The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-04-17
DR.. COnfer's Letter.
REFoRMAToRY INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN
AND GIRLS CONTINUED.


formatory is in the same building
with that OF the woman convict de-
J partment, yet they are kept strictly
/ separated from each other. NO COM
munication or Intercourse is permit
ted. This department is generally
kept full from the effe cts OF increas-
ing population and consequent in
crease OF crime. Girls are sent there
from every county in the State, gen
orally for minor offences. and in
many instances to keep them from
the baneful effects OF vice, to which
many girls are exposed at a very
tender age. They are taken from
jails, many are here because OF their
profanity and for being incorrigible
at home, some had married clandes-
timely at the age OF fourteen years and
were arrested by their guardians,
some were the children of prostitutes,
others again have been taken from
married men; many were abandoned
by their 9uondam lovers with whom
they had run away and were left In
strange places without money or
friends. The number in the house
at this time is one hundred and forty
seven. ranging in age from six years
to seventeen. They are received in
degrees and conditions OF mental and
physical dspravity. far beyond the
comprehension OF the general public.
Youth offers feeble resistance and
but few obstacles to its prostitution
when assailsd by degenerate men and
women, hence. children are sent there
whose minds are corrupted by the
most repulsive thoughts and their
frail bodies polluted with loathsome
diseases; these are kept by them
selves until the necessary improve
ment OF their mental and physical
condition is effected. after which they
are brought into the association Of
the family circles OF the house, Of
which there are number adapted to
the ages OF the girls. About one half
OF those received are unable to read
write. They are placed in school
under the care Of kind and motherly
teachers, who exercise the most rigid
supervision over them consistent with
with their improvement. They are
made to realizs the companionshlp OF
friends and to feel at home. not the
homes that some OF them had left,
but a home where kindness and
christian charity takes the place OF
debauchery and vice; a home where
the young mind Is taught to expand
and develop its faculties for useful
ness Ia reciprocal harmony with the
moral world. ID lilly exercise in the
school room, in the chapel. and In the
open air in company with their teach
ers, rapi lily effects their reformation.
Their numerous and superior COM
forts in tho institution soon wean
them from the remembrance OF their
former haunts, rendering these repul-
sive by mere contrast. When they
arrive at proper age they are care
fully instructed in all the depart
ments OF housekeeping, learning each
branch separately and thoroughly
before being advanced to the next.
Cooking. baking. washing. ironing.
sewing, knitting, cutting and making
their own garmeats as well IS many
kinds OF garments for the stores and
private families 10 the city, as well as
for the prisons. the boys. the Soldiers
aud Sailors Orphans Home. From
these sources and from families who
have their washing done there. ample
work is found to keep the inmates
profitably employed during their res
idence In the institution. After the
girls are sufficiently skilled they are
hired out to work. places are selected
for them by the superintendent. who
carefully assures herself Of the re-
spectibility and capability OF the par
ties to properly care for and protect
the girl from improper associations
The girls are sent out on tickets Of
leave for trial which binds them to
I ho in MI uk f..h kax
kept in constant communication as
well as with friends at home. The
ticket Is renewed every year. or until
the girl Is discharged by the expira-
ton OF her term.
II girl, conduct is not in accor-
dacce with the rules OF tina institu-
ton she IL returned and kept until
a reformation Is thoroughly effected.
L listened TO a mum Der or the girls
recite their compositions in the school
room, they appeared to be fully up
with the children OF our common
schools OF the same age. Some OF
their competitions displayed enjoy
ment, pleasure and contentment
which could hard have been expect
ed | their peculiar situations. One
OF them. ten years old, developed the
idea that she had been raised In the
country; she very earnestly recited
shat she loved to play on the green
grass among the flowers OF spring, to
see the sun rise and set behind the
trees. and to listen to the birds sing
On inquiring l found she had come
from Blackford county at seven years