Major Frank Strout (1840 - 1921)

Born 27 Sep 1840 in Hudson, Penobscot, Maine, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 21 Oct 1921 at age 81 in Freeport, Cumberland, Maine, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Terrie Strout [send private message]

Biography

Major was born in 1840. Major Strout ... He passed away in 1921. ^[1]

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Sources

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mewingnut&id=I129984 "Maine Births and Christenings, 1739-1900," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F431-DHV : 4 December 2014), Major_Major F. Strout, 29 Sep 1840; citing CIVIL, GLENBURN, PENOBSCOT, MAINE; FHL microfilm 10,926. Find A Grave Memorial# 65482641

1. ↑ First-hand information as remembered by Terrie Strout, Saturday, November 8, 2014. Replace this citation if there is another source.

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SILVER DALE SENSATION: Materialized Spirit Caught. For about a year past there have been spiritual meetings held by Major F. Strout, formerly from Gridley, Illinois, at the houses of Esq. Butterfield and a Mr. Adams, living on Grouse Creek, near Silver Dale, and claimed to have very strange and mysterious demonstrations in the way of "Materialized Spirits," appearing in life-like form, and conversing with friends on earth. A number of persons in that vicinity have frequently been invited. Fifteen attended their meetings and conversed and joined hands with the materialized forms of their departed friends, and for those who could believe all they saw, it was a grand entertainment, and made lasting impressions on their minds by being honored by the returning spirits of departed friends. But there were some in the neighborhood who were slow to believe all they saw; consequently, it was talked up by a few to put it to the testto prove it to be a fraud or true. So on the night of the 14th inst., there were quite a number invited to attend a meeting at Esq. Butterfield's, among whom were Messrs. Lippman, Blendin and brother, Allison and lady, Harlow, Hilton, Darnall, and myself, and several others besides their own circle. We went prepared with lamp and plenty of matches, and with an understanding that when the signal was given that we make a rush. When the medium, Mr. Strout, was put under control of the spirits, there was considerable discussion as to the propriety of so large an audience, as it was feared they would not be able to produce satisfactory result; but at length all were admitted, and seated by Esq. Butterfield, who gave a brief lecture as to how we should conform to certain rules and laws during the exercise, in order that satisfactory results might be produced. Then it was voted that I should witness the tying of the medium in an adjoining room, with a curtain hung over the door. After he was securely tied in his seat by Mr. Butterfield, the curtain dropped, and the music commenced. In about three minutes something commenced poking at the curtain and calling through a French harp to lower the lights, which was in the main room in rear of the audience, and also doubly curtained. At first the spirits seemed very shy, but as one and another scene seemed to produce the desired effect, and was undisturbed, they became more bold, and showed some wonderful scenes, provided the same were Heavenly spirits and the medium still bound in his seat. But that was the question we wished to solve. So at about the usual time, the controlling spirit called for a quick step by the musicians, and there would be an Indian spirit in material form come forward and dance the war dance, which was done to the satisfaction of the audience, he coming forth dancing and waving his war club, letting the curtain drop behind him, and coming out in the main room among the audience. At this moment the signal was given and there was a grand charge for the spirit, which did not vanish into the ethereal regions, but fought manfully with his club and pulled hair. There was hurrying to and fro, upsetting seats, lighting matches and lamps, women screaming, and cries of don't kill the medium, etc. When the room was sufficiently lighted, I saw some of the boys kindly caressing the stranger from the happy hunting ground, but it turned out to be the materialized form of Major F. Strout, instead of the Indian dancer. On the opposite side of the room, I saw another person lopping against the wall. It was Butterfield and it seemed as though some fellow was feeling his coat collar. If there were any spirits or angels hovering around there that night to behold the exposure of the fraud, I am quite sure they turned away in disgust when they heard the benediction pronounced on the head of Strout by those who had grasped his clammy hand instead of (as they supposed) a father, mother, sister, or brother, who had long before departed. In the closet overhead was found left open a board in the ceiling, that slipped in its place very readily, and there is where he kept his spiritual trimmings. J. G. TITUS. April 20th, 1875. Winfield Courier, September 14, 1876.

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS: COWLEY COUNTY.]WINFIELD COURIER, MAY 15, 1874. We are indebted to Curns & Manser, real estate agents and proprietors of Abstracts of Titles to all lands in Cowley County, for the following transfers of real estate for the week ending Friday, May 15, 1874.Major F. Strout and wife to Chas. F. Hilton: w 1/2 of s e 1/4 and s w 1/4 of n e 1/4 of sec 33 tp 34s r 5 e; 120 acres, $800.