[Colorado-Talk] the back story behind minutes

[Peggy Chong]

When I read our old minutes from the United Workers for the Blind, I marvel
at how much more detail they include than minutes of today.  However, I
still feel that each set of our old minutes hides.

 

Below are the December 8, 1937 minutes referencing George B. Fisher’s case.
Actually, the whole set of minutes are fascinating as to the many topics
included in the meeting that are an article in-and-of themselves.  Please
read the entire minutes.  

 

Earlier minutes gave a few clues to Mr. Fisher’s identity.  I found it
interesting that in none of the minutes was Mr. Fisher listed as a member.
He was a businessman and professor. The depression hi many hard and in his
case he requested blind benefits more than once in the 30’s.  I wondered why
did not recruit him.  First, here are the minutes from 1937.  (Note, no
changes have been made in the spelling or punctuation from the original
documents.) 

 

[Handwritten Minutes of the United Workers for the Blind]

 

The regular monthly board of directors meeting was held Wed. Dec 8- 1937, at
312 – 17th St.  Meeting called to order at 3 P.M. with Pres. Wilcox
presiding.  The first order of business was the roll call.  The following
board members were present, namely Pres. Wilcox, Chas. E. Hine, Daniel L.
Rattek, Dr. Chas. F. Shollenberger, Lewis D. Stockton and R. W. Rathborne.
Cloud H. Bryan was absent being called out of town to the sick bed of his
mother.  Pres. Wilcox excused Mr. Bryan for his absence.  The next order of
business was the reading of the minutes for Nov. 10- 37, there being no
alterations or corrections, it was regular moved by Mr. Rathborne and
seconded by Daniel Rattek, that the minutes be approved as read, motion
carried.  The next order of business was the reading of the financial report
by Sec. Young, which showed a balance on hand Dec. 1- 1937 of $219.53.
There being no alternations or corrections, it was regular moved by Dr.
Shollenberger, that the report be accepted as read, motion carried.  Next
order of business was under head of Communications, first one to be read by
the Sec. was from the state Commission for the Blind, 353 Capital Bldg.,
Denver, under date of Nov. 23- 37, over the signature of Kathryn C.
Barkhausen, executive Sec., the communication having been received in this
office Nov. 27- 37.  The communication stated that the Adult Blind Home, and
State Commission for the Blind, had joined in there efforts to conduct a
sale, of articles made by the Blind of Colorado the week of Nov. 29- 37 at
1621 Stout St.  The communication ask us our support in this matter.  After
discussion the contents pro and con, it was regularly moved by Mr. Stockton
and seconded by Dr. Shollenberger, that the communication be placed on file
without comment, motion carried.  The next communication to be read, was
from George B. Fisher, manufactor of Fisher Food remedies, was over the
signature of Geo. B. Fisher, Box 20 – Highland Station Denver, Colo., under
date of Nov. 27- 1937, received in this office Nov. 29- 37.  The contents
was in form of thanking you, Pres. Wilcox, for sending Mr. Walter Burns to
him.  He stated that he went into action right away and was glad to report
that Judge White had promised to reopen his case and give it his most
careful attention.  Pres. Wilcox stated that he had placed Mr. Fisher’s case
before the Blind Commission several years ago, but had been turned down at
that time.  The Pres. Stated he was glad the case was to be reopened.  Dr.
Fisher stated he would keep us informed from time to time of the progress
made.  No action was taken on said communication.  Said communication was
ordered placed on file.  A letter was then read by Sec. Young, written by
Pres. Wilcox, in answer to letter written by Mrs. Henry M. Bindt, of 2545
Hillcrest Ave, Berkley Calif.  The Pres. giving a brief outline of United
Workers For the Blind of Colo., which he organized 25 years ago.  A copy of
the letter was ordered placed on file.  The next order of business was under
the head of verbal reports, Mr. Rathborne reported, that Mary Bushinger 314
– Commonwealth Bldg. was a teacher of Braille.  Mr. Rathborne also reported,
that Mr. Bittman has called at the Colo. General hospital and received
glasses.  The Pres. then called on Mr. Stockton, to report on what he had
found out on vending stands in Government Bldgs. Mr. Stockton reported, that
it required $500.00 dollars, to equip a stand in the Custom House, the stand
to be the property of the Government, the government paying the party,
putting up the $500.00.  3 ½ % on all money taken in, the equipment becoming
Government property, persons conducting said stands must be blind.  The
stands could be turned over from one person to another the Government paying
3 ½ %.  The matter was discussed by the board to be reported on at a later
date.  There being no further business, the Pres. announced that the
arrangement for the Xmas entertainment and Xmas party to be held Sat. Dec.
18- 1937 at 8 P. M. was well in hand, and a real entertainment and party was
insured.  The Pres. announced that the next business session to be held
immediately after the entertainment.  Sec. Young announced he secured
several prizes to be given at the party.  The Pres. then announced the next
board meeting to be held Jan. 1- 1938 – the time to be determined by the
board.  It was regularly moved by Dr. Shollenberger and seconded by Mr.
Stockton, that the meeting be held at 10.30 A.M . Sat. morning Jan. 1- 1938
at 312 – 17th St.  The Pres. announced the Jan. entertainment to be held
Sat. Jan. 9- 38 at 8 P. M. in the Wight Bldg. after a short discussion by
the board members, meeting adjourned at 4.16 P. M.

 

Respectfully submitted by

Chas. B. Young (Sect)

 

Now the back story.  It seems that George Fisher was not a solid citizen.
Here is part of an article from a medical journal from 1936.  

 

Fisheropathic College Association.-This was a name applied to a mailorder
quack concern having for its president and treasurer George B. Fisher, for
its vice-president Richard B. Fisher, son of George B., and for its
secretary Anna L. Fisher, sister of George B. In 1911 Denver newspapers
reported that George B. Fisher had been found guilty in the federal courts
of sending obscene matter through the mails to the "wives of two prominent
Denver business men." It was reported at the time that the judge before whom
Fisher was tried gave the quack a scathing arraignment, stating that "a man
who was guilty of the practices of which Fisher had been convicted was of
the lowest species of humanity and not fit to mingle with decent and
respectable people." Papiers at the same time reported that prior to this
conviction Fisher had been charged with defrauding an aged and infirm woman
out of $15,000 in notes and securities. A suit against him in the District
Court, according to the same report, resulted in these notes and securities
being restored to the woman. In 1923 the Department of Agriculture declared
Fisher's nostrums ("Uterine Tonic" and "Kidney Food") misbranded under the
National Food and Drugs Act. The federal authorities declared the Uterine
Tonic misbranded because it was fraudulently represented as an effective
cure for "lack of passion.'' absence of menstrual flow, cancer of the
uterus, gonorrhea and various other conditions. George B. Fisher claimed to
be the "only diagnostician in the world making a chemical and psychological
diagnosis." A young woman, unmarried but pregnant, got in touch with Fisher
88 MAIL-ORDER CONCERNS some years ago and Fisher diagnosed her case as one
of uinfantile womb, malnutrition, catarrh of stomach, and retroversion." He
said that the ubloating" was due to the conditions mentioned and added that
the case usuggests a dropsical inclination." He urged her to "lose no time
in ordering the $10 Fisheropathic Home Special." The Fisher group put out a
number of preparations. "Pugilitis Pendicitis" was mainly epsom salt with a
small amount of baking soda, some citric acid and table salt dissolved in
fruit juices flavored with extract of peppermint. The experts for the
government testified that this laxative, if given in some cases of acute
attacks of appendicitis, would be about as dangerous as could be· conceived.
"Digestive Gems" were composed of senna, red pepper, table salt, powdered
charcoal, glycerin and oil of peppermint. "Columbine Massage Cream," it was
claimed, would develop the bust, remove wrinkles and freckles, cure eczema,
ringworm, prickly heat and shingles, while if taken internally it would cure
pneumonia, influenza, whooping cough and asthma I The federal chemists found
that the stuff was made of mineral oil, white wax and paraffin. Fisher's
"Sanitary Suppositories" were said to require neither douche nor enema and
could be used by men, women and children. They were recommended for rectal
or vaginal cancer, blood poisoning, fistulas, inflammation of the colon,
prostate and bladder and for various other conditions. The composition of
this therapeutic wonder was found by the federal chemists to be our old
friend epsom salt put up in gelatin capsules. The "Dyscrasia Remedy" was
said to contain echinacea. The "Gastric Assimilator'' was an alcohol-water
solution of sugar, fruit juices, citric acid and oil of peppermint. Fisher's
"Uterine Tonic Knowledge," advertised as a "scientific oxygenator and tissue
builder," was composed of ammonium iodide, a carbonate, glycerin,
formaldehyde and spirits of cloves. This was offered as a "perfect deodorant
in blood poisoning" and for uterine cancer. On September 26, 1933, the mails
were closed to this fraud.-(Condensed from The Journal A. M.A., Oct. 28,
1933.) 

 

Well, I guess that might be why.  We are truly a cross-section of society.

 

Peggy Chong

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