The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-02-08
HOW A BLIND MAN SEES
THE EXTRAORDINARY CASE OF A
WESTERN MAN.

Totally Blind, and yet Able to Travel
without an Escort by Perception
Some Tests.
Many instances have b zen related show
ing that detection in any one or more
of the human senses often results in de-
veloping the corresponding inner sense.
This has been more frequently observed
in persons afflicted with loss of sight and
hearing. One of the kind is Interestingly
described in a late issue Of the Chicago
Herald, which can be safely taken as one
of the most remarkable on record.
Mr.. Henry Hendrickson, born in Nor
way forty-three years ago, but who has
lived in this country forty years, was de
prived of sight when six months old. He
was educated at the institution for the
blind in Janesville, Wis, and is the
author of book entitled "Out of the
| Darkness" somewhat in explanation of
the mediumship with which he is be-
coming endowed, although unable to
account for it in any manner satisfactory
/ to himself or conformable to the known
laws of physical science.
The narrative states that he is well
educated, a brilliant conversationalist,
and, with glasses which hide his COM
pletely closed ewes, one would scarcely
recognize him as blind man. For .he
last twenty years he has seldom used an
escort, except when in great haste, and
when going on territory entirely strange
to him. Many people who have OBJ
served the facility with which he moves
from place to place doubt that he is
totally blind, but he has been put under
the severest tests, and those who have
made the Investigations are convinced
that he cannot see.
Describing his habits to the reporter,
he said: "When in a train at full speed
l can distinguish and count the telc-
graph poles easily, and often do it as
pastime, or to determine our speed. OF
course do not see them, but perceive
them. 1t is perception. OF course my
perceptive qualities are not in the least
impaired on account of my blindness
am not able to explain it, but l am
never in total darkness 1t is the same
at midnight as at midday. There is al
ways bright glow of light surround
ing me-"
A practical test was made. A thick,
heavy cloth was thrown over his head as
he sat in his chair. This hung down on
all sides to his waist 1t was impossible
for any one to see through it. Then be-
fore him or behind him, it mattered not,
an ordinary walking cane was held up in
various positions, and in answer to the
inquiry: ''In what position am | hold
, ing itl" he gave prompt and correct
answers, without a single mistake, some
times describing acute or oblique angles
81 have never he said, 'by the
ordinary sense of sight seen an OBJ
iect in my life, not the faintest glim-
mer of one. My sight or discernment
does not come in that way. This will
, prove the idea to you: Take me into a
strange room, one that have never been
, into, and never heard about, and no
, matter how dark it is, l can tell you the
! dimensions OF the room very closely.
> do not feel the walls; / will touch moth
: ing; but there is communicated to me
! by some strange law of perception the
size and coniiguration of the ROOM
He then related that being in New
York in 1871, he walked from Union
Square to friends house on Forty-first
street, long distance, with severa
turns, and did not make miss. HC
, said: 81 knew the house when | came tC
: it. | did not see it, and yet did.
; am studying shorthand, and as my hear
= ing is very good, expect to become Al
! expert. l had little trouble with NY
writing at first, but am now able tC
write very we'll
Another remarkable illustration of hi
power to see without eyes is this; If ont
! make motions in the air like beating thu
time for a choir, but describing phonetic
characters, he tells the characters, anC
; interprets them. What might be termed
= ''crucial testn OF this was given tn
5 Herald reporter.
e Mr.. Hendrickson further said: "l'n
= very good skater, and can, whcI
f gliding over the ice swiftly, see ever.
( particle on the ice, every crack an,
g rough spot, no matter how small and in
|, distinct. The faster / go, the palmer
, can see. Well, don't mean that cal
4 see, but perceive, or something. 1t
r light to me, and l discern everything"