The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 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 10 The Front in
North Carolina.

tute, Person county, has led TO further
investigation into the success which has
come 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. The 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 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 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 childrens clothing, remark
ably expert in fancy work She, like her
husband, is totally blind.
j. NJ. Costner. teacher higher classes
at colored department, owns good deal
of property in Raleigh and elsewhere.
Totally blind
w. 7. 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 knows
more history than many of us who try
to teach, and yet have 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, composer 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
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 ali 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 ID. for years
musical director of the South Carolina
Institution for Blind, more recently
teacher of music in Norfolk, Va. A dis
tnguished composer of music.
Ralph Fisher (brother to Gertrude for
years musical director of Salemburg
Academy, Sampson county, one of the
finest performers in the Southern States
has composed several pieces which have
attracted much attention. Blind.
John Hampton, totally blind, makes a
handsome living by teaching music in
Winston Salem, and leads an excellent
band of seeing persons.
Forney Willis, member of recent Cen
eral Assembly from Bladen county, is a
successful lawyer. extensive farmer and
for years a public school teacher in his
native county. Is urged to return to the
school room.
Sidney Heffner, very successful and
popular teacher in public schools of
Burke and Caldwell counties, was for
years county superintendent of schools.
Totally blind.
To- CNhnnn pffhl oh fn1n
in Pamlico. travels from one end of the
county to the other alone, though totally
blind. cuts and hauls his own wood from
the forests, driving the team himself
is county commissioner, has been road
commissioner for his county; is mail car
rier, very large farmer, owner of saw
mill, has q daughter at the Baptist Fee
male University.
ID. w. Badham. n very successful tuner
and repairer OF pianos and organs, and a
local soloist of no mean parts.
Edwin Gray White. music teacher. for
years musical director in Orangebure
Academy, s. c., has taught music in
Georgia. after going from Stokes county
N. c., where he taught for years. Has
accumulated considerable fortune. Totally
blind.
Milton Rogers, totally blind. very sue
cessful merchant at Glass. Mecklenburg
county. owner of gin and mill. a fine farm
er and successful music teacher
W. D. Mintz. very successful farmer
in Alexander county, was for years teach
or of broom and mattress making in this
institution. Blind
E. F. Cole has taught music very sue
cessfully in Buncombe county and owns
considerable property in Asheville.
Hezekah Martin. for years teacher Of
mathematics in Palmerville Institute
Stanly county. has taught school most &C
ceptably in Stanly and Arson counties
Totally, blind.
Raleigh Floyd, a successful merchant
in East Durham, a good piano tuner and
repairer His wife. Fannie Floyd. is
1ouse-kceper in one of the hotels in Dur
am. Totally blind.
Theresa Dettmering. herself totally
At All
Soda