Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-11-15
INTERESTING FACTS
CONCERNING OUR SCHOOL FOR
BLAND AND DEAF AT RcMNEX
How the aze PupiIs Are Inssructea-- The
Various Branches Taught.


Blind and Deaf located at Romney,
and in company with PRINCIPAL J. I.
Ruckor, enjoyed verv thorough IN
spection of the premises Of this noble
institution maintained by the State
of West Virginia, where education Of
the deaf and blind is offered free Of all
cost to the afflicted of this state. At
the present time there are 222 pupils
attending the school. fifty of whom are
blind, and as the enrolment about tax
es the ability OF the institution, adj
ditional funds viii be requested Of the
coming legislature to enable the COM
pletion OF the top story Of one of the
buildings 'at present, unfinished, the
purchase of an additional farm, as well
as the equipment of electric light
plants, as earnestly urged by DIR. q.
A. Ashman of Wheeling. While the
present capacity of the school is about
500, yet but few more can be accomo-
dated on the last appropriation of the
legislature of $40, 500, owing TO the adj
vance of about fifteen per cent. in the
cost of maintenance, due largely to
the increased cost of provisions, etc.
Principal Rucker has made an enyi-
able record III the running cost of the
establishment. for while the very best
is offered to the pupils, the school is
being operated at cost of less than
$500 per head, which is, less than
any other public institution in the
country; the cost Of most schools run
ming fromS $50 to 1910 per head. Mr..
Rucker has a most efficient corps of
teachers on his staff. and the impress
sion conveyed to the casual visitor
is of their great interest in the work,
as well as their efficiency.
The Buildings.
Two large buildings. one for the
blind. and one for the deaf, aecomo-
date. the pupils, their dormitories and
school rooms and number of out
side buildings are maintained. where
in practical instruction is given in
the various industrial arts which in
clude the following Mattress and
broom making for the blind, printing
department. carpenter. shoe, tailor and
bake shop for the deaf. Each of these
departments is under the charge of an
efficient foreman, and they with two
governesses for the instruction of the
blind and deaf in sewing. two teachers
for physical training, two matrons
and assistants, one clerk in the Office,
one boy supervisor. one engineer aud
assistant, comprise roster of forty
two.
Z A large farm is maintained near the
establishments where the pupils en-
gage in gardening, farming, etc. thus
acquiring practical knowledge as well
as giving the requisite amount of ex-
ercise In thesprinting Office small
newspaper called the ''West Virginia
Tablet" is issued forty times during
the wear This paper is printed by
the pupils. The bake shop, where
the most delectable products are issued
in the cooking line has for its head
| Mr.. William limerick, we'll known in
| Wheeling, and at one time engaged in
| business in this city. Among the pupils
are the well known yardmaster of the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad at this
point, Lawrence Knuth, of 80 Jacob
| St.. Frank Drombrowski, Elizabeth
Davis, daughter Of John b. Davis, of
| No. 10 Baker street; Christian End
Paul Jepson, 1912 Water street Thorn
as Minis, sonsof T. J. Minis, of 81
Wetzel street, and Charles Knopp. All
of these pupils are bright, interesting
young people and favorable reports are
made as TO their progress. Thomas
Minis, one of the blind pupils, wrote
his name ON slip of paper for the
News man in raised letters by which
the blind are enabled to read. The
pointed books .ased in the instruction
of the blindiare quite expensive, but
are furnished gratitiouslv to this and
other institutions of its kind by the
UnitedsStates government.
Board OF REGENTS.
The Board of Regents is composed
Of the following well known gentle
mem:
f. NJ. Reynolds, president Kevser,
Mineral county; David S. Pettigrew,
Summer sville. Nicholas county, ]. S.
Brown. Kinkwood, Preston county
10. Watts, Charleston. Kanawha coun-
ty; James W Stuck, West Union,
Dodridge county; G. A. Aschman,
Wheeling, Ohio county A. O. Finley,
Harding. Randolph county; H. w
Deem. RIPLEY. jackson county: E. Y.
Parker. secretary of the board, Roms
ney, w. Va.
These gentlemen, with the very able
supervision of Mr. ]. t. Rucker, have
brought the'institution.t to high stand