Evening journal., 1892-07-26
A BLIND MANS BOOK.
Chaplain SIilburn Has Finished His His
tory of the Mississippi Valley.

NEW YORK, July Sb.-Ihe blind preacher /
Milburn sailed early in July for Europe, /
where he proposes to spend several months |
in rest and recreation. He is accompanied |
by his daughter Mr.. Milbun spent a few
days in New York city before his departure,
and it was an interesting sight to see him |
in some one Of the book stores whittier he
had gone with his daughter to select
some books for summer reading The
daughter would take a book up, glance |
through its pages, chat with lrer father
our it, and upon his advice would either |
buy it or put it back upon the shelves. Mr..
Milburn also visited a good many Of his
friends in New York, with whom he
chatted in the most interesting way about
his trip, and he also did business in the
city at some of the banks, and with such
shrewdness as to indicate that although he
may have lost one of his senses yet his
business sense is very acute.
The writer met Mr. Milburn day or
two before he sailed, and from him learned
some facts about a book which is soon to
be published and which the blind preacher
regards as the best literary effort Of his
| life
Il have recently finished, said he, "a
| book upon which have spent thirty years
! II is TO be published in St. Louis, and the
| publishers tell me that the sale is sure to
be large. It is really history Of the Mis-
sissippi valley, not written in the critical
and analytical style Of the professional
historian. 1t has been my aim rather so
to write it that 1t will be Of interest even
to those persons whose education has been
limited. In it tell the story of that won
derful valley which is now not only the
granary of the United States, but which
feeds so many in Europe which is capable
of supporting a population Of hundreds Of
millions and OF raising breadstuffs enough
to feed the world.
''That is a marvellous country, in many
respects the finest gift of the Almighty to
the children Of men. 1 know its story
well. / began to study this valley more
than thirty years ago, when l went TO live
in the heart of il at Alton, Ills, and / even
then began collecting materials for this
book. go back to the time of De Soto
and tell the story Of his discovery, and
most fascinating and romantic tale it is
That was a conquest with the lance or by
military power Then take up that glo-
rious narrative Of Father Marquette's con-
quest in the far north, he carrying the
cross instead of the sword.
81 think that this part Of the narrative
will perhaps appeal more powerfully than
anything else in the book, although the
story Of the conquest of it by the emigrant
and the first settlers and the history of its
development to its present condition Of
magnificent prosperity also make a thrill
ing tale Of modern civilization.
"Eyen in this country the marvellous
story of the Mississippi valley IS not as
well known as it should be. Every possi-
bic romance and tradition is suggested by
this majestic territory. There are tales Of
conquest and variations of discovery;
there are romantic stories of expeditions
to search for mines Of gold; there is the
thrilling story Of the war and its many ep-
isodes as they occurred when the Union
was fighting so that the Mississippi should
flow unyexed to the sea; there is that
splendid evidence of the genius of Jeffer-
son. which the purchase of part of this
valley from France suggests, and the story
of that is as fascinating as any romance in
fiction; and then, above all, is the story Of
today, with the material development of
that rich soil and the establishment Of
farms upon it which are the greatest in
the world"
Mr.. Milburn became quite enthusiastic
as he thus spoke, so that it seemed almost
Is though he were delivering an address to
an audience, for his tones became those Of
oratory and his gestures were significant
Of his enthusiasm.
He said that the book would be profuse-
ly illustrated and would contain between
700 and 800 pages. Mr.. Milburn's style as
a writer is peculiarly fitted for this sort of
work, and although a good many other
books descriptive of the Mississippi valley
have been written, it is not at all improba-
BILE that his will attain the widest popu-
larity.
M, t.,. o.t-ol NJ. AF;1t,,,.,, % l;,,,
about his method Of composition, and he
explained il at some length
"My own observations and investigations
have been from time to time dictated to
my amanuensis and in thirty years had
thus collected a vast mass of material. In
my leisure moments during that time
searched the authorities, carried on a great
deal of correspondence with men who were
| familiar with some things / wished to
{ | know, and collected a large number OF
2 books bearing on the subject.
T "Then my amanuensis would read these
] ! notes and these authorities, and dictated
3 from time 20 time az much as / thought
r advisable to Gull from these sources. Hay
ing thus concentrated, 50 to speak, my in
!; formation, and having the matter firmly
2 fixed in my mind, began to dictate con
4 secutiyely Isl sometimes an hour a day
/, ! hOmeJlneS al ua9. frequently my othtl
S duties interfered for a week at time with
I this work; then again l had time enough
z for several weeks to make splendid
q progress. 1t has been on the whole slow
r work, and / am very glad that it is now
s out of my hands and in those Of the pub
r fishers. certainly regard it as my mosi
= important literary work"
4 Mr. Mlburn spoke with delight of bis
t trip across the ocean, saying that the sea
I always gave him rest and health, and al
+ though he could not see the ocean, yet h'
= says that he perceives it by that same
n subtle sense which seems in some measure
}, 70 compensate him for the loss Of sight.
T. f. j. EDWARDS.
Valuable Relic