Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-02-03

this holds true in cases Of nearly
all deaf mute girls transferred to
Office work.
Since establishment Of the rap
idly growing silent" colony in
1914, the deaf mutes have proven
themselves among the steadiest
ard the sturdiest of all of the COM
pany's $4,000 employees. Their ex-
pertness in tire building especially
has demonstrated that their afflic-
ton does not constitute a serious
physical handicap, aud that it in
Fcreases, rather than diminishes,
both mental and physical alertness.
These deaf mutes now have their
own club house, their own church
service. their own public and pri-
vate social gatherings, and their
own dances. Seldom, except when
thrown in business contact with
them, do they leave the sphere Of
their own little colony to mingle
additional prof of theory that has
ing people. They are musical
even to the extent OF having a 20
piece brass band which has gained
fame as one of the most unique
musical organizations in the
world. The deaf mute mu-
sicians play in perfect time
and display such keen SEN
sibilities as to be able to dis
cerIf whether or not an instrument
is in tune, merely by the vibrations
they catch through chairs, or other
objects. They have their own dra-
matte club and literary society.
They are great movie addicts and
frequently attend legitimate plays
and musical comedies with an in
terpreter. They are now raising
funds for erecting their own church
edifice, upon completion of which
they expect to employ deaf mute
minister to preach to them in the
silent language of the finger alpha
bet. Many of the men are active
members of the Akron Chamber OF
Commerce. while many also are
stockholders in the company for
, which they work, and home own
ers.
The remarkable degree Of COM
munity or colony spirit now exist
ing among these "silents" has been
built up by the work of Mrs. Arthur
Shawl, formerly of Cincinnati. Born
of parents both deaf and dumb, al
, though herself possessed of the full
faculties of speech and hearing,
Mrs. Shawl has made welfare work
among the deaf-mutes her chosen
vocation. She does this work not
through any degree of sympathy
for she claims the deaf-mute needs
no sympathy. but because, as she
states, she likes life better in the
mute colony than among people
who have the faculties of hearing
and speech.
Mrs. Shawl until recently was
Miss Nellie Gillespie. She mar
| ried Arthur Shawl, who is deaf
mute. and a member of the Akron
silent colony.
According to Mrs. Shawl there is
something singularly magnetic
about the typical character of the
deaf-mute, something deserving OF
the highest admiration in his forti-
tude. his irrepressible determine,
ton to win out despite his physical
handicaps; his finer degree of SEN
sitiveness, and of mental alertness
Mrs. Shawl, as an interpreter
goes with members of her colony
to concerts. Taking position
where all can see her, she inter.
prets the words of the singer or
the stage in finger language She
asserts that by reason of his finel
sensibility, the average mute gets
more pleasure out of a concert
than does the average person OF
perfect hearing. He apprehends
the sound in the form of vibration
and gets much of the emotiona,
value by watching the facial ex.
lpression of the singer.