The New York herald., 1876-11-20
A ST. LOUIS OUTRAGE,

THE CITY SUED FOR THIRTY THOUSAND Doll
LARS DY A BOZ FOR ILL TREATMzNT-A SCAN
DALous STATE OF OFFICIAL NEGLECT.
From the st. Louis-Globe Democrat Nov III
Since the House of Refuge came under the present
management the most favorable reports have been
made by visitors the condition OF the institution
and the treatment OF the inmntes No intimation has
been made public that anything was wrong that the
juveniles confined therc we'll cared for and
perfectly happy and contcnted. Under the former
the fact revealed, after many years,
that abuses existed and that cruel
usual had been inflicted upon the unfortunate children
OF both sexes Tho stocks were in use, refractory chill
crcn confined In dark closets, tied up by the
thumbs and lashed with cruel severity. When the
present superintendent took charge, under Mayor
Browns first administration, 1t was believed that
new era had been innuguratcd and that tho reign Of
tyranny and cruelty had passed: All who visited the
Refuge bore testimony to tho improved condition Of
tho place and gave favorable accounts of the dsct
pine
It Is therefore with surprise aud regret that the
public will hear of which, its facc seems to
contradict these culogstic reports and to show that
In one instance, at least boy OF tender years mas
treated With terrible harshness. It be re-
membered, however, Tint this is altogether OK
partc statement, and must be received with some
allowance When tho other eide Of the story is told
The case referred TO is that OF n boy named Henry
Moods. who appears to have been reouced from
stout, healthy lad 10 complete wreck; and whether
his plant be true iasc the Board Of Managers
OF the House OF Refuge will no doubt institute in
vcstigation aud ascertain tho facts. Woods story is
told In the shape OF petition 1cd in the Circuit Court
yesterday by his lawyers, Smith McCann, asking Tor
Judgment for $50 600 damages Tho SUIT is brought
by his next friend. Daniel Hannmore against janet
ii. Britson, John q. PRIEST j. cowsn, John J.
Fitzwilliam, August Koch, managers OF the
House Of Refuge; John D. Shaner, superintend,
nf ptfc
fourteen and fifteen years OF ago when he
m,tted TO the prison, and he remained there from
taken homo complete wreck mentally and physi-
calIy Tho story OF his treatment told tho follow
ing language by his lawyers
sICKESrSG NARRATIVE.
Notwithstanding mis- tender years, the officers and
employees then in authority imposed upon him duties
and labors OF such pature werc totally untitled for
OF his capacity and youth; that under duress and
by force Illumination and threats-by fear OF long
prisonmont aud great and severe corporeal punish.
mcnL and IN consequence oi repeated cnastsements
and promises OF more and greater In Of disobe.
dience-plaintin, for the space OF about weeks
after his Incarceration, was compelled and induced 10
carry IRON the surlace 70 the different floors the
building buildings composing said House OF Refuge
said floors being one, two and three stores in height
ana having steep and precptous stairways and long
tortuous corridors loading thersobuckcts scutties
Weighing when filled 30 70 loo pounds and was SO
PEELED and induced 70 carry said buckets or scuttles
filled with coal IN tho placea aforesaid two time
that is 70 say. ono bucket or scusse filled in
each hand--up into and through tho places afore-
said. for = large portion Of each day.
States further, that when his task Of coal carry
ing, as aforesaid, ended for the day.
he would then, BY the means aforesaid. and
IN consequence OF the matter hcreinbefore sci
out be induced and compelled to scrub and wasL
tho floors and steps. walls and other places in and
about the premises prior thereto being induced and
compelled divcst himself OF his shoes stockings
and wrap his pantaloons up to his knees and thus
naked from the knoe aownward cold, trembling sick
and exhausted In the midst Of the winter IN tho
months aforesaid TO labor and drudge unit,
STATES further that at the end OF about six weeks and
when his treatment was commencing TO visbiy under.
mino his constitution plaintiff entrcatcd tho oniccrs
and employees OF ssd House OF Refuge to mitigate hs
condition. stating to them, the TACT that ths
joints and muscles and other functions his body and
particularly OF ha ankles knees wrists elbows and
Shoulders, wero gradually giving way under tho m.
strain OF his abors, and aud had been IoY
some time giving him great and intocrably yiolenS
pains and sufIerngs.
States further that heed given to his entroo
tics or complaints, but he was compelled and induced
TO continue his labors ncrenbetore described mini
his pains and suierngs increased sucn an extent ~
10 totally disable and ovcrpower him. and his
and inrrmity became evident that he was sent 10
the hospital of the institution.
states further, that he was kept In said hospta or
further period Of two weeks, when, IL appearing 10