Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-05-14
TUE BLIND SCHOOL.
Closing Exercises Of This State lnsli,
tuition at Salem.

Wednesday afternoon large at
tendance witnessed the annual clos
ing exercises of the Institute for the
Blind, in the lecture room of the
M. E. church. Great interest was
manifested, as it has been known
for some time that the work of this
institution under the superinten.
dency of Miss Capwell has been
growing. The past year has wit
messed a marked increase i'm at
tendance, the introduction of new
methods and the addition of an in
dustrial department. The number
of visitors to the school has increased
as we'll as the attendance, and the
increased interest all around brought
out the people as never before.
Those present realized as never
before what work of patience and
love is performed by all the teachers
connected with educating this class
of defective citizens. After an in
strumental duet by Miss Scott, the
teacher of music, and one of the
advanced pupils, reading in the
eighth reader, five of the older
pupils read from point" books an
historical sketch of the thirteen
original colonies, each resding in
turn, the others following with their
fingers so as to keep the place.
There were no mistakes made and
these scholars possessed clearer
voices and better enunciation than
the average of those who can see.
1t was plain to he seen that this
reading was not the work of men,
ory. This was the result of second
years. work for three and third
year for two.
Johnnie Foley and Thos. Winset
then spoke pieces as we'll as boys
who could see what they told about.
The geography class then recited to
Miss McFadden and those who had
never heard blind children recite
before, were surprised at the
prom ptness and correctness of the
answers. A map of the United
States was exhibited, composed of
raised blocks representing the di-
visions of land, with marks for
rivers, cities and mountains. This
map costs one hundred dollars and
the children soon learn to distin-
guish each state and locate each
town, bound and describe land and
water. Owing to the great expense
of materials and appliances, it will
be realized that the state alone can
undertake to educate its blind.
The pro gram must be interrupted
to notice
THE DECORATIONS.
Flowers ornamented the stands
and tables. The walls and chan
deliers were decorated with netted
hammocks in all shapes and sizes.
A cute baby hammock was stretched
over the front of the stand.
Thos. Winset, about seven years
old, sang a song, "The Yankee in
Love-" and then Miss Capwell's
class in arithmetic, containing some
adults, recited lesson in fractions,
doing the figure work on point
states. All kinds of examples were
performed, the pupils giving the
result and demonstrating the pro-
cess, in a way that would surely
puzzle many who see.
Fred Cross and Ora johnson re-
cited pretty poems and then Miss
Matte Settle played an improvised
organ solo. 1t was medley of old
airs mingled with great skill and
changing swiftly from one to an
other with great ease and tact. The
spelling class by Miss McFadden
was an interesting exhibition of
quite difficult spelling.
All through, the display of agility
and quick perception of the younger
pupils showed the Importance of
children being sent young to the
institute. Two little boys now
played a simple piano duet, yet
hard enough for them considering
their age.
Miss McFadden's class in written
arithmetic now performed all kinds
of figure work on their states. Miss
Sadie Briston played a piano solo
well, and this concluded part first of
the program.
PART SECOND
was composed Of the following ex-
ercises:
Recitation (Which Loved Best"
Amy Dodson.
pocitation I'll Can and / VIII"
Clarence Mathews. ,,ovoo,
'''N Johnnie Foley.
TYPE Writng----Miss McFadden,s Pupils
Muslc7I,,,t--- 77,at Johnnie and Thos.
Mary Roberts.
Point Writing. -,
Piano solo---"Delta Copa Epridon March
Josie watkins.
Recitation "SchoOl Masters warning
Edward Chapman.
! orartette Clarence, Thos., Fred ana