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.