Wizard of the North

Walking through St Nicholas Kirkyard on our way to M&S to do the mundane things of life we came across this grave to John Anderson, Wizard of the North. Years ago when Bill used to take people round the graveyard on his 'Graveyard Ganders' he used to tell the fascinating story of John. 1814-1874.

Gilly Pickup wrote an interesting article on him in a Leopard magazine in 2005 and described him as:
'a showman in the grand manner, was said to be the first conjuror to produce rabbits from a hat. His tricks and illusions included the Inexhaustible Bottle, which appeared to produce any drink requested by the members of the audience. The Great Gun Trick, described as the most wonderful feat ever attempted by man in which Anderson was seemingly able to catch a bullet fired at him from a musket was always kept as the finale of his act in order that ladies might withdraw, to avoid witnessing it?.