New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-31
THE man whom the
newspapers have
reported dead


this year celebrating his fftieth year of public per-
ormances. His name is Thomas Greene Bcthune
Never heard of him. For half a century people
every State in the Union have known him
spicuous and wonderful musical phenomenon.
He is of the Booker T. Washington,
who calls him the e Black Paderewski. He
bright objects at close range with eye, yet two
generations of United States citizens have believed
him totally blind AT intervals he has given fare well
performances and IL each of the ensuing periods
of retirement the newspapers have printed his obit
uary of one who has passed away. Last winter he
emerged seemingly from the Beyond, appearing in a
vaudeville theater in New-Yorl He since has made
the Eastern variety circuit and this summer will fill
an Exposition engagement at St Louis.
sketch of his stage turn " like this
A little advances to the front Of the stage,
and in a voice like a whcczy pcnny-whistc says:
The gentleman whose amazing performances on the
piano you have assembled to hear is a negro
"Niggcri" thunders powerful bass voice belonging
a in the wings.
Pause for the audience to laugh
And he's blind the little manager
Cant see" comes IN the deep tones of the unseen.
Pause for laughter.
This blind negro continues the manager, signed
a contract with Mr."
Blind Toni" the invisible
Prolonged pause for applause
Then the manager says This remarkable product of
the African has capacity for musical sounds far
beyond that possessed by the greatest masters of must
cal art His perfect his supcrhunan memory shown
a repertoire of ten thousand compositions
Johnny make for your uncle" bawls the
unseen man. and the bawlcr himself appears.
The minute manager leads Blind Tom to the piano,
and stands him with his back to the instrument
This" says the imprcsario sappng his star the
back was born blind and a slave, sang plantation
melodies perfectly at two years, played the most
difficult compositions the piano at four, began
giving public exhibitions five, and since has played
for audiences throughout this country and Europe.
Newspapers call him old man; but he IS only
hfty-five. He will now"
go away back and down. sings not the must
cian but the piano. Though still standing with his
back to the instrument, Tom plays the remainder of
the popular song and continues with Sousa march
in a pianists proper position Wme yet with his
hands manipulating the keys behind him. he begins the
wedding March from " Lohcngrin, suddenly
swings around and seats himself the stool in
position, and without losing a note continues the
march Finally ne again stands swings round again
with back to the Keyboard and again without losing
note concludes the operate selection.
TOm-back pcnquc, and massive of frame
attircd in drcss-suit several sizes large for
him. a shirt-front that is food-saincd evidently a
dicky and a Celuloid collar Before playing and
the moment he stops playing he INDUCES all sorts
of contortions of body and head-torso swaying
fingers twching, eycballs rolling, seeming like one
possessed. Because of this, call him idiot
Scientists, however declare that his conortons repre-
only that lack of bodily restraint characteristic
Of the blind, especially in of such vigorous physical
organization and of such exuberancc of animal spirits
Tom. Moreover, his power of memory, his fine
of musical sensbility, his order taste elegance
and mcthod in musical execution all these refute the
charge of idocy.
Next, announces the manager Tom will show
that work of the greatest masters of GERMANY
France Italy, Russia is too difficult for his compre-
hension and perfect rendering. And appreciate
understand ON, lcI,