The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-02-04

N ''''" AN""iii'n, as lNfN Wtr
known IN this rcichborhood. was ono O
the most remarkable families of thi
state, and perhaps OF The United States
and this was the last one left Sixty al
seventy years ago this family attractc,
almost universal attention from phvsi
clans and scientific men general,
throughout the civilized world Tn,
parents, who have long years ago eon,
over TO the majority. had nothing ont Of
the common TO distinguish them from
their ncighbors
Tut there were born to them larc,
family Of children, nine i'm all. and of
these the first seven were born entirely
blind and the last two bad but partial
eycsight. Scientific man were utterly
at loss toaccount for thH phenomenon.
The father and mother had excellent
eycsight. and the eyes Of their children
were large brown and bright. bat sight
less. They were without optic nerves.
In all other respects they were bright.
healthy and intelligent children. The
scientific journals and newspapers of
that day had long accounts and various
theories regarding this, but why il should
have been so is yet mystery.
The state Of Ohio. by o special act OF
its legislature. decided 10 the parents for
the support Of their children quarterof
section llG0 acres Of the best Of the ac
ricultural lands of eastern Ohio. and the
farm is known to this day as the Blind
Twaddles section" Upon this farm the
young men and women-thcre were
seven boys and two girls-grew up in
total darkness, became useful citizens.
married and settled i'm the surrounding
community. and reared families in which
no trace Of blindness is shown. The
blind people all lived the prophets allot-
ment Of threescore and ten. They were
fine looking family, and when it is con-
sidered that these people, who were born
blind and lived out their long and useful
lives in total darkness. became success
ful farmers, millors. distillers, ETC., il
must be conceded that they were re-
markable in more senses than that Of be-
ing blind.
They were as able 10 go TO any place
upon their farms or TO surrounding
towns and perform all their necessary
farm work without attendance or help.
as if they had perfect eyesight They
cut timber in the woods. made rails.
built fences. plowed their lands, sowed
and harvested their crops, ran their grist
mill and a distillery, worked oxen and
horses, and, in fact, learned all of that
by intuition which is supposed impossi-
bic for people without sight. Many are
the queer stories recited by old residents
Of Lee, London and Fox townships re-
garding feats performed by this family.
Their lands were intersected by numcr-
Gus deep creeks, which were crossed by
foot logs, aud these people would go un-
hesitatingly anywhere along these farm
paths, crossing the precarious foot
bridges and trcading the most intricate
ways unerringly.
They could name any tree in the for /
ests by feeling Of the bark, select the |
best ones for any designed purpose, and /
"fell' them in the most convenient man. |
ner for working. Out of such timber
they would make rails and build fences |
when they desired, having them better
and straighter than many farmers with
eyes. They could take to pieces, repair /
and place again in working order any
kind Of machinery with which they
were called upon to be familiar. and two
Of them successfully conducted a -four
ing mill for the farmers Of the vicinity
for years.
But perhaps the most remarkable as
well as the best authenticated Of their
requirements was the power Of telling
the colors Of animals by touch. They
were all great lovers Of horses, and by
placing their hands upon the coat Of
horse they would instantly tell its color,
and by feeling its head tell TO which sex
it belonged. They were excellent judges
Of horses, and by few slight touches
here and there, and hearing it walk or
trot, would pronounce an infalliblo opin-
ion as TO its merits.
A good many years ago one Of the
''Blind Twaddles' came to this country
town on some business. At that time
famous hostelry was kept here by James
Patton, vet a resident, and Twaddles
stopped and quartered himself and horse
At his tavern. His presence at the hotel
gave rise 70 n discussion of his wonder
rul powers regarding horses, and it was
agreed among some Of the parties To test
L. The landlord had splendid sorrel
cam, Of which one, however, was a good
ieal better than the other. When Mr.
rwaddle, who was riding a brownmarc
allied for his horse, the stableman placed
he trappings upon one of the sorrels and
ed it forth As Twaddle put his hand
lpon the animals neck preparatory 10
lac stopped and said: "N Ou've
made mistake; this is not my horse"
The hostler apOlOgized and, changing
he bride and saddle, brought out the
ither Of Mr.. PattOns sorrels. Twaddle.
'erhaps suspecting joke, as he listened
ntently as the other horse was led up,
vent forward, placed his hand upon the
iorse's head and said at once: "This Is
mother sorrel horse, a single footer,
nd a much better one than you showed
ne before. But please bring out my
rown mare, as i am in a hurry 70 start
ONE"
This story, as well as many others
qually remarkable as instancing the
-onderful intuition of these people. is
,ell vouched for. BY the death Of An
rev the last Of the family has vanished.
nd the "Blind Twaddle section Is now
coupled by people with eyes. Carroll
IN lO.) Cor. St Louis Globe Democrat.
CHINESE PRESENCE or MIND.