The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-03
4 SPORTSMAN WITHOUT LANDS.
Johann Fuchs Able to shoot and Fish with
the stump OF One OF His Arms.

NEW BRUNSWICK, y. j.. May 2.-Johanr
Fuchs was deprived OF both arms by an acct
dent twenty-eight years ago In a rubber factory
at Midtown. two miles from this city. As soor
as he could get out he set himself to train the
stump of one of his arms and succeeded to such
n degree that he has been able to earn a fair
living ever since. The most remarkable thing
is that he goes fishing and cunning alone.
He was born in Baden nearly siXty-threey years
ago. His boyhood days and part of his early
manhood he spent as a fisherman on the Rhine.
When about twenty-five he married a woman
somewhat older than himself. They came ia
America, and with two children settled in
Philadelphia. After a brief stay in that
city. the couple moved to Milltown. where
Fuchs obtained employment in the rubber
mill of the Meyer Rubber Company as a
laborer at 81 day. He had not worked In the
factory many months before he was caught in
one OF the grinding mills. Before the immense
machine could be stopped both OF his arms were
badly crushed. The left one was amputated at
the shoulder, but the surgeons managed to save
part Of the right arm. which was amputated
below the elbow. To the stump a hook was
fastened. and in time Fuchs learned to manip-
ulate II. with extraordinary dextcrity..
He might have sued the company for heavy
damages, but as his wages went on just the
same. whether he worked or not, Fuchs was
satisfied with this concession, and worked
hloullh Nipllk XIV ~ ~ INV u x lie
wages were cut down some, and after that he
did not confne himself to working in the fac
Fuchs is a confirmed fisherman. All day Ions
he will sit out in the sun waiting for a bite. He
goes out fishing alone. and has an ingenious
method OF propelling :he boat. Encircling the
oar With the stump OF his right arm he presses
1t against his cheek. which he bends down to
right side OF. his body he sends the craft along at
a fair rate of speed. He adjusts the fishing rod.
i %Hfh aS Sv rs r or sx f TO- h to ex anaeT Behind siS saam him H to
balance IT,, He bats the hook with his mouth.
Occasionally he meets with some slight mishap,
obliged to return to the shore to have his hook
unfastened from his clothes.
at his shoulder by means OF the hook attached
to the stump OF his right arm. Opposite his
against his cheek to take aim. are two strIngs.
They are connected with the triggers. In firing
the weapon he selves one OF the strings between
his head, discharges the piece. He is a good
shot and often kills a rabbit at sixty yards. He
with several rabbits. in season. In loading the
gun Fuchs gives another illustration OF HIS in
automatically BY the TASKS. He forces The pow.
der into the barrel by means Of the ramrOd,
which he presses down with his elbow. He
right arm, This may seem a slow process. but
Fuchs has become SO expert In handling the
Fuchs's son Is proud OF the old mans Ac-
compliShments In talking about them he said:
80 rmtneI hoes mot IKE 20 De idle Tor any length
wood In the last year. besides doing other work
around the place and working around the fac
tory az times; lie works around the place for a
few days. Then he will go TO the factory for a
few days, and then fishing or cunning. When
he goes, out he never comes back empty
handed"
Fuchs continually feels the presence OF his
lost members, even. to the fingers. This is es-
pecially true 81 his left arm. He has vivid i'm
pressions OF this arm. as though IL were bent at
the elhow and pressed against his body, He oc-
nationally feels An itching aRngalinn NJ his An
gers. His right arm does not trouble him at ali.