One of the most extraordinary personalities living in nineteenth century Columbus was a musical prodigy known as "Blind Tom".

Born near Columbus (on the old Warm Springs Road) in 1849, Thomas Wiggins - later called Thomas G. Bethune - spent his childhood as a slave on the Columbus plantation of General James N. Bethune.

Blind at birth, "Blind Tom" was considered a "human mockingbird" capable of hearing an intricate musical composition and sitting down at the piano to reproduce what he had heard, often without making a single mistake.

His expertise at the piano as a child was particularly amazing to those around him, since had been given no musical instruction of any king.

Local historians believe that "Blind Tom" was only eight years old when he started performing before audiences in the Columbus area. As a young adult, during the Civil War, he toured Europe and is said to have performed before royalty. After the war, he performed in a number of American cities and even thrilled audiences at Columbus?s Springer Opera House.

Considered one of "the most amazing musical prodigies that has ever been known", "Blind Tom" died in 1908 in Hoboken, New Jersey, where he had been living with a member of the Bethune family.

"Blind Tom" is believed to be buried in the old West family cemetery (a part of Westmoreland plantation) in Midland, Georgia.

A state historic marker stands nearby, on Warm Springs Road, as a memorial to this exceptional talent.