Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-10-08
CURED BY A HAND TorCH.
How Ex-Shern James PeeIing Wa,
Almost Instantly Restored - Other
Miraculous Cures

- - HAND
How Ex-sheriT James PeeIing Was
Almost Instantly Restored - Other
Miraculous Cures.
Considerable interest and no little per.
plexity has been created in this city, saws
a York PENN special Of Oct. l to the
Philadelphia Times, by the alleged mirac-
ulous and instantaneous cure Of persons
supposed TO be beyond the reach of ordi-
nary remedies. In some cases the patients
have been snatched almost from the laws
Of death by the mere touch Of a human
hand. To deny that these miracles have
been performed is TO dispute the veracitv
Of some of the most reliable residents of
this city, who undoubtedly believe all they
affirm IN connection with the facts re-
cited.
The most notable case, and the one
which has attracted the most notice by
reason OF the prominence of the patient.
IS that OF EX-Sherih James Peeling. who
occupies comfortable suburban residence
on the southern border of the city. Mr.
Keeling is a gentleman of excellent stand
ing and reliability, and vOuches for the
truth OF the statements herein made in
reference to his marvellous restoration to
health.
On Monday Of last week the gentleman
named felt considerable pain. On Tues
day be was confined to his bed and sum-
moned his family physician, who pro-
nOunced II severe case of intercOstal
rheumatism. On Friday the symptoms
became so alarming in their character
tnat the physician asked Mr.. Feelings
permission to call in another doctor for
consultation. To this the patient feebly
demurred, saying that be had sufficient
Ialth 10 accept the verdict Of his family
physician without confirmation from any
other source and that if his PAIN was in
durable he would resign himself to fate.
On saturday morning his condition was
even more serious and his friends des-
paired OF his recovery. The physician
called. but gave no announcement to the
sufferer or his family. In a very short
time, probably a couple of hours after the
Doctors departure, Mr.. Peeling was seen
by a number of his neighbOrs standing
at his gate and moving about his grounds
at his residence, apparently in his usual
health.
In reply to the inquiries of his aston
ished friends Mr.. Peeling cheerfully re-
lated how the change had been brought
about. He said that after his physician
had admitted his inability to afford him
any relief his brother, Josiah Peeling, had
prevailed upon him to submit to the treat
ment Of Edmund Myers, a reputable citi-
zen Of an adjoining township, by whom, il
was alleged, Josiah had been mysterious
ly relieved in a similar case. The eX-
Sheriff consented, and shortly after the
departure of the attending physician Mr..
Myers arrived and found the patient in
most helpless condition. Placing his
hand on Mr.. Feelings forehead, Mr..
Myers commanded him to take a long
breath. Mr.. Peeling protested that it was
impossible, but finally made the effort and
accomplished a sturdy inspiration with
ont GunnnKnn1nnpn He then Gi-
rected TO move his right arm, but again
objected, alleging that the slightest move
ment caused him eXcruciating agony.
Yielding TO persuasion he raised his arm
and for the first time in several days eX-
perienced no difficulty in so doing. Dumb
founded by the sudden change he had un-
dergOne he gracefully Obeyed the further
commands Of Mr.. Myers until the latter
directed him to rise from his bed and don
his clothes. That was more than he dared
attempt until repeatedly assured that
he nigh do so without the slightest risk.
After this last command had been
Obeyed and while MIR. Peeling was dress
ing, Mr.. Meyers left the house to return
TO his home by one of the coaches which
run here in the absence of street cars.
While he was waiting for the coach Mr..
Peeling walked out into the yard and
stood with him at the gate until the con-
veyance arrived. NeighbOrs and friends.
who had believed the eX-sheriff almost on
the verge of the grave, were amazed, and
to assure themselves that he was present
in the flesh, hastened to grasp his hand
and made him relate his remarkable ex-
perienee.
The report of NJ. Peeling's restoration
to health and some of the facts of the case
were soon circulated, and hundreds of
incredulOus persons visited his residence
to seek confirmation Of the story. The
physician who had been in attendance
was the most astOnished person to be
found, and did not hesitate to pronounce
his patients recovery the most remarka-
BILE circumstance that had ever come I'M
der his observation, but at first pro-
nounced it but the transient effect Of
treatment he had advised for temporary
RELIEF. He also expressed disapprOval of
Mr.. Peei6g's imprudence in thus expos
ing himself The writer subsequently
ascertained that the treatment alluded to
by the doctor had not been tried, and,
therefore. had nothing to do with the
case.
His success in raising a well-knOwn
citizen from helplessness TO strength made
Mr.. Myers famous in a day, and the lame,
the halt and the blind have since besieged
him with appeals for touch Of his magic
hand. Stories OF other cures as remark
able as that of Mr.. Peeling and as well
authenticated have been related; but it
would only use space for repetitiOns to
enumerate them. 1t is but just to Alr.
MYERS to say that he does not profess to
he endowed with any supernatural gift.
He uses no incarnation and works his
miracles without precisely knowing how
he does it. Persons who are not hum
bugged by the ordinary brOucheu or pow
WOW doctor admits that Mr.. Myers has
accomplished wonders. Many who are
credulOus. without being superstitiOus,
bring up the inevitable theory of electri-
CITY and attribute To him all the qualities
of. a 4O-horse power dynamo. Those who
are simply ignorant accept il as a mani
festatiOn of supernatural power, and sue
cessfulIy defy the incredulOus to disprove
it. Others fly in the face of this array of
incOntestable facts and suspect the pres
ence OF a very dark individual in the wood
nile