Terrebonne County Louisiana Archives News.....An Excursion!! (part 3) May 3, 1873
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The Thibodaux Sentinel May 3, 1873

Landing at Baton Rouge we were escorted to the Harney House where rooms had been 
prepared for us, and after a few minutes rest the visiting Party proceeded to 
the Hall of De Soto Lodge No. 7 I.O.O.F. at which place an extra session had 
been called for the purpose of receiving the Grand Officers. 

The next morning I paid a visit to the office of the Gazet Comet where the 
Editor Mr. Annis was found up to his elbows in papers and hard at work. Passing 
a short while with him I returned to our Party which was in charge of J.M. 
Tracy, one of the De Soto Brotherhood, and we all then proceeded to the Plow and 
Wagon Factory of Hart, Arbour & Co. which, under the management of Mr. Sims, has 
been doing an extensive business, but at the present time exhibits the effect of 
the general stagnation of business, and works but a few hands. 

We next proceeded to the State University and Deaf and Dumb Asylum, both being 
in the same building. The Asylum is an immense structure combining all the 
elements of convenience & comforts. The yards adjoining are neatly and nicely 
arranged, filled with beautiful and rare plants and flowers. Visitors are 
received with kindness and the whole building, the schools, method of teaching, 
cabinets, painting and curiosities are pointed out in a pleasant and instructive 
manner, not a word or motion to cause the visitor to imagine that his absence 
would be desirable, or that his visit is becoming fatiguing.

We were first introduced to Mr. J.A. McWhorter Professor and Principal in the 
Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb. The Superintendent welcomed us kindly and invited 
us into the recitation rooms where we had an opportunity of witnessing the 
methods used to impart instruction to those unfortunate pupils.

The black Board is extensively used, and it was not difficult to comprehend the 
instruction thus given, but the motion of the fingers to express letters and 
words was all Greek to our senses. The Deaf have many difficulties to overcome 
which only long and unwearied patience and study can master. They can soon learn 
to name and write out objects, things, &c. but when a sentence is required to 
express ideas combining these objects, colors, &c., it is a matter much more 
difficult. The first class shown to us had been in the Asylum but a short while, 
yet they were able to name and write out almost any object exhibited. It was 
remarkable that all the words were properly spelled, and the only mistakes we 
perceived were in not adding the plural “s” in one or two instances. In 
expressing ideas they invariably place the object before the adjective 
describing it, and the Superintendent stated that it took a long time for them 
to overcome this method. 

Two of their teachers were Deaf and Dumb, one of whom possesses a thorough 
knowledge of the English language.

Among the pupils in the second class was Miss Mary Molaison of this Parish, with 
whom, by permission of the Superintendent, I had a short conversation. She is 
rapidly acquiring an education which will at least, lighten some of the burdens 
of this life and give her the means of that pleasure and satisfaction which 
Books can afford, and pen and pencil supply.

This Asylum contains fifty eight pupils, of whom 38 are males. In 1872 seven 
pupils completed their study.

This Asylum is maintained by the State and all Deaf and Dumb children whose 
parents are unable to pay for their support, Tuition, clothes board washing Book 
&c. are furnished and supplied by the Asylum.

All children between eight and twenty five years are admissible. There are two 
pupils–one deaf, dumb, and blind, the other deaf, dumb, and nearly blind.

The appropriation from the State is a disgrace to the State authorities and 
being paid in depreciated Warrants worth but 40 to 60 cents on the dollar makes 
the matter still more reprehensible. The Legislators are very careful to provide 
means to make up any deficiency in their own salaries, but they have no thought 
to provide as well for these poor and unfortunate children who have to depend 
entirely upon public aid or private charity to obtain an education.

There is a printing office, in the Asylum, in which the male pupils learn how to 
set type, publish a semi-monthly paper, print all the blanks, forms, reports &c. 
required by the Institution. The enterprising Superintendent has endeavored to 
have a workshop connected with the Asylum, where the boys might learn 
shoemaking, cabinet making and other trades by which they could earn a 
subsistence hereafter, without being a burden to the community or feeling that 
they are dependent on Charity only for their maintenance.

Among the list of Deaf and Dumb persons whose names are found on the census 
returns, of a proper age to attend school, I notice in Lafourche Parish Joseph 
Lee, John Tabor, Ulalie Boudreaux, Alcide Chiasson, Mary Chiasson. 

Why is it that these unfortunate children are not at the Asylum? Is it because 
their parents are too poor to send them to Baton Rouge, or is it rather that 
they prefer to keep them at home to work for them.

Parents who fail to make use of such an opportunity to brighten the pathway of 
their unfortunate children, assume a terrible responsibility upon themselves. If 
parents and guardians cannot pay the expenses to send their children to Baton 
Rouge, the Police Jury would certainly aid them in so doing, and no taxpayer 
would ever object to such a use of the public funds. If our taxes were devoted 
to no worse purpose than that, our people would be more happier and prosperous 
than they are now. 

The children have the assistance and care of a skillful matron and Physician, 
and are as well cared for as they would be at home. The rooms of the girls and 
boys are in separate parts of the building, they have ample playgrounds and 
every means that experience can furnish is used to render them comfortable and 
happy.

The Superintendent McWhorter is devoted to the cause, and is worthy of his 
responsible position. Our party were thankful to him for the gratification and 
pleasure we enjoyed in our visit and also for the valuable and interesting 
information he gave us in our progress through the different departments of the 
Asylum. The Asylum is in possession of many fine paintings, and there are 
excellent specimens of Wax works on exhibition by some of the inmates of the 
Institution. 

We will now bid adieu to Superintendent McWhorter and his pupils and hunt up 
Col. Boyd and endeavor to get a view of the State University.

[To be continued.]


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