The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-23
WILL WORKS 4 lHTRIcLE.
A Blind Mans Sight Restored through
the Mental Power of "a Friend.


CHARLESTON, w. VA. July IA
most remarkable case is reported from
Montgomery. Fayete county. the heart OF
the Kanawha coal region. About four
years ago John Carney, an honest ana
hard-working miner, was suuutnly
stricken blind while at his work ia the
mines. The eyes gave no indication OF
weakness so far as casual observance
would indicate. They retained their
brightness and the muscles showed no sign
OF paralysis or weakness. The effect OF
the sudden shock was as though the optic
nerve had been severed.
Among Carncy's friends who frequently
called upon him ana talked and read 70
him Was Mayor j. &. Montgomery. Al
though Montgomery and Carney were
hardly OF the same class. either mentally
or In point Of education and information.
there seemed 10 be a strong bond Of
sympathy between them. The attrac-
ton seemed mutual, and the interest OF
Montgomery grew as their meetings
grew more frequent. Montgomery mad
in his early days seen several tests OF
the power OF mesmerism. and for the
amusement of private companies had at
tempted TO exert the mesmeric force
upon willing subjects few weeks ago
he told Carney's wife that he believed
Carney had lost the power OF sight
through some mental change and not
through any phy s.cai aiadpilly. ne
suldenness Of the taking away Of vision
and the fact that Carney had said that
az times ne could. by a mighty effort
almost see. seemed 10 prove that II Car
news will power could be increased he
might be enabled 10 once more use MS
eyes.
o. m A.
with Mrs Carney, and II was decided
that Mr.. Montgomery should employ
whatever power he had towards helping
the victim 10 see. Accordingly. Mont
aomery called az Carney's house, un-
known TO him. and was seated In room
alone Presently Carney. as Montgomery
and his wife desired, walked into the
room and laid down on a couch to take
his afternoon uap. Montgomery concen-
trated his vision ON Carney's siShtless
eyes He then concentrated his entire
force OF viii upon a desire THAI Carney
should see. After n few minutes Carney
became restless on the couch and called
his wifes name as though he expected
her IN he i'm the room with him. She
answered from the next room and asked
what he wanted. Carney WAS surprised
that she was not In the room, and told
her he felt her presence. She assured him
ne was mistaken and left the room. As
soon as he became quiet Montgomery nv
eted his attention upon him again. Pres
entity he called TO his wife and declared
there was some one in the room. She said
no, whereupOn Carney, who IL most
mild-mannered man. fiauy 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 a passion ana
declared he would be willing TO die the
next minute if he could be permitted 20
see for one second and know his family
were deceiving him. Almost at the same
instant, he shrieked: you've lied to me;
there's Montgomery" The vision had
come, and he saw ali in the room and was
able 10 describe their positions and cloth
ing. Although he could not see again af-
ter the first flash he felt more at ease
and agreed with Montgomery to continue
the tests indefinitely. Every day Mont
gomery came 10 the house and they
scent the time in trying TO restore Car
news vision. Carney entered into the
spirit OF &c and placed himself as nearly
as possible under Montgomery control
Their work was successful in small
way az first. and improved from day tc
day til after two weeks Carney was
able 10 see lite All the time. even
when Montgomery was absent The visits
were continued regularly till. few days
ago, Carney declared he could see as vel
as ever. and declared his intention OF
going 20 work. This he ala last Wednes
day, and he seems as well as ever i'm his
life. His eyesight is apparently perma-
nently and perfectly restored.
Montgomery does not believe he has
worked a miracle. but that IL is simply
the eXertion Of will power on the par
OF himself and Carney. and that IL was
successful on account Of the deep sym
pathy he felt for Carney and the mutu-
ality Of their desire for the restoration OF
Carneys sight.