Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-03-23

+ Special Correspondence
ONDON, March lS,--Dr James
Gale who has just died in his
seventy fourth 3 year, probably
was the most wonderful blind
man who ever lived. The victim of
terrible and crushing physical afnic-
ton in his early youth, he trImphed
over II by sheer force OF mind and char
acter, and won for himself the proud
but pathetic title OF the Blind In.
ventor." by which he was known all
over England.
That, however. conveys but VI faint
ideas-of his various claims TO distirc-
ton. His many degrees included those
OF doctor OF philosophy and ma ster OF
arts He WAS a fellow OF the Royal
Geological society and the Chemical
society. He made many valuable sci
entific discoveries. His inventions
covered wide range, from rapid fire
bresch loading rifles to electrical alarm
clocks. AS doctor. he once saved
nrilionaire's life, and was paid the
biggest fee ever recorded in the annals
va AV-s-ovsoops lit ull SCOEt vi
things. any ona OF which would have
sufficed to win distinction for man
possessed of all his faculties. His
greatest achievements We're those
which would seem to demand good eye
sight above everything. The man him.
self WAS Il greater marvel far than
any of the wonderful things he did
His death was entirely unexpected. He
was a sturdy, vigorous man on whom
the burden OF old age rested so lightly
that he carried himself as straight as
a pine tree Quite recently--never
dreaming that his death WAS so near at
hand-I called upon him to obta ain from
his own lips some account of his won-
derfuI and inspiring life story for
American leaders. At his request ]
sent the report of the interview to him
for revision. for he was great stickler
for accuracy. shortly before his death
WAS announced | received the manu-
script back with some corrections and
additions, which no had dictated to his
amanuensis. To the world at large
therefore. 1t may be regarded as his
last message, which lends unusual and
pathetic interest TO II. The photo
graphs accompanying II, especially taxi
en- for this article, were the last for
which he ever posed.
LIVED MoDEsrLY-
DR. Gale lived In modest four
story mansion in Adelaide road, HamD'
stead. The place is called GALES
mead aud ON the door was large
brass plate, with The legend, DIR. Gale
consulting Electrician" on calling
upon the doctor | was shown into a
large back room, the table of which
WAS covered by electrical and scientific
apparatus. In a few minutes there
WAS quick step outside the door, and
Or. Gale came Into the room- He
walked over, shook hands without aIty
hesitation or Feeling about" and then
looked at me In an Inquiring way His
action was 50 perfectly natural, his
light blue eyes seemed 50 expressive
and clear that no outward sign gave
any indication OF the fact that he was
totally. hopelessly blind.
II have made st a principle all my
lfe' he said. after bad explained
my eTrand, never to allow any one
| to assist .ne From the very earliest
days-~I LOST my sight at 70 and now
am more than 7O--I have done every
thing that was possible alone
my boyhpod was spent IN the town
( OF Tayistock, DeYonshlre' Or. Gale
continued. ''and | attended The Local
school there before ! became blind
For some years had noticed that
1 something MIS- wrong Hth my sight,
/ but | was 40 sensitive about this de-
feet that for long time l managed To
| conceal from MY parents aud teuehefs
The nature ofmy trouble remember
scheIning to be placed al certain po-
sltion In the line In the class so that
| could reel on from memory portions
| of my lesson ! could not see the print
Everything WAS a blur 20 me; and
| memnrized word for word pages Of
various matter, Tseliins 1t parfectly
when called upon TO do So as II resd-
| ING from the hook. Even IN our sumes
such az laap-fTog-I used ia have To-
| place white handkerehlsfs on the backs