Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-01-30
Close of a Remarkable Career.
Incidents IN THE LIFE OF J. SsLIGHTHALL
THE "DIAMoSD KING"

ELMIRA, n Y, Jan. 27.-The death of j.
S. Lighthall, the Diamond King" and medi-
cine fakir, at San Antonio, Texas, and who
left $50, 900, closes very remarkable career.
Six years ago Lighthall, then only "A years
old, took the role of ''cure all' and sold
what he called Indian oil on the street cor
ners He made money and soon employed a
brass band of eight picked up pieces to at
tract a crowd. He added to his stock a cure
for consumption, tooth powder and blood
purifier. He had slight knowledge of den
tistry and pulled teeth free, the work being
done very rapidly. The band played during
the operation to drown the yelling of the
patient. Two years ago the party worked
Nashville, enn., there being eight men and
TWO women in the band, among whom was
Geo. Roberts Of Elmirs, great favorite with
the doctor. From Nashville the party drift
ed southw ard when Lighthall discovered that
other parties were selling Indian oil. He
then changed the name to Spanish oil and in
creased his company to 81 persons by taking
in several Spaniards, Indians, and Mexicans.
and thereafter showed in l00-foot round
tent. Concerts were gwen, while Lighthall
was kept busy passing out medicine and his
assistant fakirs sold il among the audience.
Big crowds were attracted everywhere, and
cupied tents. and 'IiVed on the fat of the
land Roberts expressed it The nedi-
cine, except the consumption cure, was man
ufactured at Peoria, ILL.,, by LighthalPs
mother and her third husband, Isaac Wright,
formerly resident of Millport this county
From Peoria the stuff was shipped in barrels
to the camp. where it was put in bottles and
labeled
Lighthalls father was chief of the TOna-
wanda Indians, quarter blood, and several
years ago he left his wife. She afterward
married man named johnson. The latter
also left home suddenly, but subsequently
turned up, when he found Wright in his place
as husband. Johnson travelled a detective
for Lighthall and kept order in the camp
"Dr." Charles Lockwood a member of the
Lighthall party, became enamored of Light
halls wife, and, his love having been recpro-
Gated, the pair fled from the camp, taking
with them a splendid pair of horses aud med
icine wagon and made good their escape,
finally taking up their abode in Binghamton,
n. Y. johnson worked up the case and two
years ago Lighthall, Wright, Roberts, and
Johnson came to Elmira, and after maturing
plans Binghamton was reached in disguise,
and by clever ruse Lockwood was taken out
of town. and Lighthall then went to the Lock
WOOI rSslUenCS, surprised MS WIIe 'hu ana
ascertaining where the horses and wagon
were, took possession of them and speedily
drove across the Pennsylvania line, continu-
ing until he joined the camp at Richmond,
Ind When Lockwood eloped ne left wife
and one child in Illinois, and Lighthall, TAX
ing compassion on the woman, made her su-
perintendent of cooking in the camp at a
good salary. When the whereabouts of Lock
wood and his Illegal wife became known they
left suddenly for Canada and their where
abouts are unknown.
DR.. Lighthall was known as the "Diamond
King" on account of his great love for dla-
monds He wore aaEIag IN which were l73
stones and pin that was simply enormous
lie had watch made for him similar to that
worn by Alvin JOslyn. % stones encircling
the case. Lighthall was great favorite with
his assistants, and nothing was wanted by
any Of them that was not supplied by him.
He was charitable, and on many occasions
when poor people applied for medicine the
bottle was handed to them wrapped in a
twentv-dollar or ten-dollar bill.
Mr.. Roberts believes that Lighthall took
in over Sl00,0 a year while he was with
him, and must have been worth great deal
more than reported at the time of his death.