The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-07-24
Blind Tom," the Slave.

When Charity Wiggins was released
from slavery in 1865, she remained at
her old home in Virginia, although her
husband came North and tried to in
duce Charity to do so. Charity never
saw her husband after that and heard
from him but once, and that when he
died in New York State in little set
tlement near Warrenton. The freed
woman continued to live, supporting
herself and two children by hiring out
by the day. One Of the children was
Blind Tom, the musical prodigy.
Two years ago Toms manager, Mr..
Bethune, was killed by the cars at
Wilmington, Delaware. Tom was ia
ken back to Warrenton and his mother
made another attempt to secure posses
sion of him, but j. Ii. Bethune, brother
of Toms former manager, was ap
pointed the blind pianist's guardian
Since that time Tom has been living
with Mr.. Bethune
The widow of J. A. Bethune did
not like the appointment, however,
and alleged that as the heir of her hus'
band, she was entitled to the proceeds
of Toms labor. Failing in this it is
understood that she induced Charity
Wiggins to enter suit to recover Tom,
and the latter did so, swearing out a
habeas corpus, setting forth that Tom
was living in state of servitude, be-
ing held in the custody of j. N, Be-
thune, the latter having had himself ap-
pointed committee of lunacy to take
charge of Tom.
The writ was issued Tuesday of last
week and made returnable Thursday in
Alexandria before Judge Hughes.
The courtroom in the top of the post
Office building was soon filled when it
became known in the village that
Blind Tom was to be seen, and the hot
sun didn't keep many away Tom was
led up the iron steps and when he got
to the top he was blowing and putting
but managed after series OF
facial contortions to say that it was
warm.
Tom is a big, bulky fellow, who
would weigh probably lS0 pounds, ant
is about five feet six inches tall. He
is not as black as some full-blooded ne
groes are, but he is great deal darke
than his mother. His face is full anC
round, and his eyeballs, in which there
is no sense of light or intelligence, rol
about in an unpleasant manner. Hi
hands are large and fiat, and he occu
pies nest Of the time in going through
the motion of playing the piano
screwing up his face and rolling hi
eyes.
His mother is little, wilhered-u
old woman of a bright copper color
She had waited patiently about all day
and wher she saw Tom coming up tn
steps there was glad expression o
her face, and she made an attempt t
caress Tom.
"Oh, Tommy, I'm glad to see you,
she said, but Tom was hurried by an
led up the steps, and Charity heaved
deep sigh and followed.
Tom was given seat facing tn
Judge, and Charity tugged chair u
to his side and began to talk to him i
low tone. He made no response t
her for some time, then turned his bac
on her. Two tears rolled down tn
cheeks of the old woman, and her forl
= began to tremble with suppressed emf
, ton. Once she leaned on him an
told him how much she wanted hit
back, but with an impatient motion To
turned further away
'Dont treat me like that, Tommy
pleaded the old woman, but Tom
+ bulky form trembled with rage. Il
attempted to say something, but IL
r only sound that came was a tumble {
unintelligible words.
e Then one of the attendants move
" his chair. His mother went over
y him, but he became 80 angry that 81
| afterward moved her chair beside th
e occupied by Widow Bethune, and h
!. Judge came in and took his seat,
t Eppa Hunton, Jr., came in wi
: three law books to represent Ton
e commissioner. Three lawyers fro
l Washington with great many la
e books were also present. You
;, Hunton was introduced to the Gov
and admitted to the bar. He beg
J. by moving that the petitioner be col
d PEELED to give bonds for costs. One
# the three council got up and hoped Il
= Honor knew that Toms mother h
already been cheated out OF what "
q due her, and he asked that the 9th
h side bear the expense, Then the t.
LAWYERS wrangled about sentiment a
the merits of the case until the Jud
+. finally decided that both should pay,