Medicine Man, Part Seven: Between the Dan and Greenville (South Carolina)

Needs Must in Virginia

Nanzetta often lived his life, according to his family as well as others who wrote about life in the Medicine Show business (people like Violet McNeal [1]), “from hand to mouth”, as they say. His selling off of equipment in the fall of 1911 may have been for a need of ready cash, or it could simply have been a desire to change things up. In 1912, however, one item comes up for sale that offers a bit of a clue as to what might have been going on in the medicine man’s mind.

A “Passion Play”, a film, black and white, that depicted the suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ, was a way to draw in a crowd and advertise, at the same time (true or not) that you were respectable and trustworthy. His wish to dispose of these may, again, have been for need of money or simply to provide for a change of his repertoire, but the fact that he married again in March of 1913, leads me to wonder if he didn’t have another motive altogether.

Third Time’s a Charm?

Nanzetta met Anna Love in New York, introduced to her by his sister (according to family lore), with whom Anna was a good friend. The circumstances of their meeting and courtship is unknown (I’m still working on that) but it may very well have been an attempt by his family to reign John in. Anna was Jewish and possibly would not have thought very well of Nanzetta’s promoting a film with a of Christian theme.

There isn’t much known about Anna, really (though again, I’m still working on getting more of her story from her remaining family). Born in New York in 1893, Anna was one of at least four children born to Louis Love (possibly spelled Lowe) and Sarah Wolf who immigrated to the United States from Russia around 1891, according to the New York Census of 1905. Her older brother Joseph was born in Russia in 1888, so there may have been more children born to the family who simply didn’t make the journey over. Anna had two younger brothers both born in New York. Her father, Louis, was a coppersmith. Her mother, Sarah, died in 1910 and was buried in the Mount Neboh Cemetery in Glendale, Queens County, New York. Louis died in 1925 and was buried beside his wife. Eventually, Anna would be buried beside them though under her maiden name.

Though Nanzetta’s marriage to Anna seems sudden, it’s likely they courted for many months. He likely had a lot of convincing to do, and it’s not clear how much of that convincing was based in truth. There’s simply too much we don’t know. The family in New York who claimed Nanzetta as their kin were known to be eccentric and at least one brother was as familiar with the wrong side of the law as was Nanzetta. Whether Anna understood it to be the truth or a lie, he claimed on his marriage certificate to have been born in Austin, Texas to Harry L. Nanzetta and Anna Rich. As it was required in 1913 for both applicants to be present and to swear to signed affidavits as part of the marriage licensing process, its almost impossible that Anna was unaware of these claims. If she was a friend of his sister, it seems unlikely she didn’t know it was a lie. Of course searches of these parental names in Austin or anywhere in Texas have turned up no results, and so it may be presumed that they were inventions. But why? Maybe he was trying to distance himself, legally speaking, from the other notorious characters in his family, but I don’t see how doubling down on his Native American background was going to help him in his new marriage.

Making Moves (and a Little Trouble)

Indeed, by the time the couple were wed on the 20th of March, Nanzetta was already well into the process of relocating to South Carolina, having signed a contract with Silbert’s Drug Store in Sumter. As you can see, he’s not hiding his Virginia identity. He’s been far too successful to do that, though he may have left to distance himself from Dulcie and those who knew them as a couple. But that might not exactly be true either, since Nanzetta and his new wife did return to Danville directly after their marriage and returned later. There are many who remember her being involved in his business (though it’s possible they mistook any number of the women who worked with him, both in his storefront and on the stage, for his wife).

In May, Nanzetta was running a comedy show in Warrenton, North Carolina. Presumably there was some medicine advertising involved if not actual sales. It has been told me by the Nanzetta family that Anna took great exception to the play acting of American Indians, and he seems to have switched tack for a time.

Nanzetta’s sojourn in Warrenton was not uneventful. In an article found in The Billboard of 10 May 1913, Nanzetta (going by the name of D.V. Nanzetta) had the very great pleasure of seeing wed upon his own stage two of his minstrel performers, Miss Mamie Hill of Philadelphia to Robert N. Davis (no relation to William Davis of the Oriental Remedy Company).

Somewhere along the way this trip took a sour turn, however, as the dockett list of Judge E.B. Cline, who was then presiding judge over the Burke Superior Court, featured Nanzetta’s name in connection with a Mr. Brown. Whatever the trouble, the newspapers do not seem to say. [2] The nearest clue I can find is the arrest of a “white man” by the name of D.V. Carver (pretty close to Carter) who was arrested in Charlotte (a couple hours away from Warrenton) for carrying more liquor in his buggy than was allowed, but the matter was dealt with the same day. [3] This occurred in October, while the offense in Warrenton must have taken place in May, though it appeared on the court docket for June and then October.

The next we hear of him he’s in Staunton in September and mention is made of him in regards to the closing of the fair there.

“Only one disturbance has been occasioned in the city by fair visitors,” the article in the Staunton Daily Ledger of September 5, 1913 reads. “Before Justice May this morning, ‘Doctor’ J.H. Nanzetta, a Midway quack, was arraigned on a charge of assaulting Oliver Johnston … but the evidence was such that Nanzetta was dismissed and Johnston was fined $12.50 for assaulting him. Johnson, it was owned, was drunk, and had been interfering with Nanzetta, who chased him off several times and finally beat him in the face with a rock when the [man] drew a knife on him.”

His altercations with competing medicine men and show people, particularly when they were people of color, is beginning to form a disturbing pattern, though it seems that, in this case at least, he was defending himself. I don’t trust that that was always the case.

It’s also in September, just six months after his marriage to Anna Love, that the name of a Mrs. Lessie Nanzetta begins to appear in the newspapers and in The Billboard magazine. I don’t think it’s possible that this is Anna, but it might be Dulcie, or it could be someone else taking up the name well-known name (well-known at least in the medicine and wild west show circuit).

Lessie’s name appears several times during this period, in The Billboard, in the “Pipes for Pitchmen” section, and her inclusion in a Wild West Show that was touring through West Virginia was submitted to the “Pipes” by “The Doctor”, a moniker which did not refer to “Doctor” Nanzetta but either to the show’s manager, Doc Delayne, or, according to Robert Blaskiewicz, a researcher at New Jersey’s Stockton University (who is working on a similar project) to a Doc Renzo, a prominent and eccentric organizer of wild west shows in the 19-teens.

In October, Nanzetta is once more selling off his show equipment (tents, lights, etc.) in preparation for the winter. Simultaneously, he’s seeking performers, musicians, including slide bass players to work exchange for a “small but sure” salary for those willing to stick with him for six months. Applications are to be made to a post office box in Danville.

In December, Nanzetta, it seems, is given a dose of his own medicine, so to speak, when a Mr. John F. Holland, a traveling salesman, arrives in town with a deal that could not be refused. Holland was selling a set of books, of what kind, the newspapers don’t mention, but for $35 you could have the set, and for an additional $10, Holland would throw in a plot of New York real estate on the Hudson river, just a 40 minute train ride from downtown New York City. Nanzetta, who was not unfamiliar with New York, bought the property and then almost instantly regretted it. Upon doing a little investigation, he realized that the lot of land was considerably further from New York City than he had been given to understand and only accessible when the tide was out, and even then “was nothing but a mud plot.” He endeavored to extricate himself from the contract, but Holland refused, and so Nanzetta marched into the police chief’s office (not Police Chief Morris who had been remanded back to a Georgia penitentiary nine months prior) and demanded justice.

The issue went before the judge, but it was dismissed on account of it being a civil matter and would need to be brought up in that court. In the meantime, Holland sued Nanzetta for having him arrested on false charges. The papers seem not to follow the events of these complaints, and what the result was it’s not possible to say. No records of this are still existent as far as I could find in the City of Danville’s court records archives. Most likely the case was dropped or dismissed.

South Carolina

The first we hear of Nanzetta in 1914 is in July when he visits Danville, Kentucky.

An Indian “herb doctor” in town this morning was selling a wonderful compound, “The Indian New Discovery,” which he claimed would cure any bodily ailment known to mankind if only one would “rub it on”. He attracted quite a large crowd but did not succeed in selling much of the remedy.

On the 27th of September, the residents and neighboring businesses around 114 Coffee Street in Greenville, South Carolina were disturbed from their Sunday rest when a barrel of alcohol which had been stored in Nanzetta’s offices exploded, erupting in flames and a “dull roar”. Being downtown, the fire department answered quickly and saved all but $300 of property which was destroyed in the fire.

The heat from this dangerous and deadly fluid was said to be intense; but the local firemen went in and saved a considerable part of the effects of the medicine man.

In October, Dr. Nanzetta has a minor accident, when, after parking is automobile in front of the Post Office, his car was struck by the streetcar.

Those who saw the accident stated that it was unavoidable and that neither the doctor nor the car man could avoid the accident though had the doctor waited for a minute [or] run faster he might have escaped with his car.

It seems that an automobile was in front of the doctor’s car and that he had to run around it to pass upon the street. The street car was coming, evidently faster than the doctor believed, for when he turned out to pass the car he was caught by the street car and the street car rode up on top of the automobile wheel which supported it until it was backed off. The car was derailed and the automobile was broken about the hood, but not so bad as would have been expected. [4]

While Nanzetta was now firmly established in South Carolina, Anna had given birth in February in New York to a daughter. Possibly Anna did not wish to continue her husband’s nomadic life while expecting, but by the family’s accounting, it was not a peaceful marriage and there was much fighting.

By December, Nanzetta had hired out management of his shows to D.D. Lockboy, formerly of Curdt’s Big Shows, and he was once again preparing to tour, though he undoubtedly spent some time in New York during that winter as his name appers in the New-York Tribune of January 9 where he is identified among those who have failed to pay their bill for carpet cleaning and storage. The name listed is Jack H. Nanzetta.

In February of 1915, Nanzetta and Co. began touring through Pitchford’s Hall and Pickens, South Carolina. In March, Leonard was born, and then it may be supposed Nanzetta was back on the road.

At some point, possibly not long after his run-in with the streetcar, Nanzetta returned to Danville, where he purchased a 1913 automobile. Shortly thereafter, upon returning to South Carolina in January of 1916, a gear wheel shattered, and he returned to Danville to have it repaired by the Dan Valley Auto Company (possibly the company he purchased the car from). They did repair it, but he failed to pay his bill and returned to South Carolina once more. Soon after, this gear wheel, too, is found faulty, but unable this time to return to Danville, he took it to a repair shop in Greenville. After inspecting the part, they informed Nanzetta that the Dan Valley Motor Company had put a 1914 gear wheel in his 1913 car. He returned to Danville to issue his complaint. About that time, Dan Valley Motor Co. placed a lien on his car. Never one to back down, Nanzetta took them to court over the matter. In the course of the hearing, the gear wheels were compared, found to be identical, and case went to the motor company. [5]

Because when it rains it really pours for Nanzetta, a month later, in Lancaster, SC, he’s indicted on several offenses.

Not a Peddler

J.H. Nanzetta, the Indian medicine man, who has been proclaiming the merits of his medicines for several years on the streets of the town, was arrested Saturday under the state law in three several cases, charging him with violating the statute as to hawkers and peddlers and later on that same day was arrested by Chief Orr on the charges of violating the town ordinances, one for disorderly and boisterous conduct and for selling or offering for sale, as a hawker, his goods without taking out a license as a hawker. [6]

In court, Nanzetta contested that he had paid the license and showed proof thereof, but the argument clearly went beyond that. Laws by then prevented peddlers from selling their nostrums directly, though they could do so through a drugstore, putting on their entertainments, making their commercial lecture proclaiming the virtues of their remedies, and therein directing potential buyers to the drug stores who had previously contracted to carry them for a share in the profits. It was not a very efficient way of making sales, however, and so, as a further incentive, he added to his regular programing by offering a card which stated that, for every audience member who would go to the drug store and buy one of his remedies and then return to him with a receipt proving such, he would give them, for free, a bottle of liniment.

So the main question in the case was whether the defendant was selling as a hawker or peddler, or whether he was merely advertising his goods. The Mayor charged the jury that, under the law, to constitute the defendant a hawker or peddler they must find that he was an itinerant trader, carrying medicines through the streets, from town to town and place to place, selling or, offering the same for sale; that if at the time of the alleged offense the defendant was merely advertising certain medicine, manufactured by him and kept for sale, not on his own account, by drug stores in the county of Lancaster than he was neither a hawker nor a peddler under the ordinance of the town and would not be liable to license imposed on hawkers or peddlers. The town’s contention was that the stamped tickets, represented a value and that the defendant was liable for selling under the hawkers and peddlers license.

The case was stubbornly fought and both sides and created unusual interest, as was evidenced by the large crowd in attendance in the court house. …After deliberating for some time the jury returned into the court reporting that they could not agree on a verdict and a mistrial was ordered. [6]

It’s interesting to me that this was a juried trial and not a district matter. Did he request the jury? Or was it simply that, bringing state law into it, and presumably conferring with the state Attorney-General, it was decided a jury trial was most appropriate.

This trial, it seems set a sort of precedent, and it’s about here that the state of South Carolina became interested in the argument raised by the case, and, as an extension, in Nanzetta and those like him. If they could, South Carolina meant to make an example out of him.

It may be useful to note that this was precisely the argument being played out in Los Angeles in 1905 about the time Harry Nanzeta left California. That trial was only juried because Nanzeta requested one. Though the papers don’t say what decision the courts eventually made, Nanzetta appears a month later, in March, requesting his license be renewed.

It as also stated by one of the aldermen that Nanzetta does a dentistry profession, also, for which he pays no license. He agreed to this. Whether or not the license will be renewed on the same terms as last year will be settled by the finance committee, to whom the matter as referred.

Only it was too late for the matter to have been that simple. The next chapter of this story is found in the Journal of the South Carolina Medical Society, which published a series of letters and newspaper articles regarding Nanzetta and others. (The journal gives no date beyond the year for its entry with regard to Nanzetta.)

“Dr.” Nanzetta Leaves Town.—About four weeks ago, “Dr.” L. H. Nanzetta, “the great herbologist,” induced a druggist in Greenville, S.C., to permit him to exhibit “patent medicines” in his drug store. The Greenville County Medical Society thereupon met and passed a resolution to the effect that its members would refuse to deal with any prescription department of any drug store that allowed “Dr.” Nanzetta or others who posed as a doctor and sold medicines in his place of business. When the society notified the druggist of his actions, “Dr.” Nanzetta moved to another store. The committee on public health and legislation of the county medical society then promptly notified the second druggist and “the great herbologist” left town. Nanzetta’s wares are said to include “Psoriasis Salve” ($2.50 an ounce), “Eczema Salve” ($1), “Indian New Discover,” “Worm Remedy,” “Knock-Out for Dog Fits,” and other things sufficient to make a list of thirteen remedies. Nanzetta, who is said to have a fortune of about $500,000, has his “Central Laboratories” in Danville, Va.

Nanzetta left Greenville, but he was not yet ready to leave the state, and despite nationwide advertising in The Billboard in their issue of March 18, he moved his shows southward, toward Columbia and set up his Vaudeville act in Union, South Carolina, then in Newberry a month later. In April he was in Ninety-Six puling teeth “without pain”, and in October he’s using the credentials he gained there to advertise in Rock Hill, South Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina.

North Carolina

Little is heard from Nanzetta in 1917, though he was clearly a topic of much discussion and even growing concern, at least to state governments in South and North Carolina, the latter likely being warned of the antics of the “doctor” by the former.

He begins the year off in Winston-Salem with an advertisement bragging of the large number of drug stores and even doctors who have endorsed his cures. The list includes ten druggists, dentists, and doctors in Virginia and six in South Carolina (and one in Ohio). In the ad, he invites potential patrons to come to 411 Trade Street, the address of W.R. Rutledge, druggist, to procure free samples of his Indian New Discovery.

The next we hear of him is in a book of government publications in a chapter titled “Opinions to the State Treasurer” which feels a continuation of the previous year’s legal troubles in South Carolina. This document does not publish the letters received by the state attorney general, only the responses (the A.G.’s legal opinion), but therein we get something of a picture of the nature of Nanzetta’s troubles, troubles which will mount and grow significantly over the coming years.

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To the Honorable B.R Lacy, State Treasurer, Raleigh, N.C. on January 27, 1917

Dear Sir:—I have your letter of January 26th, enclosing a typewritten statement from W.T. Wilson, attorney at law, of Winston-Salem, N.C. regarding the construction of section 44 of the Revenue Act, relating to peddlers of medicines, et cetera, and asking my opinion upon the same. Before passing upon the legality of the question which Mr. Wilson has raised, I shall be glad to know something of the nature of the contract under which the medicine is sold by Mr. Nanzetta of Greenville, S.C. to Mr. Rutledge of Winston-Salem. Kindly secure a copy of the contract or bill of sale covering the transaction and send the same to me, upon receipt of which I shall be glad to render an opinion.

Yours very truly, James S. Manning, Attorney-General

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To the Honorable B.R Lacy, State Treasurer, Raleigh, N.C. on February 5, 1917

Dear Sir:—Referring to my letter of January 27th, asking for some further information regarding the petition of W.T. Wilson, attorney at law, of Winston-Salem, asking for a construction of section 44 of the Revenue Act relating to peddlers of medicines, etc., I now have from you Mr. Wilson’s letter of January 29th, enclosing a copy of the contract entered into between J.H. Nanzetta of Greenville, S.C. and W.R. Rutledge of Winston-Salem, for the sale of this medicine; also several original invoices showing sales by the Nanzetta Medicine Company to various parties in this and other states.

I find upon reading the contract between the parties above referred to, that Mr. Nanzetta agrees to sell and deliver to W.R. Rutledge at Winston-Salem the medicine known as “Indian New Discover,” etc., at certain specified prices. In order to stimulate the sale of this medicine by Mr. Rutledge to his local patrons in Winston-Salem, the said Nanzetta “also agrees to assist party of the second part (Rutledge) by advertising the merits of said goods from January 1, 1917 to February 20, 1917.” It appears further from the statement of Mr. Wilson that this assistance is in the form of a free exhibition on a vacant lot in the city of Winston-Salem, but that the said Nanzetta neither offers for sale, exposes to sale, or actually sells any of the goods in question; but does advertise the medicine as on sale at the place of business of the said Rutledge in the city of Winston-Salem.

Section 44 of the Revenue Law provides:

“Each and ever peddler of medicine or drugs, whether on foot or with horse, mule, or ox, with or without a vehicle, or with a vehicle propelled by by any other power, and having any free or paid attractions upon the street or in a tent or in any other place for the purpose of receiving trade, $150 for each county.”

It further provides:

“Any person carrying a wagon, cart, buggy, or motor-driven vehicle, or traveling on foot, for the purpose of exhibiting or delivering any wares or merchandise shall be considered a peddler.”

If in a scheme of advertising Mr. Nanzetta is “exhibiting” his wares, he would under strict interpretation of this provision be considered a “peddler.” If, however, in his free exhibition he does not exhibit goods, wares, and merchandise for sale, we are of the opinion that he would not come within the provisions of this section, inasmuch as the statement submitted by Mr. Wilson makes it plain that he is not exposing or offering for sale any of the medicine in question. [7]

For the moment, Nanzetta was free to keep on as he had been, but clearly he was being targeted in this endeavor to curb him. Whether he was aware of these efforts or not is unclear, but I think he probably was. The Winston-Salem attorney, Mr. Wilson, was likely working on Rutledge to break his contract with Nanzetta, so it’s unlikely the medicine man was unaware that his show, and the business made thereby, was in some danger. The law, for the moment, came down on the side of the medicine man, and it’s possible he was heartened. Perhaps he was even emboldened. But it’s just as likely that here was a pattern playing out in a similar manner, though ten years later, as that in California (supposing the two men were the same). He may have known that the time was soon coming for him to move on, but with a family now in tow, and his fortunes made and dependent upon the reputation he had made for himself in the Carolinas and Virginia, he was not likely to wander too far.

Camp Sevier

We know from genealogical records that Nanzetta’s third child, Earle, was born in February of 1918, but from March of 1917 until November of 1918 the papers are silent.

The silence breaks on the 1st of November 1918 when The Greenville News reports that the police conducted a raid on Nanzetta and others who maintained gambling machines near Camp Sevier. Camp Sevier was a training area where national guard troops trained for battle during WWI, and it was here that law enforcement had turned a blind eye to some otherwise illegal activities, including gambling. A total of twelve machines were confiscated by authorities, including those belonging to Nanzetta, as well as several others. The machines were well filled with money, which the county also confiscated and donated to its own purse.

Dr. J.H. Nanzetta, Indian doctor, who runs a safe near the camp, was among those who had a slot machine in their place and the sheriff said the Indian doctor refused to listen to any reason and that he had to be taken to jail, where he was late last night. … Several years ago the General Assembly passed a law prohibiting the operation of certain slot machines, and it is said that near the camp, very little attention has been paid to the law. [8]

In fact, Nanzetta had established a laboratory and medicine manufacturing facility near Camp Sevier, probably due to the fact that the area was known for its loose adherence and enforcement of the law.

Before the month was out, Nanzetta was in trouble again, this time for having alcohol.

J.H. Nanzetta, an Indian, and proprietor of the Nanzetta Medicine Company, was yesterday found guilty in Greenville by Capt. A. Blythe, city recorder on a charge of violating the city ordinances relative to intoxicants, and sentenced to pay a fine of $100 or serve thirty days. It is charged, and admitted by the defense, that Nanzetta had in his possession at his home in the city of Greenville a barrel containing about fifty gallons of pure grain alcohol, which he alleges he intended using in the manufacture of certain medicinal preparations. the fifty-gallon barrel of alcohol was seized by the plie and will be held by them subject to the outcome of an appeal which has been taken by Nanzetta from the judgment of the city court. [9]

More interesting was the means by which it was discovered that the medicine man had such a quantity of prohibited alcohol. Nanzetta had ordered the barrel and it was therefore shipped, at his direction, by railroad without any markings to identify the contents. Upon receiving it, he realized the barrel was not completely full and that some must have spilled upon shipment, and so he entered a claim against the railroad company for the loss, which claim alerted the mayor, and the police were sent to seize it. [9]

While he waited for his appeal, Nanzetta submitted his own rebuttal to the newspaper.

The letters attached included a request, dated May 8th, 1918, from the IRS collector, D.C. Heywood, requesting a sample and formula of “Nanzetta’s Prescription” so that they could test the alcohol level of the formula. A follow up letter dated August 7th informing Nanzetta that his permit was granted by the Federal Government, there being no licensing body to grant him the necessary permits in the State of South Carolina.

If it got him off the hook, it didn’t happen immediately. The case would carry on well into the following year.

The “pipe” below appears in the December 14, 1918 issue of The Billboard. It’s not clear who this is from, and I can’t seem to find the original post to double check it, but, though he is being referred to as Prince Nanzetta (the moniker by which many of his early counterparts possibly knew him) it’s clearly J.H. who is being addressed here.

The question it asks, however, must go unanswered for now. Nanzetta is still in Greenville’s thrall, and not in a good way.

Horses for Luck… (or not)

In January of 1919, Nanzetta returns to Danville with the intention of auctioning off some horses and mules. It’s a project that earns him, at least at first, more money and faster than medicine peddling could ever hope to do.

Upon returning to Greenville in March, where he held another auction of horses and mules, things got dicey once more and quickly when he was arrested for having stolen $100 from N.C. Satterfield who pressed charges. In the process of arresting Nanzetta, police discovered a barrel of pure-grain alcohol and informed him that he would be charged with illegal possession as well. (10)

Satterflied came to Greenville to attend the auction which was held at Camp Sevier. While at the auction, and in the process of watching the proceedings, he found himself standing next to the Indian doctor and to him he confessed to the amount of money on his person and his intent to make a purchase, at which point, or so Satterfield claimed, Nanzetta pretended to turn him out of the way of an approaching animal and in that moment relieved him of his wallet and its contents. Satterfield raised a commotion but Nanzetta denied any involvement. Satterfield complained bitterly of his loss and worried aloud how he would get home. Nanzetta gave him what money he had on him, approximately $1.50, and offered it to Satterfield. Whether he took it or not, the papers did not say, but Satterfield left the auction and went downtown to take out a warrant for Nanzetta’s arrest. (10)

Nanzetta was arrested, but he was released on bond set at $1,600, which Nanzetta paid in cash.(11) The following day, the preliminary hearing was held, and finding that there was not enough evidence to charge Nanzetta, the case was dismissed (12), but this did not satisfy Sheriff Hendrix Rector, who, having seized the doctor’s barrel of alcohol, immediately swore out a second warrant, claiming he had “strong evidence against Dr. Nanzetta” in the Satterfield case, and so the medicine man was arrested again.(13)

On April 23rd, the case regarding the alcohol was heard, and the judge found against Sheriff Rector and further ordered that the sheriff be “hereby restrained from further interfering with the same (Nanzetta) in any manner…” (14)

On May 15th, the Satterfield case was heard, and Nanzetta’s lawyers were able to show that “the prosecution of their client was not prosecution but persecution brought by Sheriff Hendrix Rector because of personal feeling against the Indian.”

A number of the most prominent business and professional men of the city were summoned to court by the defendant to testify as to his good character. Trial of the case attracted much attention, due to the fact that the defendant is well known not only in the city but throughout the State. (15)

In contrast, many witnesses who were familiar with Satterfield’s character stated that they would not believe him, even on oath, since “his reputation for truth and veracity was bad; and that his reputation for peace and good order was bad…” (16)

The jury deliberated “only a few seconds, and returned a verdict of not guilty.” (15)

The following night, while giving a lecture on “the Parker road just outside the city” … “on a stand in front of Hudgen’s store” four shots were fired at Nanzetta. He was not struck, but “a volley of bricks fell over the crowd, one striking a man and a little girl.” A few minutes later, Sheriff Rector “appeared upon the scene,” but didn’t seem too anxious to make any arrests. Nanzetta offered a $50 reward for information leading to an arrest of the guilty party. (17)

Shortly thereafter, Nanzetta left for a long “fishing trip” to New York and Canada, a vacation he was probably accustomed to taking, at least since his marriage to Anna, and doing so as a means of getting away from the heat. On this occasion, he left the management of his business dealings to his manager, D.D. Lockboy who wished him safe travels and best wishes via “Pipes for Pitchmen” in the June 14 issue of The Billboard, assuring Nanzetta’s customers and colleagues that he would “have charge of all business until the Big Chief returns.” (This was the first of many times this nickname would be used in reference to J.H. Nanzetta. Also see “The Russian Connection”, scheduled for November, for further insight regarding his potential dealings in New York and Canada.)

In the following week’s Billboard Magazine, Doc Billy Gray (aka Arizona Bill) inquires after “Dr. Nanzetta” of whom he had observed “had purchased some horses and opines it a good investment, but counsels Nanzetta to let some other fellow purchase the front end of each, on account of the feed bills,” after which he assures his friends of the Oriental Remedy Company that he maintains the relics of those good old days from his new home in Sydney, Australia and sends “kindest regards to all real members of the fraternity” (The Oriental Remedy Co.). I can’t help but wonder if this is some kind of confession or indication that Dr. Nanzetta was, indeed, part of the Oriental Remedy Company at one time.

Upon Nanzetta’s return in the late summer, the company is off to Georgia … and so will we be in the next installment.

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Sources:

1) Four White Horses and a Brass Band: Ture Confessions from the World of Medicine Shows, Pitchmen, Chumps, Suckers, Fixers, and Shills, Violet McNeal. 1947, Doubleday. Reprinted in 2019 by Feral House.
2) The News-Herald (Morganton, North Carolina) 29 May 1913
3) The Charlotte News (Charlotte, North Carolina ) 23 October 1913
4) The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) 8 October 1914
5) The Register and Bee (Danville, Virginia) 9 January 1916
6) The Lancaster News (Lancaster, South Carolina) 18 February 1916
7) Biennial Report of the Attorney-General of the State of North Carolina, 1914-1916. T.W. Bickett, Attorney-General and T.H. Calvert, Assistant Attorney-General
8) The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) 1 November 1918
9) The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) 28 November 1918
10) The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) 8 March 1919
11) The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) 9 March 1919
12) The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) 13 March 1919
13) The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) 14 March 1919
14) The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) 23 March 1919
15) The State (Columbia, South Carolina) 15 May 1919
16) The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) 17 May 1919
17) The Greenville News (Greenville, South Carolina) 18 May 1919

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Notes:
A) Camp Sevier Historical Marker: https://theclio.com/entry/66287