Hindu Mystic Told to Leave

Detroit Free Press, August 3, 1929

If you know nothing of the mystic frenzy which encompassed Detroit in the first quarter of the 20th century then you've been cheated. Anyway...here's one of the least successful fortune tellers to hit the scene.

Silva Synci arrived in Detroit from Houston in late July of 1929 and quickly got to work. Just as quickly the police department were on to his trade. Police woman Victoria Wasney paid an undercover visit to Synci to get her fortune read.

He told her that she'd get married the next year. Then he asked if she had a steady boyfriend. When she said no he informed her that a mystical man would soon make love to her. That man was him. Then proceeded to put his arms around her and attempt a purloined kiss.

Instead he was arrested and ordered to leave town by Judge W. McKay Skillman or face jail with the former part mandatory, calling Synci's business a high class call girl racket. It was a brief 3 day stay in the city of the straits. 

World To Burst; John D. Blamed

Detroit Free Press, November 17, 1910

Detroit mystic Jacob Forlow held the belief--he considered it a seismic theory--that the Earth's mantle being so compromised from the boring of oil, would collapse in upon itself.

Chiefly to blame for this cataclysmic event was none other than oil tycoon John D. Rockerfeller.

The veracity of his claims held widespread sway over the general public despite their reticence to openly tout or bemoan the postulation.

The only caveat to this universal claim to truth was that it would take centuries for the "bursting" to occur. Further complicating the equation is the prospect for a Green New Deal. But surely Forlow considered that feeble attempt into the mathematics. Cross cancel and divide, I say, because oblivion awaits us either way.

Forlow's foray into predictions had only ripened to doom and gloom when he mastered the taming of the weather. Meteorological ascents being the barometer which differentiates the mere mystic from the sage.

Detroit Free Press, June 29, 1911