Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-08
BLIND MAN A SOLDIER.
He Won a Race, Too, and Whipped a
Bully,

| ouly.
To be blind yet able to swim. ride
hunt race horses, fight for his country
and thrash a rascally bully is surely a
series of performances sufficient to
stamp the hero as one Of the most
remarkable men of all time. Compar-
isons are odious, we know, says q
writer in Bailys Magazine, and II
would not be fair to range John Met
calf Of Knaresborough, in Yorkshire
the man in question. say. alongside OF
the late Prof. Fawcett. Each accom-
plished what the other was never cut
out to do.
Metcalf was born in 1717 at Knares-
borough, and at the age Of four was
sent to school by his parents. who were
laboring people. He remained there for
two years, when he was seized with
smallpox. The disease deprived him
of his sight. But six months after his
recovery he was able to go from his
fathers house to the end of the street
and return without a guide, and In
three years he could find his way alone
In any part Of his native town., None
of the usual enjoyments Of youth was
curiously enough, lost to him, and In
association with boys of his own age
he acted distinguished part in juven-
lie pranks.
His fathers worldly position had
now advanced, and he kept horses for
hire. One result was that young John
learned to ride, and soon he became a
good horseman, his favorite pace being
a gallop Music has ever been favored
in things that form the curriculum In
the early education of the blind. SO
that at the age of thirteen young Met
calf was taught music. and made such
great progress In 1t that his friends
were delighted, though the cry Of a
hound was a deal more congenial to
his taste. He frequently hunted with
Mr.. Wooburn, who kept a pack at
Knaresborough and was. delighted to
have the boy with him. o..
At the age Of fourteen his activity In
sport and the freedom he had enjoyed
from accident caused him to be quite
fearless, and he was getting through
life with greater fun than most ordi-
nary lads. But he had a severe lesson
owing to fall into a gravel pit when
farmer surprised him robbing plum
| tree. He was not seriously injured, and
we next find him showing expertness
at swimming, and such strength that
he could push his companions below
and swim over them. Such was his
fame in this direction that two men
being drowned in the Nidd. Metcalf
was engaged. to seek for their bodies,
and diving brought one of them from
the river deeps.
The violin was his favorite instru-
ment. and he got much employment at
country dances, while he acted as a
waiter at an inn of the Yorkshire
town. He hunted whenever possible
and kept gamecocks. He also was
present when they fought. and sitting
on lower bench betted with freedom,
according to the nudges or the touch
ing Of his fingers by some friend.
Going on to Harrogate-to fulfill a
permanent engagement as a violinist-
in the year 1892, having only to play
in the evenings his mornings were
spent in cockfighting, hunting and
coursing. Moreover, he grew prosper
Gus and bought thoroughbred, which
he ran, winning few small plates. He
often played at bowls In summer and,
| strange as 1t seems, was not often
beaten nor was he altogether disgrace
ed at cards. though with these he of
course must have had a guide.
He began to attend the races at York
and other places. 1t was common for
him to ride among the crowd, and help
ed by the gentlemen to whom he was
known he often betted with success.
1t was thought wild thing when he
matched one Of his horses to run three
miles on the Forest Moor The owners
were to ride themselves. With the
idea that Metcalf would be unable to
keep the right course long odds were
betted against him. But his ingenuity
provided him with an expedient in the
dilemma. The track was a round one
of a mile, and at each turn he had a
man stationed with bell to ring out
his approach. This scheme and the
superior speed of his mount pulled him
through and he was heartily cheered
on victory.
| AS a horse dealer he traded to ad-
vantage. At the age of one and twenty
he stood six feet and one inch. His
health was robust and he showed at
this period some pugilistic ability,
soundly thrashing bully. He pros
pered right into the prime Of life, when
a fair damsel, the daughter of buxom
landlady of one Of the Harrogate inns,
fell in love with him, and the affection
was reciprocated. Another amour into
which Metcalf was led however, brought
an estrangement and our character
shipped off to London. sailing by an
alum ship from Whitby.
Returning after seven months ne
discovered his sweetheart engaged to
another man and on the point Of being
married. But on the day preceding the
celebration Of the nuptlals he was rid
ing past the house of the intended
bride when a serving maid called out
to him. "One wants to speak with you"
In the stable yard of the hostelry he
found his lady love and an elopement
was quickly arranged. AS quickly as
possible a special license was obtain
ed and the pair were united. Metcalfs
rival was confounded and great we'd
ding feast he had arranged was never
served.
Metcalf continued his professional
engagements at Harrogate. while he set
| up a posting business at Knaresbor-
ough which he relinquished soon after
ward and anon retired from racing and
hunting. But his activity knew no
check. He ran horses to the coast for
fish and sold 1t in the Leeds and Man
chester markets. often being two
L