The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-12-07
BLIND MAN GETS
ANOTHER BLOW
ANACONDA MAN WHO HAS SUI
FERED MUCH INJURED IN
AUTO ACCIDENT.
Story of Hardships of Richard Young
Shows He Has Much Grit and a
Perseverance That Has SurmOunted
Many Obstacles.

After being deprived of his sight
for years, Richard Young, of Ana
conda, better known as "Blind Dick, y
is in an Anaconda hospital suffering
from an injury to his spine that has
paralyzed him from the waist down;
three broken ribs, a dislocated Shout
der and internal injuries received in
an automobile accident. Attending
surgeons hold out little hope for his
recovery, but if he does there is ev-
cry likelihood he will be helpless
cripple for the rest of his life.
Car Skids on Ice.
Young spent Sunday visiting coun-
trymen and friends in Butte, as has
been his custom during the last few
months. He made the return trip
with r. Steenkist. On a stretch of
icy road in the vicinity of the hump
the rear wheels of the light car be-
gan to skid. While Steenkist was
endeavoring to regain controls he was
blinded by the brilliant lights of an
approaching machine and his own
went into the ditch and overturned.
Steenkist suffered a fractured rib and
severe bruises but was able to pull
Young, who was unconscious, from
beneath the wreck. Later the two
we're picked up and brought to the
hospital.
Brave in Adversely.
Mr.. Young, who is native of Bel
GUM, has been resident of Ana
conda and Butte for more than 80
years. He is about so years of age
and held in the highest esteem
throughout the community. He sus-
tanned an injury while blasting
stumps in Arkansas in the eos, and
tumor developed. In May, 1903, he
underwent what is said to have been
one of the most remarkable opera
tions ever performed in st. James
hospital in Butte. DR.. Gregg re-
moved his left eye and with it tu-
NOR measuring five and one-half inch
es in circumference. The following |
year he contracted cataract ON his |
right eye and other complications de- |
Another operation followed |
but it was too late and he became |
totally blind.
Despite the hardship under which
he was placed, he refused to become
and started to train him
self for the future. Being able to
speak a number of languages fluent
ly, he started what he termed "cit-
course, and instructed per-
sons of foreign birth in the rudi-
ments of American citizenship. His
success soon attracted and his classes
grew in size. 1t is said that no ap-
plicant for citizenship who had stud
led under Blind Dick" ever failed
to pass the required examination.
He was also a proficient musician,
playing both brass instruments and
the accordian. Paradoxical as it !,
sounds, he played by note, using de-
vice of his own invention. 1t con-
sisted of one-inch plank about three
feet long and several inches wide.
In it he had bored a number of quar-
.er-inch holes, arranged in perpen- {
1icular rows, in series of three rows {
20 each line of music. In one of the I
'ows are short pegs with their tops Z
'harpened to points, which signify
'sharps." Pegs with flat tops, repre- !.
sent flats, and pegs with beveled
ops represent the different positions !,
If the scale. BY taking the board on
lis lap, he would have a friend read
he score of some popular piece of I
music, and he would place the pegs {
o agree with the written score. That {
completed he would study the piece !
~ feeling the tops of the pegs with
lis fingers, and would have 1t mem
'rized before attempting it on an
instrument. 7