Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1860-01-04

uhia NeMfM feheol faFms
We ell tran ,ht colsmSos osssllo tha fol-
lowing very Inttge.ilhs account of ths nsiorm
School Farm. one Of Che bosl of our slals In.
siiiuiiOns, written that psper says BY one Of the
Boys seutto the Farm from T.lsdo, who is
about fifteen years old, and has regsiued bis
freedom by his good behavior. Il is printed
without correction.
After stating that the State Reform Farm is
loc,ted Eve miles i.om Lancaster and has q
beautiful appeOrance-rocks, hills, and valleys
that the discipline is by kind and gentle re.
proof; that corporal punishment s only the
las, resort; and that among so many bad boys
received there is once in great while one who
cannot be managed or governed; the writer
addss. 7a
The boys are receiv, d from all the Courts Of
every county, which the reader will sec by
looking at the annual report. After boy
comes there be viii be dressed IN the institution
clothes, and receive the four badge, which Is
the lowest grade BY bis good conduct ne will
be promoted every month; and by bis bad con-
duct he will be degraded, or keep the same
badge another month Altar boy keeps the
four badge one month he will get tho three, and
next the two, and next the one. Aiier he goes
through this four badges, bot you must rernem-
Der that he will not go through unless his con-
duct is good, forthe old by word is, "the sly fox
gets caught some time ar another" this Is the
way here; the boy generally gets caught at his
tricks before he comes thus far, anil punished,
by losing his badge. After boy goes through
these four badges, he will be promoted to the
eagle. After he stays in the eagle three months,
OF "honor badge" as they call IT, he will re
ceive an honorable discharge, signed by the
Assisting Commissioner. to leave the institution
on probation. What have heard of the boys,
they are all doing we'll The eagle badge, the
reader must understsnd, has three grades;
namely the third grade, this grade the boy gets
after the one badge, the second grade, and next
the first grade. The reader must understand
that the boy who is in the eaole class his con
duet must be extraordinary will now tell you
the inmates duty.
In the morning when they rise bell is rung
by the night watchman. Each elder brother
awakens his division, or class. After dressing
the boys are lined up. (whst mean by this is,
they are in q straight line, which gives them a
handsome and straight appearance) and walk in
this line to the wash basin, or porch, where
they wash. Each boy has his own basin and
towel, for 10 know them apart they are number
ed. Each boy has a number. After washing the
boys all line up and comb their hair; each boy is
required TO have handsome appearance. After
the boys are washed and combed, the second
bell will ring which is for breakfast. Ali the
boys are lined up aud march in their line to
breakfasteach elder brother eating with his class.
After one Of the elder brothers says grace. which
is also done by the inmates-the inmates are all
encouraged to say grace--the victuals is passed
on one side and up the other. The rule il, no boy
shall take over one spoon full of an article at
a time, The reader must understand in an
institution like this there must be rules. The
hoard is such as most people get-good,
wholesome food. Each boy has two suits oi
clothes. After breakfast the boys turn them
selves around, and after one of the elder
brothers reads q chapter in the Bible pray
er is repeated by all the boys, and then they
march out in line and form line in front Of
the house on the pavement. This is the way
in the summer time; l suppose in the winter
they line up in the hall Of each building, and
then march into the school room, after having
half days school or two hours and half, l
don't know which. At half-past eleven the
boys get ready for dinner, the same way as
they do at breakfast only they have meat for
dinner, and very often soup but they do not
read chapter in the Bible after dinner,
neither after supper. After dinner the boys
have an hours play-time, and then each shop
boy goes to the shop, and each elder brother
takes his boys out to labor, some in the woods,
others at the barn, and others at the wood pile.
At five or half past five the bell rings, and the
boys leave their work wash and fix themselv s
for supper. After supper they have recreation,
and by the blowing of the whistle which each
elder brother has, the boys all come to their
places in the line, and pass into the school
room. After they get seated each boy picks out
such piece from book or paperas he chooses,
and by the permission of his elder brother
reads it, and in this way the time is passed,
each one trying to improve himself, by the as
sistance of his elder brother. At nine o'clock
the eldest brother reads chapter in the Bible
and offers prayer, after which the boys re-
tire.
On Sunday morning the boys rise one half
an hour later than week davs, and each boy
puts on his Sunday suit. The same ceremony
is performed at breakfast At nine o'clock they
have Sunday school and walk on the FARM
Dinner the same as week days. After dinusr,
recreation. Church at two O'Clock by one of
the clergymen of Lancaster, after which a walk
on the farm; and the time in the evening is
passed the same rs on week days. In the even.
ing they have religions ceremony which lasts
until half rast eight when they retire
One great tnlnB Is JnaJ the boys Try 10 cul-
tivate their own minds. They have a Society
called Literary Society" where they meet
once q week, and sometimes twice week,
and choose q President and allofficers needed.
have visited Societies here in Columbus
but think they are about usual with theirs
They have small library which they have
earned by their own money. mean to tell
you how they get their money. A boy takes
a task, and after he finishes II, be can do over
work, or take another task. BY doing over
work he gets so many credits-ten credits
make cent and be must not get over sixty
credits.
The reader can see by this how long this
Society has 10 work to make dollar. The
Society has forty or fifty members, and has
the same amount Of books, allowing one book
to a member; but not to keep--to put in the
library.
would encourage every reader who reads
this and has any spare books to send as
charity, and / have no doubt they will be
well read. Great many editors send their
papers for nothing. l am glad to see the
people feeling an interest in il, and hope they
viii be well rewarded by saving so many Of
this unfortunate youth from going to ruin.-
You viii some day hear Of boy from the
Estate Reform Farm" as Senator, and fill-
ing our offices Of State. J. H. A.
Centenarians.
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