The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-05


be Removed, which Is Accomplished
With Much Suffering on the Part of the
Patient-HeaIer Then Goes into a Park
to Pray and Treats the Boy.
Chicago, March August Schrader,
divine healer, knelt by the bed and
prayed for the recovery of Benny Sam
son. The wan youth had been helpless
for five months from paralysis. He was
not able TO cross his hands over his
breast. Schrader picked up the lifeless
arms, rubbed his long fingers over the
patients eyes and prayed again beside
the sufferer. He kissed his forehead,
and then, pulling aside the red curtains
of the little room, babe the weeping
mother dry her tears. He promised the
son would arise and walk within Seven
days.
There was great joy in the household
Of the Shamshanskys, at 500 Noble
street. The poor mother wiped her
eyes. The brothers were beside them
selves with gratitude. All the neigh
bors rejoiced and waited outside for the
sick lad to appear and bear evidence OF
latter-day miracle. They crowded
close around the carriage and scram-
bled to touch the hem of the garment OF
the man whose healing powers seemed
divine to them.
The boy did not appear. He was sick
er than ever. The pretender was too
busy to pause at the bottom of the rick
ETY. stairs of the wooden tenement. He
rushed into his carriage. His manager
and accomplice and bodyguard follow
ed. They paid no attention to the men
who had hobbled all morning on their
crutches to be on hand.
A child with ibIotched face cried for a
touch of the magic hand. She did not
get il. The agent who had peddled the
photographs joined the trio, and, with
a crack of the whip, the driver urged
the team back to Sherman house.
This was the conclusion of an Incl
dent which was as dreadful as it was
pathetic. 1t was horrible at times. The
people who arranged it were desperate.
They had tried all manner of physi-
clans, exhausted all medicines, and the
boy was still bedridden. They were
srieved into a frenzy. A newspaper
clipping concerning Schrader fell into
their hands. 1t stated that wonderful
cures had been made all over the coun-
try. They were poor collectors of sec
ond-hand bottles There was a. little
fund in an old stocking and this was
devoted TO the last resort.
Schrader was in Nebraska. They
took some of the pennies and sent him
a telegram The manager answered
that his chief did not want to come to
Chicago-he was working south. He
next bohbed up in Springfield. A sec.
ond message was sent. This also
brought a refuSal-collect. The third
Nas a sorrowful appeal TO come at once
at any cost, as they feared the boy
might die. The manager then consent
ed and asked for some one TO meet him
in Springfield as a guide and with
money for a sleeping car berth. A
brother was made the escort
Schrader alighted from a sleeper at
the Union station at 7:30 O'Clock in the
morning. He followed a nervous man
with an ulster and a cap. The second
man had the features of pug dog. n
woman and two children and the body
guard with grips and brought UP the
ar. He was detained minute to pay
the porter.
Schrader was pleased at the comno-
ton he created. His face was a clever
imitation of some sacred picture. His
big blue eyes sparkled, because fifty
men and half as many women looked
in amazement. He smoothed the wrink-
les from the bright red sash which
hung over hrs shoulder and down to the
ground at his side. He wore a black
SLOUGH hat and a. long black coat, which
buttoned close around a celluloid col
lar. 1t was not unsoiled. Morris
Shamshansky announced that a car
rage was waiting. Schrader never
walks. The curious procession moved
to the curb and all the strangers were
loaded into the vehicle. The brother
could not get in because it was full after
he had waited outside TO pay the bill. II
started to the hotel. The brother ran
behind.
On arrival at the hotel, Schrader's
manager, GutZwiller, wrote the names
on the register. He ordered breakfast
served in private rooms at once.
The party took their time and then
came nto the lobby. When a hack had
drawn up to the door the brother told
the driver TO hasten with all speed 10
AleXian Brothers hospital.
There was q face at each window as
soon as the strange man with the red
sash appeared at the gate. Notice had
been given that the healer was TO cure
the paralytic. Schrader's manager rap
ped hastily and the visitors were ad-
mitted. Schrader. in the mild, meek
voice of a child. asked that he be led to
the bedside of the sufferer. The usher
showed him into the waiting room and
called the brother superior. There were
but few words. The brother superior
said he could not allow the healer to
enter the wards. He had no confidence
in his method. Samson, he said, was
stricken.
ShamshanSky-he who paid the bills
could not smother his grief. He walled
and cried. he begged that the man he
had brought from Springfield should be
allowed one prayer with the sick. The
brother superior refused gently but
firmly. and begged the brother 10 go
home and leave the boy under the care
of the physicians. Schrader then rose
up and commanded the brother 10 take
the patient 20 some other house and he
would cure him there.
ShamShansky. dazed and desperate
consented. The brother superior had
70 alternative. He sent attendants 10
the ward and the paralytic was rolled
in gray blankets. he was carried
down the stairs The news had spread
about the institution and the twenty
fathers were gathered al the door 70
witness one of the saddest sights they
had ever seen.
Bonnie Samson was bundled into the