Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-01-23
ACCIDENT.
An Accident Causes Editor Grau
to Regain his Speech and Hear
Ing after Having Been Deaf and

to Regain his Speech AND Hear
ing after Having Been Deaf and
Dumb for Seventeen Years.
Sibley Tribune: The singular Incl
dem Or change that occurred to Broth-
or Grau. the mute editor of the Ashton
Chronicle, takes it's place among the
most wonderful coincidents that are to
be found in history or known to sci
ence. 1t seems Brother Grau was al
Sioux City on Tuesday of last week.
While there he came near being run
over by a team. He was knocked
down and badly frightened and in his
fright he cried out. 1t being the first
word he has spoken for seventeen
years. We have not seer him since
tho above incident occurred, but under
stand he says when he fell there seemed
to be something snap in his head since
which time he mas been able to both
hear and speak. The hearing is con
fined to his left ear, however, but it is
all he needs, for the trouble how is he
hears too much. The least noise, such
as the ticking Of a watch, sounds like
tie rumbling of a train Of cars to his
Inexperienced ear.
1t seems that Bro. Grau could both
hear and speak until he was II years
Of age, when a severe attack of fever
deprived him of both, continuing 80
for II years. During hat time, not
having heard any words spoken, he
had nearly forgotten the sound of
words, and it was no little effort for
him to talk v o after he had regained
his speech. The incident referred to
occurred on Tuesday. and it was the
Friday following before he was able
10 form sentences, although he would
say a few wor,;s, but we believe be is
now able to talk along quite we'll.
When he cannot think OF the word he
wishes TO use ho spalls it out on his
fingers, getting the sylables, and then
no IS able to pronounce it. The great
est worry to him now is (and for II few
days 1t was thought he would lose his
mind entirely on account of it) that
his good fortune is too good to betrue,
and that it will pass away as quickly
as it anne. The doctors think there
is no danger Of this, however, and for
Bro. Graus sake we hope they are
correct, The Isl is n among very
few known to medical science. We
have read OF enc or two similar cases,
but we could hardly accredit them as
facts. This, however, comes so near
nndar nfr own nnrspnal nhanryntin
that there is no chance Of doubt, for
the case is one tn at all Can learn tho
facts who wish to call at Ashton and
converse with the most fortunate
man.
But here comes in another singular
matter in HE case. Since Bro. Ct. be-.
came deprived Of his speech and hear.
Ing at the age of twelve years, he has
devoted his entire time and attention
to study ant pr Obably now has the
most thorough ed ucation of any mar
in the county. b esides this, is.a good
scholar in Geyma ] and French, being
able to write or T, ,ad either as rapidly
as he car the En-, ,lish language. But
never having h, ard either of these
languages spoken he hasn't the least
conception of the sound of the words,
and you could ia Tx them to him for
n week and he would not know
what you were saying, but write
it and be will tell ,'on in IA moment. In
other words, be co uld write a word in
either Of these 4ans uages, you ask him
to pronounce il AMI he could not do it
no more than you while he would
know whatit neal t. 1t wiz probably
not take him long to pick up those
languages if ne could hear
them spoken. Tb good fortune
that has overtaken Brother Grau is
one in which his many friends
rejoice as we'll as he, and all hope that
his worst fears Laay not be realized.
Bro. q. is one of he brightest men
in this part of the ST ate, and now be
has regaincd his hea ring and speech
he will make a lars 70 mark in the
world.
Shake Bro. Grav.
Rock Rapids Review: A strange
story comes to us from Ashton. Editer
Grau of the Chronicle, has up to a few
days since been deaf and dumb. He
can now both talk and hear. The eX-
PLANTATION is, that 4 fe W days since he
went TO Sioux City in company with
Frank Piper Of the Shel don Mail, ana
as he and Frank were walking
along the streets OF that
nlaoa q rupawav taap ~ me near ynn-