Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-09-24

A Much Talksd-of Man Was il
Wheeling Yesterday.
The Alleged Miracle Worker Spent
the Day in the City Intended to
Remain Two Weeks But Left for
New York to Join His Wife.
Talks Of His Power to Cure by
Laying on Of the Hand.

The figure Of tall man in strikingly
unconventional attire attracted general
attention on the streets yesterday
morning. He is several inches above
the average stature, with a rather
rough countenance and kindly pair
of gray eyes. The lower part OF his
face is concealed by short beard, not
trimmed after any approved fashion,
and his long brown hair, parted in the
middle, flows in waving locks to his
shoulders. He wore black gown re-
sembling the cassock of Catholic
priest, and red sash reaching from
his shoulders to his waist, where it
was caught by pin. His head was
covered by a soft Alpine hat. The
attention which he attracted did not
disconcert him. He appeared to be &C
customed to it.
This man was August Schrader, the
co-called divine healer" who has
been much written about in the news
papers of the country, and who claims
to possess the Divine gift of healing
by laying on of the hands.
Schrader came to Wheeling from
Columbus, rented rooms at No. 1925
Main street, and announced that he
would remain ten days or two weeks,
curing all who chose to call upon him.
But it happened that during the even
ing he received telegram from his
wife calling him to New York, and
he departed for that city at 1925
O'Clock this morning, after promising
to return to Wheeling within a short
time. In the month Of May Schrader
rode into Sioux City, Iowa, and the
first person he met was Miss Daisy
Roberts. Daisy was New Zealander
by birth, well educated, and was in
the real estate business. She was ILL,
and Schrader cured her by placing his
hands upon her. The magnetism of
his touch also affected her heart, and
a correspondence was opened up, which
ended in an agreement to meet half
way between New York and Sioux
City three weeks ago. A town in In
diana was selected, and here the nup-
tial knot was securely tied. Since
then Daisy has been conducting
"Schrader's Divine Healer" a month
ly published in New York.
'My power to heal is gift Of God"
said Schrader to a Register reporter
who called upon him in his room last
night. Il first discovered it when l
was thirteen years of age, just eighteen
years ago. A lady sixty years of age
was doubled up with rheumatism and
almost dead. She sent for me and
asked me to place my hands upon her
| did as she directed and in three days
she was well. She gave me all the
credit, and the news spread, in spite
of my efforts to keep it quiet, until
people for miles around f1ocked to me
to be cured of their Ills. l then de-
cided that I was called of God to do
this work"
Schrader had an uphill fight to get
start in the healing business Pa
rental opposition was firm and even
severe. He was a son of a Wisconsin
lumberman and never attended school
for single day in his life. When he
spoke of leaving home his father whip
ped him with switch, but he left be-
tween that day and the next After
four years he returned, and when his
paternal ancestor had finished jerking
him about by his long hair and beat
Ing tattoo upon the seat of his trous-
ers with his heavy boots, he went to
his room for repairs. He left again
between dusk and daylight, and did
not visit his home until last year His
fame had preceded him, and he was
received with open arms and many
apologies
Schrader seems to take a pride in
his resemblance to some of the famous
pictures of Christ. He evidently de-
sires to pattern his life after that of
the Gallilean, and he appears to be
earnest and sincere and to possess an
honest conviction that he has the pow
er which he claims. In 1894 he STAR
tied the people of a section of the
west by announcing his determination
to walk across the American desert.
Friends attempted to dissuade him
from his purpose, but he claims to
have accomplished the self-imposed
task. In telling about it last night,
he said he was eight weeks in the
desert! without bite of food and only
salt water to drink, and that he came
out with hardly vestige of clothing
remaining. He walked bare-headed
and wore sandals upon his feet.
In 1895. Schrader claims to have
tasted forty days and nights in the
Rocky Mountains, and at the end of
that period he bought white mule,
and rode south through several West
ern States, into Mexico, healing as he
went. He announced his purpose to
fast again at some time within the
next few months. Fasting gives him
spiritual strength, he claims.
Schrader explained his method Of
healing, and in a short time gave
demonstration. A we'll dressed gen.
t'eman knocked at his door and was
admitted. He was the fifth who had
called during the day.
DO you want to receive the bless
ing?" said Schroeder.
Yes was the reply.
Schrader passed his hands over the
mans head and breast, then asked him
for his handkerchief. He produced q
rtfh no. CO. ~ Il.