Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1921-08-04
JOTTINGS By THE WAY.
BY Charles Scan.on.

III Was summer, in the middle west
on railway train, that was intro
duced TO an elderly man Of feeble
health but of such noble bearing and
kindly spirit that he would command
attention in any company Of intelligent
people. He was physician who had
devoted himself 70 his profession and
the temperance reform for many years.
After being introduced he identified
himself by repeating his name and say
ing he was brother of Laura Bridg-
man, the blind woman. This instant
ly drew me 10 him and | began in
curing about his distinguished sister,
OF whom had often read but of
whom | had no intimate knowledge
He moiestly told me little of their
home life, and on account of a kind
ness done him when We parted, he
later wrote me a letter and sent me
Photograph of his sister together with
some fancy work which she had made
with her own hands and which my vito
anu NduElllSTS sui treasure.
This remarkable woman was born
In 1929 in Hanover, N H., ana lost
her speech, sight and hearing at an
early age as the result of scarlet fever.
She lived in her darkened prison house
until about eight years of age, when
fortunately she came to the attention
of Dr. Samuel C. Howe, the distin-
guished husband Of Julia Ward Howe,
equally distinguished. DR.. Howe had
an institution for the treatment of
afflicted children and those of arrested
development. He wrought such won
ders with her as Miss Sullivan later
wrought for Helen Keller. Large num-
oers of people came for long distances
to see and hear this wonderful child,
who was regarded as a modern miracle
and brought fame to DR.. Howe, though
he was justly celebrated for his phil
anthropc and patriotic work for others
beside Miss Bridgman.
When those who have the use of
''~'' SSllSCS arc lnCllnSQ
to be discouraged, by all means let
them read the lives of Laura Bridgman
and Helen Keller.
But these are not the only blind peo-
pie whose achievements both shame
and inspire those who are not afflicted.
There is scarcely a branch OF know
ledge. however profound or technical,
in which blind people have not achiev-
ed distinction. Poetry and music es,
pecially have had their distinguished
representatives among the blind. Pres
colts sight was so defective that he had
to have artificial help in writing his
history of Mexico. James Wilson, one
of the older historians, was also thus
afflicted.
Salinus, born in 1913, was perhaps
the leading musician of his age and
wrote treatise Of seven volumes on
his art, though blind from early child
hood. John Stanley, Dennis Hampton,
Francis Linley and Lemuel Rockwell
are other examples worthy of study,
Huber, the naturalist; Holman the
traveller; Nicholas Bacon and John
Fielding, eminent lawyers; James
Hughes, celebrated physician; Didymus,
the preceptor of Cicero; Saundersop
and Jamison, theologians; Cynthi Bull
lock, the teacher; Daphine S. Giles,
the temperance worker, Fanny Crosby.
the hymn writer; Alice Holmes and
Frances Brown, poets, are only a few
Of the blind whose examples afford in
SEPARATION not only for other blind people
but for those who have minor diff
culties with which to contend.
In my childhood and early manhood
! knew Prof H. II. Johnson, of Romney,
w. Va. and to less degree his broth
er James, both Of whom were teach
ers and men Of more than ordinary in
formation and both blind. Likewise, .
the school for the deaf and blind To-
Gated at Romney, is not only great
blessing to those for whom it is main
tanned, like similar institutions in prac-
tically all Of the States, but is annually
attended by children who are thus
helped to lives OF usefulness and hon.
or who might be otherwise a care to
their friends and the State, However,
much they merited and enjoyed the af-
lection Of relatives and the care Of
the commonwealth.
Read the history or annual reports
Of any such institutions and deter