While still a boy, he had his first psychic experience: “My father sent me to the store… It was already dusk. The porch of our little wooden house was in darkness. Suddenly on the steps there appeared a gigantic, dark figure clad in a white garment. From above came a voice that said, ‘My son! I am a messenger to you…to foretell your future! Go to school! Your prayers will please heaven!’ “

Later, he moved to Berlin, where he developed his psychic abilities. He developed a mind reading stage act that quickly drew attention throughout Europe.