Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-05-16
SEES John MARTIN
AS AN INSPIRATION
ASheviIIe Man Praises Cheer
full, Patient Fight for Life
by Star Man.

story of courage and pluck that Will
interest not only the legion OF friends
here of John l.. Martin, veteran iiieri-
her of The Star staff. who IS now III
the tfth year of his fight there against
tuberculosis, but which, LOT tne
writer. carries an insPtsi;lG'> 't.Ht iIe
believes is we'll worth passing 3F>"s'
The story was told by George 4.
Hunt. a visitor to the city from Asne-
vile. when interviewed by star
reporter last night.
On the sick bed to which he is
confined in IairvieW Cottage SAM
tarium. Martin for about two years
has enjoyed regular and. at PERIODS
daily visits from MIR. Hunt. the lat-
ter $ face Frightened when ne was
asked about Martin ard how ne was
getting along. John Martin ne saiu
simply. lis one OF the most Christian
men have ever known ana also one
of the happest." Mr.. Hunt did not
need IN he drawn out on the subject.
Patience an Inspiration.
''I,viI!s there in a sick bed. he con-
tfnued, where he has been for more
than four years. his CheertuinesS ana
patience are an inspiration TO all VINO
visit him. To know him is to love HIM,
and one is almost anna zed at the end
Of life who visit his bedside. More
than anything else he likes 10 talk
of his devoted friends back home in
Washington, and particularly those at
The Star office, who. he says, have
never let up in their efforts to see him
through his fight.
lone of the most remarkable RECORDS
OF friendship l have known Is the
daily letter that John has received
IL 1.@wns
Isaac Cans crammed with the news
Of Washington and his friends here
for which he is always hungry.
Il really believe John Martin has
done more good during his four years
in a sick bed than the average man
does in 20 years on his feet. Just TO
illustrate his Spiri. and how he makes
others feel ii anI love him for it. 1t
was one OF my jobs in the schools OF
ASheVillc 10 foster an athletic spirit
in the high school thera-an excellent
school with a student body of about
400. Every evening after leaving
the school | used 10 walk up to see
Martin and discuss with him the prob
lens | was tacklinS and receive some
advice and message from him for the
boys and girls with whom / was
working.
Team Got Martins spirit
1.-THE foot ball team. composed OF
new material. was having a disa strouS
record il the early season last Fall.
l doIn't know what 10 do about it.
One morning l was making an adj
dress to the student body on school
spirit. | was at a loss what to say.
"Suddenly, / though OF John Martin,
that fighting spirit Of his. as a sort
OF text. used ii; told them Of the
game fight he was making, OF his
many reTerSFS and how he never
failed TO come back lighting every
inch Of the way. I told them that he
was for them, that he was thinking
of them even while | was talking 70
them, that instead OF takiE- his rest
cure that afternoon. he would really
he lighting with them in their game
that afternoon with Il powerful team
from Tennessee. Then l though. of
playing for them on my violin d little
piece | had written and dedicated to
Martin. When I had finished, some
one got up and led that whole crowd
Of students in prayer for John Martin
That afternoon. after sending /.
telegram TO Martin that thny were
going TO fight for him. and with =
band and student body massed in the
stands, the team went in ana per
formed the miracle of beating b. two
touchdOWns q team that was superior
to them in everything but fighting
spirit. For the rest Of the season
they never looked be Ok. After tie game
the boys OF the team visited Martin.
and they have been his faithful yts;-
tors and friends ever since.
Has Aided Many Students.
I couldn't tell YOU of The iEnu-
merabe little problems Of boys and
girls that John has solved with his
advice and interest, and many "a man
20 years from now will thank prOVi-
dence for the influence and guidance
of John L. Martin.
OF all the thouchtfu,Dess that Mar
tins friends have shown him. ! be-
lieve the radio that was given him by
his friends in The sta" Office has been
his most priced gift. During the
world series last year. while lie
listened in. it was that gift which
really lifted him hack to Washington
and far away from all thoughts OF
The grim struggle he is putting up.
Speaking of the world series, I
have read letters written to John by
Walter johnson, Bucky Harris and
Peck who found the time 10 write
even in the midst Of their fight for
the pennant last Fall. Nobody knows
better than | that every letter writ:
ten to John by his friends, every copy
OF The Star sent, and every little act
of thouGhtfulness from back. home
has been a big asset on his side in
the gallant fight he is putting up.
Last night l gathered here with q
party of old friends of Martin. and we
called him over long distance in Ashe-
Vile. Poor old John was almost over
come when he heard his friends greet
ing him in turn. and singing. Hail!
Hail! the Gangs All Here and For
He's q jolly Good Fellow
When ] said goodbye TO Martin be
fore leaving for Washington. he rose
slowly from his bed, and standing
weakly on his feet said. Tell the
ooyS you saw this. And SO the fight
GOES on, and the road may still be
long and weary. but such spirit and
faith as live in the soul of John l..
Martin must finally register victory:
and in the last analysis, l don't be
lieve Martin would be still fighting if
he had not possessed the. faithful
friendship of The Star staff"