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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1886)
THE WEST SHORE. ISO OREGON 80HOOIi FOR DBA.P MUTES. rrMIE Oregon school for the education of douf mutes, I of which we presont this month a number of views, i- ia located at Salem, the copital of the state. The institution, while as yet in its infancy, is increas ing in importance, and its work has already resulted in great good to Uiobo of our state who have, from various causes, been doprived of the blessed gifts of hearing ami speech. It was during the sossiou of the legislative as sembly of 1870 that the work of educating deaf mutes was first undertaken by the state. At that time Mr. W. S. Smith, himself a mute, educated at the New York school, proponed that if the state would appropriate the sum of t'2,000.00 for two years, an effort would be nmdo to start an institution of that character. The plan re ceived the approval of many of the best citizens of Ore gon, and an organized effort was made with success. Rev. P. S. Knight, the presout oilicient superintendent, and at that time pastor of the Congregational church at Salem, was one of its most enthusiastic supporters, and his interest in its success has shown no abatement with the lapse of years. In this work he has boon warmly seconded by his estimable wife. Both devote their en tire time to the demands of the school. For many years the institution occupied rented quarters, and was moved from one building to another as necessity rcquirod; but Mr. Knight, with his characteristic energy and active forethought, resolved to procure for it a ormanont home. The amount received from tho state, however, was barely sullicient to defray the actual running ex penses of the school. Mr. John II. Albert, of Halem, and Hon. Henry Failing, of Portland, each donated a lot in South Salom, fronting on Church street, while the city vacated the street adjacent, and a block opxtito was purchased, which gives something over three acres, eligibly located, and with a few minor exceptions, well adapted to its purpose. The' soil is not what might be wished, but under careful management can eventually be rendored highly prolific. Neither the grounds nor the buildings located thoreon have been purchased with state funds. The location embodies all that insure beauty, convenience and health to the inmates of the school. The buildings are three in number, exclusive of barns, woodsheds! etc They are comfortable, at least, and are each year being improved under the sujwrvision of the board of directors. The one on the north (left of the engraving) is occupied as the girls' dormitory, bath room and laundry. That on the south (right of the en graving) is set apart for the boys. This building, known for years as the "Leslie house," is at present in poor repair, but provisions are made for some much needed improvements duriug the current year. The oeutor building, recently construct!, is the school build ing and kitchen, where both sexes meet for study and refreshments. The two schoolrooms, one on either side of the hall, are roomy, well lighted and oomfortably fur nished. The dining room, kitchen sod superintendent's ofllce are on the basement floor, each in its turn tieing comfortably furnished, without elaUirntion or evidence of needle expenditure, A lnyntn neuter distributes genial warmth to every part of tho building. A recep tion room and sleeping apartments for somo of the as sistants are located on the mine tloor with tho school rooms. Tho kitchen is supplied with modern oonvonW enoos. The fruit cellar is itself a model of neatness and convenience. Tho girls' dormitory is likewise compara tively a new building and is admirably adapted to its presout use. llocoption and sewing rooms occupy tho first floor, while tho entire upor story is devoted to dor mitory purposes. Tho ImmIs, which are in all cases single, are neatly and oomfortably furnished, ami tho room is well provided with light and ventilation. Every thing seems clean and serviceable, and tho inmates apponr happy and oontontod. Tho laundry, wherein tho fe. male students do tho washing for the entire school, is roomy and appropriately furnished. This building also includes tho bath rooms for tho girls. Tho students are taught many of tho practical things of life. The Itoys are exacted to sond a portion of oach day in laWing around tho institution, cutting ami carrying in wood, cleaning up the grounds, making gar den and such other out-door work as may bo deemed necessary. Tho girls do all tho washing, ironing, dish washing and mending required by tho school, and re ceive daily instruction in noodle work. At present there aro twenty-three students in attendance, twolvo girls and eleven lys, tho numlier not Isiing one-half tin me estimated to 1st residing in tho state at tho present time. Tho students riso at 0:00 a. in., and at 7:0(1 must lie ready for breakfast Studies oommouoo at 8:00 and continue until 1 '2:110 p. m., when dinner is served. They spend the titno lotwen 1:110 and 4:00 p, m. in lalsir. Supper is served at fl:00 p. in., and at 7:00 studies are resumed until H:.'I0; at 9:00 o'clock every student is ex pected to retire. Saturday afternoon Is a half holiday, when inmates are xnnittd to visit the city, tho fore noon Isiing spent in Inlmr and the weekly bath. litig ious services are held every Habhath day, including Sun day cIhn4 in tho forenoon, and a sermon with block IxHird instruction at 'I 'M) p. in. Tho business affairs of the school an conducted in a systematic and business like manner, under tho immediate management of the following board of directors: Warner llreymsn, presi dent; George II. ituruett, secretary; Henry Failing, treasurvr; J. A. Stratum, J. I. Thompson and J. II. Al bert, executive oommittoe; William M. Iodd, J. G. Thompson, and C II. llellinger, inemlmr. Tho finances are economically managed, and the Issiks, records, vouchers, etc, systematically filed for future refiirence. Mr. Knight, as suMrinteudont, also keeps a record of students, with a complete history of each Individual case, the name, ago, when and where Isirn, parents' names and condition, ago when deafness first apoarnd, probable cause, when admitted, when discharged and a brief mention of'their occupation and circumstances of lit titer leaving school, lty this it it uoarWlusd that