Ridley, Hazel (Hurd) (ca. 1900-)

American direct voice medium of Buffalo, New York. Her psychic development began at the age of 18. "Grey Wolf," an American Indian control, manifested in trance and declared that the medium would develop voices. She did. The voices were of a curious, whispering quality, coming from her larynx alone with no function of her mouth, lips, or tongue.

Wilson G. Bailey, a physician of Camden, New Jersey, wrote in his book No, Not Dead; They Live (1923): "I filled her mouth with water and then with salt, and still the voice came through without interruption or impediment and I also punctured her arm when in trance, and though I drew blood she did not feel any pain."

Ridley toured the American continent and paid three visits to England, the first in 1926, the second in 1931, and the third in 1932. While hailed by some, she also encountered strong opposition to her performances. Spiritualistist author H. Dennis Bradley, not known for his critical appraisals, caustically condemned her performance as fraudulent rubbish in his book. .. And After (1931). Against Bradley's comments stands the testimony of Will Goldston, one of the renowned professional magicians in Europe, that she had genuine powers. In Death Unveiled, Mrs. D. U. Fletcher, wife of a senator from Florida, described how through Ridley's mediumship a violin was restored to its owner after thirty-seven years.

Sources:

Bailey, Wilson G. No, Not Dead; They Live. N.p., 1923. Bradley, H. Dennis. … And After. London: T. W. Laurie Ltd., 1931.