Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-10-02
For the Chronicle.
A visit to the Ohio Reform
School.

gress some nine or ten years. Hon
John A. Foot, James d. Lsdd snC
Charles Reemelin, have the honor o.
inducing our Legislators to try the ex.
pertinent. The two last devoting their
time, energies and talents TO the In
stitution during the first two years oi
its existence. .-...
Its loca ton was most fortunate. Or
high and rolling hills, surrounded BY
forests of every variety and growth
the evergreens always conspicuous
there cannot be imagined landscspt
that could fill the mind with greater
delight and pleasure. g
High hills rise and fall, and in the
dim, distant West, the horizon with its
ever changing and pleasing views; the
refreshing breezes, green pines, and
beautiful Towering lAureis, presents 6
landscape only wanting a lake or run
ming stream to make it incomparably
beautiful.
Several hundred youths from nearly
every county in the State, have been
educated here, and there now remains
nearly three hundred, enjoying the
highest physical, moral and intellectu-
al improvement. The health of the
boys has been very remarkable, only
four deaths occurring in nine years.
One Of these, Charles Downs, of our
own town, died few weeks ago of ty-
phoid fever. Had he been an only
child, reared in luxury and the midst
of friends, he could not have received
greater care. His dying moments
were clIeered by the voice Of praise,
and with the chanting of the Lords
Prayer by the MRtron, his spirit re-
turned to the God who gave it. A
large concourse attended his interment.
Beneath an evergreen, the emblem Of
immortality, he was laid to rest till the
last trump shall sound and they that
are in their graves shall rise. O.
While the multitude may be en-
tranced by the talents and eloquence
of Mrs. Stanton, Lucy Stone, and Anna
Dickenson, be mine the humble task
to portray the self-denying lAbors of
one who is the good angel Of that be-
neYolent Institution, known as the
Reform School. Mrs. HOWE is indeed
this good angel. To the work of saw
ing these boys has she given eight years
of her precious life-the best efforts Of a
Efe which is being worn out with its
toll, in striving to train the
mass Of minds in honor and self-re-
.nact snd nlantino IN an enduring
ss,,-,j.t;o- .bosa ,1rspc;rlsa an vvhicb
an he buiit tha slIperstruoture of an
honorsbIa Ynanhaod Her labors at all
times are arjuouE. but during feeyrs or
ofher sickness. thew are greatly in
creased. For over two months of the
rast -stfnouper. She has scarcely taken
needed rast. in her upceasinG watch
fginess AZ the bedside of the sick pu-
oiIs. Several eiyeu M TO die. owe their
~. .olaIV to her. perseyering nursin
nd ono5 care ! stfsq me- :
one viii be surprised on going there
10 fnd M walls or sentries 10 prevent
the bovs from escaping. What charm
keeus them there. when the affection,
taars. prsvers and love of home in
MANY instances could not control or
kesn them from the downward path to
ruin and deathi What has changed
-. bov. who was BROUGHT here but a
Donth ago. his clothes in rags and filth,
perhaps from the corner of whose
mouth tobacco oozed, and whose very
breath Has mingled with oaths. whose
were wicked, his whole life
What has made him re-
obedieut, attentive, serious
nd affectiouatef Love, and love alone
1as made the transformation. II NAV
he over the prayers and love of a heart
brolren mother or the efforts of an af-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES he went on REGARDLESS
AZ the conseouences: tvitk breaking hearts
~, Lau- ~ thers- AZ bevond their con
t-oI with prsvers and hopes that God
nav in his own time restore the Lvsd
and ht. II NAV be from the earliest
of another inmate, he has
,san nothino -hut misery and want.
-hosa infant mind hes heard and
lasT.e5 nothing but blasnhemy. whose
bsino was nurtured upon crime. IT
4 nav he around anotber's neck were
novsr thrown a mothar,s arms and a
notber's eve never in love and afFec-
t;on heamed on him.
Almost avery crime here reuresented
f,o-,, disohad;snoe and truancy to mur-
der II il effectine in the extreme. to
ZEE so yonng Children with such sweet.
;nno ocant fsees who seem. from their
n-esent annesrsnce ST onIy for the love
r. hon,a and the Kind caresses of a
fond mother. bnt we find. upon snoui-
~ that tbouob so young in wears thew
are oId in Crime. UnIess those who
nensoa tha Institution we're possassed
~;tb- tie love of so,,lsl their lives must
he N mecban;csl and thar labors given
Sr,do;noIv. Rut wa find them men of
Isroa bssrts a Charitable. indeed one
NAV sesrch tha State and NOT find tan
rnsn on Uomen With moral Qualities.
t;ons for such q trust, Intellieenoe of
tba biobest order natience nrsvar
trust bonefulness. confidence n God
snd : vilIinonesa In seiza the smallest
atom of reIe5tine. and to overlook the
larcsst disobedisnce. when grounded
IN 6ab;t and vet w;tbai a dstermina-
ton thst law snd NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. de-
crae shall At ali times and at aIl haz.
ards govern each and everv nnniI
howeve,, dissinnilar in birth edncstion'
bah;ts moral cpItnra and other ele.
ments that make or form the cbarsc.
ter She Who has taken voluntarily
mon harssif these cares and rasnons;.
!, 80 = - > a = : =. :.