Antique Medicine Bottles Dr Cannon's Medicine Chest

ANOTHER "PATENT MEDICINE ARTICLE" FROM THE PAGES OF

ANTIQUE BOTTLE AND GLASS COLLECTOR MAGAZINE

THE MAGAZINE OF THE ANTIQUE BOTTLE COLLECTING HOBBY

antique bottles THE MEDICINE CHEST --- BY DR. RICHARD CANNON Bitters Bottle

European settlers often had to learn the skills for survival in the harsh North American wilderness from the native Americans. This included a knowledge of which local plants were

good for medicine to threat their various ailments. Hordes of “secret” Indian remedies were bottled and

sold as patent of proprietary medicine by the 1800's. There was a certain magic about Indian medicine in the eyes of the public. I want to present a couple of these that have a nice “ring” to their names.

Old Sachem / Bitters / And / Wigwam Tonic is an amber barrel shaped bottle, 9 1/2 inches tall with a smooth base. It's also known with a blowpipe pontil in 9 1/2 and 9 3/4-inch heights, as well as a 10 1/4-inch aqua variant with a blowpipe pontil. Several shades of amber and green with smooth bases also exist. Mine is the “garden variety”, but is special because I purchased it from the late Charles Gardner, our most famous bottle collector, and was able to chat with him over the phone at that time.

There is a broadside of Old Sachem Bitters and Wigwam Tonic, which has been reproduced. It pictures a stern Indian Chief who appears to be very strong and armed for battle. There's an Indian village in the background with warring Indians and settlers on the outskirts. Above, it gives Geo. Hunnewell, Agent, New York, and below, Wm. Goodrich, New York. Just under the picture in small print is Lith. of Sarony, Major & Knapp, 449 Broadway, N. York. Also in cursive writing in the lower margin is Deposited in Clerk's Office, Southern Dist., New York, Aug. 5, 1859 and then stamped 25 Nov. 1859.

Apparently George Hunnewell was not the same person as John L. or Joseph W. Hunnewell of Boston who began to put out Hunnewell's Tolu Anodyne and Universal Cough Remedy in the 1840s. We know that William Goodrich was the proprietor and was located at 145 Water Street. Old Sachem Bitters & Wigwam Tonic was advertised in April, 1859. I do not know how early the product appeared, but probably earlier that 1859. Merrick and Moore Company was in control of the brand when they appeared in the New Haven, Conn. City Directories, 1864-1867. Mr. Merrick resided in several of the local hotels during this period.

“From an old Indian recipe in possession of the family of the proprietor for upwards of a century in now offered to the public as one of the most healthy and wholesome beverages extant and as a tonic is unsurpassed. Sold by

principal grocers, druggists and hotels throughout the Union.”

There is a labeled only Old Sachem Tonic Bitters from E.L. Stanwood & Co., wholesale druggists, Market St., Portland, Maine, in an amber, square bottle, which is probably a later or different product.

The Great // Shoshonees / Remedy Of // Dr. Josephus is embossed on an aqua, rectangular 9 1/4 inches tall older bottle with a smooth base. There is a testimonial for this medicine dated August, 1866, and an October, 1868, newspaper ad which reads: Look, read and learn, that the Great Shoshones Remedy of the celebrated Indian Dr. Lewis Josephus of the distinguished Tribe of Shoshonees, Columbia Territory, is now for sale in the Union. This all possessing Indian Remedy is warranted, and in broad and emphatic language we can safely say, may be relied upon to make a permanent cure of all diseases of the Throat, Lungs, Kidneys, Digestive Organs & etc., as well as Scrofula, the various skin diseases, Humors, and all diseases arising from Impurity of the blood, excepting the third stage of Consumption---“.

Daniel and Robert P. Young of Canada had been involved in the patent medicine business and came to Syracuse, N.Y., about 1865. Directories list Young and Brother as manufacturers of the Remedy from 1869 to 1871. Their address was 130 South Salina St. Wm. Kidder & Co. of New York City purchased the brand in 1872. It was still being sold in Canada in 1897.

I like this ad: “We are doing a great deal of good and raking in some shekels with our Indian Sanative. They say it cures almost anything.” It's really nice to rake in the cash and do some good at the same time.

Did you enjoy this article? Every month Antique Bottle and Glass Collector magazine gives you neat articles like this one.