Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-24
Chicago Sleuths Have a Sharp Tussle
With the Professor"
IN TIRE INTEREST OF HUMANITY
Their Humane Endeavors to Wake
the Subject Failed.
CHIEF TO THE RESCU E

CHICAGO, August 4.-The. Chicago po-
lice force has pitted its strength against
the power of hypnotism and the result may
be termed a draw. Chief Ripley and his
men, acting, as they said, "in the interest
of humanity" sought to prevent an exhi-
bition of a seven days hypnotic sleep given
at North Side hall. and succeeded, but
not until they had called upon the profess
sor' to release the subject from his mes
meric influence.
The subject was Samuel Burg, young
Danish barber. Burg was put to sleep
Wednesday afternoon with regulation pass
es, and it was announced that he would
sleep seven days and nights. Chief Ripley
sent two detectives to make report. The
sleuths found Burg asleep in the presence
of crowd which included several ply
sicians, who explained to the detectives
that they were studying the effects of pro-
lcnged hypnotic sleep on the subject. The
physicians were taking the affair seriously,
and said Burg was completely under hyp-
motto influence. The detectives were skep-
teal, and proceeded to apply such gentle
tests as pinching the boys cheeks, pulling
his ears and Juggling at his hair. But Burg
did not stir.
Decided to Stop the Show.
The detectives reported to Chief Ripley,
who decided to stop the exhibition, and
sent detail of officers for that purpose.
Lieut.. Seery. vino had charge of the expe-
dition, gave Burg a rap on the sole of his
toof with his club but the usual treatment
prescribed by patrolmen for ..sleepers" was
rot at all efficacious in the case of the
somnolent subject. He might as we'll have
pounded the wooden toes of a cigar sign.
linen the lieutenant proceeded to shake
surg and pinch his ears and slap his
hoo, h. ~, ~.
trick that was never known to fail He
thrust his brawny thumb up under the arm
pit and gave a series of hearty pinches
The motionless form gave no sign of life
ana the HeutenantS eyes bulged and his
jaw dropped.
Professor Was Excited
At this time the ''profe ssor' was lowering
excitedly about and protesting that the
great hypnotic exhibition was being held
solely in the interest of science, and its re-
suits were being anxiously watched by
physicians and psychologists from Califor-
mia to Maine. The lieutenant cut him short
by saying: The chief says this exhibition
mas got to stop. l can't wake the boy up
AID you've got to or I'll have to arrest the
whole outfit
Then, with a few mysterious passes and
snap of the fingers, the mcsmerist re-
leased the subject and the two proceeded
to Chief kipley's Office to protest against
the interruption of their exhibition
Chief Ripley Explains.
In speaking of the matter, Chief Kipley
said: After having investigated the case.
considered it my duty to stop the exhibit
ton for the sake of humanity. There is no
telling but that the test might have resulted
Ia the boys death There is no doubt that
the hey was in genuine hypnotic sleep. II
the boy had died as result of the test |
would have been blamed for allowing the
exhibition to take place. In future no per-
granted i 'e