The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-13

of institutions OF learning for the blind
However, it was a long time until this
movement terminated in the founding of
school The first school was started IN
Boston in ISIS. Foremost among the origi-
majors of this institution was the welt
known historian Prescott. who was himself
blind. He a strong factor IN caus-
ing the founding Of these schools IN Amer
lea, because. as in Europe. the blind were
considered unfortunate. but Prescott proved
himself 10 be such an adept student that
an effort was made to start a school for
those who were so unfortunate as TO not
have the use of their eyes. The historian
was ore of the trustees of the school that
was established in 1929
BUILT IN 1s47.
The building of blind institute was first
considered in Indiana in the early part of
the last century. James NJ. Ray visited
the Blind Institute of Kentucky and saw
the advisability of such a school and when
he returned tax was secured from the
Legislature 20 raise a fund TO build such
an institution for Indiana. In 1917 the
present institute was built The site was
purchased for $1,000 and is now worth
500 900. Every State now has such an in
stitution and New York and Pennsylvania
have two each. Nine pupils comprised the
roll when the Blind Institute first started.
Before il was built the blind of Indiana
were sent to the school in Louisville. Ky.
The present broom factory was the orig
inal building and before il was put up
small room was rented. The Indiana insti-
tuition is one of the finest in the United
States
A blind person can do most everything
that one can do who has the of his
eyes and during the long winter evenings
the pupils amuse themselves by various
pastimes. They play cards. checkers.
dominos and other games of the kind in
which the touch can be used. The boys
enjoy themselves in the warm weather by
playing ball. and the boys that cannot see
at all are able 10 bat as we'll as many of
those having the use of their eyes. They
do this by the sound. the hearing of one
who cannot see being decidedly acute.
There are many persons who believe that
the blind have no use in the world outside
sof sitting down and allowing some one to
wait on them. However. this is an entirely
wrong impression because nearly every
occupation is followed by some one who
has lost his eyesight. That is the purpose
of this large institution to make useful
citizens. The most prominent vocation
among the blind is that of piano tuning.
There are also merchants. lawyers, doctors,
a few farmers, many musicians and few
are engaged in newspaper work.
The general characteristics of the blind
are exceedingly interesting and the wrong
idea so many persons have concerning them
is worthy of note. As rule they are like
other people, although their affliction would
cause them to be different to A certain
degree. They are necessarily more narrow
in scope and physically weaker than the
ordinary individual. owing to the fact that
they cannot get the exercise which anyone
else is able to get. An idea common among
people not acquainted with blind persons is
that they are happier than the ordinary
run of people. This is not tue, although
they are not any more unhappy. 1t is a
matter of fact, however, that those who
have never had the use of their eyes are
much happier than the ones who become
blind later in life. This is accounted for
by the reason that the former do not real
ize their situation while the latter know
what a serious loss they have experienced.
MUSICIANLY QUALITIES.
Another idea, and one that is most widely
believed. is that he blind are better must
clans than those who use their eyes. They
are not better adapted to music, but on ac-
count of their affliction cultivate this tai
ent more than the ordinary person. Hence
the power of hearing being so acute makes
it very easy for a blind person to learn
music and is responsible for the opinion
which, although nearly universal, is untrue.
The causes of blindness are also interest
ing and something with which few are ia
miliar. In hot and sandy countries this
affection is found to the greatest extent,
while in temperate climates one in a thou
sand is blind. More blindness comes from
cities and mining regions than from the
agricultural vicinities. Accidents cause
much more blindness than fifteen years
ago. but fewer children are blind from
birth than in the past.
Blind characters in literature are almost
always painted as decidedly angelic indi-
viduals, and the women are generally very
good, while the men are the reverse. Again
the public has the wrong impression, be-
cause the moral tendency of the blind is
just the same as that of any one else.
writer's should be led to believe as they
do, with a few exceptions, for this reason:
The type of blind man as judged by the
public is naturally the beggar on the street
corner, who is more than likely a fraud.
Women are seldom seen on. the street,
hence the conclusion is that they are better
than the men. However, close relation with
both sexes soon teaches one that the blind
are no different from other people in their
moral development.
Mr. William II. Churchman, who was
superintendent of the Blind Institute for
twenty-eight years, and who was himself
blind, says this of those who do not have the
use of their eyes: 1.-THE human soul, in its
relation to external nature. is like a musical
instrument. In itself it is an invisible ex-
istence, having the capacity and elements
of harmony The senses, the brain and the
nervous system constitute the beautiful
framework (which the Creator has woven
around its mysterious invisible strings This
silent, but when it is properly wrought
upon by those outward influences which
exist in the various forms and adaptations
of the material world, il gives forth ravish-
ing strains of exquisite harmony. Now,
when some of the finer chords of this won
derful instrument, those which carry the
beautiful windings OF the melody and con-
tribute their rich blendings of color, light
and shade to the deep-swelling harmonies