al, 1844.]

[Illustration: FIGURE 5.--List of medicines offered by Comstock &
Brother (predecessor of the firm which later moved to Morristown) in
1854.]

In an undated form of contract, between Moore on the one part and George
Comstock, William H. Comstock, Judson, and White on the other part, the
parties agree, at Moore's option, either to sell all rights and interest
in Dr. Morse's Indian Root Pills to him, or to buy them from him, but in
the latter event he must covenant that "he will forever refrain from the
manufacture or sale of any medicine called Dr. Morse's Root Pills,
Moore's Indian Root Pills, or Morse's Pills, or Moore's Pills, or any
other name or designation similar to or resembling in any way either
thereof...."

In brief, there never was a Dr. Morse--other than Andrew B. Moore. And
the Comstocks never claimed any origin of the pills in legal documents,
other than their purchase from White. Subsequently, the company
fabricated a lengthy history of the discovery of the pills and even
pictured Dr. Morse with his "healthy, blooming family." This story was
printed in almanacs and in a wrapper accompanying every box of pills.
According to this version, "the famous and celebrated Dr. Morse," after
completing his education in medical science, traveled widely in Asia,
Africa, Europe, and North America, and spent three years among the
Indians of our western country, where he discovered the secret of the
Indian Root Pills. Returning from one of these journeys after a long
absence, he found his father apparently on his death bed. But let us
quote the story directly:

A number of years ago this good man was very sick. He had eight of
the most celebrated doctors to attend him both night and day. With
all their skill this good and pious gentleman grew worse, and
finally they gave him up, saying that it was impossible to cure him
and he would soon die ... In the afternoon he was taken with
shortness of breath and supposed to be dying. The neighbors were
sent for, the room soon filled, and many prayers were offered up
from the very hearts of these dear Christian people, that some
relief might be obtained for this good and pious man.

While these prayers were ascending like sweet incense to the throne
above, and every eye was bathed in tears, a rumbling noise was
heard in the distance, like a mighty chariot winding its way near,
when all at once a fin