Worcester daily spy., 1860-01-16
GMOrtester Daily Spp.

AsHBURNHAM.-The following, from a re-
sponsible source, relates to the school trouble,
concerning which we published "news item:n
AsHBURNHAM, JAN II, 1860.
Mr. Editor In your issue of the 7th inst.
you notice the arrest of Mr.. A. Whitmore and
George Bailey, colored boy, living with him,
for an alleged disturbance of the school in
District No. 7, in Ashburnham. Having thus
given publicity to the fact of the arrest, sim
pie justice seems to require that through the
same medium MIR. Whitmores numerous per-
sonal friends, and the public in general, should
learn the facts and circumstances which have
led to such a result. / therefore ask you, as
matter OF courtesy, as well as justice, to give
this communication place in your columns.
IN February last, Mr.. Whitmore was legally
chosen prudential committee Of School Dis
trct No. Z. In the discharge of his duty as
such, in August, he engaged Miss Sarah Rich
ardson, well known, experienced, and sue
cessful teacher, of Gardner, to teach the win
ter term. Miss Richardson entered upon the
discharge of her duties in October, and board
$ed in Mr.. Whitmore's family The school
progressed satisfactorily to all parties, seem
u,ngly, for about three weeks, when, unhappily,
IN the maintenance of the order and decorun:
of the school, Miss Richardson had occasion
to ferule young lad of fifteen years, whose
part of the boy, withdrew their children from
school, and entered complaint to the town
committee In short, the father seemed deter
mined to break up the school and, indeed, it
can be proved that he asserted his intention so
to do.
AT the behest of this man, and without con-
sulting the district, the town committee an
peared at the schoolhouse and submitted to
Miss Richardson the alternative of making her
Acknowledgements to the father, asking pardon
for the alleged offence committed, and promis-
ing the boy "not to do the same thing again."
or summariy close the school, and leave.
Miss Richardson chose to leave the school, as
any Comdn would do; and soon afterwards
the committee installed Miss Sarah Sampson
OF Ashburnham Center in her place, placing
her to board i'll the family of a colored man
living near the schooLhousc, on the part of
whom there existed deadly hate towards Mr.
Whitmore and connections.
Feeling aggrieved at the summary discharge
by the committee of Miss Richardson, Mr.
WhitmOre thought it best not to send the boy
George Bailey, to Miss SIMPSONS school; but
it was stipulated between Mr.. Whitmore and
the noted philanthropist of Boston, at whose
hands he received the boy, that he should
attend the district school which stipulation
the boys mother imperatively demanded
should be fulfilled. Her demand was complied
with. Miss Sampson, however, soon turned
him out of school, as soon afterwards, four
other boys, some of whom, singular to say,
received rewards of merit for good behavior
on the same day when they were turned out
The boys were all returned to school, there
being no cause on the part Of the parents and
guardians for the expulsion. And although
some OF them were again expelled, yet they all
finally remained except George Bailey. Every
one knows that it is the duty of the prudential
committee to take care of the school house
and furnish fuel during the terms. In the dis
charge of the latter duty, Mr.. Whitmore was
twice obstructed by the man with whom Miss
Sampson boarded In the last instance of the
obstruction, a personal alteration ensued, the
gentleman himself making an attack on Mr..
Whitmore, thus attempting, by force to as
sumo, at the instigation of the commttee-as
subsequently stated-tlie duties of prudential
committee, upon the assumption that Mr..
Whitmore had failed to perform them which
assumption was based upon the fact that the
wood simply fell short near the close of one
day, through misunderstanding between Mr.
Whitmore and the boy who built the fire.
On Thursday, Dec. 10Th, portion of the
assumed committees wood was carried into
the school house by direction of the teacher
Geo. Bailey, having charge of the fire. carried
it out, there being plenty of good wood provid-
ed by the real committee; whereupon Miss
Sampson promptly turned him out of school
MIR. Whitmore returned him to school again
the same day. The town committee expelled
the boy from the school on the following Mon
day. On Tuesday he returned; whereupon
Miss Sampson Immediately dismissed the
school. 1t re-assembled on Wednesday, and
Geo. Bailey was there, Mr.. Whtmore finding
no adequate reason for the expulsion.
AT noon Of Wednesday the arrest was made,
the complaint being based on the circumstan-
ces as above
On the 11th inst. Mr.. Whitmore appeared,
according to adjournment, at the office of JUS
tice Ware, and, through his counsel, demand
ed trial. but, by consent of parties, noue
proSeqn was entered.
These are the simple, unvarnisfed facts
and in conclusion, we would ask Mr. Whit
more's friends and the public to consider them
and Judge for themselves whether the town
committee, in pursuing the course which they
have evinced desire to promote the public
good, or to pander to and crafty the partisan
feelings
In regard to their teacher we would say
although her course was anomalous, yet we
would ask suspension of judgment upon her
acts, doubling not that she will live to regret
that her feelings were ever enlisted in so par
tisan an affair.