Complex sentence: The evidence of the senses appealed to practically-minded Americans, and the Fox sisters became a sensation; however, in 1888 the Fox sisters admitted that this "contact" with the spirit was a hoax, though shortly afterward they recanted that admission.
Split into simpler sentences: The evidence of the senses appealed to practically-minded Americans, and the Fox sisters became a sensation. However, in 1888 the Fox sisters admitted that this "contact" with the spirit was a hoax, though shortly afterward they recanted that admission.