Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-07-05
THE MAGNETIC GIRL.
A Test Before Washington Scientists of
Her Wonderful Powers.

On Monday Miss Lula Hurst visited the
laboratory of o well-known scientific gem
tleman in this city, and met there num-
Der of.gentlemen who had been invited to
witness an exhibition other powers. Miss
Hurst was accompanied by her father and
mother and her agent and manager. She
was shown to a small room, which IS used
as study, and as the gentleman came In
they were introduced. Among those pres
ent were Prof Simon Newcomb, Major j.
w. Powell, Professor Hardness, Professor
Eastman, DR. Basil Norris, Colonel Garrick
Mallory. Professor Gilbert and Mr. Taintor
Miss Hurst was requested to proceed with
the practical demonstration of her powers
as she was accustomed to do before the
public One of the chairs i'll the room was
placed in the center of the floor, and one Of
the scientists graSped it firmly. Miss Hurst
then placed the palms of her hands on
each side of the chair and the scientist was
soon whiriing about the room at Il
lively rate in the vain effort to hold the
chair still. This was repeated several
times. us well as q similar test with cane
and an umbrella. Careful watch was OBJ
served by the spectators Of Miss Hurst to
ascertain if there was any contraction of
the muscles or other evidence OF the use of
physical force.
There was but little comment made Tho
violent and sometimes eccentric motions of
the persons who were endeavoring to hold
down objects touched by Miss Hurst ex
cited considerable laughter. Attention
was called to the position of Miss Hurst'S
hands and the absence of any sign of ply
steal exertion. One eager investigator took
her pulse after a somewhat excited contest
and found it little above normal, while
her partner was blowing like porpoise.
Professor Newcomb suggested that Miss
Hurst be placed on platform removed
from contact with the ground while exert
ing her power. A small platform was pro-
cured, which was placed on brass rollers
perhaps All finch and half in hight.
Standing on this platform, Miss Hurst at
tempted to repeat her experiment with the
chair while it was firmly grasped by man
who was standing on the floor For some
reason the power was not exerted, and
after standing some time waiting for the
chair to move, Miss Hurst said she could
not do it. Her father said, in a reassuring
tone:
Just put your mind on it. lula. If you
think you can do it you will succeed. The
trouble is, you think you can't
No, ! don't protested the young lady.
. want to do it.
Another trial produced only feeble de-
mOnstration of her power. The parents
were of the opinion that as the platform
was new experience it had diverted her
mind. After stepping from the platform
she was able 10 move chairs and canes as
usual.
A Star reporter called upon Professor ST.
mon Newcomb, at the Navy Department,
to obtain an explanation from his stand
point of Miss Hurst's mysterious strength.
= L., ka
sOr, that | have ever laid eyes on Miss
Hurst ?"
81 understand said the reporter, % that
in the interest of science Miss Hurst gave
an exhibition at Professor Graham Bell
residence, at which You were present"
"Well, that's correct" said Professor
Newcomb, and l don't know that l have
any objection TO telling you what l think
of it all. In the first place, the ex-
hibition is perfectly honest there is no
trickery or pretense, or any endeavOr at
concealment. Secondly, | don't see any
reason for supposing that what she does
arises from anything else than unusual
muscular strength, Still, l should be much
interested in investigating the matter fur
Their The wonderful fact of the exhibition
is that she is not conscious of any exertiOn
in performing the extraordinary feats of
strength. The way we satisfied ourselves
on that point was to arrange tests which
could not be accomplished without con-
sciousness of effort or exertiOu. In those
instances Miss Hurst did not succeed. Be
sides that, however, the physicians stated
that there was not the slightest change in
her pulse after a test"
"How can you explain the exercise of
such extraordinary strength without any
consciousness Of it or signs Of eXerhonP'
asked the reporter.
q cannot explain it, was the reply.
l leave that for psychologists to do"
"Some people say that her powers come
from electricity suggested the Star.
I" ! don't believe in it at all. 1t can't he. y
"Then again, there is the will power"
Yentured the reporter.
" | never have seen any such exhibition
of will power, pure and simple, said the
Professor.
well, how about mesmerism
The mesmerist must come in contact
with or see the subject said Professor
Newcoinb. Hang a sheet between them,
and there is no mesmeric effect. No, as |
said at first l saw nothing but very strong
person
but, sir interposed the reporter,
" here is one person, and a woman at that
overcoming the combined strength of three
or four powerful men"
We'll, responded the Professor, " but
You can't tell about this combined strength
Three or four men III endeavoring to with
stand Miss Hurst may pull or push directly
against each other, although their inten-
lions are good, The only way of obtaining
a correct estimate of her strength is by OPP
posing it with single and known weight
That IS al can say Of the matter. -
Washington Star