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.