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Lulu Hurst
- For the book by Barry H. Wiley, see The Georgia Wonder: Lulu Hurst and the Secret that Shook America.
| Lulu Hurst | |
| Born | 1869 Polk County, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Died | May 13, 1950 |
| Categories | Books by Lulu Hurst |
Lulu Hurst (b.1869-d.1950), born in Polk County, Georgia was the first of the "Georgia Wonders" to demonstrate strange powers in a vaudeville act, billing herself also as The Georgia Magnet and The Electric Girl.
Biography
In September 1883, Hurst gained local attention by demonstrating mysterious abilities. In one of her demonstrations, a man of considerable strength would hold a cane horizontally in both hands. When Hurst placed her open hands on the cane, the man could no longer hold it steady. In some cases the volunteer was even thrown to the floor.
With the help of theatrical manager Sanford H. Cohen and newspaper editor Henry Grady, Hurst's vaudeville act was soon in much demand. Hurst toured across the United States from 1884 - 1885 and though only fifteen, she was one of the most famous women in the country.
As other women duplicated her act and observers were able to explain her feats in the fall 1885, Hurst canceled a tour of Europe, retired from the stage, and retreated into silence.
Hurst refused to discuss her career or her powers until 1897, when she published a tell all autobiography that gave explanations of her methods.
Hurst's fame and substantial earnings inspired many other imitators from Georgia, including Mattie Lee Price of Bartow County and Mamie Simpson of Marietta, but the most successful was known as Annie Abbott, "The Little Georgia Magnet." [1][2][3]
Further Reading
- The Georgia Wonder by Barry H. Wiley
- The Full Georgia Magnet Act and Secrets by Lulu Hurst
- The New Georgia Magnet Act by Jorgenson
- Lulu Hurst, Lulu Hurst (the Georgia Wonder) Writes Her Autobiography and for the First Time Explains and Demonstrates the Great Secret of Her Marvelous Power (Rome, Ga.: L. Hurst, 1897).
- Barry H. Wiley, comp., The Georgia Wonder: Lulu Hurst and the Secret That Shook America (Seattle, Wash.: Hermetic, 2004).
- Gordon D. Sargent, "The Unusual Story of Cedartown's Lulu Hurst," North Georgia Journal (spring 1997): 46-50.