The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-03-13
"A BLIND BOY GRADUATE
Takes the Highest Horrors In the UGi-
verSity of Texas.

Takes the Highest Ho!lorS In the Ug;a-
verSity of Texas.
Franz Joseph Dohmen, OF Austin
1'5&as, ranks above ariy OF his fellow
studoElts CT the pn:'sent senior class OF
the University cf Texas. At tina next
commencement, he wAl receives the de-
gree of Bacm3lor OF Literature.
This fact shat N1r. Dohmea is the first
honor man of his cleS5,is only remtHrka-
bio because since his 10th year he has
been totally bind. He is about "a years
old. and was born at New Braunfels,
Texas. OF German parents His father,
DR.. L'l,m;C. wars ala the time M his
death the STAN: occuist, and one Of the
most distinguished men Of his profess
sion III the State.
When young pohmer was 10 years old
he was seized with an attack ofi.yphoid
fewer, which settled in his eyes, and
whCTI his strength was restored II was
fctuEd !ahat he had completely lost his
sight. HIS fondnGSS for Study and his
natural musical taste have apparent
ly afforded him ample recompense for
this loss OF his sight. He was placed IN
the blind asylum and had his talents
for music developed, and rat the SANS
Wine received splendid preparat tory
ETai"Lng In n system of writing that
has beer invaluable to him while n stu
d5nt In the university. This system con-
sists IF piercing full of small holes n
Stilf waNed paper by means OF n sharp
l:cs!trument. the position of the hola be
Ing determined by Il small mci.al fran
held on the opposite, side of the paper:
this furnishes projections which the
blind fsarn to read as readily as they
do rais.;Il letters.
Mr.. Dchmcn Is a perfect master ef
Shis System and writes ii as rapidly as
Orlifn-u'V !,
comes to she university daily with his
note book, attsnds classes. takes notes.
ana gees about the building so easily
and naturally hhat the loss lt,f his sight
Is Scarr;'y m1t!ccd When n term ex-
amiration occurs he writes his answers
to the NuS'stlo,1s according 70 his short
hand system for the blru. ard than
takes his replies home and makes n neat
copy himself upon his typewriter He
d-'es his Typewriter wrk rapidly and
NEATLY and presents to his professors
manuscript faultless in It's appearance
zc:u almost hawlcss n s to Ms scholarly
grasp of the subject under consid;ra-
tiCI..
Mr.. Dohmen graduated from the blind
asylum In 1899 with the highest honors.
'ild mas rw betGl n student Of the
lEnN2rsity of TEXAS fcr five years. His
proficiency rs n performer on the piano
10 HIS friends. but his greatest delight
consists In dslving in the problems of
higher mathematics, philosophy ard pa
litiosh sct:mcc. He speaks ard writes
fCiGlish. German and Frerch. He is :,
fair Latin scholar sind knows n smnt-
tcring Of Greek. At present he is
studying Greek, Fr;!ach. German.
mathematics, Latin ar,d political
science. Upon these studies next June
he Will recciv1, his degr:e Of Bach;lor
OF Literature, and will leave imme-
oIstely for Germany to pursue further
investigation In his favor.n: subjects OF
philosophy, mathematics ard political
sc!enca i@ some one of che great uni
vcrsit!es there.
Mr.. Dohmen IS rather tall. His face
Is sensitive. r:itined and plzasingly IN
tc!iiScmt. His disposition is brighs AID
cheerful. lh', Is popular with every one,
and the small coteric Of his friends, to
whom he nave,ais in Soma: degree his in
ner self. all testify by their slncsre adj
miration u, fhe true nobItiy and great
ness of his character. His life, after his
return! from Germany. will be spant In
trachiDw