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On the 19th of April following the passage of this bill Messrs. W. B. Smart, S. Pool, and F. C. Jones, trustees of the Institution for the Blind, organized as trustees of the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb. Instead of enlarging the buildings of the Institution for the Blind as was contemplated in the act, and organizing a department for the deaf and dumb, the trustees very wisely purchased property and established an independent institution. They purchased the property on Capitol street, opposite the Governor's Mansion, at $9,000, and opened the Institution for the reception of pupils August, 1854, with Mr. John H. Gazlay, a deaf-mute and a graduate of the New York Institution, as principal. The salary was insufficient and Mr. Gazlay resigned in a few months. Mr. Momfort was then employed; he soon resigned to accept a more lucrative position. The school was closed about the first of November, 1855, and up to the time of their first report, January, 1856, the trustees were unable to secure a principal on account of not being able to pay a sufficient salary.

In March, 1856, the following board of trustees was appointed by Gov. John J. McRae: Jo Bell, A. B. Cabaniss, W. W. Devine, John T. Hull, and W. H. Brown. It appears from the report made by this board January, 1857, that the school was closed about three months in 1856, because they were unable to get a teacher. The records do not show at what date the school was opened, but the trustees say: "We secured, on June 1st following, Mr. Bliss, a deaf-mute, as a teacher, who remained about two months." On July 1st of the same year they employed as principal Rev. A. Pomroy, and Mrs. Pomroy as matron. Later in the year they employed Mr. E. E. Bowes, a deaf-mute, as assistant teacher. Mr. Bowes had attended both the Ohio and Indiana Institutions as a pupil. The board seems anxious, and very naturally, for the future of the Institution, for they say in this report: "How much longer this Institution is to exist must altogether depend upon the action of the present legislature." It is a pleasure to record that the legislature came to the rescue. In addition to the annual appropriation of $2,000 they made an increase of $6,000 a year. The trustees recommended in this report that the property then owned by the Institution in the city be exchanged for that known as St. Andrew's College, about one mile west of the city. This suggestion was adopted by the legislature and the exchange was made that year. Fifteen pupils were received during the year 1856 whose names are not given in the report. Rev. A. Pomroy made the first report as principal, in January, 1857. Among other things, he records the fact that Gen. Jo Bell, president of the board, handed him $5, with which, being increased by $2 from himself, they prepared the pupils a "sumptuous Christmas festival."

The future of the Institution now seemed bright, indeed. With handsome and commodious buildings, an energetic and active principal, the legislature having provided all that was asked, the trustees naturally hoped for large prosperity. Whether there was any further trouble or not the record is silent; but before the close of another year Mr. and Mrs. Pomroy quietly drop out and Mr. A. K. Martin, nephew of the distinguished founder, and for thirty-five years the successful superintendent of the Missouri Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, appears as superintendent. Mr. Martin was one of those educated, high-toned, chivalrous, Christian Southern gentlemen, whose wide experience and liberal knowledge in the management and education of the deaf rendered him peculiarly well fitted to adorn this position.

The following January Mr. Martin makes a lengthy report, in which the Institution appears in an exceedingly flourishing condition. It was in September of this year, 1857, that Mr. L. W. Saunders, who is still at his post, was first appointed teacher. In the words of Mr. Martin, Mr. Saunders was, at that time, "a promising young pupil, who has by his zeal and industry made such advances in the art of teaching as give good promise of his success. He is also indebted, for his appointment, to his genial temper and good moral character." With the exception of the years the Institution was closed on account of the war, Mr. Saunders has taught continuously in this Institution since his appointment in 1857. There seems to be no record of any other man having served Mississippi, in any capacity, for so many consecutive years. This history would not be complete without a special mention of this "promising young pupil'' who has grown old in the service of the Institution, but whose energy and skill are yet being vigorously impressed upon the deaf of his native State. It affords the compiler of this

The next report is made in January, 1859, with thirty-four pupils enrolled. The crisis evidently has passed, the trustees think; Mr. Martin is still in charge, and the Institution is in a highly prosperous condition.