SEQUAH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22833, 18 March 1936, Page 7

SEQUAH

TO THE EDIXOB. Sib, —I have read iu your columns lately an outline o£ the career of Sequah, the “medicine man." 1 have a vivid recollection of his first visit to Dunedin, with chariot, ponies, brass band and attendants. The location was Vogel street, a few hundred yards south from the rear of His Majesty's Theatre, where I think a wool store is now erected. It is now 44 years ago, but I can well remember great numbers of people of all ages visited him for teeth extraction, and it seemed marvellous to me that he dealt with eacn patient so quickly, and not one of them 1 seemed to feel the slightest discomfort ■ during the operation, although there was no anaistlietic used, and even young children did not seem to flinch in the least. When darkness came on Sequah provided' himself with a small lamp affixed by a strap to the forehead, and this shone down on the offending molar, the removal of which appeared to be simplicity itself. Spiiiah also claimed to cure rheumatism, I remember an elderly coloured person being treated for this, and immediately afterwards handing in his walking stick and tripping home in great style, but when I met him a few days afterwards, the old trouble seemed to have returned. A large supply of bottled remedies for various troubles was disposed of for cash each evening, but for the dental work there was no charge—a fact that was very popular with the residents of Dunedin in those days. Some years afterwards I read of Sequah travelling in America with a touring company giving demonstrations of dentistry on the stage. Then,' about three years ago, one Sequah opened up an establishment in Invercargill, supplying medical remedies for various complaints, , but I could not say if this is the same man as I have referred to, as I think he would be more than 70 years of age, as mentioned in your columns. —I am, etc.. 1892. TO THE EDITOR Sib, —There seems to be some confusion ns to Mr Rowley’s claim to being .Sequah. If the statement in this mornings paper that Mr Rowley first visited New Zealand about 35 years ago is correct, then Mr Rowley certainly was not the .Sequah we saw in Dunedin, as it was 43 years ago that Sequah demonstrated his teeth-pulling ability, etc., on the reclaimed ground not far from the spot where His Majesty’s Theatre now stands. — I am, etc.. One Who Was There. Roslyn, March 17. TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —1 remember Sequah when 1 was quite a lad, over 50 years ago, and recall his gilt carriage and the brass band that accompanied him as he drove round the different towns and stopped at market places as he went along. I also know of the Sequah that is at Balfour, and I always thought he was the son of the one in England. Fifty years ago the Balfour man would only have been 20 years old. That shows me he is not the one whom I remember 50 years ago or more.— l am etc., Truth. Waitaki Hydro, March 10. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —There were two Sequahs. Early timers with good memories will remember the first one, who (ravelled the colonics many years ago. Then about 12 years ago another Sequah came to Oamaru and doubtless travelled over other parts of the country. lie hold a demonstration in one of (he garages, and there was a good gathering present. Then he called for persons suffering from rheumatism to come forward for free treatment. Sundry patients with crutches came forward and all went behind a curtain. About 15 minutes’ massage with a good supply of embrocation enabled each to dispense with (lie crutches and walk away with ease. Sequah explained that Madame Sequah would attend to ladies. She was an attractive personage of somewhat small size, and dressed in nursing uniform. They travelled in a theatrical-looking car with “ Sequah ” in big letters on the back, and as they travelled round the outskirts of the town doubtless they visited patients in their homes. Sequah was a big man, with a p ;| le face and big fat white hands that looked as if they never did any manual work, but they seemed to have great strength when he was massaging the patients.—l am, etc., Richard Norman. Lawrence, March 17.