Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-07-31
RESTORED HIS SIGHT



A Friend. Who Was Much Interested In
His Case. wiiisd Him Cursd-Thousht
He WI Deceived By His Family and
. Suddenly Vision Game.
A most remarkable case Is reported from
Montgomery, Ala
About four years ago John Carney, an
honest and hardworking miner was sud
denly stricken blind while at work In tho
mines. A. The eyes gave no indication Of
weakness 30 far as casual observance
would indicate. They retained their bright
ness, and tho muscles showed no sign of
paralysis or weakness. The effect OF tho
sudden shock was ss though tho optic
nerve had been severed. From that day
Carney was totally blind.
Among Carney's friends, who frequent
ly called upon him and talked and read to
him, was Mayor J. Q. Montgomery. AL
though Montgomery and Carney were
hardly of the same class either mentally or
In point Of education and information,
there seemed To be strong bond OF sym
pathy between them. The attraction
seemed mutual.
Montgomery had In his early days seen
several tests OF the power of mcsmerism
panies had attempted to exert the mesmer-
10 force upon willing subjects. A few
weeks ago he told Carney's wife that he
believed Carney had lost the power OF sight
through some 2nental change and not
through any physical disability.
The suddenness of the taking away of
vision and the fact that Carney had said
that at times he could by mighty effort
almost sec seemed to prove that II Carney's
will power could be increased, he might be
enabled to once more use his eyes.
Montgomery talked over the matter with
Mrs Carney, and II was decided that Mr..
Montgomery should employ whatever pow
or he wished toward helping the unfortu-
nate man to SEQ.
Montgomery concentrated his vision on
Carney's sightless eyes. He can give no
description of how ne did It, but he then
concentrated his entire force OF will upon a
desire that was from the soul that Carney
should see. After few minutes Carney
became restless ON the couch and called
his wife's namc a. though no expected her
20 be in the room with him. She answered
from the next room and asked what was
wanted.
Carney was surprised that she was not In
the room, and told her he felt her pres
enoe. She assured him he was mistaken
and left the room. AS soon as he became
quiet, Montgomery riveted his attention
upon him again. Presently no called to
his wife and declared there was some one
in the room. She said no, whereupon Car
ney, who Is most mild hammered man,
fatty contradicted her and accused her Of
trying to deceive him. He was assured by
others Of the family that he had been
alone but he would not believe them.
All this time Montgomery had been
keeping his attention on his object not
allowing the discussion to distract him.
Presently Carney flew into passion and
declared he would be willing to die the
next minute If he could be permitted to
soc for one second and know his family
were deoeiving him.
Almost at the same instant he shrieked,
"You have lied to me; there's Montgom-
eryl"
The vision had come, and he saw all In
the room and was able to describe their
positions and clothing.
Every day Montgomery came to the
house, and they spent the time trying to
restore Carney's vision. Their work was
successful in small way at first and i'm
proved from day to day, till after two
weeks Carney was able to see to work.
Montgomery does not believe be has
worked O miracle, but that 1t Is simply the
exertion Of the will power on the part Of
himself and Carney, and that II was suc-
oessful on account Of the deep sympathy
he felt for Carney and the mutually Of
their desire for the restoration Of Carney's
sight.-Pittsburg Dispatch.