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

and the work done would reflect credit on
any school. 1T is in charge of Mr.. It. L.
kinZie Anna G.. Gravens, Frances McCray,
Louise Hawley, Mamie Champion and
Jenny yelling. a phase of the work done
in this institute and of which those in
charge are exceedingly proud is the musi-
cal education which one may get here.
This department is finely equipped, and
student may receive instruction equal to
that to be had in many of the large con-
servatories. Those in charge Of the musical
department are Miss Adelaide Carman.
William Shannon. Lille j. Adam and
Bertha Schellschmidt.
The industrial portion of the institute is
very interesting and the work done by the
boys in this department is excellent.
Broom making and cane seating chairs is
the principal work done, although other
work of this kind is turned out. The idea
is not to make money out of the depart
ment, but to instruct the pupils in this line
of work The instructors in charge of the
department are Mr.. Charles B. Keller
Cara b. French and Frank Smith A small
building at the north end of the main build
ing is the factory, and is well arranged for
this kind of work. 1t was originally the in
stitute proper until the present one was
erected.
Another valuable feature to the insti-
tute is the physical culture department
which is under the direction of Miss May
Van VIE. In the basement is an excellently
equipped gymnasium, where the pupils are
put through a course of exercise every
day. The instruction here does not differ
from that Of any other gymnasium class.
Many may wonder how the blind can be
taught in these various departments or how
it is possible to give blind person COM
mon-school education or a high-school
course. This is a question which can best
be answered by a visit TO the institute
where the progress of the students may
readily be seen. The pupils read from
raised letters, the system being known as
the New York point. Their Sunday-school
lesson is printed in this way, as is the
school work of all kinds. To spell the pu-
pills have small articles called states, and
in this are small squares. allowing a punch
to so through, so when the student is given
a word he punches the square according to
the method and thus makes the holes, SPELL
ing the word
UNDER A DISADVANTAGE
It is said that nine-tenths of the knowl-
edge that one acquires is gained by sight.
so it can be seen at what great disad-
vantage a blind person is. The principle
on which the education of the blind is
based is that all powers under the control
of the will may be retained. These powers
are trained by wise use and at the period
of the greatest activity. Owing to the great
education TO which the touch is susceptI-
BILE the blind are taught through this sense
All knowledge was originally received by
the touch. Now, however, the other senses
have been developed A large amount Of
knowledge can be secured through sight.
but it is not certain while all that is ac
quired by touch is sure. The tongue is the
most acute part of ones anatomy while
the finger tips can be trained into distin-
gushing objects nearly as well. 1t is for
this reason that the blind are taught by
touch. A boy now in the Blind Institute can
select a green string from a number of
colored strings just by the touch owing to
the difference in texture.
1t is exceedingly interesting to note the
development Of the education of the blind
Before the eighteenth century the blind
were only considered unfortunate and no
one thought of doing anything toward edu-
eating them However. in the early mart Of
the eighteenth century schools were estah
lshed in Europe fer the purpose of givin.
them a limited education These schools
were kept np by charity. but nourished
nevertheless. The first school for the edll-
cation OF the blind was established In Eu-
rope in 1854 by Valentine Haux 1t was