The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-06-17
Blind TOMS LauTels Liable 30
be Taken by Blind John.


A concert was given last evening al st.
PauIs Chapel, Eleventh street and Chris
ty avenue, by blind John, who is certain
ly what is claimed for him, = great must
cal prodigy Although but seventeen
years of age, he gives evidence of a mus
ical talent which fairly entities him to
rank rs peer of the famous Blind Tom,
and at no distant day to excel the latter.
Blind John is native Missourian, but
lust where he was born is not definitely
known, though a citizen Of Warrensburg
has known him since he was three year s
of age This is his first tour, and in the
State of Iowa and the portions of Mis-
souri, and Nebraska, in which he has given
public concerts, he has met with fair sue
cess financially; and everywhere has as
tonished his audiences by remarkable
exhibitions he has given.
He played last evening at the opening
several difficult selections, aud the finger
ing was most adroit.
His manager and travelling companion,
John LANCE, of Columbia, Mo, then in
vited any one present to come forward
and play piece, and Blind John, he ad-
ded, would initiate it. First the Organist
OF the church played piece. As soon as
he had finished Blind John took his seat
at the piano and ratified off the piece with
but few mistakes. He does not claim to
be absolutely accurate, but merely to i'm
itate and play the piece through so that
no one can fail to recognize it as the same
In this he succeeded admirably well and
was loudly applauded. Prof. Wilson, Of
the Summer High School, also played a
piece and John initiated him in remark
7abie-nauner.
After that Blind John took a mouth
harp, and said he would first play "Sweet
Home the way the ladies of ST. Louis sing
it. He brought in variations and made
some delightful music on that little in
strumeut. Then he showed how the Ca
rondalet girls sing the same piece when
they are practicing for country exhi-
btion. The latter rendition was most
ludicrous. He next initiated, on the harp,
an expert playing violin, followed by
the imitation of an old-fashioned country
darkey in . log cabin. This was very
amusing.
He then stationed himself some distance
frem the piano, aud Mr.. LANCE requested
any one to hold up an article. He touch
ed notes on the piano and by this means
Blind John told what was held up. His
spelling was quite odd, y fan was held
mp. "F-a-n e, fan, cried the blind boy
''W-h a-e-h, watch; h-a- ker- eher-fer,
handkerchief" He spelled glove, 'glouv."
a girl stood up, and John yelled out with
laugh, "Who y holding hero This
brought down the house.
He next played on the piano, initiating
the violin, like it is played around St.
Charles He brought in Uncle Jesse
Roundhouse' and other familiar comic
dancing tunes. His next exhibition was
one Of the best of the evening. He played
two distinct pieces at the same time CYAN
kee Doodle and Fishers HOrnpipe," and
conversed with several parties at the
same moment. He could not be puzzled.
Among other renditiOns last night were
"Blind Tom Thunderstorm, initiating
the rumbling sound of thunder at dis
lance, and wind-storm; Gottschalk :
Last Hope Nearer, My God, to Thee, -
with his own variations, a Banjo imitation,
and concluded with Blind Toms Battle
OF Manassas
While be is playing, Blind John appears
quite nervous, swaying rapidly back ward,
and seems to throw his whole soul into
his work. He is natural born musician,
aud is most passiouately fond of the art.
lie can perform on almost any instrument
except a violin. The first indication
given of his fondness for instrumental
music was at the age of FIVE years. lie
would then place n tin cup over his ear
and drum upon it with the tips of his
fingers. He would eagerly seize hold OF
anything, such as q horn or 4 common
harp, and even on these instruments soon
learned to make all kinds of limitations.
He has had always a preference for the
piano, and fairly boils over with JOY
when seated at this instrument.