The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-12-10

EXHIBITION OF PUPus OF THE West
VIRGINIA INSTITUTION ron THE DEAF,
DUMB AND BLISD.-At the invitation OF
prominent members OF both houses OF the
Legislature, the pupils Of the State In
stitutioR for the deaf, dumb and blind
last evening gave public exhibition at
the Opera House, The pupils, about
twenty in number, were in charge OF
Maj. ]. c. Covell, Principal OF the lnsi-
tuition; II. II. johnson, teacher in the
blind department (who is himself blind)i
Mrs. C,Wilson, teacher oimusic; Mr., K, q.
Ferguson and Miss l., NJ, Kerr, teachers
in the deaf mute department. The Opera
House was crowded to its utmost capaci-
", and great deal OF interest was taken
in the different performances, which were
designed to show the means employed in
teaching the pupils.
The performance opened with 4 chorus
by the blind pupils entitled "The Earth
is the Lords" Miss Susan Fox then re-
cited the Lords Prayer in the beautiful
language OF signs. This was followed by
vocal duet by the blind pupils, begin
ming al my Wishes" etc,
The first and second classes OF deaf
mutes, consisting OF the younger pupils,
were called to the blackboard and exam
ined in writing aud arithmetic, tie teach.
err announcing the questions by the use Of
signs, and the pupils writing the answers
upon the blackboard. Master Harry
Marsh and Miss Ella Show represented
the first class, and Misses Sallie Osborne
and NJ. j, Stickley the second. The
readiness with which the little people
answered the various problems given
them was truly wonderful, Master
Marsh and Miss Osborne belong in
Wheeling, the latter being daughter Of
Amos Osborne, ESQ., Of the Seventh
Ward.
Following the above came an instru-
mental duet by the blind, which was very
cleverly rendered. Mr., Sam, Fox and
Miss Fannie Orr, deaf mutes, then went
through various blackboard exercises;
next came a trio by the blind, "Mardigras
Quadrille;" and the fourth class Of deaf
mutes, Misses Susan Fox aud Mollie
PickCns. Mr.. j. W, Pultz, whom the
Principal announced to the audience was
iamiliarly known as "the Governor"
sang song called "Not for joe" &C.
compnaying himself on the piano, which
so well pleased the audience that he was
recalled and sang "Uncle Joe" with an
energy and determination that fairly
brought down the house.
A most interesting performance was
that OF Messrs. Geo. Layton, OF Preston
county, and A. A. Carroll, Of MonOngalia
county. The former composed and wrote
upon blackboard u neat and sensible
address dedicated to His ExCelenCy Gov.
Jacob, the members OF the Legislature
and the citizens Of Wheeling, This ex.
erCise demonstrated the fine command Of
the English language obtained by mute
through the medium OF signs, The adj
dress was not only well written, but
written in well.shAped characters Mr..
Carroll drew upon a blackboard map Of
the State Of West Virginia, with all the
counties, which he afterwards named
when requested to dose by the Principal.
These two young gentlemen are the most
advanced pupils in the institution.
While they were engaged upon their ex.
erCises Miss Hattie Lucas, blind girl,
sang u plaintive solo in sweet though
trembling voice.
After a glee chorus by the blind,
Misses Hattie Lucas and Virginia David.
son read several pages Of the History Of
England with the device Of raised types.
When II Is considered that they are OBJ
ligcd to pass their fingers over every
raised letter, the facility with which they
read is certainly astonishing. By the
sense Of feeling alone they read from the
books before them. They were given a
number Of historical questions, which
were all answered correctly, without the
least hesitation.
"The Governor" who created such a
furore upon his first appearance, then
came forward and sang comic song en-.
titled "Dismission," which was received
with round after round Of hearty ap.
planse. lie was again enCOred, and sang
"When | Lived Single" but refused to
sing any more, Notwithstanding the tn.
multous applause. "The Governor" Is n
middle.agGd man, n fair performer on
the violin and piano and an eXecrablO
singer Yet he was 80 determined in his
efforts to entertain the audience, and
possessed such nm incxhaustable fund Of
comic songs, that he was unanimously
voted jolly good natured fellow.
VIM. Sallay and Hood OverGeld, both
blind, displayed wonderful memories in
solving algebraical problems; also in
pointing out different cities on n map lin
relief Of Europe. Owing to the lateness
Of the hour the Latin exercises Of these
two young gentlemen were omitted.
The exhibition closed with beautiful
sign recitation Of the Lords Prayer by
Miss Sallie Osborne, and n chorus, 20
Come, Let ia Sing" by the blind.