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ENCHANTED GROUND
ENCHANTED GROUND
The Spirit Room of Jonathan Koons
Sharon Hatfield
SWALLOW PRESS
ATHENS, OHIO
Swallow Press
An imprint of Ohio University Press, Athens, Ohio 45701
© 2018 by Sharon Hatfield
All rights reserved
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Printed in the United States of America
Swallow Press / Ohio University Press books are printed on acid-free paper
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Hardcover ISBN 978-0-8040-1208-9
Electronic ISBN 978-0-8040-4096-9
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request.
A NOTE ON SOURCES
Spelling and punctuation varied widely during the mid-nineteenth century, especially the spelling of proper names. The quotations from original sources used in this book transcribe the original spelling, punctuation, and grammar. In some passages the author has inserted clarifying information in brackets.
For Jack
The Messiah taught the doctrine of peace, love, goodwill and forgiveness to all mankind in general; which of itself was sufficient for Christians without the brimstone.
—Jonathan Koons, Truth Seekers’ Feast
We remained there till Sunday morning, and then, on foot, we took up the line of march towards the enchanted ground. We ascended the hills, which are piled one upon another, to a fearful and dizzy height. It seemed to me that we were travelling quite away from the earth sphere. About 11 o’clock, on Sunday, the 26th, we arrived at Mr. Koons’, a farm house, situate upon a small farm, among these everlasting hills.
—A pilgrim, circa 1855, in T. L. Nichols, Religions of the World
Koons took no fees. Indeed, he generously housed and fed the visitors from a distance. The reader may construct his own psychology of the matter.
—Joseph McCabe, Spiritualism; A Popular History from 1847
Amiable and beloved Father farewell not on this perishing stone, but in the book of life and in the hearts of thy afflicted family is thy worth recorded.
—Inscription on gravestone of Cyrus S. Hughes, nephew of Jonathan Koons
Contents
4. “A Striking Specimen of Beauty”
6. A Buried Man’s Instructions
11. Sustaining “Brother Koons”
15. “An Artful and Designing Rogue”
21. “The Venerable Johnathan Koons”
