Extinct, Says Conan Doyle
Such were the statements made by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, world famous spiritualist, in the course of an interview with an Albertan reporter last night on his arrival in Calgary. Sir Arthur, who is a guest of the Palliser hotel, is accompanied by Watson Erskine, New York city, his secretary. He will speak tonight at Al Azhar Temple, when his far-famed spirit photographs, which have aroused so much speculation and keen interest the world over, will be shown.
Sir Arthur is a quiet, soft-spoken English gentleman. That he sincerely and profoundly believes in his theories and their benefit to humanity is plainly evident when one has conversed with him. At first glance, his is not a vivid personality. But when one looks into the eyes the fire, the vigor, the tireless energy, of the man is apparent. Firm belief and honest conviction are there. So is gentleness and kindliness and a great love for humanity. There is nothing eccentric, nothing unusual, about Sir Arthur.
“Is belief in your theory growing? The reporter asked.
“Yes, it is becoming more widespread every day,” the famous siritualist answered.
“From that time my wife and I have devoted our lives in endeavoring to get past the barrier of conservatism and prejudice which has so long stood between the greatest comfort and knowledge. During this time we have gone together, not only to every city in Great Britain, but also every town of any size in Australia and New Zealand. Last year we were in eastern America, came up the Pacific coast and so to Calgary.”
“My pilgrimage is nearly over, as I have only four or five more lectures, and I am glad of it, for physically I am weary, but spiritually I have lost none of that determination and enthusiasm which I am sure would have worn out many a younger man.”
“I may say that during my long mission I have never charged a shilling for any lecture and what profits there have been, if any, I have handed over to spiritualist associations, which have small funds for their necessary work.”
“The beliefs which I hold are making steady progress everywhere, which is to be marked by the more dignified and restrained tone in which the great newspapers treat the subject. It does not appear as it used to in the comic column. On the contrary, many of the great journals in America have had leaders in which they admit that the presentment of the case is very strong and that it would be absurd for anyone to speak with contempt of a subject which has been vouched for by some of the most eminent men of the day,” he said.
“The real strength lies in the way in which into our churches, not only the spiritualist, but the orthodox, so that the old idea of death has become quite extinct. People have come to realize that there is no change in personality. As to the proofs of my beliefs, they will be given in full Wednesday night. They are such that no one can possibly refuse to accept them. Many criticize me and the photographs at a distance but it rarely ever happens that a man who has actually heard and seen has any serious objections to offer afterward.
“I have left my family at Jasper,” Sir Arthur continued, “therefore I am returning there the day after my lecture, where I have hope to spend a couple of weeks with Nature.”
“I suppose the constant strain becomes tiring?” the reporter suggested. “Yes, it does,” Sir Arthur replied. “It frequently happens that I do not rest on a bed two nights in a week.”
