W. H. Powell

Slate-writing medium of Philadelphia with whom Epes Sargent conducted experiments in Boston on June 21, 1879. Under a chandelier, "without touching the surface of the slate, he made motions over it with his forefinger in the air, as if making a drawing, and then writing something. I reversed the slate, and there on the under surface, was a neat drawing of a flower, and under it in clear, bold letters, the word 'Winona.' " Powell was tested by a committee, including chemists and physicians in 1879 in Philadelphia. The committee reported Powell's slate-writing was "one of those peculiar psychological manifestations that we cannot account for."