“ SPIRIT’S ORDER ” FOR £500 GIFT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17759, 1 February 1926, Page 7

“ SPIRIT’S ORDER ” FOR £SOO GIFT.

AGED WIDOW’S STORY DENIED BY COMPANION. LONDON, December 10. Commands from a dead husband’s spirit, ordering that £SOO be given tj his widow’s companion-help, figured in a remarkable story told in the Chancery Division yesterday. Spiritualist powers were disclaimed by the companion-help. Miss Jessie Careless, of Burley Terrace, Leeds, who said that the £SOO was an ordinary gift. Miss Careless was sued for the return of the money by Mrs Sarah Grassham. of Archery Place, Leeds, who alleged that the money had been obtained by fraud, misrepresentation and undue influence. On the death of her husband, Mrs Grassham, who is now seventy-five, became entitled to about £l5O a year and £llOO in cash at the Yorkshire Penny Bank. Mr F. D. Morton, counsel for Mrs Grassham, said that Miss Careless entered the widow's service soon afterwards, pretended to be a medium and held seances. DR MORICA’S MESSAGES. The “control’’ or spirit which was declared to enter her body seemed to have been an Indian doctor called Dr Morica, said Mr Morton. Dr Morica delivered messages to Miss Careless from Grassham in the spirit world telling his widow to do things and how he was getting on. Mrs Grassham implicity believed that these messages came from her late husband, and under these circumstances Miss Careless obtained a very strong hold over her mind, Mr Morton continued. During a seance on January 30 a message came from Mr Grassham telling his widow to give Miss Careless £SOO as a reward lor her spirit guides having assisted him to see the light. The message, continued Mr Morton, was very definite, and next day Mrs Grassham went with Miss Careless to the bank and transferred the money to the latter’s name. Some time afterwards Mrs Grassham began to have doubt, and asked Miss Careless several times for the money. This was always refused. When she asked for the pass-book Miss Careless replied that Mr Grassham had it in the spirit world. They used to rap on the table and ask him what had become of it, said counsel, but could not get a reply. Describing the message about the money, Mrs Grassham said: “ The guide that was with Miss Careless was supposed to give a message from my husband that I had to give her the money for helping him in the spirit world to see the light." The Judge: Who was speaking?—Dr Morica. “A MAN’S VOICE.” How did you know it was he?—We have heard him so many times. Was it a man’s voice?—Yes. Mr Byrne (for the defence) : Ilad you ever communicated with the spirit world?—No; I am not so far developed, as they term it. Miss Doris Waddington, of Armley Road, Leeds, spoke of healing meetings and private development meetings for developing mediums. Miss Careless was several times under control, and “gave beautiful messages.’’ She had seen her give messages to Mrs Grassham from her husband. She judged that was so by what she saw. Mr Justice Russell: It was not from anything you heard? —No, brother, no. (Laughter.) Miss Careless, who then gave evidence, said she was thirty-three. “I am not a spiritualist, and don’t believe in spiritualism," she declared. Mr Byrne: Do you know what being under control means? —I cannot say. I have not taken part in spiritualist meetings. The Judge: Never?—No, sir. Counsel: You have attended circles: —Yes, I had to because I was Mrs Grassham’s companion. The Judge: There is direct perjury on one side or another. The hearing was adjourned.