275 
 FQSAZ
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 

 
 AN ODD 
 SOLDIERY 
 
 JIrthur.F 
 Fu uejo
 
 I
 
 ' 
 
 
 1914 
 NINTH EDITION 
 
 An Odd Soldiery 
 
 The Tale of a Sojourner 
 
 Being the Autobiography of 
 
 ARTHUR FRANKLIN FULLE.R 
 
 A Soldier of MIS-fortune and 
 Author of 
 
 Fifty Thousand Miles Back-Ridden 
 
 (His Experience in Different Cities) 
 
 An Odd Romance 
 
 (Love Stories from Life) 5 ' 
 
 A Book of Poems 
 
 (Noble Sentiments in Dainty Garb) 
 
 The Golden Chalice and Other Poems 
 
 (Poems for the Warm-Hearted and Refine- 1 
 
 5even Essays 
 
 (Pilate's Big Question— Mercy— Marriage and Divorce — 
 The Written Message— Gossip— Music— Friendship) 
 
 The Magnet 
 
 A Monthly Pamplet of Personal Experience 
 
 ANCHOR PUBLISHING COMPANY 
 
 1501 Louisiana Avenue 
 
 Fort Worth, Tex.is 
 
 , 
 
 4 
 
 .
 
 Copyright 1914 
 by Arthur F. Fuller
 
 I Q (4- 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 Chapter 
 
 I Making a Start — The Pursuit of Happiness in Time 
 of Peace. 
 
 II Mishaps. 
 
 III Winning Credits — Assembling the Accoutrements of 
 
 War. 
 
 IV A Narrow Escape — A Change of Scene. 
 V War Declared. 
 
 VI A Few Skirmishes — The Seamy Side of Soldiery. 
 
 VII Arrival of Long Looked for Reinforcements — Crushed 
 by Unsuspected Enemy. 
 
 VIII A Renegade's Ruse — A Spy's Damaging Work — Prom- 
 ised Ammunition Intercepted by the Enemy — Heroic 
 Sacrifices of Faithful Allies — An Able General to 
 the Fore — Hope of Victory — A Better Position 
 Gained. 
 
 IX Holding the Fort. 
 
 X A Running Fight 
 
 XI The Enemy's Ambuscade. 
 
 XII Repelling Repeated Charges. 
 
 XIII More Entrenchments. 
 
 XIV Shrapnel into the Enemy's Camp. 
 
 XV The Enemy's Woolwich Gun Silenced. 
 
 XVI One More of the Enemy's Batteries Silenced. 
 
 XVII The Crucial Conflict. 
 
 XVIII Bushwhacking Sharp Shooters. 
 
 XIX Overtures for Peace. 
 
 XX Conclusion. 
 
 1232384
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 Frontispiece Page 5 
 
 "The Little Singer" 9 
 
 St. James Choir, Chicago 14 
 
 The Author's Parents ... ... 18 
 
 A Short Time Before the Disasterous Fall ... 21 
 
 After a Year's Struggle to Overcome Damage Done by Fall 27 
 
 Arthur Franklin Fuller 33 
 
 Cathedral Cloister 36 
 
 Three Cathedral Buildings 45 
 
 Bishop Grafton 48 
 
 William Smedley 54 
 
 High Altar at St. Paul's 63 
 
 How Author Looked in Vestments .... 78 
 
 Author Being Carried from Wagon to Bed by Passerby 86 
 
 Practicing Economy 93 
 
 Dining At a Restaurant 99 
 
 How the Author Plays the Piano 102 
 
 Picture of Author for Those Who Like to Think of 
 Him as Musician, Composer, Author and 
 
 Poet Rather Than As a Cripple .... 113 
 
 Sleep-Time 143
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 
 Author — Composer
 
 J/***.. &"-<i.^?*/?/p: 
 
 ZZ&wji'ejU ' C"*^/* 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Making A Start— The Pursuit of Happiness in Time of 
 
 Peace. 
 
 EVERY mother thinks her new baby is a Little the 
 dearest, sweetest thing on earth, and 1 suppose 
 my deaf mother was no exception to the rule, 
 when on a June morning a son was born to her. I have 
 no doubt although it seems quite preposterous now, that 
 I was gifted with the usual infantile charms and cute- 
 ness; but at any rate, like other infants it came to pass 
 
 that I grew up. 
 
 Both my parents were possessed of a greal Love tor 
 music and a musical temperament generally; and both 
 had sung more or less all their lives, so it was not sur- 
 prising to find that I shoAved a talent for music. 
 
 When I was seven or eight years old, I was admit- 
 ted into the junior choir of St. James Church, < liieago, 
 where I served but a short time until 1 was promoted 
 into the senior choir. Mr. William Smedley. beloved of 
 all who have ever known him. was then the choirmaster. 
 The enviable position of Soprano Soloist was held 
 by Claud Anderson, a boy possessed of a beautiful char- 
 acter as well as a beautiful voice. He was an orphan 
 boy. and had been brought from England by Mr. Smed- 
 ley. 
 
 People who are thoroughly posted on the history of 
 the choirs of this country will vouch for the statement 
 that the work of St. .James choir has never been excelled, 
 and possibly never equalled. In fact, the list of oratorios, 
 sacred cantatas, anthems, etc., which it has rendered is 
 equalled by few if any choirs or musical societies in the 
 world. And without doubt William Smedley was one of 
 the ablest, most successful and best known choirmasters 
 or organizers of his time. So my experience at St. James 
 Church was in every way a benefit and a joy which shall, 
 no doubt, last through eternity. "A man who has no 
 music in his soul is tit for treason's strategy and crime." 
 And a man whose soul rings with the praise and adora- 
 tion of the Deity incidental to a long association with. 
 and by whole-hearted service in such work, cannot fail to 
 be uplifted and comforted by it.
 
 6 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 As a boy I had an unusual voice, which was de- 
 scribed as being " of a mellow, flute-like quality, ' ' and yet 
 with great power and sympathy. To the accompaniment 
 of Professor P. C. Lutkin, who was then organist of St. 
 James, I vocalized for Mr. Smedley and the choir room 
 full of members, to an octave above high C; that is to say. 
 the C above the second added line above the treble clef. 
 Under Mr. Smedley 's direction in oratorios rendered in 
 the church service, I sang E above high C; I could also 
 sing comfortably E below middle C: that is to say, below 
 the third added line under the treble clef. 
 
 In course of time I came to be the soprano soloist of 
 St. James Church, and was honored by such loving praise 
 as that great soul,Williani Smedley, knew so well how to 
 bestow. 
 
 I can reflect and feel a thrill of gladness that, in spite 
 of my physical handicaps, I have at least been able to 
 demonstrate that I was made of the right stuff and had 
 the cpiality of faithfulness, as was evidenced by Mr. 
 Smedley 's calling me "Old Faithful,'"' repeatedly. I 
 won numerous prizes in the contests, some of the contest- 
 ants have since risen to prominent musical positions, and 
 I had such a reputation that it was said I could read 
 music up-side-down just as well as any other way, and 
 tli is was pretty nearly true. 
 
 St. James choir was annually favored with two 
 weeks' "camping out." I think it was the first time it 
 was my privilege to go along (having served the neces- 
 sary year), that the choir camped at Lake Harbor, Mich. 
 There was a short, but quite deep, swift-currented river 
 connecting a small lake with Lake Michigan. A road 
 ran alongside of the river and was protected against high 
 water by a series of logs which were piled high, along 
 the river hank. They were very slimy and overgrown 
 with moss. There were trees on the far side of the road 
 which offered shade and quiet, so that here was an ideal 
 place to fish. 
 
 It happened that two young men, named Walter 
 Putnam and George Ingalls, were fishing one beautiful 
 summer day at this place. I was anxious to learn to 
 fish, so with their consent I "tagged" them, and made 
 my maiden effort as an angler. Due to my inexperience, 
 the tide carried my baited hook against a snag, where 
 the hook caught. In course of a few minutes a stiff
 
 "THE. LITTLE. 5INGLR'
 
 10 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 breeze sprung up and a strong gust lifted the waters into 
 snappy wavelets. The snag jerked. I thought it was a 
 big bass — but when I attempted to bring my catch into 
 position for capture, I found the prize a little bigger than 
 I could handle. Endeavoring to disengage the hook I 
 stepped on the top-most log, and reached out as far as 
 possible over the river. As mentioned above, the logs 
 were slimy and covered with moss. So the first anyone 
 knew, there was a splash — and a small boy was gurgling 
 amidst the swirling waters where the river was about 
 forty feet deep. 
 
 Walter Putnam was the nearest man but he was quite 
 a way off. Climbing down the slippery logs was no easy 
 task. Unfortunately he could not swim — but he had a 
 strong arm and loyal heart, so made a heroic effort to 
 rescue me. However I was on the third trip down when 
 he secured a foot-hold near enough to reach me. There 
 was a bend in the river at this point, and his calculations 
 as to how far I would float down stream w T ere, providen- 
 tially, correct. Doubtless my head had risen for the last 
 time and I was under water an arm's length when he 
 grahhed desperately, finding a hold in my hair, which 
 fortunately was at that time excessively long. He drew 
 my head above water with his one hand while he clung 
 to the logs with the other. George Ingalls had set up a 
 shout when I first fell in, and now he and the rapidly 
 arriving fellow-campers formed a human chain by clasp- 
 ing hands, and George was reaching down to Walter and 
 me. But Walter's hold was insecure and time after time 
 either his hand or foot-hold failed. Finally he lost both 
 holds almost entirely, but at the same moment George's 
 extended hand came into reach. Putnam found grip 
 again, steadied himself, and then passed me up to the 
 anxious ones above, while the boats came into service 
 from up-sl ream. 
 
 How in the world I still lived, having imbibed so 
 much water, is a mystery to me. Bui in spite of the fre- 
 quent belching up of water, 1 was able to stagger back 
 to eamp. I looked like the proverbial "drowned rat." 
 Water dripped from me, fairly in bucketfuls. 1 was so 
 weak and dizzy that my gait was as uncertain as that of 
 a drunken man. Several times I nearly fell in again. 
 
 The news had preceeded us to camp, and the entire 
 company was lined up to see the subject of the threat- 
 ened disaster. Some were sympathetic, while others
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER H 
 
 leased. Men of family admonished thai in future I be 
 less venturesome. Hoys who were my senior only a few 
 years, al once developed such paternal interesl in my 
 safety that 1 was almost miserable for several days after 
 
 this episode. Bui after a while it was forgotten and the 
 
 time for returning to the city came all too soon. 
 
 On the return trip across Lake Michigan, we en- 
 countered quite a wind storm, which resulted in a rough 
 sea. I will not claim that it was wholly Charity thai 
 
 caused me to think that the fishes needed what I had 
 recently eaten more than I did. Perhaps it was not self- 
 ishness' <>n their pari which caused the search for more. 
 I felt as if I had given up everything 'twixl mouth and 
 toe nails. As I wandered around the boat in search of 
 peace, I clambered out on the top most deck where there 
 was no railing. I sat down suddenly on deck — not alto- 
 gether from choice. I looked at the taunting waves, and 
 groaned with the roll of the ship. After a time I decided 
 to go below, but as I started, the ship careened more vio- 
 lently and got me started toward the edge of the deck 
 until I could not stop. A young man, named Arthur 
 Caldwell, was silting near by. He leaped to his feet and 
 grabbed me by the arm and swung me flat on my face, far 
 back on the deck. I saw bright stars of hop. — and I 
 fancy there were few who were more glad than 1 to set 
 foot on terra firma again. 
 
 At this time my parents lived at 643 Austin Avenue. 
 Chicago. Not far from this place was a short street called 
 Hart Street. On the corner was a grocery store kept by 
 William Devitt. My three sisters and I often went down 
 to a place opposite his store where some building was 
 being done. The piles of lumber, brick and sand a Horded 
 great sport for small fry. 
 
 One day when we had played in the sand until we 
 were tired, the girls joined some companions in the game 
 of "jacks." I sat on the curbing patting a small dog 
 which belonged to a playmate. Devitts had a large, tierce 
 dog. It came over to get acquainted with the yellow 
 specimen 1 was fondling. 1 could not believe that any 
 creature toward which I felt so kindly, could possibly be 
 so treacherous as to do me harm, so 1 petted him a little. 
 
 Perhaps the dog's dinner had not agreed with him, 
 but at any rate he did not seem to appreciate my atten- 
 tions. I was so confident of the gospel of love that 1 
 paid no heed to his warning growls, lint suddenly he
 
 12 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 jumped upon me savagely. The screams of the other 
 children brought the workmen out of the building. How- 
 ever, before the rescuers had reached me and beaten the 
 dog off, I had received such a "chawing" as would give 
 me something to remember for years to come. 
 
 I was carried tenderly to the nearest drug store 
 where the bites were duly cauterized. The whole neigh- 
 borhood appeared to be much concerned lest I develop 
 hydrophobia. The police were notified and after the 
 young Davit! boy. who ran down back streets with the 
 dog, had been chased an hour or two, they were caughl 
 and the dog shot. This was supposed to stop any ten- 
 dency to hydrophobia. 
 
 The following spring I caught cold and was Peeling 
 so badly that I was permitted to stay out of school one 
 day. After staying around the house all day, about three 
 o'clock in the afternoon I asked permission to go down 
 to the corner and watch a crew of men who were moving 
 an enormous house down the middle of the street. The 
 permission was granted, and I went down and was very 
 interestedly watching the process of house moving, when 
 something happened. I, however, did not know much 
 about it, but woke up in a drug store with a doctor exam- 
 ining my anatomy and saying, "There are no bones 
 broken and he will be all right. A little more water, 
 nurse, and another cold cloth." 
 
 The following day as I lay on the bed in the front 
 bedroom a big man came to the door and asked to see me 
 and my folks. He explained that he and a heavy com- 
 panion w r ere out exercising a race horse which had just 
 been shipped in from the country. They did not know 
 about the house moving, and the horse was a little dis- 
 turbed by the sight, and as he frisked a bit,, one wheel of 
 the light rig struck a large stone, and the thing was so 
 top-heavy that both of them were thrown out, The horse, 
 then thoroughly frightened, lit out. The house blocked 
 the street, so the sidewalk was the only way the horse 
 could go. There was a wooden fence some fifty feet long, 
 and the gig caught in it and the horse pulled sonic thirty 
 feet of it down. This fortunately, became detached be- 
 fore it reached me. It is not known what knocked me 
 over, but it is known that that kind horse managed to 
 step clear of mv head, his shoe, however, grazing my 
 skull.
 
 A11THUR F. FULLER ' ; 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 Mishaps 
 
 THE i i.-x t year, I believe, St. James Choir encamped 
 at Lake Beulah, Wisconsin. It is a beautiful Lake, 
 divided in two or more important parts, and run- 
 ning into quite a river, and like all o1 her such lakes, there 
 were many points of land that came out to such a dis- 
 tance as made swamps a natural consequence. Hunting 
 pun, I lilies and turtle eggs, frogs and cat-tails, were quite 
 fascinating pastimes. One clay I took a hoy smaller than 
 myself in one of the flat bottomed boats provided for 
 choir use. and we rowed into one of these swampy places. 
 A few nights hence the choir was to have its select 
 and unique wigwam beach dance. Kadi of the ten tents 
 had to furnish a bundle of cat lads. Our excursion at 
 this time was to procure a supply for our lent. These 
 were soaked in kerosene oil and ignited at the proper 
 time. A moonless night was chosen, greal piles of drift 
 wood accumulated and arranged ou the beach, just out 
 
 of reach of the water. The wood was made to form a 
 wigwam. It was made to reach a height <d' twenty feet. 
 The boys and young men, arrayed only in their bathing 
 suits, formed in single file and paraded around on •"all 
 fours."' like Indians who were about to tire a lodging. 
 
 The utmost silence was maintained until the Leader 
 started a series of rythmical grunts. All the ' 'bra\ • 
 imitated the doings of the "chief." After a series of 
 manouvers on the beach, around the piers, and the street 
 formed by the tents, clumps of phosphorescent wood 
 were strewn around the wigwam. After some more 
 funny business, the wigwam was tired and each "brave" 
 lie-hied his torch, coming up in single file to the very 
 
 place where the leader had Lighted his. When the wig- 
 wam was well ablaze the beach dam-,' broke all bounds, 
 and the whoops and Squeals that tilled the air would 
 
 have seared any well regulated tribe of savages into tits 
 of terror. 
 
 So then, it was wvy important that we have Large 
 cat-tails. On the trip referred to we had had very fair 
 success but 1 saw a cluster of unusual size that I wanted 
 
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 ARTHUR F. FULLER 15 
 
 The camp boats were provided with sets of slats 
 which prevented the wetting of the occupants' feet. \'>y 
 taking these shits out and throwing them on the reeds 
 and thick sea-weeds, then stepping on them, I could 
 reach cat-tails which could not be touched from the boat. 
 In order to reach the largest cat-tails, I was compelled 
 to put out both the front and rear sections of these slats. 
 When the prizes were secured and thrown into the boat 
 and I attempted to return something happened. Hither 
 the reeds gave way or the sea-weed began to turn over. 
 the boat began to drift, the ends of the sections of slats 
 which were resting on the boat began to push it away 
 or perhaps a little of all these, lint at any rate things 
 began to sink, and 1 with them. 
 
 The water was so thick and the sea-weed and frog- 
 muddle so abundant, that if ever a person's head got 
 under, that would settle his case. Xo power on earth 
 could get him out alive. My left side was nearest the 
 boat. I had an old knife in my hand with which I had 
 been cutting the cat-tails. Its value was not more than 
 two cents. I made a wild grab for the boat as 1 went 
 down, and fortunately caught it with the middle and 
 fore-finger of my Left hand. The grip was not the most 
 choice, but I hung on with desperation and thus kepi 
 my head from going under. The boy in the boat was 
 too scared and too small to be of any service to me. 
 When I could dig some of the •"ooze" out of my eyes and 
 get a decent breath, 1 found I had hung on to that old 
 wreck of a knife. I had fallen in such a position as ren- 
 dered motion impossible and could not even relieve my 
 left arm by taking hold with the other hand. But fortu- 
 nately some young men came rowing along at the criti- 
 cal moment and they lost no time in digging me out of 
 the sea-weed. 
 
 Another year at this same Lake Beulah I had a third 
 experience with the water. St. dames Church had under 
 its wing a mission church called St. Johns, at 26 ami 28 
 Clyborn Avenue. As a special treat and stimulus to in- 
 terest. Dr. Stone, Rector, gave permission to the choir of 
 that mission church to go camping with St. dames. Rev. 
 Irving Spencer was in charge of the mission and went 
 along to keep the boys straight. He was an expert 
 swimmer and taught many boys how to swim. He had so 
 many demands upon him. however, that he was not able 
 to give much time to any one boy.
 
 16 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 After much verbal instruction by some of the older 
 members of the choir and much practice by myself, I 
 could take three strokes. It is only natural for a boy 
 to enjoy admiration and praise, so it should not belittle 
 me to admit that in great glee, 1 hastened to Rev. Spen- 
 cer to "show off." 
 
 Just here I should mention that the beach at this 
 point was very favorable and at low tide small boys 
 could wade some seventy-five feet from the shore with- 
 out going over their heads. Mr. Spencer was located 
 about such a distance from the shore, and was a little 
 more than waist deep in the water. To the right of this 
 beach was a place where the slope to deep water was not 
 nearly so gradual and he was just about at the extreme 
 end <>f the shallow part. 
 
 When I got to him, I was so interested in watching 
 him to see if he were watching me that I did not notice 
 I was heading toward the deep water instead of the shore. 
 I had started from a place where I could barely touch 
 bottom, and had intended to swim into the shallow part. 
 I swam my three strokes and a lot more, and he watched 
 
 ;iik1 called after me, "Bully, Fuller, you are doing 
 
 fine."' When 1 was completely exhausted I attempted to 
 set lie down to rest, fancying the bottom would be just 
 about under my knees, but when I let down, I kept on 
 going. My feet got tangled in the sea-weed at the bot- 
 tom, and I thought it was all off with me. Feebly but 
 desperately 1 struggled to the surface and called for help. 
 
 A hoy considerably taller than myself who could not 
 swim, was wading not far from where 1 was, and we all 
 knew where there was a sort of a shoal which led into 
 the deep water. He had not far to go to get to where he 
 could reach me. lie si fetched out as far as he dared and 
 just the lips of our fingers touched. They were slippery 
 with water, and I felt as though I had swallowed about 
 half the lake before we got enough grip so that lie could 
 pull me iii. hut we got there just the same. 
 
 Some months after this incident, my folks moved to 
 207 North Oakley Avenue, which was about two blocks 
 from the Oakley Avenue depot of the Northwestern Rail- 
 road. In those days horse cars were the only means of 
 transit, except by steam cars, and by buying a twenty- 
 ride ticket, the Northwestern Railroad would! carry peo- 
 ple from Oakley Avenue to Wells Street depot for five 
 cents, so my father used the steam cars.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLKIt 17 
 
 During the t wo years thai he was tenor soloist at 
 
 St. James be took me on the railroad, hut after he ac- 
 cepted a better paying position al Elgin, III., I used to go 
 alone. After a time he resigned his position at Elgin on 
 account of his heart trouble, and my mother, being un- 
 willing for him to be gone on such long trips, he accepted 
 a position which caused him to cross the Western Avenue 
 viaduct. Under this viaduct passed three railroads, each 
 leading to an immense yard: The Chicago & Northwest- 
 em, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, and the Chicago, 
 Burlington & Quincy. There is always a din of puffing 
 locomotives and the roar of wheels and the clang of bells 
 there, even on Sunday mornings. There was a train 
 which was due to pass this West ecu Avenue crossing 
 where all trains had to stop, at 9:50 a. m., which just 
 brought us into town in nice time to get to church. 
 
 One bright spring morning, I walked down the tracks 
 to wait for a train. It was late, and 1 stepped on the 
 track to look down to see if it were coining. I heard my 
 father's voice behind me in a sharp "Arthur," and my 
 father is the sort of a man that it does not take people 
 very long, as a rule, to find out that what he says he 
 means, and that it has "got to go." I had found out 
 from past experiences that it was wise for me to look 
 pretty lively when Daddy spoke to me in that way. So 
 1 looked around and, if you please, there was a locomo- 
 tive coming at a good speed just behind me. I jumped 
 aside. It was so close that the engine brushed my coat as 
 1 jumped. There had been so much roar and noise that 
 I had not noticed the engine's approach. Father was 
 crossing the viaduct on his way to church with mother 
 and saw my danger. Father was not one of the kind 
 that spare the rod, and I guess here is pretty nearly an 
 instance where a child, who is ruled both by love and 
 fear, can see the advantage of thorough discipline.
 
 ELIZABETH ESTELLE LEAVITT- 
 
 FULLER 
 
 Soprano; Formerly of Boston, Mass. 
 
 (The Author's Mother) 
 
 J.FRANKLIN FULLER 
 
 Lyric Tenor and Musical Director 
 
 (The Author's Father)
 
 ARTHUR P. PULLER 19 
 
 CHAPTER III 
 Winning Credits — Assembling Accoutrements of War 
 
 THE world has little charity for one's failures. We 
 the success of ourselves, a friend, or an acquaint- 
 are all glad, on the other hand, to tell and re-tell 
 ance. Those who succeed arc besieged by enthusiastic 
 admirers while those who fail may eat out their very 
 hearts with chagrin and regret, in utter loneliness. Hon- 
 est endeavor is the admirable thing, however, and those 
 who occupy the places of honor in the public eye would 
 do well to remember that their very success is based 
 upon gift from the Creator — the essential of health, of 
 normal mentality, the capacity and opportunity to learn, 
 the power to apply knowledge, material advantage, and 
 favorable circumstances as well. 
 
 I trust, therefore, that no one will accuse me of de- 
 siring to appear greater than those lights in present and 
 past times who have compelled the world to acknowl- 
 edge their extraordinary achievements. I simply desire 
 to have it known by my patrons as I journey on through 
 life, that since early childhood I have had an honest and 
 sincere desire to be a man in the noblest sense of the 
 word, and do things the best it might lie in my power. 
 The following are the simple facts: 
 
 Although of rather delicate health, I managed to keep 
 in school throughout boyhood. For some years past I 
 had taken music lessons, practicing after school hours. 
 I enjoyed the instruction of a number of able teachers, 
 as listed elsewhere. Under the careful training of Mr. 
 William Smedley, Choirmaster of St. dames Church, both 
 in class and private instruction, my voice had developed 
 wonderfully. At weddings, banquets, concerts and like 
 programs, my name occupied important place. As 
 "Star" 1 frequently figured in a number of concert com- 
 panies, both in Chicago and in smaller cities within a 
 radius of several hundred miles. 
 
 1 was lean and overgrown, and being sedate, and my 
 conversation so sensible. I was mistaken to be many years 
 older than I really was. I entered many contests in sink- 
 ing, sight-reading, directorship, etc., ami never had to
 
 50 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 take other than first place. I became possessed of many 
 prizes, including a gold medal for musical excellence, 
 and was so successful that I was ruled out of contests. 
 
 The public school teacher often caught me compos- 
 ing hymn-tunes when I was supposed to be learning 
 my Geography lesson. I was never vicious, but I was 
 ; ncorrigible. 
 
 There is a gift erroneously called "absolute pitch." 
 By this term is meant an ability to name any given pitch, 
 and state whether it is in International, Concert or Phil- 
 Harmonic pitch. In reality the term means the ability 
 to deliver each and every tone sounded, on exactly the 
 number of vibrations required to give the pitch called 
 for — precisely "true pitch," in other words. However, 
 for convenience w T e will indulge the erroneous concep- 
 tion of the meaning, and state that M. Charles Gounod, 
 and many other great musicians had this ability. A per- 
 son thus gifted hears "pitch" in everything — even the 
 bark of a dog, the rumble of a heavy wagon, and many 
 other apparently unmusical noises, and can state wdiere 
 the tone is on the piano key-board and in what pitch the 
 piano is tuned. 
 
 I am very careful not to make statements even in 
 ordinary conversation, which I cannot prove. Therefore, 
 it seems almost unwise to say that I formerly possessed 
 this ability, for I cannot prove it, by illustrating by ex- 
 amples now. However, if M. Gounod had never heard 
 pitch and had never been told — "this is middle C, con- 
 cerl pitch," until he knew r it independently and by the 
 action of his own mind and sense, he would never have 
 been able to illustrate, either. And after he had the 
 ability, "which was largely a matter of education," had 
 he been isolated for five years from all definite pitches, 
 as I have been, and then brought to hear relative musical 
 sounds by instruments so out of pitch that when you 
 struck middle ( ', yon were, in reality, sounding B-flat, I 
 know that he would be no more accurate than I would 
 now be. But at that time I had the ability to give any 
 pitch called for, without pitch-pipe or instrument. So 
 when there was a funeral or when the choir went sere- 
 nading, or on a Christmas Carol round, Fuller was usually 
 trusted with sounding the pitch. 
 
 One Sunday in the midst of service the organ bel- 
 lows gave out. This was not discovered until the Rector, 
 Dr. Stone, had announced the Hymn and read a few
 
 A SHORT TIMt BLFORL THE. DISASTROUS FALL 
 
 Our the joy of present health aud success, coupled with promises 
 of a brilliant future.
 
 22 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 stanzas. 1 waited a moment to see if the bellows could be 
 resuscitated, or if some of the men would take the initia- 
 tive, but no one dared, and the organ remained dead. 
 I started the time and the rest of the choir took it up and 
 we rendered the entire hymn without accompaniment, 
 The congregation thought it was intentional, and said 
 such rendition should be made more frequently. There 
 was great ado in the choir room after that service. Mr. 
 Smedley and Dr. Stone both made quite a speech concern- 
 ing it. and 1 was patted on the back until I felt I would 
 be black and blue. I was at once made "Leader," which 
 position I had virtually possessed for some time past. 
 This actually meant that I was made assistant Choir- 
 master. In large Episcopal Churches there are two sep- 
 arate choirs— Cantoris and Decani. The Cantoris is usu- 
 ally the secondary choir, and gets its name from the fact 
 that the "cantor" — the man who opens the choral num- 
 bers, and begins the Chants and certain anthems, usually 
 sits on that side. The principal soloists usually have place 
 on the Decani side, although each choir has its several 
 soloists for each voice part — Soprano, Alto, Tenor and 
 Bass. On account of the position of the organ and other 
 local peculiarities, this rule was reversed at St. James. 
 However, on both sides, each principal soloist was virtu- 
 ally a sub-choirmaster, controlling those on his side who 
 sang the same part as himself. I was honored, however, 
 more than by such appointment, for I kept the attendance 
 book and attended to the pay-envelopes for the entire 
 choir. Furthermore, I not only behaved myself in a 
 seemly manner, but exercised extraordinary discipline 
 over the other boys. 
 
 Bear in mind that I was only fifteen years old at this 
 lime. My voice had begun to "break" or change so that 
 I was not longer able to do the most excellent grade of 
 solo work that I had done formerly. But it was at this 
 time that Mr. Smedley decided to resign at St. James, 
 where -he had been Choirmaster for fourteen years, and 
 go to New York so as to be with his children in his latter 
 days. The entire parish mourned his departure, and Mr. 
 Fletcher Hulet Wheeler, the man from St. Paul, Minn., 
 who was to succeed Mr. Smedley, had a hard time to keep 
 the choir from disbanding. Mr. Smedley and many others 
 entreated me to stay and so set an example for the rest of 
 the choir. My duties and salary were increased, and I
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 23 
 
 was given charge of the Junior or Preparatory Choir, 
 which consisted of about twenty hoys. 
 
 Just a short time before Mr. Smedley left I again 
 received public commendation. As I was Leader my seal 
 
 was nearest the congregation. One first Sunday in tin' 
 month during Communion Service, a poor, withered, de- 
 crepit, little old woman approached the Steps leading to 
 the chancel. She must have been at least ninety years 
 old, and tottered pitifully. 
 
 Many of the congregation had already received but 
 as St. James is the largest Church in Chicago (Episco- 
 pal), there were many yet to come. Every person was 
 busy with his own thoughts and prayers, approaching the 
 Altar rail as was fit, with bowed head. So it was not 
 surprising that no one noticed the unsuccessful efforts of 
 the poor old lady to mount the chancel steps. 
 
 I was always a timid, bashful sort of fellow, Lacking 
 greatly in physical courage. But then, as now, I earn- 
 estly hope and pray for courage and grace to do whatso- 
 ever I conceive to be my duty. 1 will never forget the 
 sweet sense of youth and strength thai flooded my whole 
 being at thai moment. I rose and straightened myself 
 thankfully to my full height and went to the old lady's 
 assistance. I fairly carried her up the steps and assisted 
 her to the Altar rail, and after gently handing her to a 
 place, knelt reverently until she had received. There 
 were teal's in many eyes, and as I assisted her back to her 
 seat, many handkerchiefs came into prominent use. 
 
 All of this time I had been attending public school, 
 getting up my school work somehow, practicing piano 
 some hours every day, participating in concerts in one 
 capacity or another, as well as keeping up attendance a1 
 the regular three rehearsals per week held at St. James. 
 H will therefore be plain thai 1 had Little time for play. 
 I was such an over-grown somebody, and was so infatu- 
 ated with being dignified, thai it was a difficult matter to 
 let down to being just a noisy boy, even when I did have 
 a little leisure. However, there were some exceptional 
 times. One of these I had great reason to regret. 1 
 used to play with some boys a Little Larger than myself. 
 We often played "lag." and " follow-my deader. " It 
 was not uncommon for the most reckless boy. who usually 
 took the Lead, to climb telegraph poles, up fire escapes, 
 and outside porches to the roofs of two and three-story 
 buildings. Also jump from the top of one building to
 
 24 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 the next. He usually began at low wood-sheds, and 
 gradually took more daring stunts. Any boy who failed 
 to take the pace was in utter disgrace, and was hooted at 
 asTa coward and fairly ostracized. 
 
 I was never very much enraptured when they talked 
 of starting that kind of play, and tried to find some ex- 
 cuse to go home. But one day I was cornered, and had to 
 fall into line. The leader, Fred Doobridge, jumped from 
 l tie top of one shed to the next, He was more robust than 
 I and became more and more reckless. There was one 
 place where I was quite afraid to follow. He guyed me, 
 and I protested that he was larger, but he said I was 
 afraid to try that little stunt, and was spoiling the game. 
 He noticed a plank at the rear edge of the sloping roof, 
 which was about two inches thick and the length of the 
 shed, and was about twelve inches wide. 
 
 "Here, Spindle Legs," he said. "I will stand on 
 this end of the plank and let it stick over toward that 
 sheil yon are now on, and you can land on it. That's if 
 you ain't too big a baby to try even that." 
 
 "All right," I replied, "I won't be afraid to try 
 that." 
 
 So after he had arranged the plank, I drew hack to 
 the tar end of the shed to get a good start. When I had 
 gotten too far toward the edge to be able to stop, he 
 quickly stepped off the plank and pushed it aside. As I 
 left tin- shed I was on, I tried to get force enough into 
 the last step to carry me upon the other roof as he ex- 
 pected I would; bnl my foot only landed where the plank 
 slanted away from the roof, and the rotten shingles gave 
 "way to my weight, and my jump being short anyway, I 
 fell to the ground, backward, landing across a broken- 
 down garbage box. I did not know a thing for some 
 minutes. The boys were scared and got down to the 
 ground slowly, fearing I was dead. The first I knew was 
 an awful pain along my spine. I could not get my breath. 
 I became nearly black in the face. It was only twenty 
 or thirty feet to my father's door. When 1 go1 breath 
 and power to move 1 staggered and crawled home. My 
 folks lived upstairs, and I guess I must have been twenty 
 minutes getting up. There was no one at home, and so I 
 crawled to my little room. It was several weeks before 
 I could go out again. My back pained so 1 could get 
 around only with difficulty.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 25 
 
 On another occasion I was assisting my brother-in- 
 law to re-shingle the barn and had a similar experience. 
 
 Perhaps it will he best to leave much of the details 
 of the development of my affliction to another chapter. 
 Returning, then, to the subject of my unfoldment, 1 will 
 continue by commenting that 1 had a beautiful dog which 
 had been given me when I was about eight years old. 
 We called her "Beauty." She had an unusual degree of 
 intelligence, and was beloved of the entire family. There 
 were many tough boys in that neighborhood, and rather 
 than play with them. I preferred the company of the 
 dog. Accordingly I built wagons, sleds and such outfits 
 in which she figured, sometimes as horse, and other times 
 as passenger. She was my watchful defender as well as 
 my playmate. The tough boys heartily despised me, 
 ridiculing me outrageously as being a "church member," 
 "Sunday School boy," "sissy," "noisy-screecher," and 
 so forth. They used often to stone me, judging me too 
 stuck-up to play with them. Every time they saw me 
 they would bawl out "pet dog," or some other sally of 
 foolish tantalization. But it was not safe for any of them 
 to strike at me when "Beauty" was near by. For al- 
 though she would run from them when there was a 
 crowd, she was not afraid to show what her teeth were 
 for. in my parents' yard. 
 
 Some of these hoys obtained some poisoned meat 
 and put if where the dog would eat it. During the hours 
 she was suffering, and after all the saving methods had 
 been employed apparently with no success. I felt so badly 
 that I composed a piece for piano solo which was intend- 
 ed to express my regret at losing my old-time playmate. 
 However, she recovered, and lived until I had been down 
 
 several years. 
 
 Ahout six months after Mr. Smedley left St. James, 
 and a i'cw months after my dog's distressing experience, 
 I resigned a1 St. dames and took charge of the Choir at 
 Holy Nativity .Mission Church in West Grand Avenue. 
 We had a choir of about sixteen voices, and I was proud 
 
 to have my first opportunity to use the knowledge ac- 
 quired Prom the instructions of Prof. 1'. C. Lutkin, with a 
 pipe organ. I retained this position ahout a year when 
 I resigned to take a larger choir and organ at Onward 
 Presbyterian Church. 1 retained this position eighteen 
 months, resigning to take a better paying position at St. 
 John's Mission Church, on Clybourn Avenue, Chicago.
 
 26 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 For the same reason I also resigned there and went 
 to St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church on Langley 
 Avenue, where there Avas a first-class new organ and a 
 quartette of ahle musicians, among whom was Cyril Bruce 
 Smith from the American Conservatory of Music, a mar- 
 velous baritone who would undoubtedly have been one 
 of the most famous singers in this country, but for his 
 deficiency in courage, patience and staying power. 
 
 The last few years I had of course been out of school 
 and worked for the Cross Press and Sign Co., 206 to 210 
 Illinois Street. I continued my studies on piano and 
 pipe organ nights after work, and holding position as 
 organist at some church as detailed above. 
 
 While with the sign company I had to obtain bills 
 of lading for .shipments made over the various railroads 
 Often the clerks were very busy and I had to wait any- 
 where from thirty minutes to an hour. I always carried 
 a little music composition book in my pocket and at such 
 times I would compose. Sometimes I would catch a 
 musical thought while on my way to some place a mile 
 or so from the office, and I would stop on a curbing and 
 write it down and then hurry on so as not to be too long 
 out on the errand as to earn a reprimand. Some of my 
 best songs were composed in this way, and as they are 
 published are substantially the same as I originally wrote 
 them. I will not say that I have not revised them at all, 
 but there have been no material changes. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 A Narrow Escape — A Change of Scene. 
 
 THE experiences and achievements cited in the 
 foregoing came about before I was seventeen 
 years old. I was now to have a change which 
 was to affect my life for years to come. My "curb- 
 stone compositions" embraced several instrumental 
 pieces, including "Forget-Me-Not," "Reverie," "Twi- 
 light," and "Etude in D Minor." The melody for a 
 number of songs was thus noted and worked out some 
 years Later. Among these are "Cherished," ("The Part- 
 ing Kiss"), "Guess the Name," and "I'll Find You Out." 
 The fore part of my setting of the old hymn, "Guide Me, 
 Thou Great Jehovah," was a production of those days, 
 likewise "As Pants the Wearied Hart," "The Steers-
 
 AFTER A YEAR'S STRUGGLE TO OVERCOME 
 THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE FALL
 
 28 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 man," was also written in those days and the first part 
 of "An Evening Prayer." 
 
 About February, 1897, a Dr. Alfred Bierly, music 
 publisher and friend of my father's, came to see us and 
 talk business. He asked what salary I was getting and 
 where I was employed, and made a better proposition. 
 His place of business was in the far section of the fifth 
 floor of the Aver Building, which ran from 215 to 221 
 Wabash Avenue; in the other section was the Chicago 
 Depository of the Methodist Book Concern, which had 
 an enormous stock. 
 
 The main floor of the building was occupied by the 
 Conover Piano Company, and by the Emerson Piano 
 Company; the second floor by the Chicago Cottage Organ 
 Company; the third, by Alfred Peats Wall Paper Com- 
 pany; the fourth floor by the National Music Company; 
 the "fifth floor by the Methodist Book Concern and A. 
 Bierly; the sixth floor by W. A. Olmstead & Company, 
 photographic supplies, and the seventh floor by another 
 firm in the same business, and by storage for the piano 
 companies. 
 
 The book concern's stock was protected from the 
 art of sneak thieves by wire caging which compelled 
 people coming in on the elevator to pass through a long 
 wire passage to the office before they could get to the 
 books. The stairway was just alongside the elevator, 
 but curved in such a way that the shadows from the sur- 
 rounding objects rendered it hardly noticeable. There 
 was of course a door through the caging to this stairway 
 and to use the stairs one must pass through the door just 
 opposite the office of the book concern, and some thirty 
 feet from both stairway and elevator exits. As the ele- 
 vator was always running when I came and went, I had 
 never had occasion to use the stairway and would not 
 have known where it was had it not been that Mr. John 
 S. Fearis, Dr. Bierly 's right hand man, and I had stayed 
 late one night to finish up some work. 
 
 The building was so long that it would have been 
 very dark had it not been for an immense skylight near 
 the middle One March morning w r e "were all startled 
 by a loud crackling noise followed by a tremendous 
 crash, and an awful roar. In the rear of the Book Con- 
 cern's quarters was a small parlor where committees 
 often met. 1 understood there was a little gas, oil or gas- 
 oline stove hack there where the ladies sometimes made
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 29 
 
 a cup of tea. At the firsl sound and cry of fire my im- 
 pression was that some little accidenl had happened to 
 the tea party, as a mimber of Ladies had tnel there thai 
 morning. We all started back. Tin- idea in my mind 
 was to assist in extinguishing the flames, but Dr. Bierly, 
 who was in advance of us, turned back, white as a sheet, 
 crying, "Fire! Fire! Run for your lives — hurry, if you 
 hope to escape!" The flames were pouring up through 
 the skylight, and had already spread the entire width of 
 the building. 
 
 At first I could not believe thai there was really 
 much danger, and thought we would surely have enough 
 time, so returned to my desk to gather up my glasses, 
 my knife and some money I had left in the drawer. By 
 this time all had rushed from the Book Concern, except 
 one man, who yelled vehemently, "Don*t stop for a thing 
 or you will never get out." 
 
 I had piled my left arm full of the entire contents of 
 the clothes rack including winter outer garments, a fat 
 music roll and a lunch box. 1 started down the elevator 
 passage as usual, but the same man who had urged haste 
 before called again, "This way — elevator is not running." 
 We were grateful for this warning because the air began 
 to be hot and the thunderous reports of chemical ex- 
 plosions and of heavy timbers falling, together with the 
 shrieks of the fear-crazed people who wi^ve fighting to 
 get out, were appalling. The swift traveling flames fur- 
 ther proved that we had not a second to lose. To have 
 gone to tbe elevator door would possibly have been to 
 make escape impossible. 
 
 The stairway was so full of a madly striving mass 
 of humanity that there was no such thing as hurrying; 
 every person had to lake his turn. Some from behind 
 tried to leap over the crowd and so jumped on top of the 
 heads of the others, the majority <>f whom were girls. 
 Many fell, and I do not know whether they ever gol up 
 again. When we passed the third floor the heal was so 
 intense and the smoke so dense thai it seemed impossible 
 to breathe. As before stated, I did not know the way. 
 but fortunately I had grasped with my righl hand the 
 bannister, which 1 followed down through the blackness 
 amid the shrieks and moans of thai battling erowd. I 
 stumbled repeatedly, but the bannister enabled me to 
 keep my feet. 1 remember how well I realized my ex- 
 haustion as we reached the third floor, and I remember
 
 30 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 how my knees almost gave way under me ; my heart 
 refused to beat and I could not breathe. I was dizzy and 
 fainting, and I remember that the thought came to me, 
 "Arthur boy, you can only make about three more steps, 
 one — two — and if you don't get breath by the third it's 
 all off." But, thanks be to God, that third step took me 
 around a bend, and a mighty draught of cold, fresh air 
 from the street swept up as through a flue. It revived 
 me, and I pressed on. There were only two people who 
 got out alive after I did. 
 
 At the threshhold of the door lay a man's body in a 
 pool of blood, the head strained back, mouth open, glassy 
 eyes staring, and the face smoke-smutted. Even the hair 
 was singed. I had to step over this gruesome object to 
 get away from the building. I afterwards learned that 
 he was the cashier on the floor just above where I worked, 
 and had stopped just long enough to shut the safe door. 
 
 It seemed that at the third floor the flames broke 
 through into the stairway immediately after we passed. 
 The heat of the air burned my nose, face and ears slight- 
 ly, and I spit black stuff from my lungs for several days 
 afterwards. 
 
 The young lady who was Dr. Bierly's secretary, had 
 stopped to get some money which she had left in her 
 desk in an inner office. Although I called to her to hurry, 
 I did not see her until I turned around upon reaching 
 the street. She was only a few seconds behind, but was 
 quite badly burned from the heat of the air. A man came 
 shortly behind her from the seventh floor, and when he 
 reached the third floor the stairway was a mass of flames. 
 He wns running, however, and decided to chance reach- 
 ing or lighting on something solid down below, so he 
 jumped through ;i solid mass of flame, and barring being 
 singed, escaped unhurt. He had not been ten feet ahead 
 of the poor cashier whose body lay on the sidewalk in 
 front of the exit. But the cashier seemed to think that 
 his companion had jumped into the midst of a furnace, 
 and had turned back, retracing his steps to the office he 
 had just left. He stayed at the window as long as there 
 was any hope of rescue and then jumped to his death. 
 
 If I could say just how few minutes from the time 
 the first little puff of smoke was seen on the third floor 
 until Hie building was a mass of ruins, it would not be 
 believed.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 31 
 
 The fire department was at a great disadvantage 
 owing to elevated structures and telephone wires. 
 
 Just a few seconds alter I got out, I turned and 
 looked up. All along the windows I could see the fright- 
 ened ("aces of human beings who had been cut off from the 
 stairway. They were prevented from getting out be- 
 cause the elevator ropes were too hot for the men to be 
 able to use them. The flames had consumed the stairway. 
 The look on the faces of the doomed people, I can never 
 forget. It seemed as though the front of the building 
 was fairly alive with men dangling from the window 
 sills or from the signs which hung under them. I saw 
 many people jump — jump to broken legs on the hard 
 street below, and some to death. I saw one man hang 
 at a window sill waiting, hoping that a ladder would be 
 gotten to him, but none came. I saw the flames lick his 
 hands until they were burned away. lie dropped to his 
 death. I saw another man who started at the far side of 
 the building, climb out upon the window sill. The flames 
 pursued him. He crawled to the next and rested there, 
 as he was exhausted from the flight through the burning 
 building. The flames presently came to him there, so 
 he moved to the next window, and so on. At the very 
 last he hit upon a novel means of escape. On the next 
 building there was a sign about on a level with the one 
 on which he had been crawling. He let himself down 
 once more, hanging from the sign. The two buildings 
 touched so that it was not hard to reach over to the sign 
 on the next building. He then started swinging to and 
 fro as he had done at the other windows, until he could 
 swing his body over the sign, finally pulling himself 
 upon the window sill, kicking in the glass, made his w,i\ 
 to the stairway and to sa fety. 
 
 The countless explosions were awful to hear. Their 
 booms had begun while I was still in Hie building. They 
 were partly caused by the explosion of photographic 
 chemicals on the sixth and seventh floors, and partly by 
 the falling of seven stories of fine, expensive pianos. 
 
 Huildings were blistered and set on fire for a greal 
 distance around. Window glass was cracked or melted. 
 The awfulness of this sighl baffles description. Suffice 
 it then to say that there were eighteen people burned or 
 killed in the fire. 
 
 Talk about shock to the nervous system! A man 
 really oughl to go through with such an experience if he
 
 32 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 fancies he is so sturdy, brave or well poised as not to 
 mind it. For months afterward I would waken in the 
 night experiencing again the awful struggle through the 
 smoke-choked stairway, hearing the roar of that terrible 
 fire-demon, hearing the crash of falling walls, the 
 screams of the dying, the shouts of the would-be rescu- 
 ers. It seems to me that it was said only seven minutes 
 elapsed from the first cry of fire until the walls caved in. 
 
 Times were hard. There were a hundred men for 
 every position. I had been keeping up my night study 
 on piano and pipe organ, and it had taken every cent I 
 earned at my day work to meet unavoidable expenses. 
 I dare not be idle. I tried hard for a position, but I 
 had had little experience and was sorely handicapped by 
 poor health and poorer eyes. 
 
 After a few weeks I secured a position with Sears, 
 Roebuck & Co., at a disgracefully low salary. My phy- 
 sical condition was such that I was hardly fit for any 
 sort of employment, so that I had to ask for some conces- 
 sions — of using the elevator instead of the stairs, for in- 
 stance. 
 
 When far up in buildings, away from places afford- 
 ing easy exit, I would nearly faint when I heard any 
 unusual noise, for it all seemed painfully like that which 
 had been the knell of many a soul, and so nearly mine. 
 
 Through some of my instructors, I learned of a va- 
 cancy at St. Paul's Cathedral and the Cathedral Choir 
 School, Fond du Lac, "Wis. I applied for the position 
 and was accepted. The position was a peculiarly diffi- 
 cult one, owing to the fact that the Bishop desired that 
 all the clergy have equal authority, and work along as a 
 happy family. 
 
 All men cannot have the same tastes, nor exactly 
 the same ideas as to propriety where there is so much 
 occasion for opinion. But it was said I did a work which 
 no other man who had ever held that position had ever 
 succeeded in doing. There was little friction, practically 
 no irritation, and everything went on smoothly and 
 creditably. The boys loved me, the congregation re- 
 spected and admired me, and the clergy rejoiced in hav- 
 ing a man fit for the work in every sense. 
 
 The Cathedral would accommodate ],500 or perhaps 
 2,000 persons. On festival occasions I had a choir of 
 about one hundred voices, an orchestra of sixteen pieces, 
 played the pipe organ and directed both choir and or-
 
 ARTHUR FRANKLIN FULLER 
 Choirmaster and Organist at St. Paul's Cathedral 
 Fond du Lac, Wis. 
 1898-99
 
 34 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 chestra. We rendered music by the best authors, includ- 
 ing masses and anthems by Gounod, Mozart, Tours, 
 Stainer, Eyre. Gaul, etc. 
 
 However, the work I did there was really too much 
 for one man to do. They never had a man to do it be- 
 fore me, nor have they had one since. 
 
 About the middle of the year the classical master, 
 John Richard Ambrose, was taken with appendicitis, 
 which caused a few weeks' illness and presently his 
 death. This was in turn followed by the warden in 
 charge, Rev. James Martin Raker, becoming afflicted with 
 the same difficulty. These things threw considerable 
 extra work upon me, and after the advent of a new mas- 
 ter, there were still many extra duties for me to attend 
 to until he got fairly into the harness. 
 
 I was also dormitory master; that is to say, had 
 charge of the boys through the night, and people who 
 know what a homesick boy is, will know that I had some 
 problems to solve along the comforting line. 
 
 At the end of the year I was in a deplorable state of 
 health. I resigned. I had decided to take a position 
 open to me at Kingston, N. Y. I trusted that the change 
 would benefit me, and the work there promised to be 
 much lighter. 
 
 On my way to Kingston, which, by the way, is on a 
 plateau in the Catskill mountains, I stopped to visit my 
 parents in Chicago. "While there I made it a point to 
 call on my old friend and medical adviser, Dr. Auld. 
 This good man said: ' ' I am sorry to see you take a new 
 position. I am sorry you are not situated so that you 
 could get out in the country and rest and build up for a 
 few years. I apprehend that you will look back to this 
 day and hour and see thai my words are not idle. I fear 
 for you. But take the best care of yourself you can. and 
 perhaps you will come out all right." 
 
 I believed in my youth and even had I had oppor- 
 tunity to go into the country and get away from ner- 
 vous work as he said, I should perhaps have hesitated to 
 take advantage of it, looking upon it as a waste of time. 
 However, I had no such opportunity. I had to work, and 
 that position in Kingston seemed unlikely to tax me 
 very much. 
 
 It appears that the Choirmasters they had previous 
 to my arrival at St. John's, Kingston, were men who 
 knew little of boys' voices or boy nature. Under my
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLKIl 35 
 
 care there was such a change for the better shortly after 
 I took hold, that the Rector of Holy Cross Chinch came 
 to see me to try to induce me to take charge of his 
 choir. After much persuasion I consented, and soon 1 
 was "going it" as hard as before. 
 
 At St. John's the evening service was not well at- 
 tended, so the Rector (Rev. 0. Applegate, Jr.), asked un- 
 to give organ recitals every Sunday evening to draw the 
 people to service. Jn consequence I soon began a scries 
 of recitals. I gave from five to eight different numbers 
 each Sunday. For this use 1 composed a number of 
 organ solos which I presume will never be published un- 
 less I get well and get able to return to my former pro- 
 fession. 
 
 Only a few years previous, my people had said when 
 T improvised: "For goodness sake, either play some- 
 thing, or get away from the piano." It was sweet then 
 to me to have such compliments lavished upon me as I 
 received by the best musicians in the city of Kingston. 
 Miss MacCauley, a maiden lady of sixty-five, had been 
 organist of St. John's for twenty-five years, ten years 
 before 1 took the bench. She had drawn the specifica- 
 tion for the very organ I played there. She listened with 
 evident delight to my work and said she had but to close 
 her eyes and then it sounded to her as if she were listen- 
 ing to a great orchestra instead of a pipe organ. A Miss 
 Ruliffson, whose father had been a court musician to the 
 Kaiser and who attended the great concerts held every 
 season in New York City, said she had not heard organ 
 work to equal mine in this country, and that the listening 
 took her back to the former years when the Musical Fes- 
 tivals were in progress, under the patronage of the 
 wealthiest people of a great musical country. 
 
 While at the Cathedral I had composed many pre 
 hides and postludes, a number of Kyries, and a few trios 
 for female voices. I wrote no songs thai year, nor while 
 at Kingston, largely on account of my poor eyes. 
 
 On New Year's night I gave an especially heavy pro- 
 gram, and the last number took every atom of strength 
 I had. At its conclusion T found myself unable to leave 
 the organ loft.
 
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 ARTHUR F. FULLFU 37 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 War Declared. 
 
 AFTER the congregation had Lefl the Church th*e 
 Sexton came up to the organ Loft, suspecting 
 that something was wrong. I explained the pre- 
 dicament I was in, and he and a comrade helped me to 
 my room. The pains around my heart were intense. I 
 was so weak and out of breath it was very difficult to 
 speak. 1 did not sleep at all that night. In the morning 
 a pain developed just above the umbilicus. It seemed to 
 go straight through to the spine. It increased in severity 
 every hour. 1 sent for a doctor. He seemed to think it 
 merely a ease of acute indigestion and otherwise showed 
 that he was in the dark as to the ease. I>y that time my 
 heart was more steady, but was getting faster hourly. 
 
 The next day my heart was still faster, and the fever 
 went higher. My head ached dreadfully and I fell as 
 one feels when in the grasp of a strong attack of la 
 grippe. I sent for another doctor, lie asked some (pies- 
 lions and said I had malaria and nervous prostration. 
 At first he came several times each day. hut as time went 
 on, the frequency of his visits lessened. I answered his 
 questions briefly. After a time I learned to anticipate his 
 questions and told the tale at once. 
 
 Il was with the utmost difficulty that I managed to 
 effect anything Like convalescence. There is an old-time 
 expression which ahout sums up the situation: "My 
 sore thumb doesn't hurt you at all." There are many 
 sorts of nervous and menial diseases. A man who has 
 never had experience in his own flesh cannot realize what 
 the other fellow's state is. Too often we allow the other 
 fellow to do our thinking for us. I used to. Il really 
 took a very long time for me to comprehend thai it is 
 besl to know something for one's self, and compel the 
 other fellow to respect your knowledge and judgmenl as 
 he \\ould have you how to his. The besl policy is to 
 bestow only as much consideration as you receive. 
 
 By the time two or three months had rolled by, I 
 was able to walk three or four blocks per day and could 
 sit up four or five hours. I could not understand why T 
 did not gain strength. In full appreciation of what
 
 38 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 health and vigor meant with regard to my present use- 
 fulness and future success, I asked the doctor why. His 
 answers were elusive, disgustingly unsatisfactory. His 
 inability to control flagging functions, brought me a dis- 
 tressing impression of the limitations of medical science. 
 The word "tooth-ache" does not mean very much when 
 happened onto in the spelling book or in a stranger's ex- 
 perience, but when that "tooth-ache" is in one's own 
 mouth, it is right comprehensible then. There is a term 
 "nervous dyspepsia." It probably does not mean much 
 to one whose digestion is good. But a little experience 
 will prove to any fair minded individual that it is serious 
 enough, distressing enough. 
 
 The doctor advised careful mastication. Accord- 
 ingly I spent much time attending to insalivation of food. 
 Even liquids received careful attention. Often I spent 
 as long as two hours and forty-five minutes ingesting a 
 meal that an ordinarily busy man would consume in ten 
 minutes. Notwithstanding I had sour, acid stomach, 
 acrid eructations, re-gurgitation of food, burning sensa- 
 tion in stomach and intestines and great flatulence. For 
 years I had been troubled more or less with insomnia, but 
 in the days referred to, even when I might have slept so 
 far as my nervous state was concerned, the pressure of 
 gas around my heart was so great that I had to remain 
 awake to belch it off, or I would perhaps have crossed the 
 river. 
 
 I resumed work as soon as I was able to walk from 
 my room to St. John's Church twice a week — once for re- 
 hearsal and again on Sunday for services. Everything 
 else was dropped — the Choirmaster at Holy Cross and 
 the few pupils that had succeeded in persuading me to 
 give them time. 
 
 In dealing with physicians, when I saw that one was 
 not helping me. if I learned of another that I might 
 hope would be better able to handle my case, meet my 
 needs, I simply quit the former adviser and took up with 
 the one I selected to be his successor. 
 
 It seems to me cruel to say to a man, "Your work 
 has been extremely unsatisfactory. You have failed 
 utterly to do that which I fully expected of you." I 
 never had "sand" enough to do it. If a man's work was 
 unsatisfactory, I found a nice, gentle way of letting him 
 out. so that we parted the best of friends and with no 
 irritation or bad feelings.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 39 
 
 One of my pupils was a beautiful girl named Eor- 
 tenee Sahler. Ber uncle was the founder and bead pro- 
 fessor at the (J. <>. Sahler Sanitarium for Nervous and 
 Mental Diseases. She told me that he had patients from 
 all parts of the United States and described many ap- 
 parently wonderful cures. Accordingly when 1 became 
 dissatisfied with Dr. Loughran, I went to Sahler's place. 
 It developed that he had a sanitarium where he admin- 
 istered much Suggestive Therapeutics and a little medi- 
 cine when it was needed. He gave me both very strong. 
 He might as well have suggested to a telegraph pole as 
 to my nerve centers or subconscious mind, for all the 
 benefit the performance was to my functional processes. 
 
 In about six weeks or less this good man's treat- 
 ments had succeeded (?) to such an extent that 1 was 
 down in bed again. 
 
 There was a "High-potency" Homeopath just across 
 the street from where 1 was rooming at that time. Now 
 I did not have any more idea what a "High-potency 
 Homeopath' 3 was. any more than a snail would have 
 about making doughnuts. Bui it sounded good. I 
 fumbled it over in my mind. "High-potency." Must 
 mean •much power." Anyway, I called the good Dr. 
 Harpy C. Connelly. Undoubtedly he was good at his 
 business. He told me a lot of funny stories, and inci- 
 dentally explained what "high-potency" was. I was 
 quite young then. All 1 could answer was an awe-filled 
 "Oh!" At any rate this good man failed to get me on 
 my feet, so 1 went to Chicago. 
 
 It may be interesting to some of my readers to know, 
 that Homeopathy was introduced by Dr. Hahniman, 
 early in the nineteenth century. It was buill upon the 
 theory that "like cures like." Men called "Provers" 
 took a certain drug, such as Belladonna, strychnine, etc., 
 in minute doses for a long time— as long as they could 
 endure to do so. Many a man gave his life to such ex- 
 periments. Prisoners condemned to death sometimes con- 
 sented to take a drug for the benefit of science. 
 
 Only men were used who were in perfed physical 
 condition. They reported daily, the symptoms and sen- 
 sations they experienced from the taking of the drug. 
 These were recorded and after a time it was definitely 
 proven what were the symptoms common to each drug. 
 Therefore when a patient complains of certain symptoms, 
 the Homeopath gives him the drug which produces such
 
 40 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 symptoms. The dose is minute. Only one remedy is 
 given at a time as a rule. Sometimes several are given, 
 but never with the extravagance practiced by the Allo- 
 paths. Homeopaths refer to the ways of the Allopath as 
 "shot-gun methods." 
 
 The Homeopath also argues that a better medicinal 
 action is obtained from the minute dose, oft repeated, 
 cumulative action establishing a new diathesis. The high- 
 potency Homeopath also reasons, that since a minute 
 portion of pure drug gives benefit, its dilution or atten- 
 uation must increase its efficacy. 
 
 For instance, one part of a drug is taken and mixed 
 with nine parts of sugar of milk or alcohol, depending of 
 course upon whether solution or tablet is desired. In 
 the latter case, these are ground in triturating machin- 
 ery made especially for the purpose, for several hours. 
 When finished, this preparation is called the first tritura- 
 tion. One part of this mixture is then taken and ground 
 with nine more parts of the sugar of milk for the re- 
 quired time. This is called the second trituration, and so 
 on as high as the doctor deems necessary to meet his 
 requirements. 
 
 A grain of salt which can scarcely be tasted contains 
 millions upon millions of atoms which the human eye 
 cannot discern. Any object to be perceptible to our dull 
 senses must be of such bulk that it contains trillions of 
 atoms. An adult eats a pound of food to gain a few 
 grains of proteid. It would seem then, that it is not the 
 size of the dose, the quantity of the medicine taken, that 
 benefits, but the use nature may be able to make of it. 
 
 My people were apparently very glad to see me. 
 The long ride (I could not afford a sleeper) had taken 
 what little strength I had, and for some weeks I was not 
 even able to sit up as I had been doing. Why not? 
 Continued weakness, heart condition, indigestion, mal- 
 nutrition, pain in the spine, etc. Bu1 lei us press on. 
 More of these things later. 
 
 My Uncle George was in the grocery business in a 
 little town of 5,000 — Savanna. 111. It was more quiet 
 there, so on his argent invitation, I decided to visit him 
 a while. I went to see Dr. Auld again and was taking 
 medicines prescribed by him — a pancreatinized emulsion 
 of mil oils and an additional prescription for my intes- 
 tinal difficulties, also static electricity. His treatment 
 was good, but nature had been too profoundly exhausted
 
 A.RTHUR F. FFLLFR 41 
 
 to readily respond to any treatment. Bui again I antici- 
 pate. 
 
 I went to my good Cnclc's ;il Savanna. I consented 
 to be examined by the < '. M. & St. P. R. R. Head Sur- 
 geon, who lived a) thai place — Dr. Johnson. His pre- 
 scriptions were, "Sunshine, electricity from mother 
 earth, little strolls barefooted, in the early morning dew, 
 freedom from work and worry, and an anti-acid for the 
 digestive trouble — hut no tonic or stimulant medicines."' 
 
 I followed his advices to the letter, hut after sev- 
 eral months 1 could reporl only slighl improvement. I 
 could only walk about two blocks per day and si1 up 
 about ten hours. Dr. Johnson heard my report with 
 disappointment and chagrin. '"Why cannot you walk 
 more than two blocks each day?*' he asked. J replied, 
 "Because to do so increases heart pains, brings hearl 
 storms, makes me out of breath, prostrates me." Bu1 
 this he heard without comprehension. "I advise you to 
 take one of these strychnine tablets as often as necessary 
 to keep your heart going and behaving as it should. I 
 advise you to take a longer walk every few days and 
 your strength will increase." 
 
 \)v. Johnson was sincere in his opinion. I tried his 
 plan. lie was mistaken. The results were pretty ser- 
 ious. AVho had to bear it? The doctor? No. The poor 
 fool that had not yet had it pounded into him that he 
 must do his own thinking, have his own judgment, trust 
 himself. 
 
 Presently old conditions began to develop again. 
 The doctor said ••.Malaria.'" Accordingly I saw that the 
 little eity on the river had its faults also, and decided to 
 return to Chicago. 1 had now spent all I had out of my 
 savings previous to my first long period of inability to 
 retain a wage- earning position. My father's health was 
 so poor it seemed a shame indeed that I should burden 
 him in his weakness. And yet in my desperation I knew 
 there was nothing else I could do. 
 
 1 took quinine and strychnine ami hoped to improve. 
 Bui 1 became continually worse. My digestion became 
 so bad 1 could eat only baby foods. My good sister 
 Blanche insisted upon calling Dr. Sharp. After a few- 
 months' treatment, without benefit. Dr. Graves was called 
 in for consultation. He suggested that if 1 were sure I 
 had not forgotten how to walk that 1 should try. I said 
 I had no doubts on the subject. The doctor said. "Show
 
 4 2 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 me." I did so. The result was the development of an 
 organic lesion and a peculiar roll to the heart's action. 
 I had only taken three steps from my bed. If I had 
 taken a few more there would undoubtedly have been a 
 funeral — and the doctor would not have been chief mourn- 
 er. Fortunately this valvular lesion spontaneously sub- 
 sided in a few days. But it was presently not hard to 
 see that the damage was more than temporary, and I had 
 experiences which were not as pleasant as were those of 
 the Doctor in accepting the fee for his fool advice. 
 
 It had been years since I had been able to use my 
 eyes for reading. So at this time the hours dragged 
 heavily. It was seldom I had anyone to read to me. 
 But when I had, my nervous state was such that I could 
 not bear to hear any story that had a reference to dis- 
 appointment, excitement, danger, or the like. And yet 
 if I laughed, I was in mortal danger of my life. Why? 
 Heart so weak that it could not bear any strain. I could 
 not turn over in bed, nor could I be turned. I could not 
 talk to the few friends who still remembered me enough 
 to care to call. 
 
 But sometimes I made exceptions and did dare to 
 talk a little, trusting that I was stronger. But since 
 that walking episode, things had been worse for me than 
 before. On one occasion in particular I had talked a 
 little in the evening. At bed time (sleep time), I felt 
 very wakeful and peculiar. I strove to shake off the 
 alarming sense that crept over me. Presently I dozed 
 a bit, but was soon disturbed by a sense of falling. 
 Thinking it was a dream, I aroused myself but instead 
 of its subsiding, the sensation of falling became more 
 real. I strove to speak but was unable to articulate. 
 
 But finally 1 succeeded in faintly calling — " Father ! " 
 Mure from the tone than from the loudness of it, he came 
 rushing to my room. For that once at least I was glad 
 the walls were thin and his room just next to mine. He 
 broughl ;i light, but still things were black to me. I felt 
 as if I were rapidly being whirled around in the starry 
 sky of night, and then dropped, down. down. down, into 
 endless depths of blackness. 1 kept striving to see the 
 li<rlit and hold my flittering consciousness — to feel my 
 father's hand clasping my own, in an agony of pity. 
 Presently this feeling subsided somewhat, but it returned 
 every time I closed my eyes.
 
 AltTHUR F. FULLER 43 
 
 On the morrow Dr. Auld was senl for. The uighl 
 had been so long and terrible— I could hardly wait until 
 day — until such time as I could expect to find someone 
 to go and phone for him. He came and comforted me 
 by sympathetic utterances, prescribing caffeine, nitro- 
 glycerine and large doses of strychnine. However, these 
 medicines seemed to have very little effect. It seemed 
 well nigh impossible to keep the ehill of death from 
 creeping upon me. I could sleep but little and that little 
 in "cat-naps." Every time I fell into a doze, I would 
 sweat profusely, soaking my night-shirt, the linen, and 
 even the matt cess and bedding. On the other hand, I 
 was so cold that even the presence of three hot flatirons 
 and two gallon hot water bags failed to keep me com- 
 fortable in this respect. 
 
 Usually I awoke about five times each night. Each 
 time I wished with all my soul that it were day. At 
 such times I used to like to know the time. There was 
 a light left turned low in the next room. Its rays crepl 
 through the open door, so I could usually make out the 
 time, t therefore kept my watch on a chair beside the 
 bed. But when 1 wakened and reached out for it my 
 hand would wander around uncontrollably for some 
 seconds before I could steer to the watch and pick it up. 
 In fact, my condition was such that I bad a dreadful time 
 pulling myself together and had to concentrate all my 
 will power and think HARD that thing I desired to do, 
 before attempting it, to have any sort of success. 
 
 Moreover, when I first awakened, I could not focus 
 my eyes. They would wander about in my head, mak- 
 ing me feel sick and desperate. Usually in a few mo- 
 ments, by much effort, the double vision would resolve, 
 but everything would he blurred and foggy and often T 
 could not see acro.ss my room. Often things would seem 
 right close to me that were in reality nearly thrice the 
 distance from me that they appeared to be. My pupils 
 were contracted. I bad more or less pain at the base of 
 the brain as well as along the spine. T call especial at- 
 tention to these symptoms, as they recur now when T 
 overdo. 
 
 Another peculiar symptom which 1 had early in my 
 experience, which is not uncommon among sufferers from 
 nervous diseases, was that of shortly after retiring and 
 after having slept a few minutes, there would seem sud- 
 denly to appeal' in the mind just as quick as thought, a
 
 44 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 dream which seemed unusually real — that of a small, 
 thick-set man with a very dark skin and black mustache 
 and broad-brimmed slouch hat, a most devilish face, who 
 seemed to have come into the room instantly and crouch 
 near a window opposite me, take aim with a long-barreled 
 revolver, and shoot, and I would seem to feel the bullet 
 pierce some part of my body, and I would awake. I have 
 met others who have had the identical experience. 
 
 For years I had been troubled by these hideous, 
 frightful dreams. At this time they seemed, if possible, 
 worse than before. I dreamed often of falling into a 
 lake partly frozen, and going down, down, down, quite 
 to the bottom. I could see strange monsters of the deep 
 in combat, others seeking prey and coming for me. I 
 could see horrible grinning mouths and cavernous throats 
 and just as they were about to gnash me, I would awaken 
 in an agony of terror, dripping with sweat, and so w r eak 
 I could not utter a sound. 
 
 Other times I frequently dreamed of falling into a 
 nest of snakes on a rocky ledge of a mountain with no 
 means of escape. I could feel their slimy, wriggling 
 bodies coil around me, could feel the pain of their fangs 
 —and would awaken as before. Again I would dream 
 of riding on a bicycle on a rough, mountainous road — 
 that I passed a wood — and from every tree and thicket 
 there rushed a horde of yelling, screeching gorillas who 
 at once began pursuit. So I must ride, ride, ride. Madly 
 I seemed to skim along — up, up, up, higher upon the 
 mountainside. They cut me off from the road. I rode 
 across the sward. Finally I could see that I was riding 
 para I lei with the seashore. The foaming, angry billows 
 dashed against jagged rocks below. The ledge upon 
 which I was riding became more narrow as I proceeded. 
 The bicycle struck some stones and hurled me over the 
 precipice. I could see the shapes of sharks waiting for 
 my fall into the salty depths. I grabbed at the spare 
 vegetation, momentarily checking the fall — but it gave 
 way, and T dropped, dropped — and again I would awake 
 ;is before. 
 
 Frequently I dreamed I was in an elevator and that 
 the controller was broken. It seemed to be in one of 
 the great skyscrapers in Chicago. The elevator would 
 go up to the top with lightning swiftness and then drop 
 to the bottom with a sickening thud, only to repeat, and
 
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 46 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 repeat, until my soul was wrung with fright and agony 
 — and again I would awaken as out of other dreams. 
 
 Perceiving that the things which were being done 
 were not helping me, I got word to Mr. Smedley at 
 St. James and he kindly came to see me. I was not able 
 to talk enough to explain the situation, but my folks did 
 so. He was very sympathetic and kind and said he 
 would return in a few days and tell me what St. James 
 would and could do for me. 
 
 After a few days or weeks he returned to say that I 
 was to be taken to the Alexian Brothers Hospital, where 
 all my expenses would be paid by St. James. He also 
 said that if they said anything to me about pay that I 
 should say that those matters were to be attended to by 
 Dr. Stone of St. James Church, and that Dr. Stone would 
 himself pay for the carriage which should take me to 
 the hospital. Dr. Auld added to the stimulants I was 
 then taking, and I took the chance of getting there alive. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 A Few Skirmishes — The Seamy Side of Soldiery. 
 
 OX arriving at the hospital I was at once put into 
 the charge of Dr. Albrecht Heym, Neurologist, 
 lately imported from Germany. The doctor 
 could speak but little English. His examination was the 
 most thorough I have ever had. As he rapped along my 
 spine with his odd hammers and other apparatus, or 
 listened along my spine with his stethoscope, he fre- 
 quently indulged in despairing ejaculations and expres- 
 sions of pity. The nurses and other doctors expected 
 me to die in a few days. But my youth and Doctor 
 Heym's excellent judgment prevailed. He had examined 
 my abdomen with great care and bewailed the intestinal 
 shrinkage and general cadaverousness. My temperature 
 was commonly subnormal, sometimes as low as 95° (nor- 
 mal is 98.6°). and some doctors say that one degree down 
 is worse than two degrees up, so far as danger of demise 
 is concerned. I weighed only ninety-nine and a fraction 
 pounds, and I am a man practically six feet tall with a 
 large, heavy outfit of bony frame — so large that if it 
 were normally covered I would weigh about two hun- 
 dred pounds.
 
 ARTHUR P. FULLER *i 
 
 I was given bromides, iodide of potassium, electricity, 
 water baths, iced and hot hose play, massage; later 
 cabinet (artificial sunlight — dry heat) electric Lighl baths. 
 with massage, hose projectile shower, etc., and arsenic 
 and iron added to my medicines. He saw to it that 1 
 had an abundance of plain, nourishing food. About a 
 year later, I was told thai they had done all they could 
 for me and that I should get into the country and that I 
 would then probably get strong faster. I weighed one 
 hundred and twenty pounds and could walk one hun- 
 dred feet, and sil up an hour per day. 
 
 1 got my sisters to write to some friends in Fond du 
 Lac and succeeded in gaining for myself an invitation to 
 (•dine there and sojourn for awhile. As T was leaving 
 the hospital 1 thanked Brother Ambrose for the excel 
 lent treatment I bad received. Concluding, I said: 
 
 "Of course I am primarily indebted to Dr. Stone 
 for interesting his Parish — the people of St. James 
 Church — to the extent that they were willing to pay my 
 way all this time. But you have all been very kind to 
 me and 1 appreciate it." 
 
 Brother Ambrose smiled: "Who told you St. James 
 had paid your way here?" 
 
 "Why. 1 don't know that any one has. I understood, 
 though, that they were to do so." 
 
 And then the Roman Catholic Brother gently in- 
 formed me that my Episcopalian friends had done ab- 
 solutely nothing along that line — bad not paid them one 
 penny toward my maintenance there. 
 
 Well, it was true that St. James had paid my salary 
 —had given me a piano as a reward for faithful service 
 when 1 left there. 1 guess they did not owe me any- 
 thing. 1 had often waded through snow to my hips in 
 order to serve them faithfully — but a few compliments 
 to my grit settled such an account, of course. I had 
 simply done my duty, l'.ut I had been led to suppose 
 that they had decided to be generous. 1 Mas dazed and 
 ashamed. 
 
 A few weeks after arriving in Pond du Lac it be- 
 came evident T was not prospering. I called Dr. May- 
 ham, who had treated me while 1 was at the Cathedral 
 and stimulated me so thai 1 could finish the contract 
 year. Strychnine, nitro-glycerine, digitalis and bella-
 
 RT. RLV. CHARLLS CHAPMAN GRAFTON 
 Bishop of the Diocese of Fond du Lac and Rector of St. Paul's Cathedral 
 A great orator, a mighty character, a kind man
 
 ARTHUR F. PULLER 49 
 
 donna was the outfit. But it had nol rendered me im- 
 mune from further exhaustion, nor caused my body to 
 receive new life and energy — just a kick — a whip when 
 I needed rest. 
 
 I had had bromides a year. So Dr. Mavhain had no 
 alternative hut to give the old dope over again. 1 losl 
 ground. My friends got sick and I had to move. My 
 poor relations were making great efforts and sacrifices 
 to keep me in funds. A friend went to see the Bishop 
 of Fond du Lac. The following is the conversation thai 
 resulted : 
 
 "Bishop Grafton, Arthur Fuller is in town. He is 
 sick and unable to work — has been down most of the 
 time since he left here. His folks are unable to do more 
 for him. I called to ask if you would kindly try to in- 
 terest some of the moneyed people in his behalf, and 
 also if you would authorize the Cathedral Choir to give 
 a concert in the Parish House for his benefit. 
 
 The Bishop hesitated. "Arthur Fuller- Arthur 
 Puller! Where have I heard that name before? Who 
 is Arthur Fuller?" 
 
 He had forgotten the cog in the machinery. There 
 was to be no concert. Lots of good reasons why it could 
 not well be — so many requests on behalf of deserving 
 people, so many things on hand, etc. 
 
 But my sister Blanche, assisied by the oilier mem- 
 bers of the family, rustled up a concert in a hurry in 
 Chicago, and the funds were sent to me. Accordingly 
 I went to St. Agnes Hospital. Dr. Mayham added 
 arsenic, iron and manganese solution to the treatment, 
 but I lost ground. Some people fancy that grief cannol 
 affect the health. Well, it is true that I was mighty 
 weak and that the least thine' might be harder for me 
 to bear than a greal deal would be for a well man. Bui 
 some people are hard and cannot understand why any- 
 one should care about anybody or anything. Grief is 
 not real until it gets into one's own heart. 
 
 T was told that 1 must renounce music forever. 1 
 was told to forget religion and cease trying to qualify to 
 associate with angels, but to be satisfied to stay with men 
 until my three score years and ten should be fulfilled. 
 However, I did not improve, so on the advice of a friend 
 I changed doctors. 
 
 The new doctor was R. A. Palmer. He gave dif- 
 ferent medicines than any I had recently had. I do uo1
 
 50 
 
 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 know what they were. I improved slowly but steadily, 
 finally going to* live with the doctor, who was alone. He 
 did his best for me. After six months L had improved 
 until I could sit up eight hours each day and could walk 
 about seven or eight blocks. My eyes improved until 1 
 could use them about fifteen minutes each day. I trusted, 
 hoped I was getting well. 
 
 Among other things the doctor taught me, was to do 
 my own thinking. But, oh, pity! my walking ability 
 wasliot long with me. My heart became more and more 
 erratic. I began to experience difficulty on going to 
 sleep. Just as soon as my conscious mind would slum- 
 ber — as soon as I began to cross the line between sleep- 
 ing and waking, my heart would forget to do business 
 to a most distressing extent. It did some wonderful 
 rolling and indulged in oddest and most fear-inspiring 
 irregularities during sleep. I append a few examples 
 of its action during the day : 
 
 Before a meal the pulse would read about as fol- 
 lows: prostrate, 72; sitting, 78; standing, 104. After a 
 meal, prostrate, 110; sitting, 138; standing, 164. There 
 would also be as great a difference in quality as in speed. 
 After a meal and before exertion the pulse would be 
 strong, full, bounding: before a meal and after exertion 
 the pulse would be soft and thready. Three hours after 
 a meal the heart would begin to be a little less suscep- 
 tible. One day as my heart was continuing fast, which 
 it always does following the slightest over-step of my 
 meagre limit of exertion, Dr. Palmer said, "Now, you 
 have been walking about eight blocks per day, and I be- 
 lieve if you will get out and boldly exercise, that heart 
 will have to come down; and I will guarantee to you 
 that it will drop to normal." 
 
 It had failed to quiet down at the usual time after 
 the meal, and the doctor, who was a very large, power- 
 ful man, by agreement set his best walking pace and we 
 walked five blocks to the bridge. When we started my 
 pulse was 132. When we reached the bridge it was 164. 
 We walked back home, and nature collected the penalty 
 — I was completely prostrated; fever, sweating and utter 
 inability were accompaniments. 
 
 The heart held steadily at 142 to 146, and inter- 
 mitted, fluttered and did double beat frequently, result- 
 ing in slight blanks in consciousness, heart cough, pallor 
 and bluishness of the lips.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 51 
 
 After this experience the diastole, or second part <>i 
 the heartbeat, was soft, as if it struck on a cushion or 
 soft rubber plate, and on efforl to walk there was a gush- 
 ing or blowing sound with it, as well as anemic mur- 
 murs. 
 
 My countenance, which had been possessed of good 
 color, with bright eyes and red lips, was for a long time 
 after this, pah — particularly, my lips were colorless and 
 bluish mornings, and my eyes were dull and glassy. 
 During the day my face occasionally would suddenly 
 flush deeply and my head seem bursting with fullness 
 of blood, and then the color would leave again. 
 
 Alter the experience referred to above, I at times 
 had a feeling as if cold water were being sprayed just 
 underneath the scalp from about the middle of the top 
 of the head, clear across the breadth and to the forehead. 
 and also as if a weight were laid on my heart. And I 
 sometimes had a sensation as if the blood had receded 
 from my brain. This did nol worry me much just 
 then, as I was not doing many mental stunts at that time. 
 1 used also to have such a sensation all over my body, 
 and watched to see whether it was real or simply a ner- 
 vous •"sensation." Often I used to watch my hands and 
 arms, which would be warm and the veins, distended. 
 measuring probably a quarter of an inch in diameter. 
 This receding sensation would come, and I would see 
 the veins suddenly fade to a line of blue as fine as the 
 finest thread, and the flesh would become pale. 
 
 I will not have 1 space to tell in detail all the different 
 troubles that came to me along the way. From time to 
 time I will have to make long skips, lint just here I 
 will say that my sister, relations and friends had done all 
 they could to keep me in funds. Xow that I was evi- 
 dently getting down again they sent me a ticket home. 
 The ride from Fond du Lac was a terrible ordeal for me 
 and I suffered intensely from heart pain and general 
 conditions. 
 
 For a lime, through the mails. I continued under the 
 medical advice of Dr. Palmer with whom I had been the 
 past year. Bu1 acute conditions arose requiring per- 
 sonal attention. Accordingly \h\ Reininger was called. 
 He was a physician and surgeon, < >steopat h. Chiropractic, 
 and Suggestive Therapeutist. He was confident he could 
 benefit meat once and permanently. Bui he failed to do 
 so — on the contrary, 1 became rapidly worse under his
 
 52 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 treatment. I tried another highly recommended physi- 
 cian and surgeon — Dr. Espy L. Smith. He made some 
 inquiry as to my heredity and the past treatment. He 
 said: 
 
 "I see clearly that you have had excellent treatment. 
 The best has been done for you that could have been. 
 But if that heart does not get relief and aid at once your 
 earthly troubles will soon be over. Your heart may hold 
 out three weeks, or even six. But if it does not get 
 help, your days are numbered. You are a brave man — 
 there is no occasion for me to beat around the bush." 
 He proposed an operation. But I did not have the price. 
 
 At this time I could only sit up an hour each day, 
 and could walk only a few steps — from my wheel-chair 
 to the bath-room. 
 
 To say that I fought desperately the on-creeping ex- 
 haustion is to put it mildly. I had had to reduce my 
 exercise step by step, and what I suffered in vain effort 
 to keep up my little stunts no one can imagine except 
 any who may have had a similar experience. 
 
 I searched diligently to find out what could be the 
 cause of my increasing exhaustion. Why did I not get 
 stronger instead of weaker? I told different doctors 
 about the pains along my spine, but they simply passed 
 by that matter saying, "spinal irritation." I noticed that 
 when I sat up, as long as I remained doubled over like 
 an old man, my heart was not much faster than when I 
 was lying down; but if I essayed to straighten up, the 
 pulse would jump forty to fifty degrees and hold there 
 as long as I remained straight. 
 
 Misfortune had come to my relations in one form 
 or another and they were no longer able to do anything 
 for me. Every resource had been taxed to the uttermost. 
 I cast about me to see how I could get money. I con- 
 trived to get credit for some toilet articles, and although 
 I could not use my eyes, managed to write notes to 
 neighbors and friendly people and go1 my lillle nephew 
 to deliver them, and so made sales enough to keep me in 
 some soil of funds. 
 
 Circumstances developed that made it necessary for 
 me to give up the room 1 had been occupying to make a 
 place for another unfortunate member of the family. 
 Accordingly 1 was moved into the unfinished ;ittic of Hie 
 house my father rented. The "A" shaped roof met 1lie 
 sides aboul eighteen inches from the floor. There Avas
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 53 
 
 nothing but the rafters and shingles betweeD me and the 
 outside. There was a window in the front and one at 
 the rear. < uie of the big stores advertised dress Lining 
 at one cent per yaTct I figured our how many yards I 
 would need, and managed to sell enough toilel articles 
 to get the necessary cash. Had a friend buy the ma- 
 terial. Persuaded my brother-in-law to tack the! cloth 
 around, forming a room about twelve by fourteen. [After- 
 wards be procured some paint and painted the, cloth, 
 making it fairly windproof. . '?"/>«.> 
 
 Every time I caught cold I had a severe -atl ick of 
 catarrhal inthimmation of lhc-bo\yels. or bladdei, or a 
 dose of rheuiuat ism. §& I made The ac'iuainta ice of 
 Dr. Win. J. Poffofrk. He. was aii Allopath a ml K<j-h-.H ic, 
 hut a good on ec;" However, prosperity ruins many ai g&atl 
 man. and increased pat pbuage made him so independent 
 that it was noQpossible for him to stoop to be thorough. 
 I became tired of having him run in, look at me, asps how 
 I was, write a slip of paper, and go on and send in Iris bill 
 for professional calls when he gave me only two or three 
 minutes. So I decided to drowse around a hit. 
 
 I learned of Dr. W &. Li pes, of Indianapolis, Ind. 
 He was a mighty fine man and a ij-ood doctor. He made 
 fewer mistakes than most doctors with whom I have had 
 dealings. My bladder trouble was so obstinate, he won- 
 dered if I might not have a stricture. I did not know 
 what that was. I learned that it was similar to polypus 
 in the nose — just a catarrhal thickening of the urethral 
 canal — that it mighl come from long continued irrita- 
 tion, or from an accident, or from venereal disease, or it 
 migh.1 be congenital. I certainly had the symptoms. But 
 I must not gel ahead of my story. 
 
 .My parents were in very poor health and were too 
 feeble to climb the stairs to wail on me, so I hired a 
 neighbor hoy to come to me three times each day. In 
 order to continue \)v. Lipes' medicines. 1 often had to 
 make sacrifices. One thing after another was sold to 
 gel money. In the course of time I even sold my bed. 
 and for many months I lay on a mattress filled with 
 saw-dust which was laid upon a discarded barn door 
 and this in turn was rested upon three soap boxes. As 
 I had not the price of a stove, and had no one to attend 
 it for me, I had to use an oil heater which had been given 
 me some time since b\- my dear daddv.
 
 WILLIAM SMLDLLY 
 The most eminent Choirmaster west of New York CHy
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 55 
 
 However, this oil stove was inadequate in the win- 
 ter weather, and it \v;is in this way thai I conceived the 
 idea of having cay bed movable — so thai I could attend 
 
 to a coal stove. I never had the strength to do so. and 
 never had the stove, hut the idea was worth much to me, 
 as may presently he seen. 
 
 Realizing thai St. James Church had not actually 
 spent any money on me. I thoughl I could not more than 
 be refused if I again asked them to help me. According- 
 ly 1 sent for Mr. Smedley again. He came. I told my 
 story. St. dames then sent several medical experts to 
 pass on my case. They recommended similar treatment 
 to that which had been given me at the Alexian Brothers 
 Hospital, as it had been somewhat successful — had bene- 
 fited me somewhat. 
 
 Mr. Smedley came back to see me again and tell 
 me that I was to have just what T needed and that I 
 should be ready at such a time. The ambulance came 
 and I was taken to St. Luke's Hospital. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Arrival of Long Looked For Reinforcements — Crushed 
 
 By Unsuspected Enemy. 
 
 OX arrival at the hospital. 1 was placed in the ward 
 tients were, and men with Bright's disease, liver 
 where pneumonia, typhoid and rheumatic pa- 
 disease, ete. I had to use the same bed-pans and utensils 
 as those patients. I was supposed to have absolute rest, 
 freedom from worry, plenty of nourishing food, mas- 
 sage and electricity and other things that were not to he 
 had at home. 
 
 The interne came for my case history. 1 was green 
 at telling the story, and forgot to mention many things 
 that should have been brought to mind, and spent time 
 on some matters which were unimportant. Bui 1 did 
 not know what They wanted and needed to know then 
 as I do now. 
 
 Dr. Faville. the head professor, seemed much inter- 
 ested in my case. However, all the treatment 1 received 
 was hypodermic injections of nitrate of strychnine, and 
 glycero-phosphate of lime and soda in wafer form. 
 orally. I could not see anything very remarkable in that 
 outlay. I finally perked up courage enough to ask
 
 56 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 about the massage, etc., and was told that they did not 
 believe in such doings at St. Luke's Hospital. 
 
 The man with Bright 's disease and dropsy suffered 
 dreadfully. He and others kept up constant groaning. 
 1 could not sleep. He had to be tapped several times. 
 The stencil was frightful. 1 could not see that that en- 
 vironment was an improvement over the attic, so I re- 
 turned to my former shelter. St. -James Church and the 
 hospital authorities seemed to feel that I had behaved 
 very disgracefully, and had insulted them. 
 
 The medical profession was at this time much en- 
 thused over the claims of lymph treatment. I contrived 
 to get in touch with the New Animal Therapy Co., and 
 with Dr. L. C. Gottschalk. He came and examined me. 
 He was the first physician to express the opinion that my 
 trouble was largely due to the spine. 
 
 Dr. Gottschalk was strong on the Suggestive Thera- 
 peutics proposition. He said that I needed cell stimu- 
 lation and if I would use the lymph as directed, I would 
 be walking in four days. I did as directed. When the 
 appointed time came that I should be able to walk, I 
 was in a bad shape. I was passing urine nearly as thick 
 as soft soap and only about twelve ounces per day (nor- 
 mal is forty to forty-eight ounces.) It was excessively 
 foul. My pulse was very rapid and weak, breathing was 
 very difficult. I was in such a state of complete col- 
 lapse that I could not even feed myself. In short, the 
 evidences were undeniably to the effect that if I would 
 stick to that treatment a few days I would be a dead man. 
 
 One of my sisters sang in the choir at the Fulton 
 Street M. E. Church. Dr. W. B. Leach was pastor there 
 ;it that time. My sister interested him in me and he 
 used frequently to come to see me, and pray for my re- 
 covery. Several times his entire congregation made 
 special prayers for my restoration, in conjunction with 
 other congregations. But it appeal's to me quite evident 
 that God expects every man to work out his own prob- 
 lem and saw his own wood. 1 think it is a mistake 'for 
 the sick to gel discouraged and bitter when prayers are 
 not answered. The mistake is in wrong teaching and 
 mis-interpretation of the Deity. I>n1 more concerning 
 t his in anot her place. 
 
 T have not space to put every matter down in de- 
 tail. But the next experience of special interesl that T 
 can now recall was with something that was such a radi-
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER =7 
 
 eal departure Prom the accepted systems ;is makes men- 
 tion of it a dangerous thing. As the waving of a red 
 
 flag in the face of an enraged bull, so it is to publish the 
 good of a doctrine qo1 approved by the majority. 
 
 I had considered the sayings of the doctors thai 
 massage was very beneficial in cases like mine. Ac- 
 cordingly I secured the services of Mile. Hilda Malmquist, 
 professional masseuse, and had had three treatments per 
 week for nine months withoul appreciable benefit. I 
 therefore concluded that the rubbing was not the pana- 
 cea the elixir of life the means of renewing vitality. 
 
 Do noi forget, kind reader, that I had to lie in this 
 dismal attic, twenty-four hours on a stretch, seven days 
 a week, having only the ten or fifteen minutes' attention 
 three limes each day by the boy, Willie Effertz, who 
 waited upon me. I could not read or whistle or sing— 
 just think, think, think- wait, wait, wait wait for morn- 
 ing — look out at the beautiful stars and vault of heavenly 
 blue, and beg them to tell me how to improve my condi- 
 tion beg Uu- morning- beg that the long, sleepless 
 night be ended. And when the day came -wait until 
 the boy came to hurry through with the few duties — 
 then wait — until he came again at noon; eat my little 
 lunch ami then waif alone until oight — until he should 
 come again and li^iit my lamp and bring my supper. 
 And then wait — until sleep time. And so began the 
 weary program over again. 
 
 Where were my folks, my friends? Well, my folks 
 had all they could do to look after themselves. My 
 friends? My God! Had I lived in vain? Where were 
 those that should love me.' Where have they been every 
 t ime I needed t hem .' 
 
 lint one day I read the large type of a head-line 
 advertising "NERVE FORCE." It was an oil or un- 
 guent to be applied to the skin from head to foot and 
 particularly to the spine. 
 
 Miss Malmquisl also treated Rime. Anna Weiss, a 
 Roncerl pianiste, whose studio was in Steinway Hall. As 
 I was a musician, I was mentioned. She came to see me. 
 The result was thai by the co-operation of Rev. \h-. Leach, 
 
 Mme. Weiss gave a benefit eoneerl for me. With 1 he 
 
 monev I go1 a supply of "Nerve Force." 
 
 After using it three months I found myself im- 
 proved in many ways. 1 had gained in weighl ami gen- 
 eral health, only 1 continued i<> have to keep strictly
 
 58 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 within the very meagre limits as to exertion, principally 
 on account of my heart. I therefore called Dr. Pollock 
 again and took medicines prescribed by him. 
 
 As I had been without internal medicine or stimu- 
 lative treatment for some time, it was not to be won- 
 dered at that his remedies appeared to have beneficial 
 effect. However, they did not re-make me, so I used 
 judgment about increasing my exertions not being will- 
 ing to undo the good which Nerve Force had done me. I 
 had such frequent sub-acute attacks of cystitis that I felt 
 bound to mention my apprehensions in regard to a 
 stricture. 
 
 He at once proposed that I get fifty dollars together 
 and he would have a great specialist come and operate 
 on me, and say if there was anything further to be done. 
 For I was not satisfied with my progress — it was not up 
 to what I had so fondly hoped for. 
 
 By the assistance of a certain very few, I managed 
 to get the required fifty. Dr. Delpratt came, performed 
 his little operation, and then expressed his views. He 
 had never seen me before, and while he did listen to 
 quite a story from my lips, his questions seemed to have 
 rather more of a personal than a professional meaning 
 However, I was green then. Rapacious doctors are not 
 an uncommon sort of bird. 
 
 "Can you move your legs?" Dr. Delpratt asked. 
 "I can," I replied. 
 "Let me see you." 
 
 "Can you sit up?" was his next question. 
 "Yes," I answered. 
 "Let me see you," the doctor insisted. 
 "I have done my stunts already today," I replied. 
 •"Well, but I was not here to see you. I think you 
 are just fooling me. I don't believe you can sit up. 
 •Just try it. If you drop dead 1 will pay the funeral ex- 
 penses. " 
 
 "I can sit up all right. I just said I have done my 
 stunts today — all that was proper for me to do, or I 
 would bave done more. I have had to stand a lot of 
 suffering several times before, just to prove T was game, 
 and there is nothing in it. You must think you have 
 happened upon a good sure enough ease of hypo." 
 ( Hypoch ond riasis ) . 
 
 "You are all right, but you have lost your nerve. 
 You are afraid to show me that you can sit up."
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 59 
 
 "You arc mistaken. I have nerve and 1 also have 
 judgment. The effects of an over-draught are not im- 
 mediate, hut they are none the less certain. That is 
 proven by cases of dissipation, the collapse of profes- 
 sional men, and other things. If it were proper for un- 
 to sit up now I would do so, but I know it is not best." 
 
 "No, you are afraid yon would die. But don't you 
 know, I would sign the death warrant. If your folks 
 could not bury you, the hogs or the maggots would clean 
 your bones. Show me what you can do if you arc ;i 
 mau. '' 
 
 I swung around. Under much the same line of dare 
 I was also induced to get upon my feet — the first time in 
 some years. On the same dare, I walked across the little 
 room. He offered to help me when I staggered, but I 
 refused, saying that if I could do it at all I could do it 
 alone. He advised large, frequent doses of strychnine, 
 with glycerophosphate of lime and soda, and increased 
 doses of Pollock's Heart Tonic (strophanthus, gelsemn- 
 ium, cactus grandiflour and cinchona compound). 
 
 He went awav feeling verv well satisfied with him- 
 self. 
 
 Before I slept that night I prayed a long prayer. If 
 I were fooled about my condition — if I were a "hypo," 
 if I were self-hypnotized, oh, I was so thankful to find 
 it out. The shame of it was not to be compared to the 
 glory of it. I slept hard that night. In the morning I 
 awakened eager for the beginning of a new life — the re- 
 newing of the power to walk. I tried further. 
 
 By night the old lethargy began to creep upon me. 
 I tried to shake it off, saying it must not be — I must get 
 out of this fix. I tried to ignore and forget it. But each 
 day the old symptoms and conditions became more and 
 more aggravated. On going to sleep my body jerked, al- 
 most throwing me oft' the bed. My muscles began to 
 twitch and draw wonderfully. Cramps developed in dif- 
 ferent muscles. Fever came upon me. Bain came into 
 the back of my head at the nape of the neck. The old 
 heavy sweats returned, and with them the horrible 
 dreams. My heart began to run. My bowels and blad- 
 der became in a worse condition than they had yel been. 
 The pain was unendurable. Every former means of re- 
 lief was tried without success. The lethargy crept over 
 me as of old. My voice became so weak and thin or so 
 deep and sepulchral that it sounded like another person.
 
 60 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 My body became numb from head to foot. I could not 
 think. When I had an idea to express it would be gone 
 before I could finish uttering it. I did not know where 
 I was. 1 was confused. I did not know whether it was 
 long since I had gotten down or only a few days ago. I 
 scarcely knew what I did. My heart held at a hundred 
 and forty-six. My urine was like pus, my bowels moving 
 frequently with great pain, passing slugs of mucus as 
 large as a fat man's thumb. The pain along my spine 
 was intolerable. My elbows ached, and also the palms 
 of the hands, down my legs, in my knees and at the soles 
 of my feet. 
 
 In other words, in less than ten days, I had lost all 
 the precious vitality that had been built up in five 
 months. 
 
 I stopped the treatment — went back to some things 
 I could trust, and endured the realization of all these 
 things with what grace I might. When I got my wits 
 back so I could think and talk straight I sent for Pol- 
 lock. He SUPPOSED I was getting along nicely was 
 the reason I had not sent for him. I asked him if he 
 now had any OBJECTIVE symptoms as to the unwise- 
 ness of the stunts Dr. Delpratt had put me up against. 
 
 He shifted uneasily in his chair and said Delpratt 
 would not have talked so if I had been one of his own 
 patients. But that Delpratt thought I might as well die 
 trying to get out and get exercise as to stay there until 
 death came upon me. But I got another doctor after 
 that. Some men are so bullheaded they must see a man 
 dead before they will perceive or admit that their side, 
 their belief, their science, if you please, has its limita- 
 tions.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 61 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 A Renegade's Ruse— A Spy's Damaging Work— Prom- 
 ised Ammunition Intercepted by the Enemy— Heroic 
 Sacrifices by Faithful Allies— An Able General 
 to the Fore— Hope of Victory— A Better 
 Position Gained. 
 
 MY few customers in the toilet article and Light 
 grocery line were beginning to discover bar- 
 gains at the big stores and my income suf- 
 fered. A certain few of my kin-folk helped what they 
 could out of their meagre earnings. But the combined 
 receipts were not adequate. As St. James Church had 
 not as yet actually spent any money on me, I thought 
 I would dare to try them again. 
 
 I studied over the situation, and could not compre- 
 hend what caused my continued inability, unless it was 
 either the state of my spine or that stricture; for Del- 
 pratt's operation seemed transient in its benefit, and I 
 was in the same state as before. I learned of a doctor 
 in Cincinnati who claimed to have a painless operation 
 for thai trouble and had had some correspondence with 
 him. 
 
 In response to a letter, Mr. Smedley, the choir- 
 master, very kindly came over again to see me. I ex- 
 plained that T needed some money for living expense-, 
 and for treatment. lie said that Dr. Stone, rector of 
 St. .lames, was quite out of patience with me for the way 
 1 had acted regarding their kindness in getting me into 
 St. Luke's Hospital. But he said he would do his best 
 to get Dr. Stone to agree to allow the choir to give a 
 concert for my benefit. He departed and made overtures 
 to \)v. Stone with the result that Dr. Stone sent him 
 back to "I-N-V-E-S-T-I-G-A-T-E" further, and find ou1 
 what it was 1 wanted in the way of treatment. 
 
 I felt considerable delicacy about explaining, but \ 
 did so. Mr. Smedley took pains to gel the name and 
 
 address of the Cincinnati doctor, and departed. 
 
 In a few weeks he returned to say thai he had not 
 been sent, hut had come on his own account so that 1
 
 62 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 would not be worrying. He explained t licit they had 
 written the Cincinnati man and had been more fully in- 
 formed as to the trouble. He gently informed me that 
 the Cincinnati man had said that, of course, they under- 
 stood that this trouble was the result of impure living — 
 that I had denied that I had ever done things that would 
 bring about such troubles, but that it was common for 
 men who associated with a good class of people to reply 
 negatively to questions in this regard even though they 
 were guilty. What could I do? The doctor said thus and 
 so. I KNEW and stated contrarily to the man who w r as 
 just enough to give me a hearing. But the doctor's 
 erroneous pre-supposition won the day. The false report 
 was out and its correction would not travel a thousandth 
 as fast as the malodor had done. 
 
 Some folks may want to inquire, "Can a man actu- 
 ally come to the degree of helplessness that Fuller claims 
 he has come to?" In another part of this book will be 
 found the diagnosis of Dr. M. Olson. 
 
 Let me tell you some more things she said : 
 
 "Before I attempt to advise what you should do 
 to better your condition, I will need to know what treat- 
 ment you have previously had — what remedies have been 
 administered, and who prescribed them. Can you fur- 
 nish any information along this line" 
 
 I replied, "I have always been much interested in 
 the science of medicine. At school I always got high- 
 est credits in physiology. I never lose an opportunity 
 to learn. 1 have made it my business to remember 
 things that were told me. Furthermore, many doctors 
 tell their patients when they are administering power- 
 ful or poisonous medicines so that the patient will take 
 care to follow directions implicitly, and avoid allowing 
 the remedies to fall into the hands of children. I re- 
 member for one cause or another, certain remedies that 
 have been given me." 
 
 "That is very good," responded the doctor, "tell me 
 all you can in this regard. Also, tell me as nearly as pos- 
 sible, how long each remedy was administered." 
 
 Accordingly I told what I knew about past treat- 
 ment. The doctor then said: 
 
 ; 'A number of the remedies yon mention are cere- 
 brospinal stimulants. Tt is very evident that at some 
 time in your life, had you been so situated that you 
 could have had a year or two in quiet surroundings,
 
 HIGH ALTAR. ROOD SCRE.LN AND CHANCEL 
 
 Fond du Lac Cathedral 
 
 Where the Writer was Head of Things Musical
 
 64 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 sanitary conditions, and abundance of nourishing food, 
 and freedom, from worry and application to enervating 
 occupations, INSTEAD of the cerebro-spinants, your 
 present sad condition could have been avoided. From 
 consideration of your heredity, I can see that you would 
 never have been a strong_ man, but you need not have 
 come to such a state as that 1 find yo^ in, and might 
 have enjoyed life by living moderately and hygienically. 
 Xitro-glycerine is not a safe stimulant for prolonged use, 
 and I cannot understand how any physician can be so 
 thoughtless as to recommend its use for -as long a period 
 as ten months. Caffeine, kola, coca, phosphorus, Phy- 
 sostigma, xanthoxylum and mix vomica are all valuable 
 remedies, but circumstances appear to have been so ser- 
 iously against you that their employment was more of 
 a curse than a blessing to you. 
 
 '•'Bait in my opinion, the use of bromides for eigh- 
 teen consecutive months was as serious a mistake in the 
 opposite direction. The too prolonged use of them will 
 actually CAUSE degeneration of the spinal cord and 
 brain,. Physicians are often called upon to treat con- 
 ditions which are the direct result of the use of patent 
 medicines which contain sedative drugs, and have been 
 used immoderately for the relief of. pain. 1 have a case 
 of idiocy in a boy of fifteen, now, from that cause. 
 
 ''My advice to you is to keep away from medicines 
 and doctors. Find some way to get out doors. Stay in 
 the sun and air as much as possible. Eat sensibly of 
 plain, nourishing food, don't worry, take things easy. 
 Try to be at your best always. Keep your cheerful dis- 
 position. Drink copiously of fresh water, have frequent 
 baths, sail rubs; cold packs and enemas. Ice to the base 
 of the brain and along the spine should relieve the pains 
 you experience there. Morphine, hyosciamus, cannabis, 
 hemlock, hellebore and acetanilid are not sufficiently 
 efficacious to warrant recommendation in a case like 
 yours. Hot water applications are much safer." 
 
 Many was the ocular headache with accompanying 
 state of hyperasthesia that I brought upon myself as I 
 lay in that attic room, by turning the leaves of maga- 
 zines, and reading the larger type. But on one of these 
 occasions T read the ad. of Dr. S. M. Langworthy, Cedar 
 Rapids, Iowa. His specialty was fixing spines. I cor- 
 responded with him. Some months later I risked my 
 life by making the trip from Chicago to Cedar Rapids.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 65 
 
 I Ii;k1 engaged ;i room by mail, and my relatives had sue 
 
 ceeded in raising some m sy for me by some legitimate 
 
 liui original method. This wiih certain other helps from 
 a IVw unwearying helpers enabled me to try actual spinal 
 t reatment. 
 
 A sleeper was engaged for me and I made the trip 
 
 on a board eighl inches wide and forty-f • inches long. 
 
 On arriving in Cedar Rapids, I go1 the depol master to 
 call a drayman who took me to the place when; I had 
 engaged a room. This man's name was Die and 1 
 smiled grimly as we joined aloniz' to the new scene, say- 
 ing to myself, "Never say Die." His wagon had neither 
 sideboards nor stakes, and as the board on which I had 
 come from Chicago had no le«-s, I had to lie face up on 
 his open wagon. Bu1 we arrived in safety. 
 
 It was some time before I was sufficiently recovered 
 from this trip to be able to endure the examination by 
 the doctors. Dr. Langworthy was the president of the 
 American School of Chiropractic. The entire faculty and 
 a few students came to see me. Dr. Langworthy made 
 the spinal and general examination and diagnosis. 
 Treatment was begun forthwith. 
 
 In these days, it seems that every man's hand is 
 raised againsl his brothel-. Even father and son are in 
 conflict. There shall nol be one line in this book intend- 
 ed to damage the interests of any school of doctors or 
 healers. The purpose of this book is merely to state 
 facts regarding my experience and physical condition. 
 
 Physicians have been more kind to me, possibly, 
 than any division of people. It would be ungrateful, 
 discourteous and unwise for me to abuse them, even if I 
 
 I'elt disposed to. They have frequently 1 n patrons, and 
 
 1 need to avoid making enemies. 
 
 This book is written for my defense and if any man 
 
 will do me the h r to consider its contents from cover 
 
 to cover, with unbiased mind, he can hardly fail to realize 
 that 1 have set forth only facts and have presented the 
 truth. Many is the physician who has come along 
 where I vvas selling on the street and said, as he took my 
 hand and held it warmly in his own : 
 
 'I have read your life-book. My wife bought it a 
 day or so ago. You have my deepest sympathy. While 
 yon are in our city, if I can do anything for yon profes- 
 sionally or otherwise, day or uight, do not hesitate to 
 have me called. I want yon to take this dollar in the
 
 66 
 
 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 spirit in which it is given — it is merely the outward token 
 of a sincere appreciation of your courage and manhood. 
 I owe it to you. I only wish I could give you enough to 
 take care of you the rest of your life. But I am a man of 
 large family and it is not a great deal I can do for you in 
 a financial way. But I sympathize with you deeply, and 
 I would consider it a privilege to assist you in any way 
 that might lie in my power." 
 
 I would certainly do a shameful thing to cast re- 
 flections on a set of men who have among them those 
 who are noble, big-souled, clean-conscienced men, who 
 would do and have actually done more for me in a busi- 
 ness way than any other class of professional men. 
 
 Dr. Langworthy said: "Medical men are antagon- 
 istic to Chiropractic as they were_ toward Osteopathy. 
 The Osteopaths seem to have forgotten that they 
 formerly occupied the same position as Chiropractors, 
 and side with the medical men. However, you perhaps 
 already know that I am president of the American Col- 
 lege of Chiropractic which is one school with its course 
 up to legal standard. We are able to meet the medical 
 men upon their own grounds and prove our right to 
 practice both by results and theoretical versatility — talk 
 over the situation in their own language. 
 
 "I find abundant cause for your condition in your 
 spine." 
 
 I will not give in detail his diagnosis of the exact 
 spinal conditions as it is given as a later statement from 
 another Chiropractor, farther on in this book. 
 
 When Dr. Langworthy began treating me I could 
 talk but little — could turn over only twice in twenty-four 
 hours, and could lie only on my back, except perhaps an 
 hour at night. My functional processes were very weak 
 and I could not walk, sit up or use my eyes. At the end 
 of three months I had hoped to be able to walk, but I 
 was only slightly better. Dr. Langworthy said that if 
 I could in some way contrive to remain another three 
 months he was satisfied I would be so much better that I 
 would hardly know myself for the same man. He said: 
 
 "Of course, I do not wholly disregard the law of 
 heredity, but in my opinion those falls were the real cause 
 of your trouble. If a good Chiropractor or even an Os- 
 teopath had gotten hold of you at that time you could 
 have been fixed up in a very few adjustments. But 
 as you say those falls occurred nine years ago, it is
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 
 
 67 
 
 pretty hard to correcl mal-adjustment that lias existed 
 so long. Furthermore the medicines thai have been ad- 
 ministered have had their effecl in bringing about local 
 conditions that are hard to handle. If we can get those 
 medicines thoroughly out of your system it will he a 
 great blessing to you. I believe that if you will contrive 
 to stay here for a while longer we will get you at least so 
 that you will not have to take those heart medicines any- 
 more. Getting a man in your condition off from stim- 
 ulants which have been so long in use is no easy matter. 
 "From a Chiropractic standpoint all of your troubles 
 are from the state of your spine. Even that stricture is a 
 result of motor reaction. You admit that they used gel- 
 semium to relieve it, and any medical man will admit 
 that that drug acts on the nervous system, and the re- 
 laxation occasions the relief. The conditions recur be- 
 cause the cause — the impingement of spinal nerves — has 
 never been removed.' 3 
 
 My folks contrived to keep me in funds a while 
 longer, and in the meantime I worked out the plan I had 
 formulated in that attic room in West Superior street, 
 Chicago, when contemplating how I could become suffi- 
 ciently independent physically, to operate a coal stove._ I 
 ordered by mail a tin wagon which cost $1.45. I in- 
 duced the man with whom I was boarding to make a 
 platform on which 1 might lie, and so began the evolution 
 of the cot-wagon that has been in use so many years 
 since. At first I could only bear to get on the wagon 
 once per Aveek and the slight motion caused much suffer- 
 ing. But I stuck to it, and by Dr. Langworthy's faithful 
 help, presently got so I could endure to be wheeled 
 about. 
 
 After a few months I became sufficiently hardy to be 
 able to endure to talk and ride enough to canvass and so 
 began my discovery of a way to earn a living. I had to 
 guard very jealously my vitality and could not converse 
 nor otherwise do as 1 had done before the entire respon- 
 sibility fell upon me. but had to save every atom of force 
 for the work. But I thus managed to remain where I 
 could continue the Chiropractic system. 
 
 A number of times it seemed best for me to go, but 
 Dr. Langworthy hated to give up. 1" aten, and advised me 
 to stay, saying thai a few months more treatment would 
 probably show much greater results than the former 
 had. But the trial showed us disappointment. I had
 
 68 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 the treatment eighteen months and at the end of that 
 time was in the best condition I had been in since I first 
 became unable to walk and work. But although I was 
 unable to walk or sit, I am very thankful to say that the 
 results were substantial in the benefit to my general 
 health. However, at first I could not get along without 
 the treatments and after a pause of three months fell 
 back so much that it looked as if I were going to drop 
 into the old state again, and I made the trip from Hous- 
 ton, Texas, to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (fourteen hundred odd 
 miles), in order to get more treatment. Langworthy did 
 not fail me, and I was soon as well as when I first left. I 
 stayed several months longer, however, so as to take that 
 much more assurance that I would not have a relapse 
 when I left off. His vibratory machines of his own in- 
 vention are wonders in the way of palliative agencies, 
 and deliver more Osteopathy in a minute than a man can 
 in half an hour with his hands. 
 
 Dr. Langworthy \s adjustments benefited my heart 
 to such an extent that I was able to withdraw the stimu- 
 lants, and so that I could talk all I wanted to, and could 
 ride a good bit. They benefited my bladder and ureth- 
 ral condition to a considerable extent. I had formerly 
 experienced terrible attacks of inflammation of the bowels 
 every little cold I caught. Furthermore the awful attacks 
 of spinal pain were lessened greatly in frequency and 
 severity. Therefore it is evident that the Chiropractic 
 treatment was well worth while. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 Holding the Fort. 
 
 TBERE are certain people who fancy themselves. 
 Limited sovereignty of the will. They ask, "Do 
 "strong-minded," who believe in the absolute un- 
 yon ever try to walk.' If I were yon I would get up and 
 declare my freedom." To them I would reply: 
 
 Will-power is that faculty of mind which enables 
 the direction of the attention, concentration of thought, 
 continuity, and perseverance in a given intention, in the 
 face of opposition; is the dominating element in that we 
 call conscious mind, therefore directing the body to
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 69 
 
 movements which make for the fruition of mental pros- 
 pect. It therefore has absolutely nothing to do with the 
 performance of the bodily functions. "No man can by 
 will power change the color of his hair, nor add one 
 euhit to his stature." IF you will show me a man who 
 can take the proportionate amount, hy weighl or volume 
 of the twelve elements known to compose the human 
 body, and make thereof a Living, breathing soul. I will 
 show you a man who is fit to judge whether or not I am 
 fooled concerning my condition. 
 
 Some good, well-meaning people make positive, but 
 meaningless remarks aboul having faith. Faith is not 
 entirely a matter of choice. We trust one person and dis- 
 trust another, without reason or excuse, but no matter 
 what arguments are brought to bear, the mind usually 
 remains unchanged. [f the success of any matter de- 
 pends upon faith, it is without substantial foundation. 
 If a doctor or a medicine has power, following the direc- 
 tions is all the faith thai is necessary to obtain results. 
 If the doctor or medicine has not the power, faith stands 
 a poor show of bestowing it. 
 
 My views regarding Religion as ;i therapeutic agent 
 are fully given in an essay on the subjed "What is 
 Truth.' - which may be found in my hook entitled. 
 "Seven Essays." 
 
 If we believe that saw-dust will nourish the body. 
 to resort to it as a steady diet, will result in death by 
 starvation if from nothing else. All the faith God Al- 
 mighty requires lis to have is to ea1 two or three reason- 
 able, square meals per day, and we will have no trouble 
 in avoiding starving to death, the bodily conditions being 
 normal to begin with. I do not care to argue with any- 
 one. Let every man think as he pleases, hold that which 
 appeals to him as reasonable, logical, true and extend to 
 me the same privilege. 
 
 If my trouble is not due to spinal injury it must be 
 due to overwork and heredity. Good stock cannot be 
 raised from poor progenitors. My father had heart 
 trouble from boyhood. I must admit that his tendency" 
 
 to excessive use of tobacco was often an exciting cause 
 for a bad hearl Gondii ion. 
 
 I can remember when I was a child how anxious 
 mother was every time father would go out. even though 
 it were only half a block; he mighl come home carried 
 by men or in an ambulance or a carriage, having fallen
 
 70 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 over in the street, and in the busy streets of Chicago it 
 was quite as likely to happen just in front of a street car 
 or vehicle as anywhere else. 
 
 His heart trouble was always declared to be ner- 
 vous, functional or reflex — not valvular. His heart 
 storms also broke with but little warning. Of a sudden 
 his heart would leap to the rate of 200 or more, and 
 would so continue as many as ninety-six hours or even 
 more. During such times, his body was usually covered 
 with a cold sweat, his eyes inclined to be set and star- 
 ing. He was weak and dizzy and experienced a smother- 
 ing sensation, and there was little if any pulse at the 
 wrist. Of course during these attacks he was unable to 
 walk at all, and was very restless, being unable to find 
 it tolerable in one position long, therefore sitting a while 
 and then desiring to recline. 
 
 .My sisters have had more or less difficulty with their 
 hearts, are weak, and evidently persons of feeble vitality. 
 
 My troubles began with cramps and icy coldness 
 of the" feet and legs, an inability to guide my feet nor- 
 mally when fatigued, increasing lack of power in the 
 limbs, failing sense of equilibrium, and little blanks in 
 consciousness. Aphonia (temporary loss of voice), fre- 
 qent attacks of throat troubles, difficulty in swallow- 
 ing, causing frequent strangulating spells which were so 
 severe that I often became black in the face before I 
 could get to breathing again. With these symptoms came 
 weeping of the eyes, followed shortly by excrutiating 
 pains iu the eyes. 
 
 Have you ever seen a great bundle of worms as big 
 as a water bucket, writhing and twisting at the base of a 
 tree which they were destroying? I used sometimes, to 
 have a sensation as if the calves of my legs were com- 
 posed of a bundle of such worms. When I would rise 
 from a chair or bed my heart would pain severly, and I 
 would become dizzy for a few moments. I then began 
 to have more or less pain all the time around my heart, 
 and to climb a flight of stairs was a thing to be dreaded, 
 for when I got to the top I was dizzy and ached all over 
 and the pain accompanying every heart beat was almost 
 unbearable. Every symptom I experienced became in- 
 creasingly worse, and bad conditions recurred more fre- 
 quently every year. 
 
 When I arose out of a chair or off a bed, my heart 
 beats became very slow and labored and violent, and the 
 agonizing pain presently was not only at the heart, but
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 71 
 
 went up the spine clear across the top of the head, and 
 it seemed as though a black cloth had been thrown over 
 me All I would be conscious of for several minutes 
 often, would be the necessity for grabbing onto something 
 and hanging on. My heart would gradually increase 
 until the more acute symptoms subsided. 
 
 Later on I once or twice experienced a sympton 
 when looking at the ground or some other object, as if I 
 had suddenly raised my head and looked at the sun — a 
 blinding light. Such a symptom is the only one possible 
 for the optic nerve to give, as it has no sensory connec- 
 tion. 
 
 After some years of treatment a new line of pain 
 came — along the left fore side of my neck, reaching up to 
 my ear. 
 
 The doctor said it was the pneumogastrie nerve, and 
 at this time there was frequently a beating sensation at 
 my left ear similar to when one draws the flap of the ear 
 over the "hole and taps upon it with the tip of the ringer. 
 The slightest exertion would cause a gushing noise to 
 sound in my ears. At times this would be accompanied 
 by the distention id' the corotid arteries accompanied by 
 flushing of the adjacent skin. This caused a choking 
 sensation. I frequently used to have palpitation of the 
 heart in the oight. 
 
 All my life elimination has been more or less im- 
 perfect, although my bowels acted with some pretense of 
 regularity. A brisk cathartic, instead of causing one or 
 two copious, satisfactory movements, would simply 
 cause perhaps half a dozen painful evacuations in the 
 course of a day, the quantity expelled at each time being 
 very small, accompanied by an "all gone'' feeling of 
 weakness, trembling and sometimes dizziness. 
 
 My kidneys did not function properly. Painful. 
 bin-nine' micturition was a result and there was a greal 
 deal of brick dust sediment. The urine was very scanty 
 and high colored. For about three years 1 was troubled 
 with muscular rheumatism in the shoulders: also since 
 1906 1 have been subject to attacks of inflammatory 
 rheumatism in my knees, limbs and back. 
 
 About ISIHi. and for a year or two following, my 
 bowels were so irritable that I could not even drink 
 Water as cold as that which comes from the faucet or if 
 would brine- a sort of diarrhoea. This was heradled by 
 dizziness and congestion of blood to the head and a
 
 72 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 ringing' in the ears which was always one tone and so 
 loud as to be almost deafening. My body was covered 
 with cold sweat from the severe pains through the ab- 
 domen, and I shook all over like the a man with the palsy. 
 Tlic stool would be forcibly ejected and would be green 
 of black. 
 
 It is amusing to note the disposition of some people 
 to pity themselves. Quite frequently, men will stop 
 when I ask them to patronize me, and inform me that 
 t hey are in quite as bad a fix as I — and yet evidently have 
 their eyes, and can walk. With the utmost care they ob- 
 serve their condition in minute detail, and in their over- 
 anxiety pick on the slightest symptoms as being indica- 
 tive of tlic presence of some insidious disease, or that 
 they are "falling into a decline." A professor in the 
 presence of some students examined and prescribed 
 treatment for a man who complained of heart trouble. 
 When the man had gone the doctor turned to the stu- 
 dents and said, "If that man had Fuller's heart he would 
 be scared to death." I wonder if 1 can give you an idea 
 of what a "heart storm" is like? 
 
 For several days previous the heart seems tired and 
 worn, is easily embarrassed, and is sore and painful. 
 There may be a suggestion of dizziness at times, and a 
 sensation of falling every time I try to go to sleep, ac- 
 companied by great irregularity in the heart's action. 
 Perhaps for three or four days there is a smothered sen- 
 sation and spells of shortness of breath (dyspnoea — ) 
 respiration no longer seems spontaneous; that is to say, 
 the lungs seem to have a tendency to stop, and there 
 seems to be no necessity to breathe; it seems to be an ef- 
 fort to breathe 
 
 Resorting to deep breathing seems only to stir up 
 dizziness and choking sensations, and seems to have no 
 effect in warding off the approaching storm. 
 
 An experience 1 had after my second collapse — when 
 I was able to walk a little — will serve to further illus- 
 trate. One night I had some difficulty in composing 
 myself to sleep on account of my heart being so irregular 
 and the smothering sensation being so persistent. Finally 
 I dropped into a doze. 1 must have been asleep about an 
 hour and a half when 1 became dimly conscious that my 
 heart was flagging unusually, like a clock running down. 
 and finally T realized thai the heart had stopped. 
 
 !>y a tremendous effort of will and summoning ail
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 73 
 
 my reserve force, I jumped from the bed, and the action 
 stimulated the hearl temporarily. Il then ran as high 
 as 180 or 200 for a little, and then a few beats al the rate 
 of forty or less. When fasl there would be throbbing 
 all over my head, gushing sounds in my i ars, and in spite 
 of the fad thai many years' singing had developed un- 
 usual control of the muscles used in breathing, it seem- 
 ed for ;i time as though every effort would prove futile. 
 When the hearl was slow the pain was excruciating. 
 Only those who have passed through such a struggle for 
 breath and life can imagine what this experience is like. 
 The instance just referred to occurred during the time 
 I was under Dr. Palmer's care before the walk to the 
 bridge. At that time I could walk perhaps a quarter of a 
 block a day and could sit up for several hours. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 A Running Fight. 
 
 REGARDING my spinal condition and diagnosis, \ 
 quote Dr. John T. Pue (graduate of Carver-Den- 
 ny College of Chiropractic, Oklahoma, Okla.) : 
 "You have a slight lateral curvature in the dorsals. How- 
 ever, curvature of the spine may exist without serious 
 detriment to the health. Sub-luxations are what cause 
 impingement of spinal nerves and thus result in abnor- 
 mal function. You have a sub-luxation at heart-place, 
 both liver places, stomach place and kidney plac< — that 
 is. at the first, third, fourth, sixth, ninth and twelfth dor- 
 sal vertebrae. 
 
 '•There is a pronounced contracted condition at the 
 first, second and fifth lumbar, and an absence of the nor- 
 mal curvature impinging the trunk nerves that should 
 supply the whole abdominal and pelvic regions, as well 
 as lower limbs, etc. There is also sub-luxation at the 
 cervical prominens, which semis nerve supply to the 
 arms, bronchial tubes, the throat generally, and the 
 stomach. Snb-luxation exists at axis and atlas first and 
 second cervicals,) as well as at the fifth, sixth and eighth. 
 
 Moreover there is extreme contraction at the occipital 
 
 muscles — the result id' motor re-action the reflex of 
 impinged nerves.
 
 74 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 "In regard to the state of the nerve centers, it 
 should not be overlooked that a sub-luxation might in- 
 terfere with the action of the heart for instance, to such 
 an extent as would cause the most wonderful and out- 
 rageous freaks in heart-action, and even cause death, 
 and still the plexes or nerve centers, could be in a healthy 
 condition. Furthermore a spinal condition bad enough 
 to cause disease need not be so pronounced as to be per- 
 ceptible to the eye, or the touch of the uninitiated. It 
 takes an educated hand to feel, or the trained eye to see 
 the mal-adjustment that is causing the trouble. A 
 spinus process may be visibly out of line and yet not 
 seriously impinge spinal nerves. And on the other hand, 
 there may be very slight displacement and marked dis- 
 turbance result. The degree of impingement is shown 
 by tlit- symptoms." (Dr. John T. Pue, Nerve Specialist, 
 in his office in the Hicks Bldg., San Antonio, Tex.. No- 
 vember 29, 1909.) 
 
 The questions naturally arise — if you can move the 
 different members of your body, why are you so help- 
 less? How does exertion affect you? The facts are 
 given below : 
 
 On exertion there quickly develops in the set of mus- 
 cles being used, a burning sensation, followed directly by 
 dull ache. These increase rapidly, and ere long, the part 
 becomes entirely helpless — further motion becomes im- 
 possible. AYhen I am having a bad spell, this ache is 
 general all over the body and there is incapacity for con- 
 trol. The poorer my condition, the sooner these symp- 
 toms appear. I have found by experience, about how 
 much I can safely do. If I overdo — persist in the en- 
 deavor too long, or if I repeat a slight overdraught, 
 yawning or frequent sighing comes about. The ache 
 develops more readily, it becomes very hard to "pull 
 myself together"' for necessary business. There is an 
 indifference to comfort — it is an effort to move, to 
 breathe everything seems irksome — then, as Solomon 
 said, "Even tin- grasshopper becomes a burden" —that 
 old feeling of weakness — ennui, lethargy seems bound to 
 possess me. It would be so much easier just to let life 
 slip away than to brace up any more. There is more or 
 less aumbness, and general failure of circulation. The 
 heartsounds vary, between being jerky and excited, and 
 wonderfully soft. The pulse at the wrist becomes soft 
 and thready. There is a chilly, creepy sensation all over
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 75 
 
 the body. The appetite leaves, often there is intense 
 nausea, sleeplessness, nervousness, and a general dam- 
 ming up of functions. In other words, when 1 begin to 
 
 exert, 1 begin to die. 
 
 It would be impossible to tell it all — to fairly repre- 
 senl just whal 1 have to endure. And even if I could 
 tell it, there would no doubt be still someone who was 
 skeptical. "You look so remarkably healthy in the face 
 to be so delicate as you represent!" some would say. I 
 often have "encouraging" remarks made concerning my 
 good color and healthy appearance, when I am and have 
 been for hours, fighting hard to keep from vomiting all 
 over myself and wares, and when I may not have had 
 more than two hours' sleep any of the past seven nights, 
 and am in such severe pain I can hardly speak, and am 
 so weak that I could not so much as feed myself if my 
 elbows were not resting on the sideboards, or mattress. 
 
 A man met me in the railroad depot. lie shook my 
 hand warmly, saying: 
 
 "I don't suppose you remember me, but I see you 
 very often. 1 saw you the first day you came to this 
 town, three years ago, and pass you frequently as I work 
 in the store on the corner where you stop. Well, how 
 aire you? Say, do you know you are looking worlds 
 better than I ever saw you before — you have better color 
 than anybody in this depot. Why. you look the picture 
 of health. You are getting fat — it is easy to see. I'll 
 just bet you will be up and walking in a few weeks.*' 
 
 Ami the next day I had a spinal attack, and a hot old 
 case of what the doctors called malaria — fever every day 
 for ten weeks, barring five days' intermission in the 
 fourth week when my temperature went sub-normal, 
 reaching as high as 104. Diarrhoea, vomiting, pain in 
 bowels, over liver, contracting of muscles along spine, 
 making it so rigid T could not turn my head, and such 
 eyeache I could not move my eyes, pain everywhere 1 
 had ever had an ache or pain, rheumatism in limits, and 
 so on. I met a man in Pueblo, Colo., who said he had 
 heart trouble, but that if he took care of himself, his pulse 
 and heart net ion were so perfect that no doctor could 
 discover that he had any trouble of any sort, and thus he 
 could gain admittance to any insurance company. I Wit if 
 he over-ate. or got drunk, or over-worked, or go1 in too 
 low or too high an altitude, he at once became in serious 
 condition, developing anasarca dropsy' to such an ex-
 
 76 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 tent that his life had been a dozen times declared gone, 
 by the best hospital physicians in several localities. 
 
 Please then, do not fancy it is a sign I am fooled or 
 am deceiving you about my condition when I say that 
 when I am holding my own, my pulse is as strong as 
 yours, and my heart-action faultless — as long as I keep 
 within my limits. The speed is also normal. For a man, 
 the best authorities say, the pulse may be from 72 to 84. 
 Many hospitals take 76 as normal. For a woman, 84 to 
 96 is considered normal. Mine is usually 84 — when I 
 am holding my own. 
 
 So also about my eyes. If I were being tested, "in- 
 vestigated," the examining physician might think he had 
 found a fraud or " hypo-optic" when he first had me do 
 a little stunt. But I should have to ask him to do what 
 I have had to do— "WAIT." And long after the little 
 overdraught was committed, here would come the symp- 
 toms described as "eye-ache" and all the morphine, 
 hyoscianms, bromides, cannabis indica, acetanilid, caff- 
 eine, codeine, and all the rest of them would not help me, 
 would not lessen the acute suffering. The blurred vision, 
 diplopia, frequent disappearance of vision followed by 
 blindness would develop in spite of it all. And all the 
 calomel, podophyllum, Leptandra, hydro-chloric acid and 
 all the rest of it, would not continuously color my stools. 
 The price would have to be paid. 
 
 I want every reader of this book to know that be- 
 cause an adverse thing was true yesterday, I do not ac- 
 cept it as being true today. If I only could, I would 
 save myself much suffering. I am too sanguine. I do 
 not invite bad conditions. On the contrary, I fight them 
 with every atom and sort of power a human possesses. 
 But when a man has a thing hammered into him as for- 
 cibly as 1 have had my Limitations hammered into me, 
 he is likely to come to the conclusion that he knows just 
 a little belter what is best for him to do, than anybody 
 
 els.'. 
 
 Two and two make four, and no matter what any 
 man's opinion is in the matter, they will not make five. 
 Xo man's opinion changes the facts in any case. A man 
 cannot pull himself over the fence by the straps of his 
 boots, and if a man has five dollars in his pockets, and is 
 able to cause himself to think he has ten, he nevertheless 
 will not have ten unless he gets busy and makes five 
 more. Likewise, if a man has a normal allowance of
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 77 
 
 that elemenl we call vitality (or "life" . his thoughts 
 cannot Leven the little into prodigiousness, withoul the 
 co operation of things over which the will has absolutely 
 no dominion. 
 
 In anticipation, I fancy I hear some reader ejacu- 
 late: "" Tainl a parallel case— 'tainl a parallel case." 
 I do ao1 mean to forget that, "A sofl answer turneth 
 away wrath," and thai blows too oft. mi only call for re- 
 taliation and repeal ad libitum, ad infinitum. Bui 1 feel 
 bound to say thai the pasl hundred years has seen the 
 growth and developmenl of a number of peculiar 
 "sciences" and theorems. Tin- resull has been the pro- 
 jection of ;i goodly number of mono-educated cranks. 
 Each one has a large line of ponderous, ambiguous and 
 confusing talk. At frequenl intervals, he joyously re- 
 gales himself by juir^lin^ the ideas taught by his favor- 
 ite cult. Iii this manner he succeeds in re-hypnotizing 
 himself. He takes pride in his "logic" and admits nj 
 parallel case which could in any degree interfere with 
 maintenance of his own pel theory. 
 
 I want to say a word To those people who would 
 like to ask. "Do yon ever try?" I wan' to ask then, if 
 they think I am getting all out of life t li.it I could gel .' I 
 want to ask them if they think there is any pleasure or 
 
 e fori in being in the fix I am? Even a fly thai has 
 
 fallen in a bowl of soup will try to gei cut, an 1 I do flat- 
 ter myself thai I have as much character as a fly. 
 
 Some folks who echo things they have heard, with- 
 out consideration of the source, ask: ""Well, don't yon 
 think your heart trouble comes :rom your stomach?'' 
 
 Indigestion may oft-times cause hear! symptoms, bul 
 where the heart condition is primary, th i pressure (.round 
 it of gas incidental to indigestion is only an exciting 
 cause; and if the heart were able to do its part, it would 
 
 not be embarrassed by such a thine'. Functional disease 
 means a splendid start for organic disease, and organs 
 are installed for the performance of functions; and as 
 long as Functions are properly performed a body can 
 never die. Functional disease, then, would mean that 
 the organ in question is departing from normal action: 
 and the health, ability or comforl of the patient will be 
 affected in proportion to the functional derangement. 
 Tn my own case I have oft-times observed thai during 
 a period of heart-depression my digestion was better 
 than it had been in a long time and in several instances,
 
 
 In Episcopal Churches, the Choristers, Choirmaster and Organist Wear 
 Vestments (Colta and Cassock)
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 79 
 
 for years. As before stated, my case is an unusual one. 
 Fresh air, plain food and out-door living often work 
 miracles for a patient who has been confined for some 
 years; but all these things from forced feeding to fasting, 
 and from occupation to idleness, have proven as bottom- 
 less as space with me. Furthermore, heart symptoms 
 from indigestion would be occasional and would subside 
 when digestion was completed; but in my case the heart 
 condition is constant and is not induced by indigestion 
 only, although it may be augmented thereby, as is com- 
 monly the case in organic stomach and liver trouble as 
 well as kidney trouble, showing that the heart trouble is 
 only primary. See Br. Cook's observations further on 
 in this book. 
 
 I must not neglect to mention that I have had liver 
 trouble along with the others. The recurrence of con- 
 gestion became more and more frequent as the years 
 went by, until there was hypertrophy. Milky urine 
 shows tissue waste, so that doubtless the state of the 
 urine as heretofore reported, was due to the progress of 
 liver trouble. Now 1 am told I have atrophy of the 
 liver. I also have dilation of the stomach. I have been 
 treated, examined, or advised by one hundred and twenty 
 physicians and healers. One of them also said I had 
 erosion, or catarrhal consumption of the bowels. My 
 groins are usually badly sunken, but I doubt if his idea 
 is correct. 
 
 Many doctors have the opinion that auto-toxaemia 
 has figured to some extent in my decline and obstinate 
 disability. But it is easier to lecognize a baneful dia- 
 thesis than to correct it. The poisons that are retained 
 in the body that should be eliminated may be responsi- 
 ble for many headaches and other pains. But I have 
 tried many liver and bowel medicines, and find that too 
 often they simply stir up fecretiors, but do not impart 
 to my bowels the power to expel the accumulated faecal 
 matter which is, at such times, evidently in the bowels, 
 ready for expulsion. Fasting and the drinking of great 
 quantities of water, likewise fail. Vigorous massage for 
 from two to four hours, in addition to other measures, is 
 necessary to accomplish any sort of an evacuation, under 
 any circumstances. Also the mechanical dilation of the 
 sphincter muscles, and dredging. Defecation often re- 
 quires two hours. Enemas have some advantages, hut 
 bring about more nausea.
 
 80 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 Some time if you will happen upon your physician 
 when he is in a genial, talkative mood, you can doubt- 
 less draw him out, and he will tell you of several eases 
 he has had where nervous derangement existed, and 
 where some interesting features occurred. 
 
 For instance, in some forms of Neurosis, the patient 
 is so "nervous'' that when out to dinner, if his glass of 
 water is filled brim full, the thought of the necessity for 
 getting it to his lips without spilling it, will so unnerve 
 him as to cause him to break into a cold sweat, and even 
 render one hand uncontrollable, so that he is obliged to 
 use both hands to accomplish this simple feat. 
 
 Or again, when called upon to do something in his 
 regular line of work, with special care, that he will be- 
 come so overAvrought, that he is wholly incapacitated, 
 and may have a violent attack of diarrhoea at the mom- 
 ent. The only way the task can be decently accomplish- 
 ed, he reports, is to absent his mind, and persuade him- 
 self he does not care whether it is clone well or not. 
 
 It would seem evident that such conditions show 
 that the body is weak, and is reacted upon by the mind, 
 adversely. So this leads up to the point I wish to make. 
 For there are some well-meaning people who see clearly 
 the simple solution of the other's problem, but possibly 
 fail to handle some of their own. I have a shot for the 
 one who says: "Perhaps you would have been better 
 off if you had not known so much about medicines, the 
 body, etc., and would have gotten along better, if you 
 had not watched yourself so closely." 
 
 This is a compliment, though not intended as such. 
 This means that, had I been an idiot, I should have 
 been physically well. Piffle — 'twere better to be as I am 
 or dead, than to be a mental pigmy. And listen. I do 
 not talk or think about myself, except when somebody 
 who thinks I need their advice, seeks occasion to tell me 
 some things I do not care to hear, or some chump that 
 fancies me an impostor comes up for a little free informa- 
 tion. Where would be the sense in going to the trouble 
 and expense of publishing books if I intended to dwell 
 forever on the powder and shot already discharged. My 
 case history is put into print in order to avoid reitera- 
 tion along iliis line. I have better use for my time and 
 energies. 1 am a busy man. I have no time for "hypo" 
 absurdil ies.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 81 
 
 And further, I do not observe my body any more 
 than I observe the bodies of everyone I meet every time 
 my line of vision is crossed. I am studying everybody 
 and everything, all the time. God gave me the power to 
 reason, comprehend and compare. I am a busy man. 
 It does me no more harm to note my condition, than it 
 does an engine for an engineer to watch his indicators, 
 his fuel, water, grates, and the rest of it. Furthermore, 
 the only begging I do is for the people to avoid talking 
 to me about how I feel. If I get better, I will get off the 
 streets. As long as you see me lying down, selling, thai 
 is the only tiling 1 can do. or 1 would be doing the other 
 tiling. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 The Enemy's Ambuscade. 
 
 AS may be seen by any fair minded person who de- 
 sires to give me just judgment, I have been ham- 
 pered all my life by poverty. I have been forsaken 
 by friends — had every prop repeatedly knocked away 
 from my needy carcass. I have been caught in the treat- 
 ing room, in the midst of an examination, and was there- 
 fore undressed, when the building caught fire. Screams, 
 rushing footsteps, smoke and flames, really ought to stir 
 up a fellow to action if he were capable of it. I did not 
 run. Twice runaway horses have run toward me whilst I 
 was stationed on a prominent corner missing me by 
 only a few feet. I did not get up and run because I 
 could not. 
 
 A few years ago I visited a tow r n of about 8000. 
 There were few rooming houses, none having rooms on 
 the ground floor. Had to sleep in an alley the first night. 
 Xext night in a church. The third day I rented a 
 "haunted house." A minister loaned me a bed, bedding, 
 table and two chairs. The work of pushing the wagon 
 and attending to the wants of a helpless man is hard 
 and very monotonous. I have much trouble getting 
 and holding a good boy for such wages as T can pay. 
 I advertised for a boy to travel with me. Through sym- 
 pathy I engaged an orphan who was then many miles 
 away. T furnished railroad fare, boughl him clothes ami 
 fixed up another room for him.
 
 S2 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 I owned a typewriter but had not learned to use it. 
 On Saturday I needed some letters written, so went to a 
 public stenographer. She had not time to do all I want- 
 ed but offered to come to my room and take dictation 
 the following Thursday afternoon. Monday morning at 
 6 :30 I gave the boy money to make some purchases for 
 breakfast. That was the last I ever saw of him. He 
 had not seemed dissatisfied. I was alone. The house 
 set back quite a ways from the street. I always 
 keep a heavy cane handy with which to reach things. 
 I pounded with it on the floor rapped on the window 
 pane across the bed. I shouted. No one heard. The 
 second day a lot of people passed. I could see them but 
 could not attract their attention. I shot through the 
 window with my revolver. No one heeded. 
 
 Thursday the young lady came at four o'clock as 
 agreed. I had been without food, water or any attention 
 since the previous Monday at 6 o'clock. People thought 
 I had left town. If I could have walked or crawled, 
 don't you believe I would have done so at this time? 
 
 Another time I went from St. Louis to Fort "Worth, 
 arriving Friday night. Hired two boys to attend me. 
 They were "Pals" — one would not work unless the other 
 did. They agreed to come the following morning or I 
 would not have let them take me in off the street but 
 would have waited until I could hire someone who would 
 attend to me. They went fishing instead and forgot me. 
 The room was farthest back. People could be heard go- 
 ing up and down stairs. My heart was bad. I could 
 not call very loud. No one heard. 
 
 In the middle of the room was a table on which had 
 been placed a basket of food bought Friday before I 
 came in. There was also a pitcher of water. It was 
 Tuesday morning before the boys recollected and came 
 to me. The food and water were untouched. Why? 
 Because I cannot walk or sit on any occasion. 
 
 It should be plain to any fair-minded person that I 
 have not laid down and allowed this trouble to possess 
 me. I have fought it hard, and fight hard every day. 
 Helplessness can develop from disuse. Therefore, the 
 fact that I can do at the present anything I ever did do, 
 should be proof positive that I am not a coward nor a 
 man who shirks his duties or responsibilities in life. I 
 never allow anyone to do for me anything I can do for 
 myself. Instead of having lost confidence in myself, I
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 83 
 
 am about the proudest, most coneeited, independent, 
 .self-reliant customer you ever did see. I just think that 
 I can do everything a little better than anybody else. 
 I resent assistance when I can dispense with it, and al- 
 most "bust" a puckering string to hurry up and finish 
 a stunt when 1 see that somebody is going to come along 
 and offer to help me do it. 
 
 By resting two or three weeks previous and being 
 willing to suffer and wait until the price is paid for 
 from one week to three months afterward, I can give a 
 song and piano recital from flat of my back, that Avill put 
 the best musician in your city on his mettle to duplicate. 
 Being unable to use my eyes, and having no piano with 
 me, I compose music, delivering the dictation to an 
 uninitiated amanuensis. There are few composers who 
 can do such as this. 
 
 A baby can exercise to a point of weariness and in- 
 ability to repeat for the moment, in perfect safety. He 
 can go until he falls down and then get up and go again 
 without risk. There is no over-draught possible because 
 he is guided wholly by natural instinct and the will does 
 not force the body to spend beyond its capacity. He 
 behaves according to his feelings. He is natural. If he 
 is sleepy, he sleeps. If hungry he cries until he gets hi' 
 "dinner." If he feels full of energy he wiggles an I 
 twists and kicks and tugs and crawls and walks or runs 
 When he is w r eary he rests. The will does not interfere 
 to cause him to harm himself by over-exertion. 
 
 This is true because vitality is in the ascendency. 
 The functional processes are capable of handling the 
 waste and repair — life is in preponderance. His bodily 
 diathesis is building — "going up." 
 
 When a man is in the midst of typhoid or the col- 
 lapse of Asiatic cholera or other disease, he does not 
 have the same experience because his diathesis is oppo- 
 site — his vitality is in the descendancy — the death-process 
 is predominant — the direction he is travelling is "going 
 down." His recuperative powers and resistance are re- 
 duced. Recuperation is normal only when the vital pro- 
 cesses are normal. 
 
 If a man had both his legs crushed and his ribs 
 broken, • a condition might be present which would 
 necessitate his being in bed prostrate and still for a year. 
 His circulation might become so accustomed to that posi- 
 tion that it would be unable to accommodate itself to
 
 84 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 any other. He might have to resort to passive measures 
 to get able to sit up again. It might be necessary to ele- 
 vate him for a short time every day, only an inch or less, 
 gradually increasing as his circulation became accus- 
 tomed to the demands of the changed position. 
 
 But when the cause of the prostrate position lay in 
 the circulation and that largely influenced by nervous 
 and organic complications, the experience could not be 
 the same because the cause has not been removed. 
 
 Many persons who are considered "tender hearted" 
 are merely out of nervous balance. Their tears and 
 thrills are not the result of a higher organism but of 
 debility. We should not be too easily excited to appear- 
 ances of strong emotion. Persons who lack poise are 
 mentally or nervously sick. The maudlin drunk furnishes 
 an instance of disturbed poise. 
 
 The vitality and functional processes are not under 
 the control of the will. When a person's heart is already 
 weak and excessively irritable when there is a lack of 
 normal control on the part of the nervous system then 
 emotion (fear, anger, jealousy, grief, self-pity, pseudo- 
 sympathy), will often give rise to erratic, stimulated or 
 depressed pulsations. Thus the mental state is seen to 
 prove an exciting cause of abnormal heart action. There 
 are a few instances of persons who learned how to control 
 the heart action — augment or diminish the rate of speed 
 a few degrees at will. But there is no valid reason why 
 the will should control the heart any more than it should 
 control secretions, paristalsis, or the growth of the finger 
 nails. Some men can wiggle their ears, but that does not 
 prove them of the genus donkey.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Repelling Repeated Charges. 
 
 EVERY competent, up-to-date physician has the, 
 materia medica. There is no one man who has 
 any more than any other. The remedies which 
 have been applied in my case and the nicety of adminis- 
 tration prove that the physicians who have treated me 
 have made proper selection of remedies and have exer- 
 cised good judgment as to dosage. Their work is not to 
 be improved upon. It is not likely that any one man 
 knows so much more than all these able men who have 
 treated me, as would make him able to accomplish any- 
 thing very remarkable in my case. 
 
 I have had scientifically applied Electricity, static, 
 faradic, galvanic and Magnetic, and Oxypathy as well. 
 I have had Chiropractic, Naprapathy, Vibratory treat- 
 ment, and Osteopathy. I have also had Massage, scientific 
 Dieto-therapy, Hydro-therapy, Animal-therapy, Mechano- 
 therapy, Suggestive Therapeutics, Christian Science, 
 Mental Science, Spiritualistic, Magnetic and Divine Heal- 
 ing. 
 
 I have been tackled on the street, had my time 
 taken up — time that I needed for earning bread and but- 
 ter — and have been detained anywhere from fifteen min- 
 utes to three hours by good people who side with some 
 departure from established methods and who are, no 
 doubt, philanthropic in their intentions. But my posi- 
 tion is that if you have found something which meets 
 your need, and is a means of restoration to you, I re- 
 joice with you, but that does not prove it is the thing 
 for me, so do not bore me with it. 
 
 It is undoubtedly true that if a person is born into 
 the world and brought up in such an atmosphere and 
 thoroughly saturated with the teachings of any sect, 
 they no doubt can be brought to believe thai what they 
 have heard is the truth, and contrary opinions are all 
 wrong. 
 
 The history of the world shows countless instances 
 of a person or a people, being convinced of i,he truth of a 
 theorem which later generations have proven to he false.
 
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 ARTHUR F. FULLER 87 
 
 Not being insane, I do not feel that I am competent 
 to solve the world's problems. But fortunately or un- 
 fortunately, 1 have investigated more than one system 
 of healing, religion and philosophy; and while I do not 
 feel that I have been enabled to study these things suf- 
 ficiently to warrant me in taking Gibraltar position 
 against the world I do feel that it is allowable for me to 
 
 say: 
 
 I believe that man was created to be a spectator of 
 the handiwork, wisdom and beneficence of the Creator. 
 I believe that we are placed on this earth to get exper- 
 ience and be tried and be given a germ or talent thai we 
 may grow, and exercising our free will prove to the uni- 
 verse that good is better than evil, and our appreciation 
 of the good is why we endeavor to eschew and over- 
 come evil. The man who has little exercise will never 
 become a giant in strength; the man that has no prob- 
 lems to solve, no difficulties to overcome, will scarcely 
 develop the admirable qualities of the great soul which 
 surmounts seemingly insurmountable difficulties. The 
 man Avho has seen the horror and known tin- a w fulness, 
 the weariness of warfare, can appreciate peace. The 
 soul that has known storm will appreciate shelter. Tin- 
 weary can know the sweetness of rest. 
 
 If we were left in a sunny land and were fed on 
 manna from heaven, were not subject to heat or cold and 
 consequently had no need to make provision against 
 them, we would certainly become just like other peoples 
 who have been thus situated — life retaining nothings. 
 People too often forget to rejoice because of the evil 
 which they escape — fretting themselves at the lack of 
 possession of something which they esteem as good. The 
 man from whom severe pain has just departed will be 
 more easy of persuasion that it is good to be free of 
 pain than the one who has never known pain. If we had 
 too easy a time in this world we would desire no better. 
 I am quite partial to the opinions expressed by thai greai 
 thinker, John Fiske, and he says that evil and labor, etc.. 
 are part of the creation. Unquestionably, many things 
 have their power and beauty through comparison, and 
 if Ave realize evil is bad we ought surely to choose the 
 good, which is God. 
 
 Many people have been good enough to say that my 
 life is a living example of what I feel along these lines. 
 I am rejoiced if such is the case. As I study humanity
 
 88 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 I perceive that too many are living under the curse of 
 indolence. Many appear to think labor beneath their 
 dignity. Many are ashamed of their work and the nec- 
 essity to work. Every one seems to be searching for 
 some graft, some sly system that will remove the nec- 
 essity to earn daily bread by the sweat of their brow. 
 
 Too many would rather be idle and suffer for the 
 necessities of life than do other than follow their chosen 
 trade. They will consent to do things that are wrong if 
 there is money to be made thereby, rather than change 
 their occupation or do work that is not up to their idea 
 of genteel-ness. I am glad that I am possessed of a 
 spirit that enables me to adapt myself to the needs of the 
 hour. 
 
 Regarding the maintenance or achievement of 
 health, it should not be forgotten that all that can be 
 done is to endeavor to secure functional integrity — ren- 
 dering normal the functional processes upon which life 
 depends — which bring about active metabolism ; by cor- 
 recting perverse diathesis ; by removing anatomical or 
 mechanical obstacles to healthy bodily conditions; by the 
 correction of unhygienic or unnatural habits of life — 
 that is, excessive labor or frolics, lack of proper rest, or 
 excessive indulgences of any sort — and by the removal 
 or resolution of mental disturbances such as fear, worry, 
 grief, jealousy, hate, anger, and the establishment of 
 self-control and normal equilibrium. 
 
 But here is the proposition : Earnest endeavor will 
 not guarantee successful sequence. The cause of failure 
 does not mitigate the result. Over-estimation of resource 
 or endurance will not side-track the resulting bankruptcy. 
 "When nature proves unable to meet the demands of life, 
 a natural collapse occurs. Reliable tonics may then be 
 applied resulting in ready improvement. But when cir- 
 cumstances arise in the life of the patient before former 
 fair state of health has been restored, which results in a 
 second collapse, the situation is not so easy. Treatment 
 that is good for beasts may sometimes be good for men. 
 It is best to keep a horse on his feet. So with a man. 
 Then apply larger doses of the tonics and stimulants, 
 and try to keep him going. Now let further combination 
 of adverse circumstances arise in the life of the patient 
 resulting in a third collapse. Question — What has doctor 
 or patient left to do? Surely the vitality — the brain, 
 spinal cord and nerve centers — have been taxed to such
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 89 
 
 an extent that had it not been for. certain favorable 
 details, death must surely have resulted. A strong de- 
 sire to live, a disposition to make the best of the present 
 possessions, determined fostering of the leaven of life 
 ;i temperate, hygienic habit of life counts for something 
 in such crises. For in this life there may arise circum- 
 stances — financial, social, environmental — which are in- 
 deed beyond human control. 
 
 A pound of salts injected into the bowels of a dead 
 man would have absolutely no effect. It is the life in 
 the body which must do the work, and without it no 
 doctor or medicine or system of treatment can be suc- 
 cessful. 
 
 The heart specialist evolves a convincing theory that 
 all my trouble is due to the heart and circulation. A 
 bowel specialist will prove to your satisfaction that ;ill 
 my troubles are due to the bowels, and a kidney special- 
 ist will smile indulgently and show you how both the 
 other fellows are wrong and that all the trouble is due 
 to the kidneys, and a nerve specialist sniffs disgustedly 
 and declares they are all wrong and these troubles are 
 due entirely to the nervous system. And so, friends, I 
 guess it really is a case of trust in God and face the 
 present and future like a man; and that is what I am 
 trying to do. 
 
 I have said my trouble is partly due to overwork. 
 I have met people who complained of being overworked, 
 and yet when I became intimately acquainted with them 
 and saw their lives, I have been able to see that they 
 really have a great deal of leisure. They waste and 
 unnecessarily sacrifice a great deal of time, which could 
 be utilized to good advantage. With proper planning 
 they could easily avoid working late nights, and on holi- 
 days, and would have plenty of time in which to partake 
 of necessary nourishment. When a man says he "does 
 not gel time to eat" he usually means that he has failed 
 to plan, and that as a natural result, his work is crowd- 
 ing him. 
 
 And so I want to make it very plain that when I say 
 overworked 1 mean being as busy every minute as a race 
 horse ou the home stretch— just going it for all that's 
 in one, from early morning till late at night. I can never 
 bring myself to believe that if a man lias a pile of wood 
 which he would like sawed. God will saw it for him. By 
 this 1 mean to signalize that there are certain natural
 
 90 
 
 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 laws which the all-wise Creator set in operation in the 
 beginning, and these laws must obtain so long as this 
 blessed universe holds together. 
 
 I believe that there is just as much life in the uni- 
 verse as there ever was, that God is knowledge and by 
 knowledge created all things, and did not make some- 
 thing out of nothing, nor would He make nothing out of 
 something. 
 
 Furthermore, when I die, my spirit "will return to 
 the God who gave it," and I do not believe that my ex- 
 istence on this mundane sphere is so important to the 
 fulfillment of the divine plan that the work which I 
 would do in health cannot possibly be done by someone 
 else. And whether I die matters not, for God has lost 
 nothing, and His kingdom will move and His church pro- 
 gress whether or not I am able to join in the work. 
 
 I do not believe that affliction comes from God neces- 
 sarily. I believe that human beings were created to be 
 spectators of His handiwork and wisdom and beneficence ; 
 and our sojourn in this world for three score years and 
 ten is so that we may obtain experience and have a school- 
 ing and be tried, and that is why He permits adverse 
 things to be. 
 
 I think for one to lean on faith and a belief that 
 God will supply physical force is a tempting of the 
 "Lord thy God," and leads to a perverted attitude to- 
 ward the Deity. 
 
 I think that one reason different "Sciences" have 
 had success is due not so much to their potency, as to the 
 change they make in the individual. I think in the ma- 
 jority of cases sickness is the result of bad living, excess 
 in some form or other, and lack of good judgment, of 
 climatic influences and of fear, anger and worry. 
 
 I am often asked if I ever expect to get well. In re- 
 ply I would say that I think that the important thing 
 for me to do is to be a man. If I do get well, I will 
 rejoice and will try to be a man. If I remain as I am, 
 I will strive to be content and I will strive to be a man. 
 If I die, I will endeavor to accept death as becomes a 
 man. 
 
 Doubtless the less our opportunity the less our re- 
 sponsibility. The man with two talents has less to ac- 
 count for than the man with ten. 
 
 The man who has only man enough in him to be able 
 to take the easy part of life, the sunshiny weather and
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 91 
 
 his best clothes, is hardly an ideal man, and in my 
 opinion, one should aim to have "a heart for any fate," 
 and to be ready to partake of ease and luxury temper- 
 ately, or to take of labor and the clouds and the stormy 
 times and privations with humility and grace. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 More Entrenchments — "Man is Born to Trouble as the 
 Sparks Fly Upward." 
 
 ONE of the several hob-goblins which this child of 
 trouble would flee is the man who conceitedly an- 
 nounces: "I can cure Fuller." He may be sincere 
 in his belief, but his belief is usually founded upon some- 
 thing which has enthused him to mania and over-confi- 
 dence. The sane, conservative man does not KNOW what 
 he can do until he tries, recognizing in each new cast' a 
 proposition possibly differing more or less from similar 
 ones of apparently identical aspect. I do not believe there 
 ever was a case like mine. But if there have been thou- 
 sands upon thousands, could the most successful healer 
 honestly say that he had never failed? I fancy not. [Mor- 
 tal man has not yet reached such a high state of cultiva- 
 tion as admits of infallibility. The wise contestant is the 
 one who does his crowing AFTER the victory is Avon. 
 
 Therefore, to any doctor, healer, scientist, or fool 
 who will undertake to prove that I am deceived about 
 my condition — self-hypnotized — or that I am a fake and 
 am making game of the public, he can have $1,000, on 
 presentation of substantial proof of his success; provid- 
 ed that if he fails he will pay me the saint 1 amount and 
 all expenses, when he has had sufficient time to see 
 plainly who is the chump. In other words, I have found 
 a man who believes in me and my judgment $1,000 
 worth. It must be a pretty poor sort of knocker who 
 has not as much faith in his insulting expressions of self- 
 conceit. 
 
 In looking for material wherewith to reinforce their 
 armamentarium, doctors easily become prey to different 
 fads. One of the most insinuating is "suggestion," and 
 •■hypnotism. "' Many doctors boast that they hypnotize 
 all their patients. The bad feature of such treatment is
 
 92 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 that if a patient becomes susceptible to the doctor's sug- 
 gestions and influence, they will also become prey to 
 others. I am glad to realize that I am not dominated by 
 anyone else's mind. To submit to hypnotism means to 
 allow someone else to come into your body and mind and 
 operate them for you. In short you are not you but the 
 doctor is you in your stead. Well, I prefer to be myself 
 all the time and paddle my own canoe. If I cannot live 
 and be myself, I would rather die than be persuaded into 
 allowing anyone else to set aside my own individuality 
 and personality. 
 
 I once heard a doctor say of a typical locomotor 
 ataxia or multiple sclerosis case: "In my opinion, his 
 inability is due to self-hypnotism and wrong sugges- 
 tion. His trouble is in his mind — his imagination." 
 (No, friend — he was not speaking of me. He appeared 
 to think me strong-minded and plucky.) But he or 
 some other gloryseeker might say equivalent of me. 
 So I want you to know that the best authorities point 
 out that it is characteristic of locomotor ataxia that the 
 patient can walk all right as long as he can see his feet. 
 That although his knees may bend the wrong way when 
 he attempts to walk, if he is allowed to sit in a chair 
 and extend one leg at a time, he is found to possess as 
 much muscular strength as a normal man. Further- 
 more it does not always follow that a person afflicted 
 with a neurosis becomes pale and thin. On the contrary 
 they often take on fat after they have ceased to be able 
 to walk and attend usual duties. At 416 S. Alamo 
 Street, San Antonio, you will find a man who has been 
 bed-fast 18 years who weighs as much now as he did the 
 day he had to quit running a locomotive — about 200 
 pounds. I saw as fine a specimen of manhood as one 
 would wish to see, in the Alexian Brother's Hospital, 
 Chicago, who was afflicted with locomotor ataxia, whose 
 red cheeks and sparkling eyes made him look as healthy 
 as any man you ever saw. 
 
 It should therefore be clear from the foregoing, that 
 muscularity flesh and ruddiness do not guarantee nerv- 
 ous health and power. Therefore my claims should not 
 seem strange or peculiar. 
 
 And so I will say that if any person really thinks 
 that his mentality is the only extraordinary thing in the 
 universe, let him come and LIVE WITH ME — and I 
 will show him that there are actually some other things.
 
 
 
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 94 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 Among them, the incapacitating and foilsome disease 
 which has for some years past, laid me open to various 
 sorts of misjudgment and erroneous pre-supositions, not 
 to mention frequent indelicate inquiry into matters which 
 should be none of the questioner's business. 
 
 Come, I say, and live with me, and I will instruct 
 orally, and by practical personal illustration, what 
 '"initiative/' energy, "git," ambition, will-power, inde- 
 pendence, patience, persistence, self-reliance, mean — and 
 how that the absence of morbid fear, presence of coolness 
 and a degree of imperturbability, as well as sane judg- 
 ment, makes even the storms of every-day life, and the 
 machinations of hateful spirited men, weatherable, and 
 can enable a man to keep fairly cheerful. 
 
 Come, I say, and live with me, and I will prove to 
 you that I am no relation to the unfortunates who feel 
 that their griefs are the saddest, their burdens the heav- 
 iest, -their pains the cru'elestV . their problems the most 
 overwhelming. The past achievements are grandly all- 
 sufficient,, and that now it is time to fold the hands to 
 rest, and'let the public look on in awesome admiration, 
 and shell the corn. 
 
 I know what I know and am pleased to have others 
 enjoy the same privilege. But let's talk sane, manly, 
 helpful talk or let's keep still. 
 
 There are people who always expect a sunny smile 
 and a long and interesting conversation to be chiefly 
 carried on by the benefited. Forgetting that time is the 
 only capital I have and circumstances and conditions 
 frequently develop which make a ready smile quite as 
 much out of place as laughter at a funeral and quite as 
 difficult as dancing gracefully when one has tight shoes 
 and a bad set of corns. 
 
 Sometimes three or four men pass my cot -wagon 
 on the street, chatting gayly. I accost them with my 
 usual call, "Buy something?" They look at me, grin 
 and make remarks among themselves which evidently 
 amuse them greatly. Sometimes I overhear them com- 
 menting upon my good color, saying, 'Pretty healthy 
 looking corpse, ain't he?" Perhaps another replies — 
 "That's the best graft I ever saw — that's a new one on 
 me. That's pretty soft." And another of their party 
 may add. '-11 takes a good fake to get the big money." 
 
 I cannot say but that I resent such things. In fact 
 I used to feel a little hurt or as if there was a possible
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 95 
 
 sly insult behind it, everj time anyone said, "Well you 
 certainly look well to be lying there that way." But 
 recently in my travels I happened upon ;i home where 
 
 death had made a visitation, and sinee then 1 have not 
 cared so much. This is why: 
 
 About eight years previous a pretty English girl had 
 come to this city from across the ocean to visit her 
 brother who had recently married. A good looking 
 American mechanic who worked along side of her 
 brother was a frequent visitor and met the young lady 
 at her brother's house. When it became time for her to 
 return to England she married her brother's friend in- 
 stead. 
 
 In course of time a son was born to them, and later 
 a daughter. JJoth were very dear to the parents. When 
 the boy was ten, the mother received news that a small 
 piece of money had been left her througli the decease of 
 her uncle, and she was required to pay a visit to her old 
 home. Accordingly it was arranged that she make a 
 trip to England. 
 
 For reasons which need not be explained here, it 
 was decided that the mother should take the son with 
 her and the father was to retain the little daughter, now 
 eight years old. The mother had not been away a week 
 before the daughter was stricken. It was impossible to 
 bring the mother hack at once, and the doctor thought 
 it unnecessary. 
 
 I jit tie Myrtle was a beautiful child and was pos- 
 sessed of a lovely disposition. After several weeks of 
 suffering, she died. The mother had been notified and 
 was already on the way home. The funeral was defer- 
 red until her arrival. The evening she returned, some 
 friends of the neighbors came to see the remains. The 
 mother was sobbing out her heart's grief in the next 
 room. The undertaker had tried to fix up the child's 
 countenance so as to look as nearly natural as possible, 
 as is the custom t hese days. 
 
 One of those viewing the remains said: 
 
 •Doesn't she make a lovely corpse.' She Looks per- 
 fectly natural. Why I don't believe she is <\rn<\ ,-it all 
 
 looks just as if she were Only asleep." 
 
 She had been dead three days. The mother heard. 
 How her heart must have ached. She rushed into the 
 room and clasped the inanimate body to her lu-east. Bui 
 the poor child was dead. ^^\A how thoughtless people
 
 96 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 can be. But I never feel any hurt at such remarks any 
 more since witnessing this example of cheap talk. 
 
 I also saw with my own eyes a sweet young woman 
 of whom people commented, "How well she looks," even 
 up to three hours prior to her death. Her afflictions were 
 regarded as imaginary and hysterical. It took her death 
 to furnish vindication. Her afflictions were nerves and 
 heart. Reputable doctors declared she had no organic 
 disease a short time before she died. 
 
 Often some person in a spirit of kindness tells me of 
 some unfortunate soul who is in a worse condition than 
 myself. Their remarks usually conclude with : "It 
 ought to be a great comfort to a man in your fix to 
 realize that you are not the only one who is afflicted. 
 There is no fix so bad but that it might be worse." 
 
 Fudge ! What honor would it be to have it freely 
 admitted that one were the most horribly afflicted human 
 that ever lived? I am glad for any one who can find 
 comfort in such negative reflections. But as for me, to 
 know that there are thousands starving in India will 
 not relieve my necessity, nor will knowing that others 
 have fought and failed, reconcile me to accept defeat. 
 
 My rightful heritage is for health, happiness, liberty 
 and success, and if any man is fool enough to lie down 
 and let his rights be taken away from him because others 
 have had it to do, he is a bigger chump than I am — and 
 I did think that I was about the biggest mutton-head 
 that ever loved gentleness, patience and self-abnegation 
 to such an extent as rendered him an easy mark for those 
 who profit and rejoice at a brother's loss, downfall or 
 grief. 
 
 God is good. I do not presume, as do many, to 
 criticize His handiwork. This world is the dandiest 
 place I am conscious of ever having gotten into. To re- 
 cite all the cases I would not wish to change places with, 
 that I have seen with my own eyes, would take another 
 volume the size of this one. But that does not mitigate 
 my handicaps and losses and crosses entailed because of 
 them. 
 
 But I would much rather realize that I am unable to 
 walk, to sit up, or use my eyes, than to realize an equiva- 
 lent along mental or spiritual ways. I would much 
 rather be as I am at the present writing than I would 
 certain states I have been in during the past fifteen 
 years. For could I be favored by good water, good food, 
 
 r*
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 97 
 
 not have to work too hard, avoid catching cold and be- 
 ing pestered to distress by the skepticism of the wise and 
 otherwise, I could get some comfort and joy out of life. 
 
 The point is, that I am excessively delicate and it 
 seems quite impossible to keep out of bad spells long. 
 But aside from all else I do so love independence and 
 long to indulge in the activities of life that to stay within 
 my humble limit is indeed a difficult task. 
 
 I would not have anyone fancy that the battle of 
 life has made me bitter and distrustful. I can see that 
 I have lost a little in gentleness and delicacy hut I have 
 gained in firmness and disposition to apologize a little 
 less and unmask the hypocrites who range at large and 
 stampede many by fierce might, exercising injustice and 
 tyranny over heart-broken rabbits who can only run. It 
 is an unequal fight. There is no chance of winning, but 
 perhaps there will some day a way appear that will de- 
 liver me from some phases of battle. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Shrapnel Into the Enemy's Camp. 
 
 OX Sunday, Nov. 11th, 190!), Rev. George I). Har- 
 ris, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, San 
 Antonio, Texas, said to me: 
 
 "I recently Avas sent a report from a meeting of an 
 International Association of Physicians at Philadelphia, 
 wherein was given a list of over two hundred new- 
 diseases which were brought up and discussed before 
 this medical congress. Not a one of them was in the 
 Medical or Standard Dictionary. There are new things 
 cropping up every day. What is accepted as the best 
 way today may be laid aside in a few years by some- 
 thing vastly more effective." 
 
 A medical man came along one day and when I 
 told him of the many diagnoses that had been made in 
 my case he said: •"Fifty years ago, if a man had said 
 something about an ovarian cyst, or appendicitis, tin- 
 most up-to-date medical men of the day would call him 
 down as a rumpus maker and no one would have known 
 what be was talking about . " " 
 
 .Millions of dollars have been spent recently to try to
 
 98 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 discover a cure for the "hook-worm disease," the prin- 
 ciple symptom of which seems to be great ennui and in- 
 anition, indisposition and incapacity for exertion. 
 
 In Africa there are many deaths from the "sleeping 
 sickness.'' The symptoms appear to be simply excessive 
 drowsiness, which increases into stupor terminating in 
 sleep which continues until the patient dies of starvation 
 and lack of fluids. 
 
 In Houston I met a lady who said she was thirty- 
 five years old and had never known a sick day in her 
 life, but had suddenly gone deaf in her right ear and 
 nearly deaf in the left. She had been a housekeeper in 
 an old ladies' home and with the exception of a little 
 trouble had had no strain to the nervous system. But 
 the specialists said her deafness was due to neurasthenia. 
 
 All these things being true, why does the condition 
 I claim to be in seem peculiar or mysterious to any fair- 
 minded person? 
 
 Many people suppose that it is very easy to make a 
 living with affliction as a magnet whereby to draw the 
 attentions, sympathies and purse-contents of the public. 
 Let those who wish to be fair and just in this matter, 
 consider my experiences in the matter of making a living 
 from flat of my back, as detailed in the next volume of 
 this work, entitled, "Fifty Thousand Miles, Back-Rid- 
 den." 
 
 If I prove that I am paralyzed, why should that be 
 considered vindicative? If you will look around you, 
 you will see more than one man filling some wage-earn- 
 ing position who is sure enough paralyzed. If I pro- 
 duce statements to the effect that my trouble were ossi- 
 fication or chalky rheumatism, what would that be to 
 vindicate me? Do you not know of some man who is 
 thus afflicted who is filling some wage-earning position? 
 I have met several in my wanderings. 
 
 If arrested as an impostor, as some skeptics would 
 be ph-ascd to witness, and I have a fair trial in public 
 court, or if a doctor were sent to "investigate" my case, 
 what would be the result? The doctor would be com- 
 pelled to ask questions. The best he could do would be 
 to state his personal opinion and say whether or not I 
 was telling the truth. Then had you not better take the 
 information first-handed and judge for yourself- And if 
 by any chance this volume falls into the hands of any 
 person who reads it considerately and he judges that I
 
 "0 
 
 > 
 O 
 
 2 
 
 > 
 
 r 
 
 
 
 
 2
 
 100 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 am fooled, or am fooling the public, I beg that person 
 to come to me and get the purchase price back. 
 
 Friend, I am not deceived about my condition — nor 
 am I deceiving you. I have asked for a hearing, and if 
 you give it to me by reading this book, I am willing to 
 rest on your verdict. I am a man — and an honest one. 
 I write books for a living and all questions which may 
 properly be asked of me are answered herein. If I am 
 questioned further, I may answer in such a way as will 
 quickly end your questioning. I am not on the streets 
 to satisfy people's awakened curiosity, but to make a liv- 
 ing. I formerly tried to make of every one a friend. But 
 experience has shown that emotion prompts many peo- 
 ple to propose things they will fail to carry out. Few 
 persons are really capable of a big, honest, noble, un- 
 selfish friendship. I am only a passenger, a sojourner, a 
 traveller. We may never meet again. I think well of 
 those who assist me by patronizing me.. But the profit 
 on a sale is not sufficient to constitute'" 1 a permanent en- 
 dowment — I must keep hammering away, and sell more, 
 or I will not succeed in making expenses. If I lack the 
 cash to pay my way, neither your conversation, sym- 
 pathy, or my grit, will avail. 
 
 Therefore I cannot afford to waste time by visiting 
 during business hours, spent upon the streets, unless 
 there is to be something tangible in it — money or in- 
 fluence. 
 
 There may not be another case like mine in the 
 world. That does not make my condition any the less 
 dire. If medical science cannot name my condition as I 
 state it to be, the limitation, the fault, is with medical 
 science and not with my mind or representations. 
 
 When I was first afflicted I had occasional attacks 
 of fever. The doctor who attended me said it was "a 
 touch of typhoid." Another time he said I had "a touch 
 of malaria." At the last attack the honest M. D. who 
 was treating me said: "This is a rather peculiar case. 
 True, there is quite a bit of malaria in this country, but 
 this attack has occurred in such a manner as leads me to 
 think it more of a nervous fever than malaria. The 
 vomiting, purging, severe headache, vertigo, contraction 
 of muscles, pain along the spine, rheumatic condition, 
 etc., might be accompaniments of either, but the fever 
 continuing day and night for ten weeks with only a few 
 hours of sub-normal temperature allows room for ques-
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 101 
 
 tion. However, it" it is not malaria, I do not know what 
 it is." 
 
 The spinal specialists say it was spinal this last time 
 and every time before. I do not know. I give the dor- 
 tors' opinions, and have simply to say for myself that I 
 am really afflicted to the extent that J cannot walk, sit, 
 use my eyes, nor exert in any way. which leaves me badly 
 handicapped in the battle of life. 
 
 If anv skeptical person will be good enough to 
 STOP AND THINK, he will have no trouble calling to 
 mind some person out of some family, that has been 
 fostered under the same roof, with the same diet and 
 advantages, and yet is much weaker than the other mem- 
 bers of the family. There is no organic disease, but the 
 person simply is not as hardy as the others. Admit then, 
 that some people can endure more than others. And 
 then explain why it is so to me? Or state what law it is 
 governs the generation of life or force? 
 
 c 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 The Enemy's Woolwich Gun Silenced. 
 
 ITY authorities, doctors, and mischief makers, are 
 ready to thrill over anything that may gain" them 
 credit for having undone a clever fake.' But I 
 want to mention that I for one of perhaps many pestered 
 and persecuted people, want to say tnat there are vastly 
 more fakes in high places than there are on the road, in 
 jail or purgatory. If I were a fake — if I were myself de- 
 ceived or if I were deceiving the public regarding my 
 physical and financial condition — I would not be as 
 proper a cause for indignation. as are many doctors, law- 
 yers, school teachers, ministers, and other sorts of pro- 
 fessional people, more especially MUSICIANS. And say, 
 will you kindly tell me. what do Mayors d<> thai proves 
 them superior beings? Why will men forget that humil- 
 ity, courtesy and consideration of those less fortunate 
 than themselves are graces of which they might be more 
 justly proud than of the office and authority they hold! 
 Had I space I could show you the many clever 
 schemes practiced by music fakes. But I may only add 
 that it is a mistake to call every man that plays traps
 
 til 
 
 -J .2 
 
 3 c 
 
 LL. fC 
 
 II 
 
 I- o 
 
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 U
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 103 
 
 and drums, or blows a horn, or saws away at violin 
 strings, "a musician." To be properly entitled to thai 
 name, a persoD should be competent to teach; should 
 know something <>1' the history of music; should be able 
 to criticize and show plainly why his criticisms arc jusl ; 
 should b.' able to pick a musical composition to pieces 
 and show its weak points; should have therefor.- knowl- 
 edge of harmony and musical construction; should have 
 accurate knowledge of musical notation, as well as musi- 
 cal terms, and should be able to perform on some instru- 
 ment in such manner as would accomplish the expression 
 and excitation of feeling. 
 
 It is almost as hard to obtain recognition as to qualify for 
 it. An artist's reputation is usually gained quite as much 
 through skillful engineering, influence and the power of money 
 as to comprehend instruction and apply it. It means the 
 capacity to endure drudgery with unlimited patience in order 
 to achieve an ideal along the chosen line. 
 
 Experience counts for much. Often one can learn more 
 in a year's practical work, teaching, than he has gained in five 
 of personal study. And yet, not every one can profit by- 
 teaching. Too often it is merely a means of gathering money. 
 But the greatest musicians are those who have done much 
 with little help from great instructors. A teacher is merely a 
 guide. Much must be worked out by the pupil for himself. The 
 greatest gain in knowledge and ability is through experience, ob- 
 servation, concentration, and the ability to apply to advantage 
 the material thus accrued. 
 
 The author enjoyed the instruction of many masters of 
 unexcelled ability. By nature gifted with the capacity to 
 learn. Fourteen years of hard study — from four to twelve 
 hours a day, must bring something worth while as a natural 
 result of effort expended. 
 
 A teaching and concert experience of five years is not com- 
 paratively long. And yet these years were intensely busy years 
 and my repertoire is excelled by few. 
 
 Before my future was blighted by the affliction which has 
 kept me in bondage these many years, I had a choir which 
 numbered one hundred and twenty-five voices. I also had a 
 small orchestra of sixteen pieces, directed both and played 
 the pipe organ at the same time. 
 
 Very often local musicians are loath to accord credit 
 due a stranger for fear it will lessen their personal standing In 
 that locality where they have chosen to make a living by their 
 art. Such persons may point out that my instrumental 
 repertoire is not large. It may therefore be proper to say in thte 
 regard that the greatest pianists the world has yet seen have a 
 repertoire not to exceed fifty numbers. Most of them have thirty 
 or less.
 
 104 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 Moszkowski worked over five years on one of his own com- 
 positions (Waltz in E Major) before he considered he had it 
 sufficiently under command to render it in public. If a man must 
 work so hard on something he knew so well how it should be 
 interpreted, how can we expect one to master many composi- 
 tions of the great masters? 
 
 In most Conservatories of Music, the medal is awarded to the 
 pupil who renders best, some certain number. The awards I 
 received were for the uniform excellent rendition of hun- 
 dreds of numbers. 
 
 In the capacity of soloist, director, piano or pipe organ ac- 
 companist, I can claim the following: 
 
 REPERTOIRE 
 
 Few pro- 
 fessionals 
 know more 
 than 
 
 Oratorios ....... 65 5 
 
 Such authors as Mendelssohn, Handel, Hayden, 
 Gaul, Spohr, Mercadante, Stainer, Rossini, Mozart, 
 Wagner, etc. 
 
 Operas, Operetta, Cantatas .... 25 2 
 
 such authors as Balfe, Donizetti, Verdi, Sullivan, 25 2 
 
 Stainer, Barnby, Cowen, Wagner, Mendelssohn, 
 Meyerbeer, Gounod, etc., etc. 
 
 Festival Masses ...... 15 3 
 
 Such authors as Mozart, Gounod, Eyre, Gaul, Goss, 
 Stainer, St. Saens, etc., etc. 
 
 Anthems ..... . 500 100 
 
 Such authors as Beethoven, Schumann, Schubert, 
 Stainer, Roberts, Hall, Woodward, Shelley, 
 Cruickshank, Florio, Pergolesi, Elvey, Tours, 
 Schnacher, Palestrini, Tallis, etc., etc. 
 
 Magnificat, Nunc Dimitis, Te Deum, etc. 100 25 
 
 Such authors as Mann, Field, West, Smart, Lut- 
 \ km, Buck, etc., etc. 
 
 Pipe Organ Concert Solos .... 100 60 
 
 Such authors as Wagner, Beethoven, Chopin, 
 Schumann, Schubert, Bach, Wely, Batiste, Dvorak, 
 Dubois, West, Best, Bartlett, Lutkin, Eddy, Men- 
 delssohn, Gounod, Barnby, Buck, Guilmant, etc., 
 etc., etc. 
 
 Piano Recital Number .... 50 50 
 
 Such authors as Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Schu- 
 mann, Schubert, Chopin, Bach, Gounod, Wagner, 
 Mozart, Handel, Greig, Chaminade, Raff, Liszt, 
 Moszkowski, Wollenhaupt, Tausig, etc., etc.
 
 .* RTHUR F. FULLER 105 
 
 Vocal Solos, Church and Concert ... 500 100 
 
 Such authors as Schumann, Schubert, Mendel- 
 ssohn, Hayden, Handel, Gounod, Bishop, Tschai- 
 kowsky, Stainer, Marston, Chadwick, Bartless, 
 Nevin, Sullivan, Molloy, Millard, Mascheroni, 
 Bemberg, Buck, Smith, Wagner, Spohr, Pinsuti, 
 etc., etc. 
 
 Vocal Duetts ...... 15 5 
 
 Such authors as Glover, Stainer, Smart, etc., etc. 
 
 LIST OF GOOD FOLKS WHO HAVE HAD TO DO WITH l.iE 
 MUSICAL EDUCATION OF ARTHUR F. FULLER 
 
 PIANO 
 
 With a view to a Concert Pianist 
 6 Months — Miss Annie Sherman. 
 Park Avenue, near Paulina Street, Chicago. 
 14 Months — Miss Matilda Johnston. 
 
 Diamond Medallist, with Zeigfeld's Chicago Conservatory of 
 Music. Central Music Hall, Chicago. 
 
 PIANO 
 Accompanying and Teaching 
 
 3 Years — Miss Theodora Sturkow. 
 
 Professional Accompanist; Accompanist to Thomas Or- 
 chestra, Chicago, 396 La Salle Blv'd, Chicago. 
 
 PIANO 
 
 As Recitalist 
 
 4 Years— Allen H. Spencer. 
 
 Concert Pianist, Kimball Hall, Chicago; on Staff of American 
 Conservatory of Music, Chicago. 
 
 SIGHT-READING, DIRECTORSHIP, INDIVIDUAL AND EN- 
 SEMBLE, VOCAL INSTRUCTING, DISCIPLINE, HISTORY 
 
 6 Years — Wm. Smedley. 
 
 Veteran Choirmaster of the West; educated in England, 
 where are to be found the best Vested Choirs in the World; 50 
 years practical experience; address these 20 years, Care of St. 
 James Church, Chicago. 
 
 2 years — J. Franklin Fuller. 
 
 Tenor soloist. If a man's ability may be measured by his 
 success, it will suffice to say that he was invariably successful as 
 an organizer; his Mixed Choirs, and Choral Societies "SUNG" 
 and behaved faultlessly; everything was effective and musicianly. 
 
 2 Years — Fletcher Hulet Wheeler. 
 
 Steinway Hall. Chicago. 
 
 1 year — P. C. Lutkin. 
 
 Dean of Music, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. 
 Director of the Mendelssohn Club, (400 Voices) Chicago.
 
 10 6 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 HARMONY 
 
 Course — Allen H. Spencer. 
 Kimball Hall, Chicago. 
 
 Course — Hubbard William Harris. 
 
 Composer: Critic for Clayton F. Summy Co., Chicago; Staff 
 Instructor American Conservatory of Music, Kimball Hall, Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 PIPE ORGAN 
 
 Course — Peter Christian Lutkin, A. G. O. 
 Dean of Music, Northwestern University. Church and Con- 
 cert Organist. 
 
 People who are competent to judge aver that had I re- 
 tained or regained my health, no position in this country 
 would have been too big for my ability to meet the require- 
 ments. I was offered the position of Choirmaster and Organist 
 of St. James — the largest Parish in Chicago. Prior to my 
 affliction, I filled positions at the following churches: 
 
 St. James Protestant Episcopal Church, Cass and Huron Sts., 
 Chicago. 
 
 Eight years, Soloist. One year, Assistant Choirmaster. Rec- 
 tors: Rev. Dr. John Vibbert, Rev. Floyd W. Thompkins, 
 Rev. E. J. Hopkins, Rev. Dr. James S. Stone. 
 
 Holy Nativity Mission Church . 815 Grand Avenue, Chicago 
 One year Organist and Choirmaster. J. J. Smith, Lay- 
 reader. 
 
 Onward Presbyterian Church, Leavitt and Ohio Streets, Chicago. 
 Two years Organist and Choirmaster. (Mixed Choir). 
 Rev. Phil F. Matzinger, Pastor. 
 
 St. John's Mission Church, Clybourne Ave., near Division St. 
 Chicago 
 One year, Organist and Choirmaster. (Mixed Choir.) 
 Rev. Irving Spencer, Rev. J. M. French, Rectors. 
 
 St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church, 37th St. and Langley 
 Avenue, Chicago. 
 
 Six months Organist. Bishop Cheney, Rev. E. J. Thomas, 
 Rector. 
 
 St Paul's Cathedral . . . Fond du Lac, Wis. 
 
 One year Choirmaster and Organist. Rt. Rev. Charles 
 Chapman Grafton, Bishop and Rector; Rev. Walter G. 
 Blossom, Rev. Selden P. Delany, Asst. Rectors; Rev. B. 
 Talbot Rogers, Canon, Rev. James Martin Raker, Cele- 
 brant and Warden of the Choir School. 
 
 Cathedral Choir School . . . Fond du Lac, Wis. 
 
 One year Music Master. Rt. Rev. Charles Chapman 
 Grafton, Dean. Rev. James Martin Raker, warden. John 
 Richard Ambrose, Classical Master. R. A. K. Rother- 
 mel, Mathematics Instructor. 
 
 St. John's Church . . Kingston-on-the-Hudson, N. Y. 
 
 One Year, Choirmaster and Organist. Rev. Octavius 
 Applegate, Jr., Rector. 
 
 Holy Cross Church . . Kingston-on-the-Hudson, N. Y. 
 
 One year, Choirmaster. Rev. Charles Mercer Hall, Rector.
 
 P? TCB C L'.'THIN 
 
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 Au*. 
 
 
 
 %c4A^-U^f 
 
 Cathedral Choir School, 
 Fond du Lac, Wis. , 
 Aug. 8, 1699, 
 
 » • * * I take pleasure in commending Mr. Arthur F. 
 Fuller tc you as a young nan of excellent character, and as 
 a good organist and choirmaster. 
 
 He is exnecially go^d in the training of boy ' s . voices , 
 and also in his noral influence over boys, and I am sure that 
 you would find him a faithful and earnest worker. 
 
 Very faithfully yours, 
 James V. . Raker.
 
 KaTHANISL WOODSII'E SaL1.AD£. 
 
 At-tornsy at Law. 
 
 MeK>«*A *■■' " 
 
 Fond w Lac. 
 Wise 
 
 For.d du Lac, ■?iacon=-ln, Augur. t 1?, 1899. 
 
 To whom It ray cor.cerr. : 
 
 It gives ne great pleasure to commend to 
 ycur notice Mr. Arthur Puller, who for the past year 
 has occupied tho positions of Choir Master and Or- 
 ganist of St. Paul's Cathedral of this city and of 
 Kusical Ir.Ftructor in c 't. Paul ' s- Cathedral Choir School, 
 
 The work required of him was of a difficult 
 nature and it suffices to say that it was p.ccor-rlishec 
 in a nost efficient nnd satisfactory manner. 
 
 I heartily reoorcnend him as a nan of ex- 
 cellent charactor and an able organist and r-uslcal 
 Instructor. 
 
 t
 
 To w;.rrn it may concem:- 
 
 It gives do great pleasure to reconnond Mr. 
 Arthur P. Fuller, whom T consider one of the best Cr- 
 ganirts and Choirmasters I ever net. 
 
 He i« a thorough rrusician and understands per- 
 fectly every line of his work. 
 
 Having been associated with hirc at St. Paul's 
 Cathedral, Fond du Lac, Wis., I feel I can speak with 
 full knowledge of his capabilities. 
 
 Bessie Marie Mayharr, 
 Soprano . 
 
 To whoir. it nay concern: 
 
 This certifies that Vr. Arthur Puller is a 
 musician of rare excellence, and a fine organist, rapid 
 in eight reading, and has had a thorough and careful 
 training in the direction of surpliced choir6. by 60rr.e of 
 the be=t chr ir-dlrectors in the country, and T heartily 
 recommend him to any one in need of his services. 
 
 R. Blomquift, Cottdos'T, ar.d Director 
 of Music, Fultcn St. M. E. Church, Chicago.
 
 The J S Fearis Co. 
 Music Publishers and Dealers 
 
 CHICAGO 
 
 To whom it may concern: 
 
 I am Intimately acquainted with V,r . Arthur 
 Fuller of Chicago, and a9 teacher of Piano, Organ 
 and sight reading, And performer on 6a id instrur.er.ts, 
 I am glad to recommend him. 
 
 Hia character is above reproach, and he is 
 an earnest christian, and a young man to comrand the 
 leve and resnect of all who know him. 
 
 L ■ 
 
 <tl 
 
 Choirmaster, Lincoln 
 F.irk Congregational Church, Chicago. 
 Staff Con-poser for McKinley Juieic Company. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 One More of the Enemy's Batteries Silenced. 
 
 BUT many say, these days, "We do not care what 
 you used to do — it is what you can do now — 
 what you are now, that counts." 
 So I append some newspaper items regarding con- 
 certs I have given from flat of my back. Trusting this 
 reading will not be devoid of interest. The articles are 
 not given in entirety, but merely that which makes some 
 point not brought out by other articles. Neither are 
 all write-ups quoted— only those that say something dif- 
 ferent.
 
 A clever picture which eliminates evidences of invalidism for those 
 
 who like to think of the author as Musician. Composer, 
 
 Author. Poet, rather than as a cripple.
 
 114 
 
 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 (Elte burning (Sasrit* 
 
 Cedar Rapids, Iowa, March 15, 1904. 
 
 The spacious parlors of the Lobenstein residence 
 were filled to overflowing last night by the people who 
 came to hear Arthur Fuller give a song and piano 
 recital. Eight of the songs and one of the instru- 
 mental numbers were his own compositions. He 
 played with precision and dexterity. His vocal num- 
 bers were smoothly rendered, his voice being sweet 
 and true. The applause was enthusiastic, and every- 
 one present was well pleased. 
 
 ulhe Afouerttaer-CSaEftte 
 
 Creston, Iowa, July 15, 1908. 
 
 An audience that filled the Methodist Church to the 
 doors, last night heard Arthur Fuller sing and play. 
 Lying on his wheel-cot, he played the piano, and sang 
 in a beautiful mellow baritone, the solo, "I Could Not 
 Do Without Thee." At its close the audience was 
 largely in tears. The quality of his voice, which, 
 though soft and sweet, sounded through the entire 
 church, bespoke fully the reputation as a singer which 
 Mr. Fuller once enjoyed. It seems marvelous that a 
 man who cannot read a line of print and cannot live 
 except in a reclining position, could play and sing so 
 sweetly. After the service great crowds of people 
 came forward to express their appreciation of his 
 rendition. 
 
 ©tip Rtb (Dak iExpreaa 
 
 Red Oak, Iowa, August 27, 1908. 
 * * * His singing evidenced high cultivation 
 
 and richness of voice. * * * 
 
 * 
 
 (itljr Slrb ©ak £>un 
 
 Red Oak, Iowa, August 28, 1908. 
 
 A large audience assembled in the Presbyterian 
 Church last Monday evening to hear the Concert 
 given by Arthur Fuller. It is seldom we see an audi- 
 ence so highly pleased. His rich, cultivated voice, 
 under perfect control, especially captivated the audi- 
 ence. One instrumental and three vocal numbers 
 were his own compositions.
 
 ARTHUR P. FULLER 115 
 
 iKjuuBton (t^ronirlp 
 
 Houston, Texas, May 2, 1909. 
 It is not too much to say that the Arthur Fuller 
 Concert on Thursday evening was one of the most 
 remarkable entertainments ever given in Houston. 
 As Mr. Fuller lay on his wheeled couch by the piano, 
 his fingers moved over the keys with the assurance 
 and delicacy of technique. "Concert Etude" by Whit- 
 ing, and Handel's "Largo," especially, were played 
 with incredible force and authority, and each one of 
 his own compositions in which sentiment and pathos 
 of true musical origin, found expression. His sweet. 
 smooth, round, musical baritone voice filled the 
 hall. The audience evidenced keenest appreciation 
 and sympathy. 
 
 (The Wiggins 3Jnbr;irnornt 
 
 Higgins, Texas, July 16, 1909. 
 
 * * * The interest of the audience was great from 
 the first, as they watched his slender fingers play over 
 the keys, or listened to his sweet, well-trained voice. 
 Although he is compelled to play while lying on his 
 back, he played very precisely, with much expression 
 and splendid technique. The first number, an Impro- 
 vise sweet in melody and perfect in harmony, re- 
 vealed the true artist. Few present-day pianists are 
 able to give such a rare treat to an audience. All the 
 piano numbers were well rendered. The "Rustic 
 Wedding March" and "Largo" showed the musician's 
 ability to render both the airy, dainty, delicate and 
 the deep, dramatic numbers with equal art. 
 
 Although the audience was charmed with his piano 
 work, it was more pleased with his voice. It is a 
 sweet, delicate baritone, yet he sang with such per- 
 fect enunciation that the words were easily heard to 
 the rear end of the hall. His intonation was true, and 
 notwithstanding his position, he sang with perfect 
 ease. In "The Heart Bowed Down," when the piano 
 was silent, as his voice rose with a gradual crescendo, 
 then fell in clear, sweet tones, the audience seemed to 
 almost hold its breath, for fear of missing a tone. Two 
 of the vocal numbers were his own compositions. The 
 "Song to a Sojourner" was especially pleasing, both in 
 composition and rendition.
 
 116 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 ©tjr 8>tar Journal 
 
 Pueblo, Colorado, October 6, 1909. 
 
 The piano and voice recital given last night at the 
 First Methodist Church by Arthur F. Fuller, was en- 
 joyed by an appreciative audience. The musicians 
 present could best underrtand the great difficulties 
 conquered so well and so bravely. 
 
 Mr. Fuller's performance was in many ways re- 
 markable, showing the triumph of will over stupen- 
 dous difficulties. He played from memory, standard 
 and classic numbers, the notes of which he has not 
 seen for fifteen years. This in itself is wonderful. 
 The trying physical feat of playing while on his back 
 was a revelation to the audience. 
 
 Mr. Fuller has a pleasing and sympathetic voice and 
 his compositions were particularly well received. 
 
 ©he fCiglit anb (gazette 
 
 San Antonio, Texas, February 16, 1910. 
 
 The Arthur Fuller recital which took place at the 
 Grand Opera House Thursday night was a magnificent 
 success from an artistic standpoint. His numbers were 
 all enthusiastically received and he responded with a 
 number of encores in a most pleasing and artistic 
 manner. His rendering of the classics was a happy 
 surprise to his audience. Owing to his affliction, hav- 
 ing lain on his back ten years, the success of his per- 
 formance won him scores of friends among the best 
 people in San Antonio. His audience numbered over 
 1000. 
 
 fflarUai) b Hrrhly 
 
 San Antonio, Texas, February 18, 1910. 
 
 * * * In Arthur F. Fuller, our invalid musician, 
 we all have recognized one of God's own heroes. At 
 his Concert at the Grand Opera House, Feb. 10th, he 
 did as remarkable a thing as is being done by any 
 musician in the world today. He played a long and 
 taxing program, wonderfully accurate technically. * * 
 His voice is of beautiful quality — a baritone, especial- 
 ly lovely in the upper register.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER u - 
 
 EXCERPTS BELOW REFER TO SECOND CONCERT. 
 
 £hr iCtgltt anti (Sasritr 
 
 San Antonio, Texas, April 13, 1910. 
 Some of those who attended expected to hear in 
 Fuller a music-fakir, who would do his best, depend- 
 ing upon sympathy to cover up glaring deficiencies. 
 But he quickly proved himself to be a musician of 
 able equipment. His tone production and enunciation 
 were faultless, the timbre beautiful, and there was no 
 room for disappointment as to resonance and volume. 
 He sang with much feeling and that understanding 
 which marks the work of one fitted for concert per- 
 formances by natural g*ft, abundant culture large ex- 
 perience and whole-souled love of musical art. His 
 piano solos were no less artistically rendered, and 
 evoked hearty applause. 
 
 ittarkay'a IBrrklg 
 
 San Antonio, Texas, April 16, 1910. 
 Too much cannot be said in praise of Mr. Fuller 
 both as singer and pianist. When one knows what it 
 means to play intelligently with everything favorable, 
 we can appreciate that it requires almost superhuman 
 effort to accomplish what he does. His tone is won- 
 derfully sweet and his technic is remarkably clean. 
 The strong personality of the man shows in all that 
 he does, proving that he is big enough to rise above 
 almost insurmountable obstacles. He has a sweet, 
 beautiful baritone voice, and he sang with such in- 
 telligence and pathos that, as we sat and listened and 
 realized what he could have accomplished in health, 
 it was hard to keep back the tears. He was recalled 
 many times and responded with his own compositions. 
 He was among his friends, as was manifested by the 
 ovation he received when he appeared on the plat- 
 form. His cot was covered with flowers as he was 
 wheeled off the stage.
 
 113 
 
 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 SPECIMEN PROGRAM 
 
 PIANO 
 
 (a) Air de Ballet No. 2 C. Chaminade 
 
 (b) Andante in C Flat, Sonata Op. 26 
 
 Ludwig von Beethoven 
 VOICE 
 
 Recit. "I Feel the Deity." from Judas Maccabaeus 
 
 Air, "Arm, Arm Ye Brave" G. F. Handel 
 
 PIANO 
 
 (a) Serenata, Op. 15 M. Moszkowski 
 
 (b) Impromptu in A Flat .... Franz Schubert 
 
 VOICE 
 
 ( a ) Daphne's Love Landon Ronald 
 
 ( b ) Darby and Joan J. L. Molloy 
 
 PIANO 
 
 (a '» Cortege Rustique . . . . Templeton Strong 
 (b) Concert Etude in E Major . . . Arthur Whiting 
 
 VOICE 
 
 (a) If I But Knew Wilson G. Smith 
 
 (b) Hindoo Lament H. Bemberg 
 
 PIANO 
 
 (a) Marz Wind E. A. MacDowell 
 
 (b) Nocturne, Op. 55 No. 1, F Minor . . F. Chopin 
 
 VOICE 
 
 (a) Pilgrim's Prayer I. Tschaikowsky 
 
 (b) Yearning From the German 
 
 PIANO 
 
 (a) Song Without Words, (E Major, Op. IP, No. 1) 
 (b) Rondo Capricc-'oso .... "«. Mendels^.- n
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 119 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 The Crucial Conflict. 
 
 FEW people are so fortunate as to entirely escape 
 taint of hypochondriasis. But a man of anywhere 
 near normal mind is more anxious to L r et well 
 than to obtain an awe-inspiring diagnosis. 
 
 In the first years of my affliction, I had such pro- 
 found awe for tin- "greal doctor," looking upon him as 
 something superhuman, I listened in silent admiral ion 
 and implicit confidence, to the supposedly absolute wis- 
 dom of this wonderful oracle, and never dared to hold an 
 opinion of my own, nor ask a question that was avoid- 
 able. J 5ut -when I got bold enough to dare to ask for a 
 diagnosis, the answer was usually something like this: 
 
 "Why you have a nervous trouble." Then he would 
 dodge oil' upon a consideration of my heredity, environ- 
 ment, worry and overwork, and by expressions of sym- 
 pathy, induce me to forget the matter I was anxious to 
 have frankly and definitely explained. 
 
 Later on when 1 had still further overcome natural 
 timidity, and asked with some seriousness, the reply 
 would be something like this: 
 
 "I do not care to commit myself. Bui I am satis- 
 tied i hat 1 understand your case perfectly, and am 
 thoroughly equipped to advise and prescribe for you." 
 
 I have been examined and prescribed for by 120 dif- 
 ferent doctors, some of t hem having national reputations. 
 I have endeavored to say for myself that I am and have 
 long been in a bad tix — a condition of physical inability. 
 Bui there are many people who feel aboul such matters 
 as did the Irishman who said: "Lav still Mik< — the 
 doctor says you're dead, and be oughl to know better 
 than you!" Hence it may be well to give a few diag 
 noses so that it may be known that doctors have defend- 
 ed my claims by their opinions. 
 
 The first definite diagnosis 1 can recall was by Dr. 
 E. .1. Basset, 90 Adams St.. Chicago, lie called it, "AN 
 ADVANCED cask OF SPINAL NEURASTHENIA." 
 
 Physicians who later attended me did not appear to find 
 any fault with that diagnosis.
 
 120 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 The following in order: 
 
 Dr. T. F. Mayham, 406 Main St., Fond du Lac, Wis. : 
 ; • Fuller 's case may not be so easily handled. My opinion 
 is that he is afflicted with SPINAL trouble— Tabes— 
 LOCOMOTOR ATAXIA." 
 
 Dr. R. A. Palmer, 546 Main St.. Fond du Lac, Wis.: 
 ■Looks like SCLEROSIS." 
 
 Dr. L. C. Gottschalk, Ashland and Diversey Boule- 
 vards, Chicago: "Your trouble is largely due to the 
 SPINE." 
 
 Staff of Phvsicians, Nerve Force Hall, Atlantic City, 
 N. J.: "This is evidently a case of PROGRESSIVE 
 PARALYSIS." 
 
 Dr. J. H. Greer, President of Harvard Medical Col- 
 lege, Chicago, and Professor of Genito-Urinary diseases, 
 College of Medicine and Surgery, Chicago, and lecturer 
 at several medical colleges: "This condition is called 
 TRAUMATIC NEUROSIS." 
 
 Dr. M. Olson, 1126 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago. (Re- 
 cently from active practice in noted Sanitariums in 
 Norway and Sweden, with the foremost neurologists of 
 the day.) :~ 
 
 "I perceive that your brain is normal. Such mental 
 symptoms as you have experienced were due to your 
 general condition. Your judgment is sound and will- 
 power above the average. It is not difficult, however, 
 to recognize the disturbance of the vaso-motor system. 
 The attacks of spinal pain and contractions, together 
 with HYPERESTHESIA and MYASTHENIA are due 
 to NEUROTOXINES quite as much as to heredity, 
 overwork or anything else." 
 
 Dr. F. H. Harris, Kalamazoo, Mich.: "Your trouble 
 is due entirely to the central nervous system — spinal 
 cord and cerebellum. I diagnose your case as CEREBRO- 
 SPINAL- ASTHENIA. ' ' 
 
 It is not easy for a conscientious diagnostician to 
 keep the important points in mind in a complicated case 
 such as mine. But fixing upon a name would not 
 i-hange or improve the condition. The main principles 
 are by no means difficult to gather. I give these diag- 
 noses however, that endless and useless questioning may 
 be avoided. 
 
 Dr. S. M. Langworthy, spinal specialist (Chiroprac- 
 tic) President American Ass'n. Chiropractors, President 
 and Founder American College Chiropractic, Cedar Rap-
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 121 
 
 ids, Iowa: "Your condition is due largely, perhaps 
 wholly, to the SPINE. The vertebral situation is too 
 complicated to admit of description in a single term. 
 * * * I am glad to have you say thai I have bene- 
 fited you more than anyone who has ever treated you. 
 Bui I wish with all my heart that I might have done 
 more for you.*' 
 
 I)i-. A. Meyerdick, City Dispensary, St. Louis. Mo.: 
 '•1 would diagnose this man's trouble as SPINAL NEU- 
 ROSIS.- 
 
 Dr. <'. II. Bughes, Professor of Nervous and Mental 
 Diseases. Barnes Medical College, St. Louis, Mo.: "We 
 term this condition ASTASIA." 
 
 Dr. J. P. Bailey, Osteopath, St. Louis, Mo.: "You 
 say that you have had treatment from several Osteo- 
 paths. They have doubtless acquainted you with our 
 theory that perfect anatomical adjustment is essential to 
 health. There is no single term that would describe 
 your complicated SPINAL condition. But I fancy you 
 will have to eonteiit yourself with your present state of 
 health, unless success is obtained in correcting the mal- 
 adjustment of your spine." 
 
 Prof. M. F. Knox, sometime Professor of Nervous 
 Diseases in certain colleges in Illinois; later Founder 
 and President American College of .Mental Science, Bryn 
 Mawr, Seattle. Wash.: "Your condition is due to wast- 
 ing of the cerebellum— TABES CEREBELLI." 
 
 Dr. M. W. Hoge, Professor of Neurology at Wash- 
 ington University, St. Loins. Mo. : "This is a very in- 
 teresting case. I have never seen but one which "was at 
 all similar to it. We term this condition CEREBRO- 
 Sl'IXAL-ASTHENIA." 
 
 Dr. A. C. Duncan, in his Sanatorium at Hammond. 
 Ind., said: "I am a graduate from the Colleges of five 
 different systems of drugless healing including Osteo- 
 pathy and Chiropractic. My observations of many eases 
 lead me to the conclusion that vours is a case of ANTER- 
 IOR-POLIO-MYELITIS. You may he benefitted some- 
 what, hut will never be cured." 
 
 Dr. das. M. Rainey, specialist in nervous diseases, 
 lol' Lake St., Chicago: "No doubl you already know 
 from what disease you are suffering SPINAL SCLER- 
 OSIS." 
 
 Dr. J. J. Davis. Practicing Physician. Higgins, Texas, 
 about June. 1909:
 
 122 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 'To make a long story short, your condition has 
 never been accurately diagnosed. However, the differ- 
 ent diagnoses which you have named, mean practically 
 the same thing. To obtain an absolute diagnosis, would 
 require a great deal of time, a considerable period of ob- 
 servation, and elaborate experiments, principally of an 
 electrical nature. When it should be obtained you would 
 have NOTHING, except another long name to carry 
 around with you. The diagnoses you already have are 
 sufficient to cover all practical needs. The criticism, 
 which you say some doctors have made regarding the 
 physicians who treated you in the early stages of your 
 trouble, accusing them of having blundered around 
 through failure to foresee the prognosis, is unjust. Even 
 if they could have known just what your condition would 
 be, so many years hence, and as I find you on this day and 
 date, they would have been powerless to have rendered 
 1m -iter service." 
 
 We sometimes find that those Avho we would natur- 
 ally suppose would have accurate knowledge of a cer- 
 tain subject have been so hampered by prejudice that 
 they are quite in the dark as to its real character and 
 worth. When questioned, they cover their ignorance by 
 condemnation. There are those who entertain nothing 
 but contempt for Chiropractic and there are others who 
 think there is something in it. 
 
 Biology says: "The radiation of nerve stimulus 
 through organized channels is the cause of all animation 
 Dr. Carver, in his book, "The Analysis of Chiropractic 
 says: "The occlusion of nerve stimulus is the cause of 
 all functional abnormality." Those who speak lightly of 
 Chiropractic might use their breath and time to better 
 advantage by a deeper and an unbiased investigation of 
 its teachings and the results which have been attained 
 by their application. 
 
 T have been treated by 12 Chiropractors in several 
 States, by graduates of the most important Schools. Dr. 
 Carver, President of the Carver School of Chiropractic, 
 52] W. 9th St.. Oklahoma City, Okla., is claimed to be the 
 ablest Diagnostician in the Chiropractic world. At the 
 urgent requesl of many friends in different localities, I 
 embraced the opportunity of obtaining his opinion. His 
 statement is eriven below: 
 
 > >
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 123 
 
 "Oklahoma city. Okla., Oct. 20, L914. 
 
 "1 examined the ease of .Mr. A. F. Puller of Fori 
 Worth, Texas, and find his osseous analysis to he as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 "The primary displacement is a gravely inferior 
 
 one of the sacrum, being dropped deeply into the pelvic 
 
 cavity impinging upon that portion of the eauda equina 
 thai extends through the sacrum and placing heavy trac- 
 tion upon the fourth and fifth lumbar and all of the 
 sacral trunks. The occlusions resulting from this dis- 
 placement affect all of the lower ahdominal and pelvic 
 viscera and especially the skeletal muscles of the 1 highs, 
 legs and feet with especial gravity from the knees down. 
 The traction produced on the gangliated cords and lumbo- 
 sacral plexus by the displacement as indicated produces 
 grave irritation which affects all of the motor reactive 
 centers superior to the injury, Vicing the dorso-lumbar 
 center, the sixth dorsal center, the hase of the neck and 
 al the hase of the skull. The phases of abnormality 
 caused by these occlusions affed respiration, heart, liver 
 and the alimentary canal generally, the symptoms of 
 which are too multitudinous for enumeration. 
 
 "The displacement was caused by a fall, from a harn 
 roof, patient striking in such manner as to throw the 
 force from the column obliquely through the sacrum, 
 gravely suhluxating the whole sacro-illiac articulation. 
 At the same time the shock produced a gravely left lat- 
 eral rotated displacement of the atlas. The occlusions 
 resulting from this part of the injury more particularly 
 affed the eyes, ears, throat and heart. 
 
 "'The injury is of such lone' standing and the tissues 
 have so completely degenerated that 1 would not prognose 
 a recovery, and yet I would recommend that the proper 
 application of the principles of Chiropractic to this case 
 would very materially improve all of the functional op- 
 erations of the viscera, and would greatly improve the 
 use of the arms and hands and should greatly heiietit the 
 muscles of the neck and thorax. The heart symptoms 
 should he practically dissipated. 
 
 "Trusting this diagnosis may he of material aid to 
 you aud wishing you every success, 
 
 DR. WILLAED CARVER."
 
 124 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 Now. please do uot come to me and ask which of 
 these diagnoses is the correct one. I am anxious to get 
 away from all thoughts of my present and past diseased 
 condition. My trouble appears to be a failure or inability 
 of the central nervous system — cerebellum and spinal 
 cord — to generate sufficient nervous force to operate the 
 functions of the body and enable manual effort and 
 normal activity. In the foregoing pages are to be found 
 The facts regarding my condition and its development. 
 YOU can NAME it to suit yourself. 
 
 Now, I could publish a nice assortment of testimon- 
 ial letters, but I fear it would be impossible to make 
 evidences strong enough to cause everybody to become a 
 positive champion on my behalf. The day after I have 
 delivered a strong and convincing testimonial, an old or 
 new acquaintance of the patron might come along and 
 say: "Do not do anything for Fuller. I know it to be 
 a fact that he is a fake — that he is not really afflicted — 
 and furthermore that he has thousands of dollars in the 
 bank as well as lots of property that is earning him 
 money. He is most unworthy." And I doubt if the 
 patron would have stamina enough, manhood enough, 
 love of justice enough to tell the speaker that he is a 
 coward and a liar. And that, furthermore, even if Ful- 
 ler did own much, he still has the right to earn a living 
 and pursue happiness— make money if he could honor- 
 ably do so. 
 
 And the pity of it all is that even if a bystander 
 were good enough to defend me and bring witnesses to 
 prove that the knocker had said such things, and I 
 should have the matter brought to court, the accuser 
 could say he was onty joking, that he did not mean any 
 ha i-m, or that he was drunk — and the case would be dis- 
 missed. Or even if he could not squeeze out that way, 
 I could only get judgment for damages — I would be 
 asked how much did this remark injure my business — 
 simply fooled me out of a 25 cent sale perhaps. 
 
 But if the accuser were a real somebody and had any 
 money, if any lover of a square deal would only be fair 
 enough to call the accuser's bluff and make him write it, 
 paint it or print it to his own signature, and bring it to 
 me, I would then show folks that I am not a dog, not 
 a humbug, not a liar — but as I represent. And further- 
 more, suit for libel or defamation of character, is some- 
 thing that offers a chance for remuneration for effort ex-
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 12'j 
 
 pended in a scrap, provided that the accuser lms any 
 money — is worth whipping, in other words. 
 
 So, then, I repeat, I am not looking for friends, but 
 customers. I have found many in the past who have 
 bought my books, taken up time and strength I could 
 not easily spare by talking to me on the streets, or come 
 to visit me at my room and show their "interest' by 
 asking a lot of questions that were absolutely none of 
 their business, but when I had been to the trouble of 
 pleasing them and satisfying their probings, submitted 
 to their impertinence, gratified their curiosity, put up 
 with the bore of their visits, and seemed to have won 
 for myself a right cozy place in their hearts: 
 
 Here comes some hum that never earned an honest 
 dollar in his life, or did a fair day's work in exchange 
 for the remuneration paid him for service, or some other 
 somebody or nobody, and whispers a bit of truck — and 
 behold ! my good friend gets wobbly in his knees, suc- 
 cumbs to a persistent attack of tongue-tie, figuratively 
 has a serious case of apolexy, his eyes bulge out, his 
 tongue lolls out of his loose mouth, his excuse of moral 
 backbone becomes very flabby, and the knocker holds 
 the floor. 
 
 So, PLEASE bear in mind that I ask no charity in 
 any way, shape or manner. Simply justice and common 
 business courtesy. I expect only that degree of oice- 
 ness and decency as may seem becoming to those with 
 whom I eome in contact. My God and one or two mor- 
 tals are about all that I feel are likely to be true to me, 
 and 1 expect to be about four times as happy as those 
 whose small souls reach out eternally for the least 
 amount of responsibility but the greatest amount of 
 credit and reward. 
 
 The giving of Concerts from flal of my back prev- 
 iously referred to in this book — is the only thing 1 have 
 ever found whereby 1 could actually make more than ex- 
 penses. Even then many favorable circumstances must 
 exist which are not always to be found. However, by 
 this means I succeeded in getting together a Health 
 Fund. 1 wanted to create the opportunity to try out a 
 Pew things in the line of treatment which had not been 
 
 fully tested. 
 
 Following out my plan, I reported for treatmcm 
 Dr. II. A. Womble, in his office in the Hicks Bldg., San
 
 126 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 Antonio. He is a Specialist in Chronic diseases and 
 uses Electricity largely. He said: 
 
 "Electricity is the best agent for use in your case. 
 Originally you had MYELITIS. Your present condi- 
 tion is PARAPLEGIA from that cause. Unless other 
 complications set in, you are likely to live many years 
 and enjoy a fair degree of comfort." 
 
 The treatment brought no benefit. After some cor- 
 respondence, I proceeded to Chicago where my old 
 friend Dr. J. H. Greer performed an operation upon me. 
 But little benefit resulted. I proceeded to Philadelphia 
 where I entered the Mt. Vernon Sanatarium for a four 
 inonths course of treatment. Dr. Win. Stiles was the 
 < '(insulting Physician and pronounced my condition Akin- 
 esia from Myelitis and said the prognosis was doubtful 
 but recommended that the treatment in vogue at the 
 Sanatarium be faithfully tried. This was done but no 
 benefit resulted. 
 
 I proceeded to New York. Went to Bellevue Hos- 
 pital and asked for Dr. Bishop to whom I had a letter of 
 introduction. He was busy so I learned from his assist- 
 ant that the greatest Neurologist in their opinion was 
 Dr. J. Ramsay Hunt who was formerly Head Professor 
 at Bellevue and was now Chief at Cornell University 
 Medical College just across the street. 
 
 Dr. Hunt is a very busy man and some difficulty 
 was experienced securing an appointment. He proved 
 to be very earefuh painstaking and gentle. After a 
 thorough examination lasting about three hours, he com- 
 pleted his "diagram" of the case and delivered himself 
 as follows : 
 
 "Making due allowance for certain possibilities, I 
 have nevertheless brought out specific points which are 
 to my mind conclusive and final. I attach importance to 
 the facts that your mother was insane and that her rela- 
 tives wen- short -lived and therefore of poor constitution, 
 that on your father's side, nervous disease ran in the 
 family; but more especially to the fact that your father 
 was never able to walk more than six or eight blocks at 
 any time since your birth, until his death from the same 
 trouble with which you are afflicted. 
 
 "These points in connection with dim and blurred 
 vision, diplopia, Argyle-Robinson pupil, vertigo, lapses 
 of consciousness, disappearance of vision, contracted 
 sphincters, variation between hyperesthesia and
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 1'27 
 
 anaesthesia, hyperalgia, pains in the limits, and spine, 
 loss of power in the lower limbs, ami other specific symp- 
 toms, furnish the basis for my opinion thai your afflic- 
 tion is PRIEDRICH'S ATAXIA. 
 
 "I believe your brain is healthy. The disease is in- 
 curable, but the worst suffering is over. You will be 
 conscious and in your right mind to the very last. With 
 proper care and attention and appropriate measures you 
 may live a number of years. I will give you a tabula- 
 tion of my ideas along that line, for the guidance of 
 physicians who may be called from time to time to furn- 
 ish you such relief as can be afforded." 
 
 Of course the other doctors who have examined or 
 treated me have agreed with some diagnosis quoted. 
 Possibly some of the differenciation was due to the fact 
 that my condition in certain details, is different at some 
 times than at others. As before stated, 1 give the diag- 
 noses so that people may know that 1 am not a fake or an 
 impostor and that everything has been done for me that 
 could be done. 
 
 Were I well and strong, having for handicap only 
 the lack of the ability to walk, I could no doubt gel a 
 position on a Vaudeville Circuit or could give conceits 
 frequently enough to make street work unnecessary, lint. 
 
 as it takes from one day to several weeks to recover from 
 a few hours* musical indulgence, such things are beyond 
 me. 
 
 Sometimes acquaintances, who have taken quite an 
 interest in me feel that I ought to offer or consent to en- 
 tertain them by singing and playing the piano for them, 
 lint, aside from the suffering involved, I would not care 
 to make ;i practice of such performances. The musical 
 profession is the poorest paid of all. This is due in part 
 to the habit of many who have real musical ability of 
 "peddling" their talents \'m\ What is not paid for is 
 not appreciated. A doctor does not put in more years of 
 study and endeavor than a musician, yet a medical man 
 often gets as much as a fee for consultation as a singer 
 gets for much more work. Often ^oOO.OO to $5,000.00 is 
 paid a surgeon for an operation requiring no greater 
 skill and much less time than is used by a musician for 
 his efforts. True, some musicians do get paid well tor 
 their years of study and the exercise of their talent, but 
 not nearly as many have that experience ;is there are doc- 
 tors. A musician spends years working up a recital pro-
 
 128 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 gram and feels pretty well paid if he gets $2,000.00 a 
 year out of it, yet a lawyer often gets a fee of $50,000.00 
 for a case that takes only a few months. 
 
 Recently in the New York Journal there was an ac- 
 count of a certain beautiful young lady who has 
 achieved success with the Metropolitan Opera Company, 
 both in this country and in Europe, who vehemently 
 averred that the common run of people did not know art 
 when they hear it. At the close of her engagement, she 
 dressed in the garb of an Italian street musician and 
 sang on Broadway to the parade of people on their way 
 home from the day's work or business. She received no 
 more attention than anyone else would have — no more 
 than a Salvation Army singer, because people did not 
 know who she was. Music, art, requires a label. "This 
 is a horse." "This is a brook," or a similar label. 
 People do not of themselves know true tone quality — 
 true art — when they hear it. The "authorities" have to 
 label it before anyone knows whether or not it is good. 
 Some times the critics are only bluffers who know little 
 more than those who look up to them for an opinion. 
 It is not always the good goods that get the money — and 
 that is all that counts. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Bush-whacking Sharp-Shooters. 
 
 LET it be understood then, that I give the various 
 diagnoses not because I desire to cast befouling 
 aspersions upon the medical profession, but be- 
 cause many people prefer to ignore what I say of myself 
 and insist on having something definite from the doctors. 
 
 A diagnostician judges of a patient's condition by 
 the symptoms which are classified as subjective and ob- 
 jective. The examination then, is both physical and oral. 
 In cases of mental troubles, the patient's conduct is in- 
 quired into of his family or friends or those in attend- 
 ance. 
 
 A doctor is required to hold a license to practice 
 from the State in which he would pursue his chosen pro- 
 fession. To obtain this, he is required to pass a rigid 
 examination by the State Board of Medical Examiners,
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 129 
 
 which consists of college professors of highesl standing 
 in the entire State. This means for instance, that a doc- 
 tor who graduated from a medical college of repute in 
 Texas and held a License in thai State could not go to 
 California and practice there without also obtaining the 
 same sort of a document from the State into which he 
 desired to move. 
 
 A doctor, like a teacher, is likely to "get rusty" on 
 anatomy, or histology, or in sonic detail connected with 
 his work, calling for technical terms not rehearsed every 
 day in straight, legitimate practice, as such are seldom 
 essential outside of the class room or clinic. 
 
 A certain doctor emigrated to Pennsylvania from 
 another State and was required to appear hefore the 
 Medical Hoard before being allowed to practice. He had 
 had forty years' successful practice and felt more quali- 
 fied to alleviate the sufferings of humanity than the 
 younger men who sat in judgment. 
 
 The old doctor was asked, "What are symptoms? ' : 
 The book definition fled from him. Failure seemed im- 
 minent. The harder he tried to think, the fewer his ideas 
 became. Finally he blurted out, "Symptoms are the 
 packs of damned lies our patients tell us." 
 
 The entire Board Laughed. "Correct," bawled out 
 the President. The old doctor was granted a license. 
 
 This is one of the thousands of little stories the doc- 
 tors tell among themselves and which seldom get to the 
 public. I give it because I love to laugh and hope it will 
 amuse the reader of these pages. Also to bring out the 
 point that it is not wise to go to a physician with your 
 heart on your sleeve, expecting understanding, sympathy 
 and help, 1 ause it MAY not he forthcoming. 
 
 There are among the medical profession men who are 
 noble, conscientious, honest ami earnest — who are in the 
 work for the good they can do suffering humanity. But. 
 sad to relate, there is a big percentage of them who are 
 brutal, unfeeling charlatans, without God in the world, 
 who are in the business for the same business that a 
 butcher follows the meat trade — because he likes it. The 
 art of carving appeals to him and it is a business which 
 PAYS. 
 
 Many think they can indulge inordinate appetites 
 and when they get si.de, all they have to do is go to a 
 doctor and be made all over again it' necessary. Let all 
 who read this be warned and live in a sanitary manner,
 
 130 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 paying heed to the laws of nature, for when disease 
 fastens itself upon the body, then "Vain is the help of 
 man." 
 
 The only absolute diagnosis is postmortem. Doctors 
 cannot tell where you are sinking to, but can only tell 
 you the destination when you have arrived. Organic 
 disease is incurable. Functional disease is the fore- 
 runner of organic, although it MAY be cured while it is 
 yet functional, by appropriate measures, especially if the 
 cause be ascertained and removed. 
 
 There are many conditions which the doctors do not 
 understand. Failing to find any objective symptoms, the 
 only way open is to perform an unnecessary operation 
 or call the patient a hypochondriac — one who imagines 
 he is sick. It is certain an effect can not exist without 
 a cause, but often the cause is not in plain view. 
 
 There are many diseases which have certain, usual 
 symptoms. Yet the best medical authorities admit that 
 many or all of them may not be present nor any indica- 
 tion appear until too late to avert the patient's demise — 
 until near the end of his journey. 
 
 By death bereft of friends and home I have had to 
 make a living by selling on the streets. This has ex- 
 posed me to much skepticism and suspicion. Many 
 times some man has come along and examined the soles 
 of my shoes to see if they were worn, felt of my limbs 
 and pulse without a word of "by your leave." 
 
 When a soldier is having his heart examined he is 
 called upon to run around the gymnasium course and stop 
 in front of the doctor who then listens to his heart. When 
 a patient has not heart action enough to keep him alive 
 when at rest, he does not last long. In most cases which 
 are not the result of mental causes, self -hypnotism, 
 dwelling upon baseless apprehensions which are the 
 direct cause of congestion and imperfect functioning, the 
 symptoms are worse at night. 
 
 In my case my pulse is often strong, full, bounding, 
 and my heart behaves pretty well as long as it has noth- 
 ing to do. But when I talk awhile, I get numb and my 
 pulse fades to the diameter of a thread, whereas it had 
 been as big as a goose quill. If I lie on either side it will 
 entirely or nearly disappear from the wrist. Other times 
 it seems to improve with exertion, but shows the lack of 
 real vitality and capacity behind it by its failure to do as 
 well next time. Instead it becomes very erratic, wob-
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 131 
 
 bling dreadfully in the night, and acts so feebly, dizzi- 
 ness and faintness result, which continue many days 
 thereafter. For these reasons I could not operate a crank 
 wheel chair, as many suggest. 
 
 The fair minded, thoughtful man would realize he 
 did not know what the pulse was like an hour previous, 
 nor what it would be an hour later, nor what it would 
 be after exertion. But if he was very sure from the fact 
 that my heart was not intermitting at the moment he felt 
 the pulse, that it never had and never would, he might 
 want to ask some doctor if I were not an impostor. If 
 the doctor asked a few questions and was one of those 
 who think as the old man did about patient's subjective 
 symptoms being "packs of damned lies," I would prob- 
 ably be convicted of everything shameful without further 
 parley. 
 
 Yet when my heart is bad, to raise my voice or take 
 a swallow of water, will cause it to falter — will cause 
 such experiences as would convince the most skeptical 
 very shortly were they to experience the like. For the 
 pulsations will drop from 20 to 40 degrees, occasioning 
 dizziness, faintness, smothering. 
 
 Pain never has been visible. But who has ever found 
 a comfortable place to have one? Except by substituting 
 an i for the e, transposing and putting the result into a 
 window frame. Pain and weakness must therefore re- 
 main forever subjective symptoms and will always admit 
 of question if not suspicion regarding the patient's ver- 
 acity, judgment and sanity until the cause has progressed 
 far enough to cause visible changes. Fortunately the 
 cause is not always obscure. 
 
 Some doctors have called my heart trouble "TACH- 
 YCARDIA." Others have termed it "Chronic Uric Acid 
 CARDIAC NEURALGIA." Still others called it "CAR- 
 DIACASTHENIA. " Later it was called "ANGINA 
 PECTORIS." Another doctor called it "AORTIC IN- 
 COMPETANCY." Still another called it "CARDIAC 
 PROLAPSUS." 
 
 Dr. Martin of Chicago said : 
 
 "I am quite disgusted with the average doctor and 
 his methods. Nature is too slightly regarded. I recently 
 took a course of medicine which brings us back to first 
 principles and eschews poisonous drugs altogether. We 
 need more water, more common-sense, more knoweldge
 
 132 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 of how to help the body, more out-door air, and less mys- 
 ticism about disease and its treatment. 
 
 "If you were 20 years older, there would be no doubt 
 as to your heart trouble. Everybody would know it was 
 ARTERIAL SCLEROSIS. But as you are a young man, 
 the doctors don't know what to call it. They have to 
 cover up what they don't know by dodging the issue with 
 the help of funny stories." 
 
 My eye trouble is either of constitutional or spinal 
 origin, more than visual. Hence it should not seem sur- 
 prising that the many pairs of glasses I have had, having 
 been fitted by eminent oculists, opticians, opto-metrists 
 and opthalmologists, have not relieved the situation in 
 the slightest degree. Of course there is some astigmatism, 
 and traces of an old RETINITIS are revealed by the 
 ophthalmoscope, but these are more than likely the re- 
 sult of insufficient nervous energy and blood supply. 
 
 I do not aver that all my troubles have come from the 
 spine, but many things would seem to indicate that in- 
 jury to the spinal column and thus to the spinal cord, are 
 the cause of all my woes. But some doctors claim 
 heredity is the real cause and that the falls I have had 
 merely brought the inherent troubles to a focus at that 
 time. Yet it is known that many diseases come about 
 without such a history and still are not epidemic or con- 
 tagious. There is much in Pathology that is purely guess- 
 work and circumstantial. And in any case, the discov- 
 ery of the cause of disease, does not include, is not ac- 
 companied with perfect ability to alleviate the results. 
 
 In Los Angeles, I thought it might be advisable to 
 obtain a few testimonial letters. I had many friends who 
 were doctors and had been treated by a number of them. 
 However I needed one more name to fill up the letter, so 
 asked Dr. Cook to sign it. She said : "Certainly. But if 
 I do you that favor will you do me one? For my own 
 personal satisfaction and for the benefit I can render 
 others through what I can learn and deduce, I should like 
 very much to examine you." An appointment was ar- 
 ranged. She came to my room and made a thorough ex- 
 amination, after which she said: 
 
 "Why you poor boy. The wonder is not that you 
 are down, but that you are alive. This depressed ster- 
 num may be from your fall or may be congenital — I 
 rather think the former. It is sufficient in itself to cause 
 heart trouble because your heart cannot possibly have
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 1IJ3 
 
 any where near enough room. You say you have not had 
 an apex heat in many years, and it is no wonder. 
 
 "I find two broken ribs, but cannot locate the ends. 
 They are like as not sticking in your liver which may 
 have been the cause of the liver trouble. You are bound 
 to have pain here when they get pressure. There is no 
 reason why you should not have died many years ago, 
 and little excuse for there still being any life in your 
 body. It is as clear as day that this is a case of 'Kept 
 by the power of God.' The Almighty must have some 
 deep purpose in keeping you alive, else He would have 
 called you to your long Home or healed you before this. 
 See that you keep close to Him, and 'some day, some 
 time, we'll understand.' " 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 Overtures for Peace. 
 
 Friday morning. November 6th, 1!)14, 1 attended the 
 clinic for Nervous Diseases at St. Anthony's Hospital. 
 Oklahoma City, conducted by Dr. C. J. Fishman, Neu- 
 rologist for the Oklahoma University Medical College, in 
 compliance with his personal request. I was undressed 
 and examined before the class of students. It is to be re- 
 gretted that we have not space to give his excellent lec- 
 ture in full, but will have to content ourselves with points 
 he made which have not been elaborated elsewhere in this 
 book. 
 
 \)v. Irishman's findings were such as caused him to 
 remark: 'Thus far I agree with those who have pro- 
 nounced this case Freidrich's. My decision will rest 
 upon the next experiment. If there is eapella reflex we 
 will know it is Multiple Sclerosis. If it is absent the case 
 is obviously Freidrich's Ataxia." 
 
 On examining my eyes Dr. Fishman found one pupil 
 slightly larger than the other -which is a common condi- 
 tion in several nervous diseases. The eyes appeared to 
 accommodate to Lighl and distance fairly well, lie found 
 eapella reflex. He did not try the elbows. This is the 
 
 first time in many years reflex has been present. Dr. 
 1). E. McCarty, M. D. Osteopath, Chiropractic and Spon- 
 dylo-therapist, of El Reno, examined my eyes six hours
 
 134 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 later and found them lacking power of accommodation. 
 This does not show that either doctor was wrong, but 
 simply proves what has been stated elsewhere that my 
 condition is peculiar, fluctuating between tension and re- 
 laxation, hyperaethesia and anaesthesia. 
 
 This brought to mind a few details that occurred 
 years ago when I first began to notice failing capacity 
 which caused me to report to the West Side Hospital, 
 Chicago, for treatment. The doctors there found my ac- 
 commodation so far lacking, that in order to enable me to 
 hold my position they gave me an eye-salve to enable me 
 to see. These ointments as experimentally prepared, con- 
 tained at different times, atropine, dubosia, or bella- 
 donna. Its object was to keep the pupils dilated to dis- 
 count pupilary interference and enable maximum eye 
 power. Prisms were also used in effort to overcome 
 diplopia. 
 
 Since, accommodation and visual powers are not to 
 be depended upon. The power of accommodation is sel- 
 dom present. Disappearance of vision is only a matter of 
 a few moments or seconds, always. When I have had 
 rest, happened to sleep well and am at my best, my vision 
 is pretty sharp. A little use of the eyes makes everything 
 blurred, foggy, misty. When physically weary, I often 
 cannot see across a room to recognize features. Use of 
 the eyes makes the outlines of buildings look ragged as if 
 they were tottering. Later, I only see half of the object 
 looked upon — perhaps the right side will be clear and 
 the left blank. Again, things seem "cob-webby." Or 
 the horizon has an appearance as if obstructed by swarms 
 of gnats; again there will be a blank spot straight ahead, 
 while on the sides everything is distinct. Glasses do not 
 help. 
 
 Too much importance should not be attached to re- 
 flexes. I have been without elbow reflex for years, yet 
 have had pretty good use of my arms. Dr. M. W. Hoge 
 of Washington Medical College, St. Louis, found no re- 
 flexes. Those not initiated into medical lore can be 
 amused by an experiment showing reflex action. Simply 
 sit on the edge of a chair and raise the heel of the foot. 
 Involuntary vibration will result. Pressure on the ball 
 of the foot of a person reclining will produce the same 
 result if properly done. The jumping or tremor should 
 continue as long as the position is maintained. Dr. Hoge 
 tried for this evidence of spinal health and found only
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 135 
 
 pseudo-clonic. Thai is, the action ceased after two 
 three spasmodic efforts, showing that the nerve centers 
 did not receive energy fast enough to function, proving 
 cell debility. 
 
 Furthermore, examination at another time would 
 have shown no reflex action. It is found only in com- 
 pany with other symptoms experienced upon special ner- 
 vous irritation, such as sleeplessness and genital phe- 
 nomena. Abstracted attention exclusion of the action 
 of the conscious mind— would leave the body minus this 
 psciido-manifestat ion. 
 
 Dr. Pishman had his students feel of my limbs. An 
 I am 75 pounds lighter than 1 ought to be, I am not what 
 could be termed "fat." He observed: 
 
 "In the examination of a patient, it should be remem- 
 bered that there is an atrophy from disuse as well as from 
 nervous disease. In the former case the muscles may be 
 withered, but are hard, firm. In the case of atrophy from 
 nervous disease the Mesh is flacid, flabby, as in the case 
 of tins subject." 
 
 Those who feel of my limbs on the streets should 
 know thai I wear two suits of heavy wool underwear and 
 two pair of socks all the year, in addition to heavy wool 
 outer garments. Also that I have had massage and vi- 
 bration, the free use of oils, such as cotton-seed oil. lin- 
 seed oil. cocoanut-butter-oil, cocoa butter, vaseline and 
 olive oil for some years, which might make a difference 
 in the "feel" and size of my body. 1 am five feet eleven 
 and one-half inches in height and weigh about 115 pounds. 
 
 Often someone who has a smattering of information 
 about nervous diseases will ask if I have to use a catheter.' 
 When I reply I have not used one except rectally for 
 high enemas, he expresses contempt for my representa- 
 tions. Such persons cannot be aware that there is only a 
 thin partition between the rectum and prostate gland 
 which surrounds the neck of the bladder. Vessicular 
 contraction can be relieved by relaxing medicines intro- 
 duced into the rectum. Also by the direct application 
 of digit stimulation through the rectum as well as over 
 the pubic bone, will generally accomplish evacuation of 
 the bladder. To this end rectal dilation is a practice 
 which cannot be too highly recommended and has been 
 in daily practice with the author for many years. 
 
 When over tired, 1 experience difficulty in articula- 
 tion and swallowing- a tendency to Strangle — which
 
 136 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 would seem to indicate some embarassment of the me- 
 dulla. My tongue is usually trembly as are my hands 
 when 1 am at all fatigued. 
 
 It is hoped no one will fancy these statements are 
 made as an effort to convince anyone that the writer is 
 afflicted with locomotor ataxia, Freidrich's ataxia, scle- 
 rosis, paraplegia, Landry's palsy, mange, epizootic or the 
 pipp. Its object is to show why the author can look any- 
 one straight in the eye and say : "I have been down many 
 years — unable to walk, sit, use my eyes to any consider- 
 able extent or exert in any way. I have done all for my- 
 self that a human could have done. Everything has been 
 done for me along medical and surgical lines that could 
 be recommended by the brightest, cleverest men in that 
 line of work, but without appreciable benefit." 
 
 Gold, silver, copper, nickel, iron, zinc, lead, potash, 
 soda, lime, aluminum, manganese, phosphorus, raw fresh 
 blood, oils, extracts from living animals and the vege- 
 table world, as well as many inventions have been em- 
 ployed without help — unless it be that their use has pro- 
 longed my life. 
 
 I have not had bed sores but have had pus pockets. 
 My skin is fairly healthy, except that the surface is usu- 
 ally cool. Profuse perspiration results from the applica- 
 tion of heat, before the body becomes warm. Numerous 
 warty growths and moles, as well as little red spots like 
 blood blisters on my body, are all that would indicate 
 the presence of any disease, so far as the skin is con- 
 cerned. 
 
 On a street corner in Tulsa, Okla., may be seen a man 
 Avho has been in a wheel chair thirty years. His name is 
 A. R. Gregg and he resides at 515 E. 3rd St. His bowels 
 and bladder. are not paralyzed and he is physically strong 
 and a perfect man in every way. But thirty years ago a 
 horse kicked him in the back. Since then, his limbs will 
 not support him enough to enable him to walk. He has 
 perfect sensation and can move his legs, which are not 
 wasted or cold. He weighs close to 200 pounds. He 
 spent .+2000 trying to get a cure and then decided that 
 t real ment was useless. 
 
 There is another man in Tulsa who lias been unable 
 to walk for fifteen years. He also has sensation, is con- 
 stitutionally in good health, and his bladder and bowels 
 are normal. He is the call clerk for the Hasty Messenger 
 Service and sits at a desk all day. His history is simply
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 137 
 
 that lit- went to bed one aighl feeling all right hut awoke 
 next morning to find lie could not move his Limbs. Be 
 lias noi been able to move them since. His Limbs are not 
 wasted nor particularly susceptible to cold. 
 
 So you sec, dear reader, there are a few cases even 
 
 more peculiar than mine. 
 
 In Los Angeles a lady came along one day and said: 
 'I have just returned from Germany where I have 
 been taking special courses in Medicine following my 
 graduation from the best Institutions of Medicine in this 
 country. I want to do you good. I have heard of you. 
 hut you do not know me, which does not matter. If you 
 will have them. 1 wish to give you some prescriptions 
 which I am confident will benefit you." 
 
 "I will be very glad to get help," I replied. 
 ■I can see by your eyes that you have NEPHRITIS 
 — Bright 's Disease. Your kidneys must have been grad- 
 ually breaking for years. Some of your symptoms are 
 the results of poisonous gases arising from debris which 
 should be expelled from the system." 
 
 I received her suggestions but received no benefit 
 from the medicines. The ache across the kidneys con- 
 tinued at intervals as before. As formerly, for many 
 years, my urine continued more foul than feces, flocu- 
 lent, fleecy, opaque, with heavy white deposit in abun- 
 dance. 
 
 Referring to aches and pains, I should not fail to add 
 thai I have had a good deal of that sort of thing from 
 chronic appendicitis. As my heart could not stand an 
 operation. I have to rely upon palliative measures. 
 
 Very often, persons afflicted with paralysis have as 
 much vigor and health as they ever had. I give these 
 points about my condition so thai those who suppose I 
 "have good health and feel good otherwise." will have 
 an opportunity to learn thai I have now and have had all 
 along, quite a few things to harass me besides those which 
 may seem best advertised. 
 
 It has been found that colon bacilli have wandered 
 into my bladder which has been the cause of a few blad- 
 der attacks. Colon bacilli are \rvy necessary in the colon 
 and do beneficent work in their proper place, but they 
 can sure make trouble when they get in the wrong pew. 
 
 1 have had many friends who were doctors. One was
 
 138 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 Dr. McMillan, Chiropractor, of La Salle, 111. At the time 
 I needed a little help in his line, which he gladly ad- 
 ministered, gratis. In one of our visits, the following 
 conversation occured: 
 
 "Doctor, it makes a man brave to know that he is 
 right. I need to be brave. Would you mind being in- 
 terrogated a bit along pathological lines?" 
 
 "Not a bit. Glad to be of any help or comfort to 
 you that I can in any way," he replied graciously. 
 
 "Will you kindly tell me what the difference is be- 
 tween paralysis and locomotor ataxia?" I inquired. 
 
 "Well," he returned, "they are practically the same 
 thing. Ataxia is a symptom found in nervous fevers, 
 and paralysis is a frequent result. In both instances, 
 there is destruction of the spinal cord. In ataxia, the" 
 cause is hardening and in myelitis, it is inflammation. 
 Cerebral clots are different in that the interference in 
 nervous impulse is met in the brain instead of in the 
 cord." 
 
 'When my trouble first came upon me, I noticed 
 that sensation was delayed — I did not feel a wound 
 sharply at the time, but I got the ache and soreness 
 after it had been done, all right. Is it not possible to 
 have a paralysis of motor nerves and the sensory nerves 
 register nearly normally, or in another case, could not 
 the sensory nerves be impaired and there be no great 
 decrease in motor ability?" 
 
 "Why, certainly," the doctor replied. 
 
 "When I have told some interrogators that, they 
 have said I was deceiving or deceived — that such could 
 not be the case," I returned. 
 
 'If any layman or doctor says that in paralysis there 
 cannot be any conceivable condition or combination of 
 partial or complete cessation of motor or sensory func- 
 tioning, that man is ignorant!" the doctor replied with 
 finality. 
 
 Still another trouble which has harassed me and 
 which has not been elsewhere mentioned in this book, is 
 that of hemorrhage of the bowels. The attacks have 
 grown in severity and frequency with the years. The 
 last was at Ardmore, Okla. (Nov.. 1014), where I was 
 treated by Dr. W. Hardy of the Hardy Sanatarium. In 
 one day (24 hours) I had passage 21 times, all containing
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 139 
 
 blood, or blood and mucus — some stools consisting en- 
 tirely of blood. High fever, rapid pulse, aches, pains, 
 and contractions accompanied this condition. I was on 
 the street trying to sell one day before I had to give up 
 and give entire attention to treatment and was told by 
 many as usual. "Are you really afflicted — why you look 
 well in the face.''" 
 
 After these days of suffering and strain, and in spite 
 of the fact that much of the time I have nol been able to 
 take food or water, I slid "look well in the face." Those 
 who belong to the embryonic Sherlock class, and those 
 who think they help the sick get well by telling them 
 "You don't look a bit sick," please note that such talk 
 brings no help or comfort to me. Looks do not spell a 
 thing and such remarks might have a little suspicion or 
 insinuation behind them. I've been "looking better'' 
 many years. There are things in life more vital than 
 looks. Most talk is merely talk — Ijttle thought or perma- 
 nence behind it — and talk is the cheapest commodity yet. 
 If there is ever any marked improvement in my condi- 
 tion it will be recognizable by equivalent change of life — 
 regime. It is no more difficult for an invalid to know 
 when he is better, than it is for a normal man to know 
 when he has taken sick. 
 
 The title given this book is proper because my exper- 
 ience in life, has not been "Serene I fold my hands and 
 wait" and "My own will come to me." I have had to 
 positively know my property and then go after it, fight 
 along the road — fight for life, fight for my rights and 
 wrest from Fate and Adversity and Adverse Circum- 
 stance, that which should have been tendered me with 
 freedom and grace.
 
 140 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Conclusion. 
 
 PERHAPS I should anticipate one more question: 
 "What do you expect of the future?" I wish I 
 might get well. But experience has shown me 
 that having fire, utensils and disposition, will not produce 
 a dinner. Pills and syrup are not LIFE, nor are doc- 
 tors superhuman creators. I have done everything a 
 man could do — have made every effort a human could 
 make, repeatedly, and intend to stick to the habit of 
 doing my best as long as I live. In other words, I will 
 continue eager, alert, striving for it. 
 
 I have learned that happiness does not depend upon 
 wealth or position. I perceive that people are spoiling 
 their lives by pursuing the bauble of pleasure. I have 
 learned that wholesome, lasting joy only is elevating, 
 while that the world esteems "pleasure" is usually more 
 or less debasing — and certainly its charm is elusive. That 
 which delights today may confidently be expected to dis- 
 gust ere long. 
 
 I perceive that the happy man is he who does all the 
 good he can. and makes manful effort to do right at all 
 times, and enjoys labor. Furthermore, that there is joy 
 in realizing that one has discharged duties precisely, ac- 
 complished much ; has been tolerant and receptive. 
 
 I expect that the future will be largely a repetition 
 of the past. I expect that life will always hold prob- 
 lems of some sort. Therefore, the best thing to do is to 
 try to keep up-to-date in the solution thereof. I expect 
 to find credulous, kindly, genial people and I expect to 
 find grouchy, calloused, skeptical people. 
 
 As in the past, I expect in the future to go to cities 
 where I have never been. I trust I will have fair suc- 
 cess in establishing a welcome and CONVINCING peo- 
 ple that it will be perfectly proper to treat me as nicely 
 as if I were well, or as if I did not need business. And
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 141 
 
 also, I therefore expect many a heartache upon having 
 to leave territory where I have finally accomplished this 
 much, because people will be as human, and if you will 
 excuse my mentioning it, as thoughtless and selfish in 
 the places 1 have );ot yet visited, as they were where I 
 have already been. And as a consequence, 1 will have 
 to find new customers — and have no permanent abiding 
 place — and being handicapped, will have to take whal I 
 can get — wrest — from a much abused public. But it is 
 all right. I am glad I am myself. At the time when it 
 seems as it* the worsl is about to happen, and everything 
 is sorely against me — God will send deliverance. But in 
 the future, just as in the past, life will ever be like April 
 weather. 
 
 Sometimes a little cloud appears in the sky — and 
 then another — and then another — and still another. 
 They grow and spread, and become darker and thicker 
 every moment. Suddenly the thunder sends forth its 
 deafening crash! The wind howls in chorus — the Light- 
 ning strikes and tears. One sees how helpless is man to 
 combat 1 lie forces of nature — to control or overcome the 
 hateful coalescence of circumstances. 
 
 But presently the storm passes. The clouds drifl 
 away. Once more high heaven displays its lovely blue. 
 The birds sing. Raindrops sparkle like myriad dia- 
 monds on every leafed bough, every blade of grass, and 
 every smiling flower's face. The dusty earth is glad it 
 rained. The sun dips low — and soon is lost in a glorious 
 rosy promise of a bright tomorrow. 
 
 Another question wihch I am frequently asked is. 
 "How far did you fall?" 
 
 "About twenty-eight feet," 1 reply. 
 "It does not seem to mo," returns the skeptic, "that a 
 fall of that distance would be likely to produce such dire 
 effects as you claim to have experienced. Furthermore, 
 the theory of hereditarv disease, has been Long since ex- 
 ploded." 
 
 In Dallas, Tex., 1 met a man who was a decorator h\ 
 trade. He had worked on the dome of the administration 
 building, at the world's fair in Chicago. Due to some 
 defect in the scaffolding, he fell to the cement floor. 185 
 feet. At the time I saw him, he was physically as good 
 a man as you ever saw, the only defect about him was 
 that one Limb was about two inches shorter than the other. 
 In falling his body had struck another scaffolding, break-
 
 142 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 ing the left leg in two places, and the right in one place. 
 It also broke his collar bone, and one arm. These were 
 attended to properly, and he was again at work in a com- 
 paratively short time. 
 
 In Redwood City, California, I was told of a shoe- 
 maker there, who makes a living cobbling in a wheel- 
 chair. He is in perfect health, his only difficulty being 
 that he cannot walk, as he is paralyzed below the waist. 
 His trouble came about from the ground twisting under 
 him during the San Francisco earth quake. It seems the 
 whole earth in the vicinity of where he was walking, 
 writhed in awful contortions, which twisted the steel 
 frame buildings into some resemblance to a barber pole. 
 
 There is another man in the poor house at San Fran- 
 cisco who is in the same condition. He got his trouble 
 in a tug of war. The rope broke, and he being the end 
 man, got the twist. Please note that neither of these fel- 
 lows had a fall at all. There have been cases of spinal 
 fracture resulting in paralysis or death from a fall off a 
 horse. 
 
 Skeptics and some others ask, "You have a good ap- 
 petite, don't you?" 
 
 No doubt my appetite has been better than it would 
 have been, had I had less self control or disposition to 
 exercise it. In other words, had I lived as most people 
 lived. There have been times in my life, when to eat a 
 little meat, ivould cause my bowels to bleed. I have 
 always had to be careful to avoid certain things. For 
 the past few years, I have had to be careful as to quan- 
 tity, time, and frequency, as well as to sort of food. Of 
 late I find I can eat with most freedom, of the following 
 foods: 
 
 Graham, whole wheat and corn, in bread form (not 
 too new), rice and barley. All kinds of soup, (except 
 those containing cabbage, onions, garlic, peas and beans). 
 
 In vegetables I can eat spinach, carrots, mashed, 
 boiled or baked potatoes : white sweet potato. Lettuce, 
 asparagus, celery, raw or stewed, sparingly of beets, 
 cauliflower and rhudabaga. 
 
 In meats, I can eat beef and mutton in any form, 
 lamb and chicken. 
 
 In fruits I can eat sparingly, apples, raw or cooked, 
 cherries and grapes. JFor beverages, I can drink only 
 water, except very rarely, a little diluted grape juice. 
 
 Must entirely avoid sugar and as far as possible,
 
 r 
 pi 
 
 13 
 
 2
 
 144 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 grease. When possible, instead of lard, I have Crisco 
 used, and can eat butter on my bread. 
 
 For many years I depended largely upon milk and 
 eggs, and it has been a great hardship to give them up. 
 
 Another questoin is asked, "Do things taste good?" 
 When my condition has been such that I would vomit as 
 soon as I swallowed anything, food has still tasted good. 
 
 Another question I am often asked is, "You sleep 
 well don't you?" 
 
 For about two years before I got down, I only slept 
 on an average of about two hours out of the twenty-four. 
 All these years I have been very much bothered by In- 
 somnia. Some nights I sleep pretty well ; others little, 
 or not at all. I usually feel better when I get a fair 
 amount of sleep, but in order to sleep at all, I have to get 
 in a house and neighborhood, where there is no one mov- 
 ing about or other noise after ten o'clock at night. This 
 means dodging dogs, cats, babies, late retirers and early 
 risers. Also street cars, railroads, vehicles, bed-bugs, and 
 mice. During these two years and at intervals since, I 
 also experienced other phenomina which would not be 
 proper to place in a book for general circulation. 
 
 Another system of treatment which has not been re- 
 ferred to may be worthy of mention. I heard of a Doc- 
 tor and his son, who were both physicians of extraordin- 
 ary capacity. After they had examined me, the senior 
 observed, "I know of but one thing further to recom- 
 mend in your case. Nervous ability cannot exist with- 
 out the presence of phosphorus in the tissues. A great 
 German specialist has evolved a theory, that a certain 
 solution can be driven through the skin, into the spinal 
 cord by means of galvanic electricity. This method of in- 
 troducing free phosphorus, where it is most needed, is 
 likely to bring about happy results." 
 
 The plan was tried, but the only result was a lot of 
 pain, and a bad burn from the galvanic electricity. 
 # # # # * 
 
 In spite of all that is said from start to finish of this 
 book, there will be one or two who fancy they can sug- 
 gest one thing I have not yet tried to improve my condi- 
 tion. For their benefit, I beg leave to add that on many 
 occasions, years ago, I tried the use of a reclining wheel 
 chair which could be placed at any angle, with a view to 
 training the circulation to meeting a changed condition. 
 I did not go down all at once and never try to take an
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 
 
 elevated position again. My hearl could not stand even 
 a slight change. 1 can work more, exerl more and feel 
 best when 1 am always in the position as found in my ve- 
 hicle. 1 cannot sleep with my head Lower nor can I get 
 along with feet lower or body higher. 
 
 No doubt in future as in the past, occasionally some 
 bright Sherlock Holmes Avill say: "I've got you now. 
 You say you cannot sit up but I notice you have had lots 
 of dental work done. How did you get it? Or, "I notice 
 you have just had a hair-cut, If you cannot sit up, how 
 did you get it?" 
 
 I trust I may be able to produce some photographs 
 which will clear up these deep mysteries by the next time 
 an edition is printed of Volume II of this book, entitled 
 "Fifty Thousand Miles Back-Ridden." 
 
 Truly, my life has thus far been ''An Odd Soldiery." 
 The phases of battle in my life are beyond description. 
 No accoutrements can be provided in anticipation of the 
 needs of the future, other than are found in this humble 
 but earnest effort — this book. If this member of the 1914 
 edition is as kindly received as most of those of the edi- 
 tion of 1911 were, then I may feel that so far as the pa- 
 tient reader is concerned, 1 may rejoice in a proclamation 
 of Peace, and 1 may know we are on a footing of justice 
 and I also trust, loving good-will. 
 
 Now we have come to the last question — "How do 
 you keep so cheerful?" The answer is easy. "Thy 
 praise shall be ever in my mouth." "'In all things give 
 thanks." "My grace is sufficient for thee." "Hold fast 
 that which thou hast, until I come." I have been able 
 to keep good cheer because I know that in God's good 
 time the things that are shall be no more. Then, "There 
 shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor 
 any more pain." And I hope to be among that vast 
 throng whom no man could number, who sing the song 
 of the redeemed — those of whom it was said, "These are 
 they who came out of great tribulation, and have washed 
 their robes and made them white in the blood of the 
 Lamb. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any 
 more, neither shall 'the sun light on them, nor any heat. 
 But the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall
 
 146 
 
 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of 
 water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their 
 
 eves. 
 
 I keep good cheer because I say, "My God, my times 
 are in Thy hands," and I trust He will bring to pass and 
 as brought to pass that which will be best for me and 
 others. Thus I say, "Even so, come Lord Jesus." 
 
 FINIS OPUS 
 
 GORONAT
 
 ARTHUR F. PULLER 147 
 
 (;. 15. RUSSELL 
 
 Doctor of Divinity 
 1324 Valencia St., 
 Los Angeles, Cal. 
 
 To Whom It May Concern: — 
 
 I have personally known Arthur F. Fuller for many 
 years and it gives me great pleasure to have this opportunity 
 of stating that I know him to be worthy of the confidence of 
 all people. 
 
 I have read much of his writings and consider that, in 
 view of the difficulties under which he has had to labor, he is 
 a wonder. His writings in both prose and poetry, are simply 
 superb. In my judgment, he deserves to rank with the great 
 authors of the age. 
 
 Most Cordially, 
 
 (Signed) G. B. RUSSELL. 
 
 AUBREY PARKER 
 
 Author — Journalist — Lecturer 
 
 414 Fifth Ave., 
 
 Salt Lake City, Utah. 
 
 To Whom It May Concern: 
 
 It is truly refreshing to meet in this age of haste — of 
 lightning lunches — a spirit attuned to sing of those things 
 worth while, among the tinsel and sham, in this day of sur- 
 face satisfaction. Truly, this poet "Learned in sorrow that 
 which he teaches in song." He reveals a character which has 
 stood the "acid test." 
 
 Many of Fuller's poetic effusions are truly "Jewels in 
 setting rare." Having "trodden the wine-press" of sorrow 
 alone, the singer knows well his song. For "out of the fulness 
 of his heart" does he sing. 
 
 Some of these poems are bound to live — they are among 
 those which the world will not willingly let die. For only the 
 sufferer can give true solace to a sufferer. Arthur Franklin 
 Fuller fills the bill. His words will live for they vibrate with 
 a life regenerate. 
 
 (Signed) AUBREY PARKER.
 
 14S AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 Los Angeles. 
 Dear Friend: — 
 
 I have been a shuttle for the past two days weaving back 
 and forth among the streets where you have heretofore been 
 found, in an effort to see you. Concluding that I am not a 
 Sherlock Holmes I am now turning the hunt over to Uncle 
 Sam's hired men. 
 
 I noticed in the leaflet you gave me the other day, that 
 reading was a helpful service to you in your study and I want 
 to tell you that I would be very glad to read to you, if you 
 would like to have me do so. I would make my time suit 
 your convenience as far as possible. But if it makes no dif- 
 ference to you, I would be less apt to have other demands 
 made upon me mornings between ten o'clock and noon. 
 
 I, for one, desire to recognize the Brotherhood of Man in 
 a practical manner. It would give me pleasure to help you 
 financially, to the extent of my meagre ability. Anything 
 which might be done by a sincere friend in this way, should 
 not be regarded as alms, for it would be merely an expression 
 of true friendship — or of a family sharing in blessings meant 
 to be general but which through some obstruction in the course 
 of circumstance, were diverted from some of their channels. 
 
 An honest independence in the vigorous is commendable; 
 but joyous acceptance is just as beautiful, when things have 
 gone wrong with one of the family. In any case, since "it is 
 more blessed to give than to receive," the one who receives is 
 the true, benefactor, through giving an opportunity for the 
 "more blessedness" to those who are glad to pay for it, by 
 sharing their enough or their abundance with a brother who 
 accepts the less blessedness. I know my logic is good but I 
 will not weary you with a further expression of it. 
 
 If you will kindly drop me a postal and let me know 
 when I can see you, it will be appreciated. 
 
 Sincerely, 
 
 (MRS.) JOSEPHINE L. BANNISTER. 
 
 Los Angeles. 
 Mr. Fuller: — 
 
 I have just finished reading your books, "An Odd Sol- 
 diery" and "Fifty Thousand Miles, Back-Ridden." My sym- 
 pathy for you is deep and sincere, but my admiration for you 
 I have not the words to express. 
 
 What you have accomplished under such difficulties — 
 such terrible handicaps — is simply wonderful. You are more 
 than entitled to a Gold Medal and a life-pension in recogni- 
 tion of your bravery — such fine undaunted courage. 
 
 Your name should go down in history among the truly 
 great. You are one grand character. 
 
 B. A. WELLS.
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 149 
 
 NEW FIELD LABORATORY 
 
 East Chattanooga, Tenn. 
 
 My Dear Brother: — 
 
 Enclosed please find $1 for one year's subscription to 
 your Magnet. I believe in you and am sure that by your 
 example of life you are doing a work for God that no physi- 
 cally perfect man could do. And because I believe in you, ! 
 say this: If you reach a point where you need a friend, let 
 me know. I may not be able to do much, but I shall always 
 be able to do a little. 
 
 If you get out any new publications, let me know and I 
 will forward price at once. I find your style intensely inter- 
 esting. 
 
 With sincere good wishes, 
 
 Your Sister in Christ, 
 ELIZABETH BURGESS. 
 
 Chattanooga, Tenn. 
 
 Dear Friend: — 
 
 * * * I wish I could be near you so I could speak to 
 vou occasionally and be of assistance to you. 
 
 * * * No stretch of distance, nor lapse of time can 
 lessen the friendship of those who are thoroughly persuaded 
 of each other's worth. 
 
 As ever, your friend, 
 
 MRS. JOHN B. COSTELLO. 
 
 GRACE FULLER FITZGERALD 
 
 Christian Science Practitioner 
 
 420 Union Bids., 
 
 San Diego, Cal. 
 
 My Dear Friend: — 
 
 Manv times I have thought of you and wondered where 
 you were and how? Suddenly you came before my mental 
 vision a day or so before your very welcome letter came. We 
 shall all be' very glad to see you again, and will do all we can 
 to help you in any way we can. 
 
 You will be led aright for you look to the One Source of 
 all Wisdom for guidance. I am sorry you have not found in 
 Christian Science what I have, but it makes not one particle 
 of difference in my interest and friendship for you. Some of 
 my best and dearest friends are not Scientists. But I should 
 be very narrow minded indeed if I let that fact bias me or 
 lessen my regard for them. This is a very free world and 
 there is lots of room for the many different creeds, theories 
 and opinions. We each have a perfect right to believe that 
 which seems to us to be the Truth, and suits us best. 
 
 I would not turn a straw to change the views of one who 
 doesn't want them changed. 
 
 The Hesses and Mr. Fitzgerald join me in love and best 
 wishes. Sincerely. 
 
 GRACE FULLER-FITZGERALD.
 
 150 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 Los Angeles. 
 Dear "Heart-Courageous": — 
 
 I have thought of you many times since I bade you good- 
 bye, and always with the hope that your gleanings in the new 
 field were growing plentiful and not overtaxing your sterngth. 
 I do wish that a way might be found to save you the weari- 
 ness of the flesh and the expenditure of cash that your frequent 
 journeys involve. It requires so many laborious days — so 
 many weary miles — to "make good" — such an oft recurring 
 "sinking fund," that ordinary courage would quail at the 
 prospect. I have to remember that you have an invincible 
 spirit, are of the stuff that heroes are made, not to be appalled 
 myself, by your undertakings, whatever the result of the bat- 
 tle, where the odds are so terribly against you. 
 
 You are a good soldier and that's the main thing after 
 all. Some of your plans for making a living without travel, 
 may yet materialize. I shall "hold the thought" of a prosper- 
 ous business career for you until it is bodied forth in reality. 
 To see you in the environments suited to your desires and 
 deservings would give me the greatest pleasure. 
 
 I thank you very much for your kind expressions of 
 friendship. That you over-rate my ability does not detract 
 from my pleasure since it is a proof of your friendly appre- 
 ciation of my wish to be of use to you. If "Love laughs at 
 lover's perjuries," I think God smiles benignantly at friend- 
 ship's flatteries. I am not disposed to analyze any expressions 
 of good will that come to me. It is too much like vivi-section. 
 
 If friendship has developed from our chance acquaintance, 
 it is mutual. Your fortitude in the most trying ordeal that 
 could come to a man of your energy and intellectual and 
 artistic gifts, won my admiration from the start; and my in- 
 creasing esteem as I came to perceive the real worth of your 
 character in manly and lovable qualities. In a way, the very 
 nature of your trials and the sort of life thereby exacted, sub- 
 jects you to most deteriorating temptations the more likely to 
 undermine character because they are so subtle as to make it 
 difficult to guard against them. But, the real integrity of 
 your soul — its innate tendencies toward the best, is your suf- 
 ficient armor. 
 
 With the best of good wishes, 
 
 Sincerely your friend, 
 
 (MRS.) J. L. BANNISTER. 
 
 Berkeley. 
 Dear Sir: — 
 
 Herewith please find payment for your "Book of Poems," 
 recently received. The Poems are certainly delightful and 
 worthy of a place in anyone's library. 
 
 With best wishes for your success, I am, 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 (MISS) IRENE McLEOD.
 
 ARTHUR F. FUL T .ER 151 
 
 San Jose, Cal. 
 
 Dear Friend: — 
 
 Your Magnets are full of interest. So long as we both 
 live, I wish it sent to me, if I can by any means pay for it. 
 It seems to me Churches, Schools and Societies, ought to in- 
 terest themselves in you, not as a matter of Charity, but be- 
 cause you deserve better than you receive because you are the 
 noble, manly man that you are. 
 
 I must have some more of your lovely post cards. Hope 
 our paths may soon cross again. Am anxious to be of service 
 to you. Cordially, 
 
 MRS. M. C. CUTLER. 
 
 Berkeley, Cal. 
 My Dear Mr. Fuller: — 
 
 Your "Book of Poems" is beautiful. I shall always en- 
 joy it. Payment herewith. May all happiness be yours. 
 
 Most friendly, 
 
 FRED MAURER, JR. 
 
 Berkeley. 
 My Dear Mr. Fuller: — 
 
 Enclosed please find payment for your "Book of Poems." 
 I shall always enjoy this volume. 
 
 Your poetical gift of mind must be a great compensation 
 for your affliction and must make life hold more for you, per- 
 haps, than for many a strong, vigorous man. 
 
 With appreciation for your work as a poet, and best 
 wishes for your welfare and success, I am, 
 
 Sincerely, 
 
 CHARLOTTE E. SPOONER. 
 
 JOHN FRANCIS JONES 
 
 Welsh- American Baritone 
 
 Studios 
 
 Mondays and Fridays, 370 Sutter St., San Francisco 
 
 Thursdays, 202 So. 2nd St., San -lose. 
 
 Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 111) Waverly St. 
 
 Palo Alto. 
 My Dear Sir: — 
 
 Received copy of your song, "Guide Me, Thou Great 
 Jehovah," a few "days since. I deferred writing in order to 
 have plenty of time in which to consider it. 
 
 Seldom are any of the grand old hymns so successfully 
 re-set to music. But my IDEAL has been realized in your 
 composition for this good old hymn. 
 
 I like the broadness and dignity of both voice and piano 
 part in the first verse. And that lightness and life of the
 
 152 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 second verse is most pleasing. I like also the way it en- 
 velopes into its splendid climax. 
 
 I like the contemplative style of the last verse — its 
 broadness and understanding of theme — then that wondrous 
 climax at its close! 
 
 I will sing this song at the True Life Church in San Jose, 
 a week from Sunday. The coming Sunday, the quartette will 
 sing your beautiful part-song, "Night Song." 
 
 Wishing you the greatest success, I remain, 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 JOHN FRANCIS JONES. 
 
 352 University St., Salt Lake City, 
 Utah, Oct. 3, i914. 
 My Dear Friend: — 
 
 Words cannot express my deep appreciation of the privi- 
 lege of having known you — of the enjoyment of our associa- 
 tion — the mutual understanding which is so rarely met with — 
 the genuineness of that friendship which has been ours. 
 
 The first time I looked upon your face, which was some 
 years ago on the street of San Antonio, Tex., my heart said, 
 "Worthy!" Indeed have you proven so and more. Your life 
 has been an incentive to me for good. Thus has my life been 
 made the richer, the brighter, and the desire to live a life of 
 duty has been strengthened. By it have I been impelled to 
 fulfill my part in life, well and cheerfully, and to be helpful 
 to all mankind. 
 
 This life is indeed beautiful, and filled with happiness if 
 we will but strive to find it so and make it so with others. 
 
 To my mind, true poetry is the beautiful study of life, 
 and I am proud that your poems are among those of my 
 favorite authors. Well I know the grind and daily suffering 
 that have been yours to enable you to give to the world such 
 beautiful thoughts. Well also, do I know your handicaps 
 and that they would have proven too much to an ordinary 
 man, long since. 
 
 How I admire that patience — that dauntless courage, 
 and fortitude, which have so characterized your life. Indeed 
 knowing you so well, when I think of your battle, I exclaim 
 as did another friend: "Dauntless Arthur!" 
 
 Your little Magnet I enjoy to the fullest — more perhaps 
 than most people could, because I know you so well. It 
 makes me feel as if we had been privileged to enjoy a little 
 chat. 
 
 When I think, dear friend, of your ability, your talents 
 and wonderful gifts — those Concerts I attended which you 
 gave from flat of your back — I cannot but ask myself: "What 
 could this man not have accomplished had he been blessed 
 with health and strength?" 
 
 But "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to 
 "erform." Your pure and manly life — your fortitude and
 
 ARTHUR F. FULLER 153 
 
 stick-to-it-iveness — teach a lesson to God's children, no doubt, 
 that could not be taught otherwise. God knows best. 
 
 With a heart full of gratitude for our mutual trust and 
 friendship, and best wishes in every way, I remain, 
 
 Your sincere friend, 
 
 (MISS) CLARISSA RADDOX. 
 
 THE EVENING TIMES-STAR, ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, 
 
 THURSDAY EVENING, AUGUST 1:5, 1914. 
 CRIPPLE HAS TRAVELED MANY THOUSAND MILES 
 
 To be handicapped by loss of limb or sight is bad, indeed, 
 but to be handicapped as is Arthur F. Fuller, who cannot 
 walk, sit nor exert himself in any way and besides suffers 
 from eye trouble, is almost beyond comprehension. Fuller, 
 however, is not discouraged but manages to make a good liv- 
 ing bv selling books and music of his own composition. 
 
 Fuller visited in Alameda today. He has been so afflicted 
 since 1899 but, by means of a push cart and help of friends, 
 he has managed to travel over 50,000 miles. 
 
 This distance means only that gone over by rail and if the 
 total extent of his travels were summed up the distance would 
 probably amount to about 100,000 miles. 
 
 Fuller, before thus afflicted, was a teacher of music and 
 holds a gold medal for excellence in that art and his many 
 productions are of a very creditable nature. 
 
 RIVERSIDE DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY EVENING, 
 
 MAY 23, 1J>14. 
 
 (Communicated) 
 
 PLEA FOR WORTHY MAN 
 
 Editor Press: There is a gentleman of misfortune within 
 our gates for whom we would bespeak the kindly hospitality of 
 Riverside. That city only is beautiful where dwells the spirit 
 of friendliness, service and justice. In these essentials to 
 our reputation we hope that we may not be found wanting by 
 Mr. Arthur F. Fuller. This man, so sorely crippled in body 
 that for 1 f> years he has lain upon his back, is of so strong 
 and independent a spirit that he demands the right and privi- 
 lege of earning his own living. This he does by selling in one 
 city after another the fruits of his labor — songs, poems and 
 prose. One may buy in charity, but having read, decide that 
 he is the debtor rather than the benefactor. Mr. Fuller's ex- 
 periences, though uniquely personal, yet drive home truths 
 of civic and sociologic import, and reveal to our shocked and 
 shamed eyes a form of Christianity quite different from that 
 pattern set us by the Good Samaritan. There is left a goodly 
 train of hospitals and homes to show neighborliness to the
 
 154 AN ODD SOLDIERY 
 
 incapacitated and dependent among us, but we permit the 
 priest and the Levite to deal with the incapacitated and inde- 
 pendent. 
 
 There are many brave souls struggling under life's heav- 
 iest handicaps to gain a living and to maintain their indi- 
 viduality as citizens. And great and prosperous cities through 
 the agency of their associated charities — Heaven save the 
 name — bid them begone from their streets lest the sight of 
 their afflictions offend or importune the active and fortunate. 
 
 Is it not time that we have a different point of view? 
 Mr. Fuller's 50,000 miles, traveled on his back, will not have 
 been in vain if he can help his fellow countrymen to attain it. 
 
 F. P. GRIFFITH. 
 
 SAX JOSE MERCURY HERALD, SUNDAY MORNING, 
 
 JUNE 21, 1914. 
 
 POEMS, BY A. F. FULLER, OPTLMISTIC PHILOSOPHER. 
 
 Two little volumes of poems, bound in green and white, 
 and bearing only the modest title, "Poems, by Arthur Franklin 
 Fuller," have come to the reviewer's desk for criticism. With 
 the memory of a courageous cripple-author, handicapped and 
 suffering, yet smilingly undaunted and philosophic, these little 
 poems gain added interest. 
 
 While some of them may be counted simply "verse," 
 many, beautiful in diction, sentiment and imagery, are really 
 gems. Lyrics, songs of pathos, elegies, ballads, sonnets, odes, 
 hymns and some few humorous verses are included in these 
 volumes. 
 
 Particularly beautiful are Mr. Fuller's descriptions, bits 
 of which are quoted, as, for instance, "Twilight": 
 
 "At last the tedious day is at an end — 
 
 The long cool shadows hush the world to calm; 
 
 The grateful quietude of twilight hours, 
 
 Distills o'er tired earth its restful balm. 
 
 From out the clovered meadow's misty depths, 
 The lowing kine come slowly into sight; 
 
 Tho circling swallows chirp their vesper hymn, 
 
 And hoof and feather seem to welcome night." 
 
 Again, in the "Mother's Song": 
 
 "Soft the silver stars 
 
 Nestle in Heaven's breast, 
 Soft the mating birds 
 
 Chirp to their cosy nest; 
 Soft the fresh'ning dew 
 
 Shines on each flowerhead, 
 Soft the angel hosts, 
 
 Watch o'er my baby's bed."
 
 AP'-HUR F. FULTiER 155 
 
 Deep religious feeling, a philosophical mind, an inspiring 
 courage, and, despite his affliction, an altruistic and optimistic 
 outlook upon life dominates. Mr. Fuller's work shows talent 
 and, in some cases, real genius. It is a wonderfully sunny 
 philosophy that can forget one's pain-racked body and "get 
 outside" of itself sufficiently to sing: 
 
 "The happiest souls are those who love to live, 
 
 Who love to work and someone's need appease; 
 Be thou content with that I deign to giVe — 
 
 So many lives are spoiled by too much ease — 
 If thou wilt strive with all thy little might, 
 
 Wilt labor hard with hand and heart and head, 
 Thy rhymes may gain thee lodging for a night, 
 
 May win for thee a crust of hardened bread. 
 
 "If thou canst be a mouthpiece for one soul, 
 
 Whom pain, despair or love hath stricken dumb— 
 
 Canst be a message — help one gain a goal, 
 
 Give comfort to some heart by grief made numb, 
 
 Assure one fear-crazed soul that nears the brink. 
 Death's shoreless river leads to rest and peace, 
 
 Xo soul who has done his best, here needs to shrink, 
 
 The hardest strain is sometime bound to cease. 
 
 "If thou canst cheer one labored, drooping heart, 
 
 Canst 'rouse the best in one by shame cast down — 
 If thou canst take the weaker vessel's part, 
 
 Give one a smile in place of worry's frown; 
 Then thou may'st see thou hast not wrought in vain — 
 
 To help one soul get nearer to his God — 
 To strengthen one to bear his bitter pain, 
 
 Is worth thy while, my son, so onward plod."
 
 POSTSCRIPT 
 
 If this book has pleased you and you feel inter- 
 ested in me- — feel that you would like to help me, 
 do not loan it. If your friend or neighbor wants to 
 read it, let him buy a copy. If he reads yours, he 
 will extend me his good opinion, but will never offer 
 to pay the profit I should have made on his pur- 
 chase. There is more curiosity, sympathy and sel- 
 fishness in the world than there is justice. If the 
 sale has given you your money's worth, that is all 
 it should be permitted to do. When you buy a meal, 
 a beef-steak, a pair of shoes or a cigar, you are the 
 only user and the dealer has a chance to make a 
 profit on the things the other fellow wants. 
 
 Therefore, if you feel disposed to be fair in this 
 matter, let others pay for the entertainment, satis- 
 fied curiosity, obtained from reading my books. 
 Should you desire to do me a good turn, induce 
 your acquaintances to buy. The cost of produc- 
 tion (including photos, cuts, stereotyping, proof- 
 reading, linotyping, paper, press-work, binding, and 
 freight) is so great as not to leave the margin of 
 profit more than is necessary. I do not ask reward 
 for my authorship — just a profit on this investment 
 in printed matter. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 The Author.

 
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