The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1903-04-14
WORK OF THE BLIND.
The Success That Has Come
to Many of these.
Graduates From the N. c. Institution Who are
Pushing Their Way TO the Front in
North Carolina.

Is DONG GSCelicul hOIh . ~ VI
the higher branches in Bethel Hill! Insti-
tute, Person county. has led to further
Investigation into the success which has
to other graduates Of the North
Carolina Institution for the Education OF
the Deaf, Dumb and Blind.
And success has come to many of these
in life financially, intellectually and in
other ways. h record is really an as
founding one, and a mere recital of the
salient points in the career of these peo-
pie, who bereft of sight, have gone for
ward so wonderfully is one TO cause as
constituent.
Here is a record of the success of the
graduates who are now connected with the
faculty of the Blind Institution.
John A. Simpson, NJ. A., teacher OF
higher mathematics and musical director.
Composer of no mean parts, and author
of several books. He is called upon to
tune and repair pipe organs all over the
State, and is a local teacher of much
ability.
Mrs. Narcissa j. Simpson, his wife, pri-
mary teacher, has taught a large number
of seeing persons in Raleigh music; does
her own housekeeping and makes any,
CT all, her children's clothing, remark
ably expert in fancy work. She. like her
husband, is totally blind.
]. NJ. Costner, teacher higher classes
at colored department, owns a good deal
of property in Raleigh and elsewhere.
Totally blind.
w. T. Reaves, also teacher at colored
department, one of the best scholars of
the State. When examined by the State
Superintendent of Schools some years ago.
his examination was pronounced the best
the superintendent had ever had. Totally
blind.
/ Annie Winchester Reaves. his wife,
teacher of music in the white school,
taught most successfully in the public
schools of Mecklenburg county, North
Carolina for eight years, and at the time
of her marriage was urged to continue
in her position.
Mary Schenk, teacher OF history in the
white school, totally blind, but NOV
more history than many of us who try
to teach, and yet lave both our eyes.
Gertrude Fisher, music teacher, an ele-
CANT lady, accomplished, fine musician,
excellent performer.
George D.. Meares, musical director at
the colored department, of re
pute, successful salesman Of pianos, for
| several years director Of music in Kin
ston Collegiate Institute.
Cader G.. Cox, graduated last June, is q
successful piano tuner and repairer, and
has converted the institution band into
the best one there has ever been at the
institution.
Thomas Hughes, teacher of tuning and
repairing, totally blind, goes all over
town alone, travels to distant parts OF
the State upon calls as tuner and re
pairer, one of the sweetest performers in
the State.
Those graduates who have succeeded
outside the school are these: ]. Cleveland
Meares, brother Of George D.. for year.
musical director of the South Carolina
Institution for Blind, more recently
teacher Of music in Norfolk, Va. A dis
tinguished Of music.
Ralph Fisher (brother to Gertrude fol
years musical director of Salembure
Academy, Sampson county, one of the
finest performers in the Southern States
has composed several pieces which have
attracted much attention. Blind.
job Hampton, totally blind, makes {
handsome living by teaching music il
Winston-Salem, and leads an exceilen
band of seeing persons.
Forney Willis, member of recent Gen.
eral Assembly from Bladen county, is (
successful lawyer, extensive farmer ant
for years a public school teacher in hi:
native county. Is urged to return to tn
school room.
Sidney Heffner, a very successful anC
popular teacher in public schools o
Burke and Caldwell counties, was TO
years county superintendent of schools
Totally blind.
James Cohoon, public school teache
- = -, 1to@ 49, o - -
county to the other alone, though totall,
blind, cuts and hauls his own wood from
the forests, driving the team himself
is county commissioner, has been roac
commissioner for his county: is mail car
rier, very large farmer, owner of say
mill, has a daughter at the Baptist Fe
male University.
D.. w. Badham, a very successful tune
and repairer of pianos and organs, and
local soloist OF no mean parts.
Edwin Gray White, music teacher, 70
years musical director in Orangebur
Academy, S. c., has taught music /
Georgia, after going from Stokes county
n. c., where he taught for years. Ha
accumulated considerable fortune. Total
blind.
Milton Rogers, totally blind, very sue
~cessful merchant at Glass, M~ecklenbur
county, owner of gin and mill. a fine farm
CT and successful music teacher.
w. ID. Mintz, a very Successful farmc
in Alexander county, was for years teach
5 CT OF broom and mattress making in thi
institution. Blind.
z. f. Cole has taught music very sue
cessfully in Buncombe county and own
considerable property In Ashcvillc.
Hezckiah Martin, for years teacher c
mathematics in Palmervilic Institute
Stanly county, has taught school most &C
coptably in Stanly and -,nson countie.
Totally blind.
Raleigh Floyd, a successful merchan
n East Durham, a good piano tuner an
repairer. His wife. Fannie Floyd.
h~ouse-keeper IN one Of the hotels in Dur
ham. Totally hlind
Theresa Dettmering. herself total
blind, makes hor living fer her age
fathe" and mother by selling books. Sh
lives IN the city Of Greensboro.
Lizzie station was. until her death. on
of the most popular teachers in the pub
| lie schools of Henderson county. Total
blind.
Pattic Parker was one of the most sue
cessfu1 teachers in her native count,