Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-05
THE AFFLICTED.

VISIT TO DEAF and DUNE ASYLUM.
A Legislative Trip to Faribault, the City of
Asvlums and Se,ninarjes--AD Day of Feast
ing. Inspection and Entertainme nt---
100000 for Building Improvements and
$4,000 for Current Expenses Wanted.
As we have before had occasion to remark,
the present session of the Minnesota Legis-
lature is especially distinguishing itself by
the personal interest exhibited by it's mem
beers in general, in the matter of visiting and
obtaining better knowledge Of the condition
and workings of our various asylums and
other State institutions.
The GLOBE has heartily seconded this com
mendable disposition on the part of our
public servants, by taking special
pains to be represented by an eye
witness and attache on these public occasions.
Nor did the reporter miss connection with
the early train of yesterday morning over
the I. & NJ. division of the Milwaukee q
st. Paul, which left the foot of jackson
street at 5:45, having on board some forty
Members of the Legislature. bound
for Faribault, on the regular annual
visit to the several State institutions located
adjacent to that thriving and really beautiful
town-the city of asylums and seminaries.
The regular Senate committee was headed
by it's able chairman, Hon. Burr Deuel., of
Olmstead, attended by Senators McNelly
McHench, Finseth, Clements, Rice and Page;
while the House committee was marshalled
by Hon. L. H. Dennison, of Rice, aided by
Messrs, Thompson, Gibbs, Null, Everson,
Fitzner, Gilman (of Faribault,) Purdie,
Fiddes, Robinson, Buffum, Dresbach (of Wi
nona,) Dresbach (of Dodge,) Fowler, Larkin,
Richter, Cole, Bunap, Stacey, Chandler, Stan
ley, Edison, Wiley, and several others
whose names could not be OBJ
tanned. Mr.. Chandler and several
of the other gentlemen of the Legislature
were accompanied by their wives, the latter
appearing to take as much interest in all
they saw, and enjoy the occasion as much
as the lawmakers themselves.
The train reached Faribault about $3.50
am, where the several officers Of the insti-
tutions to be visited and number of prom
inent citizens, with the necessary means OF
land transportation, were in waiting
to convey the party entire
direct to the principal point Of interest
which, just at that hour, was where some
thing eatable and a cup Of coffee or two
could be found. The broad and welcome
smile of Ara Barton greeted the party like q
ray of sunshine, and his "How are you
boys?" and the tip of his new plug hat tc
the ladies, were heartily responded to.
Then Ara, standing up in his buggy, so as
to see and be heard, spoke somewhat as fol
lows:
s:Good friends, taking it for granted that
your early start from St. Paul and ride
hither will have given you a, relish for some
refreshments before moving on the mai1
works, the programme first proposes tha
the party 60 from here direct to the pleasant
home of the blind folks, where you will fine
tron Austin's splendid Coffee Applause
and general scramble for seats in the We
hicles.
It was delightful drive of mile and
half down through the town, across tn,
river, up the long grade to maple heights
thence around to the beautiful grounds O.
the old pioneer Faribault homestead, wher.
stands the modest three-story brick mansion
known as the Asylum for the Blind.
On the home stretch of this drive, Senate
Deuel's committee load-in an opel
passenger wagon-sutfered q break
down, breaking the hind axl
off at the hubb, precipitating
several honorable Senators somewhat sud
denly to mother earth, but injuring only tn
lower rib of young bachelor. The chair
man leading of these gentlemen footed i
the balance of the distance simply as an ap
petizer. Superintendent j. L. Noyes an,
Acting Principal James j. Dow, two yer,
pleasant gentlemen, assisted by Sheriff Bar
ton, formally received and most cordial,
welcomed the party at the Asylum door, tn,
worthy matron and other ladies' standing b,
to take care of the visiting ladies.
After general disrobing and brief cal
upon the blind pupils in their school room
all were invited to the basement dining hall
where very judicious and acceptable lunc]
was partaken of.
Thence the party adjourned to the chape
on the third floor, where we found comfort
able seats for all present; the pupils, Thirteen
in number, ranged or grouped on the lef
front, the principal teacher, Prof Dow, il
the centre, with raised charts, maps, alpha
bets and other implements of the art o
teaching the blind, while on the right iron
stood the piano, and near it sat a very grace
full and sweet faced brunette, their must
teacher, Miss c. G. LaGrave.
After few explanatory remarks by tina
prince of takers and philanthropic enthusi
asst, Superintendent Noyes, the usual exhibj
Of fho Of f1a
and attainments of the respective pupils, wa
given. Both vocal and instrumental duets
solos and quartettes were rendered, some o
them very sweetly indeed, and in all the e1
ercises there was an evidence of patie1
painstaking on the part of the teachers q
well as desire of the pupils to attain exec
lence in study and practice.
Their readings, (by the acute sense of th
finger touch) recitlng and mathematical ca
culations we're marvellous, and while the guest
were not lacking in deepest sympathy fc
the unfortunate creatures to whose dark
ened vision the light of the lovely day an
all the beauties of nature are forever shu
out, yet they could not refrain from expires
sions of enjoyment and appreciation of til
novel entertainment afforded.
OF the blind pupils present there were i
in number, 4 females and males, rangin
from 10 to 20 years Of age. Two were al
sent on visits to their homes. Several of til
pupils were Swedes, one OF two Irish, all
others of our mother tongue All howeve
were taught to speak, read and write
English. Master Freddie Farmer, son
Hon. John @, Farmer of Fillmore has bee
in the institution about six months. He
bright lad, of about 10 years, and shove
great progress in his schooling.
Miss Christine Nelson, of Chisago reat
recited, sang and played we'll.
AS to why New York City was SO muc