Alternative Medicine
A series of articles exploring the diverse medicine practiced in Niagara County from 1830-1930 .
Written By: James M Boles
Today: The Magnetic Healers
The Magnetic Institute, 74 Walnut Street, Lockport, New York
Professor Wamon, the “Magnetic Healer,” was based at the Magnetic Institute, located in Lockport, in the late 1800s. Perhaps a little overstated his “Institute” was located in Mrs. Balcom’s Boarding House at 74 Walnut Street. He traveled to local towns, including Wilson, Somerset, Lyndonville, and Medina offering magnetic healing to those in need. An ad in the Lockport Journal in 1889, titled “Professor Wamon’s Public Healing!” listed his many skills. The report mentioned:
“He is certainly endowed with an astonishing and phenomenal healing gift, and these bold, public exhibitions of his beneficent power, have now placed its absolute genuineness and the reality of his singular cures beyond all doubt. The cures witnessed and carefully investigated by our reporter, he asserts, exceed in marvelousness any of the apparently incredible testimonials that have been so often advertised in the Journal in the past.”
Further on in the article/advertisement, there are many stories of his miracle cures in local towns. Here is an example from Newfane, New York:
“Mrs. Hern lay on a sofa and had long been unable to walk from inflammatory rheumatism. Within five seconds, she started up, ran and leaped several times, and next day amazed everybody by walking to church.”
The belief was that as the professor placed his hands on the patient, magnetic radiation energy was passed from his powerful physique through the patient’s body, assisting in the healing process.
Magnetic healing was promoted as a drug-free approach to curing illness. The medicines that were available and utilized by the traditional physicians at the time could be dangerous to your health.
Professor Wamon was practicing his healing skills at a time when colleges, the government, and the American Medical Association (AMA) were trying to standardize and license doctors, as there were many paths to becoming a doctor, and many medical schools, some of questionable quality. The professor, who never claimed to be a physician, avoided this scrutiny. He also did not charge if the patient did not have money.
The Electro-Magnetic Sanitarium, Niagara Falls, New York
On May 22, 1901, the Daily Cataract Journal reported that the Kingsley Mansion was leased to Professor Benard of Buffalo and was open for business as the Electro-Magnetic Sanitarium. The Sanitarium was located in a large house formerly owned by John C. Lammerts on the corner of Ferry and 6th streets, Niagara Falls, NY.
The medical director of the Electro-Magnetic Sanitarium was Dr. Kennedy who was also the president of the National Medical Institute and Hospital of Buffalo, New York.
- Benard who was associated with the Electro-Magnetic Institute, Buffalo, was the director of the Niagara Falls Sanitarium. Professor Benard used his extraordinary diagnostic skills to market the sanitarium and would offer the service at no cost. The promotional material for the Electro-Magnetic listed a staff of physicians, surgeons, osteopaths, and Magnetic and Mental Healers. Also employed was the X-ray and “Electro-Therapeutics” for the caring of all chronic nervous and mental disorders.
The Electro-Magnetic Sanitarium of Niagara Falls, corner of Ferry and 6th Streets. Files J Boles
The director of the Electro-Magnetic Sanitarium, Professor Benard, had unique diagnostic skills. Niagara Falls Gazette: October 25, 1902.
The Electro-Magnetic Institute closed in 1906 and Mount St. Mary’s Hospital was started in the large mansion in 1907. It was known as “The Little House on the Corner.” Later, the new Mount St. Mary’s Hospital was built on the mansion grounds.
Former Mount St. Mary’s Hospital, Niagara Falls, New York 