When I read our old minutes from the United Workers for the Blind, I marvel at how much more detail they include than minutes of today. However, I still feel that each set of our old minutes hides.
Below are the December 8, 1937 minutes referencing George B. Fisher’s case. Actually, the whole set of minutes are fascinating as to the many topics included in the meeting that are an article in-and-of themselves. Please read the entire minutes.
Earlier minutes gave a few clues to Mr. Fisher’s identity. I found it interesting that in none of the minutes was Mr. Fisher listed as a member. He was a businessman and professor. The depression hi many hard and in his case he requested blind benefits more than once in the 30’s. I wondered why did not recruit him. First, here are the minutes from 1937. (Note, no changes have been made in the spelling or punctuation from the original documents.)
[Handwritten Minutes of the United Workers for the Blind]
The regular monthly board of directors meeting was held Wed. Dec 8- 1937, at 312 – 17th St. Meeting called to order at 3 P.M. with Pres. Wilcox presiding. The first order of business was the roll call. The following board members were present, namely Pres. Wilcox, Chas. E. Hine, Daniel L. Rattek, Dr. Chas. F. Shollenberger, Lewis D. Stockton and R. W. Rathborne. Cloud H. Bryan was absent being called out of town to the sick bed of his mother. Pres. Wilcox excused Mr. Bryan for his absence. The next order of business was the reading of the minutes for Nov. 10- 37, there being no alterations or corrections, it was regular moved by Mr. Rathborne and seconded by Daniel Rattek, that the minutes be approved as read, motion carried. The next order of business was the reading of the financial report by Sec. Young, which showed a balance on hand Dec. 1- 1937 of $219.53. There being no alternations or corrections, it was regular moved by Dr. Shollenberger, that the report be accepted as read, motion carried. Next order of business was under head of Communications, first one to be read by the Sec. was from the state Commission for the Blind, 353 Capital Bldg., Denver, under date of Nov. 23- 37, over the signature of Kathryn C. Barkhausen, executive Sec., the communication having been received in this office Nov. 27- 37. The communication stated that the Adult Blind Home, and State Commission for the Blind, had joined in there efforts to conduct a sale, of articles made by the Blind of Colorado the week of Nov. 29- 37 at 1621 Stout St. The communication ask us our support in this matter. After discussion the contents pro and con, it was regularly moved by Mr. Stockton and seconded by Dr. Shollenberger, that the communication be placed on file without comment, motion carried. The next communication to be read, was from George B. Fisher, manufactor of Fisher Food remedies, was over the signature of Geo. B. Fisher, Box 20 – Highland Station Denver, Colo., under date of Nov. 27- 1937, received in this office Nov. 29- 37. The contents was in form of thanking you, Pres. Wilcox, for sending Mr. Walter Burns to him. He stated that he went into action right away and was glad to report that Judge White had promised to reopen his case and give it his most careful attention. Pres. Wilcox stated that he had placed Mr. Fisher’s case before the Blind Commission several years ago, but had been turned down at that time. The Pres. Stated he was glad the case was to be reopened. Dr. Fisher stated he would keep us informed from time to time of the progress made. No action was taken on said communication. Said communication was ordered placed on file. A letter was then read by Sec. Young, written by Pres. Wilcox, in answer to letter written by Mrs. Henry M. Bindt, of 2545 Hillcrest Ave, Berkley Calif. The Pres. giving a brief outline of United Workers For the Blind of Colo., which he organized 25 years ago. A copy of the letter was ordered placed on file. The next order of business was under the head of verbal reports, Mr. Rathborne reported, that Mary Bushinger 314 – Commonwealth Bldg. was a teacher of Braille. Mr. Rathborne also reported, that Mr. Bittman has called at the Colo. General hospital and received glasses. The Pres. then called on Mr. Stockton, to report on what he had found out on vending stands in Government Bldgs. Mr. Stockton reported, that it required $500.00 dollars, to equip a stand in the Custom House, the stand to be the property of the Government, the government paying the party, putting up the $500.00. 3 ½ % on all money taken in, the equipment becoming Government property, persons conducting said stands must be blind. The stands could be turned over from one person to another the Government paying 3 ½ %. The matter was discussed by the board to be reported on at a later date. There being no further business, the Pres. announced that the arrangement for the Xmas entertainment and Xmas party to be held Sat. Dec. 18- 1937 at 8 P. M. was well in hand, and a real entertainment and party was insured. The Pres. announced that the next business session to be held immediately after the entertainment. Sec. Young announced he secured several prizes to be given at the party. The Pres. then announced the next board meeting to be held Jan. 1- 1938 – the time to be determined by the board. It was regularly moved by Dr. Shollenberger and seconded by Mr. Stockton, that the meeting be held at 10.30 A.M . Sat. morning Jan. 1- 1938 at 312 – 17th St. The Pres. announced the Jan. entertainment to be held Sat. Jan. 9- 38 at 8 P. M. in the Wight Bldg. after a short discussion by the board members, meeting adjourned at 4.16 P. M.
Respectfully submitted by
Chas. B. Young (Sect)
Now the back story. It seems that George Fisher was not a solid citizen. Here is part of an article from a medical journal from 1936.
Fisheropathic College Association.-This was a name applied to a mailorder quack concern having for its president and treasurer George B. Fisher, for its vice-president Richard B. Fisher, son of George B., and for its secretary Anna L. Fisher, sister of George B. In 1911 Denver newspapers reported that George B. Fisher had been found guilty in the federal courts of sending obscene matter through the mails to the "wives of two prominent Denver business men." It was reported at the time that the judge before whom Fisher was tried gave the quack a scathing arraignment, stating that "a man who was guilty of the practices of which Fisher had been convicted was of the lowest species of humanity and not fit to mingle with decent and respectable people." Papiers at the same time reported that prior to this conviction Fisher had been charged with defrauding an aged and infirm woman out of $15,000 in notes and securities. A suit against him in the District Court, according to the same report, resulted in these notes and securities being restored to the woman. In 1923 the Department of Agriculture declared Fisher's nostrums ("Uterine Tonic" and "Kidney Food") misbranded under the National Food and Drugs Act. The federal authorities declared the Uterine Tonic misbranded because it was fraudulently represented as an effective cure for "lack of passion.'' absence of menstrual flow, cancer of the uterus, gonorrhea and various other conditions. George B. Fisher claimed to be the "only diagnostician in the world making a chemical and psychological diagnosis." A young woman, unmarried but pregnant, got in touch with Fisher 88 MAIL-ORDER CONCERNS some years ago and Fisher diagnosed her case as one of uinfantile womb, malnutrition, catarrh of stomach, and retroversion." He said that the ubloating" was due to the conditions mentioned and added that the case usuggests a dropsical inclination." He urged her to "lose no time in ordering the $10 Fisheropathic Home Special." The Fisher group put out a number of preparations. "Pugilitis Pendicitis" was mainly epsom salt with a small amount of baking soda, some citric acid and table salt dissolved in fruit juices flavored with extract of peppermint. The experts for the government testified that this laxative, if given in some cases of acute attacks of appendicitis, would be about as dangerous as could be· conceived. "Digestive Gems" were composed of senna, red pepper, table salt, powdered charcoal, glycerin and oil of peppermint. "Columbine Massage Cream," it was claimed, would develop the bust, remove wrinkles and freckles, cure eczema, ringworm, prickly heat and shingles, while if taken internally it would cure pneumonia, influenza, whooping cough and asthma I The federal chemists found that the stuff was made of mineral oil, white wax and paraffin. Fisher's "Sanitary Suppositories" were said to require neither douche nor enema and could be used by men, women and children. They were recommended for rectal or vaginal cancer, blood poisoning, fistulas, inflammation of the colon, prostate and bladder and for various other conditions. The composition of this therapeutic wonder was found by the federal chemists to be our old friend epsom salt put up in gelatin capsules. The "Dyscrasia Remedy" was said to contain echinacea. The "Gastric Assimilator'' was an alcohol-water solution of sugar, fruit juices, citric acid and oil of peppermint. Fisher's "Uterine Tonic Knowledge," advertised as a "scientific oxygenator and tissue builder," was composed of ammonium iodide, a carbonate, glycerin, formaldehyde and spirits of cloves. This was offered as a "perfect deodorant in blood poisoning" and for uterine cancer. On September 26, 1933, the mails were closed to this fraud.-(Condensed from The Journal A. M.A., Oct. 28, 1933.)
Well, I guess that might be why. We are truly a cross-section of society.
Peggy Chong
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