Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-01-10
WEST VIRGINIA.
A Readable Letter From Quaint Old
Romney.
ioME POINTS ABOUT TOWN.
Items Cf Interest in and Around
the State institutions
Located There.
NEWS FROM OTHER POINTS.
spocial % Me Rsgiaer.

NbOAnEt, W. 'A.i "onudrl -1hio OAu-
fashioned but hospitable town, the county
seat OF Hampshire county, is beautifully To-
Gated amid the mountains on the South
Branch of the Potomac river. The town
is reached by the South Branch Railroad,
owned and operated by the B. & o. The
line extends from Green Spring run on the
main line, sixteen miles, and terminates at
this point. The road follows the fertile
valley of the South Branch all the way up
to Romney and il is the intention OF the
B. 4 o. to extend the line on to Moore6eld
and further South as soon as the extension
will justify further investment IN that way.
The REGISTER readers are aware that the
institution for the education OF the deaf,
dumb and blind OF our Stat is located here.
An hour or two spent in the institute by the
visitor will amply repay one for the time so
expended. During the past two years the
attendance is reported as follows Deaf male
mutes 81, female 80; blind male mutes 26,
female II; total l26. The general health
is now, and has been, excellent owing, no
doubt, to the careful sanitary measures
which the institution and the efficient man
agement from the genial Msjor j. c. Cayell,
who, during the past eleven years, has had
charge of the institute. The Major is ably
seconded by his corps of competent assist
ants. The deaf mute department is pre-
sided over by Profs. A. d. Hayes, Fl. Chi.
dester, Z. l.. Chaplin and Miss L. NJ. Kern,
and the blind school by Prois. Il. II. John.
son, O. w. Schaeffer and Mrs. s. L. Ca
ru hers. The industrial schCo by A. d.
Hayes, foreman of the printing Of
fee, and assistant editor of the
West Virginia Tablet, published in
The Interests of the Institute, George NJ.
Smith, of the tailor shop; John s. Seders, Of
shoe shop; R. Ii. Cookus, mattress, chair and
broom shops, and VIM. ,Bierkamp, cabine.
shop. The shops were built by the boys in
1876. A portion of each day is set apar.
or employment in the departments named,
and thus, while their minds are being stored
with useful knowledge, the pupils are also
acquiring the skillful use Of tools, and are
making rapid progress in all the branches
noted, as evidenced by samples Of their skill
on exhibition. The writer was particularly
impressed with the happy cheer which
seems to peryade the entire institution,
from the popular Principal down to
the lowest subordinate. It is Eoted from
the last report of the Board of Regents that
each of the industrial departments is self.
sustaining. The musical department is in
charge of Prof o. W. Schaeffer, and we note
that the Board make special mention OF the
rapid advancement made by the pupils un-
der his care. The subject of this sketch is
worthy off more extended notice, but space
forbids The friends Of the pupils there
can rest assured that there is nothing left
undone that tends TO the comfort, health
and advancement Of these worthy but un-
fortunate people. Some OF the present corps
of assistants have worked their way up
from the pupils place. to honored aud
beloved teache in the Institute,
among whom we note a. ID. Hayes, one OF
the teachers in the mute department and
assistant editor oil the above mentioned
weekly paper, published in the Institution.
Brick Schlegel and Henry Mackey, OF
Parkersburg are two prominent pupils,
making rapid progress in the industrial de-
partment. Zeck Eckhsrt, OF Wheeling,
blind mute, has shown much skill in the
use Of one OF those celebrated caligraphs,
sent to the Institute by i l.. Rose 4 Co,
of Wheeling. Many others are desiring Of
special mention. One important lea
ture Of the arrangement Of the Institute
which should not be overlooked is the
bountiful supply Of pure spring water, fur
nisbed from the mountain two miles diStan'
BY means of underground pipes. The
spring is never failing one, and also at
fords supply OF water to the town, as well
as the Institute. A bowling alley and gym.
nasum afford the pupils Innocent
and healthy recreation. 1t was the pleasure
of the writer to meet the secretary Of the
Board, the Hen. Fl. B. Gilkeson, very
genial gentleman, who is evidently the right
m man in the right place. According to infor-
nation obtained through the United States
Census Bureau there appears to be l26
deaf mutes and 90 blind persons or 22i in
all, who are within the age making them
admissible to the Institute, but for lack OF
suitable accommodations and the necessary
funds these unfortunate persons cannot re-
ceiye the education needed. The Legisla-
to, will be again appealed to for an appro
priation for this purpose, aud 1t is hoped
that they viii respond literally.