In Nashville I secured a job washing windows for the C. D. Kenney Company, which specialized in coffee and tea. Slowly working my way up in that Company, I was in charge of all the traveling salesmen by 1916. My cough gradually grew worse despite medical care. Then came the turning point in my life – I met Dr. Leslie Douglas, and enthusiastic, dynamic Chiropractor, who adjusted me and, after much questioning, explained that my condition must have been caused by the injury I received from the kick in the back by a horse when I was 14 years old.
Under the care of Dr. Douglas I began to improve, so it was easy to persuade me into going to the National School of Chiropractic in Chicago, where I could continue as a patient in the Clinic and attend College. I received my Doctor of Chiropractic Degree there on March 27, 1919. I returned to Nashville to take over the practice of Dr. Douglas so he could take a four months post-graduate course at the Palmer School. It was not long until I was appointed by the City Health Doctor to handle the flu cases, for the disease was raging and a state of emergency was declared. I was empowered to write prescriptions which authority I never needed nor used, and he was amazed at the scores of people who responded and recovered under Chiropractic Care.
As I had been successful with many cases of internal and external goiter, I left Nashville in July, 1919 to be with my Mother in Hillsboro, Texas, who had contracted a large growth on her neck. I knew that Chiropractic would do and in one month’s time I had reduced the goiter one inch, leaving my Mother in charge of C. W. Maier, D.C., an excellent Doctor, (needless to say she improved rapidly) I left to explore the possibilities of the field.
My decision to locate in Wichita Falls, Texas on August 26, 1919, proved to be a fortunate choice. Despite the fact that this pioneering profession was in its infancy, I survived for I knew it had saved my life, and I put into it a zeal and enthusiasm, which not many doctors possessed. Beginning with my adjusting table and sleeping quarters in the same room, I plugged hard those first years suffering much persecution.
In 1921 I was arrested for practicing medicine without a license and came clear. Arrested later in 1922 I was placed under a $2,500.00 bond. My sentence was a $500.00 fine and 30 days in jail which time I spent in the Sheriff’s Office as a Trusty. There I received friends, since his family had been my patients. I was released from jail February 1, 1922, and found that my patients had formed a Parade in my honor with a band leading it. Upon all the cars, occupied with Chiropractors, patients and sympathizers were placards reading “Welcome, Chiropractor,” and “Welcome, P. L. Myers.” After the parade, which marched all over the business district, the organizers served a free buffet luncheon to the parade participants, at our one large Hotel, the Kemp. From this time on, I was never tried again but was threatened many times.
At this time, my brother, Dr. Thomas S. Myers, whom I had enthusiastically sponsored through Texas Chiropractic College, came into practice with me and he was a huge success and is highly respected here today.
On December 23, 1922, I married Miss Mona D. Pardew, who was connected with the Income Tax Department of Internal Revenue. She has worked loyally with us through the years and to her I owe much of my success.
When the injunction law went into effect in Texas, the other Chiropractors in town closed office and left. We having sent into Austin loads of petitions protesting the unjust law, kept our office open and expected to be served with papers every day. We were not. Gradually all the other Doctors came back and opened up, seeing that we had not been molested. All of we Doctors in Wichita Falls have enjoyed a very nice fellowship throughout the years, and have stood together on many issues.
Early in 1930 I began doing experimental work with cervical x-rays and took over 1200 x-ray films, in order to prove how to measure the subluxation of the Atlas. In response to an invitation to lecture to the Roentgenology Department at the Convention of the National Chiropractic Association which convened in Hollywood in 1935, I presented my research findings.
My lecture was entitled, “Calibrating the Atlas Wedge Side-Slip.” The audience was greatly impressed but unfortunately I failed to write it up for that department in their magazine, which I was urged to do. Prior to this time I had taken x-rays of the entire spine in the standing position. I had to have special equipment made for this purpose. I suppose I was the first Chiropractor in Texas to make standing x-rays. Incidentally I have taken countless postgraduate courses in Chiropractic Colleges.
In the Texas State Chiropractic Association I have worked actively from the very beginning with all the enthusiasm that I possessed – body, heart and soul, having realized that unity is our only salvation. As a consequence it is natural that I have held almost every Association job of importance and otherwise, from the office of the President down. I suppose I have received most every honor offered including honorary and the coveted Keeler Plaque which was awarded me in 1952.
Briefly I will list remembered offices that I have held: Presient during the amalgamation of the Texas Branch of the U.C.A., when the National Chiropractic Association was formed and Dr. A. T. Harris was elected next term. I was instrumental in breaking up the T.B.U.C.A. Vice president several time, secretary treasurer several times. I remember being secretary treasurer of association following Lee Lemly.
Elected State Director in 1925 and served almost continuously until 1958.
In 1927 was admitted to a fellowship in the American College of Chiropractors and was conferred with the title of F.A.C.C. (Fellowships limited to 2000 on two continents out of 35,000 chiropractors).
Appointed on first State Examining Board under Governor Coke Stevenson in 1943.
Passed Tennessee State Chiropractic Board and granted license #555, dated August 10, 1940.
Having passed the Tennessee Board I was granted Kentucky and Arkansas License through reciprocity.
Received the Degree of Exceso Erudus of Chiropractic from the Texas Chiropractic College, dated June 15, 1944.
Received the honored Keeler Plaque in 1952.
I am a 32nd Degree Mason and a Shriner, Past Chancellor Commander of the Knight of Pythias, have served on the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, I participate in civic movements, work in Chamber of Commerce and never fail to contribute to causes in which I believe. I have three fine children, all grown, and am especially proud of my son who is a chiropractor associated with me, and of my brother, who practices here.
Few Chiropractors of today have had the privilege of fighting for the Chiropractic Principle, namely of being arrested, tried, serving a term in jail, paying a large fine and of letting the people decide whether they should practice or not.
Could not the other profession promise to set up Chiropractic care in their clinics, thereby, in their own language, “eliminate the quacks”. You may think this is radical but I do not. Everyone should enjoy the fruits of our knowledge. I do not think our profession can progress as it should until we have only one National Association.
