The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-31
BLIND. DEAF AND DUMB.
orris Henson BnreIy Misses the Lack
OF Three senses.

OF Three senses.
The pet OF the New York institution for
the deaf and dumb, the most interesting
OF all the inmates and the one who gives
the least trouble TO tho teachers. Is boy
to whom the outside world is an absolute
blank, Deaf. dumb and blind. Orris Benz
son lives In "a world OF silence and dark
ness. Under ordinary conditions. left to
himself, he would have gone through life
"a desolate soul wrapped in Zimmerman
darkness. knowing nothing. thinking
nothing, hoping nothing II would be-
difficult to imagine a more pitiful fate.
Fortunately scientific methods and pa
tient endeavor are capable OF lifting even
such an afflicted individual as one deaf.
dumb and blind out OF the slough OF
despond; indeed so many advantages
and resources have already been brought
into his life that II is not much OF an
eXaggeration OF the facts To say that he
Is little incommoded by the lack OF tho
three most valuable senses
When seen by the writer at the institu-
ton orris seemed to be one of the most
cheerful boys of all the silent crowd lilo
was holding an animated conversation
with one OF the teachers. making use
OF the sign Language by the sense OF
touch alone. the pressure of the finger
on the boys collar or the back OF tho
hand. or a few rapid touches in the palm
being sufficient "a convey to him an en-
tire sentence. a tattoo on the finger tips
informed him of the visitors mission.
AT once the lad faced about with an In
curing look on his features. The prin-
cipal OF the institution. Mr. Enoch NJ.
Currier asked him a question with rap
idly moving finger tips beating on the
hand To the surprise Of the visitor tho
answer came In queer sound from tho
boys Inns. Ii was not hard To make
out that he was saying or trying ia say.
I'm my pocket" AZ the same time n
hand went into the pocket and. with
laugh, Orris brought out "A pocket knife.
The principal explained that he had ask
ed the hoy what he had done with knife
that had been given him II was mar
velous that the power OF even such crude
vocal speech as the boy used could be-
impaired to one who had never seen or
heard since babyhood
Orris Benson lost both sight and hearing
when child of three. the direct cause
OF his affection being spinal meningitis.
In the fall of 1889 he was taken To tho
New York institution and placed IN tho
male kindergarten Mt the Mansion house.
At the time Of admission he had no re-
membrance OF the general appearance of
persons or things but had somewhat
indistinct idea of black and white.
The first word he learned to spell by
means of the manual alphabet was key"
the object having been previously shown
to him. Then, little by little. step by step,
he learned the names OF other common
objects. In the same slow. tedious way
he was later taught the elements Of
speech The strain upon his brain was
so great that al first he was not re-
quired 20 do much at any one time, but
the task of learning gradually became
less arduous and In time he could under
stand easy conversation and compose a
few simple sentences. After being trans-
10 he.
to converse by speech. He now generally
makes use OF this accomplishment when
with hearing persons with whom he il
acquainted,
He shows great fondness for history Ac-
counts of the heroic exploits of the maxi
ors OF the nation arouse him to such
an extent that he has several times ex-
pressed regret that he cannot be sol
dier. He also enjoys studying geography
with the help OF raised maps. After get
ting clear idea OF numbers he began
the study OF arithmetic. but ms vet hs
Is not far advanced in this branch
At home h~ sometimes assists his father.
who IN carpenter Last summer he
helped a friend during the hayiuR sea~
son. In the trade school OF tho New York
institution hs learned 10 cane chairs ana
IN tbis and various other ways he man
ages to earn his spending money during
the long summer vacation. When alone
he thinks and plans and tries 10 invent
something useful His chief aim In life
Is 80 ~ himself to earn comfortable
living when his school days are over.
The principal explained that Orrls hns
become an adept In tho use OF the tvpa-
writer, rarely making a mistake in the
work he doeH. IT Is possible for the teaeh
ers 10 dictate letters TO him, by means ~
the sign language used IN the way ex-
planned above,
he II especially fond Of wood carving
and he has made several exquisite niccea
entirely without help. He also u,oieiu
IN clay ana has made an accurate copy
~ Gen Grants tomb Gn RiVerzlde driva
The form Of the building was explained
TO him and he modelled n with surprlsfnx
faithfuiIfosa. At chair Gaming Orris ~ pnr.
ucuiaFiy skiilfui. and works quickly and
carefully. when not working M uome
thing he sits patiently for hours going
over and over IN his mind the ieaaops h.
has learned
Nothing pleaAes him better than 10 hs
questioned on some matter Of interest
that ne has studied during the school sea-
sion. Hc has thoughts 81 hts own con-
corning current questions. and the irach-
crA arc glad 20 talk with him ara watch
the steady growth ~ his intellect orffe
~ undoubtedly me most Interesting a.
wen as the most talented deaf daub
ana blind boy in the country. and accord
Ing 10 the testimony II his teachers ha
is Tho hhpgisst boy in tho institution