The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-09
A BLIND CYCLIsT.
with Two SightIess Orbs This st
Louis Girl Takes Daily Rides.
From the sd. Louis Republlc.


From the St. Louis Republic.
In the latest accomplishment of Miss
Kate Hampke, st. Louis can afford the
world an Illustration of the recreative pos
sibilities of the wheel. Miss Hempke has
far surpassed any claims made by the
most enthusiastic advocate of the safety
bicycle. She has demonstrated it's adapt
ability as a reliable means of locomotion
in way to silence adverse criticism.
And she has set an example which will.
doubtless, be utilized to carry a CLEAN of
interest and sunshine into many darkened
lives, otherwise unable to share in ordi-
nary pleasures and recreation.
Miss Hempke is an enthusiastic wheel
woman. This pleasure she shares with
many thousands of women here and else
where, but it is doubtful if any of them
get the same delight out of the pastime
that she does. For Miss Hempke is blind;
totally blind. From infancy she has not
seen the beauties of nature or the faces
of her relatives and friends. Yet she has
managed to live a life of rare usefulness,
and now she has, by almost incredible
perseverance and remarkable intuition,
learned to ride a bicycle safely and well.
Every fine day she may be seen with an
attendant taking spin on the boulevard
or through Forest Park. Yet none of the
thousands of wheelmen and spectators
who thus daily see her imagine for agyin-
slant that all her faculties are not per-
feet. Attired in a natty costume, she
rides boldly, gracefully and without hes
itation, vending her way fearlessly in and
out among the hundreds Of vehicles and
wheels, rarely needing even the warning
of her escorts voice.
Miss Hempke is an instructor at the
lice .fsrs Inc for he
teenth and Morgan streets. She entered
that institution eighteen years ago as a
pupil and has been teaching her brother
and sister unfortunates for the last eight
years. Always healthy and fond of ath-
letics. she has paid much attention 20
calisthenics, and her spare time was most
ly spent in the gymnasium. DR.. John
T. Sibley. superintendent of the institute,
Is an enthusiastic wheelman, and Is also
president of the Century Club Through
him Miss Hempke became Interested in
the sport. After certain surreptitlous at
tempts In The gymnasium she purchased
a tandem and learned to ride with the
guidance Of her escort. For a while she
vas satisfied with this. but ambition to
ride a single wheel seized her, and she
determined 20 do it. And she did In
the gymnasium she learned 10 mount and
guide It. Her wonderful sense OF touch
combined with highly developed Intuition,
enaDleu hef 10 qulS-ly master the elusive
mount. When she could ride alone around
the gymnasium she concluded to extend
her trips. SO. accompanied by DR.. sibley.
she ventured out to Forest Park. To his
surprise, she displayed no nervousness,
while her skill IN avoiding collisions was
little short OF Miraculous. Ia a short time
she had learned the most frequented paths
and drives IN the park. and scarcely need.
ed the attention Of an escort. At present
she is confident that she can safely ride
out 70 the park and return by herself.
and Is with difficulty dissuaded from at.
tempting II.
Miss Hempke has many accomplishments
besides this. which render her noteworthy,
but she Is proudest OF her mastery Of the
bicycle. Those who have experienced the
difficulty Of learning TO ride a wheel can
appreciate the accomplishment OF this
sightless young woman. She has ridden
1900 miles since taking 20 the single
wheel. and has made a trip to creve Occur
Lake.