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DR MAHLON LOCKE: MAN OR MAGICIAN?

27/1/2016

13 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
In my last blog I briefly mentioned the enormous popularity of Dr. Mahlon Locke, the famous foot doctor of Williamsburg, Ontario.
Dr Locke was born into a farming family on February 14th 1880.

The journey into medicine
It is not known why this farm boy decided to study medicine, although the fact that his stepfather was a doctor must have been an influence.
In 1901 he enrolled at Queens College of Medicine, graduating in 1905.  In 1907 he decided to undertake postgraduate training in Scotland, spending time at both the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow.

Manipulative Treatments
It is not known what or who influenced him in becoming interested in manipulating feet. What is known is that, on his return to Williamsburg in 1910, he treated Mr Peter Beckstead, the village blacksmith who was crippled with arthritis and was almost unable to work. After many sessions of Dr Locke’s foot manipulations, he regained much of his mobility and was able to return to his work.
This seems to be the first recorded treatment and the one which would set the scene for Locke’s future reputation.

By 1932 Dr Locke was giving over 2000 treatments daily.
His popularity was enhanced by his treatment of Mr Frank Coughlin of New York who was so severely crippled with arthritis that he had already made arrangements for surgery. Mr Coughlin had been told of a priest whom Locke had treated for the same disease, with remarkable success, and decided to go to him for treatment. This resulted in a complete cure. Mr Coughlin wrote a newspaper article about his experience and the Williamsburg Stampede was begun.

The hands of Dr Locke
The films we have of him working show that the manipulative procedure was rapid, lasting between 5 -7 seconds. Sometimes he would also manipulate the hands.  On and on he would go, round and round in his swivel chair from foot to foot and hand to hand, having a break every few hours for a rest (or drink).

The town and the roads became unable to cope with the amount of traffic and the numbers of people. The government actually constructed a road from the port to his practice to cope with the influx of visitors. The other consequence of this was the increased prosperity of the town.  Hotels were built, restaurants opened, and people took in boarders for the duration of their treatment.

Dr Locke’s fee was one dollar which included two sessions daily; everybody paid the same, whether millionaire or pauper. Residents and people who were unable to pay were treated free.

At this time the effects of the 1929 Wall Street crash were at their peak. It may well be that it was this had something to do with the popularity of Dr Locke’s treatments. People felt a need to keep healthy while at the same time being part of and sharing the difficulties of that time with other people.

Dr Locke died February 6th 1942. His brother-in law J. Alex Mc Gruer a Chiropractor, carried on the practice, but it did not work out and it came to an end. The magic of Dr Locke was gone.

Tony Porter Reflexology





13 Comments
Linda link
29/1/2016 10:38:53 am

Fascinating information - thank you for making it available Tony. I wonder how much of his success was due to his personal attributes and how much to his technique? Are the films of his work available online?

Reply
Tony Porter link
30/1/2016 08:57:50 am

Dear Linda
I am pleased that you found the information interesting. There has been a big response.
I agree with you about Locke having some magic, however I also feel that it was the atmosphere of those difficult times, and the amount of publicity he had, all combined to his popularity.
I have many hours of films of him working, sadly they cannot be shown publicly due to copyright law.
My Best Wishes
Tony

Reply
Melissa link
30/5/2016 05:14:48 am

Yes I too found this interesting! I have never heard of Dr.Locke. I cant believe he treated 2,000 people in a day! I find that shocking! I can't even imagine!

Reply
Tony Porter link
30/5/2016 03:26:22 pm

Dear Melissa
Thank you for your comment regarding Dr Locke. It must seem shocking to you. In fact each treatment took around five seconds.
I have films of him working which are interesting.The Canadian government actually built a long highway to his practice.
My best wishes
Tony

Reply
Sheila Goodisin
20/4/2018 03:35:16 am

I married into the Goodison family and (my husband is the grandson Of Dr. Thomas Goodison and great grand son of Dr. Mahlon Locke ). My two children Thomas Joseph Goodison and Jaime Locke Goodison ( daughter ) are true descendants of the 2 Doctors. I'm going to bring my children to Williamsburg, Ontario to visit Dr M Locke's home next time they are home. What an honour!!!

Reply
John Casselman
15/6/2018 02:37:17 am

Not sure how your husband is a great grandson of Dr Locke? I'm one of his great grand children. My mother's maiden name is Locke and I grew up in Williamsburg. My grandfather Parker Locke was Dr Locke's only son and one of four children.

If the author wishes to have more information he is welcome to contact me directly

John Casselman

Reply
Sheila
15/6/2018 09:32:21 pm

Dr Thomas J Goodison married Lyla Locke . Dr.Mahlon Locke was Lyla’s Locke Goodison’s Father. Dr. Thomas J Goodison and Lyla married and had 3 children , Francis, Ann and Thomas J Goodison. Thomas went on and married Marie Dumont. They had 3 children, Lynda Locke ,Lori Lyla and Thomas J Goodison. This Thomas married me ( Sheila Burns ), and in turn had 2 children, Thomas Joseph and Jaime Locke Goodison. So if my deductions are correct , the Great Dr. Mahlon Locke is my 2 children’s Great, Great Grandfather

Reply
John Casselman
20/6/2018 12:34:39 pm

Sorry Sheila who are misinformed. Dr Locke of Williamsburg Ontario had four children; my grandfather (Parker), Marion, Jean and Ruth. Your husband is not related to this Dr Locke. It's obviously another Dr Locke he's talking about. Sorry

Alan Barkley
1/12/2018 01:41:10 am

Very interesting to read all the info ! My dad used to work for Dr Locke. Also believe one or 2 if his brothers. Last time i was in Williamsburg was quite a few years . Time to come back. Great stories . Thank you

Reply
Tony Porter link
1/12/2018 10:09:01 am

Dear Alan
Thank you so much for your reply and comments to my Blog about Dr Locke.
How interesting that your Father used to work for him. Do you know what kind of work he did at the centre?
You must have heard some intersting stories from your Father.
My Best Wishes
Tony

Reply
John Casselman
3/1/2019 01:47:39 am

Probably a wheelchair porter. Lots of stories of young men in town who helped as porters shuttling the patients to and from the local accommodations to the circle where they were seen.

Reply
Nicki Smith link
14/6/2019 03:30:58 pm

Hi Tony such a shame the footage of Dr Locke is bound by copyright.
In your opinion, which technique comes the closest to the techniques of today. I read a comment on AoR FB members page that, (in one of the pictures), a technique being used beared resemblance to the spinal twist, which it certainly does.
It would be amazing to have an idea of what was involved in his speedy treatment. What an inspirational man. Many thanks Nicki

Reply
Tony Porter link
14/6/2019 04:05:09 pm

Dear Nicki
Thank you for your comment regarding Dr Locke. Yes, one of his techniques does resemble what we know as the spinal twist, which by the way is taken from a manipulation technique and in reflexology performed in a firm but passive way.
Manipulation of the feet is quite a skill and in my early days was practiced more than it is today.
The structural integrity of the feet has a great influence not only the physical balance of the body but also the physiological balance.
My Best Wishes
Tony

Reply



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    Tony is a London-based reflexologist and founder of Advanced Reflexology Techniques (ART)

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