The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-03-17


There's a man in Norfolk who,
though totally blind, is a wonder when
it comes TO working. lie is Fred Schil.
Ter, brother of George Schiller. pro.
prietor OF the Oxnard hotel, and like.
wise a brother OF Bob" Schiller. the
manager.
II you should drop into the Oxnard
you'd likely find Fred escorting guests
to various rooms or giving a concert
to his friends in the parlor of the no.
tel, on piano or violin.
Mr.. Schiller is also telegrapher
and amuses himself during idle hours
by talking to himself on the keys OF
the cash register. A News man who
is also q telegrapher entered the hotel
few days ago after Fred had Just
returned from visit with his parents
as Ida Grove, la.
Sends Messages On Safe.
Slight of figure but quite good look.
ing, Ered was standing behind the
cash register. Dots and dashes we're
flowing from the money safe as plain.
ly as those from real telegraph
sounder and the man who cannot see
made Il splendid word picture to the
News man who stood in the lobby and
took in" the message.
Dots and dashes from the pencil OF
The News man rapping a reply on the
glass showcase interrupted the sender
Hello there, you News man; why
didn't you say something?" came the
| message in answer to- the raps, and
then Fred was all business and soon
forgot about the telegraph az guests
came in and kept him busy asking fol
rooms and meals.
One travelling man whose room was
cold returned and complained about
| the radiator and said he couldn't see
what was wrong with 1t.
ooh, let 1t alone" said Fred. "Tl
be up in a minute and fix it for you
you're in No. "a; Cunning to another
guest) Let me have your grip, ~
show you the way"
Does II for Fun.
| Such is the strenuous life OF FREQ
/ Schiller who really does it "for fun.
Fred doesn't have to work. He has {
snug little fortune in his own name
but will not be "babied" by his broth
ers George, Robert and Jack, who ar,
around the hotel major part of tn,
time.
II know it doesn't look well, bu
Fred just will do this work and that
all there Is to it, and what Fred want
goes" said his brother Jack.
When Halley's comet was first seel
Fred was one of the first on the roo
of the Oxnard hotel with those watch
ing the sky wanderer. When its mys
teries we're explained Fred always ha
a solution.
Mr.. Schiller was born in Elgin, Ill
forty years ago. He graduated fror
the Vinton, Ia, state institute and ais
from the Chicago Conservatory of MI
sic after a five years course, wit
high honors. Later he studied wit
Hans Albert, who is now one of tn
best violinists in the country. He ha
an instrument valued at $500 and ha
, played at many concerts. On the p
ano he is also an expert with a
grades Of high class music, some {
, which is his own composition.
How Fred mastered the art OF tele,
raphy was explained by himself {
, the News man recently. His brothe
Jack and Harry Long, when boys q
Ida Grove, put up a telegraph lin,
, Jack proved failure, but Long b,
, came a station agent, while Fred, VIII
is good listener, became an expe,
! sender and was not slow at receiving
, Long became station agent but late
was appointed to a good position in
/ bank at Hubert, la.
Fred Schiller Is very retiring and
i gentleman in every respect. The 30
. lies" handed him by the travelling me
are answered by flashes of wit tn,
keep his end up without trouble. I
Fred the News man inserts an apolos
? for this publicity, but great credit
, due him.