The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-22
BLIND CAPTAIN BECK
he Lectures Before the Trades and
Labor Council.
HIS is A WORTHY MISSION
Monday Evening He VIII Address
an Audience In the Methodist
Church-RaIsing Money
for an Asylum.

Captain Daniel Beck of Seattle is in
Anaconda making an effort to raise
money for the purpose of building an
Industrial home for the adult blind OF
Montana, Washington and Idaho.
Captain Beck is himself sightless,
having been smitten with this terrible
affiiction some years ago. while he was
caught with his ship. the Clan Grant,
in an ice foe off Cape Horn. The glare
of the sun upon the ice affected his eyes
and in three weeks daylight faded from
his sight. He narrated the experience
last night, as IL fell upon him in that
awful time.
1T was my duty to make the neces-
sary observations to learn our exact po-
sition." said the speaker. This is done
by means of a seXtant, an instrument
which measures the distance OF the sun
above the horizon. This l did several
times daily. as our position was con-
stantly shifting. The first warning l
had of danger was an itching over my
eyes: then as l attempted to scan the
horizon line, which was not sharply de-
fined owing to the stretch of snow and
ice lines of red, blue and green, flicker
ed before me.
II had to give up my observations,
but even this did not afford relief, the
cracks and seams in the deck floor dis
appeared from view, and in a few days
j could not distinguish the bulwarks,
the sails and rigging, masts and spars
then went; and, last of all. like vessel
going below the horizon line, as i stood
on the deck of my loved Glen Grant,
the last sight / saw were the tips of
her tapering masts. that looked to my
exhausted eyes like splinters. The
mist came" said he, chokingly. land
have seen nothing since"
1t was a story that moved him to
tears and a silence fell upon the listen
ers which II was hard to break. The
captain himself was first to speak.
Yes. friends, il IL. indeed, a hard lot,
yet / do not feel that l should COM
plain, for IL has brought my friends
nearer and dearer. and sweet sympathy
from all whom chance to meet. i have
found that there is still work for me to
do, and there is work which all blind
people may do. Naturally. they have
feelings which resist the idea of de-
pendence upon charity and in many in
stances they are able to do work which
would be self-supporting If rightly d.
rected. The plan which l have has
been endorsed in all the cities of the
Sound and elsewhere. ]. A. Cowle of
Seattle has given a site on the bank of
Lake Schamish, which l am told is
beautiful spot, and well adapted to the
purpose. In tour of Alaska, / raised
$500, and now have increased that
amount by SUBSCRIPTION IN the North
west till / have full faith that the in
stitution will some day be established.
The adult blind will here find employ
ment in making baskets, ships tenders
and such other articles as they can,
which will be sold in a ready market,
and the school, in year, or two, at
most. will be self-supporting. My en-
deavors are to raise as large a sum as
possible in these states, and also circu-
lating a petition TO the legislatures of
each state TO make a single appropria-
ton towards the balance needed for the
erection of the building and establish
ment of the institution"
Captain Beck has not lost the spirit
which has given men of his profession
the name of Jolly Jack Tars." and. in
spite of his troubles, is often in a happy
mood and will spin a sailors yarn with
ease and genius. He is accompanied on
his travels by two little nieces, who are
clever little warblers, and sing on the
occasions when he appears TO lecture.
Last night one of the little girls was
sick. but on Monday night at the Meth
odist church the captain will give a
free lecture. and they will appear at
that time. II able.
He bears letters from coast people,
and documents which entitle him TO
credit and a hearing. Last evening he
was invited to address the Trades and
Labor council and at the close of his
remarks liberal donation to his cause
was made by the council.