Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-01-23
SAW WITHOUT EYES.
Sad Fate of Samuel Morrison and
Wife, of Tarentum.
BOTH WERE MADE SIGHTLESS,
But Other Faculties Developed, and They
We're Happy.
THEIR MINDS WERE THEIR MIRRORS

Samuel Morrison, blind gentleman, was
buried this week at Tarentum. He was sc
years of age. His wife, who was also blind,
died four years since. The couple lost their
sight at the same moment, 40 years ago. An
affliction of sore eyes had swept over the
village, and Mr.. and Mrs. Morrison sought
medical aid for themselves. In the treat
ment that followed lunar caustic was ap-
piled, and they both became stone blind.
ALI the other villagers recovered.
Had they known the long, long life that
was yet before them, Mr.. and Mrs. Nor
rison would scarcely have had courage to
look forward. OF IS years of married life,
they were doomed never to see one another
the larger part of that sacred partnership.
Of the child born to them shortly after the
accident, they were never to know anything
of the bright, happy face except the vague
impressions from the sense of touch; never
to see the little ones strong, healthy eyes
never to know whether they were of the
color of mothers, or of fathers, which? A
sturdy, fearless Abolitionist at the time, he
was never to read the proclamation of
emancipation, or have eyes to see his
neighbors come marching home from
the war that was to arise and free the
slaves. A boatman on the old Pennsylva-
mia Canal, his eys were closed too soon to
see the imperial procession of freight trains
which, with the increasing commerce of the
land, thundered past his door in all his
sightless years. He had often been in
Pittsburg in early manhood, and when his
eyes closed 40 years ago, it was with very
vivid picture of what the city then looked
like. And for 40 years since, he has lived
within sound, almost, of Pittsburg, and
was doomed never to see its grand growth
Progress Mirrored on His Mind.
And, vet, this blind man watched the
marvellous growth of Pittsburg-watched it
without eyes. If he happened to be in the
city on visit, and was told Of such and
such street that he was passing along, he
could very quickly tell by a glance at that
vivid photograph of the city 40 years ago
hanging in his mind, whether this was new
street, or an extension of an old thorough
fare. A mental note of the knowledge thus
gained would be like so much of an ex-
tension of Pittsburg's map in his brain. |
He noted the erection of a new Court |
House, a new Library in Allegheny. or a |
new building of any prominence, and thus |
at all times he was able to talk intelligently |
to you about the great city, though he had
not seen it for four decades.
"All the politics ever knew I learned
sitting in tine lap of this blind man." re-
marked prominent citizen of Tarentum to
the writer. Mr.. Morrison was public-spir-
tied at the time of his affliction, and up to
the hour of his death was one of the best
read men in Allegheny county. The daily
from Pittsburg were read to
him every morning ''The Washington
news first, please he would say. Lately,
he had been an absorbed spectator of the
Chilean diplomatic muddle. Political
national State, county, or bor-
Dugh, never escaped him. AS Whig he
had consistently adopted the doctrines of
The Abolitionists when but two others in
the neighborhood had the moral courage to
10 the same. La t,rly, he had been Pre-
nibitionist. He steadily voted that ticket
IS much for economic reasons, it was his
BOAST, as for moral questions
Besides his extensive reading, he pos
,essed fund of anecdote that was valuable
rom its bearing on the history of the AL
egheny Valley. He had been born in
Armstrong county, near Freeport. A man
living Sc years, in one section, and with
lalf of that long span of lie indelibiy ini-
printed on his memory from constant
linking since his eyes were sealed up,
must be regarded as an authority on matters
u early history
Kindly Cared for by Providence.
In the annals of the blind there is not to
e found more striking example of pa
fence or Christian fortitude under the
urse of perpetual darkness. To be born
lind fits person for the struggle ahead
ecause he or she never knew anything
lse But here was a man and his wife |
linded in middle life. The calamity de-
cended swiftly upon them. 1t was a
olossal grief not to be overridden in day.
'ut a merciful Providence hid from them
he length of time vet ahead, and blessing
9th with splendid bodily health, restored {:
heir courage. From that day to this
either was ever heard to murmur at their
ot, nor to look weary and wish the cheer
ess, sightless life ended. Mrs. Morrison
Tas a sweet singer. Her delicious voice
ever broke, and to the latest it was treat
D be in The room and listen to her !
uaint humming of hymns and melodies.
10th wife and husband were wonderfully
tored with the writings of the Bible '
ometimes, as her daughter would be read
,g aloud from the Holy Book, Mrs Nor
son would skip along ahead in her joyous
ess, reciting verse after verse, and the :
aughter with the book would have to ask ,
er to wait until she could catch up. The /
lind couple were Methodists, and always {
tended the church in Tarentum. Ger
Iinly, that congregation numbered no more
any better educated, either, 7
ong doctrinal points-than they. s
A Brave and Dutiful Daughter. ,
Mention is made above of daughter =,
,rn after the accident 40 years since That J
iughter whom they never saw was their Ii
tendant ever afterward Nothing could r
,ax her away from that home Her life r
ork, she knew, was to use her eyes for her l
srents who had none. Her life has been n
Dble. There could never be chair out of n
ACE lest one of the old folks should u
umble against it, There was a great deal c
reading aloud to be DONE Through such
markable watchfulness and care :,
this, the daughter made the
yes of her blind parents delightful t;
he town of Tarentum esteemed Mr. and Il
RS. Morrison and now its universal conso- r
ton is with this bereaved daughter, Miss IL
ary, whose life was so closely modelled Il
ter her parents for selfdeniaL Two other h
der daughters live in New Jersey, Miss -
lie and Mrs. Margaret Williams. n
MRS. FRANCES HoDGsON BURNETT Il
ties q charming story for THE DIS