While so many early twentieth century mediums were busy conjuring ectoplasm, one entrepreneurial Chicago psychic in the mid-1920s decided to take a more adorable approach. Known as Madame Brockman, her séances materialized rabbits, flowers, and doves straight from the spirit world.
Witnesses filled small theaters to watch this feel-good mystical demonstration. Scientists, physicians, and psychologists were invited to prove her abilities were less than genuine, at least, according to her husband who lectured on stage as the show progressed.
Near Mr. Brockman stood two cabinets large enough to hold his wife, each covered with a black curtain. Madame Brockman entered the first cabinet to disrobe and re-emerged in a tightly fitting one-piece swimsuit, making it quite clear that no live animals could be hidden on her person. Several volunteers then joined the stage to inspect the second cabinet and assure the rest of the audience that it was empty and free of any trapdoors or other mechanisms for trickery. Once that was established, Madame Brockman entered the cabinet, sat in a chair and, reminiscent of the Davenport Brothers, was secured to it by two lengthy pieces of rope. She then fell into a trance as Mr. Brockman requested complete silence. The volunteers were given the opportunity to once again peek inside and rule out any shenanigans. Mr. Brockman then closed the curtain and let his wife work.
Moments later a mysterious fluttering dove from within the cabinet broke the silence. A white bunny poked its head from beneath the curtain and hopped out onto the stage. Soon more bunnies and doves escaped the cabinet. Mr. Brockman opened the curtain, and there sat his wife covered in roses, carnations and other flowers, as she awakened from her trance.
Joseph Dunninger, a magician who exposed many frauds, attended one of Madame Brockman’s shows and easily determined that—believe it or not—these living animals and flowers did not come from the world of the dead. Instead, they came from one of the female volunteers working in cahoots with the Brockmans.
“The animals and flowers were tightly nested into a strong, black bag, which the lady carried beneath her skirt,” Dunninger claimed. She made sure she was the last to enter the cabinet before the curtain was closed for a final time, allowing her a chance to surreptitiously release the bag. Then, as Dunninger explained, Madame Brockman freed one hand from her ropes to untie the bag and free the animals. Afterward she simply hid the bag within her swimsuit.
The performance left everyone in wonder. Even Dunninger must have walked away impressed—not with the Brockmans, but with the volunteer who kept everyone else on stage from detecting a bag of birds and bunnies between her legs.
This piece was originally written for Chasing Ghosts, but was cut for space. Buy a copy to read more about ghosts and the paranormal.
