A Secret History of Memphis Hoodoo by Tony Kail

Author:Tony Kail
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Arcadia Publishing Inc.
Published: 2017-03-17T16:00:00+00:00

Beale Street became known as the boulevard for black America. It became a safe haven for African American Memphians where African American food, music and entertainment could be enjoyed. Rootworkers and spiritual doctors became an integral part of Beale Street’s healthcare system. Courtesy of Memphis & Shelby County Room Photograph Collection.

DOCTOR SCISSORS

Named after his favorite tool, Doctor Scissors became known on Beale as a proficient healer and conjurer. He is mentioned in one publication as the alias for “Will Self.” Lieutenant George W. Lee, in his book Beale Street: Where the Blues Began, described Scissors:

Chief among the Beale Street medicine men is Will Self, alias Dr. Scissors, a tall black man with searching eyes and an air of deep mystery. He specializes in “duplex” tonics and “simplex” liniments. His reason for calling his tonics “duplex” is, he says, “cause dey do do do de wuk.” He dates the beginning of his career as a medicine man from a night back in the nineties when while nodding in a chair by a fire, he heard a voice saying to him “Fum dees ingre’ents yuh will fin’ dat dey will move many meny t’ings.” And he adds proudly “I’se got dis med’cine bisness down so fine dat de breaf kin be gone out o’ de man en I kin blow in his ear en blow en his nose, drive de win back in him en he come to life again! Jus’ two tablespoons o’ dis medicine will cure de’ sumpstion.” He went on to tell me solemnly that a man who had not walked for years was rubbed one night with his “duplex” liniment. The next day the man was shouting “Dat med’cine done tuk all de swellin out o’ my laigs!”

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