Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1899-09-29
OF Rorfb Dakota.

Christian faith, for they cannot
hear the word and theycannot read
the word, The successful teach
ing Of the deaf today, however,
clearly demonstrates the falsity Of
the views just stated-and Of the
state institutions in North Dakota,
there are none that so strongly
stands as a monument of the pro-
gress of enlightenment than does
the school for the deaf, located at
Devils Lake. Picturesquely stu
ated with natures pleasantest sur
roundings, the buildings seem to
stand aloof from everything and
everybody, but a visit within it's
walls removes this simple thought
and brings before the visitors eyes
a seemingly untiring, good natured,
patient corps Of teachers working
for the benefit Of those whose ears
forever closed may have their
hearts and minds reached, and in
part alleviate the pain for the loss
of one of their five senses.
Probably the most striking illus
trations Of the value of education
given to the deaf is best seen by
studying the expressions on the
faces Of those just entering school
and those who have been in the
institution for a couple Of years.
Instead Of that l~istless look, they
seem to be endowed with a pleased,
self confident expression, which
can only be brought about by
education. In fact, all that the
deaf seem to ask for is that an
equal opportunity be given them
to make something Of themselves
as is given to their more fortunate
hearing brothers and sisters.
In addition to the common
school education given the pupils
under Supt. D. F. Bangs, he has
also provided an opportunity for
such as have the mental ability for
a college education, as will be seen
by the text books in use:
Woods Civil Government !; a
work by A. L. Wood, A. NJ, late
superintendent of schools. Walsh
county, and which is considered a
very useful help by Supt. Bangs.
Frye's Complete Geography.
Houston's Physical Geography.
Eggleston's U. S. History, with
Outlines by Prof. D.. F. Bangs.
Wells Natural Philosophy.
Kerl's Grammar.
Swinton's Language Lessons.
Mines Arithmetic.
Higginson's History Of England.
Thus it will be seen that the
school is abreast of the times in
providing good mental training,
but there is noticeable a lack of
provision for manual training. So
far as it goes, such as are provided
are fair, but there is not enough of
it. In order to meet the needs, it
is veryevident that a separate build
ing is required for the purpose.
During the first five years OF
the pupils tuition the text books
used are largely those specially
prepared for the deaf.
Supt. Bangs is very anxious tc
see practical and systematic in
struction along the line of agricul-
tural work, as many Of the pupils
present, and prospective, will nc
doubt, look to this field Of labor for
a living after leaving school. The
state agricultural college, Of course
would be open to them, but owing
to their misfortune, not likely tc
prove of much advantage, the pro
fessors hardly being respected to be
teachers of the deaf. The deal
being shut out from many pur
suits open to those who can hear
and the knowledge of some prac.
tical calling being Of Importance te
them, it is a very good suggestion
that the boys be taughtthemethods
of farming at the school for the
deaf. The girls are taught sewing
and dressmaking.
Every school morning the pupil
gather in a neat assembly hall ant
for ten minutes are given certain
instructions and topics which
the advanced pupils arerequired t,
write upon during the day. 4
visit to this Don Tuesday SHOWED
the pupils to be well trained il
grasping ideas. The subject was
"All things are full Of labor" Oh
reading some Of the papers it wa
surprising to note how wei
they caught onto the ideas in
tended to be brought out-th,
dignity Of labor, the necessity O
labor, and the value of labor.
Physical culture is taught in tn,
room over which Miss McGowa1
and Mr.. Walter Fitzpatrick pre-