The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-06-26
Ths SaiIg arsns.
Thursday. June %. 1873.
The LIE Nard Letters.

Probably every one knows that the Di
trict Of Columbia possess Reform Schoo
but how many know where it is located
A party Of us unprotected femal,
throughout had determined 10 visit il iu
as soon as we could ascertain where to fin
the school, and also nice turnout and car,
ful driver who would not spill our yenerab
bones promiscuously on the way. Wei
the hrst no one seemed able to tell rs
the second We found at Cooling S, " so W
forthwith made our wills, double pinnet
our chignons, and calmly set out on on
tour Of exploration.
The most we knew regarding its location
was that it was somewhere near the Blad
ensburg road Definite that, very Wei
we rode on amid clouds of dust, and ejacu
lotions from one or the other of Look
that must be the place" (Said place
being shanty, two goats and halEpa,
rooster.) "Ahl see over there thos,
ducks" They were geese, every one Of
them-shampoodle canaries)
At last VIC thought we had it, sure We
saw big building. Then we came to the
conclusion that it couldn't be 1T" after
all, but mustl be the place where the last
circus stopped over night and gave an OK.
ira performance one of the horses had
evidently slightly disagreed with its rider.
and was standing on its narrative in a fit
OF the sulks but the brightest 'unprotect
ed suggested Clarke Mills the sculptor.
IN explanation, which upset the theory at
once.
AT last the gentleman in charge, see
ing number Of boys at work in field.
turned to the right, up hill and present
1--WE were at the door of plain frame build
ing the residence of the superintendent
1. W, Howe That gentleman was absent,
however and in response to our call, a pleas.
ant-taced young lady appeared who, to our
astonlshment, introduced herself as the
matron and proceeded to do the honors.
VI course we asked questions, lots Of
them, and here is what we found out 49,
The air at the old place near Georgetown,
however good for moral health, was in
elined 70 make angels Of the boys, through
the fever agency, before they were quite
ripe for the translation; so Congress an.
propriated 100000 for the purchase of a
new site and the erection of necessary
buildings. Fort Lincoln, which before the
war was che Peters Farm. believe, was
selected, and here under the new name of
Mount Lincoln. the institution is grow .
ng apace. The principal buildings are
not finished yet but give promise of being
roomy and comfortable.
The boys are divided into two classes
which alternately study and work one
class being in the schoolroom. while the
other, with their teachers, are at work
We went into the schoolroom, which. by
the way, is a pattern in regard to space.
hight aud air and found about fifty bow,
OF various ages, size and colors engaged in
studying then lessons, while several were
wrestling with fractions vulgar ones at
that Il reminded one of Civil Service and
Comp. Ex.l Any teacher stepping into
that room would see no perceptible differ.
enee between this and any other well.regu-
lated school In intelligence, order, and
general appearance the scholars would
compare favorably with any mixed school
While making our observations the boys Z
quietly went on with their studies once in
while quick glance scanned our faces.
but rude staring there was none. One q
little darkey, the oldest little mortal in
he school, was standing before an a-b-c
hart, looking in comical bewildermept al
he formidable array Of crooks and curves T
which had couspircd to rob him of at least
laf dozen OF his seven senses :" now he
bought he had tackled one Of his enemies
md proceeded to line him out on his
numb. when 10 and behold, he was mix.
d up with the rest again. G.
Upon expressing a wish to hear them
ing the matron told us that the lady who \
sualiy played the organ for them was not y
resent, but that they could, perhaps, sing
lone. The teacher stated our wish to the =,
oys they all took their seats. and pres. 4,
ntly line tenor voice, soon Joined by
Iatron, teacher aud children, broke into
ymn, sang it through, and then added
iother leading in perfect time and tune.
was a light colored boy, one Of those who =,
I'd been demolishing fractions when we .
tered. We were delighted, praised and
anked the boys, and then inquired into
eF sleeping arrangements the only point
mere fault can be justly found. Instead
having single cots, two boys at times "a
lIte and black, are obliged TO sleep To-
Their. Any one who has had experience -,o
the management Of. numbers of boys, n
u at once perceive that change in that Roc
'pect is necessary. =
But this description is growing beyond
projected length | will add, though.
1t Mount Lincoln is three miles east --
the Capitol, that the farm comprises
hundred and fifty acres Of undulatinc -.
ID, and that the view from the top Of the -
lount Is one Of the most beautiful to tn
found, and well repays the drive, even the
the school with its many considerations % VI (
deep interest is left out of the question EN- EN-
LIZ NARD. eala
S.-Comc to think of it that alusion In
jlarke Mills horse is rather vague To na III
pie who have never been there. It's all all q .
ms own manulacture-one Of those trad
ring vicious beasts, which in the flesh Of d
ut Of it, look as uncomfortable rs nm s ssfy