website watertownhistory.org
ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Alex H. Hardie
b. 1889, d. 1962
Son of Alexander A. Hardie
www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Image/IM41888
WHS_005_781
Hardie’s cottage on Lake Koshkonong and small farm/fishing scene in rural Watertown
(Koshkonong ?)
Same cabin appears in both
paintings.
1898
06 15 ALEX HARDIE SEWS U.S. FLAG
It is
seldom that a man attempts to do work in the sewing line even for himself, but
A. A. Hardie, of this city, has been experimenting in that line and has made a
success of the undertaking. He recently
conceived the idea of making a United States flag and after selecting the
material set to work. The result of his
labors was thrown to the breeze over his place of business to-day, and it would
be a credit to any seamstress. "Old
Glory" is depicted in all its colors, and is seven feet in length. Mr. Hardie selected the goods and with the
aid of his sewing machine finished the flag himself. It is a creditable piece of work and he has
been highly complimented by his numerous lady friends. WR
1900
04 10 ALEX HARDIE, 11-YEAR-OLD, IN TERRIBLE
ACCIDENT
A heart-rending
accident occurred Thursday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock near the Washington Street
crossing of the Milwaukee Road, the result of which was that Alex Hardie, the
11-year-old son of A. A. Hardie, lost portions of both of his arms. The boy, in company with two young
companions, had climbed on an eastbound freight train at the Junction and was
taking a ride when ordered off by one of the train crew. In jumping to the ground Alex fell in some
manner as to throw his arms across the rail, the wheels of the car passing over
them and horribly mangling them. He was
carried to the home of David Waterhouse nearby and given medical
attention. It was found necessary to
amputate both members, one above and the other below the elbow. The little fellow withstood the operation
manfully and is getting along splendidly. He will no doubt recover, although
the shock must have been terrible for one so young. He was removed to his father’s home on Fourth
Street the following day. The sad
occurrence has been a severe trial to the fond father and in his trouble he has
general sympathy. WR
05 18 ARTIFICIAL ARMS FOR ALEX
Postmaster Gruetzmacher
is having good success in soliciting funds for the purpose of buying artificial
arms for little Alex Hardie, who recently had his arms cut off by the
cars. Charitably-inclined persons who
wish to donate for this purpose can leave their contributions at the post office with Mr. Gruetzmacher or at his store on
Main Street. WG
1901
May "THE PENNY MAGAZINE" / Alex
Hardie publisher
"The
Penny Magazine" was published here by the Crown Printing Co., 110 S. 4th
Street, back along about 1900.
In fact, the
copy we have is dated May, 1901 and we've discovered that the publisher, editor
and entire staff was none other than Alex Hardie.
The magazine
measures 6 x 3 inches and was typewritten.
It contains several short literary sketches and there is one
advertisement informing the public that flags for Decoration Day could be
obtained at A. A. Hardie's.
Hardie was
quite a remarkable character. The last
we heard of him he was making his home at Lake Kegonsa
near Madison. He was the subject a
couple years ago of a feature article which appeared in a number of state
newspapers. Hardie, who lost both arms
in an accident years ago, is a graduate of Watertown High School and the
article said he was probably the only man in the nation who paints with a brush
held tightly between his teeth.
He has
overcome his handicap so well that everyone who meets him marvels at his
ability. He lost both arms when he was a
boy of 11 back in 1900. With the use of
an artificial arm he shaves himself, feeds himself and does many things which
he has been able to train himself for.
But when it comes to painting he places the brush between his teeth and
turns out his pictures that way. He was
in the 4th grade in a Watertown school when he fell from a freight car and was
crushed under the wheels.
Despite his
handicap he learned to write with a pencil held between his teeth and kept up
with his classes. At the blackboard he
held the chalk between his teeth.
After
graduating from high school in 1909 he attended the Chicago Art Academy for a
year, then 3 years later graduated from the Kent School of Law in Chicago and
in 1915 was admitted to the Bar in Illinois.
In 1920 he went to the Carnes Artificial Limb Co., where for 12 years he
was salesman and office manager. In 1932
the office was closed and Hardie moved to his cottage at Lake Kegonsa.
For some
years he has been a salesman of greeting cards and has been building up a trade
that extends as far as he can walk. That extends to an 8-mile radius from his
home.
WDTimes,
Times Square of 05 21 1948
1909
01 22 WEBSTER DEBATING
SOCIETY OFFICER
At the regular meeting of the Webster Debating Society held
last week at the High School the following officers were elected:
President—Alex Hardie
Vice President—Cyrus Casey
Secretary—Zeno Walthers
Assistant Secretary—John Seager
Treasurer—Henry W. Krause WG
03 19 Alex [A.] Hardie purchased of H. H.
Parkhurst lots 4 and 5, block 19 in the First ward, the consideration being
$1,500. WG
-- -- LEWIS
COMPANY NOTE TO EMPLOYEES
NOTICE TO WORKERS
The attached drawing was made by
Alex Hardie in June, 1909, shortly following the old factory fire.
The drawing brings out two
important things:
First, that there is great danger
in jumping on to moving trains, for this young man was thrown under the wheels
of a freight train and both arms were cut off.
The drawing was made by holding a
pen in his teeth.
Second, the cause of this fire
was never known, but may have been due to the carelessness of some one who may have dropped a match that a mouse or rat
may have gnawed and thus ignited. Don't
drop ordinary matches on to the floor, or leave them where rats or mice can
gnaw them.
L W Parks / G
B Lewis Works Manager.
c.1910 PAINTING
1910c, White Owl
Club clubhouse painting, 110 N Fourth St
1912
03 28 ALEX HARDIE HAS ARTIFICIAL ARM
Alex.
Hardie, aged 20 years, several years ago had both his arms cut off within an
inch or two of the armpits in a railway accident. He is now attending Kent College of Law,
Chicago, and he recently purchased an artificial arm from a firm in Kansas
City, Missouri, and when he visited in the city last week he carried his
suitcase from the depot with his artificial arm and he can use it nearly as
well as anyone can a natural arm and hand.
He is very proud of his artificial arm, and all his old friends and schoolmates
here were greatly pleased to see how naturally he handled it. He expects to get another one in a short time
for right arm. WG
1918
02 11 NO ARMS BUT TOOK EXAMS FOR BAR
Alexander
Hardie, a former resident of Watertown, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Hardie of
Fort Atkinson, recently took the examination for admittance to the bar in
Milwaukee. He was admitted to the bar of
Illinois in 1915. The young man, who is
28 years old, lost both hands when a lad by falling under a train. He later took up the study of law and also
attained proficiency in painting and drawing.
He has mechanical hands which enable him to do many things, but he
writes by holding pencil or pen in his teeth.
He operates a typewriter with a pencil tightly held between his
teeth WNews
1946 PAINTING
The old G. B. Lewis Plant, barber shop
on Main Street bridge seen in the distance ["The Bridge" barber shop, John Seager] (1946). Shop taken out by March 26, 1904 flood.
1952 “THE ALBERTA” PAINTING
1956 PAINTINGS
City dam near Milwaukee Street
(1956).
City dam near Milwaukee Street, view from east bank (1956). Globe Mill, left; G.B. Lewis
center.
Fire destroyed the Lewis Water St. building in June of 1909.
Globe Mill, left; Alex Hardie 1905 picture, used in his painting,
1956
Alex Hardie drawing
of Lewis fire 1909
07 01 GREAT
GREAT NEPHEW
We had a
lovely visit with Bryan, the great great nephew of
artist Alex Hardie (1889-1962). Mr. Hardie lost both of his arms in a train
accident at 11 years old. Despite his condition, he continued to create fine
detailed paintings using his mouth to hold the paint brush. This collection of
paintings is displayed in the Octagon House.
Cross References:
Oak
Hill Cemetery burial
Alexander A. Hardie (father of Alex H)
1901:
Alex A. Hardie (father of or brother to Alex H.?) elected
Assistant Fire Chief (year of G.B. Lewis fire)
1903:
Pallbearer, double funeral of Anna and Orlena
Moak
1908:
Hook and Ladder Co officer
1908:
Watertown Retail Grocers'
Association
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin