The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-12-27
AN UNTUToRED HELEN KELLER
Accomplishments of Deaf, Dumb ant
 Blind Texas Girl.

Blind Texas Girl.
 Ruby Rice, deaf, dumb and blind girl, is now being educated under the supervision of Superintendent McNul- ty, who secured an appropriation of three thousand dollars at the last ses- sion of the legislature for the education of the deaf-b blind of the state. MT. Me Nulty brought her from home two weeks ago. He secured the services of Mrs. E. Moore Barrett. for many years a teacher In the state school for the blind Mrs. Barrett has had some ex- perience with the deaf blind, and the securing of her services by Superin- tendent McNulty was fortunate. The following is an article written by Pro- lessor Williams, after a visit to Ruby's home two years ago:
 Ruby Rice was born in Ellis county in October, 1SS7 When she was near two years old spotted fever was preva- lent in the community. Six members of the Rice family had the fearful dis ease. The father and son died. Ruby's life was almost despaired of for five long weeks. Her mother thought that if she ever recovered that her
 
 onizing was the pain. For time it was difficult for her mother to deter mine Just what her condition was. It developed that she was totally deaf and blind. She had just begun to under stand and use words. but she does not seem to have retained any knowledge of these words.
 Notwithstanding the dark, all but sealed up life she has lived, she is e bright cheerful girl She is very fair, with blue eyes, brown hair, and is quite slender and active. Some two years ago sketch of this little girls life ap- peared in the Galveston News, and be- ing interested in her I determined at the first opportunity to know more of her. So last June, on my return from Dallas, where I had gone with pupils at the close of school, went to her home
 T am fully aware of the incredulous stories told of this class of children, and will therefore be careful not to overdraw nor in the least color real conditions. All of my information is from personal observation and from her mothers lips. I had written her moth CT that I was coming. A few friends were at home. Ruby shook hands with me, then went to her mother grasped her hand and twirled it round and round much as we do in making a sign for wheel, then pointed across the country with her mothers hand Her mother said she meant to say I had come on the train many miles. She in dicated many by running the fingers of one hand with the forefinger of the oth- CT many times. I was told that her sister had told her of my coming, and that I would take her away. She was quite shy of me, and would only let me play with her short while at time I took all the different hats I could find and spelled the word in her hand; each time I would spell to her. she would, when free, catch and push me to some playmate, indicating that I should spell to them. I did so. While was doing so Ruby held her hand over their mouths, and at the least wrinkle of the face in a smile, she would burst out in a laughter as if it were a great joqe. This was repeated many times.
 T stayed all night at the home. Tn the morning I found her in the dining room thrashing around with towel at flies, trying to drive them out. I took her hand in mine and ran it over my hands and face, indicating as best I could my desire to wash. She immedi- ately pointed across the room toward the bowl and water. I took her hand again and pointed it in the direction of the water, indicating that she could get the water. She walked to the wa ter and touched the bowl, pointing me to 1t. Before breakfast was on the ta- ble she was at her place. She has her place and plate and will have no other. She pointed and led me to the end of the table to a chair. Her brother usu- ally ate beside her. He was late to breakfast. Ruby felt over to his place and called her mothers attention to his absence, pointing up stairs to where he slept.
 Just before left she gave me some work of hers, a doll bonnet. It is quite rudely made, but is all her own. She indicated her individual property by touching the article and striking her breast with the open hand, and what was other peoples by pressing her own hand against them. This is almost