The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-24
REUNION OF DEAF MUTES
FIVE HUNDRED GRADUATES OF THE
INDIANA SCHOOL.
Picture of GaIlaudet and HIS First Pc
Pill Presented to the In
stitutfon.

A reunion of nearly five hundred persons.
each smiling ano trying to make his near
est friend happier than himself. was a
sight to be witnessed yesterday at the fifth
riennia reunion of graduates Of the State
Institution for Deaf Mutes, on East Wash
ington street. Young men and women that
have just left their clsssrooms mingled
with gray-haired men and women that have
become bent with the weight Of years. The
crowd was a most interesting one as it
walked through the large corridors of the
institution, talking, now calm and only
using the fingers ends to denote their
thoughts. now gesticulating as the con-
versation became more animated. followed
by the grimaces of the face to impress
more fully on the spectators the speak
er's' thought.
One of the great reasons for the happi-
ness displayed by these people was that
in this institution they had grown up from
boys and girls and gone through the ten
years course of the school. Every spot
of the grounds has something connected
with it that endears 1t to the hearts of
the graduates o; the school. 1t is In these
reunions that this feeling finds vent.
Superintendent Johnson, of the institu-
ton, welcomed the members of the alumni
to this city In the sign language. He was
followed by Miss Jennie Kingan. of Chi
her fingers. William Lang. president of
the association, then read the presidents
address, which was followed by the reports
of the different officers. So animated did
the experimenting become that Superin-
tendent Johnson, who was standing in the
door of the convention room about noon.
trying desperately to draw the attention
of the delegates from the business meeting
to the fact that dinner was ready, had to
get a large bell. Its peals could not be
heard by the delegates, but he stood In
front of the platform and rang II with
great force, and the motion was well un-
derstoOd by the members OF the association,
which adjourned without further delay.
The throng went to the large dining room
in the middle Of the building, where a
sumptuous dinner was spread. At 2 o'clock
the delegates reassembled in the audito-
rum for the election of officers, the nomi-
nations having been made at the morning
session. The election resulted as follows:
President. Albert Berg. Indianapolis; first
vice president, Joseph b. Bixley, North
Kinsley. indianapolis; third vice president,
John McCloskey, Louisville, KY; recording
secretary. Carl Rudolph, Silverwood. Ind;
corresponding secretary, Arthur Norris. Al
exandria. Ind; treasurer, August Jutt. In
dianapolis.
After the result of the election was an
nounced the meeting adjourned. Groups
of the delegates went into different parts
of the grounds and retold stories of their
school lays at the institution. Last nignt
bAlC anu thNt AAtNA4o "a ~
to the triennial banquet In the dining room
of the institution. The tables had been
decorated during the afternoon. Five large
tables were placed on each side of the
room. During the course of the banquet
a life size painting OF Gallaudet and Alice
Coggswell, his first pupil, done by Marcus
Kerr. a deaf mute. of st. Louis. was pre-
sented. The picture has been bought by
the Indiana society for $3.50. which repre-
sents subscriptions ranging from 10 cents
TO several dollars. Gallaudet is repre-
scented as teaching his first pupil. Miss
Coggswell. who was then a mere child. the
dimen OF the sign Language as he him
self had learned IL when in Paris studying
under Secar. Gallaudet Is forming the let
ter a. which his pupil is trying TO also
form with her tiny hands.
The formal presentation OF the picture
was made by Prof. Long. Superintendent
Johnson made a speech of acceptance. and
the picture will remain in the auditorium
of the school. To-day the delegates will
board electric cars at the gates OF the in
stitution and will be conveyed to Broad
Ripple. An all-day picnic will be held.
during which athletic contests will be an
important feature. Prizes have been do
mated by business men for the different
contests which will insure some lively
times. The party will return TO the city
about 10 o'clock.