[Colorado-Talk] Shooting at school for the blind

[Peggy Chong]

Well, I bet this email has the fastest open rate!  Do not worry, this did not happen recently nor in Colorado.

 

As I, The Blind History Lady am accused of being too sweet, here is a story to combat that reputation.  If you think you had a bad day at work, remember the teachers from the West Virginia School for the Colored Deaf and Blind.

 

Second Superintendent, West Virginia School for the Colored Deaf and Blind was James Levin Hill, serving from 1927-1934

 

The school opened its doors in 1926.  

 

​Mr. Hill came to the position after having served seven years as principal of Genoa High School in Bluefield preceded by service as Superintendent of the West Virginia Colored Children’s home in Huntington.

 

That year, 1927, the 11 person staff of the schools consisted of Superintendent Hill, three teachers, a supervisor for boys, a supervisor for girls, a matron, a cook and assistant cook, a general utility man, and an attending physician.

 

During Mr. Hill’s administration the first expansion of the physical plant of the Schools occurred with the construction of one-story brick trades and class buildings at the north side of the main building. The buildings were connected by covered walkways.

 

Mr. Hill’s years at the institution, 1927-1934, saw its acreage increased, new building constructed, and new vocational programs begun.

 

The Hill administration came to a tragic close in 1934. On April 10th of the year, Mr. Hill and eight of his staff members were asked to testify before the West Virginia Board of Control. The investigation came as a result of a report by Wayne B. Curry, traveling auditor for the state, who had informed the Board of Control that “he had made an examination of the affairs of the West Virginia Schools for the Colored Deaf and the Blind and has reason to believe that the financial affairs of that institution are in bad condition and need investigation, certain moneys not being properly accounted for to the State of West Virginia, and that certain state funds have been misappropriated or misapplied.” In particular, fees generated by the barber, tailor, shoe repair, and beauty shops could not be accounted for properly.

 

Two days after the hearing Mr. Hill took matters into his own hands, and at breakfast on Friday, April 13, 1934, shot and killed one staff member and wounded three others before killing himself in his locked office. He was 53 years old when he killed himself. 

 

A staff member, interpreting for the deaf students, grabbed his arm and one bullet missed its target.  He did not aim at the students, just staff.  

 

For my happier stories, sign up for my email list by sending me an email at theblindhistorylady at gmail.com <mailto:theblindhistorylady at gmail.com> 

 

Peggy Chong, The Blind History Lady.  

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