Palmistry
Eau Claire Leader | June 2, 1904

Some Remarkable Readings by MME. Budda
The Leader has heard of several wonderful demonstrations of the ability of Mme. Budda, who is stopping at No. 316 Eau Claire Street, opposite Eau Claire House and which offered unquestioned evidence that Mme. Budda is a gifted clairvoyant and palmist. Her visitors include many well known citizens all of whom express satisfaction that the readings are fair and honest.

A Chippewa resident who visited this gifted medium and palmist struck the key note when he first remarked that “My past and present were called so closely as to make me wonder if Mme. Budda had no by some manner come into possession of a diary kept by me, which of course was not the case, but her predictions and revelations are simply marvelous.” She is well worthy of Eau Claire’s patronage. No. 316 Eau Claire Street

Chad’s Take: Is this an ad or an article?

In the past, the Chippewa Valley was not too kind to traveling psychics as evidenced here. However, in this article the paper actually seems intent on promoting the wandering clairvoyant as though they are receiving a healthy cut of the profits. It is important to note that this article also was printed during the popular Spiritualist Movement that had swept over the United States, where it was widely believed that psychics could communicate with those in the afterlife. Countless thousands of normally skeptical citizens flocked to séances and fortune tellers for the opportunity to speak with their lost loved ones.

While popular fortune tellers were quite common in the Chippewa Valley what intrigued me about this particular clairvoyant were the glowing reviews that were touted by the paper. I also took notice that the name of the overjoyed customer who was marveled by Mme. Budda’s accuracy was somehow omitted. Being an admirer of P.T. Barnum I quickly wondered if this “article” had been written by the clairvoyant herself in an attempt to drive up business. Unfortunately for us today, Mme. Budda is no longer operating in this world, leaving the question of her accuracy forever left untold. While Mme. Budda is long gone, the Chippewa Valley does have several operating psychics for the more curious among us to visit, just make sure not to bring your diary.

Keep an eye out …