Evening star., 1937-08-29
E. B. Fouke, Boiler Contractor,
Finds Blindness No Handicap
Inspects Jobs in Air and
Uses D0minOes to
illustrate Plans.

Edgar B. Fouke. veteran boiler con-
tractor, could hardly see when he
returned home to Washington from
business trip to Norfolk 10 years
ago. He had gone there to estimate
the cost on installation OF boiler
system for power company.
The condition Of Fouke's eyes pre-
vented him from completing the esti-
mate. He returned home at midnight,
his eyes in great pain. His sight
was leaving him when he saw a doc
tor the next day. He was suffering
from glaucoma An operation failed.
He lost his eyesight and became to-
tally blind
But when the contractor left the
hospital, he didn't 90 home TO seclu-
sion and retirement. He went back
TO work. He estimated and installed
the boiler system at Norfolk and he's
been having good time working hard
ever since.
Foukes colleagues in recent years
have seen him walk slowly but stead
lily along a l6-inch beam, 80 feet in
the air, inspecting job. They have
seen him lay bricks They have seen
him illustrate with his set of dominoes
how he wants boiler brickwork tied
or bonded together And they have
seen him run his hands with dex-
terity up and down a wall Of newly
laid brick. telling quickly whether the
Job was well done.
Glasses Cover Eyes.
Unless you were told or you stood
close enough to him, you would hardly
know Fouke was blind. His eyes are
covered by smoked glasses.
Fouke, white-haired, optimistic, hale
and hearty-he looks about so years
old-told the story of his blindness
in the parlor OF his home at 1865
Irving street. Below the parlor. in
the basement, is his office where occa-
sionally he uses pencil and rule but
usually dictates specifications. plans
and letters to assistants.
4 still had good health" he de-
clared, and I kept right on doing
business" Fouke has been boiler
contractor. in business for himself,
since 1904. At present he is in charge
of installation OF a new system in
the basement OF Eastern High School
He works every day with his men
and pays them of every Friday.
Like other men who 60 blind, Fouke
was advised to learn the Braille sys-
tenn, in order to read and to pass the
time away. Il couldn't sit around
and do that" he said emphatically.
There had been very few moments.
before lost my eyesight. that I was
not engaged in business. I get more
pleasure out of that than out OF all
vacations. In fact, never take a
vacation"
Last year Fouke finished 1926, 900
boiler contract at the Navy Yard
Since 1912 he has installed more than
80 boilers for power company at
Richmond Sudden loss OF his sight
| in 1927 kept him then from estimating
job at Norfolk. But after he had
gone blind, he did the Job.
His son-in-law, James A. Ferry
vice president OF the Potomac Elec-
trio Power Co., has q motion picture
Of Fouke, totally blind, standing in
the middle Of wall and laying the
last few bricks on construction Of the
Ferry home at 7l4s Alaska avenue
Grandson Assisting Him.
His grandson. 23-year-old James F.
Perry, mechanical engineering student
at Catholic University, is assisting
Fouke this Summer.
Fouke never quits when there Is
! work to be done. He sat up until