Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-07
EQUAL TO AN EXPERT.
A Young Southsider Develops a
Wonderful Hypnotic Power.
SOME OF his PECULIAR TESTS
He Now Has a Dozen Subjects at Any
Time Under His Control.
WILL POWER AND LONG PRACTICE DO 1T

William Jacobs, of 2520 South Sarah
street, has become quite an expert bypnotisi.
He has about a dozen young men under his
control, and gives some interesting tests with
them. Last evening little party gathered
at Mr.. Jacobs house and were treated to o
hypnotic seance that lasted couple of
hours. The subjects were three young
boys. Mr.. Jacobs, with few
motions of his hands put the youngsters to
sleep, and requested something be written
on piece of paper. Two of the boys were
then told by the operator that they could
not hear anything that was going on. The
third boy was told to tell what was written
on the paper. After little time he sue
ceeded in making out the message.
The manner in which Mr.. Jacobs operates
is rather peculiar. With wave Of the hand
he SAYS, ''go to Sleep" and the subject ap-
parently goes into a sound slumber. NOW
you are ferocious tiger" says Mr.. Jacobs.
and the youth prances around the room and
growls in a laughable manner. When
awakened the subjects do not remember
what they have done.
Made to Drink Imaginary Milk.
One was .old ne was cat, and q small
dish was placed in front OF him, supposed
to contain milk, which he proceeded TO lap
up, and when it was removed he showed
fight, but his attention was called away by
the cry of rats" and the way he would
scramble in search of the supposed rodents
was very funny.
In another test the three boys were put to
sleep on a settee. A pin was stuck into the
cheek of one of them, and, upon being
awakened, none of them knew which one
had had the pin stuck into him. MIR.
Jacobs also had the boys play cards
while under his influence, and imagine they
were members of the Salvation Army.
One peculiar thing about the tests is that
after the subject is put to sleep his attention
is attracted by tapping him on the forehead
with the finger. Mr.. Jacobs stated that he
illustrate, he took a book and told boy that
it was a knife. Now" said he, "here
comes man who has $1,000 in his
pocket. When he passes the alley you
stab him in the back and then
1 will get mis- money and divide with you."
One of the visitors started across the room,
and as he passed the boy leaped on him and
endeavored to thrust the book through his
back.
Not an Everyday Mesmeric Test.
A watch was given to one, and he was
told that when the second hand reached the
half minute to go to sleep. Promptly on
the half minute he fell asleep, and ii the
watch had not been caught it would have
fallen to the floor. When asked where he
got his power, Mr.. Jacobs stated that it was
from practice and that he had been study
ing it for some time. 1T is partly will
power and the way you handled your sub
jects," said he. Mediums work on an
audience in much the same way, but if
there are non-believers present they refuse
to proceed. 1 can duplicate any trick or act
of spiritualism that any medium may do
without any trouble"
Mr.. Jacobs is about "a years of age and
is employed at the Republic Iron Works, on
Twenty-ffth street. He first discovered his
hypnotic power about eight months ago,
and has been developing it ever since. He
has given tests before several physicians OF
the Southside, who have been unable to
detect any fraud in his performances.