The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-11-14
LETTER FROM M. dixon.
HARRISON, HAxILros Co., o., |
Nov. G, 1897. !

j
To My Brethren Of the Iowa Pre,s:
During the afternoon of yesterday was
led away from st. Luke's Hospital, having
been pronounced incurably blind. Recently
when visited Iowa 1t amounted to On sssur-
ance With me, sustained ash was by the au-
thoritative opinion Of my physciun that my
left eye, which was the only one remaining
TO me, was out Of all danger.
came back from that visit delighted with
the prospect that after few weeks more of
medical treatment, would be able to return
to Iowa, aud discharge again the duties of q
journalist. Three months ago, rs many of
you will remember, my right eye bursted and
ran out, but from that moment the left one
began to improve, aud 90 steady aud 40 per-
manent was the improvement that l antici-
psted no further trouble with it. But in one
night, without any visible or known cause.
the eye on which had depended AS my only
medium Of sight down to the end of life, be-
came congested with blood, and threw me at
once into the blackness of darkness went
Immediately 10 my physician, cropping my
way in the thick gloom; and though ! was
assured by DR.. Williams that the relapse was
but temporary, and would soon pass away, /
had q terrible premoni.ion, amounting to 4
prophetic conviction, that everlasting night
had come down on my eyes, and that had
gazed tor the last time on the countenances
of those whom | loved best on earth. Ten
days from that time, while was alone in nv
chamber in st. Luke's Hospital, suffering
from acute pain, and broodiag in awful des.
pondency on the future of my family, whom,
from motives OF economy, | had sent away
IRON me into The country. my left eye sud-
denly gave way, Is the other had dons some
months before, and the whole forward part
pFy onln h..
lently from it's place, the aqueous humor
gushing out on my cheek. In less than two
weeks from the date of the attack a newly
formed ulcer had accomplished this merci-
less devastation.
H. on the morning Ct that day, message
from that world which lies beyond the region
aud shadow of death had come 10 me. saving.
This day shall thy soul be required vi thee,
could have borne the shock with compars-
tive resignation; but the consciousness that In
the DIST OF my years, at forty years Of age,
when men are almost universally in the MAJ
turity OF their faculties and in the meridian
OF their usefulness, was shut out evermore
from the sunlight Of heaven, was too terrible
for contemplation.
Never If should live until that period
when the dead Of all chimes and of all age,
shall be startled from their long sleep By the
voice OF the Arch-Angel and the trump of
Tod would thrill Of greater wee or of more
comprenensive despair pass shudderinply
through my heart than when knew that ali
hope was gone, and that the ever during
dark, of which Milton spoke in hi. plaip.
tive and sublime Apostrophe to Light. was
round and about like the walls of prison
from which the occupant shall 20 out 40 more
forever. A great mountain such as that
which was plucked from its foundation by
Immortal hands when there was war in
Heaven for the dominance of treason and for
the enforcement of Lueifer, set med to b we
iaiien upon me, paralyzlng my being, sus-
pending my very breath, aud shutting out a,
one fatal sweep OF Tremendous calamity
oil the visible lights and Clones OF the uni
verse. 49,
bfetnren, have gone through this battle
WITH dsst,ny - bravely as could. have
used All me means in my power to get well.
on the means which my friends in Iovs
contributed for my benefi. and for thai Of m y
family while was disqualified for the sc,;ys
duties OF my profession. i have lived we'll
nigh year in Cincinnati, seeking the resto-
ration Of my sight, obedient in oil things to
my physician and fuctuating from firss to
last between hope and despair. The battle
mas oeen tough. aud have lost. feel that
IT'S dod . good pleasure that should live
snd suffer in blindness, and / am tryins 70 be
content with my lot. For the NEXT three or
four nscnths probably more than hat
shall be compelled to remain here ia Hsrr;.
son, in the vicinity of Cincinnati, 40 - to re-
ceive medical treatment. y
Theirs is still ia what remains Of both NV
eyes m unconquered inflammation vh;c5
gives throbbing pain to my temples and
shoots back into the chambers of the brain.
almost threatening me with insanity. But /
am bearing Il with Whatever Christian philos
ophy am able to summon to nv aid. A.
intervals, when | have opportunity. saDd es.
Peciatly wAeu have my wife With n Who
- ny amsneuensis, am engaged ii prsnar.
ing Tor the press book, which shall Be- emf
1ea Ihs Alley aad The Shadov, or ,bs
.psfleaces OF Blind MAN. Aa;da frar,
~ ~ experiences, this book will rive n .ny
lnstseees OF Aespital life, end viIl s;vs 49, .uy
EVER rs interesting and salient in he i've. ~
otoef oiind men with whom | have hsco =.
acquainted. This work, which .h.I, h ueJome
e.ssa e. the prsss and 70 tie peerl. ~ t Ssu'-
will doubtless have many melsnchoi. aowa,
ees in It, bnt ons design Of the publ;c., Io.'a-
20 reconcile the blind to their fate. and M. =
4ele them 70 sduce from positive evil ~. ~
no9 Nc great daSkueo wherein H. -. ~
seosaasl!y .alkias, lessons Of visdon .rS
- ssse'ese ee1t0s6A n ! isV mossss