MR. STEAD’S SPIRIT BUREAU

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2668, 25 November 1909, Page 5

MR. STEAD’S SPIRIT BUREAU

INTERVIEW WITH A DEAD AVIATOR.

Paris. Oct. 1. Mr. W. T. Stead relates in the “Matin” to-day a conversation with M. Leferve, the dead aeroplanist, which he states took place in “Julia’s Bureau,” the call office for spirits in Mowbray House, Norfolk street, Strand. The members of Julia’s Bureau (he says) meet every morning at ten o’clock to confer with their directress, who, visible to the clairvoyants, occupies the presidential chair of the • gathering. Alter having received two brief messages from Julia, the clairvoyant said: “I hear another voice speaking.” I now quote the following notes taken down in the secretary’s note-book: “If you go to Chalons I go with you.” Mr Stead: Who is it who speaks? The Clairvoyant: I have been dead some time. My name is Lefevre. “Strange as it may seem,” Mr Stead here interpolates, “this name awoke no memory in me. I was abroad when Lefevre was killed, and I thought that this might be someone who died a long while ago. None of those present recognised the name.” Another spirit began to speak, and the incident remained there. Next day Julia remarked in the course of her communications: “That man called Le_ fevre says that he will go with you to Chalons. He hopes you will go.” “HOW IT FEELS TO DIE.” Mr Stead: Ask Lefevre if he is the man who was killed in an aeroplane accident. —Yes, I thought you knew it. Mr Stead: You can communicate directly with me. Do you speak English?—No, not much; but I transmit my thoughts to the medium and he translates them into English. Mr Stead: What was it caused your rapid fall?—l did not have time to think. You scarcely have time to reflect when you fall. Mr Stead: In your unexpected fall did you keep your presence of mind? — This is what I felt. T was conscious that I was falling, but before touching the ground I had lost consciousness. I felt no pain nor any sensation in my physical body. It seemed to me that my spirit- was projected out of it. I had a sensation of rapid rotation, then something gave way suddenly, and I found myself in the air, seeing beneath me my mortal remains _and the machine. It was not disagreeable. I observed, too, that a being who was verypowerful and who calmed me was near me, and to-morrow this same being will try to write by your hand when you are at Chalons. Lefevre asked Mr Stead to warn M. Bolotoff, another aviator, at Chalons, that his motor would not work properly. Mr Stead adds that he went to Chalons on the following Monday and. warned M. Bolotoff of Lefevre’s advice. The motor was tested with extreme thoroughness and seemed in the most perfect order until 111. Bolotoff took his seat in the aeroplane. Then the motor would not worn, the starting handle broke, and the experiments had to be abandoned. Mr Stead “guarantees the absolute accuracy ef the above account, which is confirmed by the shorthand note.- and. by the declarations of four or five persons who heard the warning.”