Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-16
Blind Couple of Grand Junction
Possess Two Remarkable
Canine Companions
ONE LEADS IN FAR TRAVELS
Charles Stewart, Totally Blind, Goes
From Town to Town With No Other
Assistance Than His Dog - Mrs.
Stewart Also Blind, Successfully
Guided on Shopping Tours.
Special to T,mcs-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Jefferson, Jan. 16.-Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Stewart, of Grand Junction,
two blind persons, have lived life
Unprecedented. because they have gone
thru life using as their companions and
guides, two very remarkable trained
dogs-canines which were at one time
termed tramp dogs"
The training of these animals is lit
tie less than wonderful in view Of the
fact that their master and mistress are
both blind and also that the animals
showed no exceptional intelligence. Mr..
Stewart has travelled all over Iowa
and the nearby states, and his dog
has always been with him. He sells
little book of poems by well-known
never forgets the location of the depot,
and can find the hotels. After the days
canvassing is done the master says T.
word and the dog Immediately takes him
back to the hotel. The perceptive pow
ers of the animal is absolutely wonder
full. For instance, if Mr.. Stewart wants
to visit house the second time. he
impresses it upon his guides mind by
rapping several times with his cane
upon the sidewalk.
To show that the animal Is gifted
with power of certain understanding
and thinks is shown in a little Incl
dent which happened as they were
leaving town and just as they were
about to board a train. Mr.. Stewart
had forgotten his valise. The dog no.
ticed 1t, and Immediately commenced
to bark. His master thought he was
barking at another dog, and paid little
attention. When boarding the car the
dog protested so strongly that Mr.
Stewart felt his teeth sink into the cali
of his leg. BY pulling on the chain the
animal finally succeeded in leading his
master back into the depot and to the
forgotten grip. AS soon as it was
picked up he gave a gleeful bark, and
they climbed aboard the car amid the
applause of the people who had been
watching them. The dog and his mas
ter are known by almost every rail-
way conductor in Iowa, and they are
afforded privileges that no other people
| are furnished. The dog always rides ir
the same car with his master, lying
patiently at his feet, waiting until the
| next stop.
| Altho Mr. Stewart has an exception.
al dog, Mrs. Stewart who stays al
home, has one which is equally as in
telligent, IL not more so. On leaving
the house she always takes her dog
with her. If she desires to go to the
postoffice, she so states to the animal
and he guides her there. If store, the
name OF the store is mentioned, ant
he leads her there. 1t has been sale
that the animal knows almost ever,
home in Grand Junction, and who live!
in them. If Mrs. Stewart wants to make
a visit, she calls the names of thu
people and in almost every case the
dog will lead her there. In some way
the animal has connected the name o.
the people with the scent, and he ha.
never forgotten. To train these dog:
was a remarkable task, and took al
extraordinary amount of patience ant
| persistence.