Bay State Medium Alleges Theatre Let “Buffoons” Slander Him.

DEDHAM, Mass., Aug. 4 (AP). – Fred A. Wiggin, a spiritualist leader, today filed suit for $100,000 in the Norfolk Superior Court here against the B.F. Keith Theatre of Boston, alleging defamation of character.

The suit apparently was based on the appearance at the theatre last Fall of Harry Houdini, who, in connection with his performances, characterized mediums as “fakes and frauds.”

While Wiggin’s suit does not mention Houdini, it asserts that “certain tricksters and buffoons,” hired by the defendants, “caused to be published certain false statements which the plaintiff claims were scandalous and have injured his good name and reputation.” He further alleges that he was accused of larceny and obtaining money under false pretenses.

Last February Mr. Wiggin filed a similar suit here against Harry Houdini, Julia Sauer and A.L. Smith, “all of parts uncertain and whose true and lawful names are unknown,” seeking $100,000 damages on alleged grounds that the defendants published defamatory statements regarding him and caused him to be indicted in Suffolk County for larceny.

An indictment was returned by the Suffolk Grand Jury against Wiggin last year, charging him with obtaining money from detectives by “a game, device, sleight of hand, pretended fortune telling, trick and other means, by use of cards and other implements and instruments.” The indictment was nolle prossed [sic] by the District Attorney because of lack of jurisdiction.

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