Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-06-27
Local.
THE LAST COMMENCEMENT.

liz LAD WA
THE DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND lNsT1TUTIoN--FINAL
EXERCISES OF THE ScHoo1sL1sr OF THE Dis
TINcTIoNs --GoLD MEDALS.
sc, &C. &c.
Last, but certainly not least in the school,
common cements, which have just ended in
Stanton, comes the closing exercises of the
Deaf Dumb and Blind Institution which ended
yesterday. The legislature of Virginia incorpo-
rated the institution in 1888, appropriating $780,
900 for the purchase of grounds, and $40, 600 for
the erection of buildings. The first board of vsi-
tors consisted of Hon. A H. Fl. Stuart Rev.
Vim. 8. Plumer, Jas Mcdowell, Robt. Gray, N.
G. Kinney, DR.. F. 7. Stribling and James
Points The board elected DR.. Addison Wad-
dell, physician to the institution. After tour
North by Mr.. N. G. Kinney, Secretary of the
Board TO observe the workings ofsimilar insti-
, tions there, of which there were only at that
time, the Board elected Rev. JAS. D. Tyler,
principal of the Deaf.mute department. and DR..
J. G. Merrillat, principal of the Blind depart
zment. The schools were not put in opera ton
till 1910. The institution was then located at
the Borden house, near the gas works, and Mr..
Job Turner was the instructor in the Deaf-mute
/. department. After that, building on the cor
ner of Spring Lane and Augusta (now Mrs.
Bolen s-building) was used until the permanent
buildings were read for use. The blind depart
ment, while the Deaf-mute department on
Augusta st., located in separate house
on Main ST., near the Lutheran church, and was
managed by DR.. Merrillst as principal, and
VIM Graham as instructor. In l84S, the per-
manent buildings were occupied, and the two
departments met under the same roof, being the
first attempt in this country to carry on both
together, an example which has been followed
by all other States since. Four years afterwards
Mr.. Tyler died, and DR.. Merrillat took charge of
the whole, but in 1862 resigned to enter the
Confederate service as a surgeon. He was sue
ceeded by Mr. J c. Covell who in 1871 was sue
ceeded by Capt. G. D. Mccoy, the present in
eumbent The position of Steward was held by
Mr. Geo. Eskridge from the establishment of the
institution till his death in 1882 and it has
since been held by W. A. Abney, W. H. Will
son, Thos. Thornburg and Cyrus Hobb, being
now filled by Major N. A. Breckenridge.
CLOSING BXERcIsEs.
nual concert on Wednesday night. The pro-
gramme was varied. Of the band and orches-
tral pieces, the overture to Stradela, and the
9Th andante and waltz were frst-rate, and the
general instrumental performance was of re-
.maskable excellence OF the chorus singing we
cannot speak too highly. ooh hail US ye Free"
ahe chorus from Ernani was superb, and as far
;as execution was concerned is not cxceled by
the choristers of any English opera troupe we
have heard, and the same may be said of the
chorus "Where the golden sun light Prof. Tur-
ner has the best be proud of the orchestra
band and chorus be has achieved success under
natural difficulties thai no other teacher has to
encounter. Some Of the songs by the children
were very nice, barring comic one, of which
the favor entirely too strong. The decora-
lions of the stage in exceeding good taste.
On Thursday exercises of the children in
geography arithmetic, &c, were viewed by a
large audience, and Prof. Hart then gave the
medals, prizes and diplomas interspersing the
presentation with some graceful little speeches
to the recipients.
THE SCHOOLS.
Gold Medals.-The gold medals awarded are
for girls, star, and for boys, a crescent all
having the name of the recipient and The in
scription Excellence D. D. B. Asylum, 1873"
The recipients were Deaf Mute department.
Emma L Galloway, Petersburg /; and Jno. W.
Slichaels Richmond. Blind department-Bet-
tie B. Gibson, West Va. J. Edward Beals,
Fauquier.
Prizes.-The prizes given in the school were
beautiful books those for the blind being of
raised type. They were as follows; Blind
Miss Berkeley's class-Music, Bette Gibson
Mr.. Turner's establishments Music, Jno. R
Cutie. Vocal Lizzie Franklin. Mr.. Geiger's
class-WreA Trammell, Reese E. Doak. Miss
Kerr's class-Mary Eliason, Pattie Albertson.
Mr.. Doyle's class-Jas D. Kenzie, Pattie Albert
son. Deaf Mute Department MIR. Coleman
class of painting-Chromo to Alice Edwards.
Drawing-books to Sue Edwards. ida Tucker
land VIM. Nallow. Mr. Eurtts class-W Stone,
W. D. Jones. Mr. Berkeley's class-Thomas
Penn, Jno Starks. Mr.. Bears class-A. E. Gar
irett, Walter Vaughan. Mr.. Williams class
Mary Steers, Reuben Weaver. Mr.. Turner's
cgass-Alice Edwards, Mary Ogburn, Chas. W
Lumpkins.. For general good department and
a bible presented by her teachers.
Dipzomas.-The following pupils of the Deaf
Mute Department, received diplomas, having
passed written examination on all the subjects
taught in the highest class
Jno. A. Michaels, Richmond Mary L. Og
burn, Greenville, Co. !; L. Alice Edwards,
Portsmouth, Chss A. Lumpkin, Essex.
Complimentary Prises.-The girls Of the Blind
Department have accumulated, from the sale of
fancy articles, made by their OWE hands, SUM
Of money, part of which has been employed in
: the purchase of useful articles, for such of the
blind girls as about finally to leave the In
stitution, and the remainder will be expended
for the advantage of those who will return to
school. Out of this fund the following presents
are made; julia Goad guitar ANNA Co.
well copy Of the New Testament e. vols.
iBell Matthews, the same.
THE SHOPS.
.Bind-Broom and chair shoks-Set of tools
TO Mosely Armstrong Mattress shop-set of
eools to Robert Leonard.
Deat Mtes.-Printing Office and bindery--
set of tools to Chas. W. Lumpkin Shoe shop
set of tools to J. ". Bowman Tailor shop
set of tools to VIM. A. Hancock Carpenter
shop-set of tools to Robt. Longest Sewing
room-t travelling bags to Misses Bell and Argen-
bright.
CLOSING.
The choir after the presentation sung con-
certed piece finely, the Lords prayer was given
IN signs by one of the girls, and the year closed