South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-07

4 iohoWing letter, we presume, from a
young lady who. recently, spent few
days in our town. which we find i'm the
Cumberland Times: -
RoMSEY, April "a. 1875.
| Mr.. EDIToI Your readers all know
that Romney is pleasant. hospitable
little town whose citizens live harmoni-
ously together; that it contains six
| hundred inhabitants, four churches, a
seminary, &c. But we think, few know
what very excellent institution for
/ the Deaf. Dumb and Blind it has, under
/ the direction Of its new principal j. c.
Coyell. who was for fifteen years princi-
pal OF 4 similar institution at Staunton.
I The efficient management ofthis cour-
teous and scholarly gentleman is rapid.
ly establishing the Romney Institution
| upon q broad aud sure basis. The num-
Der of pupils has increased from sixty
zone to eighty.fvc. A wing 40x60 is to
be added to the main building, and we
sec promise of this becoming one of
the most popular schools OF the kind in
the land
Never has it been our fortune TO wit
ness such evident hearty and harmoni-
Gus cooperation between head and his
subcrdinates, nor such respectful affec-
ton rs these afflicted, but intelligent
pupils evince for their teachers. On ev-
cry side we saw naught, but cheerful ia.
ces and the strictest attention and ODE.
dience.
As to the proficiency of the pupils our
| admiration knows no bounds. We saw
little children who had been there but
few months, and who knew nothing on
their entrance, write legibly, intelli-
gent, answers TO questions in various
studies, "A little blind boy of nine
years who had been in the institution
but one year, performed mental operation
In arithmetic in manner so concise as
would have done credit to professor.
The classes of the blind in algebra
and chemistry passed a thorough review
of months lessons in most credita-
BILE manner. IT is to their instructor,
Prof. Johnson, we believe that the insti-
tuition mainly owes its existence. lie
Is himself blind, but his vast erudition
precludes the thought of misfortune, so
grandly has Compensation been made
him in the quickeniRg Of every other
faculty. Indeed, though at first our
sympathies were awakened to an almost
painful degree, on finding ourselves sur
rounded by so many afflicted beings, yet
as we watched the rapidity with which
the mutcs communicated their ideas,
and found our establishment called forth
at the wonderful memory OF the blind.
and listened to their sweet singing and
performance upon piano and organ, we
felt more inclined to consider Gods
ways equal. However it may be with
other institutions, certainly the inmates
OF tho one at Romney are not acutely
| sensible Of deprivation. We know OF
no more cheerful. comfortable home for
an afflicted child, and say this with per-
feet dlslnterestedness. VISITOR.
E1 British iron rails have ceased for
the time TO be an article of American
consumption. About $4,000. 600 worth
/ OF British rails were imported i'm 1874.
! brit they were all, or nearly all, steel
The change Is very great and sudden.
! for in 1872 our imports Of British rails
amounted to $24,0O0,OOO, and in 1873.
TO $4,000, GOO. Notwithstanding the
! great fall in iron since 1872. the decrease
I in quantities is no greater than that in
values, which is owing to Tie fact that
last year we imported only steel rails.
which will last great many years. while
in 1872 we imported the cheapest and
poorest iron TO be found in England
Scientific dmcricqn.
A GREAT on CoMBIyAT1ox.-Tb
New York 1ri5uac says the oil trade is
! agitated by the formation OF an cxten.
siye combination styled the Central
! Association which embrace 90 per
cent. Of the rciners in this country
/ They expect % control the remaininr
/ 10 per cent. before the end Of next
| Wonth, and it is then expected that the
new combination will 90 into effect. A
/ stock company has been organized. the
Standard Oil Company Of Cleveland and
+ New York city. the principal promoter
/ OF the South Improvement COMPANY
/ which excited so much apprehension in
| 1872. being the head and front Of the
/ new combination. The friends Of the
movement declare that It's object is on
] ly TO strengthen the trade. and by main.
/ tanning reasonable rates 20 prevent the
| sharp fluctuations which have proved
disastrous. Il is stated that the rail.
rqeds connecting with the oil region
the Pennsylvania Central. the Eric and
the New York Central and their cOnnec-
tions-are the roads with which fhe mr..
engagements are made by the executive
committee Of the Central Association.
Peter u. Watson. VIM. II. Vanderbilt.
J hos Scott and other railway managers
are generally understood 20 be largely
interested in the Central Association.
IH In temperance address ut his
llippodrome in Philadelphia, on Sunday.
the 18th inst, Mr. J.. T. Barnum made
the foilosing statement. which OF itself
forms one Of the most Impressive ap-
peals for the cause Of temperance that
could be made:
/ ] will undertake. and give bonds for
! the fulfllmeEt of the contract. that if