Museum of disABILITY History

Submitted by James M. Boles, Ed.D. and Melissa Royer

Because Niagara County has the notable Niagara Escarpment running along its width – east to west – there were and still are many natural springs as the ground water eventually flows north to Lake Ontario.

Research and reading about mineral springs in the eastern United States shows a pattern of discovery by early travelers and settlers and their reports often mention the local Native Americans using the springs for medicinal purposes. A spring was a clear water spring or mineral spring. The mineral spring generally had a smell and taste that was different from clear water. This was an early indication that the spring was a mineral spring. Once the spring was known as a mineral spring, local residents began using the waters to cure their medical problems as medicine of the times had little to offer. Soon businessmen would have the spring analyzed and would commercialize the spring and begin bottling and selling the water and/or building a sanitarium. The facility would then attract tourists and soon after, the very ill and invalids, all searching for a cure from this new mineral spring with its claims for healing.

Reviewing early accounts about the Niagara Region shows a similar pattern, there are many references to springs. Many of the Native American trails, which later became our roads, led to springs or had springs along the way. The springs were important as a geographic reference and drinking water for travelers and their animals. Soon after settlement, the springs became important for commercial purposes and medicinal use. It is felt that early construction projects such as the Erie Canal, bridges, railroads, sewer projects and water tunnels have disrupted some of the springs although many still remain.

Listed in the 1866 United States Geological Survey of the Mineral Springs of the United States was a well-known medicinal spring located in the Gulf, north of Lockport. It was analyzed as a saltine spring with traces of iron. An analysis of the “Lockport Mineral Water” was conducted by chemist George Hadley of Castleton, VT in 1861. From his analysis came this conclusion, “I have a strong conviction that it will prove a mineral water of great value and that it will establish for itself sooner or later a high reputation.” Mineral water from this spring which claimed to cure many ills was bottled and sold and an attempt was made to attract investors to build a sanitarium at the site. The area around the spring was known as “Wood Glen” and was advertised in the Lockport Daily Journal and Courier in 1861:

The Lockport Mineral Spring ran the following notice in May of 1862, “…The mineral spring of our townsman Mr. St. John, located about a mile and a half west of the village is deserving of public favor. It is most romantically located, and the water for mineral and medical properties will compare favorably with that of the most noted watering places in the world.”

The businessmen involved in the Lockport Mineral Spring in the 1860s include William W. Nicholls (1817-1878), brother of the well-known Lockport lawyer Luman H. Nicholls (1815-1864), and perhaps John R. St. John (1805-1868). It is believed that Luman Nicholls purchased property in the Gulf prior to the Civil War, which in later years was owned by Oliver Tinney. Mr. Tinney was known to live near the Mineral Spring. An 1875 map of the Town of Lockport indicates O. Tinney owning property on West Jackson Street nearby his neighbor, Mrs. S. St. John. We have yet to discover the names of those involved in the Lockport Mineral Spring venture of the early 1900s.

BlogIn 1964, a group connected to the Lockport Parks visited the Gulf area to determine if a Gulf Park should be established. In the group was Thomas Mulvey and Samuel Sposito, Park Board members; Lawrence R. Martin, Acting Superintendent of Parks and Raymond C. Betsch, President of the Common Council. The reporter described finding “an old spring…in the mouth of a small cave-like opening,” on the banks of Indian Creek. Further down the creek, they found the remains of an old well house for the spring and a stone bottling basin with a 1911 date on it. (Public Support for Gulf Park Awaited by Park Commissioners, Lockport NY Union Sun and Journal: August 22, 1964)

There are many old accounts that mention springs throughout the full Gulf area from the Little Indian Falls and west to the old city dump and the larger Indian Falls. This particular mineral spring is located in the Roland T. Grant Gulf Wilderness Park, west of the West Jackson Street entrance and is located on 18 Mile (or Indian) Creek.

It took the research team from the Museum of disABILITY History, Jim Boles, Melissa Royer, Tracy Harrienger and Will Philipps, several months to find the spring and the remains of the well house and stone bottling basin. It was finally discovered on a stormy day in November 2012. However, there are many unanswered questions about the spring. There is written evidence that the spring was used for commercial bottling as early as 1861 and there is information that it was being revived as a commercial operation in 1906 although it is difficult to determine the layout of the bottling operation as it likely changed in the 50 years between 1861 – 1911. This is what we found:

 As described in the 1965 newspaper account, there is a 1911 date on the top of the basin. The stone bottling basin is a short distance from the spring house. Our present thought is that the bottling basin may have been higher off the ground on a log or stone-work platform and it was washed downstream and downhill from the spring house in a flood.

Further up the creek we found what is believed to be the foundation of the old spring house with what looks like a spring bubbling up within the structure. This is some distance from the bottling basin. How did the basin move? The spring presently has a strong sulphur odor. Early analysis of the Lockport Mineral Water by chemist George Hadley indicated that included in the composition of the water was sulphureted hydrogen and a number of salts. Further plans are to have the spring water analyzed to compare with the 1861 report.

                                                                                                                                                                                                             J. One last mystery between the bottling basin and the spring house foundation is a stone mound with a stone and cement frame in the center.

The mineral spring was in operation for a number of years and this may be an earlier foundation for a bottling basin.

The Museum of disABILITY History has been researching medicinal (healing) springs in the County for the past several years and would like to hear from readers that know of mineral, salt, or clear water springs in Niagara County as the material will eventually be included in a book that we are working on about the healing sanitariums, waters, food and tonics of Niagara County, NY. 

Submitted by Douglas Platt, Museum Curator and Thomas Stearns, Research Assistant

The Museum of disABILITY History recently acquired two fascinating therapeutic instruments from the early twentieth century, both high frequency generators known as “The Master Violet Ray” and the “Monitor Electric Battery.” Both were made for in-home use and carried the tagline, “no home should be without one.” Today’s entry focuses on the Master Violet Ray.

Manufactured by the Master Electric Company in Chicago, Illinois, the instrument is described as “a diffusion of an electrical current of tremendous power and resistance, into millions of tiny harmless units” and was purported to cure “innumerable instances” of illness and bodily discomfort.

Violet Ray devices were based on the theory that “all human ailments, with the exception of certain highly contagious and infectious diseases, [could] be traced to faulty circulation and impure blood.” When a person’s blood failed to circulate in a healthy manner, it became stagnant and absorbed impurities, resulting in “a condition of self-poison” that left the body susceptible to disease.

The Master Violet Ray’s “penetrating current” reportedly quickened vital processes and stimulated circulation, thereby washing away impurities from the affected region(s) and allowing the “purifying processes of nature” to occur. The blood, now free of poisons, was then “able to take up oxygen . . . and nutrition . . . and [return] laden with tissue-building material to every part of the body.” This process of regenerative stimulation, known as a “cellular massage,” restored energy and vitality to the entire bodily system – or so the manufacturer claimed.

Customers applied the device’s electrical current through “vacuum applicators” or electrodes, which diffused the current into “sprays of a beautiful deep violet color.” These sprays vibrated to and fro thousands of times per second and produced the “pleasing, invigorating, and corrective effect” characteristic of the Master Violet Ray’s cellular massage.

The device could be applied to the “most delicate parts of the body without the slightest harm,” as indicated by the various types of applicators available for purchase – seemingly one for every orifice. If one so desired, they could acquire electrodes specially designed for usage on the eyes, ears, nasal cavity, and inside the throat. For the more adventurous, there were “urethral electrodes,” “vaginal electrodes,” and “rectal electrodes” – though the manufacturer stressed “competent supervision” for these applicators.

The novel technology used in Violet Ray devices, (they were made possible by the “Tesla coil,” invented by the “electrical wizard” Nikola Tesla in the 1890s), along with their affordability and availability, made them an appealing option to people searching for quick and easy therapeutic relief. Endorsed by hospitals, sanitariums, and physicians, thousands of people across the United States used Violet Ray devices – and for a wide variety of issues, as suggested by this enticing advertisement from a late 1920s issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine:

“Let us tell you how thousands of men and women suffering from rheumatism, neuritis, paralysis, nervousness, skin diseases, headaches, constipation, sprains, prostate trouble, goiter, and many other ailments, even hay fever and asthma, have found quick relief – new health and vitality with this marvelous, scientific invention. Pains vanish almost instantly.” [1]

However, despite assurances that there was “no quackery or uncertainty” about the healing powers of Violet Ray devices, the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration sued manufacturers in the 1950s for “false and misleading” therapeutic claims.[2] Shortly thereafter, Violet Ray devices became illegal to produce and advertise, and most units were ordered destroyed. Master Electric Co., which manufactured our device, was the last of over three dozen manufacturers to exist in the United States.[3] Today, Violet Ray devices are still produced outside of the U.S. and are still used in Europe.

Although manufacturers may have exaggerated the therapeutic potential of Violet Ray devices, they certainly did not lie when they stated that these devices “last indefinitely” – ours still works beautifully.

 Sources:

• The Master Violet Ray instructional booklet (Master Electric Co., publish date unknown)
• FDA Papers, Volume 1 (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 1967), 36
  http://archive.nlm.nih.gov/fdanj/bitstream/123456789/12749/3/ddnj04319.pdf
• Popular Mechanics Magazine, vol. 50, no. 5 (Hearst Magazines, November 1928)

For more information on Violet Ray devices:

• http://www.electrotherapymuseum.com/MuseumVioletRays.htm 
• Ellis Neiburger, “Shocking Dentistry: Modern Clinical Applications for an Old Dental Device,” Chairside Magazine (Fall, 2009); http://www.glidewelldental.com/dentist/chairside/issues/fall2009/clinical-techniques1.aspx
• Paul S. Cohen and Brenda H. Cohen, America’s Scientific Treasures: A Travel Companion (American Chemical Society, 1998), 312.
• Bill Fawcett, It Looked Good on Paper: Bizarre Inventions, Design Disasters, and Engineering Follies
  (HarperCollins, 2009), 229-231.

Heasley, Shaun. “Feds Accuse City of Barring Group Homes”. Disability Scoop. 14 November 2012. Accessed: 19 November 2012. http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2012/11/14/feds-barring-group-homes/16835/

Part 2: Moving Forward for More
Osiris Gomez, Contributor

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) has made some significant strides, but more needs to be done. We need to keep pushing because areas that contribute to life satisfaction are still problematic, namely gainful employment.

“I would give anything in the world if I could work, but now it’s much more obvious that I am disabled,” said Deborah Lewis, who has fibromyalgia, in an interview with SHRM Online. “I can’t even get an application. No one wants to take a chance that something might happen to me and that I would sue them.”

“So many employers are missing out on well-educated people just because they don’t fit into their image of what an employee should look like, act like or sound like,” she added.

Deborah is not alone. There are thousands of competent and skilled Americans in the labor market that are unemployed.

The following is an excerpt from a report by Elaine Katz, Vice President of the Kessler Foundation, who oversaw the completion of an in-depth survey of people with disabilities. This survey assessed the effectiveness of the ADA 20 years later:

“Education and political participation were the two areas where the gaps have narrowed. Employment, however, remains responsible for the largest gap between people with and without disabilities. Among working-age people with disabilities, only 21 percent reported working either full- or part-time, compared with 59 percent of people without disabilities—a gap of 38 percentage points. This gap has decreased since it was first examined (from 43 percent in 1998), but it remains large and its decline has been slow. Moreover, this persistent gap impedes progress in other key areas for people with disabilities, such as income, access to health care, and socialization. The second largest gap was in a new indicator, Internet usage—85 percent vs. 54 percent for people with disabilities, a difference of 31 points. This was followed by indicators of lower income and greater financial struggles among people with disabilities.”

“Over the past two decades, we have seen gains in public awareness and access for people with disabilities, as well as advances in medical care and rehabilitation. These survey findings show that much still needs to be done to ensure that these gains translate into improvement in areas that contribute to life satisfaction. Clearly, passage of legislation is just the first step toward ensuring equal rights. As with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, legislation needs public support to achieve its goal.”

“This is an important step toward a national effort to expand employment opportunities for the country’s largest minority. To narrow the gaps that have persisted for 20 years, cooperative efforts from disability organizations, the business community, and government will be required. On the national level, we need to promote the talents of people with disabilities, reinforce their value in the workplace, and expand our networks with employers to ensure that a diverse workplace includes people with disabilities.”

“People with disabilities represent a critical talent pool that is underserved and underutilized,” says Shirley Davis, director of global diversity and inclusion at the Society for Human Resource Management, as reported by Pamela Babcock. Many are confident in this and are taking action. Steps are being taken at the university sector to develop the managerial skills of leaders with disabilities. The UCLA Leadership Institute for Managers with Disabilities aims to help mid-career professionals with disabilities catapult their careers to the next level. This unique program develops “leadership styles and skills, mentoring and personal development, organizational savvy, and strategic leadership.” President Barack Obama has taken action as well. In 2010, he passed an executive order to hire more people with disabilities in the public sector. He wants to use the American government to lead the way and set the example for the rest of the country.

But ultimately, the push for more opportunities for people with disabilities beyond the realm of entry-level staffing will be led by those at the top of the corporate hierarchy. According to Nadine O. Vogel, president at Springboard Consulting, these issues have yet to be felt at senior management positions of a great deal of American companies.

Each of us, in the public, can do our part to end this discrimination. It is hurting the life satisfaction of a major portion of our population. Although the ADA has helped, we must learn from history. We cannot settle for anything less than the best for each other.

The most successful movements in American history were driven by ordinary people that didn’t settle. The fight for womens’ suffrage and rights, abolition of slavery, Racial equality and civil rights in the 50s and 60s. The fight for disabled rights is no different. We can learn from history as we move forward with an understanding that great social change takes a great deal of time, dedication and patience. Not taking away from the importance and influence of the bill, the ADA should be built upon and is a stepping stone for greater things to come.

Let’s look back and reflect on the civil rights movement. Was the 15^th Amendment enough for people who wanted racial freedom and equality? Sure, it gave the right to vote to ex-slaves, but this 1870 amendment did not squash racism. In 1955, Brown v. Board established that separate public schools for black and white students were unconstitutional. This was a landmark case that served to be a crushing blow to the Jim Crow status quo. But what if it stopped there? Was discrimination over because of the law? What if people settled for that, knowing more could be done? We wouldn’t have Martin Luther King Jr. delivering his “I Have A Dream” speech and leading boycotts. We wouldn’t have the Greensboro sit-ins. We wouldn’t have the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act. People did not settle, they knew well that they had a fight that would take many years.

The fight for womens’ rights was no cakewalk, either. It took nearly 72 years after the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention for women to get the right to vote with the 19^th amendment passed in 1920. Even after that, women were discriminated against in the workplace. The feminist movement helped to increase opportunity and fight against the glass ceiling in the workplace. Even today, women face challenges in the workplace.

I must echo Elaine Katz when she asserts that legislation needs public support achieve its goal. I believe that if we continue to push on together for disability we can achieve unimaginably greater things.   

References:

1. Kessler Foundation/National Organization on Disability. The 2010 Survey of Americans With Disabilities. http://www.2010DisabilitySurveys.org. Accessed August 17, 2010.
2. Obama B. Executive Order: Increasing federal employment of individuals with disabilities. July 26, 2010. Available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/executive-order-increasing-federal-employment-individuals-with-disabilities. Sept 9, 2010.
3. “Has the Americans with Disabilities Act Made a Difference?” http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/Diversity/Articles/Pages/HastheADAMadeaDifference.aspx. July 9, 2010.
4. Babcock, Pamela. “Targeted Development for Managers with Disabilities.” http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/Diversity/Articles/Pages/ManagerswithDisabilities.aspx. July 21, 2010.

Part 1: Celebrating Our Victories
By Osiris Gomez, Contributor

July 26, 2012, marked the 22^ndanniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (ADA). President George H.W. Bush signed the act into law in 1990, which proved to be one of the most far-reaching civil rights bills in the U.S. history. Understandably, it also marked a huge step in the long struggle for disability civil rights. Thanks to the bill, individuals with disabilities are more protected. To name a few of the provisions in the ADA, employers now face serious consequences for discriminating against qualified persons with disabilities in the labor market. It also prohibits discrimination in regards to the full and equal enjoyment of goods and services, such as education, access to stores, and transportation.

Since the passing of the bill into law, the world of disability has gained so much through subsequent ADA case law rulings. In Barden v. Sacramento (1999), the public street improvements by the City of Sacramento did not make sidewalks accessible to persons with disabilities. The court ruled that this was unlawful and accommodations were made, with many cities and municipalities around the nation following suit.

In what is now considered a landmark case, Lois Curtis and her friend Elaine Wilson were unnecessarily and unjustly segregated in a state hospital in Georgia when they could have lived in a more normal, integrated, community-based setting. They lived most of their adult life confined in state institutions, until Curtis and Wilson sued the state of Georgia in 1999 after repeated requests to be permitted to live in a community home. In the end, Olmstead v. L.C. ruled in favor of Curtis and Wilson, establishing that under the ADA, the institutional isolation of people with disabilities was a form of illegal discrimination. After moving into a community home, it was reported that Elaine said she felt loved and cared for where she lived. In the state institution, she “had felt like she was sitting in a little box with no way out.” Being outdoors and making Kool Aid were simple things that meant so much to both of them. Elaine decorated her own room, loved to organize picture albums, shopped, cooked, and attended family functions. Not to mention, she became increasingly independent—she was able to take full responsibility for her medical needs, an area in her life that institutional aids thought was problematic.  Unfortunately Wilson passed away in 2004, but is dearly missed. 

Lois Curtis has been living her life to the fullest ever since the case ended. Lois is now living in her own home, has reconnected with family and made new friends. She is a passionate civil rights activist for disability rights regarding institutionalization. “I want to tell everybody, so people can get out, she shared.” Traveling throughout the country, she serves as an inspirational speaker and is affiliated with ADAPT, a grassroots disability rights organization. Curtis received the Act of Courage Award from the Tubman African American Museum.

Not to mention, she is also a successful folk artist, and has had several art shows at several galleries across Georgia and the country. She even presented her artwork, a self-portrait titled “Girl in the Orange Dress,” to President Barack Obama at the White House in 2011!

The Olmstead decision has had an incredible impact on thousands of Americans with disabilities. One instance revolves around Doug. He is a 41-year old Virginia man with Down syndrome who has serious cognitive disabilities and requires assistance with most daily living activities. He lived at Southeastern Virginia Training Center for 20 years before moving into a group home. While using a wheelchair at SEVTC, he now walks all the time. He also doesn’t have to eat pureed meals anymore. He loves pancakes, chocolate cookies and burgers. His father, James, commented: “…the services being provided have exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds, and Doug is happier and more active than I ever imagined was possible.”

At 47, Michele was struck by a drunk driver and became quadriplegic. After applying for community based services, she was told there were insufficient funds for those, and in order to get those she would have to move into a nursing home for an extended period.  She sued the state of Florida under the ADA and Olmstead, and is now living at home with community-based services. “Olmstead allowed me to stay at home versus being forced to be institutionalized. To be able to remain in the community means all the difference in the world. It gives me the freedom to live as normal of a life as I possibly can after my life altering accident.”

Thousands of Americans like Doug and Michele have benefited from the Olmstead decision.

Though not a tangible legislative impact, ADA gave hope to a new generation of young people with disabilities. This new generation has high expectations, as they continue to break down barriers. For instance, a Yale Medical School student became the first to complete the Ivy League medical school program as a wheelchair user in 2000. 

This is an excerpt from a piece written by Sierra Gregg, a brilliant Computer Science major and intern at the Office of Presidential Libraries:

“I was born visually impaired one year after the signing of the ADA. I have grown up in a world where my visual impairment is not a hindrance to my success, only a characteristic of who I am. The ADA has made it possible for me to get the help I need to work toward my academic and professional goals.”

Disability is getting its voice heard in Hollywood too. In my previous blog, I mentioned the activism of rising young actor RJ Mitte. He is currently trailblazing for disability rights in the entertainment industry as the passionate spokesperson for IAMPWD, the Screen Actors Guild’s campaign to fight casting discrimination in Hollywood.

Today, individuals with disabilities have more political visibility than ever.

But as we celebrate the wide-reaching effects of this great bill, we need to acknowledge that there is still a great deal of work to be done regarding disability policy. We can still track violations of equal employment opportunity laws. Disabled people everywhere say they still suffer discrimination and maltreatment. Stay tuned for the next article as to how we can change this!

References:

“Barden v. Sacramento.” http://www.dralegal.org/cases/public_entities/barden_v_sacramento.php.

“From the Archives: A Landmark Moment for Americans with Disabilities.” http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/07/26/archives-landmark-moment-americans-disabilities.

“Olmstead v LC and EW Landmark Case.” http://www.atlantalegalaid.org/impact.htm.

“Faces of Olmstead.” http://www.ada.gov/olmstead/faces_of_olmstead.htm.