Overcoming handicaps

Early in 1831 a little lad was born in County Carlow, Ireland, under most unfortunate circumstances. He had only the rudiments of arms and legs; mere stumps instead of proper limbs. It would be safe to say that few boys have ever had to face life at any time or in any country with such terrible handicaps as had Arthur McMurrough Kavanagh. Fortunately, his parents were in comfortable circumstances and they did all they could to help him, but nothing came of it. Great surgeons and doctors tried to help, but each operation only resulted in causing the boy great pain and bitter disappointment.

In spite of predictions that he could not live, Arthur Kavanagh thrived and the muscles of what arms and legs he had grew so strong with constant use that he learned to ride a horse, holding it with a strong rein and even using a whip. He became a first-class rider, and although he was strapped into a saddle-chair, he learned to ride at a fast pace and to take fences as well as the best riders in the countryside. Furthermore, he became an expert angler; learned to write letters more legibly than most people who have fingers, and even painted pictures.

Of course he was not able to attend an ordinary school, and a clergyman, Rev. David Wood, became his tutor. Under this tuition Arthur Kavanagh made such progress that when he went abroad he was generally the member of the party who acted as interpreter for others of the party who found themselves unable to speak the language of the country through which they were passing.

His skill in shooting amazed everyone. Seated in the saddle-chair on his horse, he would rest his gun on the stump which served as a left arm and pull the trigger with an attachment made to his right arm. So expert did he become that generally he could shoot birds on the wing while his horse trotted along at a good pace.

While still in his teens he travelled in the East with his tutor and his brother. He visited Egypt and Palestine, and rode hundreds of miles strapped in his saddle-chair on the back of an Arab steed. Wherever he went a good deal of curiosity was excited. The sight of this young man, without arms or legs, but who could ride so well and whose intelligence was of such a high order, excited wonder and admiration. On several occasions the party was attacked by robbers and Arthur Kavanagh’s coolness and courage was responsible for getting them out of more than one tight corner. On one occasion the girth of his saddle gave way and he and his saddle-chair were dashed to the ground. He was picked up unconscious, but fortunately was not injured, and the following day was riding again.

With his brother he travelled to India by way of Russia and Persia. In 1849, while on this journey, he fell dangerously ill and for some time lodged in the home of a Persian prince, who showed him great kindness. After his recovery the party crossed Lake Urumiah and rode through an extremely difficult country and in the face of blinding sleet and snow to Mosul. He visited Nineveh, voyaged by raft down the River Tigris to Bagdad, and then rode by a perilous pass to Shiraz. The dangers and hardships of this journey almost broke his strong nerve, but he kept on. He became dizzy with fever, and one day as he rode he saw the mule in front of him stumble and fall headlong over a precipice. Only his strong nerve saved him from a like fate, but he managed to pull up his mule on the edge of the chasm.

Arthur Kavanagh was extremely fond of animals and especially of horses. He depended so much upon them for getting around that he talked to them as to friends. Once, while in the East, he had a fine Arab steed to which he became deeply attached. Often while travelling in the desert beneath the hot sun he would find shelter between his horse’s legs while he ate or rested, and the animal would never move for fear of injuring his crippled master. When the time came for him to say good-bye to this faithful horse at Cairo, Kavanagh shed many bitter tears.

While in India in 1851 he had the experience of tiger hunting and astonished even old hunters by his cool nerve. One day, while separated from other members of the hunting party, he came face to face with a tiger which got within ten paces of him, but his years of practice stood him in good stead and, carefully placing the gun on the stump of his left arm, he brought the animal down.

While he was in India his brother left for Australia and died while on the voyage. For a time Arthur Kavanagh found himself in financial difficulties and maintained himself by carrying despatches in the Aurangabad District of India. In 1853 his brother, Charles, died, and he succeeded to the family estates in Ireland, to which country he returned at once.

Several years before this Arthur Kavanagh had made a vow that if ever he became a landlord he would conduct his affairs in such a way that his tenants would honour and love him. At that time it seemed most unlikely that he ever would succeed to the family estates, but the unexpected death of his brothers gave him the chance to fulfil his vow, and he did so nobly.

He practically rebuilt the two villages of Borris and Ballygragget, which were on his estate. The plans—which won the Royal Dublin Society’s medal—were all drawn by himself. He arranged that even the poorest people should have comforts such as they had never dreamed of before. He gave instructions that there was to be no harshness or severity in cases where people were unable to pay rents. He loved the people and he wished them to love and trust him.

Considering the terrible physical handicaps he had to face, his unfailing cheerfulness was one of the most amazing things about him. He might easily have become sour and disgruntled. But he was never heard to complain. Wherever he went he wrote letters of great interest describing the places he saw and the people he met. These letters always bubbled over with fun and good nature. When he had completed his thirtieth year he wrote a long letter in which he reviewed his life. The letter was remarkable for the constant references to the goodness of God and for the evidence of his great gratitude to God for all His blessings. This letter is considered by many to be one of the most remarkable letters in all literature.

He greatly enjoyed company and looked eagerly forward to the visits of friends. He had to be carried around the house on the back of a strong servant, but sometimes, if he wished to cross a room and the servant were not present, he would cross the room by a series of springs and jumps, meanwhile keeping an upright position.

He was appointed justice of the peace and sheriff of Kilkenny County, and, some time later, chairman of the Board of Guardians. For many years he sat under an oak tree in the courtyard of Borris House and acted as advisor and general counsellor to the people. The simple folk of the countryside had great faith in his sound judgement and everyone knew how anxious to help he was. He made up quarrels and even arranged marriages. In the winter time he distributed help and blankets to the poor and made sure that no unfortunate people were overlooked.

In 1866 he was elected to the British Parliament and represented the people there until 1880. Naturally, a man without arms and legs was a most unusual sight among such an assembly, and he received great consideration. He was a man of strong opinions and he was not afraid to express them. He took a very active interest in everything which went on and made several important speeches. The great William E. Gladstone said that he always listened to Mr. Kavanagh with the utmost respect and appreciation.

Arthur Kavanagh died at Chelsea, London, in 1889, worn out by overwork and anxiety. His passing was mourned by all who had known him personally and by a vast number who knew of him by repute. It is no wonder that a leading magazine of that time referred to him as, “One of the most extraordinary men that ever lived.”