Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-24

The Janesyille Gazette has the following ob.t-
uaiy notice Of the late Thomas II. Little, who was
well known in Augusta before going West:
Thomas H. Little was born in Augusta, Me.
December Is, 1882, and died in GAINESVILLE, Feb-
ruary 4, 1915. lie entered Bowdon college at the
age Of twenty one years, and graduated in 1856.
After his graduation, he was the Principal Of the
high school at Gardiner, Me, for a short time,
and had a strong impression that i was his duty
to enter the ministry, but after considering the
subject lie changed his purpose, and went 10 Ohio
expecting to teach in public schools, but was in
duced to enter the Institute for the Blind at Col
umbus, which he did only temporary at first. In
pressed with the importance OF the great work OF
educating the blind, he entered the Institution in
September, 1896, and remained there until the
autumn of 1859, when he was invited to Louisiana
to teach in similar institution; but the unsettled
state OF affairs i'll that State terminated his labors
there atera residence Of one year. and he returned
to Columbus. Mr. Churchman, who was the SUI
pelintendent Of the Institute for the Blind in this
city at that time, was invited to hike INSTITUTE on
In Indiana. which he accepted, and Mr.. Little
was selected as his successor, and came here in
August, 1861. In 1868 he received q call at a
greatly advanced salary, to Batavia, New York,
but at that time the new building here was being
erected, and he felt much interested in the work
of educating the blind in this State, that he reject
cd the otIer His whole soul was engaged in his
profession, and his noble disposition, high chris
brought him not only in complete harmony
with the trustees of the institute, but emphatcally
made the school one family. His integrity and
absolute trathfulness, gave him reputation which
is an honor for any man to wear. In July, 1862
he was married to Miss Sarah Cowles, daughter
OF Rev. IIenery Cowlcs, d, D., who survives him
with four children.
In the winter of IS-2-3 his health became so
so much impaired that the board of trustees be-
came anxious lest he should be compelled to re-
sign; they therefore unanimously rendered him a
leave OF absence.
In the very prime OF useful life Professor Little
has fallen Although for more than thirteen
years he had been doing noble service in the pIo-
ies.on which he had chosen for his life work, vet
we may truly say that he was but fairly engaged
in the phllanthopic cause Of which his heart was
so full One of the mos. quiet and unassumng
citizens of our country, yet among teachers of the
blind he was recognized as one OF the leading men
Of the nited States. His counsel ana advice
were highly esteemed among others Of his profess
sion and have helped in no small degree to bring
the art Of educating the blind to lis present state
OF perfection. Ills work was not a mere mechanl-
cal duty, means of earning livelihood, step
ping stone to something easier and different; IN
his effort TO ameliorate the condition of those no
were deprived Of sight-to make their lives not
only endurable, but to place the Joys and luxury
Of culture in their reach, TO make the sight Of
their minds so clear that the loss of bodily sight
should be less kecnly felt-he bent the whole
work-their comfort and success was the burden
of his thoughts-his love for them was more like
parents than teachers. Ottentimes his pupils
would reach this city from their homes in the
night time, but they always found the Professor
waiting for them at the depot. Such as had mus
zeal TASTE he organized into classes Of teachers !;
and many Of them are filling high positions in
other institutions When the institution was de-
stroyed by fire, last spring, m his solic,tude for
these under his care-he was unmindful of his
own poor health-but worked long and brayely to
save others and even now the sears upon his face
and hands which he received at that fire bear am
pie evidence of his unselfsh bravery. No doubt
his life was shortened by his excrtons at that
time.
He has gone but the result of his earnest, heart
felt toll will be gratefully remembered by hun
dreds whose lives have been made happier and
more useful because he had lived If to live in
the high esteem OF whole State-in the accom-
plshment of noble work, in the approval of
ones conscience, can make life happy, then the
life OF our departed friend was 10 be envied. If
to die when every faculty is bright, when the am.
btion of life is being achieved, when hope is be-
ing transmitted into reality, is desirable then
sweet indeed was his death.