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Maggie Pollock Media Archive

Before the Trial

1891 - 1905

Long before the first status update ever hit the internet, there was community news.


Local papers printed the comings and goings of everyday people right on the front page. Little snippets of small-town life. Who was visiting family out of town, starting a new business, or recovering from a broken arm. Occasionally, they’d turn up something exciting, like the discovery of a 1 1/2 foot-long garter snake while digging a grave at the cemetery. Or a rumour that the reverend went to see the psychic.


He denied it, though he was a widower. And everyone knew Maggie spoke to spirits. 

The first found mention of Miss Margaret Pollock appears in 1891, announcing her return to Buffalo after visiting her parents in Blyth. She went to work in Buffalo as a dressmaker, led there by a psychic vision at 16,


When Maggie’s mentioned next, it’s in a 1894 edition of the Progressive Thinker, a weekly Spiritualism paper out of Chicago. By then, she’s returned to Ontario and Spiritualism has followed. The paper reports on a prominent member of the movement giving a series of lectures in Maggie’s area. 


Later that year, The Huron Expositor prints a denial from Reverend Musgrave that he went to see her. It’s unclear if Musgrave ever sought her services, but the rest of the community is lining up. When she comes back from Buffalo in 1897 for her ailing sister, Maggie is so in-demand she has to turn people away.

Miss Maggie Pollock, of Buffalo, who has been spending a few weeks with her parents here, has returned to that city. She was accompanied by Miss Craig.

N. L. M. writes: “Seaforth, Ontario, has had quite a shake-up in a Spiritualistic way. Mr. J. W. Dennis, of Buffalo, N. Y., has been with us for a few days, and on Sunday last delivered to a large audience a fine lecture on ‘The Spiritualism of the Bible.’ We are so well pleased with his work among us that we have engaged him for next Sunday, when his subject will be ‘Why Do We Advocate Spiritualism?’ The masterly manner in which Mr. Dennis handles his subject, his pleasing address, and his willingness to initiate all new beginners into the mysteries of Spiritualism and mediumship, have pleased us very much. He goes from here to Blyth, Ontario, and will speak there and in some of the surrounding towns. To Miss Maggie Pollock, of Blyth, are due the thanks of our people, as she started the good work here, giving sittings to all inquirers, and while here she had more than she could attend to. Miss Pollock is a new medium, and a good one, and we hope to have her with us more in the near future, as she is always a welcome visitor among us. Mr. Dennis will probably abide in Canada until he is called to the Ohio camp in June.”

A DENIAL—A report having in some way got abroad that Rev. P. Musgrave, the respected pastor of Duff's church, McKillop, had visited Miss Pollock, the so-called "spiritualist," during her recent sojourn in Seaforth, the reverend gentleman is very much annoyed that he should be so accused, and, in a letter which we have from him, he indignantly denies the accuracy of the report. He says that he not only did not visit Miss Pollock, as reported, but that to his knowledge he has never seen her, and would not know her if he were to see her. Mr. Musgrave's letter is somewhat lengthy and quite interesting, and we are sorry that it came to hand too late to permit its publication this week, but it will appear next week.

Miss Maggie Pollock returned home last Saturday from her visit in Brussels. It is rumoured that Knox College is going to lose one of its students soon.

ONTARIO, CANADA.— L. G. Neelin writes, among other things: “We are pleased that the N. S. A. recognized the exigency in the appointment of Mrs. L. F. Prior to the pastorate of Toronto. Her ministration has resulted in the forming of the First Spiritual Church, with Mr. Henderson as president. Miss Maggie Pollock is the coming medium in Canada.”

Miss Maggie Pollock went to Goderich last week, where she has secured a situation.

Miss Maggie Pollock, clairvoyant, clairaudient and psychological test medium, returned to Buffalo on Monday of last week. She had been suddenly called to her home here on account of the serious illness of her sister, who is now so far recovered as to permit of her return. During Mise Pollock's stay she waited on a great many people who came to consult her, and a number were disappointed at not seeing her. We hope she may return shortly and remain for a time us least giving us an opportunity of consulting her as a medium.

Tillie V. Reynolds writes from East Aurora: The society here celebrated the anniversary of Modern Spiritualism, Friday evening, March 24th. Song by Anne and Mr. Harris…”Far Away” at the opening; followed by a short address by the writer, a brief history of the origin or beginning of Modern Spiritualism. After that the meeting was turned over to myself, Mr. and Mrs. Olding, living 5 miles out of E. Aurora, drove in to enjoy the meeting. Both are many years on the journey, and by request sang some of Prof. Longley’s songs in a very expressive way. It was beautiful to see them going toward the west of life, their souls and voices attuned to the grand harmonies of song. Mrs. Roland, of Buffalo, one of the guests, gave a very fine talk under inspiration. Miss Maggie Pollock, of Canada, made a brief speech, and Mrs. Little, of East Aurora, read a poem written for the occasion by her guides. Last, but by no means least, Mr. H. N. Richardson, President of the society, was called upon and gave some very fitting remarks. According to a previous promise made, one of the guides of the writer had written a humorous as well as pertinent rhyme, which was read and well received by all, messages followed. More singing, then cake and cream served by the ladies, and a general good time was had. All expressed themselves as having enjoyed the evening immensely.