featured

Nearing Hallowe’en…

In 1915, physician, politician and community leader Dr. T.G. Hamilton was president of the Manitoba Medical Association and was an elected a member of the provincial legislature. In 1918, soon after his young son’s death, he began to experiment with psychic phenomena. His aim was the scientific investigation of paranormal phenomena such as rappings, psychokinesis, ectoplasms, and materializations under scientific conditions that would minimize any possibility of error. Between 1926 and 1935 he presented eighty-six lectures and wrote numerous articles published in Canada and abroad. Dr. Hamilton’s wife Lillian carried on his paranormal experiments following his death in 1935.

All positive prints taken from the photographic negatives have been retained with the written records of the experiments which they illustrate. Almost all the glass plate negatives were photographed for archival purposes, and the black and white glossy print collection is also available for researchers today. Much of the material has now been made available online at the archives website. A YouTube video about the collection can be found at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0HncGNBCqY

In 1920, Hamilton and a few others tried “table-tipping,” a common spiritualist practice. They received a “message” that seemed to be from F.W. Myers, a noted British writer on spiritualism who had passed on in 1901. Now, it should be noted that most magicians can easily do table-tipping without any
spiritual intervention, but Hamilton and his group were not magicians and would not seem to have any reason for fooling themselves. However, one of those present at that event was Mrs. Elizabeth Poole, their neighbour and good friend. Hamilton’s wife believed that Poole resembled a noted medium in the USA, and convinced her that she should try further tests at table-tipping. After several months of occasional meetings, Mrs. Poole was apparently successful, for in July 1921, their table tilted up on two legs with only a light touch by her hands. Neither Dr. Hamilton nor his wife could force the table back to the floor. He was convinced that something profound was occurring, and was curious enough that he formed a small group to conduct sitting on a regular basis.

After eight months of this investigation, he was of the opinion that some form of “energy” was moving the table independently of Mrs. Poole. But it was another kind of phenomenon which bothered him – a frequent series of raps which seemed to spell out messages in an intelligent fashion. Hamilton refused to consider that spirits were communicating with him, and insisted he needed more proof before he could commit himself to this belief.

One thing led to another, and soon Hamilton had taken photographs of the tables in mid-flight. One such photo is reproduced here, along with a photo of the house as it exists today in Winnipeg.

Had Hamilton actually succeeded in communicating with the dead? Or was he “taken in” by someone in his inner circle?

© 2008 Defining Canada.