In 17th century France a group of nuns described some unsettling visitations at their convent, which developed into a story of possession, political intrigue, and a moment in time that was rife with social tensions.

Research:
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Wars of Religion". Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/event/Wars-of-Religion
“Hawthorn.” National Institute of Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/hawthorn
Cameron, Teagan. “A Diabolical Martyrdom: Urbain Grandier, the Transgressive Outsider, and the Surrogate Victim in The Possession at Loudun.” Constellations. Vol. 13, no. 2. Aug. 2022, doi:10.29173/cons29475
deCerteau, Michel. “The Possession at Loudun.” University of Chicago Press. 2000.
Dumas, Alexandre, Pere. “Urbain Grandier – 1634.” 1910. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2746/2746-h/2746-h.html
Ferber, Sarah. “Demonic Possession and Exorcism in Early Modern France.” Routledge. 2013.
Hunter, Mary Kate. “Loudun Possessions: Witchcraft Trials at The Jacob Burns Law Library.” Newsletter of the Legal History & Rare Books Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries. Volume 16 Number 3. Hallowe’en 2010. https://www.aallnet.org/lhrbsis/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/01/lhrb-16-3.pdf
Huxley, Aldous. “The Devils of Loudun.” London. Chatto & Windus. 1952. Accessed online: https://ia601400.us.archive.org/3/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.469712/2015.469712.The-Devils_text.pdf
Niau, Des and Edmund Goldsmith (tr.) “The history of the devils of Loudun; the alleged possession of the Ursuline nuns, and the trial and execution of Urbain Grandier, told by an eye-witness.” Edinburgh. Private Printing. 1887. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/historyofdevilso00desn/page/n31/mode/2up
Sluhovsky, Moshe. “The Devil in the Convent.” The American Historical Review , Vol. 107, No. 5 (December 2002), pp. 1379-1411. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Historical Association. https://.www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/532851
Soth, Amelia. “A Mother Superior’s Demons.” JSTOR Daily. Oct. 31, 2024. https://daily.jstor.org/a-mother-superiors-demons/

In 17th century France a group of nuns described some unsettling visitations at their convent, which developed into a story of possession, political intrigue, and a moment in time that was rife with social tensions.
Research:
<ul>
<li>The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Wars of Religion".&nbsp;Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/event/Wars-of-Religion</li>
<li>&ldquo;Hawthorn.&rdquo; National Institute of Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/hawthorn</li>
<li>Cameron, Teagan. &ldquo;A Diabolical Martyrdom: Urbain Grandier, the Transgressive Outsider, and the Surrogate Victim in The Possession at Loudun.&rdquo;&nbsp;Constellations. Vol. 13, no. 2. Aug. 2022, doi:10.29173/cons29475</li>
<li>deCerteau, Michel. &ldquo;The Possession at Loudun.&rdquo; University of Chicago Press. 2000.</li>
<li>Dumas, Alexandre, Pere. &ldquo;Urbain Grandier &ndash; 1634.&rdquo; 1910. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/2746/2746-h/2746-h.html</li>
<li>Ferber, Sarah. &ldquo;Demonic Possession and Exorcism in Early Modern France.&rdquo; Routledge. 2013.</li>
<li>Hunter, Mary Kate. &ldquo;Loudun Possessions: Witchcraft Trials at The Jacob Burns Law Library.&rdquo; Newsletter of the Legal History &amp; Rare Books Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries. Volume 16 Number 3. Hallowe&rsquo;en 2010. https://www.aallnet.org/lhrbsis/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/01/lhrb-16-3.pdf</li>
<li>Huxley, Aldous. &ldquo;The Devils of Loudun.&rdquo; London. Chatto &amp; Windus. 1952. Accessed online: https://ia601400.us.archive.org/3/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.469712/2015.469712.The-Devils_text.pdf</li>
<li>Niau, Des and Edmund Goldsmith (tr.) &ldquo;The history of the devils of Loudun; the alleged possession of the Ursuline nuns, and the trial and execution of Urbain Grandier, told by an eye-witness.&rdquo; Edinburgh. Private Printing. 1887. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/historyofdevilso00desn/page/n31/mode/2up</li>
<li>Sluhovsky, Moshe. &ldquo;The Devil in the Convent.&rdquo; The American Historical Review , Vol. 107, No. 5 (December 2002), pp. 1379-1411. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Historical Association. https://.www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/532851</li>
<li>Soth, Amelia. &ldquo;A Mother Superior&rsquo;s Demons.&rdquo; JSTOR Daily. Oct. 31, 2024. https://daily.jstor.org/a-mother-superiors-demons/</li>
</ul>

Join Holly and Tracy as they bring you the greatest and strangest Stuff You Missed In History Class in this podcast by iHeartRadio.

Stuff You Missed in History Class

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts. 

Listen to this collection of top episodes from iHeartRadio and iHeartPodcasts.&nbsp;

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In 17th century France a group of nuns described some unsettling visitations at their convent, which developed into a story of possession, political intrigue, and a moment in time that was rife with social tensions.

Loudun Possessions

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1bc6d45e-0400-4531-9c4a-b36d00035a13/transcript

Holly and Tracy talk about how frequently the U.S. Post Office has stopped criminals, and about E. Virgil Neal using his intellect for shady business dealings.

Holly and Tracy talk about how frequently the U.S. Post Office has stopped criminals, and about E. Virgil Neal using his intellect for shady business dealings.

Behind the Scenes Minis: Piece of Work

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5dcc5609-22c2-434b-8949-b46500431d4f/transcript

In the early 20th century, Neal's company Force of Life was investigated for fraud. But somehow, Neal managed to get through the scandal and went on to found a cosmetics company that became very successful. 

Research:
“Can’t Find E. Virgil Neal.” New York Times. January 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496816.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Claimed to Raise the Dead.” Kansas City Star. Jan. 13, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/653825670/?match=1&terms=%22Claimed%20to%20raise%20the%20dead%22
Conroy, Mary Schaeffer. “The Cosmetics Baron You’ve Never Heard Of: E. Virgil Neal and Tokalon.” Third Edition. Altus History Publishing. 2014.
“E. Virgil Neal Passes Away at Geneva June 30.” The Sedalia Democrat. July 3, 1949. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-e-virgil-neal-obit/185827307/
“False Advertising Chief ‘Stimulant’ in Nixated Iron.” New York Tribune. Dec. 16,1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/894241833/?terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Force of Life Charges Dismissed.” Buffalo News. April 24, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329115069/
“FORCE OF LIFE'S WIND-UP.; E. Virgil Neal Still Missing, but Offices Are Being Dismantled.” New York Times. Jan. 17, 1906. https://www.nytimes.com/1906/01/17/archives/force-of-lifes-windup-e-virgil-neal-still-missing-but-offices-are.html
“Force of Lifers Sent Many Decoy Letters.” New York Times. February 7, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/02/07/101765677.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Here’s a Hyopnotic Bank.” New York Sun. March 3, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207217198/?match=1&terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy
“How Force of Lifers Did a Rush Business.” New York Times. Jan. 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496815.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“James R. O’Beirne.” Fordham University. Office of the President. https://www.fordham.edu/about/leadership-and-administration/administrative-offices/office-of-the-president/about/hall-of-honor/james-r-obeirne/
“Jury Disagrees Cartilage Case.” Buffalo Courier Express. May 5, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352806300/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Medical Mail-order Frauds.” American Medical Association. 1915. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=Cyq6AAAAIAAJ&vq=neal&source=gbs_navlinks_s
“Medicine: From Sedalia.” Time Magazine. Dec. 25, 1933. https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,746617-1,00.html
“A Message to the Sick.” Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Feb. 9, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/135238292/?match=1&terms=vitaopathy
“Most Beautiful Woman in Paris.” The Times-Union. October 6, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1278623430/?match=6&terms=To-Kalon
Neal, E. Virgil and John H. Moore. “Modern Illustrative Banking.” American Book Company. 1904. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/modernillustrati00neal/modernillustrati00neal/
Neal, E. Virgil and C.T. Craig. “Modern Illustrative Bookkeeping.” American Book Company 1901. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/illustratimodern00nealrich/page/16/mode/2up
“Neal, of ‘Nuxated Iron’ Fame, Held on Fraud Charge.” Times-Transcript. April 15, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106273916/?match=1&terms=%22Neal%20of%20Nuxated%20Iron%22
“Neal Returns for Business.” Post-Standard. April 30, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1091107180/
Bennet, James. “Tokalon.” Cosmetics and Skin. Jan. 26, 2025. https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/tokalon.php
“Gigantic Swindle Probably Bared.” Nebraska City Weekly. Jan. 16, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/728074626
“In Force of Life Case.” Houston Post. Jan 13, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/image/94975109
“Nuxated Iron Sellers in Libel Suit.” The Times-Transcript. June 10, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106285753/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Part I: The 1906 Food and Drugs Act and Its Enforcement.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/changes-science-law-and-regulatory-authorities/part-i-1906-food-and-drugs-act-and-its-enforcement
“Personal Magnetism.” San Francisco Examiner. March 8, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/457762995/?match=1&terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy
“Pope Receives O’Beirne.” New York Times. Sept 25, 1910. https://www.newspapers.com/image/20505640/?match=1&terms=%22pope%20receives%20o%27beirne%22
Schwarcz, Joe, PhD. “The Prince of Quackery.” McGill Office for Science and Society. July 16, 2025. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience-history/prince-quackery
“Thought Waves Between ‘Em.” New York Sun. April 12, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-and-the-a/185828789/
“Tribune’s Answer in Libel Suit Calls E. Virgil Neal a Quck.” New York Tribune. June 23, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/469171423/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Vain Search for Neal.” New York Times. January 16, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/16/101763032.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“WORRIED ABOUT NEAL & CO.: Depositors, You See, Don’t Like Hypnotism in Banking.” New York Sun. March 4, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-hypnotic/176427712/

In the early 20th century, Neal's company Force of Life was investigated for fraud. But somehow, Neal managed to get through the scandal and went on to found a cosmetics company that became very successful.&nbsp;
Research:
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t Find E. Virgil Neal.&rdquo; New York Times. January 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496816.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;Claimed to Raise the Dead.&rdquo; Kansas City Star. Jan. 13, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/653825670/?match=1&amp;terms=%22Claimed%20to%20raise%20the%20dead%22</li>
<li>Conroy, Mary Schaeffer. &ldquo;The Cosmetics Baron You&rsquo;ve Never Heard Of: E. Virgil Neal and Tokalon.&rdquo; Third Edition. Altus History Publishing. 2014.</li>
<li>&ldquo;E. Virgil Neal Passes Away at Geneva June 30.&rdquo; The Sedalia Democrat. July 3, 1949. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-e-virgil-neal-obit/185827307/</li>
<li>&ldquo;False Advertising Chief &lsquo;Stimulant&rsquo; in Nixated Iron.&rdquo; New York Tribune. Dec. 16,1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/894241833/?terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Force of Life Charges Dismissed.&rdquo; Buffalo News. April 24, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329115069/</li>
<li>&ldquo;FORCE OF LIFE'S WIND-UP.; E. Virgil Neal Still Missing, but Offices Are Being Dismantled.&rdquo; New York Times. Jan. 17, 1906. https://www.nytimes.com/1906/01/17/archives/force-of-lifes-windup-e-virgil-neal-still-missing-but-offices-are.html</li>
<li>&ldquo;Force of Lifers Sent Many Decoy Letters.&rdquo; New York Times. February 7, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/02/07/101765677.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s a Hyopnotic Bank.&rdquo; New York Sun. March 3, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207217198/?match=1&amp;terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy</li>
<li>&ldquo;How Force of Lifers Did a Rush Business.&rdquo; New York Times. Jan. 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496815.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;James R. O&rsquo;Beirne.&rdquo; Fordham University. Office of the President. https://www.fordham.edu/about/leadership-and-administration/administrative-offices/office-of-the-president/about/hall-of-honor/james-r-obeirne/</li>
<li>&ldquo;Jury Disagrees Cartilage Case.&rdquo; Buffalo Courier Express. May 5, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352806300/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Medical Mail-order Frauds.&rdquo; American Medical Association. 1915. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=Cyq6AAAAIAAJ&amp;vq=neal&amp;source=gbs_navlinks_s</li>
<li>&ldquo;Medicine: From Sedalia.&rdquo; Time Magazine. Dec. 25, 1933. https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,746617-1,00.html</li>
<li>&ldquo;A Message to the Sick.&rdquo; Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Feb. 9, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/135238292/?match=1&amp;terms=vitaopathy</li>
<li>&ldquo;Most Beautiful Woman in Paris.&rdquo; The Times-Union. October 6, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1278623430/?match=6&amp;terms=To-Kalon</li>
<li>Neal, E. Virgil and John H. Moore. &ldquo;Modern Illustrative Banking.&rdquo; American Book Company. 1904. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/modernillustrati00neal/modernillustrati00neal/</li>
<li>Neal, E. Virgil and C.T. Craig. &ldquo;Modern Illustrative Bookkeeping.&rdquo; American Book Company 1901. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/illustratimodern00nealrich/page/16/mode/2up</li>
<li>&ldquo;Neal, of &lsquo;Nuxated Iron&rsquo; Fame, Held on Fraud Charge.&rdquo; Times-Transcript. April 15, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106273916/?match=1&amp;terms=%22Neal%20of%20Nuxated%20Iron%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Neal Returns for Business.&rdquo; Post-Standard. April 30, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1091107180/</li>
<li>Bennet, James. &ldquo;Tokalon.&rdquo; Cosmetics and Skin. Jan. 26, 2025. https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/tokalon.php</li>
<li>&ldquo;Gigantic Swindle Probably Bared.&rdquo; Nebraska City Weekly. Jan. 16, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/728074626</li>
<li>&ldquo;In Force of Life Case.&rdquo; Houston Post. Jan 13, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/image/94975109</li>
<li>&ldquo;Nuxated Iron Sellers in Libel Suit.&rdquo; The Times-Transcript. June 10, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106285753/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Part I: The 1906 Food and Drugs Act and Its Enforcement.&rdquo; U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/changes-science-law-and-regulatory-authorities/part-i-1906-food-and-drugs-act-and-its-enforcement</li>
<li>&ldquo;Personal Magnetism.&rdquo; San Francisco Examiner. March 8, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/457762995/?match=1&amp;terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy</li>
<li>&ldquo;Pope Receives O&rsquo;Beirne.&rdquo; New York Times. Sept 25, 1910. https://www.newspapers.com/image/20505640/?match=1&amp;terms=%22pope%20receives%20o%27beirne%22</li>
<li>Schwarcz, Joe, PhD. &ldquo;The Prince of Quackery.&rdquo; McGill Office for Science and Society. July 16, 2025. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience-history/prince-quackery</li>
<li>&ldquo;Thought Waves Between &lsquo;Em.&rdquo; New York Sun. April 12, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-and-the-a/185828789/</li>
<li>&ldquo;Tribune&rsquo;s Answer in Libel Suit Calls E. Virgil Neal a Quck.&rdquo; New York Tribune. June 23, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/469171423/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Vain Search for Neal.&rdquo; New York Times. January 16, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/16/101763032.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;WORRIED ABOUT NEAL &amp; CO.: Depositors, You See, Don&rsquo;t Like Hypnotism in Banking.&rdquo; New York Sun. March 4, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-hypnotic/176427712/</li>
</ul>

In the early 20th century, Neal's company Force of Life was investigated for fraud. But somehow, Neal managed to get through the scandal and went on to found a cosmetics company that became very successful. 

E. Virgil Neal: Hypnotist, Fraudster, Tycoon, Part 2

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/503f54b0-cfc5-4bec-a424-b463006a7029/transcript

E. Virgil Neal’s career started out with writing successful textbooks, but then took a turn into being a stage hypnotist and then a series of dicey mail-order businesses.

Research:
“Can’t Find E. Virgil Neal.” New York Times. January 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496816.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Claimed to Raise the Dead.” Kansas City Star. Jan. 13, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/653825670/?match=1&terms=%22Claimed%20to%20raise%20the%20dead%22
Conroy, Mary Schaeffer. “The Cosmetics Baron You’ve Never Heard Of: E. Virgil Neal and Tokalon.” Third Edition. Altus History Publishing. 2014.
“E. Virgil Neal Passes Away at Geneva June 30.” The Sedalia Democrat. July 3, 1949. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-e-virgil-neal-obit/185827307/
“False Advertising Chief ‘Stimulant’ in Nixated Iron.” New York Tribune. Dec. 16,1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/894241833/?terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Force of Life Charges Dismissed.” Buffalo News. April 24, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329115069/
“FORCE OF LIFE'S WIND-UP.; E. Virgil Neal Still Missing, but Offices Are Being Dismantled.” New York Times. Jan. 17, 1906. https://www.nytimes.com/1906/01/17/archives/force-of-lifes-windup-e-virgil-neal-still-missing-but-offices-are.html
“Force of Lifers Sent Many Decoy Letters.” New York Times. February 7, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/02/07/101765677.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“Here’s a Hyopnotic Bank.” New York Sun. March 3, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207217198/?match=1&terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy
“How Force of Lifers Did a Rush Business.” New York Times. Jan. 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496815.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“James R. O’Beirne.” Fordham University. Office of the President. https://www.fordham.edu/about/leadership-and-administration/administrative-offices/office-of-the-president/about/hall-of-honor/james-r-obeirne/
“Jury Disagrees Cartilage Case.” Buffalo Courier Express. May 5, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352806300/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Medical Mail-order Frauds.” American Medical Association. 1915. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=Cyq6AAAAIAAJ&vq=neal&source=gbs_navlinks_s
“Medicine: From Sedalia.” Time Magazine. Dec. 25, 1933. https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,746617-1,00.html
“A Message to the Sick.” Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Feb. 9, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/135238292/?match=1&terms=vitaopathy
“Most Beautiful Woman in Paris.” The Times-Union. October 6, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1278623430/?match=6&terms=To-Kalon
Neal, E. Virgil and John H. Moore. “Modern Illustrative Banking.” American Book Company. 1904. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/modernillustrati00neal/modernillustrati00neal/
Neal, E. Virgil and C.T. Craig. “Modern Illustrative Bookkeeping.” American Book Company 1901. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/illustratimodern00nealrich/page/16/mode/2up
“Neal, of ‘Nuxated Iron’ Fame, Held on Fraud Charge.” Times-Transcript. April 15, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106273916/?match=1&terms=%22Neal%20of%20Nuxated%20Iron%22
“Neal Returns for Business.” Post-Standard. April 30, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1091107180/
Bennet, James. “Tokalon.” Cosmetics and Skin. Jan. 26, 2025. https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/tokalon.php
“Gigantic Swindle Probably Bared.” Nebraska City Weekly. Jan. 16, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/728074626
“In Force of Life Case.” Houston Post. Jan 13, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/image/94975109
“Nuxated Iron Sellers in Libel Suit.” The Times-Transcript. June 10, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106285753/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Part I: The 1906 Food and Drugs Act and Its Enforcement.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/changes-science-law-and-regulatory-authorities/part-i-1906-food-and-drugs-act-and-its-enforcement
“Personal Magnetism.” San Francisco Examiner. March 8, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/457762995/?match=1&terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy
“Pope Receives O’Beirne.” New York Times. Sept 25, 1910. https://www.newspapers.com/image/20505640/?match=1&terms=%22pope%20receives%20o%27beirne%22
Schwarcz, Joe, PhD. “The Prince of Quackery.” McGill Office for Science and Society. July 16, 2025. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience-history/prince-quackery
“Thought Waves Between ‘Em.” New York Sun. April 12, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-and-the-a/185828789/
“Tribune’s Answer in Libel Suit Calls E. Virgil Neal a Quck.” New York Tribune. June 23, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/469171423/?match=1&terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22
“Vain Search for Neal.” New York Times. January 16, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/16/101763032.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&ip=0
“WORRIED ABOUT NEAL & CO.: Depositors, You See, Don’t Like Hypnotism in Banking.” New York Sun. March 4, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-hypnotic/176427712/

E. Virgil Neal&rsquo;s career started out with writing successful textbooks, but then took a turn into being a stage hypnotist and then a series of dicey mail-order businesses.
Research:
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;Can&rsquo;t Find E. Virgil Neal.&rdquo; New York Times. January 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496816.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;Claimed to Raise the Dead.&rdquo; Kansas City Star. Jan. 13, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/653825670/?match=1&amp;terms=%22Claimed%20to%20raise%20the%20dead%22</li>
<li>Conroy, Mary Schaeffer. &ldquo;The Cosmetics Baron You&rsquo;ve Never Heard Of: E. Virgil Neal and Tokalon.&rdquo; Third Edition. Altus History Publishing. 2014.</li>
<li>&ldquo;E. Virgil Neal Passes Away at Geneva June 30.&rdquo; The Sedalia Democrat. July 3, 1949. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sedalia-democrat-e-virgil-neal-obit/185827307/</li>
<li>&ldquo;False Advertising Chief &lsquo;Stimulant&rsquo; in Nixated Iron.&rdquo; New York Tribune. Dec. 16,1917. https://www.newspapers.com/image/894241833/?terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Force of Life Charges Dismissed.&rdquo; Buffalo News. April 24, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329115069/</li>
<li>&ldquo;FORCE OF LIFE'S WIND-UP.; E. Virgil Neal Still Missing, but Offices Are Being Dismantled.&rdquo; New York Times. Jan. 17, 1906. https://www.nytimes.com/1906/01/17/archives/force-of-lifes-windup-e-virgil-neal-still-missing-but-offices-are.html</li>
<li>&ldquo;Force of Lifers Sent Many Decoy Letters.&rdquo; New York Times. February 7, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/02/07/101765677.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;Here&rsquo;s a Hyopnotic Bank.&rdquo; New York Sun. March 3, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/207217198/?match=1&amp;terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy</li>
<li>&ldquo;How Force of Lifers Did a Rush Business.&rdquo; New York Times. Jan. 15, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/15/100496815.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;James R. O&rsquo;Beirne.&rdquo; Fordham University. Office of the President. https://www.fordham.edu/about/leadership-and-administration/administrative-offices/office-of-the-president/about/hall-of-honor/james-r-obeirne/</li>
<li>&ldquo;Jury Disagrees Cartilage Case.&rdquo; Buffalo Courier Express. May 5, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/352806300/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Medical Mail-order Frauds.&rdquo; American Medical Association. 1915. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=Cyq6AAAAIAAJ&amp;vq=neal&amp;source=gbs_navlinks_s</li>
<li>&ldquo;Medicine: From Sedalia.&rdquo; Time Magazine. Dec. 25, 1933. https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,746617-1,00.html</li>
<li>&ldquo;A Message to the Sick.&rdquo; Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Feb. 9, 1900. https://www.newspapers.com/image/135238292/?match=1&amp;terms=vitaopathy</li>
<li>&ldquo;Most Beautiful Woman in Paris.&rdquo; The Times-Union. October 6, 1909. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1278623430/?match=6&amp;terms=To-Kalon</li>
<li>Neal, E. Virgil and John H. Moore. &ldquo;Modern Illustrative Banking.&rdquo; American Book Company. 1904. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/modernillustrati00neal/modernillustrati00neal/</li>
<li>Neal, E. Virgil and C.T. Craig. &ldquo;Modern Illustrative Bookkeeping.&rdquo; American Book Company 1901. Accessed online: https://archive.org/details/illustratimodern00nealrich/page/16/mode/2up</li>
<li>&ldquo;Neal, of &lsquo;Nuxated Iron&rsquo; Fame, Held on Fraud Charge.&rdquo; Times-Transcript. April 15, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106273916/?match=1&amp;terms=%22Neal%20of%20Nuxated%20Iron%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Neal Returns for Business.&rdquo; Post-Standard. April 30, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1091107180/</li>
<li>Bennet, James. &ldquo;Tokalon.&rdquo; Cosmetics and Skin. Jan. 26, 2025. https://cosmeticsandskin.com/companies/tokalon.php</li>
<li>&ldquo;Gigantic Swindle Probably Bared.&rdquo; Nebraska City Weekly. Jan. 16, 1906. https://www.newspapers.com/image/728074626</li>
<li>&ldquo;In Force of Life Case.&rdquo; Houston Post. Jan 13, 1907. https://www.newspapers.com/image/94975109</li>
<li>&ldquo;Nuxated Iron Sellers in Libel Suit.&rdquo; The Times-Transcript. June 10, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1106285753/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Part I: The 1906 Food and Drugs Act and Its Enforcement.&rdquo; U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/changes-science-law-and-regulatory-authorities/part-i-1906-food-and-drugs-act-and-its-enforcement</li>
<li>&ldquo;Personal Magnetism.&rdquo; San Francisco Examiner. March 8, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/image/457762995/?match=1&amp;terms=Columbia%20Scientific%20academy</li>
<li>&ldquo;Pope Receives O&rsquo;Beirne.&rdquo; New York Times. Sept 25, 1910. https://www.newspapers.com/image/20505640/?match=1&amp;terms=%22pope%20receives%20o%27beirne%22</li>
<li>Schwarcz, Joe, PhD. &ldquo;The Prince of Quackery.&rdquo; McGill Office for Science and Society. July 16, 2025. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/pseudoscience-history/prince-quackery</li>
<li>&ldquo;Thought Waves Between &lsquo;Em.&rdquo; New York Sun. April 12, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-and-the-a/185828789/</li>
<li>&ldquo;Tribune&rsquo;s Answer in Libel Suit Calls E. Virgil Neal a Quck.&rdquo; New York Tribune. June 23, 1918. https://www.newspapers.com/image/469171423/?match=1&amp;terms=%22e.%20virgil%20neal%22</li>
<li>&ldquo;Vain Search for Neal.&rdquo; New York Times. January 16, 1906. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1906/01/16/101763032.pdf?pdf_redirect=true&amp;ip=0</li>
<li>&ldquo;WORRIED ABOUT NEAL &amp; CO.: Depositors, You See, Don&rsquo;t Like Hypnotism in Banking.&rdquo; New York Sun. March 4, 1903. https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-e-virgil-neal-hypnotic/176427712/</li>
</ul>

E. Virgil Neal’s career started out with writing successful textbooks, but then took a turn into being a stage hypnotist and then a series of dicey mail-order businesses.

E. Virgil Neal: Hypnotist, Fraudster, Tycoon - Part 1

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4473b6ac-880a-4d49-8c65-b4620057b38c/transcript

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