The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-17
SCHOOLS FOR INFIRM YOUTH
 OF ALABAMA AT TALLADEGA.

Johnson, the president or tne tHreo schools. and here is the administra- rying out the idea of distinct and sep arate institutions the School for the Blind is situated nearly a half mile east of the School for the Deaf. It is on South street and in a direct line from the parent institution.
 The School for the Deaf. of which MT. Johnson is principal. was founded
 in 1ses The school for the blind. of which F. H. Manning is principal was
 founded in 1867. The school for me-
 groes Is south of the school for the
 blind and about half mile distant
 Founded by Dr. Johnson. This splendid work for the infirm children of the State had its beginning in a small way in 1858. It's founder
 was the late pr. Joseph H. Johnson, a high minded. philanthropic gentleman who came to Alabama from Georgia. Dr. Johnson carried in his great heart a consuming love for children. His interest in their infirmities was quick ened by the fact that he had a brother whose hearing and speech was im- paired. His father conducted an insti- tuition of this kind in Georgia.
 The institution was opened October |, 1858. in the large and imposing four story brick and stone building now occupied as the administration build- ing of the three schools, and the dor mitory for deaf girls. This building with it's impressive front of six mas sive Ionic columns, has been pro- nounced to be the most perfect speci- men of architecture in Alabama. The corner stone of this building was laid April 12, 1850. It was con- l structed for Clinton Lodge No. 2S, of Masons. and was used by that order for eight years as female college under Al M A Is< male College. When completed the building cost $27,600.
 Dr. Johnson secured lease of the building in 1858 and for two years con ducted an independent school for deaf dumb and blind children. He demon strated that there was a need for such an institution and in 1860 an act was passed by the legislature and approv- ed by Governor A. B. Moore establish l ing state Institute for the deaf and dumb. The act appropriated $20,000 with which to purchase buildings and | $s,0oo for the support of the institu- | ton.
 The Superintendent of Education who was then G. B. duVal and his successors in ofice with four commis- sioners to be appointed by the Govern I or, were empowered by the act to exe- cute its provisions, which they did by
 
 | Dr. Johnson and electing him superin- | tendent of the institution.
 The commissioners appointed by Gov ernor Moore to establish the school ! were J. T. Bradford, J. B. Martin. M | H. Cruikshank. and pr. William ray- | Tor. All of these are dead but the | venerable Dr. Taylor, who Is now presi- dent of the board of trustees of the l three institutions having served on the | board continually for forty-six years | In the 18th year of his age he is living | quietly at his home in Tailadega. He still takes a vigorous interest in the work and Taylor Hall. the handsome new three story domitory building, al | the West end of the campus, perpetu- | ates his fnonored name. As mark oi | loving respect to Dr. Taylor the board | of trustees held its last meeting In his bedroom. Dr. Taylor not being able to | leave his home.
 Today the school work of these in- 1 stitutions for infirm children of Ala bama is using fourteen splendid build | ings and is crowded for room. And this | is the work which Dr. Taylor saw
 have it's beginning under humble cir. | cumstances forty-six years ago. From
 an institution which began with $25,
 900 and handful of pupils the school,
 today are using property valued al | $160.000 and there are 305 pupils. | Dr, Johnson, after a life of unsur. 1 passed usefulness, passed away about twelve years ago. His son, who is 1 lovingly known as ''Har' Johnson tc
 thousands of devoted friends in every | quarter of Alabama, had been assist
 ant superintendent and the first lieu. tenant of his father. The board oi | trustees, at the death of Dr. Johnson promptly elected Hal Johnson as his | fathers successor. No other choict
 could have been made. There is nc man in the whole country better fitted l for the work.
 Beautiful Grounds.
 | The buildings of the School for the Deaf are on a knoll or swell of ground
 which rolls back from South Street | They are reached through a campus oi | about ten acres shaded by archine
 oaks. The grounds are carefully kept l the walks and drives being paved or gravelled. Nearer to the buildings
 there are flower gardens which give
 the place a homelike appearance. The main building, the original home | of the three schools. occupies central | position on this beautiful campus. Here | is the rooms of the officers or the 1 schools, dormitories for girl pupils. and | in the basement dining rooms. kitchen and store rooms. Additions have been | built on the rear of this building to l accommodate the year-to- year increase
 of pupils.
 On the west side of the main build ing is a three-story brick building used exclusively for class rooms. These
 rooms are small and inadequate. Like the main building, the study hall Is heated by ordinary stoves or grates. This is an almost primitive method of heating school rooms. These build ings are sorely in need of steam heat ing apparatus and every frieu6 of the institutian hopes that the next Legis-
 lature will give the school such an
 appropriation as it will enable the Board Of Trustees to provide it. Right here attention should be direct
 ed to the fact that every precautlon
 has been taken to guard against the
 ravages of fire at this school. There is a perfect equipment of fire hose and sufficient water pressure to throw streams to the tops of the buildings The children have been drilled in their course of conduct should a fire break out The school will never pass
 through a catastrophe caused by fire. Modern Taylor Hall.
 Taylor Hall Is the most complete | building on the grounds of the School for the deaf. IL is handsome three | story brick and stone building just west of the main building With its V...Sr h