The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-08-06
The Magician Hermann.


collectors. who were eager to secure
mementoes Of the great necromancer. II
was wonderful collection that was
'auctioned on. one that was, made up OF
articles picked up IN every Country In
the world. Hermann was cosmopolitan
In the truest sense OF the word. He
had been around the world three times.
and in his wanderings he did not con-
fine himself to the broadly beaten paths.
He penetrated wildernesses and jour
neyed through Jungles; he braved the
dangers OF deserts and he sailed distant
seas.
Hermann spent the last day of his
life In Rochester, n. Y. Wednesday. De-
cember 1e. 1856, and this day was marked
by deeds OF kindness and charity on his
part that made his sudden death con-
spicuous. He gave an entertainment 30
the inmates Of the state industrial school,
after which he invited the boys and girls
to attend his Wednesday matinee. In the
afternoon Hermann supplemented this
act Of Kindness by another. A travelling
company met with frost" and several
members OF the company were stranded
without any money to pay their hotel
bills or their fares home. Hermann
heard Of their predicament, and without
solicitation. paid the bills Of the whole
party and provided them with railway
tickets and pocket money.
On the evening Of his last day. after
his performance at the theater, he at
tended a banquet rendered to him by the
Genessee Valley club. He was in un-
usually good spirits, and entertained his
friends until a late hour with his anec-
dotes and tricks. A party accompanied
m tn he al ,sw - Nhe
journey to Bradford, Pa, where he was
to have appeared the following night. In
the morning. however, an attendant found
him Ill in his stateroom Assistance was
summoned and physicians were tele-
graphed TO meet the train at Salamanca,
but the wizard was dead when that city
was reached. His last words were ad-
dressed to Mrs. Hermann.
Il guess that 1 am not to get over
this" he said. Take the company back
to New York. BE sure about that"
Hermann was born in Paris France.
February IL. 1873, and he came from a
family Of famous prestIdigitateurs. his
father Samuel Hermann, being the most
celebrated conjurer of his day. though
he had started in life as a doctor Of
medicine. There were sixteen children In
the Hermann family. eight of whom were
boys. From his early childhood Alexan-
der showed an inclination for magic. and
he had an intense desire to master all the
mysteries of neosomancy and
prestidigitation. While at Vienna, at
tending college. he would often closet
himself for hours to master some sIeight-
of-hand trick he had read about or wit
messed at a public performance. When
he fifteen OlH he lo
brother Carl, who had achieved phenom-
email success in the world Of magic, and
the young boy made his first appearance
in Spain, before Queen Isabelle III. Since
then he has appeared in nearly every
of the world. He came to Amer
lea In 1861 and in 1876 became an American
citizen, taking out naturalization papers
In Boston. Hermann was married In 1915
to Adelaide SerSey, ballet dancer OF In
reputation. The mayor OF
New York performed the marriage cere-
mony. and It is said that the groom pro-
duced a roll Of greenbacks from the
mayors sleeve to pay the wedding fee.
This was characteristic of the man. He
was always playing pranks and getting
all the enjoyment he could out of his art.
The stories of his wonderful tricks per-
formed In an impromptu manner would
fill many volumes. Some Of them are
worth the telling.
Not many months before his death the
was a guest OF the famous. but
now defunct. Whitechapel club. the rem
devious OF Chicago BOhemians. On the
night In question a venerable Japanese
priest was present. In the course of a
few tricks Hermann picked up a deck
of cards and asked some one to select a
card. The seven of clubs was the card
drawn from the pack. and ii was shown
10 the spectators. but not TO the magician.
Tbe card was replaced in the deck, which
was shuff'ed and then han led 10 one of
the spectators.
Look through the pack. please said
Hermann.
The holder of the cards did as re-
Iuested.
rs the card that was drawn In the
Jack?" asked the wizard.
mo. SIR" answered the spectator.
what was the card?"
The seven Of clubs
"WeIl, gentlemen said Hermann. 'if
,ne OF you VIII kindly unlace the prelate's
shoe. you will find the card that has van
shed from the pack
After a smiling protest the Japanese
priest unlaced his shoe, and there In the
of all, was found the seven
pot of clubs.
Hermann and Remenyi. the Hungarian
were great friends. They met
,ne day in St. Louis. 1t was IN a res
Had your luncheon yet?"' asked the
magician.
mo. just going to order IT.
We'll. don't bother about Il. I've got
for you
The magician took up the musicians
all silk hat. and out Of II he pulled
arge piece OF LImburger cheese. a huge
hunk Of pumpernickel bread and a bot
lie of appOlinaris water.
The two men greatly enjoyed the I'm
feast, but the odor of the cheese
vas offensive to the other guests The
proprietor demonstrated with the presti-
ligitateur.
What do they complain OFF, inquired
he magician.
The cheese" answered the proprie-
OF.
'-Oh. well. we can fix that easily" saId
hermann, and by a quick movement ne
from the tai pocket Of the
'roprietor's coat large bottle Of cologne
which he uncOrked and placed upon the
able
Once n a while. however, Hermann
vas overmatched In his own game. In a
ertain city 1t 20 happened that BIZ Nye
nd Hermann stopped az the same no.
el. and sat at the same table Herr
aann didn't know the humorist. but Nye
the magician In the middle
Z a meal Hermann leaned over. and.
operating the lettuce leaves on Nys's
late disclosed a large diamond ring
here.
You're very careless" excIaimed\Eferr-
mann
Nye did not exhibit any surprise. Hell
tcked M the gem and rennarkeA.