The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-21
BLIND IN LIGHT;
SEES AT NIGHT
Sightless for Months, He Suddenly
Develops Power in Dark
ness.

Constantine, Mich, Sept. 21.-Sum-
mer visitors and natives at Klinger
Lake this season have been much mys-
tilted by the curious phenomenon man
Tested by old Jack M7!andiigo, an &C.
centric character who lives in hut on
the south shore of the lake. Altho
blind for six years, Mandigo at fire.
quent intervals develops the power OF
nyctalop1a and can see to pick up pins
in the darkest night. Tests have been
made this summer by visitors attracted
by the phenomenon to prove the accu-
racy Of ,Mandigo s statements.
MandigO is an Interesting character.
He has led a recluse existence for years,
and in spite of his utter disregard Of
the conventional qualities Of dress, he
is known to be possessed of consider
able wealth. Nothing is known Of his
ancestry. Clad in fur cap, a coarse
WOODEN shirt minus buttons, and fraz-
zled pair Of trousers supported by dl-
lapitated suspenders, his feet bare win
ter and summer, the old miser sits on
the porch Of his tumbledown shanty
and retails cheap cigars to maintain
steady it slow increase OF his wealth.
Was a Crack Rifle Shot.
Six years ago Mandigo was pos
sessed of unusually clear eyesight. He
gun. The story of his blindness is
not difficult to obtain by purchasers
of Jacks cigars: He becomes com
ness when telling of his afhiction. He
tells how he was troubled with an irri-
tation back Of the eyeballs as tho
grain of wheat had lodged there. He
doctored it himself for long time,
but it steadily grew worse. He went
not endure to spend his money with
doctors and came home before being
cured altho assured by a professor Of
the University of Michigan that he
would be we'll in time. However, the
other eye became affected and in spite
of all efforts on Jack s part he became
totally blind. One day an interesting
II had been taking nap,' he
said, "when mother Mrs. Mandigo, a
comparatively young woman) called
me for supper. [ CROPPED my way to
the table. 1t was impossible for me
denly I was startled to find that I
could see everything as plainly as |
ever could. The table, the lamp and
the room were as plain as before | went
blind. I continued to have perfect eye
sight until 10 o'clock the next morn
ing, when all became dark again.
Light Comes at Intervals.
"Since then at times [ have been
able to see when other people said it
was absolutely dark. I have pointed
out cats and squirrels in the yard OF
in the trees and have been able to pick
up pins thrown down on the floor. These
/ spells come only occasionally. Oh
course, there is some natural explana
ton for it, but cannot understand it
4 I have been studying Christian Science
in the hope of getting an explanation
Mandigo's wealth is in farm lant
1 and cash. The money is reputed to b.
| hidden somewhere near Mandigo's hut
] and even his wife does not know it
location. Mr.. and Mrs. Mandigo liv'
in one room, and she is a. faithful an!
q patient attendant upon his eccentrici
n ties. Mandigo's wealth is variously es
) timated at from $4,000 to $4,000. H
q is said to hold mortgages on a doze1
= farms in the vicinity Of Klinger Lake