Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-09-18
THE DEAF, DUmB AND BLIND.
The Institute at Romney Opens Undo
Fayorab le Conditions

The Institute at Romney Opens Under
Favorable Conditions.
Special CorresDoadsnes OF he Rs0sIsr.
RoMNEY, w. VA, September 10
The State Schools for the Deaf and the
Blind opened here on the 14th inst,
with all the corps of teachers except
Miss Grimm, and Us pupils in attend
ance. Miss Grimm, teacher OF articu-
lation, arrived Thursday evening, and
since the opening the number Of pupils
has risen to 800 The perfect accord
among the officers and teachers and the
general good feeling among the pupils
gives the best outlook for useful and
pleasant session.
In former years the pupils came back
to school in scores and dozens at or
about the opening, and then struggled
in for a month or two, so that, even as
late as the meeting Of the Board OF Re-
gents in October, not more than three
fourths or four-fifths Of the roll were
present. Some year or two ago, Princi-
pal Hill addressed himself vigorously to
the reform Of this great abuse, and has
succeeded so well that last session
opened with almost the whole. Rttend-
ance present, and last Wednesday even
ing Ito pupils assembled at supper and
were ready for school room work next
morning. Prudent and experienced
persons are sent over the
principal lines of travel TO
collect the pupils and conduct them
safely to the institution. Very many
of them are greatly dependent on this
safe conduct, and the parents avail
them selves of this economical means OF
getting their children to school without
the necessity Of coming with them all
the way. The consequence is, that
there are few Of the parents at the in
stitution either at the opening or close
of the term, the need being entirely re-
moved by the care Of the principal to
provide safe escort to all the pupils from
their nearest station to the school.
By this much needed reform, good
work commences promptly in the school
rooms, the classes being full the very
| first day. The organization is soon
com leted and regular work is already
under way.
a
to the heating apparatus, the steam
fitting and gas machines have been
overhaued, the bakery has been in
part renewed, and an innumerable
| amount OF details looking TO the COM
fort and happiness OF the inmates have
had attention during the recent Vaea-
ton. There is good reason to expect
soma fifteen or twenty pupils still to
some, and $50 would not be an impossi-
| bic number FOR this session.
"Mr. hin, the Principal, and several
! teachers of the deaf visited the Worlds
! Fair this summer. Prof. MCGEE, the
! teacher of music, gave himself and bis
/ family a short visit TO Wheeling and
| other places in the State. Mrs. Burke,
the Governess, spent the summer at Mt.
Alto. Mr.. Boland, OF the deaf depart
ment, was FOR some weeks at Berkeley
| Springs, where he was conrteously in
| yited to address the Teachers Institute
in session there at the time. He is said
TO have given charming address in
4 signs. which hs illustrated and explain
| ed ON the blackboard for the benefit OF
! those who did not understand the signs.
| Mr.. Johnson, of the blind department.
spent the summer at his home in Rom
ney, aud assisted Prof. Kimer in the
/ conduct of the teachers institute here
in August. Miss Lucas of the same de
partment visited her newly acquired
home in Berkeley county. Mrs. Fergu
son remained with her little family in
Romney, as did also Miss McClelland
the matron, with the exception Of g
visit to Berkeley Springs and to her old
home in Mooreield.
Mr.. A. ]. Thompson, the newly elect
ed steward, has been on the grounds fol
several weeks, getting acquainted. HI
took formal charge Of the business oil
his department early In the present
month. His family arrived from theiJ
former home in Greenbrier county, anC
are already lousekeepers among US
and promise To make valuable add
ton to.our community.
TIL -'rser. Mr.. r. II. Cookus and
ALT bremen are in their respec.
tive and ready to train the boy!
under If instruction. for useful work