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Summersode 4: The Diet Doctor of Death

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The Diet Doctor of Death

Linda Hazzard

Image source: Unsplash Dave Hoefler @davehoefler

Linda Burfield Hazzard (1867-1938) did not go to medical school, but she called herself a doctor. In Washington state, this alternative medicine practitioner was able to get a medical license despite her lack of degree. Linda, along with her husband Samuel Hazzard, opened a sanitarium offering simple cure for all those who were ill, fasting. For many patients, this “cure” led to death. And, interestingly enough, Linda profited from her patients, especially when some died.

But who was Linda? Did she really believe the cure she professed? And where did she come from? In this episode, we cover all that and more including a nephew and niece who are in the Guinness Book of World Records. Listen to learn more about Linda’s murderous roots.

TRIGGER WARNING: In this episode we discuss issues that may serve as a trigger for those suffering from eating disorders.
If you want to avoid this content, skip ahead to the 30 minute mark.

Early photograph of Linda

Linda’s mug shot, likely from 1912 but she was arrested more than once.

Linda Burfield Hazzard Source: Find a Grave

Linda Burfield Hazzard
Source: Find a Grave

Linda Burfield Hazzard Source: Find a Grave

Linda Burfield Hazzard
Source: Find a Grave

Linda and Samuel’s sanitarium was referred to as “Starvation Heights” by the locals of Olalla, Washington.

Linda and Samuel’s sanitarium was referred to as “Starvation Heights” by the locals of Olalla, Washington.

Linda Hazzard with a dog.

Linda Hazzard with a dog.

Another portrait of Linda Burfield Hazzard Source: Find a Grave

Another portrait of Linda Burfield Hazzard
Source: Find a Grave

Samuel Hazzard disappeared from the U.S. Army and everyone else in early 1900. He took on an alias and wouldn’t be found until he was arrested for bigamy.
Source: Lebanon Courier and Semi Weekly Report, 6 June 1900

Samuel Chrisman Hazzard’s (1869-1946) mugshot, 1904. He was the second husband of Linda Burfield.

Samuel Chrisman Hazzard’s (1869-1946) mugshot, 1904. He was the second husband of Linda Burfield.

His defense did not work in his trial, but note that Viva Fitchpatrick, the woman who filed the bigamy charges, fully believed he would come home to her. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 26 March 1904

His defense did not work in his trial, but note that Viva Fitchpatrick, the woman who filed the bigamy charges, fully believed he would come home to her.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 26 March 1904

The public likely believed that when Samuel Hazzard left prison he would move to Iowa to be with Viva. He didn’t. Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 21 March 1904

The public likely believed that when Samuel Hazzard left prison he would move to Iowa to be with Viva. He didn’t.
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 21 March 1904

 
Rollin Perry Burfield (1888-1939), son of Linda Burfield and her first husband Erwin Perry. Rollin was involved in her schemes. Source: Find a Grave

Rollin Perry Burfield (1888-1939), son of Linda Burfield and her first husband Erwin Perry. Rollin was involved in her schemes.
Source: Find a Grave

Rollin was involved in more than just helping his mother at the sanitarium. We were unable to find out how this case resolved.  Source: The Spokesman Review, 12 May 1937

Rollin was involved in more than just helping his mother at the sanitarium. We were unable to find out how this case resolved.
Source: The Spokesman Review, 12 May 1937

Passport Application for Samuel and Linda, front copy.

Passport Application for Samuel and Linda, front copy.

Passport Application for Samuel and Linda, back copy. Notice the photo of the two of them together.

Passport Application for Samuel and Linda, back copy. Notice the photo of the two of them together.

Lewis Emerson Rader (1864-1910), a Washington state politician fell victim to Linda’s methods 29 days after starting.

Lewis Emerson Rader (1864-1910), a Washington state politician fell victim to Linda’s methods 29 days after starting.

The Williamson Sisters, Claire and Dora, before their treatments.

The Williamson Sisters, Claire and Dora, before their treatments.

Daisy Mae Hansen Haglund (ca 1870-1908) was one of Linda’s first victims.

Dora Williamson after her rescue from Hazzard's sanitarium.

Nina Floy Perry Bracelin (1890-1973), Linda’s daughter with her first husband, made a success of her life in California. She is pictured on the far right standing between J. T. Howell, to her left, and Mr. Lewis Rose, to her right. On the far left of the picture are Mrs. Kate E. Phelps then famed botanist Alice Eastwood. June 1941 Source: California Academy of Sciences Archives

Nina Floy Perry Bracelin (1890-1973), Linda’s daughter with her first husband, made a success of her life in California. She is pictured on the far right standing between J. T. Howell, to her left, and Mr. Lewis Rose, to her right. On the far left of the picture are Mrs. Kate E. Phelps then famed botanist Alice Eastwood. June 1941
Source: California Academy of Sciences Archives

Just some of the work Nina Floy did for the California Academy of Sciences. Source: Oakland Tribune, 22 April 1947

Just some of the work Nina Floy did for the California Academy of Sciences.
Source: Oakland Tribune, 22 April 1947

Myron Mueller, the grandnephew of Linda Hazzard. Source: North County Times, 1 November 2002

Myron Mueller, the grandnephew of Linda Hazzard.
Source: North County Times, 1 November 2002

Myron’s daughter, Denise Mueller-Korenek, set a biking record in 2018. Source: Chippewa Herald Telegram, 11 August 2018

Myron’s daughter, Denise Mueller-Korenek, set a biking record in 2018.
Source: Chippewa Herald Telegram, 11 August 2018

Montgomery Berfield, Jr. (1872-1937) and wife Myrtle Pearl Pepper (1874-1907) at their farm in Minnesota.

Montgomery Berfield, Jr. (1872-1937) and wife Myrtle Pearl Pepper (1874-1907) at their farm in Minnesota.

Arthur Borne was Linda’s half-nephew. Source: The Arizona Republic, 15 September 1972

Arthur Borne was Linda’s half-nephew.
Source: The Arizona Republic, 15 September 1972

Roland Berfield’s driving caused a horrific tragedy for a Minnesota family.
Source: The Algona Upper Des Moines, 27 January 1948

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

DISCLOSURE: Murderous Roots is listener-supported. Some of the links below include Amazon affiliate links that may bring us a small commission to help support the podcast, at no additional cost to you.

Denise Mueller-Korenek breaking the land speed record on a bicycle

Through Dakota Eyes: Narrative Accounts of the Minnesota Indian War of 1862 by Gary Clayton Anderson
Over the Earth I Come: The Great Sioux Uprising of 1862 by Duane Schultz
38 Nooses: Lincoln, Little Crow, and the Beginning of Frontier’s End by Scott W. Berg
Massacre in Minnesota by Gary Clayton Anderson

Documentary Dakota 38

Governor Ernest Lister of Washington

SOURCES

Nina Floy Bracelin brief biography

9th Infantry, Minnesota Regiment (Civil War)

Wikipedia

We use a multitude of resources when researching a family tree up to an including census records from 1800-1940, marriage records in various states, draft registration cards, newspaper articles, and more. If you would like more specific details on where information was obtained, please email us and we’ll respond in a timely manner.