[NFB-History] When Colorado was not the place to be if you were blind

[Peggy Chong]

In the early 20th century, Colorado was a place to be from if you were a
blind person, not a destination.  Oliver Cooper found that out the hard way.


Oliver, a graduate of the Kansas School for the Blind, he first tried
farming.  Then he entered the 

In 1906, he moved his family to Rocky Ford and took out ads in local papers
to introduce himself to the local public.  The ad read;

"Even if you are only feeling bad remember that an ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure. Do not fail to at once consult the new physician, Dr.
Oliver P. Cooper, generally cognomened "the blind doctor," who has just come
to our city with the intention of locating provided he can work up for
himself sufficient practice. Try him. He has had years of experience and is
thoroughly acquainted with human ills and only seeks a chance to demonstrate
his ability. He has for present an office in suite No. 5, Longworth Hotel
410 S. Main, where he guarantees a positive and permanent cure without
faith, knife or medicine for tumors, lumbago, neuralgia, paralysis. St.
Vitus dance, locomotor atozia and all other ailments that have their origin
in the nervous system. Pay $1 per treatment or S2O per month, and no pay
unless service can be rendered. Consultation and examination free. Remember
the place and call.

But customers were not forthcoming.  His wife's family was in Rocky Ford,
helping to make their time in Colorado more pleasant.  But alas, Oliver just
could not convince the towns people that a blind man could care for them
just as good as a sighted osteopath.

The stayed in Colorado for almost two years.  After a short stay in
Oklahoma, they moved back to Marysville Kansas where he set up his practice,
bought a house and raised his large family.