Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-06-05
a NEWELL SEANOE.
An Exhibition of the Healer's
Powers


bids fair to become a modern Monte Cristo.
At the beginning of this year he was a
poor, ignorant blacksmith in the little ham,
let of Jacksonville. He had in the few
months previous gained a reputation in a
few towns as person who healed diseases
by the laying on OF hands but beyond a ra-
dius of twenty miles he was unknown.
Jacksonville is in the town of Nottingham,
and today Newell is the most noted person
age that town ever produced, with one ex-
eption-Brgham Young. He has visited
thirty or more New England cities as a
healer and his fame is such that hundreds
of letters are received by him every day.
Not only is his fame spreading but a golden
stream is running into his Golfers. Since he
went to Brattleboro in January last he has
received S25, 900 from persons he treated.
His income this year will be many thous-
ands of dollars larger than the salary of
President Cleveland.
The man himself has changed, in keep
ing with his improved financial station.
When he first appeared in the new role he
was a striking parsonage in spite of his i'll
fitting clothes and long and i'll kept beard.
Today he appears in a tailor made suit and
his whiskers have been trimmed to a be-
coming length. With figure more than
six feet in height and proportions which
bring his weight up to 256 pounds, full
beard, which, like his hair is Jet black. and
face which is lighted by large, lustrous
black eyes, he is such a strong, handsome
specimen of physical manhood and so in
dividual in character that he would attract
attention anywhere
The story of how whispering voices told
Newell that he could cure his wfe's head
ache, and later that it was his mission to
heal has been told before, but his real pow
er was not revealed for publication until
few even ngs ago, when he gave an exhi-
bition before six well-known business men
of Brattleboro, by whom | was invited TO
be present.
The company first sat around a table,
upon which all placed their hands. In a
short time one of the party was visibly af-
fected by some strange power His arms
trembled violently. Two or three of the
Others said they experienced a pricking
sensation, which was more marked when
all hands were clasped, forming a complete
ci4,le around the table. One other person
,ks5des myself could feel no effect what
ever, even though holding Newelrs hand.
Hands were placed on the table again,
and, in short time that of prominent
banker was cramped and rigid. A pencil
placed in his hand wrote out a short mes
sage and several disconnected words
n One OF the persons was put into trance
,i+ti Newell. The healer fixed his eyes in
'sently upon his subject and moved about
him with sinuous motions, all the time us
ing his forefinger after the style of an or
chestra leader welding baton. He talked
continuously, repeating you've got to
do it! You've got to do it. So sleepy, so
sleepy, so sleepy" The subject soon be-
gan to exhibit symptoms of drowsiness,
then closed his eyes, breathed heavily, and
in few minutes was completely uncon-
scious. Then his appearance changed
completely, and it appeared almost as if
----Other Split had taken possession of the
body. The subject reached out his hand,
patted young man on the head and made
great effort to speak to him, but although
the lips moved the sound was not audible.
So great were the efforts to speak that the
young man who held the hand of the sub
ject feared some harm might result, and
asked Newell TO bring the trance TO an end,
which he did by clapping his hands once
The subject opened his eyes and appear
ed perfectly natural. He said his only
sensation was that of sweet, peaceful sleep
that he had resisted the healer's will as
long as possible, but the drowsiness which
came upon him was irresistible.
Newell sought to place in a trance
another member of the party, but this per-
son was not so susceptible, and he only
succeeded in putting his subject partially
to sleep. Take out your watches, gentle
men," said Newell, land in Just one min
ute from the time l say now this man
will open his eyes" Four watches were
held and in a minute TO a second after the
word had been given the subject opened
his eyes.
Two of the younger men of the party
! were treated, but although Newell repeated
his tactics and even rubbed at the sides of
their eyes, he could not put them into
Q trance.
The man Newell had first treated was
brought forward again. The sleep came
as before, but the manifestation was more
weird than before. The subject not only
took the hands of one young man and dis
played great affection for him, but imper-
sonated his lately deceased father The
impersonation, in movement, expression
and voice, was so perfect that it was recog-
nized by all and they were all affected so
deeply that for the time all the merriment
with which the experiment began vanished.
The subject spoke distinctly, "God bless
you, my son." Questions were answered
and great effort was made to impart some
information by means of signs and half au-
dible words.
In conversation the healer told the ia
miliar story of how the call came to him to
heal, of his success in curing his wife of
headache, of his treatment of many neigh
bors for various ills, often with great sue
cess, especially in cases of nervousness and
rheumatism. Then local newspaper de-
scribed his work. Within two weeks New
ell was heralded as "The Vermont Schlat-
ter" He closed his little blacksmith shop,
and entered entirely on the work of heal
ing. He had treated more than 5000 cases
before he began to receive a regular fee.
Now he has regular business manager, a
gentleman formerly connected with several
colleges.
Newelrs conversation is still in the YER
nacular of the country folk Of the retired
Vermont communities, and he abuses
English to an extent that would amuse any
bright ten-year-old lad from a city school.
He said that last year, before he began
TO heal, he one day heard something say to
his inner consciousness, go to Lake
Pleasant; go to Lake Pleasant" He went
to the lake, which is the leading New
England resort for spiritualists, and had
scarcely entered the grounds when a me-
dunn stepped up to him and said =
'there is big brave walking by your side,
and he has something to say to YOU"
Newell treated it humorously, but it was
repeated. He was accompanied by his
wife and sister, and the latter said:-
"Bradley, don't you remember your talk