The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1921-08-26
IN SPITE OF LOSS
OF BOTH OF HIS HANDS
Former Water Vallian Praised For
Persistent Working To
Succeed.

Succeed.
Loss of both hands well above the
wrists when he was but 18 years ole
"made" Hugh L. Dickson, who today
became United States assistant at
torney in Los Angeles.
1t was this accident far more dis.
heartening than many which have
driven men to street corners selling
lead pencils and depending upon the
charitable hand of mankind-that in.
stilled in Mr.. Dickson the determine.
ton that he must become indepenG.
|ent.
| Sitting comfortably in an Office
chair in his new Office, Mr.. Dickson
told the story of his life intensely
interesting and worthy of emulation,
1t was in January, 1890, that the
misfortune befell Mr.. Dickson, then
18 years old and locomotive fire.
man on the Illinois Central at Water
Valley, Miss.
| Two years before Mr.. Dickson had
been forced to leave the University
of Mississippi, where ne was study
ing law and join the thousands of
wage earners because OF the death of
his father, the once cherished aMbi-
ton to become a lawyer had almost
vanished from his mind.
Then came the accident that
changed his life. =
The chimney in the headlight Of
Dickson's switch engine was broken.
He called to the fireman of another
engine to supply him with another
| chimney. AS the two locomotives
ran side by side in the yards. Mr..
Dickson reached far out of the cab
to reach the chimney which his broth
He slipped.
When he again regained his senses
Mr.. Dickson was in a hospital, his
arms encased in bandages. A kind
hearted physician told him both hands
had been amputated just above the
wrists.
His life as a workman on the rail-
road had ended.
But two courses were open to him.
In one he could become dependent on
others; in the other ne must work,
work, work.
Here, said Mr.. Dickson, thought
of returning to college and continu-
ing my study of law. ] secured job
in the law office of Brewer & Wilson
in Mississippi. Mr.. Brewer after
wards became governor Of the state
and one of the best known attorneys
in the country.
After two years of study in the Of
flee / again returned to school and
in 1898 | was admitted to the bar.
But Mr.. Dickson was leaving out
the big story l sought.
How did he learn to write, to eat
by himself and to handle books and
papers in law Office?
/ put the question bluntly to him.
by persistent efforts" answered
Mr.. Dickson.
1T was hard at first, awfulIy hard,
ne continued. "By practice of hours
each day | soon learned to write,
holding the pencil between the stubs
Of my arms. Other things~Sere learn
ed in the same manner"
Mr. Dickson admitted that he could
write on typewriter with fair speed
He does it by holding pencil with
the rubber eraser down, and punching
the keys with the pencil.
He can dress himself alone, make
notes in a notebook and handle law
book with ease, quickly turning the
pages, he also admitted.
why don't you tell the reporter
that you drive your own automobile
and can roll cigarette ?" urged
United States Attorney O'Conner,
who was listening to the conversation.
Slowly came the information that
Mr.. Dickson drives his own automo-
bile by means of a series of hoops
on he steering wheel, in which he
places the stubs of his arms.
Many years ago he learned to roll
a cigarette, he admitted.
Mr.. Dickson came to Kiagman,
Ariz., in 1898 and served two terms
as district attorney. He came fur
ther west in 1905, locating. in San
Bernardino. He served as district
attorney in San Bernardino in 1907
and 1908, resigning to become gen.
eral counsel for the th-rhood of
Locomotive Firemen and Engineers,
with headquarters in Washington.
Mr.. Dickson returned to San Ber-
nardinO in 1912 and has been known
as one of the leading attorneys in the
Gate City for many years. He last
week resigned to presidency of the
board of education in San Bernar-
dino and was defeated in the recent
congressional election in the. Eleventh
California District.
To sit in his Office and watch him
work is revelation of what one can
accomplish by persistent efforts, de-
spite overwhelming handicaps-Earl
E. Buie in Los Angeles Evening Ex-
press, Jan. 10, 1921.
ELkS PLAN TO GIVE MINSTREL.