Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-29
AnIncident.
The conneetleus Inaustrlal school.

The Connecticut Industrial school.
Accompanying the annual report of the
board of directors of the Connecticut Indus
trial School is an interesting history of the
origin and progress of the school, prepared,
at the request of the directors, by Rev. T.
X. Fessenden, secretary of the corporation
Mr.. Fessenden says '"The origin of the
school is due to the following incident: In
October, 1864 Charles Fabrique, a police
commissioner of New Haven, was passing
through the public square with the Mayor,
the late Hon. Morris Tyler. Their attention
was arrested by the sight of young girl of
fourteen in company with two soldiers from
q neighboring camp" She was taken to the
police station, when she confessed that she
came from the town of Guilford without the
knowledge of her parents. She was at once
sent home, but there was nothing to prevent
her speedy return to her vicious companions
and to dissolute life This incident and
others of similar kind led to frequent con-
ferences between the two gentlemen, who
consulted with ladies and gentlemen in New
Haven and elsewhere in reference to special
institution for this class of girls. Eventually
petitions were sent to the General Assembly
in 1866 for an act creating an institution for
GIFTS Blu11lAE 10 LuhC III mcFluSu luz UOyb
A commission to inquire into the expedi-
ency and desirability of such school
| was appointed, which presented an extended
report to the next General Assembly. Their
recommendations were approved, and in
1867 the Legislature granted charter to
| those who had subscribed money amounting
4 in the aggregate to more than $4,000 as a
| body corporate under the name of 1.-The
| Connecticut Industrial School for Girls. "The
| city of Middletown presented the farm now
| occupied by the school, and early in January,
| 1870, the first inmates were received. The
| formal opening did not occur until the both
i of June following.
The annual report shows that the school
| has now IGO inmates, who are under the su-
pervision and tuition of twenty four officers
| and teachers. Three of the latter are classed
as &c assistant pupils" The total number OF
| pupils received since the opening of the
| school January 1, 1870, has been 43O. This
| school is located on farm of forty-six acres
i about two miles southwest of the cen
| ter of Middletown. 1t occupies four build
| ings called 'thome, Z" named respectively for
the benevolent persons by whose hberallty
| they were erected. To these will soon be
| added fifth home, for the cost of which the
Legislature appropriated $4,000. Besides
| instruction in housework. and other every
day occupations, the pupils receive com
mon school education. They are also EN-
ployed at box-making and in ''custom sew
| ing" and when the new building shall be
completed it is intended also to add a custom
laundry. The ages of the girls admitted dur
| ing the past year range from seven to ffteer
| years, twelve having been received of the lat
ter age. and thirteen but one year younger.
| The Grand Army-E1ect1On OF the EN-.
| campment Officers.
| At meeting of the Grand Army encamp
ment at Meriden Thursday, the following of
ficers were elected for. the ensuing year:
| Commander-AIfred B. Beers of Bridgeport.
| Senior Vice Communicates K. Hicks of New Brit
ain.
| Junior Vice Commander-Isaac BHy4tt of Meriden
| Medical Director-Dr. VIC Vile of Sandy Hook.
| .Chaplain-Rev James W. Davis of Waterbury.
Council of Administration Henry e. Taintor o
Hartford, George Ravens of New London, John Nc
| Carthy of New Haven, James Ryder of Danbury an
| Caleb Wood of South Norwalk.
| Representatives to National Encampment-denr
| NJ. Durfee of GreeAville, John Mccarthy OF Ne'
| Haven and Charles Griswold Of Guiford.
| Alternates-B s. Keith of Norwalk, James Ryde
of Danbury aud George Ravens of New London.
The following resolution was also adopted
Iesolued That the assistant adjutant general of tn
department furnish blanks to the different posts 70
acquisitions for supplies and also blanks for pos
chspains to make reports Of Memorial day exercises