Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-06-26
SILENT BUT FLUENT.
Interesting Closing Exercises of the
Western Pennsylvania
INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND DUMB.
Eloquent Orators Discourse in the Lam
guage of Signs.
SOCIAL EVENTS OF THE TWIN CITIES

Unique, interesting, wonderfully pathetic
and yet wholly enjoyable were the closing
exercises of the Western Pennsylvania In
stitute for the Deaf and Dumb. held yester-
day afternoon at the beautiful building In
Edgewood.
The chapel in which the exercises were
held was filed with guests early in the alter
noon representing all sections Of the city
and numerous suburban towns. The pupils
of the school occupied the front seats, with
the exception Of some of the boys, who from
time to time gave up their chairs for the ac-
commodation of some late conner, and be-
took themselves to the rear OF the chapel.
The faculty ofthe school were seated on one
side of the platform, while the other side
was occupied bv members of the Board of
Trustees and officers of the institution, who
could enjoy the delightful fragrance of the
exquisite flowers used in the decorations,
and rest their eyes upon the beauti ul. green
of the Towering plants that hedged the plat
form.
IN TWO LANGUAGES.
The programme was opened with an lnvo-
cation, and following it Mr.. George Glenn
entson, in his own method of talking, dis
coursed upon "Apples," while his remarks
were interpreted by one of the teachers so
that all could understand him whether fa-
miliar with the sign language or not,
Class exercises by new pupils were then
given and the older bows followed in the
signs by which they designated certain arti,
cles before entering the school and
compared them with the uni form
signs learned and practiced there,
which enables them to converse with each
other with the f1uency of those using the
same language.
A concert recitation, in which Misses
Maggie C. Davis, Annie Fritscher, Sadie
Griffis, Sarah Hurst, Ida Robinson and Belle
Winch appeared, was very interesting, as their
signs in perfect unison were particularly
pleasing and the text was readily interpreted
for the audience. An essay on Baseball"
by John E. Rosensteel proved that, though
unable to cheer or condemn audibly, the
silent people held decided views upon the
national game.
A CLEVER ESSAY.
Rewards of Perseverance, bv Adam J.
Craig, was probably the best effort of indi-
vidual work, as the life histories of such
men as Noah, Columbus, Washington and
Edison were reviewed and treated in skill
full manner TO carry out the arguments pre-
Several class exercises were interspersed
through the programme, in which the audi
ence were invited to participate by asking
any questions they desired, and quite a
number by so doing betrayed the deep inter-
est they felt in the bright students who an
swered any and all questions with rapidity
and accuracy on the blackboard at which
they were stationed.
The closing address was delivered by Rev.
E. P. Cowan, D. D., whose words, as they
fell from his lips, were given in the sign
language by Pro-. w. n. Burt, OF the
school. His remarks were addressed to the
students and abounded in witty but practical
and thoughtful suggestions.
DIPLOMAS PRESENTED.
A class of four, consisting of Lula Ed
munds, Ida Robinson, Ida Lewis and
Adam Craig, were presented with diplomas
for good department and studiousness by
DIR. j. g. Brown, as they, tor various
reasons, were not going to return to their
studies in the fall. Premiums of books and
many kind words for their exemplary con-
duct and the good influence they had ex-
erted over the remainder OF the school were
also given bv DR.. Brown to Sarah Rich
ards. Ida Robinson, Lula Edmunds, George
Mover, Homer Reynolds, Adam Craig,
james Conway, John Rosensteel, George
Winch, Michael Gormley and Albert
Gr1fis
The benediction was pronounced and the
visitors given the freedom of the entire
building, which was appreciated, and the
opportunity embraced TO view the school
rooms, sleeping rooms and dining room of
the home OF the silent people by the many
in attendance.