Text and Image(s) from Typescript

Chapter I

Navigate This Item

Chapter III

[Page 4]

CHAPTER II

CASTLES IN THE AIR

Upon what apparently small events the tide of one's whole life may turn!

The coming of that good Samaritan to my home that evening changed life for me, as well as for hundreds of others.

I knew that something very valuable had been placed within my grasp, and I treasured it as I would a precious jewel. I told my husband I was as good as elected and expected to be worth a million of dollars yet. And live in a brown stone front. He laughed and said, "Surely you are not going to turn Scrofula-doctor, are you?" I told him I did not know how I should work it, but I expected to be worth a million of dollars yet'

My family continued to grow, and it was all out-go and no income. I had to decide between two things: to make household drudges of my girls and myself, put my boys to the plow handle and thus save the land and home, or else continue the advantages we had always enjoyed, educate our children, entertain our friends, keep servants to wait on us, and let the land go to pay for it, and I chose the latter.

Many a one living now can tell of the good times at the old home - the dances, the picnics, the company, the music, the fun, the good cheer! How like a dream it seems now, and how I revel in the recollection, and am thankful for it. "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all!" All these things brightened life for my afflicted husband and for us all, and made it better worth the living. Still, I knew it was too bright to last and the change was bound to come, but I always had an abiding faith in God's goodness and felt that "It may not be in my way, it may not be in thy way, but in His own way, God would provide."

Meanwhile, I kept my eye on that wonderful remedy of mine, and every time I heard of a case of blood trouble I made some of the Remedy and sent to the parties, and I never failed to cure a single case. Then people commenced to write to me for it, and it soon became the source of considerable income to us.

As cure followed upon cure and was reported to me, I became an enthusiast on the subject. I could do what no one else had ever been able to do, and the thought was inspiring. I had found the

[Page 5]

antidote for blood impurity and I could prove it. I feared no test, for I knew my cause would come out triumphant. The more I thought and studied over the matter the more I became impressed with its importance, not only to me, but to the wide field of suffering humanity. The issue was irresistible and led me on.

Night and day did I dream of the visions unfolded in my imagination. I felt the weight of the tremendous issue. I felt it was a power too great to be in the hands of any one person, the power to cure, the power to heal, everytime, what no physician had ever been able to do, and it was MINE, but a power I had NO RIGHT to use solely for the purpose of making money from the sufferings of the afflicted. My work had become to me something very sacred, almost a religion. I thought if the physicians could only know what I could do to relieve suffering, if I would only prove it to them, what an avenue of relief would be opened to the afflicted, and at the same time a gate of triumph would be opened for me to pass through, to receive the crown of recognition that I felt my work so richly deserved.

So one morning I awoke and found myself A Woman with a Mission. I told my husband I was going to Raleigh and lay my cause before the Medical profession of the Capital of our grand old State, that I was going to tell them I could cure any case of scrofula or blood impurity that might be submitted to me. That I should ask them to give me any number of test cases that would be necessary to convince them of the truth of my claim, and I would furnish the medicine free of charge and cure them. I would ask them to examine the cases for me and watch the result, and if I cured every one, which I knew I would do, I felt as if my discovery was entitled to the honorable recognition I would respectfully ask them to accord me. My husband, laughing said, "What a poor little fool you are! Do you not know they are not going to have anything to do with anything of the kind, and were you to go there and cure a hundred cases, they wouldn't have anything to do with it or you. Do you suppose they would be so blind to their own interest to acknowledge you could do a thing they could not do, or even want you to do it? Take my advice and let doctors alone". But I was now a full-fledged woman with a mission, and would not "down". So to Raleigh I went, a bundle of inspirations, aspirations, hopes, visions, ideas, dreams, castles and unlimited possibilities generally. A farmer's wife with a farmer's life, for

[Page 6]

a quarter of a century, and then to go to the city, on a mission! May the Saints defend all such!

How I tremblingly rang the medical door bell and was first ushered into the august presence of Dr. Royster. I can feel the lump in my throat now, as I told him what I came for.

He gave me attention most respectful and then with his habitual courtesy, he told me he did not care to have anything to do with it, and that a sense of professional duty and etiquette would compel him to decline to witness any of those wonderful cures I claimed I could make. So, just a little crestfallen and just a little shaky about the knees, I went to the "next door neighbor'' and called on Dr. Hines, and to him presented my claims and views. That I wanted to prove to the medical profession of Raleigh that I could take any given number of cases of scrofula or blood impurity, and cure every one. I would not fail in a case. I urged that it was a question of sufficient importance to the afflicted and to the cause of science, to merit investigation, and I asked him would he be willing to examine any test cases that might be submitted for my treatment. He replied that it was a part of his professional duty to examine anyone physically who needed his services, and he was willing to do so. To be assured fully of my position I also called on Dr. E. B. Haywood and Dr. James McKee, who took a similar stand in regard to the examination.

So on the strength of these views I inserted the following card periodically for one month in the Raleigh News-Observer, and the Raleigh Evening Visitor, and submit the result to show the public just how I was treated.

- A CARD -

In order to prove to the medical fraternity and the public generally, that my Remedy is an infallible cure for all diseases of a scrofulous taint, or impurities of the blood, I propose to submit it to a public test in the city of Raleigh, N. C. and most respectfully ask those afflicted with scrofula, or kindred diseases to meet me at the Yarboro House on March 16, 1882, from 9 o'clock A.M. to 12 P.M., and from 2 to 4 P.M. bringing with them their physician's certificate that their disease is scrofula, when they will be cured free of charge. The physicians

[Page 7]

are invited to bring forward their incurable cases. Correspondence maybe opened with me at address given below. I am - Very truly -

Mrs. Joe Person

Franklinton, N. C.

Dr. McKee met me on broader and more liberal grounds than anyone else. I came to Raleigh on the 13th March, called on Dr. McKee on the morning of the 14th and told him if I obtained the test cases, I wished him to examine them for me, which he willingly agreed to do, and I then and there agreed to pay him five dollars for each case he might examine. At 12 noon, on the 16th I had selected five test cases, and repairing to Dr. McKee's office, left a note for him to be at the Yarboro at 4 P.M., according to promise, as I had obtained the cases. Four o'clock came, but no Dr. McKee. I explained to the cases, now increased to eight, that I had been disappointed in procuring the services of a physician, and required them severally to promise to meet me again at 4 o'clock the next evening. That afternoon Dr. McKee explained to me on the street that he did not get my note in time to attend. I told him all right, it made but little difference, as they would come again the next evening at 4 o'clock, and he again promised to be on hand to examine them. To make assurance doubly sure, I went to his office on the morning of the 17th and he, having been up all night, had not arisen, so I sent a note of the following import to his room: "Dr. McKee, Your appointment this afternoon must be unquestioned and undoubted. One of the cases comes eight miles and another twelve, and there must be no doubt in the matter. Can you attend, without a fear of failure, this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, at the Yarboro?'' He sent me word, all right, he would be on hand at the appointed time. Four o'clock came, and so did the cases, but again no Dr. McKee, but instead, he sent me the following letter which I received while the cases were a second time awaiting him:

March 17,1882

Mrs. Joe Person: Madam,

After careful deliberation on the propriety of examining the subjects sent you for treatment, I am convinced that it would be wrong, and must therefore decline. In the first place, a public test of a secret patent medicine is not feasible. Second you are

[Page 8]

pursuing a course just adversely to the admonition extended to you by two other physicians. If I examine anybody for you now, I, of course, connive at the effort to enrich the owner of a patent secret remedy. To show you that I am friendly disposed to you, ask me to do something else, that I may manifest it.

Very truly yours,

James McKee, M. D.

In reply to the above I wrote, I do ask you then to pay me a professional visit at your very convenience and oblige, etc. I waited some time and as he did not come, I wrote him the following: "Dr. McKee: I regret you did not 'manifest' the 'kindly disposed' by paying me the visit I requested. Allow me to add, that by failing to keep your promised appointment, you have succeeded well in rendering all my efforts null and void, and had you done so in time for me to have procured the services of another physician, which I could have done, your object would not have been so apparent." I wrote this letter to him which fully explained my views at the time, but, upon reflection, concluded I would not send it until I could see him and give him a chance to explain. I saw him later that afternoon, and he told me he was actuated as much by consideration of my good as by a sense of professional duty, and that I would see the day when I would thank him for his course.

Honestly believing that I had in Dr. McKee a friend, I called on him on Tuesday, May 2, and told him that after mature deliberation I had concluded to follow the "admonition extended to me by the physicians" and give my discovery to the world through the medical profession; that I wished to do this in person at the medical convention to be held in Concord, May.11, and claim through that body the credit of the discovery. That I desired introduction there by the medical fraternity of Raleigh, and to this end I requested to be allowed to prove to them that I had made the discovery which supplies one of the greatest wants of medical science, that I had brought proofs that I had found the vegetable antidote for scrofula and its kindred complaints.

Dr. McKee replied: "Madam, if you have discovered this remedy, you are a made woman; it is a remedy that has been unsuccessfully sought for hundreds of years, and if you can prove this,

[Page 9]

you are entitled to honorable recognition. Your name will nave an honored place, not only in the medical journals of the United States, but of Europe, and because this discovery was made by you, and by one outside of our profession, is no reason why it should not be recognized by us. I am sure you are not the lady to let a few thousand dollars stand between you and fame, and I approve your resolution and applaud your efforts.''

He said he would not attend the medical convention or he would gladly introduce me, but as he believed from the proofs I had shown him, that I was in possession of a remedy which would be of incalculable benefit in relieving suffering humanity, he would speak to Dr. Hines on the subject.

I asked him would he express to Dr. Hines his unqualified belief that I could prove what I claimed. His reply was, "Most assuredly, I will".

I called on Dr. Hines, Dr. E. B. Haywood, Dr. Ellis, and Dr. McGee, and explained to them my position: That ten years ago I discovered the vegetable specific for scrofulous taint; that I had spent the last several years in perfecting it, and I now wished to take it out of the rank and file of patent medicines, and elevate it to its legitimate place among the great discoveries of medical science. I proposed to give it to the medical profession, to make known my formula, only asking from them the acknowledged credit of the discovery, and the benefit of their adopting it in their practice. To place myself on a footing where the Raleigh physicians could accord me this recognition, and would be justified in introducing me to the medical convention, I asked permission to attend a meeting of their medical board held Wednesday night, in Raleigh, where I might be allowed to present proofs to substantiate my claim. All I wanted and asked, was a hearing. Dr. Hines, Dr. Ellis, and Dr. McGee said they thought I was entitled to it; the last named, on the score of courtesy to a lady. Dr. E. Burke Haywood was characteristically non-committal.

At their meeting Wednesday night a hearing was denied me, merely on the score of its being an "irregular proceeding", and not one voice was raised to demand in public what they assured me privately was my right.

I leave the public to pronounce a verdict.

So endeth the second chapter.

[Page 10]

Blessed is the man who never said "I told you so".

Note. I received letters from all sections of the State, asking the result of my treatment of the test cases, and to explain it to all interested, I incorporated the foregoing statement in the next pamphlet I issued, under the heading:

A SOLID CHAPTER OF SOLID FACTS.

MRS. JOE PERSON AND THE RALEIGH DOCTORS.

Previous Item