The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-20
hYpnotized, Then Hanged.

SA6tI Jcnn MOSllk de upon the eNiEO"S
while IN a hypnotic trance? That is the
question which is agitatins the residents
of ST. Paul and Minneapolis. Both towns
have an interest in young Moshik. as he
was born and raised in ST. Paul ard went
10 Minneapolis 10 commit the murder for
which he has been ordered 10 the gallows
on March IS. He is only twenty-five years
old.
The hypnotist who is anxious TO make
the startling experiment is dentist nam
ed Haas He practices hypnotism in his
profession. relieving his patients from
pain by hypnotic suggestion Mr.. Haas
went to the Minneapolis Jail the other day
ard had talk with Moshik with the view
Of finding out il he was a good hypnotic
subject. Moshik said he had no oblec-
ton, and now il is announced that an
effort will De made 20 have Moshik take
his place upon the scaffold in q hypnotic
state.
Of course. it will be necessary to get the
consent of the governor of the state 10
carry out plan so radically al variance
with usage. An attempt has already been
rlade to get the governors views on the
matter. but he refused TO say anything
further than that when his attention was
officially called TO the proposition by the
persons who expect to place Moshik under
hypnotic influence he would take action
He said he had not been Informed whether
a test had been made upon Moshik 70
find out whether he was a good subject
or not.
OF course, the experiment will be made
''in the interest of science" Haas ad-
mits that he has had considerable success
In controlling the minds of other men, but
talks rather guardedly in regard TO the
Moshik affair. mo such test has been
tried before" says Mr.. Haas, and be-
cause of this fact alone it would be of
great interest TO medical scientists Easily
the chief object Of such a treatment at
such a time would be TO ascertain wheth-
er hypnotic suggestion might no.. despite
the nervous tension, take the place OF the
usual alcoholic stimulant given TO men
half an hour OF so before being sent 20
their doom by means of the rope. l be-
lieve Moshik to be a good subject, though
on this point do not care 10 say any
thing at this time.
There is a widespread popular delusion
in regard to hypnotism. Most people
think a man can be hypnotized whether
he is willing or not. l know from my own
personal experiences with dozens of cases
that the patient must surrender himself
completely to the hypnotist else there will
not be, can not be. any results. The pub
lie has another wrong impression in think
ing that a person, once hypnotiZed can
be induced to commit wrongs he wouldn't
dream of when awake. This is wholly err
roneous. If the person under the influence
is not naturally a criminal he can not I'M
der any inducement, be driven to commit
a crime. The result in all the cases that
have come under my notice has been the
awakening Of the subject with a look Of
horror upon the countenance.
Il have had no idea of placing Moshik
under my power with the view of forcing
him to a confession or otherwise to hor-
rify his friends. 1 should tell him frankly
what 1 proposed to do. and get him to do
everything in his power to assist me. I
should show him that if he would give
his will completely into my keeping he
would escape many, probably most, of the
horrors Of the gallows.
My hypnotic influence might take a
variety of turns. For instance, 1 might
convince him that he was going on a long
journey through fields of flowers in June
bIeeZes, amid the songs of birds. / might
make him believe that he was just enter
ing the Klondike region, and make him
see bushels of gold nuggets which he
would only have to reach out for TO get
and have for himself. Then, on the other
hand, 1 might frankly tell him that he
was going to be hanged, but that he must
be one of the bravest of men and show
himself a hero such as the country never
before saw. at the same time convincing
him that ne would suffer no bodily pain
whatever.
ut has occurred to me, too. that would
ask him to stiffen his muscles at the mo-
ment of taking his place on the trap. IT
is conjecture even with me exactly what
result would follow. The complete stiff
fleming Of his muscles might prevent him
from strangling. That a man can in that
way be made stiff as iron everybody
knows who has seen exhibitions of hyp-
nctism.'
Running over the possibilities of incur
ring great public displeasure in hypno-
tizing a man at the brink of the gallows.
Mr.. Haas said he knew of no reason why
the people should seriously object to his
proposed act. He would not make the
man suffer more, but probably a great
deal less. In the first place, he would not
place Moshik under his influence until he
had received all spiritual consolation.
This / know" says Mr.. Haas-"that IL
could be no worse for a man 20 die under
a hypnotic spell than to go TO the gallows,
as thousands have done, in such a beastly
state of intoxication as not TO recognize
their nearest friends"
A party Of St. Paul physicians who nave
made a study of hypnotism were discuss
ing the question of hanging a man while
under the influence Of a hypnotist the 9TH
er day. and the general opinion was that
a man with his muscles rigid from hyp-
motto suggestion would not die at all I'M
less the drop was very great. They did
not believe, under such circumstances.
that the rope would so compress the wind
pipe as to produce stTangiing. They
thought. too, the muscular resistance
would keep the shock Of the fan from
wrenching apart the cervical vertebras.
The learned doctors of 81. Paul were
convinced that Mr.. Haas could send Mo-
shik into eternity dreaming almost any
he is a great soldier, a Shake
speare. a Cicero. a Don Quixote. or ever
a New York policeman. As 10 the wis
dom Of such an act, opinions varied wide
~ They wanted % see the thing done
in the interest Of science" but the ma
jority OF them felt thar men were hanged
largely 20 give them pain ard stand 4 hor-
ribIe example for :he criminals yet alive.
and they concluded that Il was. after al.
a bad thing for humanity 20 make a muir
Gerer think at the closing moment Of his
career that he was Just entering the sweet
feds OF Elysium.
There has been a rurnor 20 the effect
that. IN the event OF Governor Coughs
refusal 70 permit 2 public hyqaotisn, M
Haas would secure admission 20 the tai
half an hour before Aosh!k goes 10 the
gauovs. place him under the spell and
leave him That way CntH the end watch