(828) 526-0173 | [email protected] | Copyright 2024 – All Rights Reserved.
When Druggists Gave A Dram
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: 2018/06 - June
People often seek jobs that not only help others, but help themselves. Dr. Henry O’Farrell, an Irish immigrant, went to Colorado to cure his consumption. Then he heard about Highlands’ successful treatments. In 1896 he made his way to Horse Cove with his wife, Abigail. By spring they moved downtown to Squire Hill’s Boarding House and he became the town druggist replacing Thoren Walden.
He opened shop in the James Rideout building, catercorner from Walden’s Drugs and next to Highlands House. There he dispensed castor oil, paregoric, horse liniment, worm medicine, and treatment for consumption. Imagine a pharmaceutical world without the FDA.
Dr. O’Farrell’s pharmacy was a popular place. It caught the attention of visiting R.J. Reynolds (of tobacco fame). Reynolds sold little white bags filled with finely cut tobacco. Bags came with a demonstration from R.J. himself on how to roll your own. At that time in history, tobacco, touted for its unique health properties, fit right into a drug store setting, though Dr. O’Farrell said, “I kept good cigars. But I would advise you not to smoke.”
In 1890 O’Farrell sold his drug store and took over the Bascom’s Pharmacy. The next year he ran an ad announcing, “No Drugs or Medicine in Highlands can equal Nature’s great Panacea: Ozone.” He added, “I have a few choice Remedies, Drugs, Medicines, etc., just suited to your case until the Ozone has time to take effect.” Granted it sounds a little snake-oily, but it was a different era, and even today who among us has not been desperate for a cure? His ad closed with this warning: customers should not forget their wallets for, “my drugs have no effect, even on a well man, until they are paid for.”
Henry must have found his own cure for he went on to serve as Highlands’ mayor for a total of 8 years. To discover more about his life, read Ran Shaffner’s Heart of the Blue Ridge. Visit www.highlandshistory. com, email [email protected], or, during the season, check out The Highlands Historical Museum, 524 North 4th Street.
