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The Mississippi Institution For The Education Of The Deaf And Dumb

Creator: J.R. Dobyns (author)
Date: 1893
Source: Available at selected libraries
Figures From This Artifact: Figure 2  Figure 3

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THE first mention of the deaf that has been found in any of the State records is in the message of Governor A. G. McNut, sent to the legislature January 5, 1841.

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In giving some statistics he says: "There were in the State on June 1, 1840, free white persons deaf and dumb, 69; colored persons deaf and dumb and blind, 118,"

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It does not appear that he made any recommendation looking to the establishment of an institution for their education, or that any member of the legislature introduced a bill to that end.

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No reference has been found to this subject from that date till the meeting of the legislature in 1852, when Governor James Whitfield made the following recommendation, viz :

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"One other institution of a kindred character -referring to the Lunatic Asylum and Institution for the Blind- is still wanted to complete the list of noble charities so characteristic of Southern generosity; I refer to the asylum for the deaf and dumb.

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"The poor mute who is permitted to gaze upon the beauties of nature, but whose ears are forever closed to the sweet melody Providence has ordained to gladden the human heart, and whose tongue has never learned to hold social converse with his fellow-creatures or even unite in praises to the Most High, is a subject to claim our most anxious solicitude and prompt us to some action to ameliorate his condition, whilst he can only be taught to appreciate the bounties of Providence and the scheme of redemption by teaching him to read. Let us not withhold from him this exalted privilege so fraught with happiness to all who enjoy its benefits; and whilst he can only converse with his fellow-creatures and enjoy that social intercourse so necessary to the happiness of all by learning to write, let us do something towards unstopping the ears of the deaf and making the dumb to speak through the medium of the pen.

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"I would, therefore, recommend that a small appropriation be made, similar to the one made for the benefit of the blind, in order to employ a teacher or teachers and found a school for the benefit of this class of our people, which may be changed or enlarged as circumstances may hereafter require. And with this additional institution the people of Mississippi may justly feel that they have done everything that could be done by legislative enactment to educate the poor and ameliorate the condition of the suffering and afflicted.

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"In view of the intimate connection between this and the Institution for the Blind, I respectfully suggest that the two might be blended under one general supervision, thereby lessening the expense to the State without detriment to either."

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This recommendation was followed by the introduction of a bill in the House of Representatives, at that session, by Mr. Jones, a representative from Pontotoc county, establishing an institution for the instruction of the deaf and dumb at or near the town of Pontotoc, in Pontotoc county. This bill went to its third reading in the House, when a "rider " was tacked to it, making the institution a department of Oakland College, a flourishing male college in this State at that time. This rider seems to have killed the bill on its final passage. At the session of the legislature in 1854 a similar bill was introduced in the Senate by Mr. Webb, senator from Pontotoc. This "bill was killed " in the house of its friends, and it seems the energetic representatives from Pontotoc gave up the idea of securing this prize.

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On Tuesday, February 7, 1854, Col. Erasmus R. Burt, a member of the House of Representatives, and the father of the Mississippi Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, offered the following resolution, which was adopted, to wit:

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Resolved, That the Committee of Education is hereby instructed to inquire into the expediency of enlarging the buildings of the Blind Institute so as to furnish apartments for the education of the deaf and dumb, and report by bill or otherwise.

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Col. Burt was a prominent and influential member from Oktibbeha county, and at that session was not only a member of the Committee of Education, but was the chairman of the Committee on Claims, the first in the list of committees.

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It will be seen that, instead of this being an asylum or a refuge for the deaf, its very origin was in the idea of education, and every recommendation, act, and resolution had in view the education of the deaf, making it purely an educational institution.

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On Wednesday evening, February 22, 1854, just fifteen days after the introduction of that resolution, Col. Burt, from the Committee of Education, made the following report, to wit:

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Mr. SPEAKER: The Committee on Education have had under consideration the resolution of the House instructing them to enquire into the expediency of establishing an institution for the education of the deaf and dumb, and have instructed me to report the following bill, and recommend that it do pass.

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The report was received; the bill was read the first time and passed to the orders of the day. On the morning of the 28th of February Col. Burt called up this bill, and it was made the special order for that evening at 7 o'clock. When the hour arrived, on motion of Mr. Newman, of Warren county, the special order was taken up. The House resolved itself into committee of the whole, considered the bill, and reported it back without amendment and recommended its passage. The report was received and agreed to and the bill was read the third time. Mr. Liddell moved an amendment by way of a rider. The rider was read the first, second, and third times and passed. The question was then taken on the passage of the bill and rider and decided in the affirmative by the following vote :


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Yeas: Mr. Speaker (Hon. Hiram Cassidy) of Franklin county, Messrs. Austell, Anderson, Burt, Brown, Barksdale, Botters, Bernard, Beasly, :Buck, Burrus, Covington. Downs, Duckworth, Dubisson, Gilleland, Huntley, Harper of Rinds, Holder, Helm, Foot, Liddell, Lewis, Mc- Lauren, Magee, Owen, Philips, Powe, Rozelle, Rawls, Rankin, Rhodes of Jackson, Regan, Shannon, Sharpe, Saddler, Stark, Strong, Swearingen, Thomas, Ward, and Wayne -- 43.

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Nays: Messrs. Abbott, Autry, Boren, Bardin, Buckley, Dean, Dickens, Elzy, Garrett, Gordon, Henderson, Hindman, Hamer, Jayne, Lott, McQueen, Mitchell, Monet, Newman, Rives, and Siddall -- 20.

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This bill was immediately reported to the Senate. At the afternoon session the next day, March 1st, Mr. Webb, senator from Pontotoc, called up the bill and it passed its second reading. At this juncture Mr. D. W. Adams, an energetic senator from Hinds county, got the floor and called up several other bills, which were passed. Mr. J.M. Ackerman, of Monroe county, moved a reconsideration of the bill and it was finally passed by the following vote:

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Ayes: Messrs. Adams, Arthur, Berry, Cobb. Farrar, Graves, Hemingway, Johnston, McWillie, Nelson, Pegues, West, and Webb -- 13. Nays: Mr. President (John J. Pettus), Messrs. Beene, Banks, Ellett, Greer, Keger, Oliver, Ram say, and Stewart -- 9.

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The bill was reported back to the House at the night session of this same day. Time was short; the legislature, by a resolution already adopted by both houses, was to adjourn the next day. Mr. Siddall, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported that the joint committee had found the bill correctly enrolled. It was then to be signed by the presiding officers of both houses, and be sent to the Governor for his approval before it could become a law. It was reported to the Governor that evening, signed or approved by him that and reported back to the House on the morning of March 2.

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Thus was born, March 1, 1854, the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb of Mississippi. Those who are familiar with the workings of legislative bodies know that, with the opposition to this bill, there must have been some interested, watchful, experienced, and influential friend to engineer it, when it was carried through so rapidly and skillfully, and so near the end of the session, the legislature having adjourned in less than twelve hours after it was reported back by the Governor. There being no other way of finding out who this friend was than from the journals of the House and Senate, the honor must be attributed to Col. E. R. Burt.

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Col. Burt was auditor of State at the breaking out of the war. He gave up his office, raised a company, and tendered his services to the Confederate Government. For his gallant conduct he was soon promoted to the colonelcy, and laid down his life in 1862, at the battle of Leesburg. The fortunes of war left no time or money to mark the graves of its heroes. Miss Cabaniss, who is and has been for so many years matron of the Institution, was an intimate friend of the daughters of this good man. In the absence of the tender, loved ones, at her own expense, she marked the spot where he was laid, and from that day to this she has, unconscious of the fact that he was the real founder of the Institution, watched over the tomb of a friend whose name will always be honored by the deaf of Mississippi. It behooves Mississippians to honor and revere the memory of such a friend of her institutions, such a distinguished statesman and brave soldier.

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Col. Burt did not and could not have dreamed of the possibilities of this Institution, and he certainly legislated wiser than he knew. During the years 1890 and 1891 the superintendent attempted to gather the statistics as to occupations and annual earnings of those who had gone out from the Institution since its foundation.

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These efforts resulted in showing that out of about three hundred who had been in the Institution, returns were received from only sixty-two, aggregating twenty-two different employments, annual earnings of $13,158, and the total for the whole time, $131,257. Referring to this matter, the superintendent says in his report:

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With two exceptions, these have all left the Institution since the war. The buildings, with all the records, were burned at that time, and there is no data from which to gather the facts previous to that period. I have been exceedingly careful to prevent an exaggerated showing in the way of annual incomes. From these facts I have no hesitancy in stating that the pupils who have left the Institution since 1871 are now producing annually more than the legislature appropriates for the maintenance of the Institution. What better argument can be presented for the liberal support of this branch of public education? Since that date (1871) about two hundred pupils have gone out into the world. Some of these have died, some have moved and cannot now be located, and some report that "they are making a living;" many of the young ladies have married, and while they are not working for wages, they are filling the noble missions of wives and mothers, and reflecting credit upon their State and alma mater. This list is being constantly increased, for there is not a year passes but some intelligent boys and girls, who have been receiving the State's bounty under the fostering care of the Institution, decline to be further assisted, join the busy throng, and take their places as good citizens and begin to bear their share of the burdens of government.


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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.

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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."

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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.

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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

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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.


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In September, 1860, Mr. Martin resigns to accept a similar position in the Louisiana Institution. By the first of October the board had secured the services of Mr. A. G. Scott, at that time principal of the Tennessee Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. The next report is made in 1861. During this time the number of pupils had increased from thirty-four to fifty-seven and everything seems to have prospered accordingly. For the first time this report gives a list of the officers and teachers.

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A new era is dawning upon our country. About this time "rumors of unsuccessful and successful wars fill the air, and the dark clouds of civil strife begin to settle down upon this happy and prosperous people. Before another biennial term had passed, the iron heel of War was on the neck of this child of State, and she lay trampled in the dust. The buildings were burned, this beautiful and happy home was desolated, and the unfortunate and helpless children were left, it seemed, to the doom of darkness and ignorance. It will not be out of place here to inject the following extract from the message of Gov. Pettus sent to the legislature, Monday. November 4, 1861:

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It is my painful duty to inform you that Col. E. R. Burt, auditor of public accounts, fell mortally wounded at the battle of Leesburg, while gallantly leading a regiment of Mississippi's brave sons to one of the most brilliant victories which has come to our arms during the war. These are times that try men's souls.

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The deaf of Mississippi can never cease to honor the State for what it has done for them. Inexorable war had brought death and destruction and almost famine, yet amid all this desolation the representatives of the people did not forget the deaf, as will be seen from the following section, taken from an act of 1862 and 1863:

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Be it enacted by the legislature of the State of Mississippi, That the trustees of the Mississippi Institution for the Deaf and Dumb be authorized and hereby empowered to place the deaf and dumb orphans in their charge, and such others in the State as are similarly situated, in some suitable institution for the deaf and dumb in or out of the State until the trustees of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb properly fit up and organize the same for the reception of scholars.

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The same act appropriated $7,000 annually to enable the trustees to carry out this provision. The next legislature not only provided for the orphans, but, to use the words of the act, "for the deaf-mutes who have been or may be under the pupilage of the Institution for that class."

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No one can say that Mississippi has neglected her deaf children, when, amid the roar of the cannon and while the circling smoke of battle ascended up to heaven as incense from the altar upon which the flower of her manhood has been offered a willing sacrifice, she takes time to stop and provide for their wants. What an incentive to the deaf to become honorable and useful citizens! This history from April 23, 1862, to October 21, 1865, can best be told by the following reports, which read like a novel:

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REPORT OF THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTION.

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Mr. PRESIDENT: The Joint Standing Committee on the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb beg leave respectfully to report that they have endeavored to discharge their duty in the best manner they could with the meagre information they have been able to obtain. We have not visited the grounds on which the buildings once stood, because we deemed it unnecessary, having learned that they were all destroyed by the fortunes of war.

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The impoverished condition of the finances of the State preclude the possibility of appropriations being made, such as will be requisite for erecting suitable buildings for this Institution, except, perhaps, some small buildings for temporary use, and which may hereafter be used for workshops, etc., by the Institution, as indicated by the board of trustees in their report to his Excellency Gov. Humphreys, which is herewith filed and asked to be made a part of this report.

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We would recommend that the annual appropriations now made by law to this Institution be used by the said board of trustees for the purpose of boarding and tuition of the indigent deaf-mutes until such time as the State may be able to put the Institution again into successful operation.

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In examining into the facts as presented in relation to the burning of the building by the Federal forces, and the general destruction of the property of the Institution, we find nothing to allege in condemnation of the trustees and managers of the Institution, but, on the contrary, we verily believe they did the best they could under the circumstances. The destruction of the property is a calamity much to be deplored, especially at such a time as this, when the treasury of the State is empty and the people of the State unable to bear the weight of a heavy taxation. We still recommend this unfortunate class of our fellow-creatures to the fostering care of the State. She has adopted them, and through weal or woe, riches or poverty, she ought to do the best she can for them. And although we cannot recommend appropriations at the present crisis of our affairs for the purpose of erecting an asylum for them on a magnificent scale, yet we would not have you for a moment lose sight of this important object and its consummation at the earliest possible time consistent with paramount public interest.


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P. H. NAPIER,
Chairman Senate Committee.
JNO. L. MILTON,
Chairman House Committee.

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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE DEAF AND DUMB INSTITUTE.

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JACKSON, October 21, 1865.

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To His Excellency B. G. HUMPHREYS, Governor of Mississippi:

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Having received from you a note enquiring if we had a report to offer, and also asking us for any suggestions we might be able to make in regard to a future policy, we promptly proceed to the discharge of the duty assigned us.

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The Institution of the Deaf and Dumb had been, under its former managers, justly a matter of pride to the State. It had clearly been conducted to a success, and stood a proud exemplification of the generosity of the State and the energy and capacity of her citizens. In this condition war found this benevolent Institution.

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Soon the thunder of artillery was heard in our land; battles were fought and blood flowed as a great river. Our mangled soldiers came pouring into our city, and every house that could be used for a hospital was demanded, and these poor God-stricken creatures were turned from their comfortable home to make room for the bleeding soldier. This was done cheerfully by the managers; the soldier must be cared for, and the deaf-mute, for a time, turned over to his former friends. It was war, inexorable war, which demanded this sacrifice there was no help for it, no avoiding it. As time rolled on, our advancing foe reached our city, carrying the torch in one hand, the sword in the other. Black desolation marked his march, and our noble Institution did not escape. It was levelled to the ground and left a smouldering mass. Apparatus, implements, fences, and every appurtenance shared the fate of the buildings, and all that we have left is the land.

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This is the brief history of the Institution of the Deaf and Dumb. * * * We must begin humbly, and perseveringly push on until, by energy and prudence, prosperity shall again dawn upon us. In the meantime we propose (as the law now allows) to send the orphans to the cheapest and best Institution in our reach. * * * The above is most respectfully submitted.

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A. B. CABANISS,
GEO. L. POTTER,
W. Q. POINDEXTER,
Trustees of Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb.

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The provisions made in a part of an act quoted above continued till February 13, 1869. Up to this date the Institution was entirely dependent upon the whims of the legislature, as that body could have abolished it at any time. Fortunately for the deaf, when the constitution of Mississippi, which was adopted in 1869, was drawn up, some friend was thoughtful enough to secure their interest by the enactment of the following clause, viz:

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It shall be the duty of the legislature to provide by law for the support of institutions for the education of the deaf, dumb, and blind.

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This provision was re-enacted in the constitution of 1890; consequently the education of the deaf of Mississippi is an assured fact until this part of her organic law is repealed.

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In obedience to this provision, the legislature of 1871 re-organized and rebuilt the Institution, and its history has been one of continual progress from that day to this. Under the act authorizing the rebuilding of the Institution, Gov. Alcorn appointed a board of trustees, which proceeded at once to purchase grounds and buildings.

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After visiting various sites in Jackson and other cities, the property now occupied, and at that time owned by Mrs. Edward Yerger, and some adjoining, was secured for $26,000 in State warrants.

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The board met July 8, 1871, and elected Dr. J. L. Carter, then a member of the board, as principal. The school was opened on December 1, 1871, and in his first report, December 31, Dr. Carter gives the names of nine pupils who had entered, and stated there were thirty-five applications on file. His second annual report shows that forty-five had been received. In this report, December, 1872, the principal recommends the introduction of articulation teaching, but the fact is noticeable that it was just ten years till this department was inaugurated. The next report of Dr. Carter gives the names of fifty pupils received, and in 1875 forty-three.

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Before the next annual report was made, Dr. Carter resigned, and in referring to that subject the board said: "The Institution continued under the efficient management of its former principal, Dr. J. L. Carter, until October 23, 1876, at which time, very much to the regret of all interested in its prosperity, he tendered his resignation and removed to another State." Dr. M. S. Craft, a member of the board of trustees, was put in charge of the Institution during the interim. On the 16th of November following, Mr. Charles H. Talbot, for many years a successful teacher in the Kentucky Institution, was appointed to fill this vacancy.


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The next December forty pupils were reported as having been received during the year. Mr. Talbot was confronted with a large deficit hanging over the Institution. The board asked for $12,386 with which to liquidate this debt and carry the institution through the next year. It appears the legislature appropriated only $10,182, but by the careful management and judicious purchases of Mr. Talbot the indebtedness was paid, and all expenditures for the year were met and a balance was reported of $700. This report shows forty-one pupils present. In 1877 an amendment to the constitution changes the sessions of the legislature from annual to biennial. The next report appeared in 1878, and seventy-one pupils had been received during that time. In the summer of 1878, it will be remembered, the terrible epidemic of yellow fever visited this city, and the school was not opened till December. This is Mr. Talbot's last report, December, 1879. Before another biennial term passed, he tendered his resignation, to take effect March 1, 1881, and returned to his native State, where he has enjoyed the quiet and comfort of an elegant country home and indulged in the luxuriant abundance of a magnificent Kentucky blue-grass farm. Mr. Talbot was a Christian man of great force of character and splendid financial ability, and was successful in carrying the Institution through the most trying financial period of the State's history.

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On January 10, 1881, Mr. J. R. Dobyns, the present incumbent, was elected to succeed Mr. Talbot, and entered upon his duties March 1 following.

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During the biennial term ending December 31, 1881, there were received ninety-two pupils, and sixty-eight reported present at that time. In his report for 1880 and 1881, the superintendent recommended the introduction of articulation teaching, the teaching of trades, the purchase of more ground, and the erection of a school building, and provision for the education of colored deaf, all of which recommendations were adopted by the board and provided for by the legislature. The printing office was opened, and on April 1, 1882, the publication of the Deaf-Mute Voice was begun, which has continued, with the exception of a few months in the latter part of 1889 and the beginning of 1890. The teaching of articulation was begun in November, 1882, by Miss Mossie McGann, whose successful history of six years' teaching in this Institution and whose untimely death in 1889 are still fresh in the memory of the profession. The separate department for colored pupils was opened October 1, 1882, and has continued to grow during the ten years of its existence.

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In December, 1883, an epidemic of typhoid fever prevailed in the Institution, and, continuing to grow more and more serious, the school was dismissed in March, 1884. Though there were many cases of the fever, there was but one death. The entire history of the Institution records only six deaths among the pupils while in school. There were under instruction in 1882 and 1883 eighty pupils, with seventy-nine present when the report for those years was made. During 1884 and 1885 there were enrolled one hundred and ten, with eighty present December 31, 1885.

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About this time the De l'Epée Literary Society was organized for the pupils, and has continued its regular monthly meetings, much to the entertainment and profit of its members. In April, 1886, the Sixth Conference of Principals and Superintendents was held here, which became an important part of the history of this Institution. There were present at this Conference representatives from twenty-four States and two Provinces of Canada. This Conference was signalized as the "GALLAUDET CONFERENCE." in which was celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of THOMAS HOPKINS GALLAUDET, the founder of the education of the deaf in America.

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The enrollment for the period covered by the report made in December, 1887, was ninety for 1886 and ninety-three for 1887, with seventy-six present at that writing. There were received in 1888 ninety-six, and in 1889 ninety-five, with eighty-four present at the close of that year. There were enrolled in 1890 one hundred, and in 1891 ninety-five, with eighty-two present when the report was made. There were received in 1892 ninety-one, and up to this writing, in 1893, ninety-three have been admitted. This Institution is supported entirely by appropriations made by the legislature and has never received a donation or bequest.

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It is free to all the deaf of the State who cannot be taught in the public schools; the age of admission and time of remaining under instruction have been very wisely left to the discretion of the board of trustees. The course of study is about what is taught in the public schools of the State, and the average pupil who remains nine or ten sessions is well equipped for the battle of life. The combined system is the one in use. It is the constant aim of the management to supplement their education with some useful trade, so that they will go out into the world producers instead of consumers.


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Brief as this history is, it required days of searching among the musty records of state, and should its friends find any material omissions or mistakes it is hoped they will attribute them to incomplete records and the limited time allowed for its preparation.

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Thus ends a brief account of the record made by this Institution, which record would, undoubtedly, make an important and interesting chapter in a complete history of Mississippi.

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Let the deaf of Mississippi uncover their heads and lift up their hearts in gratitude for the rivers of blessings that have been flowing from this Institution for all these years.

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APPENDIX.

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THE LAW GOVERNING THE MISSISSIPPI INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.

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Annotated Code.

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CHAPTER 64.

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2320 (678). Name and Franchise. -- The Institution for the instruction of the deaf and dumb, heretofore established at Jackson, shall continue to exist, for the purposes of its establishment, under the name of Institute for the Deaf and Dumb." with power to receive and hold property, real and personal, for its benefit, and to accept and use, as provided by law, all bequests, devises, and donations made to it; and it shall continue to enjoy the rights and privileges conferred on it by law, and such as are necessary to accomplish the purposes of its establishment.

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2321. Parts of Chapter for Institute for the Blind Applied. -- Every section, except the first, of the chapter on "Institute for the Blind shall apply to the Institute for the Deaf and Dumb as fully as if inserted here, changing the word " blind" to "deaf" wherever it occurs.

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2311 (670). Government; Trustees. -- The government of the Institute is vested in a board of five trustees, to be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of two years and until successors are appointed.

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2312 (671). Vacancies; Removals. -- The Governor may remove any trustee for cause, and he may fill all vacancies occurring during a recess of the Senate.

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2213 (672). President of the Board; Quorum -- The Governor is ex officio president of the board of trustees; but in his absence the board may select a president for the time. A majority of the trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but when a bare majority is present, the concurrence of all will be necessary.

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2314 (674). Powers of Trustees. -- The board of trustees may adopt all needful rules and regulations for the government of the Institute, and may regulate the number and fix the salaries of under officers and teachers, and prescribe the duties of all officers and teachers and the course of instruction.

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2315 (675). None but Residents Admitted. -- The board of trustees shall not admit into the Institute a person who is not a bona fide resident of this State, and who is not of good moral character.

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2316 (675). Board and Tuition; Free Pupils -- The board of trustees shall fix the amount to be paid by pupils for board and tuition and the terms of admission and times of payment ; and it shall admit free of all charges, upon the certificate of the county superintendent of education, all indigent deaf persons who are eligible.

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2317. Superintendent -- There shall be a superintendent of the Institute, to be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of two years, and he may be removed by the Governor for cause. All vacancies occurring during the recess of the Senate shall be filled by the Governor.

83  

2318. Same; His Duties -- The duties of the superintendent shall be prescribed by the board of trustees, and he shall have general control over and responsibility for the management of the Institute and the care of its property. He shall make an annual report to the board of trustees, up to the first day of October, in such form as the board shall prescribe, and, in particular, giving the statistics for the preceding year.

84  

2319 (676). Report of Trustees to Legislature -- The board of trustees shall make a report, through the Governor, every two years to the legislature, setting forth a full statement of its official acts and of the condition and progress of the Institute, with such recommendations as it may deem proper, and containing a detailed report of all receipts and expenditures for the two preceding fiscal years.

85  

MEMBERS AND OFFICERS OF BOARDS OF TRUSTEES.

86  

MEMBERS OF BOARDS. Messrs. W. B. SMART 1854-1856
F. C. JONES 1854-1856
S. POOL 1854-1856
Jo BELL 1856-1857
W. W. DIVINE 1856-1857
JOHN T. HULL 1856-1857
A. B. CABANISS 1856-1865
W. H. BROWN 1856-1865
F. S. HUNT 1857-1865
W. Q. POINDEXTER 1868-____
R. J. ALCORN 1871-1874
GEO. C. MCKEE 1871-1872
M. S. CRAFT 1871-1878, 1884-1888
E. W. CABANISS 1871-1874
C. CALDWELL 1871-1874
C. A. FOSTER 1871-1872
J. A. KAUSLER 1872-1874
R. L. SAUNDERS 1874-1878, 1890-1893
G. D. SIDWAY 1874-1880
JOHN GALBREATH 1874-1875
B. H. GOTTRELL 1874-1875
H. M. TAYLOR 1874-1882, 1890-1893
JOHN HUNTER 1878-1893
S. GWIN 1880-1882
FRANK JOHNSTON 1879-1883
G. K. HARRINGTON 1882-1884
D. N. BARROWS 1882-1893
E. WATKINS 1884-1888
S. S. CARTER 1888-1890
S. S. CALHOON 1888-1893


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87  

PRESIDENTS OF BOARDS.
Messrs. W. B. SMART 1854-1856
Jo BELL 1856-1861
A. B. CABANISS 1861-1865
Govs. R. J. ALCORN, Ex Officio 1871-1872
H. C. POWERS, 1872-1873
ADKLBERT AMES, 1873-1875
J. M. STONE, 1875-1882,1890-1893
ROBERT LOWRY, 1882-1890

88  

SECRETARIES OF BOARDS.
Messrs. W. H. BROWN 1856-_____
W. Q. POINDEXTER
C. A. FOSTER 1871-1872
J. A. KAUSLER 1872-1875
J. A. GALBREATH 1875-1878
R. L. SAUNDERS 1878-1888, 1890-1893
S. S. CARTER 1888-1890

89  

TREASURERS OF BOARDS.
Messrs. JOHN H. HULL 1856-1857
W. H. BROWN 1857-1865
C. A. FOSTER 1871-1871
W. H. VASAR 1871-1875
H. M. TAYLOR 1875-1876
W. L. HEMINWAY, Ex Officio 1876-1890
J. J. EVANS, Ex Officio 1890-1893

90  

OFFICERS AND TEACHERS.

91  

PRINCIPALS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
JOHN H. GAZLY (deaf) 1854-1855
Mr. MOMFORT (deaf) 1855-1855
Rev. A. POMROY 1856 -1856
A. K. MARTIN, M. A 1856-1860
A. G. SCOTT, M. A 1860-1862
J. L. CARTER, M. D 1871-1876
CHAS. H. TALBOT. M. A 1876-1881
J. H. DOBYNS, M. A 1881-1893

92  

TEACHERS.
Mr. BLISS (deaf) 1856-1856
Mr. K. N. BOWES (deaf) 1856-1857
Mr. L. W. SAUNDERS (deaf) 1857-1862, 1871-1893
Mr. JAMES GOODWIN (deaf) 1859-1860
Miss MARY HEAD (deaf) 1859-1862
Mr. J. W. SCOTT (deaf) 1872-1893
Miss JAMES (deaf) 1873-1873
Miss MATTIE BROWN (deaf) 1874-1874
Miss ELLA WESTGATE 1875-1875
Miss ZORA HODGES 1876-1876
Mrs. M. C. YOUNG 1877-1893
Mr. ALFRED KNARNY (deaf) 1881-1893
Miss MOSSIE MCGANN, articulation 1882-1889
Miss LULU E. WHARTON, articulation 1889-1893
Mr. HUGH ERWIN (deaf) 1890-1893
Miss SARAH MCCLURE, articulation 1892-1893

93  

ART DEPARTMENT.
Mr. W. A. JORDAN 1884-1893

94  

DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT. -- MATRONS.
Mrs. SUE LINDSEY 1854-1855
Mrs. FRENCH 1855-1856
Mrs. A. POMROY 1856-1856
Mrs. E. A. ADAMS 1857-1859
Mrs. CAROLINE ALLEN 1859-1860
Mrs. A. G. SCOTT 1860-1862
Miss E. A. CABANISS 1871-1872, 1876-1893
Mrs. L. E. CARTER 1872-1876
Miss ANNIE MORSE, assistant (deaf) 1890-18 93
Mrs. K. B. WRIGHT, Col. Dept 1882-1888
Mrs. J. H. ALLEN, " 1883-1886
Mrs. ADDIE ROGERS, " (deaf) 1886-1891
Mrs. OLLIE ERWIN, " " (deaf) 1891-1893

95  

NEEDLEWORK DEPARTMENT.
Miss KATE SWANN 1879-1893
Miss ANNIE MORSE 1891-1893

96  

PHYSICIANS.
A. B. CABANISS, M. D 1854-1862
M. S. CRAFT, M. D 1871-1888
WIRT JOHNSTON, M. D 1888-1893

97  

FOREMEN OF PRINTING OFFICE.
L. L. MATTHEWS (deaf) 1882-1884
JOE G. BRADLEY (deaf) 1884-1886
J. B. MARMON 1886-1888
CHARLES S. DEEM (deaf) 1890-1893

98  

FOREMEN OF FARM.
CORDELL WRIGHT 1882-1883
CLAUDE WINSLOW 1883-1883
J. E. ROGERS (deaf) 1883-1891
J. S. ERWIN 1891-1893

99  

RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS ON ACCOUNT OF THE INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB OF MISSISSIPPI AS TAKEN FROM THE REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND THE BOOKS OF STATE TREASURERS.

100  

1854 and 1855.
Receipts from all sources $11,184.51
Disbursed for all purposes 10,164.94
Balance $1,019.57

101  

1856.
Receipts from all sources $2,324.16
Disbursed for all purposes 1,917.69
Balance $406.47


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102  

1857.
Receipts from all sources $12,306.35
Disbursed for all purposes 7,963.75
Balance $4,342.60

103  

1858 and 1859.
Receipts from all sources $16,542.60
Disbursed for all purposes 15,911.60
Balance $631.00

104  

1860 and 1861.
Receipts from all sources $15,631.00
Disbursed for all purposes 15,388.06
Balance $242.94

105  

1862-1870.
Receipts from all sources $32,150.00
Disbursed for all purposes 32,150.00

106  

(Records very incomplete.)

107  

1871.
Receipts from all sources $55,000.00
Disbursed for all purposes 46,071.56
Balance $8,928.44

108  

(Institution rebuilt this year.)

109  

1872.
Receipts from all sources $18,953.44
Disbursed for all purposes 16,202.73
Balance $2,750.71

110  

1873.
Receipts from all sources $17,750.71
Disbursed for all purposes 15,413.40
Balance $2,337.31

111  

1874.
Receipts from all sources $15,000.00
Disbursed for all purposes 15,000.00
Indebtedness 2,283.97

112  

1875.
Receipts from all sources $12,909.30
Disbursed for all purposes 12,909.30
Indebtedness 1,581.49

113  

1876.
Receipts from all sources $9,000.00
Disbursed for all purposes 9,000.00
Indebtedness 1,386.00

114  

1877.
Receipts from all sources $10,182.05
Disbursed for all purposes 9,421.05
Balance $761.00

115  

1878 and 1879.
Receipts from all sources $18,420.21
Disbursed for all purposes 18,420.21

116  

1880 and 1881.
Receipts for all purposes $21,838.94
Disbursed for all purposes 21,838.94
Indebtedness 1,352.71

117  

(Addition made for colored pupils.)

118  

1882 and 1883.
Receipts from all sources $52,220.46
Disbursed for all purposes 50,772.14
Balance $1,448.32

119  

(School building and Institution for colored pupils built.)

120  

1884 and 1885.
Receipts from all sources $39,454.15
Disbursed for all purposes 38,906.50
Balance $547.65

121  

1886 and 1887.
Receipts from all sources $28,696.51
Disbursed for all purposes 28,696.51
Indebtedness 825.00

122  

1888 and 1889.
Receipts from all sources $28,874.86
Disbursed for all purposes 28,874.86

123  

1890 and1891.
Receipts from all sources $37,465.65
Disbursed for all purposes 37,035.65
Balance $270.00

124  

1892.
Receipts from all sources $17,750.00
Disbursed for all purposes 17,750.00
Indebtedness 485.60

125  

RECAPITULATION.

126  

1854-1892.
Received from all sources $473,654.90
Disbursed for all purposes 449,808.89

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