The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-11-05
DEATH IN A SCHOOL ROOM.
WHAT CAME or PUNIsHTN0 n SEN
SITIVE LITTLE nor.
Hurryina Home for n slate and Returning
Inte-Thc whipping 90 Statements from
Miss Chs pman. tue Teacher, and Others,


Prom ne klhoamee Sentinel
A very painful rumor that child OF
ten years had been whipped to death AT the
Fourth Ward or Plankinton School, was current
about the streets yesterday noon, and created
considerable eNcitement in police circles. ON.
Ger Cannon was detailed to visit the school and
the residence Of the parents OF the child, to
learn all the particulars and report them at
headquarters. The reporter Of the sentinel hap
pened to be present when the order was given,
and accompanied the patrolman on his mission.
On reaching the school 1t was found that the
principal, Mr.. Lawrence, was absent on business
connected with the sad affair and that he could
not he Interviewed. lie had been called into the
room just as the child Was dying, and had not
witnessed ANYTHING that occurred between the
was consulted and from her these facts were
CLEANED The little hoy. Herbert Booth. son Of
Mr.. George Booth, resident ut 40 Fifteenth
street, lad seven years Of age. had come to
school rather late. and had subsequently hur-
ried back home to get his slate, having forgot
ten II In his haste to get to school. Nothing I'M
usual occurred after this until about II o'clock
little over an hour from his return to his desk
Then his teacher Miss Sarah W. Chapman,
daughter Of Mr. Sias Chapman. observed that
he was making noise. and that IL diverted the
attention Of the children from their studies
She called him up on disObedieuce Of an order
20 keep quiet, and had given him four or Ave
blows with light rattan, when he fell into NJ
Miss Chapman As a teacher, and remarked, incl
dentally. that her uniform patience and kind
ness In tho treatment Of the children under her
care had often been "a subject Of notice among
her associates.
AT the residence OF Mr. Booth. the On1cer and
the reporter were received 10y Mr. samuel Can
ner. an uncle Of the child. The child, he said,
was OF tender. sensitive nature, and II was the
general opinion that its death was the result of
the excitement incident to its attendance at
school during the forenoon Herbert had risen
and had assisted in dressing n younger brother
or sister before going to school. His race for his
slate aud he nervous disturbance consequent
upon punishment 10y the teacher had resulted in
an apponlectic NJ and death. The family had no
fault To- find with Mis- CHAPMAN and viewed the
occurrence as one that might have happened in
the home circle under no greater provocatiou
than that at school Mr. Gamer had carefully
examined the hands ~ the deceased and had
failed To discover any marks upon them. There
was slight abrasion Of the skin on the upper
side of one OF his thumbs, hut this might have
been caused at some time previous to his death
The reporter resolved to visit the residence Of
Miss Chapman and get a statement Of the cir
cum-tance- attending the death ~ her pupil
Miss Chapman and her mother were on the
point of paying a second visit to the residence
Of the Booth family. but very kindly returned
Correct version Of the atrair his ' ChSpm,, had
detected the little fellow I'm the act Of making
noises with his mouth. To the annoyance of those
about MN. ana had called Nun To account. lie
laughed and. very carelessy, 1t seemed to
her. repeated the noises. Thinking It necessary
To punish him for his dspbedience. size sum
moncd him out into the hall and administered
four or i've light blows upon the inside Of one
Of his hands. lie made no resistance, but cried
more out of modification than Of pain. On his
release lie walked to his seat. sobbng all the
way, and the teacher observed that he settled
assumed recumhent position. She hurried to
his side and found he was ill., A boy near by
expressed an opinion that the child had tainted.
and word was Immediately sent up to Mr.. Law
renee who appeared anu assisted in bathing the
boys temples with cold water and applying
ammonia. Dr. Carlson was sent for but arrived
too latv To he Of service. The little one died ia
a few moments after he reached the seat. The
parents were sent for. but a. Mrs Booth was too
I'LL To come. the remains Of her poor boy were
taken home in a hack. The pupils Of the grade
under the care of Miss Chapman were dismissed
and the room closed for the day. Miss Chapman
thought the boys death was the result OF great
nervous excitement and his effort to restrain his
grief. He gave one or two sobs at the
close aud fell back dead lie was quite
heated when he returned from his
chase after his slate, and was very rest
less up to the time that he was called. His
actions Of the forenoon were In strange contrast
with his usually quiet department, and this
leads to the suppOstion that he was subject to
some functional arrangement.
Dr. Carlson was Interviewed bv several report
ers. but could give no positive opinion a. 10 the
cause Of the boys death nothing short Of a
post mortem examination would determine tho