Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-07-18
EYELEss SUCCESSES.
Blind People Who Have Carved Noble
Careers
New York journal.


Perhaps the most prominent blind man
in this city to-day is Louis B. Carll
The visible beauty of this world HIS been
a closed book to Louis since his Uirth He
was born in this city forty-two Years ago,
and has made for himself a mark in the
realm of mathematics since
He has perfectly formed evebals. but
that strange and myster Gus light is lack
ing from them.
When young man he entered the New
York Institution for the blind
There he developed the faculties of the
other senses to such degree that a college
course was advi-ed He attended Column
bla College, and graduated few years
later second In his class. While at col
lege he developed a wonderful faculty for
braln-cracklng mathematics, and some
years ago wrote work of 800 pages. en-
titled The Calculus of Variations "
This book has been highly praised by
mathematlclans all over the world, and
treasured as Il curiosity It's the literary pro-
duct of a blind man.
Mr.. CARL is teacher in the Institution
for the blind, at the corner of Ninth
avenue and West Thirty-fourth street.
He is rather a handsome man, with a
full iron gray beard and heavy, dropping
mustache. But for the hesitancy in his
gait he would easily pass for man pos
sessing an unimpaired power of vision.
Another prosperous and successful man
who does not possess the power of sight is
Richard Place, the Cedar street insurance
agent. He has been blind from his early
youth, having lost his eyesight through an
accident. Though his eyeballs are sight
less. he has, in mental sense, a keen eye
for business
Most of his big business is done by
dozen or more of clerks, but Mr.. Place
himself is the motive power that directs
to their proper ends all the business facil-
tiles of his office.
He has no difficulty about finding his
way to any part of the city, as a carriage
always waits at his door and the driver is
subject to his every beck and nod.
Up in Harlem, at the corner of Tenth
avenue and 104th street, in the Home for
the Blind, there is a blind man whose
mechanical cleverness is phenomenal. His
name is James Wilkey. He lost his sight
while at sea, and even then worked as a
sailor for fully two years after his irrepar-
able loss
The loss of his vision rendering him
incapable of following the sea any longer,
be was compelled to enter the Home in
Harlem. Since his Abundance he has led
a life of partial activity.
His chief occupation is the making of
toy ships, and the mechanical cIeverness
OF his fingers is something wonderful.
1t is a wel-known fact that the two
| blind Herreshoff brothers, of Bristol r. l.,
who build all the launches and steam
yachts for the Government do most of the
| firm clever mechanical work with their
| own hands.
Many of New York's blind earn liveli-
hood as music teachers.
Miss Catharine Cornell is the name of
| an excellent teacher who makes the lnstitu-
ton for the Blind her home. With her
trained ear she can detect the most subtle
variations in sound, just as the keen eye
may dedect the slightest change in
color
She is a young woman with a remark
ably beautiful face. She is totally blind,
but yet there is sweet expression on her
face that touches the heart with pity for
her misfortune.
In this same Institution there is gen.
tleman named William Waterbury who
is a wonder as tradesmen. His business
is mattress making. He teaches class
O1 DIlnu boys. anu SOInc Vi lut pupIlS dTe
as clever at their craft as tradeSmen pos
sessing the full power of their eyes. Mr.
Waterbury is about IS years of age, and
he has been blind since his birth. When
but a boy ne learned his trade, and now
works with his needle with dexterity
that fairly rivals many quick-eyed
tailors.
There is a newsdeaIer over on Fulton
street, Brooklyn, named Charles Stafford,
who is blind. but notwithstanding this
physical defect has builtup business that
favorably compares with his more FORUM
ate brothers. He received his education
at this same institution, and afterward
actually set type on a newspaper.
Mr. John Garfield, the will known Post
master of IiylInI. n. y, was until recent
Iy a resident Of this city. A few years ago
he settled in the quiet little town Of Hy
land, and from the position of Tax Collect
or rose to the more exalted one of Post
master. 1t will be remembered that ex
Postmaster General Foster, of England,
who also a blind man.
In Steiner piano factory, on Fourteenth
street, there Is blind boy named Robert
kraufman who is a wonder as piano
tuner.
When but a littl child of six he developed
the faculty of hearing to such an extent
that he could tell the slightest variation in
the toneof the piano or organ.