The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1902-03-29

MISSISSIPPI
NOTES OF PAST AND CURRENT EVENTS.
By KATE MARKHAM POWER.

the main buildings OF tne Dedi anu
Dumb Institution at Jackson. This in
stitution, under the splendid manage
ment of Mr.. Dobyns and his fine corps
of teachers and assistants, has long
been a source of pride to the State, but
1t is far beyond the power of man
to estimate the great and far-reaching
good that has been done in their work
of taking the hundreds of deaf mutes
Of Mississippi and leading them
gently, step by step, from the world OF
outer darkness wherein they dwell,
with their affection, into the clear,
quent happiness. 1t would be hard
to imagine a greater change than
takes place in many of these afflicted
children during the first years of their
life at the institution, when the pa
tient, wise instructors discover, bring
the brain ITSELF hat has lain dormant
behind the silent lips, and teach the
child how to find pleasure in the beau
ty of life and the world, despite the
ears that know no sound. Last Mon
day, Just before noon, the varied work
usual. One hundred pupils and all
the teachers were busy at their tasks,
and about a dozen children were in the
hospital. The usual serenity pervaded
the scene, when a passer hurried in to
say that the roof was ablaze. And in
n1,.1,4 nc eharf N tip,a n. ~ foIac m
write these words the alarm went
through the buildings, and the per-
fectly trained children, all ignorant Of
the cause, were marched from them
across the yards and to safe places in
the neighboring yards. The sick chill
dren were lifted by willing arms and
carried to beds in the nearby homes,
and as soon as the buildings were
emptied the teachers began the strug-
gle to save the children's clothes and
such oth'r things as came first to
hand. Ribs work they were nobly
aided kkttle larger dumb boys of
the insN Rdon and by the colored
servants. In a few minutes the citi-
zens began to arrive, and the firemen.
and every possible effort was made to
save the buildings and their contents,
but the frame structure (the hand
some old Prince Ed" Yerger home)
was doomed, and soon crashed to earth
a mass of burning debris. Quite a
good deal of furniture was removed
from the buildings. but all was more
or less damaged and much of it ruined.
In an incredibly brief time the house,
with its beautiful interior (much Of it
the boys handiwork), was gone, and
with 1t the private apartments of Prof.
Dobyns' family, with all their furnish
ings, the splendid library of the insti'
lections, which time and money can
not duplicate; the hospital, the dormi
tories, some class rooms, teachers
rooms, kitchens, laundry, etc, and al
most all Of the wearing apparel of the
girls. Their trunks were stored in the
i attic, and they, with their contents
; went first. This was a great loss, as
many of the pupils are very poor, ant
: their parents cannot duplicate the com
Portable clothing furnished by thu
State. Jackson's volunteer fire depart
ment worked nobly at this terrible fire
= and their efforts saved the chape
= building and the surrounding resi-
dences. Many splendid feats Of hero
ism and personal bravery were wit
messed among the pupils and teachers
e as we'll as among the firemen. Mr.
Dobyns was severely injured Will,
trying to rescue the States valuable
Z papers, his hand being crushed and al
n artery cut, but If he stopped loni
t enough to bind 1t up nobody knew II
Is He was everywhere, directing, helping
cheering and planning all at once, an
with the splendid cooperation Of hi
}. faculty, the ready sympathy of the eli
liens and the excellent training o
the pupils, he 500 had arrangement
made for their comfort. Hundreds O
the best homes in Jackson we're throw
open and the pupils were welcomed
IS and in many instances supplied wit
l. comfortable clothing to replace thei
n own. BY Thursday, however, most @
A. the children had gone on their hom'
ward ways and their school days ar
n ended for the present. 1t Is not know
at this writing what will be done rel'
n tive to rebuilding. but it seems to b
the prevailing idea that the insuranc
n money should be used to build nes
y cottages on the back of the lot, whic
may be used for dormitories, and afte
ward sold for residences when ii
O. State builds her new ID. and D.. Ii
~ stitute. Whatever the trustees mi
is decide, we hope 1t will not be ver
o long before these children can CON
re back to renew their studies. Othe
err wise, the fire will prove an Athletic
indeed. They more than any 9TH
class of children must be taught, ar
taught we'll, every line In the Book
al knowledge.
Sparks from thi' fire, driven by
~ strong north wind, set fire to half