Kansas Psychic Gene Dennis’ Personal Copy of David P. Abbott’s Occult Draft of Wonder Girl: An Investigation of the Famous Kansas Phenomenon c1930s

On offer is a fabulous piece of American occult history, being the personal copy of a draft of David P. Abbott’s Wonder Girl: An Investigation of the Famous Kansas Phenomenon, belonging to the subject of the then-unpublished book, Gene (Eugenie) Dennis (1904-1948). 

Written in pencil, the cover of the draft document reads “Property of Gene Dennis Important Do Not Destroy” and “Gene Dennis Liberty Theatre Seattle, Wash”. This copy was likely in Gene’s possession while she was living in Washington and performing at her husband, John Grey Von Herberg’s (1877–1947) theatres. 

The document itself is a typewritten draft of Abbott’s 62-page book, covering his own investigation into Dennis and her powers, which he undertook in the early 1920s. He includes very specific recollections of conversations with Dennis and of her demonstrations of her powers. This small book was published in 1992 by Walter Graham, though it is unclear as to where one might now acquire a copy. 

Tipped into the manuscript are a small photo of Dennis, a couple clipped news articles about Dennis’ successes as a clairvoyant, a letter thanking Dennis for her work, and a one-page typed document written about Dennis by Dick Reed, which refers to her as “world’s greatest psychic”, summarizes all the work she’s doing and tells a short story (possibly rooted in truth?) about a lover Dennis took who was shot. 

BIO NOTES: Eugenie (Gene) Dennis was discovered to be a psychic as a child by a local tailor in her Kansas town. At age 16, Dennis became well-known after a newspaper article in the Minneapolis Star presented her as a mind reader who had found missing items among other things, including oil. David Phelps Abbott (1863-1934), an author and magician who investigated psychics, invited her to visit him to test her powers. Abbott and Dennis remained friends and he remained involved in her career. He wrote Wonder Girl about his tests of her powers. The name Wonder Girl was said to have been given to her by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. She was also known as “the girl who amazed Einstein”. In 1935, Dennis secretly married the wealthy (and much older!) Washington theatre owner, John G. Von Herbert. Together they had five children: Denny, Jay, Jensen, Jeannie and Virginia. Von Herbert died in 1947 and sadly, Dennis died only three months later in 1948 at the age of 44. 

This manuscript would make a remarkable addition to the collection of any 20th century American occult researcher or collector, or anyone interested in mediums, psychic phenomenon or female performers in the Roaring 20s and throughout the Great Depression. 

This soft-cover manuscript measures 10.0 inches by 8.5 inches and contains 76 pages. It is 82% complete. The cover is in good condition as is the binding. The pages are in good condition as well. The ephemera varies in condition with the newspaper clippings showing ++ signs of age. The manuscript is typed. Overall G.