Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-02-03
A Brief Synopsis
Of the History Of the Indiana Asylum for Educating
the Deaf and Dumb


Of the History Of the Indiana Asylum for Educating
the Deaf and Dumb.
Several years ago VARIOUS benevolent citizens of this
State became interested in behalf of the deaf and dumb,
on account of their lorn o and because schools for the
special benefit OF deaf existed elsewhere and in
successful operation.
At length. during the session Of the General Assembly
in the winter Of 1923, this topic had gained such
al footing and sympathy, that preparatory passed.
no provide means for the support of deaf and dumb asy
lum in Indiana" This 'act' simply levied a of
mills on every hundred dollars valuation of taxable
property in the State leaving the open for future le-
gislsiOn
In the spring following Mr.. William Willard. Gate a
teacher ia the Ohio Asylum for the deaf and dumb who
had few years previously made private through
the State, visited Indianapolis again. At this unciure NJ r.
Willard consulted with several prominent citizens OF this
place and others from various paris Of the State, the
best pan for speeding the establishment of the contempa
ted asy lum for the deaf aud dumb This movement re-
suited in the publication Of the proceedings of meeting
OF citizens this subject signed Ivy the Hon. John Law
Of Vincennes Chsirmsn, and Rev. Phineas d. Gurey,
of Indianapolis. as Secretary The above meeting took
place May 30lh, ls43. Mr.. Willard the time
published advertisement in which he engaged open
school for the deaf and dumb in Indianapolis
let of October le43 and which took place accordingly
The meeting Of citizens above referred to- appointed Hon.
G. H. Dunn, j. s. BayIess, Esq, Hen Samuel Merrill.
Livingston Dunlap. NJ. ID. and ]. p Chapman, Esq.
committee ito aid Mr. Willard in accomplishing the object
Of his VISIT and they gratutousy lent their aid and nu
ence Mr. Willard also received frequent encouraging
tentions and Inequalities from other citizens during the
greater part Of The previous 10 opening school,
which be spent visiting families various parts of the
State where there deaf children. The object Of
Mr. Wlards tour inform the deaf mutes by stgns,
far possible. about the contemplated school for their
ben-f aud Of its benign and useful desgn-and also
epst among their friends and others additional sympathy
and confidence behalf of the cause
During the month of October the attendance of pupils
at Mr.. Wiards school increased twelve and shortly
after numbered sixteen. In the winter Of 1884,
beers of the General Assembly frequently visited the
school, and took lively interest in the natter The Gen
ersl Assembly, Mr.. Willard had made no charge for tu-
ton, passed joint resolution directing the Treasurer of
State to pay Mr. Willard what he might deem right 1t
also during this session that, act incorporating
the Indiana Asylum for Educating the Deaf and Dumb
was passed. The following Trustees appointed by
this act to for year m their successors should
be elected by the House of Representatives Gov James
Nhtcomb, Hon. Royal Mayhem Treasurer Of State Hon.
VIM. Sheets, Secretary or Stale, Rev. Messrs. II. w.
Beecher. Phineas D. Gurey Love H. jameson and Mat
thew Simpson, Livingston Dunlap, NJ d. and Hon. James
Morrison.
The above Board Of Trustees opened the State Asylum
for educating The deaf and dumb Oct. LIST, 1874 They
employed William Campbell, Esq as Ste1sard. aud bis
Lady as .fairOn and Mr.. Willard Is acting Principal or
Teacher thereby adopting the private school which had
previously been in operation year. Tins year twenty
two pupils attended.
In the winter ls44-5, the Board of Trustees re-
organized aud reduced to five members, and the appoint
ment of the vested in the Governor, by special
amendment TO the act Incorporating the asylum. Addi-
os levied oI the support Of the asylum
! In October ls45, Mr.. James b. Brown, the present
principal Of the asylum commenced the discharge Of the
duties Of his Office hrreiu in accordance with his previous
appointment by the Board Of Trustees This year thirty.
five pupils attended In the winter of 1885, the Cen
ea Assembly fixed the permanent location of the asylum
at Indianapolis, and placed sum not exceeding three
thousand dollars the discretion of the Board purchase
lot of ground for the Asylum The act of incoI poTs
ton further amended, that the Governor should
hereafter appoint Trustee annually, allowing members
of the Board for tenn of FIVE years In
vacancy occurring in the Board the of Incorporation
provides that the Board shall fill it by elecng another
trustee serve for the unexpred of the late
cumbent
Last year the asylum numbered sixy-6ve pupils. and
the General Assembly raised the from i've
fifteen mills The present year the asylum contains eighty
pupils and it is hoped the General Assembly will give
additional encouragement, especa towards the erection
of the necessary buildings for the asylum that Jeau
M and large lot Of ground in the vicinity of th
city, which Board fortunate purchase
cheap.
The of the present Board of Trustees sre Rev
Phineas d. Gurey, President. Hon. VIM. Sheets, Liv
ugston Dunlap, NJ. d., Rev. f. r. Ames and Rev. Love
III. Jameson, Secretary.
| Their officers James s. Brown A. NJ. Principal
VIM. Willard LIST Assistant Charles Axte % assisant
VIM. Breg. Monitor. Mrs. Ellen Bigger. .Natron, Mr.
Alvin N Backledge Setoard aud his Lady HOusekeeper
| w.
January 81. ls4s.