"Galloway Advertiser and Wigtownshire Free Press"
30th March 1905.
"Death of a Stranraer Worthy"
By the death of John Alexander, which occured in his lodgings, Dalrymple Street, on Sunday morning, Stranraer has been deprived of one who for almost half a century was a well-known and familiar figure on the streets. He had been ailing for about a week, but was not confined to bed. As was his custom, he attended the annual concert of the Choral Union on Friday evening, and onSaturday he was about the Cross till after ten o'clock. He was feeling worse at bedtime, but about three o'clock on Sunday morning he got out of bed and had a smoke. In an hour afterwards he passed away, death, it is supposed, being due to heart failure. Needless to say, the news of his demise came as a great surprise on the whole town and surrounding district. Deceased, who belonged to Stranraer, was blind from boyhood, but he could find his way about the streets with wonderful facility. He had an acute sense of smell, and could identify not a few of his townsmen by this method alone. He had also a retentive memory, and is said to have recognised by voice a person belonging to the town who had been sojourning abroad for a number of years. He had a strong love of music, and attended all the local concerts, even the humble barrel organ being sufficient attraction to entice him all over the town. He invariably carried a tin whistle or melodeon, and by energetic, if not harmonious, playing on these instruments he enlisted the sympathies of passers by. He was a great favourite with excursionists, especially those from Ireland, and will be much missed by them during the holiday season. Everybody was kind to him, but their kindness was not misplaced, as he was sober and economical. He was known locally by the soubriquet of "Blind Johnnie." The funeral, which was public and largely attended, took place on Tuesday to Inch Cemetery. The above sketch is taken from a photograph by Mr A. McHarrie, Stranraer.
"Letters"
Memorial to "Blind Johnnie"
Sir, - Through the death of John Alexander, better known, perhaps, as "Blind Johnnie," Stranraer loses one of its well-known characters, whose familiar presence and harmless eccentricities will be much missed on our streets. He was frequently the centre of attraction to visitors, who not only manifested their sympathy with "Johnnie" but also enjoyed his simplicity of character, and his industrious attempts to manufacture music from his "whistle" and melodeon. With the talent he possessed he did his best, "and the best can do no better." Now that the earth has closed over his remains in Inch Cemetery, it has been suggested that some public effort be made to raise a small fund to erect a tombstone over his grave. I am sure there are hundreds of "Johnnie's" admirers outside Stranraer, as well as in it, who would willingly subscribe sixpence for such an object. May I therefore claim your indulgence, and ask you, sir, to agree to receive from your readers any contributions they may choose to send you in aid of this proposal to erect a humble monument to the memory of one of nature's simple children, who was as highly esteemed as he was widely known. I am yours, etc.,
R. B. Dyer
Stranraer, 29th March, 1905.
[The Editor will be very pleased to receive any subscriptios which may be sent to him in aid of this excellent object.]
30th March 1905.
"Death of a Stranraer Worthy"
By the death of John Alexander, which occured in his lodgings, Dalrymple Street, on Sunday morning, Stranraer has been deprived of one who for almost half a century was a well-known and familiar figure on the streets. He had been ailing for about a week, but was not confined to bed. As was his custom, he attended the annual concert of the Choral Union on Friday evening, and onSaturday he was about the Cross till after ten o'clock. He was feeling worse at bedtime, but about three o'clock on Sunday morning he got out of bed and had a smoke. In an hour afterwards he passed away, death, it is supposed, being due to heart failure. Needless to say, the news of his demise came as a great surprise on the whole town and surrounding district. Deceased, who belonged to Stranraer, was blind from boyhood, but he could find his way about the streets with wonderful facility. He had an acute sense of smell, and could identify not a few of his townsmen by this method alone. He had also a retentive memory, and is said to have recognised by voice a person belonging to the town who had been sojourning abroad for a number of years. He had a strong love of music, and attended all the local concerts, even the humble barrel organ being sufficient attraction to entice him all over the town. He invariably carried a tin whistle or melodeon, and by energetic, if not harmonious, playing on these instruments he enlisted the sympathies of passers by. He was a great favourite with excursionists, especially those from Ireland, and will be much missed by them during the holiday season. Everybody was kind to him, but their kindness was not misplaced, as he was sober and economical. He was known locally by the soubriquet of "Blind Johnnie." The funeral, which was public and largely attended, took place on Tuesday to Inch Cemetery. The above sketch is taken from a photograph by Mr A. McHarrie, Stranraer.
"Letters"
Memorial to "Blind Johnnie"
Sir, - Through the death of John Alexander, better known, perhaps, as "Blind Johnnie," Stranraer loses one of its well-known characters, whose familiar presence and harmless eccentricities will be much missed on our streets. He was frequently the centre of attraction to visitors, who not only manifested their sympathy with "Johnnie" but also enjoyed his simplicity of character, and his industrious attempts to manufacture music from his "whistle" and melodeon. With the talent he possessed he did his best, "and the best can do no better." Now that the earth has closed over his remains in Inch Cemetery, it has been suggested that some public effort be made to raise a small fund to erect a tombstone over his grave. I am sure there are hundreds of "Johnnie's" admirers outside Stranraer, as well as in it, who would willingly subscribe sixpence for such an object. May I therefore claim your indulgence, and ask you, sir, to agree to receive from your readers any contributions they may choose to send you in aid of this proposal to erect a humble monument to the memory of one of nature's simple children, who was as highly esteemed as he was widely known. I am yours, etc.,
R. B. Dyer
Stranraer, 29th March, 1905.
[The Editor will be very pleased to receive any subscriptios which may be sent to him in aid of this excellent object.]
"Galloway Advertiser and Wigtownshire Free Press"
30th March 1905.
"Death of a Stranraer Worthy"
By the death of John Alexander, which occured in his lodgings, Dalrymple Street, on Sunday morning, Stranraer has been deprived of one who for almost half a century was a well-known and familiar figure on the streets. He had been ailing for about a week, but was not confined to bed. As was his custom, he attended the annual concert of the Choral Union on Friday evening, and onSaturday he was about the Cross till after ten o'clock. He was feeling worse at bedtime, but about three o'clock on Sunday morning he got out of bed and had a smoke. In an hour afterwards he passed away, death, it is supposed, being due to heart failure. Needless to say, the news of his demise came as a great surprise on the whole town and surrounding district. Deceased, who belonged to Stranraer, was blind from boyhood, but he could find his way about the streets with wonderful facility. He had an acute sense of smell, and could identify not a few of his townsmen by this method alone. He had also a retentive memory, and is said to have recognised by voice a person belonging to the town who had been sojourning abroad for a number of years. He had a strong love of music, and attended all the local concerts, even the humble barrel organ being sufficient attraction to entice him all over the town. He invariably carried a tin whistle or melodeon, and by energetic, if not harmonious, playing on these instruments he enlisted the sympathies of passers by. He was a great favourite with excursionists, especially those from Ireland, and will be much missed by them during the holiday season. Everybody was kind to him, but their kindness was not misplaced, as he was sober and economical. He was known locally by the soubriquet of "Blind Johnnie." The funeral, which was public and largely attended, took place on Tuesday to Inch Cemetery. The above sketch is taken from a photograph by Mr A. McHarrie, Stranraer.
"Letters"
Memorial to "Blind Johnnie"
Sir, - Through the death of John Alexander, better known, perhaps, as "Blind Johnnie," Stranraer loses one of its well-known characters, whose familiar presence and harmless eccentricities will be much missed on our streets. He was frequently the centre of attraction to visitors, who not only manifested their sympathy with "Johnnie" but also enjoyed his simplicity of character, and his industrious attempts to manufacture music from his "whistle" and melodeon. With the talent he possessed he did his best, "and the best can do no better." Now that the earth has closed over his remains in Inch Cemetery, it has been suggested that some public effort be made to raise a small fund to erect a tombstone over his grave. I am sure there are hundreds of "Johnnie's" admirers outside Stranraer, as well as in it, who would willingly subscribe sixpence for such an object. May I therefore claim your indulgence, and ask you, sir, to agree to receive from your readers any contributions they may choose to send you in aid of this proposal to erect a humble monument to the memory of one of nature's simple children, who was as highly esteemed as he was widely known. I am yours, etc.,
R. B. Dyer
Stranraer, 29th March, 1905.
[The Editor will be very pleased to receive any subscriptios which may be sent to him in aid of this excellent object.]
30th March 1905.
"Death of a Stranraer Worthy"
By the death of John Alexander, which occured in his lodgings, Dalrymple Street, on Sunday morning, Stranraer has been deprived of one who for almost half a century was a well-known and familiar figure on the streets. He had been ailing for about a week, but was not confined to bed. As was his custom, he attended the annual concert of the Choral Union on Friday evening, and onSaturday he was about the Cross till after ten o'clock. He was feeling worse at bedtime, but about three o'clock on Sunday morning he got out of bed and had a smoke. In an hour afterwards he passed away, death, it is supposed, being due to heart failure. Needless to say, the news of his demise came as a great surprise on the whole town and surrounding district. Deceased, who belonged to Stranraer, was blind from boyhood, but he could find his way about the streets with wonderful facility. He had an acute sense of smell, and could identify not a few of his townsmen by this method alone. He had also a retentive memory, and is said to have recognised by voice a person belonging to the town who had been sojourning abroad for a number of years. He had a strong love of music, and attended all the local concerts, even the humble barrel organ being sufficient attraction to entice him all over the town. He invariably carried a tin whistle or melodeon, and by energetic, if not harmonious, playing on these instruments he enlisted the sympathies of passers by. He was a great favourite with excursionists, especially those from Ireland, and will be much missed by them during the holiday season. Everybody was kind to him, but their kindness was not misplaced, as he was sober and economical. He was known locally by the soubriquet of "Blind Johnnie." The funeral, which was public and largely attended, took place on Tuesday to Inch Cemetery. The above sketch is taken from a photograph by Mr A. McHarrie, Stranraer.
"Letters"
Memorial to "Blind Johnnie"
Sir, - Through the death of John Alexander, better known, perhaps, as "Blind Johnnie," Stranraer loses one of its well-known characters, whose familiar presence and harmless eccentricities will be much missed on our streets. He was frequently the centre of attraction to visitors, who not only manifested their sympathy with "Johnnie" but also enjoyed his simplicity of character, and his industrious attempts to manufacture music from his "whistle" and melodeon. With the talent he possessed he did his best, "and the best can do no better." Now that the earth has closed over his remains in Inch Cemetery, it has been suggested that some public effort be made to raise a small fund to erect a tombstone over his grave. I am sure there are hundreds of "Johnnie's" admirers outside Stranraer, as well as in it, who would willingly subscribe sixpence for such an object. May I therefore claim your indulgence, and ask you, sir, to agree to receive from your readers any contributions they may choose to send you in aid of this proposal to erect a humble monument to the memory of one of nature's simple children, who was as highly esteemed as he was widely known. I am yours, etc.,
R. B. Dyer
Stranraer, 29th March, 1905.
[The Editor will be very pleased to receive any subscriptios which may be sent to him in aid of this excellent object.]
Inscription
Erected by public subscription in memory of John Alexander better known as Blind Johnnie. A favourite street musician in Stranraer who died March 1905 aged 70 years.
Gravesite Details
Blind Johnnie is buried in the common or pauper graves section of the cemetery.
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