"He's Deaf, Dumb, and Legless but the Hardest Worker in His Town"

I had a rare opportunity to research at the State Historical Society today.  I used to be blessed to research there every day when I worked there.  I would research on all my breaks - which were the wonder years of my researching:)  Today I went in search of more Isaacs/Judah/Burchett/Boular info.  I looked at early death records, which in Kansas are rare before they started mandating them in 1911.  I was able to find 4 or five for cousins in these families.  Nothing that proved any ties, but helped flesh some out.  The most significant find was an article on William "Deafy" Boular (mentioned in a previous blog http://adventureswithmyfamily.blogspot.com/2010/04/round-about-way-to-do-things.html).  It was a superb article complete with picture and really lined out how a deaf, legless, mute man was able to succeed mainly thanks to a kindly local doctor setting up a trust fund of sorts by taking wealthy locals out with him when he did his rounds and changed the dressings on William's leg wounds.  Totally amazing! 
  The article also spoke to the wonderful character of William.  He never asked for charity, but was such a hard worker and had a pleasant countenance that it was freely given to him.  "When there exists a man on this earth with the determination and the spirit of William Boular, it makes you wonder, as you drop a coin into the professional beggar's hat, why there are not more like him."
  I love researching my family and discovering wonderful people like this!