Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State: Charleston's Very Own Spirit Board

Nirvana Board. Patented by Elijah Bond, 1907
Source

One of the most controversial subjects in the paranormal field is the Ouija Board. Some people believe that the Ouija and other 'talking boards' or 'spirit boards' are a hotline straight to Hell and should be avoided at all costs. Others believe that these devices are merely a game, influenced by small, involuntary and unconscious muscle movements called the ideomotor effect or simply just an outright hoax by users. Still, others believe that the boards are like any other communication tool---use with caution and a healthy dose of common sense. For me personally, I have a love-hate relationship with Ouija Boards. I do believe that you're more likely to get a response through your own unconscious muscle movements, as opposed to actually contacting some being on the spirit world, and therefore, Ouija Boards scientifically are not part of my ghost hunting toolkit. However, that doesn't mean they are safe. If you're getting responses based on your own unconscious movements, then that means you're tapping into what you already know...or ASSUME you know...and you might be wrong, or you might not be able to deal with that knowledge being brought to the surface in such a manner. I've seen people get obsessed with the board, using it as a crutch to make important life decisions, and taking everything it says as gospel. Plus, there are several historical cases where 'Ouija mania' has led to some not-so-positive outcomes for all involved. So, I don't typically USE Ouija Boards. But...

...they are so freaking beautiful! I absolutely love the aesthetics of the Ouija Board, a passion that makes itself known through my apparel and house décor. I also love the idea of collecting vintage Ouija and other similar boards and I love learning their history and connection to the Spiritualist movement. It was while reading about such that I learned that my very own hometown had a fascinating connection to the history of modern talking boards! That's right; Charleston, West Virginia has secured its spot in the annals of Ouija history. It all starts with a man named Elijah Bond.

Okay, actually it doesn't. As early as 1100 A.D., a similar method of 'planchette writing' had been used in China. In the 1880's, spiritualists and mediums, especially in Ohio, had revived the idea of a talking board and its use became a common component of seances. But, it WAS Elijah who is credited as being the first to take out a patent/trademark on a talking board, thus becoming the father of the modern Ouija Board.

Elijah J. Bond
Source

Elijah Jefferson Bond was born on January 23, 1847 in Maryland. As a young man, he served in the Confederate Army, and then went on to law school at the University of Maryland, graduating in 1872. He married Mary Peters, also a Maryland native, and had one son, a boy named William Brown Bond. Sometime in early 1890, Bond, who was already racking up patents for various other inventions in addition to his work as a lawyer, had an idea to patent an improved planchette to be sold with a wooden board imprinted with letters of the alphabet laid out in a semi-circle. Around the same time, businessman Charles Kennard saw the opportunity to start manufacturing and selling his own version of these 'spirit boards' that were so quickly growing in popularity around the country.

On October 30, 1890 the Kennard Novelty Company was incorporated. The true story as to how the Kennard Novelty Company came to be, and who ACTUALLY invented the modern Ouija Board is almost as controversial as the Ouija Board's use today. Different sources tell slightly different stories, and even back in the early 1900's, there was a lot of in-fighting and claims being made and challenged. But, I think I've got enough details sorted out to give a fairly accurate picture. (Please be sure to see the additional reading and resources at the end of the blog for more info!) Anyway...

Harry Welles Rusk was named president of the company. He had graduated law school with Elijah Bond. William Maupin was also brought on board and just happened to be married to Bond's niece. So, Bond already had at least two fairly close connections to the company when he became involved. Although by most accounts he was never listed as a formal member of the Kennard Novelty Company, the patent for his talking board (no. 446,054), filed for on May 28, 1890 and granted on February 10, 1891. Elijah was listed as the inventor, and the assignees were Maupin and Kennard.

Page 1 of Nirvana Talking Board
Patent 63360

Page 2 of Nirvana Talking Board
Patent 63360

In addition to the patent, Elijah Bond is also responsible for giving the modern talking board the name of 'Ouija Board!' Elijah's sister in law, Helen Peters, was a medium, and during one of her sessions, asked what the board wanted to be called. She was given the answer of 'ouija.' When asked what the word meant, the board spelled out 'good luck,' which some interpret as the spirits/board wishing the Kennard Novelty Company good luck in its business endeavors! However, good luck was not in the plan. I won't get into in this blog, but the Kennard Novelty Company kinda fell apart, and different members split off, some opening up competing talking board companies. What was left of the original Kennard Novelty Company was changed to Ouija Novelty Company, with Kennard no longer a part of his own company. With all that drama, Elijah Bond seemingly slipped out of the talking board industry to continue his work as an attorney and inventor.

But then in the early 1900's, Elijah left Maryland and came to Charleston, West Virginia. For whatever reason, he was once again hit by the talking board bug, and decided to branch out on his own with a NEW trademarked board. On June 18th, 1907, he was granted a patent (63360) for the Nirvana Talking Board.

By today's standards, the wooden board is fairly shocking to look at, as its emblazoned across the top with a large swastika and the word 'Nirvana.' But, being in a time before the Nazis perverted this ancient symbol, it was seen merely as a symbol of eastern mysticism. Elijah incorporated a new company, the Swastika Novelty Company, headquartered at his home/office at 146 Court Street in downtown Charleston. (This address no longer exists, but if we go off of modern numbering, it was probably right around where the Charleston Federal Center, on the corner of Quarrier, is located.) Unfortunately, the board was only manufactured for a few short years, making it a rare and very sought-after collectible today.

Elijah would make his way back to Baltimore, Maryland some time later. In 1919, he suffered what was labeled as a 'stroke of paralysis.' His health further declined until his death on April 14, 1921. He was buried in and unmarked grave at Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore. Thanks to the efforts of Robert Murch, this burial plot was rediscovered in October of 2007. Murch worked with cemetery officials and eventually surviving family members to get permission to erect a fitting monument to Elijah and his contributions to history of the talking board. With the help of Tegeler Monuments and a host of donators, an awesome talking board tombstone was dedicated on July 12, 2008.

Elijah J. Bond was only in Charleston, West Virginia for a few short years, but during his time here, he invented and manufactured a piece of talking board history. While he may have only intended his invention as a fun novelty, his contributions have had a significant impact on the Spiritualism movement, and have given Charleston another reason to celebrate its weird history. Stay spooky!