The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-10-03

curing t0aI time ne must nave ATTENDED
three courses of lectures OF six months
each in this or some other college or
university, the last being at this univer-
sity. He must have attended the prac-
tice of general hospital or dispensary
for eighteen munths, and had charge Of
at least six cases of acouchment. He
must present an original thesis in his
own hand handwriting, at least thirty
days before gradual on, to the dean Of
the faculty. He must pass a satisfactory
examination before the faculty and the
Board Of Examiners In all the branches
of medical study"
One of these circulars fell into the
hands of Alan II. G. Hardwicke OF Buff
falo and he determined to test the legal
standing Of the so-called university"
Mr.. Hardwicke is an iron and brass
founder, and has never spent an hour in
the study Of mt dicine. Yet be received
q diploma which certified that he was
qualified to practice as a physician. He
paid $50 for the sheepskin and then
turned il over to the police as evidence
against the swindlers. A history Of the
methods employed in getting this diplo-
ma will eerve as an example of the OPP
erations Of the gang.
Mr.. Hardwicke has a brother who
stands high in the medical profession,
and the later suspected that the circular
was designed as "feeler." At bis in
stigation Mr.. Hard wicke wrote to "Dr.
Bradbury" and received in reply this
letter
"54 PEARL STREET.
NASHUA, N. a., APRIL, 10, 1889.
"a. G. HdrdtUicke, Buffalo, NJ Y.
"DEAR SIR - Your letter Of the 9th,
inst. at hand. Pleased to hear from
you. esteem your brother, DIR. W. W,
81, Of Essex, Eng, very highly. We
can get you much better article than
the Bellevue. We can get you an article
from a college in Ohio for $3.50, dated
1880, or one from a university in one of
the New England States for $50. The
latter will be dated the coming May.
Your brother has ordered one of the
latter. enclose circular. All business
must be done with me, not sent to the
university. should like very much to
see you. Wish you could come this way,
and when here get your article. You
should send thesis and also pass some
kind Of an examination 80 you can swear
in court of law it was granted after due
examination. Send money by express.
My name is IN full, Henry Freeland
Bradbury. In writing on these topics
generally use my middle name. Your
brother, however knows my full name.
l received a letter from your brother
some four days ago. an not sure as
this letter will reach you, as you did not
| give me any street and number.
would be pleased to hear from you by
return post, trust everything will be
confidential. am faithfully.
"Dr. Bradbury.
"P. ST. will not send the circular OF
the university referred to-
This letter shows, without any attempt
at concealment, the unlawful character
of the business under consideration. 1t
intimates that a similar work is being
carried ON in Ohio. The next letter was
dated April % In it "Dr. Bradbury"
wrote:
"Thesis may be on the treatment Of
"Chronic Bright's Disease"
Your name goes on the books and all in
quiries will be answered, II you wish
the article by the first of May you had
better forward the cash at once. 1t gen.
orally takes about ten days to get them,
there is so much red tape to it. All
business must be done with me, not the
Trinity nor it officers. They will not
answer your letter at present, for the very
reason that such answers would give
them away. They cannot let anybody
know how they do this. Everything
will be all right if you do the business
with me. You can write your thesis
any time within thirty days. If you
write good thesis we will pass you on
the examination"
In another letter Bradbury again says
he can obtain for Mr.. Hardwicke the
desired diploma for $50, but intimates
that it must be taken at once. But Mr..
Hardwicke did not take it then. He had
carried the matter as far as he dared
without assistance, and he wanted wit
nesses to the final transactions, He
wrote "Dr." Bradbury that he was read y
to bring the negotiations to a close. The
latter wrote under date Of Aug, 1S:
"Your letter was received and answer.
ed at once, As have not received any
reply suppose you are waiting for me
to comply with your request, namely to
send the goods G, o. D. This is some
thing never did, and ii is not custom
airy in this business. However, if you
give me you word as a gentleman thai
you will take the article from the ex-
pressman just as soon as 1t gets to Buff
fslo, without any delay or exposure.
will send it if you mean what you say
let me hear from you at once"
"On Aug. 81, the diploma wac shipped
as the following letter states
ave have shipped to you this A. NJ
goods G. o. D. $50, per agreement. We
send by the name of E. L. Needham, al
we did not wish to put our name on thu
express. Please take it as soon as ar
rived"
The dIpo ma arrived and Mr.. Hard
wicka paid $50 for it. 1t was in latin
and not unlike the diploma of the regu-
lar schools. Translated into English il
reads:
TRINITY UNIVERSITY,
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY OF TIKI
STATE OF VERMONT.
| To all to whom these presents may come greet
| ing Since it has been made an old and honoreC
custom among all academic bodies established &C
| cording TO law to confer great honor upon thost
who shall have faithfully given themselves to thu
study ofletters science, and the useful arts, anC
| who meanwhile shall have demaened Themselves
In an upright manner.
Therefore, Since Alan II. G. Handwicke hsi
proved 10 us that he has given himself during tn,
accustomed time ana according 10 law TO tne ar
OF medicine and has shown to the examining in
structors that he is well grounded in medicine
and surgery, we, the faculty Of this university
with the authority intrusted to us by the laws o.
the State of Vermont, admit said man to the rsni
Of doctor of medicine, and give and grant to untC
him all rights, freedoms, and honors belonging t.
to that station.
In testimony Of which deed, we, the President
dean, and professors of this university, caus'
him TO be presented with this diploma, under oui
common seal.
DSted at Bennington, the twenty seventh day
of the month Of May, in the year OF our Lord one
Thousand eight hundred and eighty-nine.
g, WIIMOT AyERELI. LII d.. President