The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-10
STRANGE CASE
IN HYPNOT|SM
Stage Trick Results In Sure
Enough lnanimation
HYPN0TlST IS IN JAIL
Another Hypnotist Fails to Arouse the
ubject.-Autopsy Shows Rup-
ture of Brain Artery.--An
Unusual Case.
HYpNOIlST is IN JAIL

Somerville, N ]. November .9.--While
Arthur Everton, self styled professor"
and travelling hypnotist. sobbed in his
cell, three calm medical men witnessed
a weird performance in the morgue of
the Somerset hospital late this afternoon
There william A. Davenport, secretary
to the mayor of Newark, and student of
hypnotism, vainly tried to bring back
signs of life in the rigid body of Robert
Simpson, a former street car conductor of
Newark who apparently died last night
after having been put into hypnotic
trance by Everton before large audience
at the Somerville theatre.
Davenport failed. Simpson was declared
Officially dead and an autopsy was held
tonight.
Meanwhile charged with manslaughter.
unnerved and shaken Everton remained
in prison where he must await the ac-
ton of the grand jury a sequel to a
stage trick familiar throughout the coun-
try and abroad.
1t was at the piteous insistence of Ev-
erton, after his failure to revive Simp-
son, that Davenport, friend of Everton,
came into the case today. Notwithstand-
ing the declarations of physicians that
Simpson was dead Everton pleaded that
Davenport be allowed to attempt TO revive
him. Accordingly the autopsy first ar
ranged for 2 o'clock this afternoon was
postponed and the student of hypnotism
was summoned. Simpsons body, covered
with a black cloth lay in the morgue at
the hospital when Davenport arrived. In
the presence of DR.. w. II. Long, county
physician DR.. Charles H. Halstead and
Dr. Francis McConaughy, he Immediate
Iy began his attempt to revive the un-
fortunate man. First he felt the body
to detect any possible heart beats. Fail
ing in this. he placed his ear on the VIC
TINS chest. Then. invoking the power of
suggestion, he spoke in the dead man S
ear
Bob" he said, bob, your heart action
your heart action-your heart action is
beginning. 1t is beginning" Slowly and
dramatically Davenport repeated this in
the ear and then, changing his tone of
voice to an imperious command, he cried
sharply: Bob, Bob, can't you hear me !?
Your heart is beginning to beat. Your
heart is beginning to beat" Again and
again he repeated this assurance to the
inanimate form while the medical men
looked on. Not a muscle of the body
stirred and there was absolutely no sign
of animation.
While this was going on brilliant in
candescent lamp shed its binding glow
in the dead mans face, but the eyelids
did not fiutter and as the physicians
contended, he was beyond aid.
Disheartened, Davenport turned to go,
but DR.. Long called him back.
What is your opinion?'' he asked.
II did not come to form an opinion re-
piled Davenport
But we insist" said the county physi-
clan.
"Well," replied Davenport after q
pause. "he's dead
Then he went out and the medical men
began preparations for the autopsy. :
Simpson, the victim, was IS years old
and was accustomed, 1t is said, to drink
ing heavily.
The result of the autopsy will more than
likely bring about Everton's release on
bail.