The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-01-28

1859, singing Lucia So much for the
biographies.
Several old citizens of St. Louis can
testify that the biographies have over
looked an interesting and important in
eident Of the great divas career.
In tn winter of 1852 Maurice Strak-
osch, famous pianist, came TO st. Louis.
With Strakosch was a woman-child of
years, beautiful, bright, impulsive and
self-wilIed; a creature of the emotions,
impatient of restraint. but amenable to
kindness. She was his wife's sister,
Adelina Patti destined TO become a
singer earning 5000 for a single concert
Strakosch arranged for a series of con-
certs He was the chill had apartments
at the old Planters house. He had
business to attend TO in the day, and haV-
ing no one to loog after Adelina, he lock-
ed her in his room. She resented it.
When Strakosch came to prepare for
the concert he found the furniture
wreck. Adelina had smased the pic
lures, tore the bed clothe, defaced the
furniture. thrown ink on the walls-in
short, done all the damage that high
tempered little vixen could do
Herr Strakosch laid her across hi knee
and spanked her.
Think of that, you who have esteemed
it a priilegve to pay IS TO hear Patti
sing "The Last Rose of Summer
heavy handed piano player spanked her.
Next day the locking up process was
repeated. and so were the work of de-
struction and the spanking. Strakosch
did not wish to be harsh, but he knew
Of no other way to control her. That
way was ineffective.
You may beat me to DEATH said
the child, "but 1 will not be locked up.
1 want to go out. want to he free"
Strakosch conferred with DR.. Pollak.
The doctor had founded the Missouri
School for the Blind, and took great
pride in it.
"Send her to the School for the Blind
said he. at will amuse her and she
will be of assistance in teaching the blind
children"
PATTI AND THE BLIND CHILDREN.
Next day, instead of being locked up.
Adelinna was taken to the School for the
Blind. then on the corner of Broadway
and Howard street. The first pupil in
the school was Lizzie Taylor, daughter
of Captain Thomas II. Taylor, a river
captain known from st. Paul to New
Orleans. She was a natural musician,
and possessed of an exquisite vioce.
you should have heard that girl sing, "
saws DR.. Pollak Her voice was a pure
soprano of great compass and flexibility,
and divine expression. 1 never heard its
equal"
Adelina and Miss Toylor liked each
other The blind girl taught the little
foreigner to read notes by the touch, and
soon they were singing together like a
pair of thrushes. Adellina's voice for the
first time gave promise of the rare ex-
celIence that same to it with maturity.
Strakosch said: There is a fortune in
her throat" He had discovered gold.
SANG A BILL THROUGH THE LEGIS-
Lizzie brought about the first legisla-
ton looking to the educatione Of tn
blind in Missouri. In 1851 she was taken
to jefferson City toshOw the members
of the house of representatives that q
blind child's senses could be highly de
veloped Some of the members didn't
want TO vote money TO the school Liz
zie was blindfolded Though she could
not see a ray of Light and read page
after page from the raised letter text
| book. A stubborn country member shook
| his head. "Sing for them, Lizzie" said
| the gentleman who had themeasure II
! charge. The blind girls melodies filled
| the hall. When she had finished The
money was voted with a good viii. but
not with dry eyes. Lizzie long since
| ceased to ping on earth.