The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-30
USES FEET LIKE HANDS.
Clarence Lutz, Armless Man, Accom-
plishes Remarkable Things.

one OF the most remarkable per-
sons on the vaudeville stage today is
Clarence A Lutz, who is the feature
OF the Lutz Brothers team, playing at
the Majestic this week. Mr.. Lutz has
been deprived since infancy of his two
most useful mem ers, his arms. And
still with this handicap he has accom-
plished many things that would be
considered wonderful in a man of
sound physical makeup.
In his act at the Majestic theater in
which he is assisted by his brother,
w. H. Lutz, he manipulates a from
bone with his toes, rings sleigh bells.
drives nails. saws boards and does
some wonderfully accurate shooting
with rifle. These are only few of
his stage accomplishments, but the
are the ones which attract attention of
those who come to know him inti-
mately.
Clarence Lutz was born in Roches-
ter, N. Y, "a years ago. At the age
of twelve weeks the flesh on his arms
showed symptoms of modification, and
against the pleadings of his parents
both arms were amputated by the
family physician. 1t was afterwards
declared that a dreadful mistake had
been made, he could have been
cured of the affliction. But the deed
had been done, and an armless babe
grew strong and healthy despite his
handicap.
his parents, MS mOLneT especially,
broken hearted over the youthful lads
crippled condition, set about to teach
him to use his baby toes as much as
possible to do what might have been
accomplished with his hands. AL
though his infant mind failed to grasp
the extent of his handicap for years.
his little feet and toes responded
in obedience to his mothers teaching,
and when even a small child his feet
had been cultivated to work with great
dexterity.
At the age of five years he entered
the public schools of Rochester.
Throughout his entire school course
he proved a brilliant student and ac-
quilted himself with honor After his
graduation from the Rochester schools
he entered an eastern law school and
after three or four years he graduated
with honors. Blackstone. however,
had little fascination for him and he
stayed in the practice but a short
time. With his toes he perfected him
self in the use of the typewriter and
attained a speed that would make
many a professional stenographer en-
vious. He is an excellent penman and
can write his name better with his
toes than most people do with their
hands. He is an expert in penman-
ship.
Lutz's appearance on the vaudeville
stage came in a manner quite by ac-
cident At a private entertainment
where he was the star performer his
ability attracted the attention of a
vaudeville manager and against the
advice of his friends he was persuaded
to go on the stage. This was fourteen
wears ago. From the very beginning
he more than made good. and now
commands a better salary than the
average bank president.
Lutz is great student. At his
home in Rochester he has an extern
sive library. mostly scientific works on
mechanical engineering of which he
has become quite a student. Lutz is
quite fond of mechanics. He owns a
large twelve horse power motor boat
which he operates with his toes. Dur
ing the summer he is planning to
make a trip through the great lakes
from Chicago to New York, and a
motor boat expressly for this purpose
is now being constructed. The engine
in this new craft of which he is to be
the pilot. engineer, captain and owner,
horizontal opposed marine engine.
constructed by the Sintz company of
Grand Rapids. During the summer
season he makes many motor boat
trips on which he is always accom-
panied by his wife and brother.
This is probably his last year on the
stage He has saved considerable
money from the receipts of his en-
gagements and he is planning to be-
come a member of a large real estate
firm in Buffalo, n. Y.
Lutz carries heavy accident insur-
ance on his ten toes, which is said to
aggregate at least $4,000 for each
toe He is always of a cheerful and
sunny disposition, a striking example
of the man who can succeed even
when suffering from great misfortune.