Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-12-07
PATIENT SUFFERERS.
Men at Togus Who Have Been lnva-
lids For Years.
Sad Histories Of Men Who Fought for Uncle
Sam and Old Glory.

Togus, Me-, Dec 6.-(SpeciaD. saw
q man lying ON his bed in the hospital, to-
day, who has laid there almost six years.
Garret Naglc Was born in Ireland, almost
50 years ago. He married there and about
40 years ago determined to come to
America, so with his wife and boy he
started for the new world across the ocean.
Landing at st. Johns, y. b., he remained
there some three years and then came 10
Boston. He was boatman and good
one too. In the years from 1855 to 1860,
there was hardly any events in boat rae
ing in or around Boston, that he did not
participate in. and he proved himself to be
among the best of them at that day. he
has many medals he won by his skill as
an oarsman. He served during the war
in the 25th n. Y. Infy and the 1st Mass.
Cav. and after the war closed, he returned
10 Boston with health greatly impaired
Finally his health broke down entirely
and some 10 years ago he came to the
Home here. After "a time he went to work
in the bake shop and worked there until
a little over six years ago when he says,
things began to grow dark, :" his sight
was leaving him. and in few weeks he
was blind. He went to the hospital and
finally soon after lost the use Of his limbs
and so for six years almost, he has been
blind and helpless. Six years is long
time to lie in bed and think, do nothing
but think.
Poor old fellow he seems to bear his lot
patiently and only awaits taps.
Here IA another blind man who has not
seen anything for over 20 years. William
l., Eddy was born in Taunton, Mass, in
1874. Attended school there and learned
the brittania and plated goods trade with
the Porter Brittania and Plate Co.
When the war broke out he only boy of
II wears enlisted In the 7th Mass. in May.
1861. While in that regiment he was
urostrated by a sun stroke and was finally
discharged for disability and sent home.
less than u year after his enlistment.
In 1864, he again enlisted in the 18th un-
attached company from Massachusetts,,
and served until the war ended. About
Fl wears ago his sight began to fail him
and in short time he became totally
blind, caused by the sun stroke received in
1861. His eyes look somewhat strangely
and no one who sees him can doubt that
he is without sight He has been here
about eight years and can go from one
building to another without any aid and
still more remarkable he can walk to
Gardiner or Augusta alone. He began
by walking out with others for IA mile or
so and by making inquiries as to the turns
in the roads and other necessary informa-
tion, he had in his mind perfect plan of
the roads to both the above named places,
and, after n time became so familiar with
them by going little farther each time
he went out, that he at last found his way
to town without much difficulty. He
takes other blind patients out for stroll
in the summer and is but very little trou-
bic to any one.
We have many men here who have lost
a leg or an arm one who has no hands
and one who has neither hands or feet,
hut still it does seem that those who can
not see are if possible worse off than these.
it Is n terrible thing to be blind.
Today the working force was paid off and
rs Il consequence there will be a few th OH
sands of Uncle Sans dollars floating
around camp. Apple peddlcrs do quite
u thriving business here during the fall
and early winter Some days as many as
five or six teams being seen at one time.
They get good prices and it is cash.
Capt. Smith returned from Portland, last
evening where he had been on business.
The captain as q. NJ. and G. :. and treas
urcr. has considerable hustling to do.
He is very fortunate in having men at the
head of each department, who are fully
competent to transact all business apper-
tanning to their several positions.
The concert Sunday evening, was a fine
one, all the selections We're well rendered
and Mr.. Ncwcomb was fully up to date
in his xylophonc solo.
Died Dee. 1st, Sebastian Scossa, late of
Co. X. Tooth n. Y, and Chas. A. Gay,
Co +, 2lst Massachusetts,; also Dec. ,,
Thos Slattery, Co. II. 9th Massachusetts,.