The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-06-06
DEAF AND DUMB.
Annual Examination in the Insti-
tuition for the Texas Deaf
and Dumb.

tlour1Snlng Condition OF the H.
stitution-The Science of
Sign Language.
Those who have not visited the State
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, stu
ated on the heights just across the river
from the city, would be surprised at the
imprdFements made, both in the institu,
ton itself and its surroundings. The in,
stitution occupies situation naturally
imposing, and commanding a birds eye
view of the city, which looks in the light
of the June sun like a magnificent
picture painted by the hand Of
fiction. But art has been added
to nature, and the park now sur.
rounding this school for the deaf and
dumb of our state, with the stately build
ings, makes one of the handsomest, most
beautiful landscapes in the south. Twenty.
six lots have recently been added to the
park, which has been prettily enclosed
and is shaded by fine old forest oaks and
carpeted with matted grasses.
The new building, recently erected on
the south wing, is as nearly freproof as
can be; three stories high, of brick, and
35x85 feet in dimensions. The
third story serves as dormitory
the two lower stories, surrounded by
broad piszzas studded with strong iron
columns, are used for class and lecture
rooms for the pupils.
The number of pupils now in attend
ance at the institutien-whose vacation
now beginning lasts till September Ais
l60 boys and girls, who come from all
parts and sections of Texas, the counties
on the Sabine and Rio Grarde being alike
represented.
The present head of the institution is
Captain William A. Kendall, gentleman
thoroughly identified with Texas and Tex
ans, and whose success in conducting the
institution is shown in is
evident fourishing condition and
the harmonious working of the different
departments. The principal of the school
is Prof. j. W. Blattner, thoroughly ex-
perienced in teaching the deaf and dumb.
Professor Blattner has charge of the ad-
vanced class; Professor John Begg, for
merly of Canada, the second class, and
Si' ~ W. VI tlO phllN SinoS'
The other classes are as follows:
Fourth class-Miss Carrie Howard.
Fifth-Miss Annie Goggan.
Sixtb-Miss Emily Lewis.
Seventh-W liam Thornburry.
Eighth-S. j. Thomas.
Ninth-H. Taylor.
Tenth-W. ii. Lacy.
The school of art a new and Interesting
feature of the institution, is taught by
Miss frankie Pasquele, OF Austin.
Following are the names of the gradua-
ting class taught by Professor Blattner:
Jones McCurry, of Bolton, printer; Gabriel
Shepard, who has learned printing; Willie
Davis, of Bill county, aged IA, has also
learned printing; Miss Mollie Wolverton,
of Erath county, aged II, good English
education, writes well; Miss MARSHA Jones,
of McCulloch; Rollin Fraise, of Collin,
learned trade of carpenter; Hodge Locke,
of Cooke; Lewis Stovall, of Milan; Brown
Nail, of Austin, printer.
The following pupils have meritorious
mention, besides those of the first or
graduating class already mentioned:
Second class-Mary Jones, southwest
Texas, art department; George Brooks,
printer, johnson county; Tom Williams,
shoemaker.
Third class-Willie Barnes, printer;
Chandler Madison, bookbinder, Tyler; j.
G. Webster, of Erath, bookbinder.
Fourth class-Lizzie Dingle, art depart
ment; George Staley, of Lampasas; Lizzie
Payne, Hill county.
Fifth class-Josiah Youngkin, of La
vaca; Joanna Risinger, Of Nacogdoches;
Matte Boyer.
Sixth class-Tilda Smith, of Alvarado;
Gertie Harris, of Navarro; Oliver Freeman,
of Denton.
Seventh class-Laura Haynie, of Wich-
ita county; Calvin Holden, of Llano; @. Il.
Cooley, of Fort Worth-a very bright,
smart boy.
Eighth class-Laura Baild, of Danger
field; Mary Maddox, of Nolan; Willie
Faulkner, of Denton.
Ninth class-Willie Wood, of Marshall;
Sam Williams, Robert Graham.
Tenth class-Evella Weaver, of East
Texss; Eva Dorchester, of Sherman; Mary
Bandele, of Southeast Texas.
The reporter had the pleasure of at
tending the exercises in the class rooms
presided over by Professors Begg, Taylor,
and Misses Goggan and Lloyd. The pro-
fciency of the pupils in the use of sign
language was simply astonishing, several
sentences spoken by the reporter were
correctly written on the blackboard by the
pupils in Miss Loyd's room, the pupils sim
ply watching the motion of his lips. Some
of Professor Taylor's pupils evinced won
derful training.
The reporter, Who took dinner-tasted
salt with the hospitable superintendent
saw the pupils assemble in the spacious
dining room for dinner.
1t was an impressive sight. Nearly 200
youths of both sexes, who never heard a
sound, remained standing at the long ia
bles. Professor Taylor stepped into the
aisle, and, with closed eyes, recited the
Lords Prayer in the sign language, when
all sat down to their plates.
All the pupils leave for their homes to-
morrow. The institution appears to be
we'll and most successfully managed, the
entire corps of teachers, from the super
intendert down, being ladies and gentle
men of culture and ability in their pro-
fessiop.