Spontaneous Combustion
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Spiritualism in a New Phase.--The wonderful feats of table-tipping without hands are likely to be surpassed by new atmospheric phenomena, if the following incident, told by a late number of the
Taylor Falls (
Wisconsin) Reporter, and authenticated by many witnesses, is really reliable:
‘
On Tuesday, while
Mr. Corey and his two sons were at work in a field near his house, their attention was arrested by smoke, which appeared to rise from his stable.
They hurried to the barn as quickly as possible, and discovered a pile of straw on fire.
This was immediately extinguished, and, as they were returning to the field, the stable caught in different places, which, by considerable exertion, was put out. Before, however, they had left the premises, another fire was discovered underneath the granary in a pile of boards.
The bottom board was burnt nearly through, but the others were not even scorched.
After this was put out
Mr. Corey sent one of the boys into the house to ascertain if all was safe there.
He immediately came out and told his father that the house was on fire.
Mr. Corey immediately ran up stairs, where he found some clothes that his wife had laid away the day before, burning.
They were thrown out of the window, and from that time until late at midnight the fire broke out all over the house.
First, a paper would catch, then the mosquito-bar, then a straw bed, &c., and it was only by the utmost exertions of
Mr. Corey, aided by the gentlemen, that the building was saved.
The fire continued to break out at intervals for several days, and attracted many visitors.
We shall not attempt to give any cause for this wonderful freak of nature, but will leave the question to be solved by some of our philosophers.
These facts, as we learn them from an eye- witness, are true; and if any one can solve that mystery we shall be glad to hear from them.
’
