The Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.) 1927-1930, 1928-09-27
WISE COUNTY MAN PAID
HIGHEST COMPLIMENTS


that scorns bodily handicaps,
the mind and patience of an
artisan and a c0pious quantum
of courage these are at
tributes that have made John
E. Hale, of this place, one of
the most interesting individ-
uals of Southwestern Virginia.
Twenty-Five years ago Mr..
Hale lost his right hand while
at work in a planning mill, but
he carried on with unfaltering
determination. A few years ago
misfortune struck from ancth-
err quarter. This time his little
planning mill and blacksmith
hop went up in flames and
here was no insurance.
Mr.. Hale viewed the ruins
md threw all of the energy he
assessed into the task of res
grafton His new shop has
-hree departments, a planning
mill, a blacksmith outfit and a
DOM for wood carving.
AS a wood carver he has few
)eers in the mountain country.
[e has manufactured 26 vio-
MS, most of them of exquisite
one. He also turned out doz-
rs of chairs, cabinets and ia
les. His ability has won him
much renown throughout this
ection.
He has just completed a
andsome and unique floor
mp which he sent as a gift to
!overnor Al Smith, of New
ork. All of his tools have
andle straps SO designed that
aey may be fastened securely
what remains of his right
1rearm. He is right-handed
nd by necessity had to train
lis left for his most exciting
work..
Governor Smith can truth
'ully say that no one has a
amp like the one I sent him"
ommented Mr.. Hale, adding
and I hope he will be elected. :"
The aged cabinet-maker has
tiers from Woodrow Wilson,
William J. Bryan and Thomas
Edison, expressing appre-
cation for gifts received from
Ir. Hale. Mr.. Wilson wrote,
ter elected President the first
line:
81 want to express to you my
leep and grateful appreciation
/ your kind labors in my be-
alf. The chair is a really splen-
id gift. 1t is SO admirably
1ade, it is so comfortable and
ill adorn any place in which it
put. Such evidence of gener-
us good will and confidence
ives me the deepest of pleas
re-
81 thank you with all my
cart.
Sincerely Yours,
"Woodrow Wilson.
Mr.. Hale sent chair to the
tie Mr.. Bryan and one of his
avorite violins to Mr.. Edison.
n speaking of the chair Mr..
Bryan wrote:
"Its construction bears ev-
dence of the skill and patience
which have been expended up
N it and cannot help wonder
ng how such a fine piece of
work could have been executed
~ a person laboring under the
nysical disability which you
scribe in your letter"
Both Mr.. Edison and Mr..
BRYAN wrote at length to voice
their gratitude. The violin, suit
bly, inscribed, is now on eX-
EDITION in Mr.. Edison's library
Ir. Bryan sent an autographed
ndto of himself to- Mr.. Hale.
Mr.. Hale was born at Whites
urgS Tenn, July 2, 1862, has
zen married twice and is the
'ather of 10 children, II OF
whom are living. Eight of these
ire at home and six are in
school. Each member of his
family has a violin which he
made. Despite the loss of q
hand, Mr.. Hale plays a violin
with considerable skill himself
The problem of providing fol
/, large family Mr.. Hale dismis-
ses with this sentence in a. re-
cent letter: "It keeps a one-arm
ed man pretty busy to provide
70" them
That has been the great sec
ret of his complacency. He has
kept busy; his mind has beer
counted with homely whole
some subjects and he has got
ter along far better than many
with two hands. His rewards
5000 &c wind low,