The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-03-11
BEWARE OF HYPNOTISM.
Serious Adventure in Chicago is
Brought About by a Amateur.


Chicago, March 11.-Pretty Sadie
johnson, Is years Old while under a
hypnotic spell superinduced by her
aunt, at their home, 554S IngleSide ave-
nue., Sunday evening, gave way under
the intense strain and fell fainting
across table. Many of those present
to witness the private exhibition which
was in progress were thoroughly fright
ened and panic was narrowly averted.
1t was only with the utmost difficulty
that the girl was revived, and then at
the risk of completely shattering her
nerves by reason of fright. AS it is
it will be long before the girl RECEIVERS
from her experience Her aunt de-
clareS she has Dracticed the art of Mes
mer for the last time
Miss Emma Johnson has made a life
handing, and has penetrating gray
eyes. The party which was given Sun
day evening was attended only by wO
men, and no thoughts of the hypnotic
experiment were entertained until the
conversation drifted to Miss JOhnSOn'S
hobby. After a talk on hypnotism
Miss Johnson offered to hypnotic any
of those present. At first none of the
finally Miss Johnsons niece offered
herself as a subject, declaring that she
did not believe it would be possible to
put her in a hypnotic state.
She was led into a room adjoining the
parlor, where the guests were assem-
bled, and there the aunt began her ex-
pertinent on the niece The younger
Miss johnson was placed in a chair and
told to watch a bright piece of metal
which was placed in such a position
that in looking at it the SUBJECTS eyes
underwent a constant strain She fin
nally gave way to this test and passed
into the somnam bulistic state
Then she was told to enter the par
lor The guests gazed in amazement
at the girl, who presented an awe-in-
spring appearance.
After being taken into the parlor the
girl was blindfolded and told to do var
ious things, which she performed with
out hesitation. In the midst of the test,
however, the subject began to tremDle-
She grew weaker each moment and be-
gan to show signs of such complete ex-
haustion that she was assisted to
seat.
After resting a short time she seemed
to have recovered and her aunt COM
manded her to walk across the room.
The girl arose unsteadily, staggered
along a few feet and then fell forward
upon a table.
The guests began advising Miss John
son to restore her niece to conscious
ness and this the hypnotist tried to
do.
The girl paid no attention to her
passes and commands to awake. She
remained PROSTATE on the table and
trembIed from head to foot. Her eyes,
which were wide open, rolled wildly
about and she mumbled incoherently
through her chattering teeth. one or
the guests procured a glass of water
and dashed it in her face, but even this
did not have the slightest effect on the
girl BY this time Miss Johnson real
lied the dangerous predicament in
which she had placed her niece and
summoned DR.. Hamilton Forline of 391
Fifty-fifth street.
Dr. Forline, who is a hypnotist of
considerable experience, made few
passes before the girls face when he
was ushered into the room, but this did
not have the slightest effect on her. He
IF Won don't wake up" said the doc
tor, L will throw you out of the second
story window" The girl started and
then screamed.
The threat had thoroughly awakened
her. In few moments she was in full
possession of her faculties, but sobblng
historically. She was placed in ped,
where she will have to remain for sew
eral days as a result of her trying ex-
perience. Miss Johnson, the hypnotist,
declares that she will never again at
tempt to exercise her powers.