"Louis was my name, though I could not say it"
February 22, 2006 10:06 AM Subscribe
The mystery of John Doe No. 24 outlived him. But this 1993 obituary in the New York Times, briefly covering what was known of a deaf, dumb, blind teenager found wandering the streets of Jacksonville in 1945, inspired a song by Mary Chapin Carpenter, which in turn inspired Illinois journalist Dave Bakke to "meticulously reconstruct nearly fifty years of John Doe's life...using police reports, mental health records, oral interviews, newspapers" and write God Knows His Name: The True Story of John Doe No. 24.
From another, briefer review:
posted by weston at 10:09 AM on February 22, 2006
At a brief graveside service last Wednesday in Jacksonville, a woman asked if anyone had any words to say. No one did.
That is heartbreaking.
posted by Alison at 10:11 AM on February 22, 2006
That is heartbreaking.
posted by Alison at 10:11 AM on February 22, 2006
It was Lewis, not Louis. And that's what people should call him, not "John Doe #24." That's just sensationalism.
posted by Citizen Premier at 10:29 AM on February 22, 2006
posted by Citizen Premier at 10:29 AM on February 22, 2006
Have I become a monster if every time I hear a story about a deaf, dumb and blind person instead of sympathy I get the urge to ask about pinball skills and then start giggling?
posted by biffa at 11:10 AM on February 22, 2006
posted by biffa at 11:10 AM on February 22, 2006
Sorry, CP. Just quoting the first MCC lyric I found.
Alison, that's true, and yet I wondered if the writer added that to the obituary because of a certain symmetry. It almost seems fitting that a euology for the life of one who used few words would be silent. How much harder would it be to find something to say about someone who could never tell you the story they have about themselves?
posted by weston at 11:10 AM on February 22, 2006
Alison, that's true, and yet I wondered if the writer added that to the obituary because of a certain symmetry. It almost seems fitting that a euology for the life of one who used few words would be silent. How much harder would it be to find something to say about someone who could never tell you the story they have about themselves?
posted by weston at 11:10 AM on February 22, 2006
It was Lewis, not Louis. And that's what people should call him, not "John Doe #24." That's just sensationalism.
Not to mention confusing for "John Doe #23" and "John Doe #25."
posted by tkchrist at 11:41 AM on February 22, 2006
Not to mention confusing for "John Doe #23" and "John Doe #25."
posted by tkchrist at 11:41 AM on February 22, 2006
Thanks, weston, I have a copy of a cover of the song and have always wondered what the story was.
posted by penguin pie at 11:43 AM on February 22, 2006
posted by penguin pie at 11:43 AM on February 22, 2006
a deaf, dumb, blind teenager
I'm told he sure plays a mean pinball.
posted by kirkaracha at 12:42 PM on February 22, 2006
From the last link: "...and, finally, four years in a nursing home in Peoria. Meanwhile, John Doe had become blind and diabetic..."
The NYT obit says he was blind when found wandering. The article about the book makes it sounds like he didn't lose his vision until later in life.
posted by Carbolic at 3:01 PM on February 22, 2006
The NYT obit says he was blind when found wandering. The article about the book makes it sounds like he didn't lose his vision until later in life.
posted by Carbolic at 3:01 PM on February 22, 2006
Well biffa, at least you didn't think of Voldo.
posted by Citizen Premier at 3:29 PM on February 22, 2006
posted by Citizen Premier at 3:29 PM on February 22, 2006
Yes, Who told me.
posted by kirkaracha at 3:36 PM on February 22, 2006
posted by kirkaracha at 3:36 PM on February 22, 2006
The NYT obit says he was blind when found wandering. The article about the book makes it sounds like he didn't lose his vision until later in life.
I noted that curiousity, too. Either someone's wrong, or the theory he lost his sight to diabetes was actually put forth near the time he was picked up in Jacksonville.
Or both, I guess. I do plan to read the book and find out.
posted by weston at 6:35 PM on February 22, 2006
I noted that curiousity, too. Either someone's wrong, or the theory he lost his sight to diabetes was actually put forth near the time he was picked up in Jacksonville.
Or both, I guess. I do plan to read the book and find out.
posted by weston at 6:35 PM on February 22, 2006
If the kid really couldn't speak - and most deaf people can make noise, although some are not intelligible - then he was mute, not dumb. But still, true mutism - a complete inability to produce sound vocally - is quite rare. But "dumb" is from about 1945.
posted by etoile at 11:32 AM on March 1, 2006
posted by etoile at 11:32 AM on March 1, 2006
Oh, and just as general commentary on the guy's life - State Schools were horrible places to keep anyone, especially someone like a deaf-blind person who doesn't require round-the-clock care.
posted by etoile at 11:34 AM on March 1, 2006
posted by etoile at 11:34 AM on March 1, 2006
Also, from the NYT: "in 1945, a deaf, blind teen-ager" ... "Officials believe he was 64 when he died" - really? You are a teenager when you are three years old? They must have meant 74, right? Okay, I think I'm done.
posted by etoile at 11:35 AM on March 1, 2006
posted by etoile at 11:35 AM on March 1, 2006
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