Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-06-16
CASE.

- fNhfN N'NT ~
only in itselfnew and interesting, but
in The event astonished and surprised
The Court and every one present. A
boy OF apparently about the age Of 10
who had been for soue time pupil in
the Deaf and Dumb institution in this
city, was broughtbefore .he police court
on a charge OF having stolen a watch.
The complainant stated that, ct aud
about the time the watch was taken
from his house. this boy s. none other
was there that he was. lelta few minutes
alone in the room. and on bis immedi-
aiely afterward going away, the watch
was missing. The court being rather
at a loss how 10 examine a deaf and
dumb person, sent FOR Die. Loveberry,
tie principal ofthe Asylum in this ci-
y, who acted as interpreter, his assis-
tans, a very shrewd, intelligent young
gentleman, about 81 years of age, ac-
ted as an examiner. The boy utterly
denied knowing any thing about the
watch, denied being al she compliments
house on the day alIedged, and said
the only suit OF clothes he bad were
those he then had on; these two
last facts were c~ontroyerted by persons
present, one Of whom had seen him in
a different garb, and another had seen
him at the time and place ~alledged.
While under examination. which was
wholly by signs through the interpreter
an officer of the Court entered the
room, who said be had seen tie boy
before. and had heard him speak and
converse. lie said he could not be
| mistaken, that the boy was not deaf
and dumb, & he ives confirmed by two
other persons pre- sent. who recognized
him as a person who they knew could,
for they bad heard him speak. To This
Mr.. Loyeberry, to whose opinion great
Difference was paid and vas certainly
due, replied, that on the subject of the
boys disability, there could not remain
a doubt; that, although others might be
deceived ny imposters, he thought he
could not be; that, abouttwo years ago,
this boy had been brought to his school,
and was so u~nmanageable as to cause
bis being turned away; that, a few
months ago, he YVES again admitted,
through the solicitations and at the ex-
pense OF a charitable lady of this city,
who felt for his missortunes: and chat
he soon became SO ungovernable,
through resistance and stubbornness, as
necessarily to cause his second dismiss
sal; that he was a very apt scholar. and
quick and easy 10 learn, but withal a
very bad boy.
The assistant teacher (who himselfis
deaf and dumb) expressed his entire
conviction of the boys disability in that
respect, and on his representing to him
the consequences of the crime with
which he was charged the boy appeared
muchafected;& so entire wasthe gener-
al conviction hat the boy was destitute
of the faculty Of hearing, that those who
supposed they had heard him speak,
began TO conclude they were most UNI
accountably mistaken Being asked
where he lately lodged, he offered to
60 and let them search. They did SO,
and there the officer found the watch;
and / n the neighborhood ajeweller, who
said that identical boy had, few days be-
fore. offered the watch to him for sale,
and that the boy then could talk as well
as any body. lie was then re-conduc-
ted to the police Office, and the magis-
trate, to try The effect Of bis fears,
thought he would "put the screws on"
in another shape, and, writing a few
lines upon a paper, told the high con-
stable 10 take the boy Immediately to
the stepping mill, and for an indefinite
period Of time.
Atthe prospect of SO formidable an
encounter, and to be sent there without
proof ON oath too, the boy, to the per-
feet astonishment of every one present,
burst forth in a fiae strain Of eloquence,
telling them he was not going indefinite
ly-that they had their match now; and
that he was too cunning for the whole
concern. He gave the teacher "a rub
or two" upon his penetration, and pro-
we'd himself t. be as fine a taIker as the
fastest of them.
The opening Of the mouth ofthe dumb
and the ears Of the deaf, is new qua
LITIGATION of our city magistrates; and If
'.putting the screws ON win operate in
this way, we think it better than any
other. After this, who will say what
our police cannot dos The boy was
committed for trial at the sessions next
week.