Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1909-07-09
DR.. HDWoRps, LETTER

w FAoit Vuc VI Tue mOSt re-
markable men on the island, and have
been quite impressed. For several
days | have heard wonderful stories
about "a native doctor, who cured all
sorts Of maladies simply.by saying
that they were non-exinstant. This
sort Of Christian Science among saw
ages is not new to me, for l have seen
much OF the same sort of thing among
Indians and other savage races. But
IN all my previous experience l have
found a great deal of charlatanism
done for effect. On our way to Pa
para we passed grove Of eoeoanut
trees surrounded by a stone wall, and
in the midst of the grove was a little
bamboo and coeoanut leaf hut. Alex
ander pointed it out to me with great
reverence, and told me it was the
home Of a wonderful native doctor
who performed marvellous cures.
1 thought visit to the doctor
would be interesting and asked if
he would receive visitors. The reply
was that he declined to receive white
people, but when | suggested that he
might receive me, as too, am a ply
stefan, 1 was accorded the honor of
being received. Instead of tricky ma
tive living off the credulity Of the
people, that l expected to seey 1 was
surprised to see a man with all the
appearance Of benevolent student.
He had a most kind face, and while
his surroundings were of the poorest,
/ learned that he never charged for
his work. All he asked was sufficient
food to keep him in existence.
Our conversation was carried on
through the medium of Alexander's
Interpretation, consequently was not
entirely satisfactory. The doctor
would not talk of his healing power
except to say that it was a gift that
had been transmitted down from gen.
GRAFTON to generation in his family
He said he did not know how he got
his power; all he knew was that when
a person started from home to visit
him he felt it Immediately and knew
what was the matter. He put his
mind on the person and by the time
he arrived the disease was well.
There was no air of bragadocio in
his manner as he told this, and I was
fortunate enough to see an example
of his power. While we were talking
a man came to the hut. The doctor
stood up and without the visitor say.
ing a word, he was told to 90 back
home, and when on his way to pick UP
two round rocks he would find on the
road, and carry them to his home and
put them in his bed. In the morning
he would be well.
I asked Alexander to find out fol
me the result of this sort of medica
ton, and he reported to me this morn
ing that the man was well. l am moi
prepared to say what think of thi;
doctor, just yet, but have learned thai
he is the brother of a very wealthy
man, an attorney living in Papeete
and this wealthy brother is mucl
chagrined to think that the docto
lives as he does. He has offered t
build him a fine house and give hir
good clothing, but the doctor refuse
all and prefers his hut and his pal
rOu, saying that he has a mission t
perform.
I find that there are several O
these native doctors on the island
but this one is acknowledged to be tn
greatest of all. One of the peculiar
titles is that they use certain leave
for specific maladies, and they hav
really performed cures that were in
possible for the French physicians
town. The beach is infested with
certain fish that has erectile spine
and frequently bathers are in DANCE
of stepping on the spines. Whe
they do so they are Immediately pa
alyzed. and if they do not ha7
speedy relief, the paralysis ends i
death. The French physicians hay
not found a remedy for this poison
but these native doctors apply certai
leaves to the affected feet, and alnos
instantly the patient RECEIVERS. Thi
was attested to me by the physical
in charge of the big hospital at PEI
eete.
The whites call these doctor
"witch doctors" but there are no il
carnations. The doctor whom | VII
tied told me that he received his pow
ers from the spirits. In other wore
he claimed to be a mediumistic heale
This is especially appealing to tt
natives, for they are great believer
+. in spirits, and in my next letter
shall tell of what | found out abOl
spiritualism on the island.
CLARENCE E. EDWORDS.