Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-06
'BONESETTER" REESE RETIRES
AS MERCY miracle" WORKER
Wizard Whose Deft Hands
Healed Thousands Quits
Practice at 76.
Stars of Washington Team
Had Kinks Strengthened
by Famous Healer.

DR.. John D. "Bonesetter" Reese, whose
skiiful fingers have ministered to the
aches and pains of the Washington ball
, team, local college athletes and the az
fllicted throughout the country, has re-
| tired.
Seventy-six years old, he has with
drawn to the seclusion OF his nome IN
Youngstown, Ohio, leaving his healing
! work to younger hands.
The man who labored in the steel
mills until 1894. when he realized he
had a peculiar gift for relieving the SUI
fering of others, has weakened rapidly
curing the past few months following
protracted illness.
Ignored Own Health.
Having ignored his own health While
treating others, DR.. Reese today leaves
his home only for daily drive or 1of
visit with a friend. AS he goes into
retirement. however he takes with him
the homage of his former patients-now
his friends and admirers. These IN
clude such men as Nick Altrock, Al
Schacht. Ty Cobb, Johnny Kilbane.
Battling" Nelson, Fred Stone, Gene
Tunney and LLOYD George.
correspondent in youngstown
writes to The Star that "BoneSetter'
Reese was reported to be millionaire
and In his retirement lives as simply
as when he came to Youngstown IN
1887 to work as steel roller. on MS
arrival there he was endowed with me
gift of bonSetting which later made
him nationally famous. although ms
healing genius remained undiscovered
for several years.
The gift" of bonsetting DR.. Reese
recalls, he has possessed ever since ne
was a boy in his native Wales. He
roamed the hills of Wales with an old
"bonesetter" and naturalist at the age
of IL. When the bonsetter to whom
he had attached himself was summoned
by farmers or villagers tc set leg.
straighten a collar bone, or mend a
limping foot. the young student avidly
observed every manipulation of the
healer. Like an inferno at a clinic
young Reese looked on while his older
companion operated" at times assist
ing. at times asking questions, some
times substituting for his teacher, and
always learning.
Accident Starts Career.
In 1889 while working in the mill
the "Bonesetter' launched his career
quite by accident. A fellow employe
suffered a leg fracture. 1t was a COM
pound fracture and the worker was in
great pain. Working nearby. Reese
heard the groans To relieve his fell
low workers pain. Reese set the leg,
left the worker thanking him. and re-
turned to his work. The first patient
spread the story CT the mill mans
bonesetting. Soon other workers in the
mill came to him with fractures. limps.
strains, torn ligaments, pains and
aches To all Reese ministered with
skill that amazed his patients and
fellow workers.
When Reese came home from work
he found crowds waiting for him. I'm
til late at night he worked. dismisSing
patients cow need they had forever
parted with their pains, disorders and
deformities.
Practice Legalized.
In 1891 members of the medical pro-
fession in Youngstown. doubtful of the
bonesetter's cures. sought to prohibit
him from practicing. A counter protest
from patients. friends and cured Grip
Piles caused the Ohio State Legislature
to pass bill comforting upon DIR"
Reese the right and authority to prac-
tice the profession Of bonesetting" and