On March 20, 1878, a writer in the Chicago Inter-Ocean communicated to that paper the following curiously descriptive article: Is Mr.Sothern a medium?
This is the question that fifteen puzzled investigators are asking themselves this morning, after witnessing a number of astounding manifestations at a private seance given by Mr.Sothern last night.
It lacked a few minutes of 12 when a number of Mr.Sothern's friends, who had been given to understand that something remarkable was to be performed, assembled in the former's room at the Sherman House and took seats around a marble-top table, which was placed in the center of the apartment.

On the table were a number of glasses, two very large bottles, and five lemons.

A sprightly young gentleman attempted to crack a joke about spirits being confined in bottles, but the company frowned him down, and for once Mr.Sothern had a sober audience to begin with.
There was a good deal of curiosity regarding the object of the gathering, but no one was able to explain.

Each gentleman testified to the fact Mr.Sothern's agent had waited upon him, and solicited his presence at a little exhibition to be given by the actor, NOT of a comical nature.
Mr.Sothern himself soon after appeared, and, after shaking hands with the party, thus addressed them: "Gentlemen, I have invited you here this evening to witness a few manifestations, demonstrations, tests, or whatever you choose to call them, which I have accidentally discovered that I am able to perform.
"I am a fire-eater, as it were.

(Applause).
"I used to DREAD the fire, having been scorched once when an innocent child.