The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-02-27
WILD LIFE OF A CHILD,
Indiana Girl Who Has Lived in Prehistoric
Style for Years.

From the New York Journal.
One Of the most unique pupils OF the Deaf and
Dumb Institution Of Knox County Ind is Rhods
Hewitt. stout, sgR-tanned cir! Of between thirteen
| and sixteen summers. When she was brought TO TIE
school II learned that she had lived wild sort
OF life out-o,-the-say farm spending much OF
her time wandering around in the woods and fields
and often sleeping a night under the hedgerow or
in fence corner. Her mother died when the girl
was very young, and the father had not TIE time
perhaps the ability to tell her after she lost
| her hearing at three years of age. Of the world
about her. She grew up Of natures own chill
dren.
When she was brought TO the school she was in
great terror. She hung her head and threw Ter
hands before her face 70 hide from the gaze Of
strangers. She had never in her life il was told
been 10 Monroe City, the nearest town 10 her home
and had never seen many other human beings than
her father
The strangers Of the schoolBere at first looked on
as enemies She would strike, kick or bite when
they approached This ssyageness Of temper lasted
about three weeks. when she began 10 appreciate
that no one would 20 her harm. but that all wanted
10 be kind 10 her.
Rhoda was put in Miss Elizabeth Rays class. For
three weeks she cried. hid her face, and repeed all
advances With kicks hgiicuns or threats 10 use
her teeth. BY degrees she came 20 learn that no
harm would be done and begsn TO look I'd and take
a human interest IN thOse about her.
Her teacher and the other pupils In the class
showed affection for her by stroking her arm or
S4iJui1tIs Jll II MAS long Time before this
with response. To-day she is one Of the most az
fectiOnate pupils in Miss Rays class and rarely
passes her teacher without touching her in an af-
fectiOnste way Characteristic OF the deaf Sometimes
the Affection is shown by a rather TOO severe blow
IN the back. and u the teachers Duties Is 20
make her understand that great physical force Is
not essential to affection.
When kh0da IN a pugnacious sad lneons1l-
able state Of mind many ways were tried TO con-
fort her. She was shown picture book. This en-
Gagged her attention little while She recognized
The picture OF a COW. and Apparently thought q
home Tor she began 70 cry, and pointing as II to
ward home said Papa papa" This word and
baby she could speak when she zane 70 School
words she mad learned srticulste D,iore she Lost
her hearing
she has already learned from the other children
what II Is to lie. The children are forbidden 70 ~
that any 5ne lies RhOda made sign indicating
this the ether day. and wss punished by being pgf
IN seat separate from the other children She IN
d-rstcOd the pufpese d the punlshrSnt for sbe
TOD Der teacher afterRsrd that she hse us.d the
word lie md had tsen made 70 Sit apart from TIE
Other children
Her conception o. Creator Is difficult "a lear,
he tea @er takes Hany occas0uz 10 Try 70 fmgrt ~
upon her s0Ie notion Of God aud Rhods has Jesruss
zfe Is asked about tbs MsEer ane Presey~sr ~ IN
Her development has teen 80 fast sinee she ca-,s
% TIE school that t. Is difficult 70 learn bow fasf
u has gore she seems % UNDERSTAND ursuy fb5sg.
that she has no way % express
TIE hrst ~0rd shs associated VITA an obts~t VA
shoe she car szy shoe in q rudinsa1ary fssE-
ion she reads and Initiates The taoslgna q, -
lsashsI iiDs Wien SIC wants % express word Tor
an object She nCS knows Htrteen Horfs Wls.
the teacher points out the picture Of a COW "a q
en@rt Kinda can write the Word "eoSft ca he
blackboard