Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-01-12
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4. THE BLIND SCHOOL !.
.f SUPERINTENDENT. !.
Observation-Disclosures. .s..s..S..s..S..f..f..s..3

Carolina, is an Office whose windows
overlook the country for miles
around.
On clear day-and clear days in
that gentle climate are many-the
vista from these windows Is delight
and JOY. Beyond the quaint old
homes and gardens of the beautiful
little Southern city lie the mingled
white and gold patches of cotton and
grain, interlaced by winding ribbons
of green where purling, tree-lined
streams meander idly through the
farm lands; and In the far distance
the purple-hazed outline of the Pied
mont rises gently to meet the neecy,
sun-fecked clouds overhead.
At huge, document-strewn desk
near one Of these broad windows with
its charming view sits man in whose
hands, more than any other rests the
future welfare and prosperity of the
old Palmetto State. Other officials,
from the Governor to the holder of
the humblest Office in the gift Of the
people, come and go with the politi-
cal tides; but in the many upheavals
that have torn the State politically
since this mans installation seven
years ago no candidate has ever en-
tered the lists against him. So day
after day he sits in his high, sunny
office. guiding with patience and skill
the destinies Of 100000 children in
trusted to his care.
But Of the sunlit fields, the bloom
ing gardens, and the misty range Of
hills rising to meet the ever-changing
John Swearingen may only va
guely dream. He is stone blind.
1t was the century-old tragedy of
the small boy and his first gun.
Twenty-six years ago, when DR..
Swearingen was 13 years old, he
pleaded so persistently for shotgun
that his father, well-to-do planter,
reluctantly gave him the coveted
weapon, with many an admonition on
the accidental shooting Of other peo-
pie.
Almost Immediately the accident
happened. The gun, carelessly han
died, wrought its terrible havoc; but
OIL the lad himself, manning rts right
hand and destroying his sight.
A year later, when all efforts to re-
store the boys sight had proved fruit
less, he wap sent to the State School
for the Bli1d, near Spartanburg. S. c.
Graduating from that institution,
young Swearingent returned home to
continue his studies under his mo-
ther, a woman of more than ordinary
talent and culture, who kept his cour-
age and ambition alive, and by her
efforts fitted him for entrance to
South Carolina College, now the State
University.
The faculty were somewhat dubious
over admitting blind youth to the
college work; though they were
keenly sympathetic with the, unusual
ambition that inspired him. Young
Swearingen, determined to- enter
finally overcame their opposition. He
had brought his cousin with hik,, and
eventually the boys were permitted to
matriculate. \
This was in 1895. For the succeed
ing four years the blind student
worked increasingly, spurred on by
his set determination to complete his
education despite the handicap.
State Superintendent Of Education,
DR.. Swearingen, began his fight
against poverty, ignorance and indif-
ference. Thoroughly familiar with
the splendid work being done in many
other States, he fearlessly attacked
conditions in his own. There was
scarcely a branch Of the existing sys-
tenn that did not need heroic treat
ment, and to accomplish anything he
must have money.
1t was an uphill struggle; but
Swearingen's blood was up, and the
result, as shown in hundreds Of mod
ern schools, extended terms. equip
ment, ETC., forming too lengthy a
statement to be given in detail here,
may at least be expressed in the most
cogent Of all terms-money.
During his first year in Office the
extra appropriation allowed him was
little over $4,000. Continuously
waging his war for more money,
Swearingen forced an increase each
year, until last year the extra appro-.
priation was $250,Oo0. This year he