Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1897-03-19
a cLiND MANS SKILL.
He Has Faculties That Puzzle Persons
Wha Can See.

ne Has Faculties That Puzzle Persons
wha Can See.
1t is well-lsnown fact that persons
who lose one or more senses often de-
yclop remarkable qualities in those re-
manning. This hos seldom II ever been
shown in so notable u way as in the
case of Paul S. Pinkham. resident of
Millbridge, Me-, who, though blind, has
succeeded in building, unoidcd. n better
house than most carpenters in possess
sion of all their faculties would con-
struc..
Pinkham has been bereft of sight
since he was l2 years old, und lie is now
IS.
The house which Pinkham built is q
spacious house, with n comfortable
and roomy look, n story and a half
high. with long ell one story high,
extending back from the main house.
The clapboarding is well put on, and
the windows, doors and exterior finish
look us if done by an expert carpenter,
willie the interior is as perfect in it's
TIHn and construction as one could en-
Fcct. Yet Paul Pinkham. s:ghtlcss.
planned the house. and built il. There
is not stick or nail or stone or brick
in its construction, from foundation to
roof. that he did not place there.
At 81 Mr.. Pinkham's father, who had
been n weli-to-do shipmal<er. died. leav-
ing him pcnnilcss and alone. The
neighbors pitied poor blind Paul." and
II was the general accepted theory that
Paul would ere long find his way to the
town farm. Paul was made of better
stuff. Although up to that time he had
done little for his own maintenance, he
OF once set about devising means where
10y to,support himself. lie feared ut tho
outset that his blindness might prove an
inourmountnble obstnclc to making his
why. but he did not lie down under the
fear. He shipped with Capt. Wilson, of
nillbridgc, ON the schooner Forest, and
made one trip along the coast. lie soon
discovered that some latent sense or
fnculty was developing. enabling him
to know of the presence of objects md
TO estimate distances. What this sense
is Mr.. Pinkham cannot explain, nl-
though in him il has now reached
high stage of development.
He next shipped on the schooner
Sympathy, and found the work more
easily performed. With this trip the
season was at an end, and during the
winter he added to his savings by saw
ing fire wood ard chopping cord wood
Then he ventured into peddlng clans,
nnd was fairly successful. With his
earnings he purchased a boat and fitted
1t out for lobster catching. lie hired
boy to steer the boat while he attended
TO the traps. The danger which lobster
catchers fear greatly is in being nippcd
by the jaws OF Holsters when landing
them, Men with good sight are fire.
quently thus nipred and receive painful
iwounds-yet Paul Pinkham handled
his Holsters bare-hnndcd-und so nicely
was the sense of touch or prcscience, or
Whatever it may be termed, developed.
that he was never caught by lobster,
although he continued in tie business
for 81 years.
In addition to his home. Pnkham has
built many boats that sail to-day near
iMillbridgc, md they are all good
models and easy sailcrs. lie also made
some fine showcases and various other
forms OF fancy woodwork. His neigh
bors generally look to him for small
JonS VI uciIcutc repairing. ana lie turns
out the work as rapidly ard with far
less appearance of mental worry than
many clearvisioncd carpenters exhibit.
Whenever set out to do,c thing"
Gays Mr.. Pnkham. plan it in my mind,
and that picture forever remains before
me. I made the plan OF this house. mr.
ranged just how far back from the road
1t should sit, how high 1t should lie and
how long and wide. saw in my mind
the shape II should assume before
started to make the excavation for the
cellar wall made the excavation, laid
the wall, raised the frame. boarded and
clapboarded It, put in the windows and
made the doors and hung them. lathel
and p1astered the interior and painted
the exterior, and even topped out the
chimneys." His nciPhbors cnll Pink
hams house ''the miracle.
iMe.) Journal.
brilliant Mountain Flowers.
All who have made pedestrian tours