- Written by: Ron Nagy
- Category: Paranormal Observations
- Published: July 17, 2013
Old houses have secrets, in closets, in the attic, under floorboards, especially the second step to the upper floors. Always feel for a loose brick in the chimney my grandfather told me. He contracted to tear old houses down, a “junk man”—so I thought. Actually, he was an explorer of antiquities. He first searched for the forgotten hidden treasures of the past inhabitants of those houses. Treasures those inhabitants held close to their hearts and trusted to reveal to no one until it was too late to remember. I always thought he was just saving the copper pipes, window glass, mantle trim, brick and stone to resell to contractors for the upscale mansions that were being built along the main line of Philadelphia. I was the “gopher”, go for this and go for that. I was always going for something I couldn’t find and when I returned my grandfather would have this ironical grin on his face. I learned some valuable lessons from my grandfather.
The old house I live in now is no different, there are hiding places, magical areas for a grown up kid as myself to venture into. My house was built in 1882. By 1901 the house’s main parlor was being advertised for rent as having a séance room, seventeen feet square, with bay window, closet and upright piano. How many séance’s were held here over the years and who were the people who attended on a regular basis? What knowledge was obtained and was all the information revealed or was it suppressed, then written down and hidden away? Could I find something that no one else discovered? Had anyone ever tried?
- Written by: Ron Nagy
- Category: History Topics
- Published: May 13, 2013
A meeting was held at #4 North Street at the home of Mrs. Mary C. Lyman in the early part of the Camp Season of 1892. The purpose of the meeting was to organize a discussion group. As weather permitted meetings were held in the grove in the North East woods of Lily Dale. Athelston Gaston a Congressman from Meadville, Pa. made the suggestion to name the meetings Forest Temple and it was adopted.
The purpose of the meetings was discussion of Spiritualist subjects and conditions of the Country concerning Free Thinker Ideals. Sitting benches with backs were arranged in rows and usually the senior most respected person acted as moderator. Meetings were held at 9:30am and 4:30pm. Many lively discussions occurred. In 1897 a nightly “Thought Exchange” meeting was held at 6:30pm and continued for many years.
Benjamin Bartlet, a wealthy Spiritualist from Cambridge Springs Pa. had a building constructed in 1914 at his expense and it was dedicated to his mother. This dedication plaque can still be seen on the inside wall of the Forest Temple Building. The Cummings Farm property was located along the East side of Lily Dale property. The Pig Barns can be seen in many of the older photographs of the Forest Temple Meetings.
Lily Dale purchased the Cummings property in 1923 and the Pig Barns were removed for obvious reasons. Imagine the aroma during the heat of the Summer Camp Meetings. At this time I am not sure when the outside Message Services began or when messages started at the meetings so I will not guess.
The Forest Temple Park area is another one of Lily Dale’s oldest and most revered gathering places to this day.
- Written by: Ron Nagy
- Category: History Topics
- Published: March 28, 2013
[circa 1870 photograph shows the brothers and William Fay in front of the “spirit cabinet”]
Ira Erastus Davenport September 17, 1839 -July 8, 1911
William Henry Davenport February 1, 1841-July 1, 1877
The Davenport Brothers, were American Magicians in the late 19th Century, sons of a Buffalo New York Policeman. The brothers presented illusions claimed to be supernatural.
The Davenports began in 1854, less than a decade after Spiritualism had taken off in America. After stories of the Fox Sisters, the Davenports started reporting similar occurrences. Their father took up managing his sons and the group was joined by William Fay, a Buffalo resident with an interest in conjuring. Their shows were introduced by a former “Restoration Movement Minister, Dr.J B. Ferguson, a follower of Spiritualism, who assured the audience that the brothers worked by spirit power rather than deceptive trickery. Ferguson was apparently sincere that the Davenports possessed spiritual powers.
- Written by: Ron Nagy
- Category: History Topics
- Published: March 3, 2013
The Cassadagan, April 1900
Annual Meeting of Directors:
A resolution was passed taxing Horses, Cows and Pigs $5.00 per annum: Cats and Dogs $1.00 each and Chickens $.10 cents each. This tax will be collected the first of May each year.
This “tax” seemed common across the Country as a means of making extra money at the end of the late Victorian 1800’s. In some places this was referred to as a “pocket tax”. [I leave the word to be interpreted by the reader]
The Sunflower April 25, 1903 [A Lily Dale newspaper printed here on South Street] Stated: One of the reforms inaugurated by the new management is to take away all the little sheds & shanties that have been used for storage purposes, on the East part of the grounds and prepare the ground for a row of nice Cottages on that Street. This is quite a venture and it is hoped-for it will make a decided improvement. Also: J.F. Witheral has been taking out a number of stumps near the Turner Barn at the head of South Street which is a decided improvement and J.H Champlin [contractor of the Auditorium] has arranged to build him a new Barn on the hill just across the Railroad Track. [Frisbee Road]
Abby Louise Pettingill was elected President of the Board and had controlling interest in the Assembly by 1903. The East end of every Street was being used for sheds, the raising of Livestock and generally a place for the “save it” items. East Street must have been quite an Eyesore and Abby Louise had a vision of beauty and order. This was a major change and I’m sure much tact, diplomacy and negotiations had to be used for the completion of this project. Abby would finally make a through Street for the Eastern end of the grounds without the “junk” and the adverse odors.