Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-08-22
HEALER OR FANATIC.
Francisco Schlader, Who Processes to
Represent the Father on Earth,
Passes Through to Denver
Hundreds Flock tOSee Him
"A Strange Man.

Francisco Schlader, more widely known
as the "healer," who has created real,
live sensation at Albuquerque during the
past few weeks, passed through Lamy
about 2 O'Clock this morning, en- route to
his former home in Denver, where he
says he will remain for sixty days and
then disappear for an indefinite period.
He occupied section in Pullman
car with man named Smith, who claims
to have been cured of a mortal malady
by his magic touch and who seemed to
be officiating as the strange mans affec-
tionate sponsor and guardian.
Hon. Jose G. Chaves, of Valencia
county, claim agent of the A., T. x S. E.
railroad, came up from the south on the
train with the "healer," and was seen by
a New MEXICAN representative at the Ex-
change hotel this morning. He says that
it was really wonderful to witness the in
terest manifested by people on the train
aud along the way in the mysterious man
who formerly cobbled shoes for liveli-
hood.
APPEARED WEAK AND SICK.
Schlader appeared very weak and sick,
at times apparently gasping for breath
as he talked, but he saw and touched as
many people as he could along the way
without money and without price, and
steadfastly maintained in simple and
dignifed language that he WAS the living
representative of the "Father" on earth
Nearly all the passengers on the train,
including many ladies, either personally
saw HIM or sent handkerchiefs or gar
ments to him to be touched. Several
ladies going through to Denver said that
they would Immediately see the remark
able man, whether invited or not, if they
did not think that they would have an
opportunity to do 40 before the end Of
the journey.
| One hundred or more people we're wait
ing at the depot in Thornton when the
train arrived; but, owing to the short
stop, only few were able to catch more
than hurried
| GLIMPSE OF THE "HEALER."
The train was delayed about an hour and
a half at Cerrillos by break in the en-
CINE and there probably 300 people saw
him. Many spoke to him and were
touched by him. At least 800 people, in
cluding about 200 from Santa Fe, were
awaiting the train at Lamy, and, regard
less of the fact that drenching rain was
falling, made every possible effort to see
and speak to the notable passenger
Most of these eager people saw him at
the car window; but, as the train quickly
rolled away, few were able to speak tc
him.
This was source of deep disappoint
ment to many, who said that they would
have been contented if they could merely
have been touched by his hand. This
feeling was not confined to the untutored
but appeared as strong among the most
enlightened and thoughtful as among the
commonest people.
| DECLINED TO EXPRESS AN OPINION.
Mr.. Chaves declined to express an
opinion respecting the "healer" further
than that he saw no signs of insanity about
him, that he was certainly not financial
imposter because he would not receive
money, and that he clearly possessed a
mysterious, unexplainable power over
men. He added that he had seen many
persons who claimed that the "healer'
had wrought miraculous cures for them,
and others who had gone from his pres
ence disappointed, but even most of the
latter spoke kindly of the man.
HOW HE WILL BE RECEIVED IN DENVER.
Some idea as to how Schlader, fakir or
fanatic, will. be received on his arrival
In Denver, may be had from this, lately
appearing in the editorial columns OF
| the Denver News:
"The case Of Schlader, the 80 called
Messiah of New Mexico, will command
the attention of the medical profession.
This man has undoubtedly wrought un.
usual cures among the aiing who have
come under his ministration. The evil
dence is such as to preclude all pos
sibility Of denial. His life is peaceful,
and, so far as known admirably virtuous.
He refuses pay for healing and dwells in
poverty. In appearance, manners and
teachings, he attempts to initiate the
"Man of Sorrows" The mysticism which
clings about him is we'll calculated to
affect the minds of the lowly among
whom he has labored. His accomplish
ments become magniied; his failures for
gotten. At the present time his mind is
apparently affected by fasting and self
study acting upon an intellect already
grooved in peculiar direction. He
seems to pass into state of exaltetion
where the ordinary rules of nature have
HIS little power over him as over those
Indian fakirs, whose marvellous feats of
endurance are we'll authenticated"