The best treatment for skin cancer is still pursued by concerned physicians - dermatologists, radiologists and surgeons.

It was no different in 1870 when "A Cure for Cancer" was sent to an early area physician from his nephew in Mississippi.

Dr. John Darby Windham, the first physician to practice his profession in Callahan County, came to Texas in 1839 for Mississippi soon after the death of his first wife, the former Eliza Spraurls. He was accompanied by the couple's only child, young J.L. (Jim) Windham.

Enroute, he was called to treat a passenger on a river boat on the Mississippi, and it was there that he met Frances (Fannie) Montieth, daughter of Robert and Mary (Roberson) Montieth, whom he later married on July 8, 1841 in East Texas. For several years, they lived in Angelina County, apparently where their nine children were born between 1842 and 1856.

Their children were Samuel Robert, Jessie Eli, Mary Ann, Calvin, Hilery (Tod), Willis, Eliza Jane, Dicey and Tom.

Three of Dr. Windham's sons served in the Confederate Army (Sibley's Brigade, later known as Tom Green's Brigade) during the Civil War: Jim (from first marriage), Samuel, and Eli. The boys were in New Mexico when the war ended and "Dr. Windham went in a hack to meet them and bring them home."

Then tragedy befell the family. In 1866, Eli, a Confederate veteran, died at age 21. One year and two days later, Mary Ann died at the age of 18. Then, in less than five months, fourteen-year-old Willis was dead.

Dr. Windham had moved his family to Brown County in 1866, locating about 18 miles north of Brownwood near Byrd's Store. Besides the illnesses and deaths of the three children, the Windhams were troubled with Indians. In one incident, all of their horses were stolen except one which was blind. Their neighbors were not as lucky: Mrs. Williams was killed, their infant burned to death and another child taken captive.

It was while living here that Dr. Windham received a letter, dated February 20, 1870, from his nephew S. B. Windham of Smith County, Mississippi (this is the first son of Dr. Windham's brother, Page R. Windham). He said he was sending a cure for cancer.

"It will cure Mr. Barnes cheak (cheek). I have just put a plaster on (him) this morning. Some times you will have to put two."

The following "Cure for Cancer" is published as it was written, except that some punctuation is added for clarification: "Make a plaster of chloride zinc and Blood Root to the consistency of thick cream. If the zinc is not liquefied, dilute it with alcahal. Make the plaster thick so as to retain its moister. Put this plaster on the cancer and let it Remain on 24 hours, then poutice such as milk and Bread until the cancer comes out which it will do...then apply any healing saives. Keep the sore clene by washing with casteel soap. Before puting on the plaster have a piece of sticking plaster and cut a hole through it a little larger that the sore as to have the sore intirely exposed to the chloride plastier (but) from touching (?) the sound flesh. Add a little flower to the plastier to make it stick well. As to the quantity of each ingredients it matters not. The partes will be verry much inflamed and swolen but be not alarmed. The inflamation will disappear in a day er two by poulticing. It will be servier perhaps during the 24 hours but grunt and indure and the cure is sertin."

An illustration was drawn showing the word "Cancer" encircled by two lines. Around the outer line is written: "The sticking plaster gos rond the cancer." Under the drawning is a personal note: "Don't let know one suffer."

In 1874, Dr. Windham and three sons (Cal, Tod and Tom) established their ranch in the southwestern part of Callahan County near Tecumseh Peak. The doctor had little to aid him other than primitive methods and materials. He prepared the medicines he used from herbs and plants which he brought from Mississippi in the summer months. Mrs. Windham and the women who helped her would scrub and boil them in big wash pots which were kept for that purpose. The brew was then strained and sealed for future use.

Dr. Windham, who had attended medical school Mississippi, died March 30, 1898, at the age of 82. Fannie Windham died January 11, 1901, at the age of 85. Both are buried in the Tecumseh Cemetery.

On May 28, 1967, numerous relatives assembled at the grave of Dr. Windham for the dedication of a historical marker that had been awarded to his memory by the State Historical Survey Committee and the Callahan County Historical Survey Committee.

Barbara J. Gladden of Abilene provided "Pathways" with a copy of the 1870 letter to her great-grandfather, Dr. John Windham. Other information was obtained from the Callahan County History publication..