Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-03
STATE Reform school and Farm

Mr. WATERToN, the principal of the lndustri-
al School in this city, whose heart and hands are
devoted to good works, has recently paid visit
to the State Reform School, in successful opera
tion on the Reform Farm in the vicinity OF Lam
caster. He was SO fortunate as to meet with
Mr REENELIN, one of the Commissioners otthe
Institution at Columbus. who accompanied Mr..
". TO Lancaster. From Mr. WATERToN's in
teresting account of the Family and School Civ
en- in the Advocate we copy portions present
ing an inside view of the noble State charity OF
which several Cleveland boys are the beneficial
ries Mr.. ". says:
Mr.. r. remained at Lancaster on business. -
We arrived at the farm about 9 O'Clock, and
though all the boys had gone to bed, except two,
who held some office, our name, Brother Water
ton from Cleveland, was sounded from one to
another by the Cleveland boys. The boys sleep
on the second floor, entered by broad stairway
into a hail. then dividing right and left, accom-
m0daling twenty in each room, each boy having
separate neat bed, looking very clean. AT tue
end of this entrance hall is small lobby tor the
vatchman, that no boy from either Ioom can go
down stairs without his knowledge. About half
past five in the morning could be heard general
| Stir. and before six theT were out and washed;
| and such saluting and shaking of hands and
| chow do YOU do" Brother W, much resembled
| old friends meeting after being parted a long
time We would here state, that on the farm,
from Principal down to watehman and all who
they call friends, are called brothers in common
conversation Even Messsrs. ReemeliD, Foot
and Ladd, are called brothers.
| Their general breakfast time is six o'clock
| When the first bell is rung, then sounds the
whistle, and every boy runs to his place, form
| inc line in front of the building. At differ
| ent sounds of the whistle their movements
| chance. At certain sound of the whistle they
all march in single file to the dining room, each
taking their own place The breakfast as well
as ali other meals, consists of good healthy food,
and the best white bread in the States. After
breakfast, the boys run round and had some
play by way of recreation, until about seven
o'clock, when they with all the officers took
their seats in the schoolroom to review the past
week. This they call the moral review, which
is an examination of their moral or immoral acts
and thoughts, probing TO the very quick. The
examiner who is the Principal, endeavors to
discern between truth and falsehood. This is
a very severe ordeal of moral training to pass
through. It las some features Of a Methodist
class meeting 1t is certainly an enquiry meet
ing, aud we should guess something OF Roman
Catholic confessional, but call It what you like,
we call it good. After this operation flor so we
must call it, was gone through, an oPPOrtu-
nity was offered me, To address the boys, wflch
we endeavored to do, having material given me
| during the above ordeal. After this, the boys
with their elder brothers (warjens) went walk
ing in the woods by way OF exercise and re-
creation For one hour after their return they
held their Sabbath School. By this time MIR.
Reemelin had arrived and took charge of the
boys, making some pithy remarks; giving a
statement of the manners and customs OF the
people living in the days of our Saviour, which
made the Scripture appear as clear as the sun
shine.
The school then dismissed, and the boys ex-
ercised round the building where no bolts, bars,
locks or high walls were seen to prevent then
escape Soon the bell rung, then the whistle
| sounded and the boys assembled in order as al
breakfast, so 10 a good dinner, where all partook
to their satisfaction. Being asked if any more
was wanted, the response was heard ''all salts
fed" At two O'Clock all assembled IN the
schoolroom for Divine service, but owing to
some mishap no minister came, and MIR. Reeme-
lin occupied the time We understand that a
minister is engaged at very small salary to
oficiate in the afternoon. After this service,
| Mr.. r. with his daughter and another young
lady, left in their carriage for Lancaster. 1t
was very amusing as they left to hear all the
bows with cheerful voices says, Good bye
Brother Reemelin" and he with easy afiability
and pleasantness responding "GoOd bye boys
Tie boys being at playful exercises until sup.
per time, when at the sound OF the whistle all
| assembled, washed their faces and eombed Their
hair. and formed line in front of the house
The Principal then examined each boys dress,
followed by a cadet who took book account OF
all needed repairs, after which the 'Shistle sound
ed, and as before, they went in order to supper.
After supper, little recreation and all repaired
to the schoolroom. The Principal opened the
exercises by singing, then prayer, then moral
review Of the Sabbath similar to the one In the
morning, the only difference, this was for one
day only; the morning was for the past week.
We were not less surprised than pleased to see
the open frankncss, honestness, and true noble
ness they exhibited.
Tbs Reform School will be the means Of turn
inc the switch and taking these otherwise lost
buys into track that will lead them to useful
ness and responsibility. Some of them told me
they were desirous to lead religious life, and
asked me to get them places in the country to
effect that object