Library Collections: Document: Full Text

They were under the instruction of Mr. Bull, who had been a teacher in the Asylum for many years.

The names, ages, etc. of the members of the class were as follows: --

1. John O'Harra, of Milford, Mass., fifteen years old, entered the Asylum at the age of eight and a half years; lost his hearing at the age of one year.

2. Daniel W. Cary, of Gardiner, Me., seventeen years old, entered the Asylum at the age of ten and a half years; was born deaf.

3. Ira H. Derby, South "Weymouth, Mass., seventeen years of age, entered at the age of eleven and a half years; was born deaf.

4. Patrick Sullivan, North Providence, R. I., twenty years of age, entered at the age of thirteen and a half years; lost his hearing at the age of four years.

5. Eugene W. Wood, of Webster, Mass, nineteen years of age, entered at the age of thirteen; lost his hearing at the age of nine years.

6. Willie L. Hill, of Athol, Mass., sixteen years of age, entered at the age of fourteen and a half years; lost his hearing at the age of twelve. (Articulates perfectly.)

7. Miss Mary A. McKay, of River Point, R. I., seventeen years of age, entered at the age of eleven years; lost her hearing at the age of two years. (Articulates perfectly.)

8. Miss Elmina D. Clapp, Newburg,N. Y., sixteen years of age, entered the Asylum at the age of ten years; was born with imperfect hearing, but now reads the lips somewhat.

9. Miss Clara Dewsnap, Lakeville, Conn., sixteen years of age, entered the Asylum at twelve, at which age she lost her hearing.

To this class, thus constituted, the following exercise was given by Hon. Mr. Fay, the Chairman of the Committee: --

"Mr. Day said, a few days ago, in Boston: 'I noticed lately that the Kentucky Legislature voted to remove their capital (from Frankfort) to some. place "hereafter to be designated"; in other words, that it shall be put on wheels, until, in their mode of doing things, the location shall be raffled for.'"

This sentence was interpreted to the pupils by Mr. Bull, their teacher; everything, the proper names excepted, (which were spelled out by the alphabet,) being communicated by the sign language. The words "from Frankfort" were omitted by Mr. Bull. The actual number of words given out was therefore 51. The interpretation by signs began at 4 o'clock 3 minutes and 15 seconds, P. M. The first exercise, that of Miss McKay, was finished at 4 12' 30", or in 9 minutes and 15 seconds. the last exercise, that of O'Harra, was finished at 4 15', or in 11 minutes and 45 seconds. The average time was about 10 minutes and 15 seconds. the following are the exercises, as copied from the board by Mr. Redpath: --

No. 1. -- Written by John O'Harra, in 11 minutes and 45 seconds.

"A few days ago, Mr. Day told some gentlemen in Boston that he read in the newspaper that the Legislature of Kentucky agreed to remove their State House. So they put it on a cart, and went carrying it to some place where they would establish it. But they changed on playing dice. Finally, the other gained the victory, so they might establish the State House in the place which they found." (72 words.)

No. 2. -- Written by Daniel W. Gary, in 11 minutes and 15 seconds.

"A few days ago, Mr. Day told some of his friends that he had read in a newspaper that the Legislature of Kentucky moved their State House on the place where they wanted to place it. They raffled with the dice that they might establish it as they decided." (48 words.)

No. 3 -- Written by Ira H. Derby, in 10 minutes and 45 seconds.

"A gentleman by the name of Day lived in Boston. He read a newspaper about the Governor of Kentucky, and Mr. Day talked to some gentlemen of the Governor of Kentucky. Some gentlemen of Kentucky were talking about the State House, and their State House was carried to some other place by a wagon." (54 words.)

No. 4. -- Written by Patrick Sullivan, in 10 minutes and 15 seconds.

"Some weeks ago, in Boston, Mr. Day told the Legislature about the new Governor of Kentucky. The Governor had been selected for a State House of the State of Kentucky. The State House was put in a wagon and was removed to that place. The man raffled something, and the State House was established in that place." (57 words.)

No. 5.-Written by Eugene W. Wood, in about 10 minutes.

"A few days ago, while Mr. Day was in Boston, he read a newspaper and told gentlemen that the Legislature of Kentucky voted to remove the State House to another place. They could not tell where it was better to remove it. So they raffled and then placed it where they were informed." (54 words.)

No. 6.-Written by W. L. Hill, in 9 minutes, 45 seconds.

"Some days ago a gentleman by the name of Day told some of his friends that he had read in a paper that the State House of Kentucky was to be removed from its present site. But not agreeing with each other where it should be transferred, it was decided to shake for the situation." (55 words.)

No. 7. -Written by Miss McKay, in 9 minutes, 15 seconds.