The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-07
THE DEAF
MUTES' HOME.
Inception and Growth of Noble
Institution.
Surviving Earthquake and Fire 1t Now Stands
Foremost Among Eeemosynary
Establishments.

The celebration on Sunday last of Profess
sor Warning wilkinson S twenty-ffth ami
versary as principal of the California Insti-
tuition for the instruction of the Deaf and
Dumb and the Blind calls to mind the not
unintelesting history of that establishment.
1t was organized more than Thirty years
ago by Mrs. P. B. Clark, Mrs. Dr.. Whitney
and Mrs. Jacob Underhili, as Presi-
dent Vice-President and Secretary re-
spectively, and twenty-five other ladies,
who met for the purpose in the old Oriental
Hotel in San Francisco. Inquiry had shown
large number in the State to require the
benefits of such an institution, and not wait
ing for the tardy assistance of the Legisla-
ture. a house on Tehama street was pro-
cured and opened as a school May 1, 1860.
The services of II. B. Crandall, cultured
deaf mute instructor, were engaged, under
whose care the first inmates of the inslitu-
! ton, a boy and two girls, were placed.
During the first month the school increased
to eight and in six months to sixteen, re-
ceivng its support from public charity. An
entertainment given by the ladies above
mentioned at the old Mechanics Pavilion
realized between $500 and $1,000, and with
this sum and an appropriation by the Legis-
lature of $4,000 a lot was purchased and
school building erected in the Mission, Mrs.
Clark continuing to act as principal.
Thus the institution was set fairly upon
its feet. Its progress and prosperity were
| far beyond the most sanguine expectations
| of tie managers, although many difficult
ties had to be encountered. After five years
of untiring effort on behalf of the children
of silence and darkness Mrs. 2. B. Clark
| resigned, the loss of her influence and sup
| port as principal and President being Sc
verely felt, as one of the greatest difficulties
experienced was in obtaining capable in
| structors, especially in the male depart
ment. Teaching of this kind is in itself
| profession
| ACQUIRED ONLY BY STUDY
And long practice, and California could
furnish nobody capable of the task. Jonn
| NJ. Francis of Ohio, whose services were
| procured after much trouble, succeeded Mrs.
| Clark, but the arduous duties soon told upon
| his delicate constitution, GbligiDg him to
| resign to Professor Warning Wilkinson,
| formerly of the New York Institution
In the study Of methods of instruction of
the deaf the latter was an enthusiast, aud
| vigorously took hold of the difficult task.
Before HIM lie saw vast field for improve
ment. He looked upon the Institution. not
| as 4 pauper eSta bliShment or an asylum, as
was popularity believed, but place 10 enG-
BILE the pupils to care for themselves in the
| battle OF life, where the deaf and dumb eS-
pecaliy need helping hand. He con-
| demnrd the mistaken kindness of those Who
responded TO the solicitation of deaf-mutes
| for aims, as Il practice fostering idlenesS
| and vice. He considered the deaf and
dumb perfectly capable Of honorably sup
| porting themselves and intended that under
| his instructions they should learn to do so.
| The school in the Mission was soon seen
| to be unsuitable for various reasons, and a
| commission appointed for tie purpose began
| to cast about Tor a satisfactory permanent To-
| cation. The many advantages of what was
then known as 'kearney Farm situated
| about four miles north of Oakland, and ad-
| joining the grounds Of the University of
California, were apparent, and it was de-
| cded upon as the site for the new school.
| No more beautiful spot could have been
| chosen, possessing as IL does q high eleva-
! ton, fresh and salubrious climate, Tree from
| the severe trade winds and the heat of the
| interior, and beautiful view OF the Golden
| Gate, the bay aud city of San Francisco and
| the surrounding country.
Here building OF massive walls and lib
| eTal dimensions was erected. While IN the
| course of construction
| THE MEMORABLE EARTHQUAKE
| Of 1868 caused an unsecured stone gable to
fall, crashing through wood and glass. and
| the massive stone chmneys were thrown
| down, some falling inward and carrying
| everything with them to The cellar.
| In 1868 the school was transferred to its
| new home. But the past ten years had
| seen many improvements. the facilities for
| education being constantly improved and
| the membership increased Although far
| from realizing the ultimate designs of the
| principal the best possible results were
| achieved. Especially could its managers
| congratulate themselves on the healthfu
condition Of the pupils, the exemption from
disease being truly remarkable. The tacili-
ties for mechanical education were con-
| stantly brought nearer 10 perfection, and
the teachers faithful and earnest labor for
| the Welfare Of the charges was altested by
| rapid progress Intellectually and morally.
In the new building every modern device
| for comfort and education was provided,
| the donations OF the charitably inclined
| making various improvements possible that
| must otherwise have been long delayed.
| On the 18th of January, 1875, occurred the
| most serious setback to The progress of the
| institution in its history, contlagration that
| not only destroyed the buildings but threat
| ened TO Shatter its able corps If assistants
| The time was Sunday afternoon, on which
| day the pupils dined at o'clock, rs did the
| servants and laborers. AS everybody con-
nected with the premises was inside the fire
had full half-hour TO read without posi-
| bility of discovery. Professor Wilkinson
| thus describes the catastrophe:
| 1.-The kitchen, of one story, was situated
| back OF the main building and separated
| from 1t by narrow passage way. The
| chimney was perhaps forty feet removed
from the rear wall. and its top was about On
| u
| so that the ridge of the gothic roof must
| have been ten feet higher than the mouth of
the chimney. The roof was shinged and
fierce wind from the north blew across
| the institution, carrying away
| BURNING SCOT
| That might be wrenched from the chimney
upon the shingles. where crack Offering
| lodgEe MT the spark would soon be famed
to blaze by the gale.
Having gained access to the ventilation
apparatus TIE flames spread with frightful
| rapidity from one end of the building to the
| other, so that the whole roof was involved
at the moment when Qrom half a dozen
| standpoints) the fire or smoke was seen.
| The matron, from the rear corridor, saw
smoke issuing from the caves of the front
| building. At the same time from the front
hall l saw twenty feet Of flame on the ridge
| Of the rear roof. Two employees with fire
extinguiShers went up into the tower, but
were driven back by the volume of fire that,
ing across the chapel The laborers, whose
| quarters were in the third-story rear, heard
the cracking. which they thought to be
raindrops, and came out to see what was
the matter. The boys also had. from the
| grounds where they went after dinner, dis
| covered the fire and came running after the
fre-backetS that were stored on the second
| floor. All this was in the space of one min
ute, and in ten minutes ali above the first
floor was unsafe" The fire continued to
| u
upon the surrounding hills and being plainly
| discernible from San Francisco"
In this great emergency the constant
| solicitude Of the public for the success of
| tie institution was again attested, offers of
hospitality and assistance being sent from
| all directions. Many threw their houses
open TO the unfortunate pupils until able to
seek their friends and relations. week
Of Hood and storm Immediately followed
| cut off, and the sudden rise of streams and
destruction of bridges throughout the State
made it unsafe to send children to their
homes without escort. Many contributions
| OF money were received, and the free use Of
the different railroads vouchsafed
| On the Goth Of January public meeting
was held to investigate the cause of the fire,
Governor Booth being present After an
all days session, in which numerous