May 6, 1847 (Thursday)

Entry Date: May 6, 1847 (Thursday)

Entry: The Hannibal Gazette reported that Sparhawk & Layton were giving nightly lectures and demonstrations at Hawkins’ saloon on “human magnetism” (hypnosis). Such subjects as mesmerizing and phrenology excited the town when “experts” arrived. In a few years Sam would engage in outdoing another boy who’d been put in a trance. See AMT 2: 589.

Author: David H. Fears

---

1) People Mentioned:

• Samuel Langhorne Clemens
• E. Sparhawk *
• Layton *

---

2) Corporate Bodies Mentioned:

• Hannibal Gazette *
• Hawkins' saloon *

---

3) Places Mentioned:

• Hannibal, Missouri

---

4) Publications Mentioned:

b) Primary Sources (other than Twain's) Mentioned:

• Hannibal Gazette