January 23, 1948
Julian Armas,
15-year-old El Paso Times carrier in Ysleta, who lost both hands in an
accident nearly two years ago, has not let his physical handicap
interfere with either his normal activities or his ambitions for the
future.
The youth’s hands were blown off in May, 1946, while he was experimenting with a railroad “torpedo” in the yard of his Lower Valley home. His hands were so badly mangled after the torpedo exploded, that they had to be amputated at the wrist.
But Julian has learned to use hand hooks so expertly that he can do anything a normal person can do with his own hand – climb trees, comb his hair, shoot a gun. He folds his own newspapers before he delivers them on his route.
“When I first got my hooks, I thought I couldn’t stand to have people stare at me all the time,” he said. “But, soon I got used to it and now I don’t mind the staring.”
Julian also has a pair of artificial hands which he uses for “dress.”
Despite his handicap, the boy has taken part in school athletics. He played end and guard on his grammar school football team and was a member of the 220-yard relay team last year.
Now that he has enrolled in Ysleta High School, Julian believes he should forget about athletics and get down to some serious studying. His ambition is to become a lawyer, but he also is going to keep up his study of chemistry and other sciences, of which he is very fond.
Theatrically inclined, he records little programs which he improvises himself. His hobbies are collecting coins and military souvenirs and reading detective books.
Julian’s closest pal is “Butch,” a two-year-old German Shepherd, who served as his master’s “hands” before Julian got his hooks, opening doors and doing similar small tasks for him.
“I’m really proud of Butch,” Julian boasted. “He’s the smartest dog I know. I’ve trained him as they do the Army dogs and he can crawl under fences and disarm anyone.”
Julian’s ability to carry out his tasks cannot be overrated. Jack Smith, circulation district manger of the Times, praised the boy’s capability by pointing out that since Julian took over his route, circulation in that area has increased.
“He gives us exceptional service, Smith said.
Julian, son of Mr. And Mrs. Pete Armas, has two brothers, Constantino and Pete, Jr., veterans of the Navy and two sisters, Beatrice and Eva.
Dear Tish, do you have any photos from the Ysleta Junior Womans Club in the late 1950s and the 1960s? Just found your site and really enjoy it.
Posted by: Peggy | June 06, 2010 at 11:04 AM