The Portland daily press., 1877-05-17
THE Reform SCHOOL.
The Investigation Contipued-The Argus
Reiires from the Field and Tim is Re-
tired-NIr. Hiliman's Love Of the Gospel.

were brought out but they were all met and re
luted. AT the opening Mr.. Gould said thai
the investigation would be conducted in {
much more regular way than on the previous
DAY, The witnesses were all sworn and none
but interested parties were allowed to ask ques
tons. The Argus representative took no par
IN the matter and Tim Kennedy who was sc
active the previous day was suppressed and the
trustees decided that they did not want to heal
any more of his testimony.
The first witness called was Rev. Mr.. Hill
man, who at first objected to being sworn be-
| cause the other witnesses had not been, but
when told that they should he sworn he con-
| sented. He complained that he did not have
due notice to appear, as he could have obtained
witnesses to substantiats him. When asked
what be knew of cruel treatment himself he
said: have repeatedly seen boys hand-cuffed
and shackled. Saw York in that condition in
| October or November when Mr.. Libby was AS
| sistant Superintendent. Afterwards saw him
hand-cuffed while l was preaching Sunday
| morning and the sight came near stopping me
| IN my sermon. Never saw such sight before.
Have seen boys again and again shackled
when on the line. Wien Ryan escaped L was
In Mr.. Wentworth's room and Mr.. Wentworth
showed the handouts and shackles to me which
he took off from him. All the instances now
think of under my personal observation have
spoken of. Last fall, however, 1 saw boy
standing against the fence in the yard hand
cutfed aud compelled to stand with his hands
over his face 1 wish to correct the statement
published that am prosecuting this CASE 1t
was the Sunday after the Christmas revolt
that was so shocked at seeing boy hand.
cuffed while was preaching the gospel. did
not then know that he was the ring leader of
the revolt Do not object to handouts but to
the times they are used. Was Chaplain at the
time but did not report the abuse to Mr.. Went
worth because felt it my duty to preach the
gospel to the boys and l feared that if made
complaint should be dismissed. Did not care
for losing the salary but felt it my duty to con-
tinue to preach. l thought there was time
for all things, and there would be a time to
state this matter, and concluded to wait, al
though my conscience was not entirely at rest
L thought the trustees should speak to me in
regard to discipline instead of my speaking to
them. once spoke highly to Mr.. Gould of
Mr.. and Mrs. Wentworth, but have since
changed my mind. The change was made
about two and half years ago. The change
was caused by what have seen. Have talked
with Aver, Moves, Fitch and Davis about the
spoken to Mr.. Wentworth or trustees Last
Saturday saw article in the Argus. and also
another on Monday. Did not have anything to
do with their publication. Did not dictate the
articles: In November visited the State Prison
and talked with boys from this school. Out of
four boys all but one told me they would prefer
being there than in the school, Went there on
purpose to visit the prison. Talked with the
boys there Of shackles and handouts. Before
these boys went to prison visited them at the
IoT1 VnrIx said h. IL
was not, but the other three said they should
Two or three of those at the prison said they
wore hand cuffs and shackles night and day
while at the school. talked with Kennedy
yesterday. My discharge has no effect on
my present course. but think the abolishing
OF the Chaplancy is a very unwise thing. 1
did not say to DR.. Higgins yesterday that York
was treated more like an officer than like an
inmate when he was returned [Dr. Higgins
says ne did say so to him personality Never
have thought that the revolt a year ago was
the result of the cOnnivance of any officers, but
that York was at the head of it. l never asked
Mr., Lord if he would 60 to the Legislature and
get up an investigation into the school, at least
do not recall it,
This closed the direct examination, which
was decidedly interesting. At times the ven
cradle man would arise and denounce the whole
board and all concerned in the investigation,
and the only wsy he was handled at all was by
agreeing with him in every point.
On Cross examination by Mr.. Wentworth he
said; Conversed with York in Jail about the
Lawyer Thomas was retained told him of the
shackles and handouts You made no
advances to me, and told you nothing about
the abuse for that reason. Never preached to
the boys the doctrine against CHASING the boys
and never called the first class 'bread and
butter boys Was in favor of the grades but
know nothing of what other officers thought of
your Improvements. Have heard officers
complain THAT the classification was only
nominal. when asked if he furnished the
answer, and showed his appreciation of Mr..
Wentworth by saying mo person except one
cursed with such jealous mean and
contemplate spirit as you would have thought
between you and the editors or publishers Of
the Argus, and should as quick look for feeling
10 the heart of an Egyptian mummy as in you.
Have not offered any inducement to others to
write articles for any paper Do not know of
any conspiracy in the matter Seth Scammon
and I have talked of the school house; also
spoken to Levi Pencil, Burnham Wardell and
others.
AT this point Mr.. Hillman was questioned in
regard to personal matter which we do net
print. In rebuttal several witnesses testified
in the matter. In closing his testimony Mr..
Hillman said that he had no unfrendly feeling
towards Mr.. Wentworth.
Kennedy was recalled and claimed a right
to state what he knew of other abuses which
had not been mentioned. He then proceeded
to tell some of the most surprising character.
No one paid much attention to them, however,
and before he closed one of the trustees said he
had heard all of that kind of testimony he
wanted. One of his stories was that two boys
who ran away were shackled and handcuffed
and compelled to sleep in the domitory where
1T was so cold that the Waterman was SILVER
Ing with an overcoat, four shirts and two or
three blankets thrown over his shoulders. 1t
was afterwards shown that the heat was never
allowed to 60 below 45 degrees, ard if it did
it was Tins place to notify the engineer.
Tim then took another tack aud said that he
could show that the boys called yesterday were
intimidated if he had chance. The
chance was given him but he failed. The
boys were recalled, but testified that they were
not frightened, but told the truth Sexton
said that he had since remembered that he
saw Mr.. Brackley, the teacher, strike a foolish
boy, was Lot very near and could not tell
whether 1t was in fun or otherwise.
MIR. Brackley was called. He has been in
the school nearly seven months. Does not
remember striking the foolish boy. If he did
touch him it was in sport. Have taught
country schools before, but never had better Or
der than here. Have 35 or 40 scholars of the
lowest class. Have reported about dozen
cases deserving punishment to Mr.. Wentworth
and have seen the punishment inflicted 1t
was ferullng and was not severe at all. In no
case did he strike scholar over four times.
Mr.. Wentworth attends to all the duties of
superintendent and Is always ready to take the
place of one who is SICK
Nathaniel Davis was called and corroborated
what the former witness said in regard to Mr.
Wentworth's government. Mr. Hillman and
several of the other officers of the school were
opposed to the Improvements made by Mr.
Wentworth. The grading,s not nominal as
stated by Mr.. Hlllman, but is practical.
j. j. Skillings, the carpenter at the school,
was called and made some very damaging
statements in regard to the practices of form
er witness.
Edwin P. Wentworth testified that he
heard Mr.. Noyes, who was discharged from the
school, say that Mr.. Hilman remarked to him
that the Argus would jump at the chance to
print something about the school and Its bad
management, for revenge. Noyes thought
that it was conspiracy to get rid of the su-
perintendent. Mr.. Wentworth stated that he
had heard Mr.. HillmaE preach against the sys-
tenn of classifying the school,
Miss Watson and Miss Fosdick, teachers in
the school, testified that there was no harsh
punishment, and that if anything it was easier
than in the public schools. No shackles had
been used for year and handouts but four
times.
At this mi nt tha inuact;nat;on oa:ouol