Evening journal., 1902-03-26
DRAWS PICTURES
WITHOUT HANDS
Frederick StrattnGr Holds
Pencil in Ills Mouth
DOES REMARKABLE WORK
bis Mechanical Drawing and Studies
Of Persons and Object Show
Talent and skill
DOES REMARKABLE WORK

Deprived Of the use OF both hands Oy
a horrible accident, Frederick Strattncr
is still able to satisfy his love for draw
ing His work is considered marvellous
10y those who have seen it, Judging
from samples of his work, il is difficult
to believe that they We're not made by a
man using pencil in the ordinary man
ncr. But they are not. In lieu of his
hands young Strattner grips the pencil
firmly between his teeth and produces
pencil sketches of people or objects with
skill calculated to produce envy IN per
SONS who have the use of their hands.
Until few years ago Strattncr had both
hands and showed a marked talent for
drawing.
lis relatives and friends recognized
that he possessed this gift and prevailed
upon him TO engage an instructor in
order that it might be developed. lie did
50 and made rapid progress.
Despite the studies he was making in
art he decided that he would take up
electrical engineering. He began course
of study aud to gain the practical knowl-
edge procured position with the VIII
mmgtOn City Electric Company. At this
business he showed himself to be an apt
pupil He was getting along well until
one night while working in the gallery M
the power house, he caught hold of the
uncovered part of a switch with one
hand. The other hand was on the metal
top of a table in front OF him. In sec
ond thousands OF volts OF electricity were
sent through his body and he fell to the
floor with both forearms burned 10 a
crisp. He was hurried to a hospital and
after lingering between life and death
for several weeks, recovered. When ne
left the hospital both arms had been am
putatcd little above the elbow. A dam
age suit was the result and ne secured a
verdict Of $4,000
About a year after the accident he was
explaining something TO some friends,
but did not make himself clear. He knew
il he could draw diagram he would be
understood. Finally he asked for pen.
ell and had II placed between his teeth
The drawing he made was crude. but il
cNcelled his expectations. Pleased with
what he had accomplished, he tried il
again The next day and met with more
success.
Time hung heavy on his hands and {,
hasten the passing days he often prac
tced drawing, holding the pencil between
his teeth and moving il across the paper
10y the strength Of the muscles Of the
neck.
Practice made him about as perfect as
/ possible and now his drawings are con.
sidered wonderful. {. ). Hammitt, the
artist, has several that he treasures. Ills
mechanical drawings are the best bul
his pictures. although requiring NOR,
time and skill because of the many
| curved lines, would be a credit TO him II
made with the aid of hands.
Young Strattner is a very modest fel
low and when talking about his work
/ does not seem 60 consider that he is do
ing anything out OF the ordinary. He
! will not follow drawing as a business as
ne says IL is too trying ON his eyes, be
| cause OF having 10 get SO close to the
/ paper. He finds his greatest trouble iI
shading and filling in, but thinks he could
| overcome il in some measure in time
| Until few days ago Stratmer lived with
| his mother no No. 1903 WEST Third street
In a short time he will remove to Phila
delphia.