The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1898-02-15
BLIND TOM SILENT.
THE FAMOUS NEGRO PIANIST NOW
IN RETIREMENT.

Interesting Phases In the Career of the
Slave boy Whose Musical Genius Has
Been the Marvel of the worid-Iivos
with His Favorite Instrument.
People have been asking: "Is Blind
Tom dead? Where Is the famous mas
ter OF melody? He who pleased our
musical ear and aroused our increduli-
ty! The wholesome-looking negro, who
applauded his own performances; in
whom the sense Of imitation was en-
larged to the disadvantage of other
senses. He whom the world justly re-
garded as one of life's phenomena"
Blind Tom is not dead; he is not
aged; he is not even passing away as
many declare. / happened upon day
chapter of his life last week and found
"the plaything of the gods" passing his
days out of the public eye, in strict her
mitage, writes contributor to the
Philadelphia Press.
He lives in the wooded, sea girt acres
of the highlands of Navesink, where
one can see the great ships go down
to the sea and watch the seasons grow
and fade in leaf, bud and blossom of
glorious woods. He sits in the open
and mimics bird and beast. When
weary of nature. he goes back to his
lfe's solitary star that rose in his heav-
en- at his birth. For hours he sits at the
piano playing his old pieces, without
technical knowledge of time or note or
harmony, yet remaining apart in his
genius from all others-the untutored
master of melody.
Blind Tom was for twenty-five years
part Of Americas sentiment. He was
born in Americas slavery; he was one
of numerous tribe who adored him:
he was the awe of his masters, the ad-
miration of his equals.
He was the product of the plantation.
While never a master Of classic music
he played to the people; that satisfied
majority to whom Wagner is as sound
ing brass and Chopin as tinkling Gym
balls. His melody was essentially sem
timental.
Everyone remembers his perform
ances. The crowded playhouse; the
audience hushed by admiration dashed
with superstitious awe; the imbecile
negro, robust wholesome, hopelessly
blind, who walked to the piano and
played brilliantly the tunes of the peo-
pie, Wild applause which he, poor
, soul, echoed as he bowed. The mana
ger stepping forward asks pianists to
come up and play. One after another
complies. Blind Tom listens without
interruption. At the final chord he is
led to the piano, and striking splendid
ly into the selection, initiates his pred
ecessor with every shade of feeling re-
prcdgced, no delicate minor toning
evadcd. Such was his triumphal tour
!ng through the United States.
The piano in the hallway is his rest
ing place for hours. For years he has
lived his public life over in daily pri-
vato rehearsal, makes his bow, goes to
the instrument, playes the old tunes,
ard jumping up, bows and applauds
and "bravos" heartily.
In the pleasant weather he tires OF
the piano, and sitting in the grounds
plays an imaginary pianoforte in the
ain, initiating perfectly the sound. He
bows his thanks to the birds and dogs
and incidentally scares the passerby
out of his senses.
In body he is as wholesome as ever
Eats three meals day, which for
length, breadth and thickness the gen.
tleman with whom he lives assures
me, could not be surpassed.
was surprised to learn that he wa:
only 43 years old. 1t is currently be-
lieved he is fully 90. Whether he viii
ever appear again in public is ques
ton.