USA > West Virginia > Hampshire County > History of Hampshire County, West Virginia : from its earliest settlement to the present > Part 34
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
462
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE.
And storms, fierce growling, should be heard afar! What, though the clouds should quench the blazing sun, And spread thick darkness 'neath his highest noon! What, though the demons of the air attend And all their terrors to these terrors lend, Whilst lightnings, blazing in the murky cloud, Presage in wrath the bellowing thunders loud; When thunders bursting, from the forger hurled, In peals terrific shake a startled world; Still thou art welcome to the earth most dear, Thou brightest, loveliest season of the year.
CHAPTER XL,
SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND,
BY H. L. SWISHER.
There is no surer evidence of advancement in civilization in a state or community than that it has a care for those of its members who are unfortunate. When we remember how those physically or mentally unsound were treated in centuries past, and even today in those social societies where little advancement has been made, we can congrat- ulate ourselves that we live in a more enlightened time and country.
Doubtless more than one person felt pity for those un- fortunate persons to whom the whole world of light and. shade, the smiling landscape and sparkling stream is worse than unknown, before any active steps were taken to bet- ter their condition. In this state it was left for one who knew the hardship of sightless eyes to do something for his fellow-beings who were afflicted in like manner. The history of the founding of this benevolent institution is so closely connected with the history of one man, who first gave it shape and has since devoted more than a quarter of a century of his life to its success, that it will be necessary before going further to give some account of his life.
Professor H. H. Johnson, founder of the West Virginia schools for the deaf and blind, was born near Franklin, in Pendleton county, then in Virginia, February 19, 1846. From infancy he was afflicted with very imperfect vision, and in a few years became totally blind. Having heard of the Staunton school for the blind, he went there at the age of eleven and remained four years. His progress in his
464
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE.
studies was remarkably rapid and his ability was a subject of remark among his teachers and acquaintances. Leav- ing Staunton, he went to his home at Franklin, where his brother, James Johnson, some years older than himself, was conducting a school. His brother was also blind. After this he attended school at New Market, Virginia, for two years. His teacher while here was Professor Joseph Saliards, a ripe scholar, an able teacher and an author of considerable note. Professor Johnson was accompanied to New Market by a young man named Clark, who read his lessons for him and in turn was assisted by young Johnson in his studies, especially in French, with which his blind friend had early made a familiar acquaintance. Leaving New Market Mr. Johnson again returned to Franklin, where, during the winter of 1865-66, he taught a private school in connection with his brother. Not yet satisfied with his accomplishments in fields of study, in the fall of 1866 he re-entered Staunton school for the blind and remained there one year, taking advanced studies.
The next year we find him teaching at Moorefield, and also the year following he is at his post in the school room at the same place. It was early in the year 1869 that Pro- fessor Johnson became imbued with the idea of establish- ing a school for the blind and so perseveringly did he labor that his idea now has a material representation in the West Virginia schools for the deaf and blind. Governor William E. Stevenson had been recently inaugurated and Professor Johnson opened a correspondence with him in regard to his hope and ambition to found a school for the blind. The governor assured him of his sympathy and support. Mr. Johnson then took it upon Himself to make a canvas of the state, stirring up public thought and dis- cussion concerning his enterprise. Unquestionably much good was done and it is doubtful if the bill could have been gotten through the legislature the next spring had it not been for the sympathy and good will aroused by this can- 32
SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND. 465
vass. The legislature convened in Wheeling on January 18, 1870, and it was decided to make an effort to have the school established that year. With the bill already written Professor Johnson set out for Wheeling. He was at this time only twenty-four years old yet he had undertaken a work from which many an older person would have shrunk and which was encompassed by so many difficulties and discouraging circumstances that even a stout heart might well despair of success.
On his way to Wheeling Mr. Johnson fell in with Ex- Governor Francis H. Pierpont at Fairmont and soon endeavored to get him interested in the proposed institu- tion. When asked to present the bill to the legislature he replied that he could not afford to connect his name with an enterprise so sure to fail. Hon. Joseph S. Wheat, the member of house of delegates from Morgan county, when approached in regard to the matter, declared the bill would fail because it ought to fail, the state, as he claimed, not then being able to establish any more public institutions. Not discouraged by these rebuffs, Mr. Johnson persevered and through the kindness of some friends was granted the use of the hall of the house of delegates in which to give an exhibition in connection with his brother, James Johnson, and Miss Susan Ridenour, also blind. This exhibition consisted of music, recitation and class drill. The hall was full of people who had gathered to witness the per- formance. After the exhibition was over Professor John- son arose and for an hour he reasoned and pleaded with the law-makers of the state for the establishment of a school for those who were denied the sense of sight. This speech had a wonderful effect, and, when he had closed, people crowded around to congratulate him upon his won- derful effort. Mr. Wheat who the day before had been opposed to the bill and had declared the measure ought to fail, pressed up to him and grasping his hand, said earn- estly, "Johnson, I'll vote for your bill if it costs a hun-
466
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE.
dred thousand dollars." After this there was no lack of persons who were willing to put the bill before the house. It was finally done by Hon. John J. Davis, Harrison county's representative.
It must be remembered that all this time the labor was in behalf of a school for the blind. When the bill was put before the legislature no mention was made in it of a school for the deaf. After the bill had passed through all the stages necessary to becoming a law and just when it was at the last possible point where it could be amended, Hon. Monroe Jackson, of Wood county, offered as an amendment that the words, "deaf and dumb and" be in- serted before the word blind in every instance in which it occurred in the bill. The amendment was accepted and the bill became a law March 3, 1870, establishing what was first called the West Virginia Institution for the deaf, dumb and blind. The dual character of the school is now more definitely shown by the name which has been changed to the West Virginia Schools for the deaf and the blind. "
Some of the provisions of this bill were, first: "That im- mediately after the passage of this act the governor shall appoint one person from each senatorial district of the state, to constitute, collectively, a body corporate, with powers to rent, purchase and convey real estate, and with all the powers necessary for the establisment of a tempor- ary institution for the education of the deaf and dumb and blind youth of West Virginia, as hereinafter provided, and to be known as the Board of Regents of the West Virginia Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and Blind." Another provision was that "the board of regents of the West Vir- ginia Institution for the deaf and dumb and blind shall meet in Wheeling, at a time to be specified by the gov- ernor within a fixed period of three months after the pas- sage of this act, and shall procced at once to adopt and put in execution the necessary means for the education of the
1
SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND. 467
deaf and dumb and blind youth of West Virginia." The eighth section of the bill reads: "The board of regents in the establishment of the institution herein authorized, shall provide accommodations for not more than forty persons, at first, including officers, assistants, etc. And they shall authorize their principal to notify the principal of the Vir- ginia institution and the superintendent of the Ohio insti- tution for the deaf and dumb and blind, at as early date as practicable, of the time at which the West Virginia insti- tution for the deaf and dumb and blind shall be open and ready to accommodate the indigent and all other deaf and dumb and blind youth from this state, who have been so kindly and so liberally accommodated in their respective institutions; and the board shall at that time furnish the necessary means for the transportation of such indigent youth as may then be in said institutions, to their own in- stitution."
Further on it was provided that "all deaf and dumb and blind youth, residents of the state of West Virginia, be- tween the ages of six and twenty-five years, shall be ad- mitted to pupilage in the institution on application to the principal until the institution is filled."
In section eleven of the bill it is declared that: "In addi- tion to their other duties, the assessors of the state are hereby required to register in a book, to be fur- · nished them by the auditor for the purpose, the names of all deaf and dumb and blind persons in their respective districts, with the degree and cause of their blindness in each case, as far as can be ascertained from the heads of families, or from other persons, whom the assessors may conveniently consult, their ages, the names of their par- ents or guardians, their postoffice address, and such other circumstances as may constitute useful statistical informa- tion, in making the institution herein authorized promptly efficient in ameliorating the condition of the deaf, dumb and blind by education." The last provision of the act ap-
468
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE.
propriates "the sum of eight thousand dollars, to be paid out by the treasurer of the state, upon the order and war- rant of the board of regents of the West Virginia institu- tion for the deaf, dumb and blind; which sum shall be used by said board in meeting the expenses of the establish- ment of the institution hereby authorized, and in support- ing the same from the date of its establishment to the thirtieth day of September, eighteen hundred and seventy- one."
According to the first provision of the act the governor proceeded to appoint the first board. It was composed of the following members:
Hon. Wm G. Brown, president, Kingwood, Preston county; Rev. D. W. Fisher, Wheeling, Ohio county; Gen- eral D. N. Couch, Concord Church, Mercer county; Rev. T. H. Trainer, Benwood, Marshall county; Rev. R. N. Pool, Clarksburg, Harrison county; Col. G. K. Leonard, Parkersburg, Wood county; Hon. Henry Brannon, Weston, Lewis county; J. D. Baines, Esq., Charleston, Kanawha county; Major J. H. Bristoe, Martinsburg, Berkeley county; Prof. H. H. Johnson, Moorefield, Hardy county; Capt. A. WV. Mann, Falling Spring, Greenbrier county. This board met in Wheeling, April 20, 1870, and proceeded to formu- late plans for the school. Towns and cities throughout the state were invited to compete for the location of the insti- tution; the one which would make the best offer was prom -. ised the school. Wheeling, Parkersburg and Romney all offered strong inducements. Wheeling proposed to give the property known as the Female College, and so libera was the offer that it was decided to locate the school there. After the board had adjourned, however, the authorities were hindered from transferring the property to the board by an injunction gotten out by friends of the Female Col- lege, who were unwilling to see that school discontinued. The matter was not contested and at the next meeting, which was held at Parkersburg, June 23 of the same year,
469
SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND.
the board decided upon Romney as the place where the school should be established. The literary society and citizens of Romney agreed to give the building known as "Romney Classical Institute," together with fifteen acres of land attached. This property was situated just east of the town. Its value was twenty thousand dollars. The acceptance of this offer gave the institution a home, and the only thing yet to be done was the election of a corps of teachers.
The board met again on July 20, 1870, in Romney. H. H. Hollister, A. M., a teacher in the Ohio institution, was elected principal at this meeting. The other teachers and officers chosen to serve at the same time, were Prof. H. H. Johnson, teacher in blind department; Holdridge Chides- ter and Miss Rosa R. Harris, teachers in deaf department; Henry White, watchman; Mrs. Lucy B. White, matron; and Dr. S. R. Lupton, physician. With this able crew at the helm the institution launched upon its career Septem- ber 29, 1870. Its success from the beginning was assured. The first year twenty-five deaf mutes and five blind pupils were enrolled. Robert White, secretary of the board of regents, in his report to Governor Stevenson at the close of the first year, says: "The board has to express its en- tire satisfaction with the present flourishing condition of the institution. The discipline, the progress of the pupils in their studies and their general improvement, deserve the highest commendation and entitle our deaf and dumb and blind institution to the unstinted patronage of the state."
Some excerpts from the report of the principal for the first year may prove interesting. After some introductory remarks concerning the repairs made in the building and auspicious opening of the school, he says: "It is believed to be the first time in the history of similar institutions that the number of applications received before the open- ing was greater than the building could possibly accom-
470
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE.
modate. At the commencement of the session, or soon thereafter, thirty pupils (twenty-five mutes and five blind) were received. Among these are three (two mutes and one blind) transported according to law from the Virginia institution. The pupils were immediately classified and put under instruction. The teachers whom you appointed have all shown a commendable zeal and faithfulness in the discharge of their duty. Professor Johnson, in the in- struction of the blind, has displayed a marked ability which is showing, and will show, good results in this de- partment. Professor Chidester brings to us an expe- rience of fifteen years as private teacher and as instructor in a sister institution. His skill, diligence and enthusiasm are ample proof of the wisdom of the board in his appoint- ment. Miss Harris, in the facility with which she is ac- quiring the sign language and the peculiar processes of deaf mute instruction, gives promise of great future use- fulness. With the assistance of an advanced pupil she also gives musical instruction to the blind. The board were fortunate in securing the services of Mrs. Lucy B. White as matron. She has discharged her duties with kindness towards all the inmates, and with a marked ability and zeal for the interests of the institution. The number of pupils already admitted is fully equal to the capacity of the build- ing; and as it is, we have to dispense with many con- veniences which a well regulated institution should have."
The following further quotation from his letter shows how a person may reconcile himself to the absence of con- veniences: "When the institution was located at Romney I felt that the lack of a railroad would prove prejudicial to its highest interests. But our location has advantages which are a large compensation for our isolation. It gives us cheaper provision of every kind; it relieves us from all anxiety lest our pupils should wander away and be killed on the railway track, as has happened a score of times in other states, but above all, it gives us a retirement favora-
471
SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND.
ble to the advancement of the pupils." Let another quota- tion, showing the financial condition of the institution, suf- fico: "From an inspection of the expenditures so far, it will be seen that the appropriation made by the last legis- lature is not sufficient to meet the expenditures of the establishment and support of the institution until Septem- ber 30, 1871. Of the eight thousand dollars appropriated nearly one thousand dollars were expended before the organization of the institution could be completed. About three thousand dollars were expended for repairs and fur- niture. Thus about four thousand dollars were left for the support during a little more than one year-a sum hardly sufficient to pay the salaries and wages of employees and the traveling expenses of the board, leaving no provi- sion for current expenses and clothing of indigent pupils. In view of all these facts I would ask an appropriation of five thousand dollars to meet the deficiency. Besides these amounts, not less than eleven thousand dollars will be re- quired to support the institution during the current years of 1871 and 1872. Therefore I respectfully recommend that you ask our next legislature for forty thousand dollars for the above purposes.
"It is desirable at no distant day to make arrangements for the training of the pupils in some useful trade. The trades most commonly taught are carpentering, printing and shoemaking for the deaf, and broommaking for the blind. Permit me here to acknowledge the great assist- ance which Colonel Robert White, your secretary, has given me in the duties I have had to perform. The unfor- tunate children entrusted to our care owe him a debt of gratitude for the interest he has taken in their welfare. Also to acknowledge the skill with which Dr. Lupton has performed his professional duties to the inmates of the in- stitution, and his many suggestions and cordial coopera- tion to promote the physical wellbeing of the pupils."
Such is the history of the founding of the institution and
472
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE.
a review of its first year's work. This was twenty-seven years ago. Around the old "Classical Institute, " as a nu- cleus, the beautiful and spacious buildings have grown. Two wings, each 70 by 30 feet, were added to the original building in 1871-72. This gave the building a front of 194 feet. The same year thirty-three new pupils were en- rolled and many were turned away because of lack of ac- commodations. Mr. Hollister continued as principal for three years, and under his careful management the school grew from thirty in 1870 to seventy-seven in 1872. In Oc- tober, 1873, Mr. Hollister resigned to practice medicine.
When Mr. Hollister severed his connection with the school, Dr. S. R. Lupton, who had been serving the institu- tion as physician since its foundation, was elected tempor- ary principal. On the 15th of December, of the same year, the board of regents met and chose Mr. C. H. Hill as prin- cipal. Mr. Hill was at that time a teacher in the Maryland school at Frederick city, and being offered additional in- ducements by that institution, declined the tendered prin- cipalship. The board met again on January 5, 1874, and selected Leveus Eddy, Esq., a teacher in the Wisconson school for the deaf, for principal. Mr. Eddy came imme- diately and took charge of affairs, but remained only until the next July.
The same month the board elected Major John C. Covell to the principalship, and in the fall of 1874 he began his long and successful career of thirteen years. Previous to this time Major Covell had for some years been principal of the Virginia school at Staunton. The unprecedented success of the school under his management was largely due to his splendid scholarship and remarkable aptness, coupled with'wide experience, which he made to serve him in this work. The year preceding the election of Major Covell showed a falling off in the attendance of thirteen, but under his administration the school at once began to grow. Finding that twelve out of the fifty-four counties
·
SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND. 473
in the state had no representatives in the institution, he at once urged upon the board of regents the necessity of making a canvass to discover if there were not in these counties persons who would be glad to avail themselves of the advantages of the school. His recommendation was adopted, and investigation showed that his supposition was founded on fact. In his first report he urged the necessity of introducing gas into the buildings for pur- poses of light. This was afterwards done. The present supply of pure water is another improvement urged in his report and soon afterwards arranged for.
A new system of classification was introduced into the school in 1875, by which the pupils were arranged in grades similar to the present system. A committee con- sisting of Messrs. John Johnson, chairman; H. L. Hoover and John Wilson, jr., appointed in 1875 to examine into the condition of the school, gave in a very favorable and flattering report, culminating in the statement that, "in the judgment of the committee it can be said in refer- ence to this institution, from the board of regents and principal down through every grade of office that the right man is in the right place." It was the year following that the first biennial report was published, covering the years 1875 and 1876. Hitherto the reports had been published annually.
It was recommended to the board at their June meeting in 1877 by the principal that they establish the department of visible speech. The recommendation was considered and such a department was created. The things to be taught the deaf mutes in these classes were articulation and lip reading. The position as teacher in this branch of the school was tendered to Miss Susie W. Allen, a distin- guished graduate of Professor A. Graham Bell's school in Boston. Miss Allen accepted the position and entered upon her duties on the 20th of November, 1877.
When the institution was ten years old in 1880 the at-
.
474
HISTORY OF HAMPSHIRE.
tendance had reached 120. Of these, eighty-seven were deaf mutes and thirty-three were blind. During this year the following distinguished gentlemen, Geo. W. Peterkin, G. W. Finley and C. E. Joyce, who, at the principal's re- quest, attended the annual examination of the institution, reported that: "The classes gave gratifying evidence of proficiency in their studies and of the diligence and faith- fulness of their teachers." They further report "the marked efficiency of the teacher of music, Mr. O. W. Schaeffer, and the progress of the pupils under his tui- tion."
The annual appropriation for the years 1885-89 was twenty-five thousand dollars, which goes to show that more than three times as much was expended on this state charity in these years as was in the year of its organiza- tion.
Thirteen years of labor in the school on the part of Major John C. Covell was closed by his death June 4, 1887. Under his guidance the school had increased in attendance from sixty to one hundred and thirty. The benefits and influence of the Institution were made known in every section of the state, largely through his untiring labors an unflagging courage. The following resolution passed by the board of regents five days after his death, will serve to show the esteem in which he was held by that body:
"WHEREAS, We have learned of the death of Major J. C. Covell, the late principal of the West Virginia Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, therefore,
"Resolved, That we greatly deplore his loss to the Insti- tution over which he presided with such universal accepta- · bility; that in his death we recognize the loss of a friend worthy of the fullest confidence and an official of marked ability and adaptation to his duties which he always per- formed with a faithfulness and efficiency unexcelled."
No eulogy, however, could speak so high in his praise as the eloquent labors of love he performed when alive. Cast-
475
SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND.
ing about for a new principal to fill the now vacant place, the board was fortunate enough to fall upon Hon. H. B. Gilkeson, a prominent lawyer of Romney. Any special training for this work that he lacked was amply made up by his broad culture and liberal education. His capacity for business enabled him to conduct the schools with economy and in a manner very satisfactory to the board. Mr. Gilkenson had left a lucrative law practice to assume the principalship and after a year's service he decided to return to his former more lucrative profession.
After the resignation of Mr. Gilkenson the board in their meeting in the summer of 1888 elected as principal Professor C. H. Hill, who was then teaching in the North Carolina Institution at Raleigh. It will be remembered that Mr. Hill was offered the same position fifteen years before but had declined. This time, however, he accepted and entered upon his duties in September, 1888. His long experience in this work before coming to the Institution has enabled him to maintain the high standard established · by his predecessors as well as to further advance the work. Under his administration numerous additions have been made to the buildings and many improvements made in other buildings previously erected. He early recom- mended the purchasing of additional acreage of land to afford a place of recreation for the largely increased num- ber of pupils. The buildings as they stand at present are very handsome and convenient. Two parallel buildings of equal dimensions, each one hundred and ninety-four feet in length, are joined in the middle by a cross building, which gives the whole structure the shape of the letter H. In the rear building, in the central part, is the general dining room on the first floor, school rooms on the second, with the third used as a chapel hall, and stairways in each wing communicate with these apartments so that the boys and girls can enter from opposite directions. The build- ings are all of brick and finished in the French style of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.