Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-06-25
THE DEAF AND DUMB.
Intensely Interesting Exercises at the
Annual Commencement Of
the School.
The Science of Sign Lanauage-Care.
fully Trained PupiIs-A Timely
Address by Friend of
Education.

The territorial school for deaf mutes
located in this city, held its closing ex-
ercises for the scholastic year just com.
pleted on Thursday last. The increasing
interest In this excellent work was evinced
by the number and character of the per-
sons present on this occasion. Every
year there has been decided increase in
the audience, but this year has far sur
passed all preceding ones in this respect.
Every possible place in the school room
was occupied, and many persons were
compelled to stand. The windows even
were utilized by those who could find no
room inside. e
Among the audience we're many of
those identified with educational work in
Santa Fe, whose presence, doubtless, did
much to encourage the tireless, faithful
laborers in their meritorious efforts to
render this institution a blessing to the
upfortunates of New Mexico, and a
credit to its founders and coadjutors.
The exercises were opened by Rev. r.
T. Burke, of st. Catharine's Indian
school, with an appropriate prayer. Then
followed an exhibition of the proficiency
OF the pupils who had been in the school
for one year. Thomas S. Miller, of Hud-
son, Grant county, and Perfecto Torres,
OF Santa Fe, came forward to the black
board, and then gave proof of the care.
full instruction they had received, by
spelling accurately words Of one syl-
liable, writing simple sentences
rected to them in the sign language by
Mr.. Larsen, and, being provided with a
subject, composed original sentences, into
which they introduced the subject word
written for them on the blackboard.
These were succeeded by the pupils of
two years standing, Manuel Armijo and
Juan G. Armijo, of Belen, whose work
was similar, but of higher grade, con-
cluding with a short story, for the ex-
preston of which forty words were used.
This was well written, in concise and
perspicuous style, proving these bright
little fellows capable of making Ineligible
use of what Lord Bacon has felicitously
called the "wise mans counters, but the
FOOLS money"
Maud Bogue, a very intelligent, attrac-
tive looking child, II years OF age, and
four years in the school, came next. She
gave like exhibition, somewhat more
advanced in character to that of those
who had preceded her, and, moreover,
showed a proficiency in the practice and
principles of rudimentary arithmetic.
Then Pedro r. Sandoval, of Santa Fe,
made his bow to the audience. This boy
became deaf-mute at the age OF 10 years,
previous to which time he was in full
possession of his faculties. Before losing
his powers of hearing and speech he had
been pupil for rtwo years in st. Michael's
college in this city. His age is now l6.
This youth has become favoraby
known throughout the territory as
the winner of the handsome U.
S. flag that floats over the school
building, given ss aprize by the youths
Companion" published in Boston for the
best original composition on "Our Coun-
try's Flag" This would mark him as a
boy of unusual natural ability, for, in
spite of his affliction, he outstripped all
competitors in New Mexico, and secured
for his school the honors of attaining the
highest rank in original composition. He
exhibited wonderful knowledge OF the
English language and its accurate use, OF
geography, history and other subjects,
astonishing greatly and winning the ad
miration of those present.
Had this institution done no more than
rescue this talented youth from enforced
ignorance, unstopping his ears and
loosening his tongue, 80 to speak, it
would recommend itself in the highest
manner to all intelligent and humane
citizens.
Mr.. Larson next gave an exhibition OF
the sign language and its power to express
not only the names Of things, but every
emotion and attribute, proving the posi-
bility Of its becoming the efficient in
strument even Of abstract thought and
the master key with which may be un-
locked for the deaf mute the doors OF
knowledge, social, scientific and religious.
Two very effective recitations. one OF
the Lords prayer by Juan Armijo, and
another of the hymn, "Come to Jesus"
by Manuel Armijo followed. They were
wonderful illustrations of the skill of the
pupils, and the ability OF the language OF
signs. Two of the boys, then acted
short play, the argument Of which as as
follows: "a Negro went into a water
melon patch to steal watermelons, and
just when he had secured fine
one, cut it, and was beginning to de-
your it, he saw white man approaching
OH horseback, whereupon he croucled
down perfectly immovable to represent a
stump. The white man was upon SINH
lar errand, and having selected a melon,
searched in his pockets for his knife, but
not finding it, picked up the fruit and
looking round saw what he supposed to
be stump. He raised up the melon and
brought it down upon the negro's head,
when the latter naturally started up and
the two then gszed in terrified manner
at each other, took to their heels and hur-
ried off in opposite directions. So we'll
was all this represented that the. audience
were almost unconscious of the fact that
it had not been described to them in
words.