Miracle Mongers and Their Methods: A Complete Exposé of the Modus Operandi of Fire Eaters, Heat Resisters, Poison Eaters, Venomous Reptile Defiers, Sword Swallowers, Human Ostriches, Strong Men, Etc.Houdini, Harry
History
Miracle Mongers and Their Methods: A Complete Exposé of the Modus Operandi of Fire Eaters, Heat Resisters, Poison Eaters, Venomous Reptile Defiers, Sword Swallowers, Human Ostriches, Strong Men, Etc.
Houdini, Harry
Magic tricks -- History; Magicians -- Biography
Ivan Ivanitz Chabert, the only Really Incombustible Phenomenon, as he
was billed abroad, or J. Xavier Chabert, A.M., M.D., etc., as he was
afterwards known in this country, was probably the most notable, and
certainly the most interesting, character in the history of
fire-eating, fire-resistance, and poison eating. He was the last
prominent figure in the long line of this type of artists to appeal to
the better classes and to attract the attention of scientists, who for
a considerable period treated his achievements more or less seriously.
Henry Evanion gave me a valuable collection of Chabert clippings,
hand-bills, etc., and related many interesting incidents in connection
with this man of wonders.
It seems quite impossible for me to write of any historical character
in Magic or its allied arts without recalling my dear old friend
Evanion, who introduced me to a throng of fascinating characters, with
each of whom he seemed almost as familiar as if they had been daily
companions.
Subsequently I discovered an old engraving of Chabert, published in
London in 1829, and later still another which bore the change of name,
as well as the titles enumerated above. The latter was published in New
York, September, 1836, and bore the inscription: "One of the most
celebrated Chemists, Philosophers, and Physicians of the present day."
These discoveries, together with a clue from Evanion, led to further
investigations, which resulted in the interesting discovery that this
one-time Bartholomew Fair entertainer spent the last years of his life
in New York City. He resided here for twenty-seven years and lies
buried in the beautiful Cypress Hills Cemetery, quite forgotten by the
man on the street.
Nearby is the grave of good old Signor Blitz, and not far away is the
plot that holds all that is mortal of my beloved parents. When I
finally break away from earthly chains and restraints, I hope to be
placed beside them.
During my search for data regarding Chabert I looked in the telephone
book for a possible descendant. By accident I picked up the Suburban
instead of the Metropolitan edition, and there I found a Victor E.
Chabert living at Allenhurst, N. J. I immediately got into
communication with him and found that he was a grandson of the Fire
King, but he could give me no more information than I already
possessed, which I now spread before my readers.
M. Chabert was a son of Joseph and Therese Julienne Chabert. He was
born on May 10th, 1792, at Avignon, France.
Chabert was a soldier in the Napoleonic wars, was exiled to Siberia and
escaped to England. His grandson has a bronze Napoleon medal which was
presented to Chabert, presumably for valor on the field of battle.
Napoleon was exiled in 1815 and again three years later. Chabert first
attracted public notice in Paris, at which time his demonstrations of
heat-resistance were sufficiently astonishing to merit the attention of
no less a body than the National Institute.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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