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VIDBE - Q Volume 62 Issue 4
was well known for his knowledge of the woods, bi rds, animals, math and his skills in
swimming and running. As an adult, he did not let his blindness slow him down with the
activities in which he excelled as a child.
When he was 15 years old, he entered the Institute for the Blind in Columbus,
Ohio, wh ere he demonstrated his remarkable abilities in mathematics but objected to
learning reading and writing. He later learned to read with the "point system" and
advocated this strongly.
In 1847, at only 24 years old, Mr. Bacon moved to Jacksonville, where he
established the school for the blind in Illinois that opened in 1848. By 1852, Samuel
Bacon was married to his wife, Sarah, and the moved their efforts to Iowa where a
school for the blind was created there under his leadership.
Mr. and Mrs. Bacon cal led Nebraska their home in 1874, and he quickly put forth
his efforts to the Nebraska Legislative sessions until he succeeded in gaining an
appropriation for yet another school for the blind.
As stated in the Nebraska Legislature on February 19, 1875, as the law was
passed: "Here shall be maintained in Nebraska City, in the county of Otoe, an Institution
for the Blind. And there is hereby appropriated for that purpose the sum of $10,000, for
erection of a building and furnishings of same. Provided that th e citizens of Nebraska
City shall raise $3,000 and pay it to the Board of Trustees either in money or property.
Said institution cannot be less than 10 acres and not to exceed one mile in distance
from the courthouse." Following much controversy and publi c opposition, the citizens of
Otoe County voted to raise the $3,000 for the institution.