Illinois School for the Deaf

[This newspaper article was written about the first graduating class at ISD. The article was found by Mickey Jones, Ph.D.]

The Alton Weekly Courier 
June 28, 1855 
The Illinois Deaf and Dumb Asylum - Annual Examination and Exhibition 

Nearly eight years ago, the first class of deaf and dumb pupils, entered the Illinois Institution. It consisted of but eight or nine pupils, not one of whom had ever received the slightest instruction; not even knowing their own names or that of their parents. That class was instructed by the present talented, efficient and educated principal, THOMAS OFFICER, Esq., M.A., who has continued to manage the institution ever since, and who has introduced a thoroughness in deaf and dumb instruction not surpassed, we believe in any similar institution in the Union. He is now assisted by an able corps of teachers, two of them being deaf and dumb. Splendid buildings are being erected, which when completed, will, it is expected, give sufficient accommodation to all who apply for admission for years to come. 

Until the present year, the annual examination and exhibition of the pupils took place in what is known in Jacksonville as Commencement Week. The Directors thought it would operate to the benefit of the pupils to change the time, and appointed it a month earlier. On the 12th and 13th inst., the annual exercises took place, and for the first time since the opening of the Institution, a class of eight pupils graduated. Of the examination, we do not now propose to say much. We have in former years spoken of them at considerable length, and will only say that the examinations exhibited great proficiency by the pupils, and fully sustained the high reputation of the Principal and teachers. 

On the 13th the Directors had a meeting, and some of them attended the exhibition. A committee of the Legislature was also in session in town, examining into the condition of the several State Institutions, and some of these gentlemen were present. A large number of the intelligent citizens of Jacksonville, and many of the parents and friends of the pupils, were also present, and exhibited a deep interest in the exercises. The examination of the graduating class occupied the principal portion of the day; and to enable those present to realize to some extent the difficulties encountered in teaching the deaf and dumb, a class of beginners was brought upon the stage and examined. They exhibited considerable proficiency for the time they had been instructed; but a painful impression was left on the mind of the spectator, of the vastness of the work of educating these “children of silence,” and of the patience and perseverance requisite in a teacher. 

The Senior, or Graduating Class, was next brought forward. It was composed of the following: 

JAMES A. EDWARDS, of Marshall county, JOSEPH M. DRISKELL, of McDonough county, CHARLES H. LAUGHLIN of Adams county, PERRY BARNES, of La Salle county, JOSEPH HUFFMAN, of Edgar county, MARIA WELCH, of Hancock county, MARY S. WALDO, of Missouri, and SARAH EDWARDS, of Marshall county; and a brighter, more intelligent, or happier looking graduating class we never saw. This class had been taught by the Principal, and was examined by him upon some of the studies pursued, but principally upon astronomy and arithmetic. Their proficiency astonished every one present, and was a high and merited compliment to their teacher. After the examination, an uncorrected original composition of each member of the class was read. Some of them could scarcely be distinguished from similar efforts by those much more highly favored. All exhibited a sufficient knowledge of composition for the usual business of life, and although the tongue was tied, and the ear closed, they showed the mind cultivated and the hand practiced under its direction. 

Next came the Valedictory. It was written by Miss MARY S. WALDO, a member of the class, the daughter of Capt. WALDO, of California, and it was delivered in a most touching and impressive manner, in the “sign language,” by Miss MARIA WELCH, the ablest and most gracious sign-maker in the Institution. When it is remembered that the writer had never witnessed any occasion of the kind, being the first in the Institution, and had nothing in form or substance to guide her, we think she is entitled to much credit for the effort. The Valedictory was as follows: 

GENTLEMEN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 

You seem to be much interested in this Asylum. We have always seen you endeavoring to promote its interest and since we came here. We have been well acquainted with you. We are sorry to leave here, and we do not expect to return to school to be pupils in future; but we hope that you will continue to endeavor to promote its interests when we are absent from here. I hope it will be prosperous in future. Farewell. 

GENTLEMEN OF COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATURE: 

We are glad that you have come to examine this Institution. You have kindly established this Asylum, to call the deaf and dumb here to learn various branches of study. We have come here to learn them, and we have now finished our course of education. If you had not established it we would now be ignorant. We expect we will not come here again, because we have been here several years. Farewell. 

OFFICERS AND TEACHERS OF THE INSTITUTION: 

You have been very kind to us. You have managed us very well, and taught and advised us to do right, to work and behave well. We now understand how to do right, work and behave well; and we are very much pleased with you, for you have been very patient to teach us. We are sorry to part with you, and we will remember your advice and teaching which have been given to us, and we will try to do right and behave well, when we go from here. Farewell. 

THE PRINCIPAL OF THIS INSTITUTION: 

You are our own teacher. You have taught us four years. We know very well that you have been endeavoring with patience to teach us and promote our interest. We have often seen you lecturing every week, on Sundays, about religion. We now understand religion. We will never forget you, because you have attempted, with great patience, to teach us. Oh! Our own teacher, we are very sorry to part with you. We expect to visit this Institution again, if possible. If we do not meet on earth, we expect to meet you in heaven, where we will part no more forever. A solemn and affectionate farewell. 

THE MATRON OF THIS INSTITUTION: 

We will remember your name, because you have taught us to be good. When we first came here, we had you to be our first Matron. You left here, and was absent for three years. You have come to be our good Matron, with whom we are very much pleased, for you have been endeavoring to make us to be good and to do right. A solemn and affectionate farewell. 

FELLOW PUPILS: 

We will part with you all soon, and we do not expect to return here to be with you all. We have studied, played, ate, talked, walked, with each other, for several years. We have struggled with each other in acquiring knowledge. We expect we will never do these things with you again. But, oh, our dear fellow pupils, we wish you to do right and better when we are absent from you. We hope that you will be more prosperous and wise than we in a few years, if you attempt to acquire knowledge. We do not wish you to follow our bad example, but wish very much you to do better than we did. We wish you to become Christians, and you will be happy. We bid you a solemn farewell. 

MY DEAR CLASSMATES: 

We are going to separate from each other soon. We have been classmates several years, and have struggled with each other in acquiring knowledge, and in doing right. We look back at our happy time which we have spent. We may expect to meet each other on earth again; but if not, we wish very much to meet each other in heaven, where we will part no more, we wish you all to be happy, prosperous and Christians in future. We bid you a solemn and affectionate farewell. 

Immediately after the valedictory, two of the young ladies, Misses WELCH and WALDO, one of them carrying a package, stepped forward towards the Principal, Mr. OFFICER, and greatly to his surprise Miss WELCH addressed him, in the sign language. The package contained a beautiful Bible, which Miss WELCH presented in behalf of the graduating class. Her address as translated to us by one of the teachers, was, in substance, as follows: 

RESPECTED AND BELOVED PRINCIPAL: 

In behalf of the class, I appear to express our indebtedness and gratitude to you. For years past you have been our teacher, you have labored patiently and faithfully to impart instruction to us, and have directed us in the way that leads to happiness in life and in the life to come. We shall remember your name and your many acts of kindness. In token of our affection and esteem, accept from us this Bible. You have unfolded to our minds its precious truths. May it ever afford light and consolation to your own soul. 

Though we are soon to separate, perhaps never to meet on earth, may we yet be permitted to meet at last in that home of light and glory revealed in this precious book. 

Mr. OFFICER appeared to be completely taken by surprise, and could not conceal his emotions. He soon controlled himself, however, and replied in substance, as follows:

 

MY BELOVED PUPILS:

The feelings of gratification and surprise, awakened at this moment can scarcely find utterance. On former occasions you have given me many proofs of your affection and esteem; and of one in particular I am reminded, when a portion of you presented me with a token, on which my eyes shall often rest with kindling recollections of pleasure and attachment. 

It affords me the greatest gratification to know that you prize the instructions of this Word of Life. 

In years past, it has been my privilege to present to you its teachings, and unfold to you its glad tidings. This privilege I may enjoy no more. From the group of attentive faces that hereafter assemble in our chapel, yours will be wanting. We shall not again meet in the school room as pupils and teacher, nor shall we join in pleasant and familiar intercourse. We must part. New scenes and associations will be yours. 

The future that is before you I cannot foresee. Should any of you ever be in difficulty or misfortune, be assured that in me you will find a friend ready to extend counsel and aid. 

In whatever sphere you may be called to act, it is my earnest hope and prayer that you will be guided by the precepts, and actuated by the spirit of the Gospel. In prosperity, may you draw from it your highest enjoyment. In adversity, may you find in it enduring riches. In times of darkness and sorrow, may it be to you light and consolation. When entering the Jordan of Death, may the Savior revealed in that Gospel, bear you safely across, and conduct you in triumph to mansions prepared for them that love Him, where separations shall be unknown, and bliss unending. 

Altogether, the exercises were deeply interesting and affecting, and will be remembered with pleasurable emotions by those present, and the graduating class went out to take their part in the busy scenes of life, with the warmest wishes for their future happiness and usefulness.