St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-06-04
DANCE OF THE CRIPPLES.

An Extraordinary Ball Given by
Unique Association in Pitts
burg.
There was much feod for thought at
the South Side Cripples' Athletic aSSo-
citation ball and reception at OLD Turner
hall. on Jane street, last night. The
members of this organization. unlike
their fellow unfortunates. find much
that is bright in life, although they are
objects of curiosity and debarred from
some of the pleasures other people
enjoy by reason of their MANNED cOndi-
ton. says the Pittsburg Times.
1t was the most unique ball ever held
on the South side, and the friends OF
the crpples packed the big ball room.
This is the only organization of its kind
In Pittsburg, and the qualifications for
membership require that the applicant
be MANNED in some manner. The Grip
pie population of the South side tGrned
out for an evenings pleasure. Fhey
seemed to take as much enjoyment out
of the affair as those of the 600 who
were not MANNED in any way, and
while their efforts to execute the hgnre
of the Quadrille were not very graceful,
they were none the less vigorous.
i SDdGlOuS
presented a remarkable sight. One
armed men predominated. 1t was a
physical imp0sSibility for one-iegged
men to take part in the dance, but they
came strongly to the front when the
grand march was announced. anu went
through the figures with an air of un-
mixed pleasure; even carried the time
better than some OF the twO-legged peo-
pie.
The grand march was called at 9
O'Clock, and President F. S. Hellich
took his place in front of the music
stand with Miss Agnes Jones, pretty
little brunette, prepared to lead the
march. President Hellich had his knee
cap split when quite young. which
causes him to limp like Richard III. Mr..
Helich is one of the most popular yonng
men on the South side. He was fol-
lowed in the march by Thomas Prince,
vice president of the association, who
fell off a lumber pile while at play
many years ago, and became perma-
nently disabled. He gets around with
difficulty, but his movements last night
were accelerated under the inspiring
strains of the harp and violin and the
Establishments of his pretty partners
smiles.
William Cost followed and walked on
the wrong side of bis partner on account
of an armless sleeve. He was run over
by Pittsburg, Virginia Il Charleston
railroad train some years ago, and lost
his right arm Thomas MOndey came
next, with fingerless hand, the fingers
of his right hand having been cut off by
a nail machine. Scott Metz, the next
member in line, was born cripple,
and wears an iron brace on his left
ankle. Henry G. Brown has stiff leg,
the result of knee disease. He went
through the quadrille movements with
more agility than his friends expected.
William Disenrot, the last member of
the association leading the march, lost
his left arm by an accident on the
Pittsburg & Birmingham electric road.
After,the promenade sets were formed
and the Quadrille commenced. The
cripples were generally slow in the ex-
ecution of figures on account of the
waxed floor, but they danced with con-
siderable ease. A large crowd looked
out from the gallery and watched the
dancing of their crippled friends with
much pleasure.
The reception continued until a. M,
and was great success in every way.
The cripples were not in the least sem
sitive, and didn't mind their friends
enjoying the fun which they afforded.