The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-05-27

hicted upon the guilty? The whole matter
should DO most thoroughly investigated,
without favor or psrtiality, and we do not
know but this libel suit is one of the best
means that could be adopted, except that 1t
places the onus of proof and the expense
upon private parties, when the state should
really bear the expense of the investigation.
1t 1t shall prove that the Ssntinel's pubiica-
ton is true, the public will he nnder lasting
obligations to it Tor exposing the affair and
thus preventing the charitable institutions
OF the state from being proslitutsd. IL is
said by the friends of Mr.. Mclntire that he
has always borne blameless life, and that
there is no ground for the charges. Neither
g blsmeless life nor any other circumstance
should weigh feather in extenuation, If he
shall be proven guilty of the charges 3ttri-
buted TO him. We trust, for the credit or the
parties charged with the heinous crimes, and
the credit OF our state and its benevolent in
stitutions, that the charges may prove wholly
groundless.
DEMANDS IMMEDIATE REMOVAL.
From the Lafayette Journal. Rep.l
Most frighifuI disclosures-or rather
charges-have Just been made against Mr..
Thomas McIntire, who for m any years has
been superintendent of the State Asylum
for the deaf and dumb, and teacher named
Valentine, engaged in the same 1t will be
remembered that some months ago there
the case of a young girl named Ida
X. Fawkner, an inmate of the institution,
| and member of the Senior class thereof.
| An anonymous note, charging McIntire
with gross impurlty occasiOne6 an investi-
cation, which was not very thorough or
searching, and which resulted in a report
acquitting him entirely, and fully endors-
ing his administration. One fac; was devel-
oped in the course of this investigation,
howeyer-thst this girl Ida Fawkner
had been seduced, and an abortion had
| been performed upon her. The girl
upon being questioned, accused her uncle,
John Il. Fawkner, as the guilty person.
Since then the girl has left the Institution.
She now publishes affidavit setting forth
that her former statement was made under
duress, and on the pledge that il would not
be made ubllc; which pledge was violated;
and she scquits her uncle, as a person
filsely accused, and points out Mr.. Valen-
tine, teacher in the institution, as her Sc
Queer. The affidavits OF tour deaf
and dumb women, two of whom have
since been married, are also pub
lished. Two of these charge Mr.. McIntire
with lewd advances and unchaste famil-
larltles, while the other two charge him with
actual Grim. con-, in one case repeated con-
tlnually, during period of several years,
| and until her withdrawal from the institu-
ton. The statements are NEST disgustingly
cIrcumsfantial, and are verified by oath in
| due form. The affidavits accompany the
| following docament, addressed to the board
of trustees, by Mr.. Fawkner, the uncle
OF one of the girls, and the person
f1rmerly accused, as above mentioned.
Here follows the full text of the document
alluded to.-Ed. Sentinel.l The thought that
a great charitable institution like the Deaf
aud Dumb Asylum, on which the slate has
expended SO much, has been for years made
nursery of crime, and the medium for
gratifying the unhOly lust of the man in
whose care these poor afflicted crea-
lures were placed as sacred charge
Is an appalling one. But these
statements are to be taken with
| many mental reservations nor
should it be hastily concluded that the
| charges ara true. Mr.. McInti'e is a gentle
man of considerable age-probably fifty or
sixty years old-who has heretofore held a
prominent social position, AMI borne an un-
blemished reputation. There is matter in
these affidavits demanding the most rigid
Investigation, and Mr.. McIntire's Immedi-
ate removal from the superintendent. at
least until the conclusion of that investiga-
ton; but he should not at once be pre-
sumed to be guilty. We hope the matter
will be Immediately and unsparingly
Sifted.