The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-11-22
BRIDGEPORT
 DEAF MUTES
 TO GIVE PLAY
They will Dance Afterward to Music They Cannot
 Hear.
NATIONAL MEETING
 IN HARTFORD SOON
Schindler Tells of Fr, De- L'Epee Who Invented
 Universal Language.

A play in which there will be no spoken word and enacted in pan fofnine, all the characters being as sumed deaf rnutes, will be one of the features of concert that the Park City Deaf Mutes society is arranging. The affair is to be given at Eagles hall on January zS- The play and concert will be, followed by ball at which the deaf folks will dance to strains of music they cannot hear. The affair is given in preparation for the observance of the tooth am adversary of the founding Of the first deaf mute school in America at Hart ford tin 1877. Similar preparations are being made all over the United States and it is believed that more than 10000 deaf and dumb people VIII attend. The convention will last two weeks and representatives from huHdreds of deaf mute. societies are expected to be present
 The ohicers of the local society who. were recently elected for term of two years are. Lincoln c. Schind1er. presidents Herman Probst, vice presi-s dent James Kirk, secretary; M rs Robert Sweeney. Joseph Youngss Ars thur Morris and Robert Sweeney trustees.
 Other members of the society are Mrs. Lincoln c. schmdler, Mrs O A
 
 James Kirk. Mrs. Joseph Youngss Mrs. Arthur Morris. MT and Mrs Cshauncey Royden, MT. and Mrs @J ohm Blakeley, Mrs. Julia Grasso. Louis. Hag1n. Mathew Bakos and Jennie NEallfn- The sign language, which enables aieaf nautes all over the world to com srunicata with each other was invent :. ed by the Rev. Charles M Dell 'Epees French Roman Catholic priest It remained for him to give to those whom nature had denied the gift of the spoken word and hearing in their own language assysten by which they might not only converse with their: fellow countrynen who were sim dliarIy afElicted but might also con- verse. but with citizens of every civil fzed country all of whom soon adopts ed the universal code
 Speaking of the work of Father De- 1sEpee. President Schfnd1er said to-
 sFather Del Ep ee who is deserved. ly called the universal benefactor eof the deaf was born November 24,1712s ana died December 23. 1z89.s By in venting a universal language of con yent1onaI signs he has lg1vem to the deaf of all countries 9 means by which they can be well educated and en- ab1ed Gin spite of a great hsndIcap9 to live normal lives and secure inn portant positions
 Father DeIiEpee took a deep in fefest in ths an1cted- He wished to be helpful friend to all One day he saw two deaf young women striv- ing by the use of peculiar signs to make their thoughts known to each other. The interested priest knew that though they. by constant asso- cfation cou1d hold limited converse with each other, they would be un-
 
 their inproVised signs. He gave this matter very serious thought and at last determined to invent one-hand- ed aIphabets reduce the gestures of the dumb to an international system or expression and open aaschoo1 where the new language would De taught
 ss1t was not long until Father De LEpee opened school for the deaf in Paris and to it came pupils from all over the world In the course of time his sign code was adopted everywhere- Ills system became one of the wonders of the world He showed the deaf the possibilities in the way Of higher education. He awakened an interest in the deaf that no other person has succeeded in do- ing and has done so much for hun drsds and thousands Of our fellow men that we should know what he accomplished and honor him as one OL. t41G greatest men III l1lSI91ys
 Trhe first of the crowned heads of Esurope to become deeply interested in Father Dell Epee and his remark able work was the Emp eror of Aus trtsL He sent one Of his ecc1esiastics to Paris to learn the sign language ana on his return the drst national school for the deaf was established in Vienna It was not long until m1st of the civilized countries had sent earnest men to Paris to be train ed by Abbe Del 'Epee in the language he had originated and brought to a high degree of perfection. France England Spain. Holland, Switzerland Austria, Italy, Denmark and Russia soon had disciples of Father Del Epet teaching their deaf
 ''The first teacher of the sign 1an. guAge in America was Thomas Hop kins Gal1audet- He was an a1uran1s of Yale and began to prepare himself Alice CogsweI1, deaf girl This meeting was the stimulus that de. termined him to labor in a field ther hneultivated- He went to Paris ane studfed in the DeEEpee school.
 Here he was warmly welcomed by Father Sicard. worthy successor Of the founder. After mastering tn, sign language GaIIaudet engaged a1 expert teacher, Laurent tClerc brought him to this country and open ed up the first American school fo. the training of the deaf at Hartford Conn GalIaudet gave to, his pupII more tlian a sign language. He pu enthusiasm into his chosen work ant Inspired with hope vnose who at tended this school. Being gooe Christian, he turned their thought to things eternal and taught his pu piIs the tenets of the faith in .w1liel ne firmly believed.
 
 has borne fruit The tiny acorn plant ed by Gal1audet has grown into grea tree. The results in this country ar, marveIous. Every state has it's wei equipped school where asble teacher are preparing the deaf to take thei