Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-14
THE HUMAN MAGNET.
Miss Hurst's Strange Gift-Prof. Atkiu.
SON Says Her Exhibitions Rcfate the
Claims Of Sptrttualisss-What che
Young Lady Says About Her Powers.

I've are fighting splritualism." said Prof At
kinson, who assists Miss Lulu Hurst, the cleo
trical girl, In her exhibitions Miss Hurst had
Just been giving an exhibition or a "private
view" in the parlors Of the Metropolitan hotel.
Three or four gentlemen, Including the stalwart
Congressman Reese. OF Georgia, were painting
after their efforts TO hold a chair. which seemed
to receive from the lightest touch Of Miss
hnrsts hand. an energy against which IL
was useless for a man 10 oppose his strength.
MISS Hurst was tanning herself, but did not
appear much fatigued. We can duplicate all
that is done by the sprltuasts and claim
that We refute entirely their theory" continued
Prof Atkinson.
'fou don't refute their theory. You only
prove ii, said bystander, who was evidently
a spiritualist.
How about spirit rappInCs:" asked another
person in the crowd
I've can produce rappings." said Prof Akin
son. II stand at one side of the room and
ask what time il is. the time will be raped out
on the table. providing know myself what the
time Is. If ask my age. L Will be raped out
to the year and the month. II I did not know
my own age il would not be given. Ny own
VIII and knowledge enters into this thing. I
may say. viii you communicate with us,
spirits! III so, give two raps; If not, give three
raps.' Then there will come two raps on the
table"
Don't that prove what the splrtiualists
caim5" asked the believer In spiritualism.
No" said Prot. Atkinson, for II makes
no difference whether / address the spirits, the
sun, the moon, or any body. animate or inanl-
mate, imaginary or real. the answer will come
all the same. You might as well say the sun
did 1t. when | address the sun and get re-
sponse."
What is your theory, them"
at is power which is in Miss Hurst. and the
nature of which has not yet been determined.
Hell case has been considered by some OF the
best minds IN Georgia, but they have not ex-
planned it. Down In Georgia some people
thought she got her power from her hair She
has habit when embarrassed or perplexed OF
passing her hand through her hair. just as some
people scratch their heads when at loss for
something"
"ls II pOwerwithin her control?" asked THE
STAR reporter
Yes" said Professor Atkinson, at depends
entirely upon her will, and she can stop the
manifestations when she chooses. In her daily
life she Is not troubled 10y any unexpected man.
liestatlons, except In the cases OF umbrellas.
she cannot carry an umbrella or parasol. Ii
would be torn from her hand. Now. | explain
that on the ground that she has got the notion
in her head that she cannot carry an umbrella
and the notion is so strong that it takes pos
session OF her will"
WHAT MISS HURST SAYS
Miss Hurst, when asked by The STAR reporter
Ill these eAulDlllOnS exhausted her IN de-
gree, smiled and, giving little laugh. said:
''Oh, no. sir; not at all. I can keep it up for
hours. / don't use any strength at all, and
only think TO myself that don't want the chair
to go to the floor and then the gentlemen can't
press Ii there Does it give me a headache?
Not bit. i am conscious OF no mental eXertion
excepting that / must feel assured al! the time
that the objects will do as / wish them to- III
| lose confidence then / can do nothing.
but when feel well and am sure of myself
have no difficulty in doing some very strange
things, don't understand il myself at ALL and
there is no peculiar sensation connected with il.
We didn't have much fun tonight there were
too many here, and i was afraid to make the
umbrella fly around as 1t does sometimes for it
might have hurt some one" Miss Hurst evil
IDENTITY enjoys the mystification she creates as
during the seance she was frequently laughing
at the struggles of the gentlemen striving to
overcometh the wonderful power she possesses.
Miss Hurst's family are Baptists. and very
conscientious I'm their religious obseryances
when gentleman went to their home In
Georgia to see the girl and arrange for cxhibl-
lions" said Mr.. John T. Ford to The STAR re-
porter, she arrived there on Sunday and the
| family would not permit her to give him any
exhibition OF her powers. He had to wait until
the next day'