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ASK HOUDINI
at
be This department is open to all readers of Weird Tales who have some question to propound. Houdini will attempt to answer any logical question on subjects relating to physical or psychic phenomena. Readers are requested not to duplicate[1] questions that have already been answered by Houdini in these columns. Questions pertaining to the future and personalities will receive no attention. They must have a general interest, otherwise they will not be considered. All correspondence will be handled by Houdini personally and he is especially interested in hearing from those having unique experiences not easily explained.—The Publishers.
FOREWORD.
Ingrained in me is a love of mystery and marvel. As a child, Red Riding Hood, Ali Baba, and the Arabian Nights found as much favor with me as the stories from the Bible. All were read to me by my mother. Stories of the weird and wonderful exercise a surpassing charm over my imagination. I feel there are many thousands like me and from these I will be delighted to hear. Who knows but that this department may be the means of bringing to light another Poe or another Hawthorne? Only by writing can you learn to write. By throwing off restraint, the greatest pieces of literature have been produced. This department is yours as much as mine.—HOUDINI.
No. 1
Houdini,
c|o Weird Tales,
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Sir:
Years ago there traveled around the country a man named Samri S. Baldwin, known as the "White Mahatma." Could you tell me if he is still living, and if so, where a letter could reach him.
Were there any other White Mahatmas that did the same kind of work?
H. L.
Answer to No. 1
There were a number of White Mahatmas, all imitating Samri S. Baldwin, who is still alive and now resides in San Francisco, California. A letter addressed to the Golden Gate Assembly of the Society of American Magicians, care of the Tiffin Studio wilt reach him.
Houdini,
c|o Weird Tales,
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Sir:
I have just finished reading your expose of spiritualism in the March issue of Weird Tales, and can assure you that I am very anxious to read the next installment.
I was born in a section of England, where it is the custom for those who wish to sink a well, to employ the services of a "dowser."
A "dowser" is a person who travels around with a forked twig, jabbing it in the ground, and when this twig moves, turning suddenly in his hand, he states that water will be found below. Experience shows that in this practice, he is usually though not invariably correct.
Now these "dowsers" are not as a rule scientific or learned men, nor have they any special local knowledge. Very often indeed, they are merely laborers.
Sometimes this man dispenses with the use of the "dowser" being able to tell by his own sensation that he is over water. So common is this custom in this part of England I refer to, and so great is the belief in these "dowsers" that few people indeed would think of sinking a well without the aid of one of these men.
Many explanations have been offered of this practice and I am anxious to hear your opinion regarding same.
It is very true that in sticking this twig in the ground, it will move at times "just as if it were alive" in this particular section of the country where I come from, but a large percentage of people are great believers in spiritualism, and people who have faith in this sort of phenomenon insist that it is a spirit manifestation.
(Continued on page 88)
- ↑ Hundreds of letters have been received by Houdini since the announcement of this department in the March issue. Time does not permit taking up as many of these as desired on account of the rush to get the April issue on sale on time. This department bids fair to become an interesting feature of Weird Tales and the publishers assure you that sufficient space will be alloted it to cover all worth while subjects.
