Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-08-24
The Deaf Mutes' Convention.
correspondence f'OA'''IS1I M
NEAR ELKToE, Va, Aug. 20.

The gathering of deafmutes at Staun-
ton was not so large as was heretofore,
but the meeting was thoroughly salts
factory and will doubtless result in
great good to the class.
1t had two features-first reunion
of former pupils of the school, many
coming from far beyond the borders Of
the State for no other purpose than to
enjoy themselves with friends Of their
school days, and q convention of the
State association, formed at Richmond
last year. In the two days sitting Of
this about us much real business was
transacted as at q long session ofour leg
islature, yet one was more important
to its class than the other is to the peo-
pie.
The several days session was given
to discussing resolutions and some OF
the discussions were exceedingly warm.
A resolution asking that committee be
appointed with view to the considera-
ton of the ninety odd negro mutes of
school age in the State for whom no
provision is made, was one of these, as
was another making only former pu-
pills of the Staunton Institute eligible
to hold officc-:here being at each
convention president, three vice pres
idents, two secretaries and treasurer
voted for. The matter of asking the
legislature to separate the blind from
the deaf. and to give them both larger
appropriation was renewed and Capt.
Mushbach and Capt. Chas. S. Roller, a
former principal of the institution, were
added to the committee, which was
composed of the president. Col. Dennis.
of Rocky Mount, Prof Humbert, of the
blind department., President Michaels
and Mr. Euritt. The convention re-
commended Mr.. VIM. Meade Berkeley,
Of Staunton, for lay reader and State
lecturer in addition to Rev. Job Turn
er, employed by the ?. Z. Church, Of
Virginia, as missionary to deaf mntes.
1t was claimed that Mr.. T. spent too
much of his time travelling over the
railroads and preaching so little and
| where there was not deaf mute with
in many miles At any rate his field
is too great. Hence the appoint
ment of one who, while teaching at the
school, can spend his Saturdays and
Sundays among the class within the
State quite as well.
Lynchburg was selected as the next
meeting place and the time two years
hence. The convention is altogether
independent of the Institution and is
composed wholly of adults. The insti-
tuition was rendered their use by the
board at its June meeting upon motion
of Capt. Mushbach, whom the conven-
ton people regard as great friend and
advocate. They were there furnished
with board at 81 per day, and were
given an excellent banquet and ball by
the local mutes.
Thursday party of about forty,
chaperoned by Mrs. Doyl, Mrs. Mich
aels and Mrs. Taylor of Danville, took
stages for Shendun, q boom city Of
magnificent distances, near which are
the grottoes, known best as Weyer's
cave. This was must enjoyable affair
despite the intense heat and the dusty
roads.
came on up here with Prof. Yates
who is running the hotel. The owners
of the place are Messrs. Henry A. and
Adam Bear, both deaf mutes, the form
| er teaching at the Staunton school for
nearly half century. His wife, as
well as the wife of his brother, are also
deaf mutes and with me came couple
of young ladies likewise afflicted, whilst
we have half dozen blind people,
who assist Prof Yates in running the
thing and play music for the nightly
hops and the religious exercises. One
of these yesterday, after long talk
with me, asked, "Are you a lady
or a MANI" 1t reminds me of the
blindmen and the elephant in the books
of my early school days.
The springs seem to be doing fairly
we'll this season. 1Ir. Mckenzie is
one of the last to arrive. He came to
Elkton on Saturday.
Mr.. Bear tells me his great grand
father owned all the adjacent country
for many miles around the springs, and
we sometimes pick up arrow-heads
down there. showing that the Indians
knew of the curative powers of the
waters.
On my way here stopped over at
Basic City for a few hours. This place
seems more lively about the business
portion than I've yet seen it. 1t may
come up. R. B.
HIS BLOOD SPURTED ON THE TABLE.
A queer attempt at suicide was made in