The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1880-11-18
Laying on of the Hands.

MILLER THE MIRACLE WORKER-A CROWD O
THE AFFLIcTED-Is 1T ANIMAL MAGNETISM
Our readers will remember that severa
months ago we published accounts of some re
markable cures by a person calling himse
Dr. Jno. Miller, and who professed to cur
diseases by the laying on the hands. At Re
Sulphur Springs, last season, he made quite
reputation, thousands of invalids visiting hin
and many of them coming away APPARENT
relieved if not entirely restored to health.
Last Monday this singular, and as many re
gard him, remarkable man, arrived in Staun
ton and took quarters at "Kalorama. d
Tuesday, a VIRGINTAN reporter called upol
him, and after some delay caused by his at
tention to patients, the opportunity was al
forded of brief conversation
In appearance DR. Miller is not PROPOSES
sing His face bears no trace of culture o
refinement Bushy, sun burnt looking whlsk
ers conceal the features; his eye brows ar
heavy and his head covered with thick
stubborn growth of which each particular hal
seems at war with it's neighbor. The eye
|
intelligence or wildness, it is difficult to de
termine His dress and bearing correspond
with his general makeup, and seem to com
plete an excellent picture of rough, un
couth, illiterate mOuntaineer. What impresse
the stranger in his conversation, is the intens'
earnestness of the man, an earnestness, which
if not genuine stamps him as consummatt
actor. One can scarcely doubt his own belle
in the inspiration he PROCESSES. When asket
to what he attributed his healing power, hi
drew from his pocket well-worn Testament
ind pointed out a number of texts to establish
his claim that upon those who believe implicit
y on the word OF God the powers. given /,
the Apostles of old, are conferred.
That book" he said, lis all know. be
iieve that it will not tell an untruth-that il
rely upon His word, and in His name to hea
the sick, and comfort the sorrowing. Il
Doesn't say merely that l may heal the at
dicted. 1t tells me that shall, and in obedi
ence to that divine command, | am doing what
ever l can to benefit my tellow-men, even as
The Apostles did. Like Christ and his com
panions, ask neither money nor price. Til,
gift has been given me, not that may use il
ior the comfort of the rich, but for The healing
Of whomsoever may come-be he rich or poor
I make no charge whatever Those who tecl
.ble, give what they may deem proper. Thai
which is not not needed for my actual ex
,,enses, intend to devote to the erection of an
asylum, where the poor, who are afflicted can
remain without charge. Those who come ant
md pay nothing however, are just as welcome
rs the wealthiest of the land"
"How long has it been, Doctor, since yor
irst discovered the possession of your power?'
asked the reporter.
ut has been something over three years
For seven long years prayed that this pow
might be given me. In 1877 | made my tirst
ttempt at healing by the laying ON of the
lands, on the person of Mrs. George Mon
teeth, in Sullivan county, Tenn. She was
terrible afflicted and relieved her of all pair
md completely restored her to health. Pa
tients then began to pour in upon me, and
since that time have given up all other bust
ness. Last summer l spent several months al
the Red Sulphur Springs, in Roanoke county
md thousands of patients from this and dis
tant States Wis ted me- Nearly all of then
we're relieved, many completely recovered
,ut there were some whom l could not bene-
it. l tell none that 1 can cure them. only
say to them, try me and judge for yourself.
Ask the thousands whom l have treated, ant.
lpon their testimony l rest the case.''
WHAT HE HAS DONE IN srAUNToN.
No soone was it known that Doctor
Miller had arrived in Staunton than the hote
vas beseiged The first day he treated 81
patients. The rich, the poor, the lame, Tho
bind and the halt, were taken to him. Hi
rooms were a general asylum for the afflicted
| Yesterday the crowd was still larger. At one
lime in the morning, the reporter counted
orty-one persons waiting to be treated. They
anne ON crutches were carried in chairs, ano
n the arms of their friends and servants. Ii
required from five to ten minutes to treat eacl
patient. The afflicted ones were taken to al
apartment adjoining the reception room, and
mere Doctor Miller passed his hands lightly
,ver their heads, necks and arms. After sub
| Jecting them to this treatment some four Of
i've times, they were permitted to go. SOM
cime forth declaring themselves instantly re-
lieved, Others were benefited, but upon som
no perceptible influence was exerted. AS the.
| cit the room almost all OF them handed til,
| Doctors clerk one OF two dollars a few gav
smaller sums and others paid nothing at Ill
No money was asked, and just what the pa
lent or his friends chose to give was received
| There were a number of cases in which it Was
sserted that marvellous results had followed
stammerer is said to have had the impedi
nent to his speech entirely removed. On
| gentlemen suffering with a cataract claimed I.
ave been materially benefited. Victims I
.heumatism neuralgia and partial paralysis
we're numerous, and large majority expressed
themselves as satisfied with their visit.
TWO REMARKABLE CASES
:ame to the special attention of the reporter
| The first was that of a bright little girl, the
laughter of one of Staunton's most prominen
md respected citizens. When three years o.
,ge, the child had severe attack of measles
| rom the cUcCtS Oh WHICH one eDIlf6 sue was
partially paralysed, and speech and hearing
almost entirely lost. One ear was totally deaf
md the other almost so. The child had been
placed under the treatment of the most noted
| physicians of Baltimore and other cities, and
he hope that she would outgrow the afflictiol.
vas the only encouragement held out to it
larents. When Doctor Miller arrived, tn.
iather of the child determined to let him Sc
Ter. Little faith was put in the experiment
)ut as it could do no harm the trial was made
DR.. Miller treated her the first night of bin
arrival, with very perceptble result. I'm
mediately after the manipulation, the patient
gave evidence of benefit She could distinctly
hear the ticking of a watch with either ear,
| Notwithstanding one had before been totally
| leaf The treatment has been repeated sever