The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-09-04
Deaf, Dumb and Blind.

Julia Brace, who died at Bi0omhelo
on Tuesday, has been known all over the
country, and indeed, wherever attention
has been paid to the education of deaf
mutes. She was born in what is now
Newington in 1906. When about 5 years
old she lost her sight and hearing from
sickness, and as nothing was then known
of the possibility. of retaining the facul-
ty of speech in such cases she soon
became blind deaf mute. At this time
there was no school for deaf mutes.
The American Asylum was founded
when she was IL or IL years old, but she
did not enter it until 1926, when she
was 10 years DID, There she remained
until within twenty or twenty five years,
when she removed 10 live with sister at
Bloomfield. Her case attracted particu'
lar attention on account of its connection
with the earlier days of the American
Asylum, when it was still new thing
and one as to which there waa much
curiosity aud some incredulity. Visitors
who we're astoaished to see this woman,
deprived of three senses and yet able to
understand much that was addressed TO
her and communicate with those among
whom she lived. Almost all the older
| residents of asylum hill remember her
we'll, and have themselves seen what she
could do. She could distinguish the
clothes belonging to different pupils, and
was employed in sorting them and put
| ting them away. In many ways she
could render much service in the daily
work of the institution. She had a good
many curious and amusing ways. For
| instance, it is told that when the girl
pupils were dressing in the morning and
took turns before the glass to dress their
hair. and always insisted on having her
turn and would stand there to put up
her hair like any one else.
No other place would answer the pur-
pose, though it could, of course make no
difference whether she was before the
glass or in the darkest corner of closet:
Like many other blind people she used
her tongue to thread needle, and did it
promptly and accurately. Probably
because her education began late, and yet
at O time when much less was known
than now as to the proper way to proceed
or as to the possibilities that exist, she
never made much progress in language.
1t was, however, easy to communicate
with her as to all the common events OF
her daily life, and she received hosts of
visitors, who were always impressed with
her very remarkable development of
faculties that were so hampered by ply
sical defects. Her case was not to be
compared with that Of Laury Bridgeman.
She had none of the early, assidious,
special care that was given to the latter,
and propably much less acute mental
constitution at the outset.
In certain ways, however, what she
learned to do was, perhaps, as remarka-
Bile. 1t was in the direction of the Or
dinary duties of household, rather than
in the more strictly intellectual training.
Personally, she was little "queer," but
no more than hosts of other people,
especially such as live much alone. One
thing was noticeable. She had very
clear notion of her own rights and did
not allow any interference with them.
Sometimes Ler idea of personal right
WAS little out of the common course,
but she had no question about it, and
probably could not see now any one
should have. Since she left the asylum
comparatively little has been known of
her except among those near her and
some of the older persons connected with
the asylum.-Hargord Conn. C0urant