The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-01-01
he WORKS WONDERS
WITH The CUE
George II. stratton the Hand
less Expert a Remarkable
Billiardist.
KNOWS ALL THE STYLES
Without Hands and Having No Arti-
fetal Assistance, He Plays All
the Games With Amazing
Ability.
KNOWS ALL THE STYLES

Special correspondence to Chicago Trib-
une: The most interesting character ever
identified with the game of billiards is
George H. Sutton, the handless expert,
who recently became a performer in one
OF the academies of Paris, having been
induced to go abroad by a contract, COW
ering a period of eight months, by the
terms of which he is to receive $4,000 and
expenses from New York and return.
Considering his physical limitations, his
skill Is more remarkable than that of any
other billiard player Of the past or pres
emf. OF all the hundreds of thousands OF
persons who, as amateurs or professionals,
indulge in billiards in various parts Of the
world, there are not more than fifty, If
that many, who are his equals. Without
hands, and having no artificial assistance.
he plays all games in which the billiard
cue is a factor with amazing ability.
His comprehension Of all styles Of bill
liards corresponds to that Of Jacob Schaef-
or, and his execution presents extremes of
delicacy and force which the Wizard
cannot excel. In no sense a specialist, he
executes all classes of shots from a SIM
pie carom to a. masse, does exquisite work
on the rail or balk line, makes close draws
and follows with rare neatness and pre-
cisfon, drives superbly, utilizes the dead
ball" stroke like the late Frank c.. Ives,
invariably attempts "the right shot," and
directs every effort with a view to obtain
ing a favorable position. 1t is not surpris-
ing that the question, How does he do
it?" is frequently asked.
Any complete answer must involve a
scientific calculation which can only be
given by some eminent member of the
medical fraternity.
Many thousands, including numerous
doctors, have observed him perform, and
not one thorough understanding of the
DerfOrnlanra has haep aoSarfo5 aM
No Trickery Used.
That he is capable of playing billiards
so skilfully that few persons enjoying
perfect physical development can rival
him at the game is evident and impressive.
There is no a%rtifice, no trickery, connected
with his work, yet there is something
about 1T that is inexplicable. The reason
is, he has no hands and holds the cue be-
tween stumps, extending about seven
inches below his elbows. That those
stumps have muscular and nervous de-
velopments which make them so respon-
sive to their possessor's will that he can
manipulate a cue SO as to play expert bill
lizards is almost incredible. Nevertheless
1T is true. Moreover, with those stumps
he can do almost anything, excepting to
put on a collar or necktie. AS a penman,
he is quite as clever as he is as a biz.
HARDEST.
Sutton is IS years old and is a resident
of Milwaukee. He was born in Ohio. In
Martin, about fifteen miles east of Toledo,
on the Sandusky division of the Lake
Shore and Michigan Southern railway. In
his early boyhood Martin was a lumber
town. Among the places in which h was
permitted 10 play WAS a sawmill. He was
healthy and active and avoided any mis-
hap unit. over S years old. Then he made
an unfortunate visit to the mill. In get
ting out Of the way of some men hauling
boards he backed against an .edger.' Its
platform was low and its buzzing saw was
close to the end in which he had come in
contact. T~houghtlessiy he put his hands
behind his body to steady himself. In a
flash the saw nearly severed both fore
arms near the elbows.
Started to Run Home.
Upon realizing what had happened he
ran for home and went about fifty yards
before he was caught. The arteries from
which blood was pouring were quickly
bound and a surgeon summoned. Ampu.
tations Ware performed and the handless
experience" of the now famous billiard ex-
pert was begun. After recovering from
the shock and loss of blood he began to
use the sturnps as best he could. For a
long time the ends wete extremely tender
and he could make little use of them.
Gradually they became less sensitive and
as gradually he increased their use. When
IL years old he was not only able to help
himself generally but played baseball,
catching the ball between the stumps.
Constant use of the stumps caused his
shoulders to grow forward and he can now
gen his elbows together in a manner i'm
possible To a normal man.
Chest is Flattcned.
Ills chest is fiat;ened and in his respira-
lions the expansion Is in his back, which
is round and lively bullying APP
2aiently, ccmpensatihg for what IS lack
.nS ON tie opposite side. A prominen.
New Yorl; physician who saw Sutton
Playing at Maurice Days last March,
and tecan,c deeply Interested in him. re-
marked:
IL development is a clear case of ev-
sauuon. He had TO aaaDt himself to the