Professor Vernon Hypnotist — Lanark County Favourite

The Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada22 Dec 1900, Sat  •  Page 14

Almonte Gazette Dec 1900

Prof. Vernon, as is well known, is considered the greatest American authority on these subjects. He has devoted many years to research and In endeavoring to unearth and bring to light the hidden truths that he might be able t0 take his stand before the world on his theories and beliefs and prove his statemedisHe had ever before him the desire of being able to place the science on a level with the other sciences which are closely allied to the best Interests of humanity, and no exertion “Vas too arduous ; no expenditure of time or labor too great for his accomplishment. 

He realized many years ago that the public hypnotist had the opportunity, If he would but seize It, of doing the greatest possible good by pre^wlng the people for the general use of suggestion by the physicians who dared not use It In their practice because of the superstition of the people, which was due to the fact that the subject had never been presented along the lines of truth. With this realization came the desire to make the attempt to give the masses the truth by means of public exhibition work. He had been traveling for a number of years, lecturing and giving demonstrations of the possibilities of the scientific value of these subjects, when he was induced to found such a college and accept the ruler of psychology. This Institution Is equipped to furnish the first and only reliable information ever offered to the American people, ‘treating the subjects wholly from a high educational standpoint.

The success which has crowned Prof. Vernon’s efforts, proves to us that literary and professional men appreciate the value of his earnest efforts to lift the veil of mystery which has been hanging over this valuable science, and to present In a simple form the results of his years of research. Prof. Vernon has had many years’ experience In teaching and demonstrating psychology, and has the faculty of expressing himself so clearly, that any man of ordinary Intelligence can easily comprehend his Instruction and become a proficient operator.

The science of psychology, mesmerism, hypnottam, or the force which has been designated by a dozen different men since the advent of man. It was the mental and not the material organization of man which was the Controlling influence, and today, it is fully demonstrated by the results that this is true, and that the mind of man Is the seat of all power emanating from the human body.

CLIPPED FROM
Democrat and Chronicle
Rochester, New York14 Feb 1901, Thu  •  Page 8

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There was once a famous hypnotist that came to Carleton Place often and his name was Pauline! If you want to read about him click here..

The great Pauline came to Carleton Place a few times a year as it was noted in many of our local area newspapers. One day he had one of his subjects(no word if the subject was local) sit for 7 or 8 hours in the window of  the Preston Drugstore. That evening when he performed in the Opera Hall of our Carleton Place Town Hall the woman he had chosen as his subject returned to normalcy. The Carleton Place Herald marveled at his talent. I am personally wondering if she was in Pauline’s employ. But what a great marketing ploy that was to sell tickets to his show.

But, did you know that hypnotism sessions were held in H. Brown and Sons electrical power house too? It was noted that several well known citizens of Carleton Place took part in these private events at the power plant that used to be where St. James park was once situated.

 

Aerial Photos of Carleton place by our sky pilots Bill and Carole Flint

Photo from Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

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The Day the Hypnotist Came to Carleton Place

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The Day the Hypnotist Came to Carleton Place

Pauline (1874-1942) was a professional stage hypnotist beginning in 1909 and appeared for 30 years on the stage in the United States and Europe. J. Robert Pauline was one of the most successful performers with a hypnotic act.

Pauline began as a “subject” of hypnotists Herbert Flint and The Great McEwen. When he thought he was ready in 1910, he went to New York and engaged the services of Percy Williams, a widely known vaudeville director. Almost overnight, Pauline was lifted to the status of stardom becoming one of the highest paid performers in vaudeville.

In 1911, he played under the title “De Pauline,” which was used intermittently throughout his career. By the end of 1912, he was in London playing the Palladium Theatre, but never became a success there. He was said to have been born in France but was actually born June 11, 1874 in Rochester NY.

After about a year in Europe, Pauline returned to the United States billing himself as “Prof. De Pauline, the French Hypnotist.” Other billings over the years included “The Eminent French Scientist”, “The Eminent French Psychologist” and “Prince of Fun-Makers”, “The World’s Greatest Psychologist and hypnotist” and “Dr. J. Robert Pauline”.

In 1920, he acted in The Mystery Mind, a 15-part movie serial written by Arthur B. Reeve, famous author of the Craig Kennedy, Detective mysteries, and John W. Grey. It was his only film role.

The great Pauline came to Carleton Place a few times a year as it was noted in many of our local area newspapers. One day he had one of his subjects(no word if the subject was local) sit for 7 or 8 hours in the window of  the Preston Drugstore. That evening when he performed in the Opera Hall of our Carleton Place Town Hall the woman he had chosen as his subject returned to normalcy. The Carleton Place Herald marveled at his talent. I am personally wondering if she was in Pauline’s employ. But what a great marketing ploy that was to sell tickets to his show.

One of his most popular tricks was to draw blood from a subjects arm without piercing the skin.Whether it was real blood, or actual blood belonging to the subject were questions without answers to his audience.

Pauline was what we have come to think of as the classic hypnotism act. He worked with a large number of audience plants who’d pretend to be his subjects (sometimes as many as 14) and do his bidding (cluck like a chicken or whatever) once he put them under his spell, commanding them to go “Rigid!”, which became a popular catchphrase of the day.

In 1925, Pauline’s career was almost ended when he was convicted and sentenced to jail for throwing a waiter off the ninth floor of a New York hotel. He returned to performing in late 1926 and by 1928 he had worked his way back as a headliner. Pauline’s career gradually slowed down and he retired to West Sparta, New York in 1938, four years before his death of a heart attack in his home town of Rochester,NY.