Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1874-12-03
From the Ohio state Journal of Monday a4th
Reform Farm--AnnuaI Report of
the Commissioners.

The Commissioners of the Reform
Farm for Boys, in Fairfield county,
have filed their nineteenth annual re-
port with the Governor
During the year 636 boys have been
in the institution; I76' have been dis
charged, and 460 remain at date of re-
port.
The Commissioners comment at con-
siderable length on the increase of ju-
yenile delinquency, and while they re-
port that in majority of cases per-
manent reform is effected, they put on
record the information that there are
boys upon whom refermatory infu-
ence falls powerless. Kindness and
love are the means mainly brought to
bear, but when these fail, punishment
is inflicted promptly, certainly and in
proportion to the offense.
One-half of the boys go to school
while the other half work in the fields
and shops. The chair, brush black
smith and tailor shops are in success
full operation. The broom shop is in
state of suspension. Machinery has
been purchased for the manufacture
of harness, and this department will
give employment to fifty boys at the
start.
There has been only about half a
crop of farm products this year. Fruit
has been failure, excepting grapes,
of which 55,410 pounds have been
gathered, realizing $3.50. The farm
will hereafter be mainly devoted to
fruit.
A frame house for the accommoda-
tien of the Superintendent of the har-
ness shop, and house for the accom-
mediation of about sixty boys, have
been erected.
The average number of boys at the
Farm during the year was AGO, and
their cost per capita latter deducting
extraordinary expenses) was 500 "a,
The Commissioners refer to the re
union of boys who had left the school
and to the visit of the Governor and
Legislative committee.
An account of the recent fire is Civ
en-. The Commissioners have com
menced rebuilding, trusting the Leg
islature for the necessary pecuniary
support.
The number Of officers and assist
ants is Sc; whole number of inmates
admitted since opening, 1884; whole
number discharged since opening,
1920; Number remaining November 1,
1873, 424; number received en- com
mitment during the year, 179 ; number
returned on old commitment, II ;num-
Der returned voluntarily, 81.
OF those discharged, 70 we're re-
turned to their parents, 80 to the care
of friends, Is to the care of them
selves, SO hired out for wages. 2 died,
l was drowned, and 5 escaped. Av-
erage time of detention, years and 6
months.
Boys were sent from fifty-fou coun
ties during the year. Franklin cOun-
ty sent %, the largest delegation =;
Cuyahoga sent 13; Clarke, Lucas and
Scioto each 9; Fairfield 8; Greene
Hamilton and Muskingum, each z;
Miami 6 Erie and Lorain, each 5.
The estimates range from seven tc
twenty years in age. Of the 179 ad
mitted during the year, 80 were of The
age of IA.
AS to parentage, 6S are American
SO German, % Irish and 16 colored
The majority were sent for well de
fined crimes; fftty-seven came under
the head of incorrigibility.
Of the 179 admitted, 136 came un
der Probate Court commitment.
The expenditures on the account oi
! the institution during the year amount
ed to $55, ,142 90; the undrawn appro
priatien in the State Treasury amount:
to S1S,400; orders in the hands o
Superintendent $1126 Is.