The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-06
MORE ABOUT scHLArrER.


The Tunkhannock New Age yesterday
printed an exceedingly interesting letter
from Rodney J. Bardwell. who Is now IN
Denver. concerning the singular actions
and experiences Of the now celebrated
hand-healer, Francis 6chlattsr. Many OF
the facts embodied IN Mr.. Bardwelrs bio
graphy Of Schlatter have already appeared
In The Tribune. but several are new. 1t
was in Denver. In the fall Of 's2. that
Schlatter received his "call' to heal the
sick. After noting this fact Mr.. Bard
we'll says: "He went forth from Denver
afoot: was arrested at Hot Springs. Ark.
as lunatic because found barefooted and
bareheaded and claiming to be guided by
The Father was kept five months In jail:
when first put In the prisoners tried him in
the kangaroo Court and levied fine.
not being able to pay. he had to take fifty
lashes on his bare back, after that the
prisoners treated him kindly and he
healed many of them; liberated May II.
1893; walked to San Francisco healing as
he went; left there barefooted and
tramped southward. across the great Mo-
have desert (the greatest desert In North
America); in March, 1895, reached Flag
stan. Arix.. where he herded sheep for
time. Then he tramped eastward through
New Mexico, living five days with the
chief Of the Navajo Indians. many OF
whom he healed; after which, at Albu-
auerQue, he began his forty days fast"
IL
Concerning this fast Mr. Bardwell thus
quotes from the well-known Denver jour
nalist. James Mccarthy c'Fftx Mac'o:
1.-The most remarkable thing about this
mans fast was that he continued his min
istry of healing throughout the whole perl
od, at first walking about from village to
village in the valley of the Rio Grande.
New Mexico and during the latter part at
the residence, In Albuquerque. Of j. A.
Summers, deputy clerk OF the probate
court, family Of good intelligence and
eminent respectability." Mr.. Mccarthy
further says: ~ happened at Albu-
querque on tho last day Of his fast. and
spent the concluding hours OF the trial
with him, holding his hand while he gave
me an account of his life and the events
that had determined him to try for the
Christ life. remained till he sat down
to the meal prepared for him. The BRIEF
and only half audible prayer he offered.
standing at the table with eyes uplifted
before sitting down, was absolutely the
noblest dramatic effect I have ever be-
held-simplicity. solemnity and grandeur.
The scene was inexpressibly moving. and
the last moments were ones OF compass
sionating anxiety to all Of us who were
permitted to remain with him. We felt,
of course, that there was danger In his
eating a substantial meal at once. I es-
sayed to utter a caution. Have no fear
he said, have faith. The Father has sus-
tanned me through forty days. and this Is
His will The table was beautifully laid
for him alone, friends having brought
flowers, which were spread about on the
imma cuiate, polished linen. The meal was
a substantial one. OF the dozen or so who
stood about. perhaps ali feared the result.
but I was the one Of least faith. ! was
SO sure 1t would kill him that / could
not remain. I said to myself. He Is
now tackling purely physical propo-
sition-he will be dead man In six hours
or less That was In the afternoon. He
ate very heartily Of fried chicken. beef
steak. and fried eggs, served with bot
tie of wine Before retiring that night he
ate another meal of bread and milk. and
understand suffered no inconvenience
from an act that would have killed $50 men
out Of any thousand"
IL
"While here" continues Mr.. Bardwell,
"he treated from two to Ave thousand peo-
pie day. of all creeds. colors and social
conditions-blind. deaf. dumb and palsied,
while the cures effected by this interesting
being are unquestionable. and in many
oases surprising, 1t would be an out
rage upon truth and upon the mans sim
pie and modest claims to say that there Is
anything miraculous about them Not all
cases are cured or even allcviated. and
none are cured instantly though many
are alleviated almost instantly. The cure
Is usually gradual as faith comes When
relieved, sufferers thank him (for he never
takes money, but he says to them all.
Don't thank me; thank the Heavenly
Father His manner Ii serene and SYM
pathetic. and he affects no oddly what
ever. except that he parts his long hair in
the middle, letting the long. loose curls
fall upon his shoulders" In concluding
his letter Mr.. Bardwell quotes Rev. Myron
Reed, one Of the most noted pulpit orators
Of the west, who preached q strong and
sympathetic sermon on the mans char
acter lately In which he said: I'VE have
here In our midst today a man whose Gre
dentials are az good as those possessed by
Jesus Of Nazereth when he marched to
the Jordan to be baptized by Jehn. He Is
doing good here. He Is calling our atten-
ton to the fact that the center and source
Of all good is God. Not God who a long
time ago filled a cistern and then went
away. but God, free flowing spring, a
present help In every time Of need"
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