The Colville examiner. [volume] (Colville, Wash.) 1907-1948, 1921-11-26

OF Jne eyes, aICer DelnS pditiy olihe
for years. The article was feature
story by Vera Lindsay.
A world of grayness and shadowy
outlines for 80 years and then-a
flood of light, wall of sights, tip
ping, topping, and ever crushing in
closer; finally, sunbeams dancing on
the mosaics of a tile floor.
The mosaics were the first distinct
objects James Petty, virtually blind
for 80 years, observed when he arose
from the operating table in physi-
clans office in the Waldheim building
Thursday.
"Look!'" he cried, pointing at the
bright spots of the blues and reds. Il
never knew there were such wonder
full colors in the world.
Mr.. Petty's eyes travelled to his feet.
He stuck out one foot and looked at
it. "Well | declare" he exclaimed.
"Pretty good size, isn't it?
Then He Walks Alone
He next inspected his hands. Then
walking alone for the first time in
many Years, he strode, bit hesi-
tantly at first into the room where
his niece, Mrs. Ernest Rubbra, 528
Norton avenue, was waiting. He
looked her over, intently, appraisingly.
Bessie" he said, "it's the first
time I've really seen you since you
were child"
Out of the doors on the sidewalk,
he stood bewildered, taking in the new
world that pressed in all about him.
He craned his neck to look at the
high buildings and the blue sky; he
peered after the passing automobiles
and street cars; he stared admiringly
at the vivid signs on the stores. Then
he exclaimed:
Everything is so beautiful--so
clear-so close"
Mr.. Petty has repeated that remark
many times in the day that has
elapsed since his sight was restored
by an operation by DR.. E. j. Curran.
"Things are so much clearer and
closer than | thought they would be-"
he says.
With eyes that never saw distinct
ly, Mr.. Petty is virtually seeing the
world for the first time in his life.
A New Life Is Opened
"a new life was opened to me on
Armistice day." he says.
During Mr.. Petty's boyhood in
Lawrence. Kas., and in Kansas City
his eyes were afflicted with cataracts
and as he grew older the outside
world gradually grew DINNER. He
has never been able to see anything
in detail.
81 never really saw any human
teeth until Thursday" he said
During most of his period of total
blindness Mr.. Petty has been away
from Kansas City. He was a juven-
lie court worker in the state of Wash
ington, where he was known as "king
of the kids"
He consulted eye specialists
throughout the west, only to be
told time and again that nothing
could be done for him.
A few weeks ago he came to visit
his niece Mrs. Rubbra He was
taken to see DR.. Curran Thursday.
The doctor suggested an operation
on one of the eyes at once. Mr.. Pet
ty agreed.
Begins to "See" the World
A little later the man whose vision
had been dimmed since birth walked
out of the office and saw elevator
push buttons, his own finger nails,
the buttons on his coat and even the
numbers on currency.
AS he was waiting for the elevator
a man showed him bill. Do you
know what that is?" he was asked.
"Sure it's a $5 BILL" was the i'm
mediate response.
AS Mr.. Petty stood with his niece
at Eleventh and Walnut streets,
waiting for car, he read the signs
on stores across the street.
"The signs are so beautiful" he
says, $50 much gold leaf is used on
them"
Next week an operation will be
made on Mr.. Petty's other eye. Then
he will go to Lawrence, Kas., to visit
his brother George Petty, and other
relatives and to see for the first
time, distinctly, the home of his boy
hood.
81 want to go and see the univer-
sity first of ALL" he says.
Continued on next pagsD