Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-12-29
A Mathematical Genius.


A Mathematical Genius.
John Hawkins, the professor OF
most wonderful faculty for solving
intricate and abstruse mathematical
problems, resides in Omaha. He enjoys
but a limited education, being the son
Of poor, hard working parents. Their
hard, laborions toll seems to keep them
in indigence. He is the eldest Of nine
children, the others, as well as his
parents, being endowed with no re-
markable ability of any description.
This surprising Intellectual ability is,
therefore, a wonderful and awe inspiring
gift to Hawkins.
The subject Of this sketch is, natu-
rally, Of modest and retiring disposi-
tion. He has refused many splendid
offers from theatrical managers. circus
proprietors and other showmen to
exhibit his marvellous powers. He con-
tents himself in quietly working at odd
jobs, such as shoyeling coal and haul
ing RATED lumber out of the river. A
Chicago Times reporter has lately inter-
viewed Hawkins with the following
result:
We found Hawkins in a store smoking
short clay pipe and evidently enjoying
himself. A party Of rough boys were
gathered around him with whom he was
cracking jokes in the best of spirits.
Having told Hawkins the object of our
visit, We requested him to answer few
questions which had been selected with
great care by the leading professors and
superintendent Of efeducation in Chicago
In an unconcerned mannerheannounced
his readiness to do so. and the exami-
nation began. We wish it to be dis
tinctly understood that during the pro-
gress Of this examination Hawkins
derived no aid whatever from any text
book, slate, blackboard, pencil, chalk
paper, or any key, arithmetic or me-
chanic's handbook. Professor Wiseman
was anxious to put the first question to
the prodigy, and after side discussion
Of q few moments we gave our consent.
nHow much" said Wiseman to Haw-
kins, looking him steadily in the eye,
show much is twice two? r.
Quick as lightning Hawkins answered
correctly, "Four."
A murmur of applause and admira-
ton ran through the crowd, and the
abashed Wiseman retired. A few
minntes were allowed Hawkins to re-
cover himself after this exhausting
effort, and then we approached him.
''If one ton Of coal costs ten dollars,
how much will half ton cost"
Hawkins gave a quick, intelligent
glance at the crowd, and answered,
ssFive dollars"
We wish IL to be distictly noticed
that this was purely mental operation
worked out instantly in the brain of the
phenomenon. Persons with spare time
on their hands can perform the opera
tions on a slate, and they will at once
discover that all these answers are,
without exception, correct. Professor
Wiseman came again to the front with
a aquestion which had been propounded
to him by the head of the faculty at
Yale. ItEad puzzled him considerably,
and the professor rather wished to worry
poor Hawkins, if possible. So he said
sMr. Hawkins, if my own father is
thirty-eight years old, how can a
man forty-three years old be my own
brother? p
'sHe can't" replied Hawkins.
Professor Wiseman said the answer
was correct and again retired. We
assailed him.
ssMr. Hawkins, if A goes ten miles
due north and B goes ten miles due
south, how far is A from where he
startedl"
Hawkins answered this correctly, but
we prefer to leave the true solution to
the reader. he may while away long
winters evening upon it. During the
entire performance Hawkins appeared
perfertly cool and collected. Occa-
sionally gleam of intelligence would
pass over his countenance, but it soon
relapsed into its wonted passiveness.
Several benevolent gentlemen have
offered to educate John, but both he and
his family oppose it, saying they cannot
see the use. and that John is handy 10
have around the house. He is, indeed,
a rarus homo, and as such we recon-
mend attention to his case from Profess
sors Darwin. Huxley and Tyndall.
In valiant suffering for others, not
! in slothful making others suffer for us,
did nob.eness ever lie. The chief OF
men is he who stands at the van Of men,
fornting the peril which frighten back
all others; which. if it be not vanquished,
will devour the other. Every noble
crown Is, and on earth will forever be,
. crown Of horns.
To pretend 70 the possession Of
many good friends is the gentle illusion
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