The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-09-01
Il. R. BURNERS RECORD
ELS WIDE EWATH IN RIVERSIDE
SOME TIME AGO
Imposed Upon Credulous Women
Some Of His Interesting Cases
Recited

RIVERSIDE, Aug. 31.-H. Russell
Burner who has been seeking notoriety
and nickels on Catalina Island, cut quite
a swath in Riverside little over a year
ago. He worked several gullible news
papers In this county for free advertising
by pretending that he proposed to- start a
sanitarum at the San Jacinto hot springs,
with branches at Riverside and the sea-
shore. He lectured and doctored here at
intervals, preying probably upon hypo-
chondriacs and pandering In his lectures
to the appetities Of sensation lovers and
psychological cranks. He was frequently
abusive in his references to regular
physicians and often INDUCED in indecent
inslnuations. In fact, his talk was always
salaciously suggestive.
His favorite method, and very success
full one It proved to be, of obtaining money
was to get patient with trifiing malady
generally woman-and frighten her by
telling her she was ON the verge OF the
grave, and that he alone could save her.
His fee would be large, but the woman
would pay 1t, and when cured OF the slight
ailment from which she was suffering
she would go away and sing the praises
Of this greatest human physician and
surgeon"
But once upon a time he undertook 10
treat woman for sore eyes and nearly
destroyed her sight This was Mrs. c. D.
Reiner of 1853 East Fourteenth street. She
published card in the Press of this city
stating the facts and roasting the doctor.
The latter was 80 enraged to think his
Sc month ad. in the Press could not save
him from justifiable attack In its columns
that he lost no opportunity thereafter to
abuse the Press and Its editors in public.
He vowed he would "bust" the Press and
drive Its publishers out Of the community,
and he did start a'daily paper, the late but
not lamented Globe, under the manage
ment and nominal proprietorship Of A. G..
Mum of the San Jacinto Register. The
paper could not get any substantial sup
port in the community. and as soon as
Burner got tired Of paying Its bills 1t sus-
pended publication.
Ever since Burner left Riverside cases
have been coming to light in which he got
500 and upwards out OF some incuraole
on guarantee to cure for a certain sum
down and a big additional fee when the
patient should be restored to health.
Just few weeks ago Mrs. Sarah Olofrs,
Iu1uuie-dBeu woman, QleQ mere OF con-
sumption, and 1t now transpires that she
paid Burner 500 to treat her on an alb
solute guarantee Of cure.
A similar case was that of Mrs Biltz-
berger, wife Of Charles Biltxberger, q cigar
maker, who works for F. Binder Mrs.
Blltzberger was far gone with consump-
ton when Burner made her believe he
could cure her. Biltzberger's family Is
large. and his wife had been sick a long
time, 30 money was very scarce with him.
However. he managed to pay Burners ex-
brilliant fee for a guaranteed cure. His
wife died In a short time after Burner be-
gan treating her. He said she did not have
consumption, but was afflicted with rectal
trouble
A gentleman from PERKS brought his
wife in to see Burner, and when he found
a porous plaster on the woman's back he
brutally tore 1t off, with an angry ex.
clamation. infiicting great pain and mar
rowly escaped thrashlng at the hands
OF the justly irate husband.
DR.. c. 8. Dickson of Winchester wrote
to the Chicago medical college, OF which
Burner claimed to be graduate, and re-
ceived reply to the effect that Burner had
never attended the college at all, but held
a diploma from fake institution of SIM
liar name.