GIRL SELLS “MIRACLES” AT DOLLAR A BOTTLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18959, 3 January 1930, Page 9

GIRL SELLS “MIRACLES” AT DOLLAR A BOTTLE.

“ It is prohibited to perform miracles under penalty of ten dollars fine for each miracle.” This sign greets the eye from every street near Maracaibo, Venezuela. Hundreds of country folk, suffering from various maladies, visited the home of Inez Sandrea, ten-year-old girl, whose father says she possesses the power of healing any illness or disease by merely blessing a bottle of water. So popular was the “ cure ” of Senorita Inez that as many as a thousand bottles of the “ holy water ” were dispensed daily at one dollar a bottle. Local authorities tried by every means to convince the public that the cure was a fraud. An American physician, employed by the Lago Petroleum Corporation, was called in by the Mayor to demonstrate the inefficacy of the water, except as a thirst quencher. Feigning illness the American was brought to Senorita Inez’s home. Purchasing an especially strong bottle of water for five dollars, the physician dashed it to the ground, much to the astonishment of the invalids gathered nearby, and walked away laughing. This ruse proved fruitless, however, as the physician was transferred to another part of Venezuela shortly after, and friends of Inez immediately circulated the report that the American had been taken away by the devil for his sacrilegious conduct. In desperation the Mayor announced a fine of ten dollars for the performance of a miracle, which put an end to Inez’s profitable business.