeared. We were all present at the development and at no time did Mr. Hope touch the plates. Mr. Donaldson did all the work under our careful scrutiny. The result was a surprise to us all. (See Figures 2 and 4.)

We are, however, mutually agreed that it is a _bona fide_ message from Dr. Crawford in his own handwriting, with which I am well acquainted.

(_Signed_) JAS. P. SKELTON.

_651, Lisborn Road, Balmoral, Belfast._

* * * * *

From MISS ESTELLE STEAD

During the last seven or eight years I have had several sittings with the Crewe Circle, and can state truly that I have always found both Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton most anxious to have me examine the dark room, the camera, the slides, the room in which the photographs were taken, and had I wished to examine anything else I am sure they would have agreed to my doing so.

At some sittings I have had no results, whilst at others the results have been excellent.

The very first time I visited Crewe I bought a box of plates in London and took it with me. Mr. Hope never handled the box at all excepting in my presence, and we obtained two excellent pictures of my father. During that same visit I bought a box of plates in Crewe, neither Mr. Hope nor Mrs. Buxton had any idea at which shop I bought it. I sealed the box and took it with me to 144, Market Street. I held it in my hands until we, Mr. Hope, Mrs. Buxton, Mr. Harry Walker, at whose house I was staying, and myself—were seated round the table. I then placed the box on the table, where it remained visible to all, as the room was well lighted by gas, whilst we held the little service usually held by the Crewe Circle. We all then placed our hands under and over the box and held it in this way for a little while. I then placed the bottom of the box against Mrs. Buxton’s forehead and then held it between my hands whilst instructions were given, through Mr. Hope, to the effect that I should go into the dark room with him, unseal the box myself, take out the bottom plate and the plate next to it. I was told to take particular note as to which was the bottom plate. I was instructed to develop the two plates in Mr. Hope’s presence, but not to allow him to touch them until I had developed them. Note, the box was not unsealed until we went into the dark room, and the plates were never exposed to the light at all.

Nothing appeared on the bottom plate, nor was there any sign of fogging. On the other plate were two messages, one in Archdeacon Colley’s handwriting and one in Mr. William Walker’s handwriting, together with a faint outline of my father’s face.

About one year after receiving the above I went up to Crewe with Miss Scatcherd. I had previously, without saying a word to Miss Scatcherd or anyone, made an engagement with my brother Will, who passed over in 1907, to meet me there and give his picture if he could manage to do so. Miss Scatcherd thought I wanted a picture of my father or a message from him. I do not think either Mr. Hope or Mrs. Buxton knew of my brother’s existence, and even if they did they certainly had no means of getting hold of his photograph. I took my own plates from town. On the very first plate exposed my brother’s face appears between Miss Scatcherd and myself.

During a visit the Crewe Circle paid to the “W. T. Stead” Bureau in Baker Street in 1919, at my father’s request I took my mother to have a sitting with them without advising them beforehand as to who it was I was bringing. I took my own plates, put them in the slides myself and stood over Mr. Hope whilst he developed the plates after the sitting. On the plate exposed on my mother alone there appears a very good picture of my father.

(_Signed_) E. W. STEAD.

_5, Smith Square, S.W. 1._

* * * * *

The Evidence of MRS. ELLEN JONES, OF KEMPSTON

(_Mrs. Jones relates how on two occasions she obtained an excellent likeness of her deceased husband. The second photograph referred to shows a remarkable likeness on comparison with a normal photograph._)

I had a sitting at Crewe, about four years ago, and again this last March. Success attended both sittings. The March sitting took place in my own house; Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton stayed with us a couple of days and we got a photo with three “extras” on one plate. We consider the last one a perfect likeness of my husband just as he was before his last illness. The first was very good, only rather too much like what he was at the time of passing over, so, you see, it was rather painful, but a truthful likeness. My son was with Mr. Hope the whole time he developed the plates. He knows quite a lot about photography, and we used our own plates.

(_Signed_) ELLEN JONES.

_Rees Cottage, Kempston, Beds._

* * * * *

From THE REV. G. VALE OWEN

I have had several sittings with Mr. Wm. Hope and Mrs. Buxton at Crewe. I will briefly relate one experience.

In 1910 I was just dropping off to sleep when I saw, in the far corner of the room, a beautiful girl’s face smiling at me. It slowly disappeared sideways behind a screen. I wondered who the owner was. It was slightly oval, radiant with joy, and the eyes were laughing at me with just a touch of roguish enjoyment at my perplexity. There was a certain efflorescence permeating it, a light which did not proceed from an exterior object, but which seemed to be one with the substance of which the face was composed. But it was not a mask. It was a living face.

About eight years later I saw the same face again, this time about six inches from my own. On this second occasion there came into my mind, as if intentionally projected there, the name “Ruby.” Ruby is my daughter who passed away at the age of fifteen months in 1896.

In August, 1917, my wife and I paid a visit to the Crewe Circle. On one of the negatives appeared the face I had already seen clairvoyantly. It was not full-face, as I had seen it on the two previous occasions, but in profile. This disposes of the theory that it might have been a thought-form of my own.

Later on, we were having a talk with this spirit-child of ours in our own home at Orford, and I took the opportunity to ask her if it was she who had managed to get her picture on the plate at Crewe. Her reply was: “I don’t know, daddy. I was there and tried to. I should love to have done it. Did I?” My answer was that I was satisfied that she had done so.

I also asked her why it was in profile and she said it was in order that she might shew her hair. Even when she passed away as a baby her abundant light-brown hair was an exceptional feature. On the photograph it was also conspicuous.

I am satisfied that the picture is the likeness of my daughter Ruby. We have received more than one description of her as she appears in the spirit life and this portrait tallies with these descriptions.

I am at one with several of my friends who have sat with them in their conviction that there is no trickery used by these mediums in the production of results obtained.

On all my visits to Crewe I have been struck with the transparent honesty and earnestness of both Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton. The only conclusion to which I can come is that they are out for the sole purpose of helping others with their rare gift, at great cost to their own comfort and convenience. Personally I am grateful to them for their self-sacrificing service.

(_Signed_) G. VALE OWEN.

_Orford Vicarage, Warrington._

* * * * *

The Testimony of F. J. TWELVES, ESQ., OF MANCHESTER

Having had well over twenty sittings with Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton of the Crewe Circle, as well as intimate acquaintance of sittings of close friends, I have no hesitation in expressing absolute conviction of the genuineness of the results obtained.

With the exception of photographs of our own son, I cannot say that many were undoubtedly recognised. We have, however, had many photographs of our boy about which there could be no doubt on the part of anybody who knew him at all well. Of course, ordinary photographs of an individual taken from different angles or in different positions shew considerable divergence; perhaps the one approximating nearest to the last photo before transition is the one taken on October 16th, 1921, copy of which I enclose together with print of the pretransitional photograph for comparison. [Not reproduced.—ED.]

The clearest photo we have had taken of him was on December 11th, 1920.

(_Signed_) FRED J. TWELVES.

_55, Victoria Road, Whalley Range, Manchester._

* * * * *

The Testimony of ALDERMAN W. WHITEFIELD, J.P., OF BRISTOL

On August 19th, 1921, I called at Crewe on my way home from Llandudno and made my way to the house of Mrs. Buxton. I took with me a sealed packet of plates. I have done a considerable amount of photographic work in days gone by. I examined the camera, placed the plates into the slides myself in the dark room and developed and fixed them myself. As regards the psychic results secured, my good wife and myself have not the slightest doubt that it is a photograph of one of our daughters. I do pray that this knowledge may bring joy and comfort to some sorrowing heart.

(_Signed_) W. WHITEFIELD.

_St. George, Bristol._

* * * * *

An Account of MRS. D. HARTWELL, OF NORTHAMPTON

(_The photograph referred to by Mrs. Hartwell, when compared with a normal photograph of her late husband, leaves no doubts whatever as to the question of recognition._)

I went to Mr. Hope as a complete stranger and when I received the photograph, I recognised the “extra” to be the likeness of my husband, whom I had lost during the war. It was also recognised by all of his most intimate friends to whom it was shown.

You have my full permission to make whatever use of it you wish, and am only too pleased to do anything in my power to help forward this beautiful cause.

(_Signed_) D. HARTWELL.

_2, St. Giles Terrace, Northampton._

* * * * *

An Account by MRS. R. FOULDS, OF SHEFFIELD

(_Mrs. Foulds, an experienced photographer, describes how she obtained a psychic photograph of her mother and a psychograph of more than seventy words, under good test conditions. The psychic photograph showing Mrs. Foulds’s mother is reproduced in fig. 24, with normal photograph of the same lady, fig. 25, for comparison._)

The “extra” of my mother (Figure 24) was obtained at 144, Market Street, Crewe, in February, 1920, under the following conditions: I took a sealed packet of plates, also my own slide, which, though slightly different from Mr. Hope’s, fitted his camera; after the usual sitting I went into the dark room, broke the seal, opened the packet of plates, placed one in each division of the slide, initialled them, put slide in my dress, also rest of plates, after being focussed I placed slide in camera after a thorough examination of same, resumed my seat, when the usual exposure was made. I then took slide from camera, went into dark room and developed plates, with result that one was normal and the other bore a good likeness of my mother (recognised by all of the family who have seen it). Then Mr. Hope said, “I would like you to choose another plate, any one you like, from your packet, and develop that, too.” I chose the one next but one to the bottom of packet, and on developing that, obtained a message of upward of seventy words dealing with matters of a strictly private nature.

I wish to state most emphatically that from beginning to end of the experiment, the packet of plates never left my person, and those developed were not touched in any way whatever by Mr. Hope or Mrs. Buxton until they left the fixing bath, neither did the slide leave my possession except when I placed it in the camera.

(_Signed_) R. FOULDS.

_84a, Eastbank Road, Sheffield._

* * * * *

From C. DOVE, ESQ., OF SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD

(_In forwarding four psychic photographs with normal photographs for comparison, Mr. Dove gives the attestation hereunder._)

I can absolutely assure you that these photographs were taken under strictest test conditions in my home and in the presence of seven reliable witnesses who are willing to attest to their genuineness.

I myself bought the plates, etc., and was the only one who handled them until they were developed, which was keenly watched by all. Mr. Hope never actually touched the plates. They are fine photographs of Mr. W. J. Cary, Mr. Geo. Dove, of whom there is no normal photo in existence, and Mrs. Catton. I can quite well assure you that they caused quite a sensation in Sutton-in-Ashfield where all of them were well known.

(_Signed_) CHARLES DOVE.

_Homelea, Oak Tree Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield._

* * * * *

The Evidence of MRS. A. ELIZABETH GRIERE, OF DUNFERMLINE

(_The likenesses of father and husband were obtained on one photograph, the features of the latter being clearer than those of the sitter. This photograph is shewn by fig. 26. Fig. 27 reproduced alongside gives a normal photograph of Mr. Griere for comparison._)

I have great pleasure in forwarding the enclosed pictures. My sitting with Mr. Hope took place in December of 1921. I brought my own plates as directed, and I wish to state that throughout the whole proceedings Mr. Hope did not handle these plates unless to load the camera out in the studio. I took them out of the wrapper, placed them in the slide, unloaded and developed them. The result of the sitting you have before you.

I am perfectly satisfied that the “extra” on No. 1 picture is the face of my husband, and on No. 2 the “extras” are those of my husband and my father. You will see the undoubted resemblance to the original photograph herewith enclosed. _I was a total stranger to Mr. Hope and his good friend, Mrs. Buxton_, and I shall always remain indebted to them both for their courtesy during my visit to Crewe. I trust this picture may be of some use to you.

(_Signed_) A. ELIZABETH GRIERE.

_20, Woodmill Road, Dunfermline._

* * * * *

The Evidence of E. W. LEE, ESQ., OF SHANKLIN, ISLE OF WIGHT

I am enclosing four photographs, one normal and three psychographs. [Not reproduced.—ED.] All the psychographs were taken in Crewe. Our first meeting was arranged through the post. We were quite strangers and had no mutual acquaintances likely to be in touch with each other. I live in the Isle of Wight; Mr. Hope in Crewe.

The photograph obtained on the first occasion bears the strongest likeness to my dear wife.

The whole operations, less the fixing of the slide in the camera and making the exposure, were undertaken by myself. Although I had not the slightest reason to suspect Mr. Hope, I treated him by my actions as a man open to swindle his patrons.

I am satisfied, bearing in mind that Mr. Hope had not access to any photograph of my wife and following upon the very short time we were together for the first time in our lives, that the result of that sitting could not be produced or attained solely by any _material_ means known to mankind, science and legerdemain included.

In June of this year as we were motoring through the country a friend and myself called in Crewe. No appointment had been made with Mr. Hope, but we found him at home. Our dear discarnate friends just before leaving the island on June 4th and June 11th of this year stated they would go with us, and my friend’s wife, who had passed over in November, 1921, stated to her husband that he should see her again. To fulfil this promise we called at Crewe. The small figure at the back is my friend’s wife. The other one, if you will compare it with the normal photograph, will not be difficult to identify as my dear wife. On this occasion the features are most sharply defined.

I cannot express my thanks too warmly to the Crewe Circle and my own dear discarnate friends for the trouble taken on our behalf.

(_Signed_) E. W. LEE, ESQ.

_Fearnside, Clarence Road, Isle of Wight._

* * * * *

The Evidence of R. S. HIPWOOD, ESQ., OF SUNDERLAND

We lost our only son in France, August 27th, 1918. Being a good amateur photographer, I was curious about the photos that had been taken by the Crewe Circle. We took our own plate with us and I put the plate in the dark slide myself and put my name on it. We exposed two plates in the camera and got a well-recognised photo. Even my nine-year-old grandson could tell who the extra was without anyone saying anything to him. Having a thorough knowledge of photography, I can vouch for the veracity of the photograph in every particular. I claim the print which I send you to be an ordinary photograph of myself and Mrs. Hipwood with the extra of my son, R. W. Hipwood, 13th Welsh Regiment, killed in France in the great advance in August, 1918. I tender to our friends at Crewe our unbounded confidence in their work.

(_Signed_) R. S. HIPWOOD.

_174, Cleveland Road, Sunderland._

* * * * *

From LEWIS CHILDS, ESQ., OF SHEFFIELD

(_This description tells of a compact made between two friends that the one to pass over first should endeavour to manifest to the other. The one friend died, and a few months later Mr. Childs went to Crewe and obtained a fine photograph of his friend, independently recognised by between two hundred and three hundred people who knew him. Mr. Childs’ account is accompanied by certificate of recognition from the members of the deceased man’s family, who were not spiritualists._)

For five years I worked side by side with Mr. R. H. Turton, and on several occasions tried to interest him in psychic matters by showing him various spirit photographs which I and various friends had secured. He generally greeted the matter contemptuously, and often used the words “bunkum” and “rubbish.” On one notable occasion, however, after a long argument, he and I made a compact that which ever of us passed away first should endeavour to give the other some evidence of continued existence beyond death.

Mr. Turton passed away on March 17th of this year. Seven weeks later I visited the Crewe Circle. I made no appointment, and Mr. Hope and Mrs. Buxton could have no idea that I was coming. I took a packet of plates with me and conducted the usual examination of the apparatus used. I opened the box of plates and loaded the carrier. After the exposure had been made I developed and fixed the plate. Everything was in my own hands. As the image came up in the developing dish I noted the face of a man above my right shoulder. The print shows a remarkable likeness to my friend, R. H. Turton, and I am convinced that he has thus fulfilled the compact made betwixt us.

I have shown it to his relatives and friends, and his shopmates, and they have no hesitation in recognising the photograph. Though none of the relatives are spiritualists, they assert that it resembles him as he lay in his coffin. No photograph of Mr. Turton had been taken recently, and I cannot discover one which bears any resemblance to this.

Thus did my friend keep his compact, to convince me that memory lives beyond death.

(_Signed_) L. CHILDS.

_42, Glover Road, Lowfield, Sheffield._

* * * * *

An Account by MRS. A. A. PEARS, OF COVENTRY

On returning from our holidays on August 20th, 1918, my husband and myself paid a surprise call at 144, Market Street, Crewe. About three years previously we had lost our little boy of fourteen. None of the members of the Crewe Circle had ever seen him, or even a photograph of him. On this occasion we were successful in obtaining a wonderful photograph of our dear boy. I have not the least doubt about the reality and genuineness of this photograph. Later on, when in Coventry, Mr. Hope kindly photographed my little boy’s grave, and we again obtained a fine photograph of him as he was just before he entered the higher life. With the Crewe Circle I have obtained some remarkable results. No one acquainted with the members of that Circle would for a moment doubt their honesty, and I pray that God may bless and prosper them in their good work and the sacrifices they make for the benefit of their fellows.

(_Signed_) A. A. PEARS.

_30, Dorset Road, Coventry._

* * * * *

What reply can be given to such definite statements as these here enumerated by reputable witnesses in every grade of life? Every reader with an open mind will agree that the evidence for the reality of psychic photography is overwhelming. It is only necessary to repeat that these reports form but part of a tremendous mass of accumulated evidence, which is available for any serious student to investigate. Unfortunately, in a popular volume of this description it is possible only to reproduce just a few of the photographic results referred to. As far as possible, however, these photographic effects are being accumulated and preserved so as to form a permanent record of the truth of psychic photography.

THE END