FRANKLIN COUNTY OHIO - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY OHIO (PART 9) *************************************************************************** OHGENWEB NOTICE: All distribution rights to this electronic data are reserved by the submitter. Reproduction or re-presentation of copyrighted material will require the permission of the copyright owner. *************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by LeaAnn Rich leaann1@bellsouth.net January 14, 1999 *************************************************************************** HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS OF OHIO An Encyclopedia of the State By HENRY HOWE LL. D. Published by the State of Ohio C.J. Krehbiel & Co., Printers and Binders Cincinnati, Ohio copyright 1888 by Henry Howe 1904 THE INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND The Institution at Columbus is the only State Institution of the kind, excepting the working home for the blind at Iberia, Morrow County, which differs somewhat in its aims and purposes. It is somewhat doubtful as to the real character of the Working Home of the Blind, as it sustains a peculiar relationship in the list of the organized charities of the State. It was organized under state law, money was appropriated for its proper equipment, with a view to establishing a home where the blind capable of performing skilled work could find a home and employment, and be assured of a competence for their support from the results of their labor. It was the understanding with those who conceived the plan and urged the consideration of the General Assembly to the project, that after the institution would be fairly started no further aid would be asked from the state. The opening exercises of the Ohio Institute for the blind were held in the Presbyterian church in Columbus, on July 4, 1837, in the presence of the teachers and scholars of the city Sunday-Schools, who, to the number of 900, had assembled to celebrate Independence Day. The teacher and five pupils were present, which number was increased to eleven by November. The first building was erected in 1838, upon beautiful grounds on the north side of the National road near the city, and the pupils removed there in October. So rapid was the progress of the pupils in one years instruction at the institute that during the last vacation they were able to give interesting exhibitions, in company with their instructors, in several cities of the state. The Present Building--The demands for larger quarters becoming apparent, a law authorizing the erection of a new building was passed May 6, 1869, but owing to the scarcity of labor the building was not completed and occupied until May 21, 1874. This imposing structure is in the old English or the latter period of Elizabethan style of architecture, and has accommodations for 250 pupils and about 65 additional persons, including officers, teachers, servants, etc. The building is fireproof, and is arranged with the strictest regard for the health, convenience, and happiness of the inmates. Devices For Instruction-- One cannot fully appreciate or understand the wonderful results obtained from a course of instruction at the institute until he has paid it a visit. There are to be seen specimens of the most beautiful handiwork in embroidery, etc., by the female pupils, and a library of books with raised letters, from which the blind can while away many a pleasant hour, deriving pleasure and instruction from reading by the sense of feeling. Maps and charts are also used, with the rivers, countries, mountains, cities, etc., marked out by raised lines and by indentations, by which the pupils are enabled to obtain a most accurate knowledge of geography. The Happy Demise of Valentine Hauy-- Previous to the year 1774, the method of instruction in all blind institutions was entirely oral, when owing to an incident, trivial in itself, a discovery which has been most wonderful in its results, and opened a new world to the blind, was made by Valentine Hauy, a Frenchman and brother to the celebrated Abbe Hauy, by which the blind were enabled to read. In an evening walk M. Hauy’s attention was attracted by the sound of music proceeding from one of those houses of refreshment so common in Europe among the public promenades. Approaching the spot he discovered eight or ten blind persons, "spectacles au nez", seated behind a long desk, which was covered with music books, executing in concert various airs on different musical instruments, much to the amusement of the bystanders. The parade of music-books was of course a mere farce; but the active and benevolent mind of Hauy converted this otherwise ridiculous circumstance into an event most important in its results. The blind, thought he, readily distinguish objects by the diversity of their forms; why then may they not distinguish fa from sol, or an A from an F, if these characters should be rendered palpable? The result of this random thought was the invention of books, music, charts, etc., with raised characters. This method of instruction invented and adopted by M. Hauy has undergone but few alterations since his day, and though his system is undoubtedly susceptible of large improvement, it is yet a matter of astonishment that so much has actually been accomplished. The Blind Leading The Seeing-- The ability of the blind to become even more familiar with their surroundings and the location of different objects is shown in many instances. Visitors to the institution are shown through the building by a blind young lady, who rather reverses the order of things by leading those who can see up and down stairs, through long corridors and different apartments with perfect ease and familiarity, explaining to them the uses of the various departments and objects with never failing accuracy. Entertainment Hall-- Perhaps not the least interesting apartment is the entertainment hall, which is beautifully frescoed and decorated, and is fitted up with a fine church organ, grand piano and stage, where exhibitions, concerts, etc., are given, showing the proficiency of the pupils in literature, science and the arts to audiences that are filled with astonishment and delight at the wonderful results obtained by an education at the institute. Music has always been an essential branch in the system of instruction because of their peculiar aptitude for it. The susceptibility of the ear and the powers of the voice seem augmented by the deprivation of sight, though it is physiologically certain that this apparent improvement of the auditory and vocal organs is owing merely to increased exercise. Another strong reason why the blind have so much talent for music is their great love for an art which their infirmity does not prevent them from deriving as much enjoyment from as those who see. By the cultivation of music the blind are furnished with means always at command not only of innocent and beneficial recreation, but also of a pleasant and respectable livelihood. They are in general remarkable for facility both in the acquisition and communication of ideas. The object of the institution in educating a class of people who have been poor, unhappy creatures, almost helpless and in the majority of cases dependent upon charity for their daily sustenance, is indeed most successfully accomplished. Although deprived of sight the deficiency is supplied to a certain extent by the natural acuteness of intellect and powers of memory which, combined with the educational advantages derived from the institution, develop them into useful, intelligent citizens, not only capable of self-support but in many cases they have risen to prominence in literacy, mechanical, and art circles. The Blind Philosopher-- Genius surmounts all obstacles and we have many such examples among the blind, proving the practicability of communicating instruction to these people. A striking instance of this is shown in the account of Nicholas Saunderson, a distinguished philosopher at the University of Cambridge, England, in the last century. Saunderson lost his sight at a very early age, from small-pox. This man became on of the professors at the University, and lectured most admirably upon mathematics and every subject connected therewith. He was a man of most extensive erudition, and a great philosopher; but what most astonished those who knew him was the perfection to which he brought his remaining senses; his hearing was so acute that he could detect the minutest intonations of the voice, and judge very shrewdly of the character of anyone with whom he conversed ten minutes; on coming into his room he could tell by the sound of his cane on the floor, or by the echo of his voice, whether any of the large furniture of the room had been removed, or changed from one side of the room to the other. The perfection of his touch was often tested in the examination of ancient coins; for he could run over a cabinet of Roman medals with his fingers, and distinguish the genuine from the counterfeit, when the difference was so slight as to puzzle connoisseurs with both eyes to find it out. Saunderson enjoyed the friendship of Sir Isaac Newton. The Royal Society of London elected him a member of that body, and after his death the University of Cambridge published his mathematical works. The inmates of the Ohio institution are an apt illustration of the maxim that work and occupation is the soother of all sorrows, for they are evidently very happy. They have the continued Consciousness that they are fitting themselves for lives of usefulness and independence, and when the community at large see and realize the beneficial effects of the education derived from this and other institutions they should no longer say "Helpless are the blind", but rather "Helpless are the ignorant." Trustees--John L. Atwood, Ripley; H.C. Drinkle, Lancaster; John H. Hudson, Sandusky; David L. Wadsworth, Wellington; Edward Pagels, Columbus. Superintendent, C.H. Miller. Steward, R.W. Bell.