The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1885-11-19
REPORT OF THE
VISITING CONuIT'Tbb
On PENAL AND REFoRMAToRY
INSTITUTIONS OF UoCKING
COUNTY.
LOGAN, OHIO, Nov. Z. 1885.

LOGAN, OHIO. Nov. 4, 1885.
To the Honorable Judge of the Court of
Common Pleas of Hooking Co., o.
We. your Committee appoint
ed TO investigate The condition of
the Benevolent and Reformatory
Institutions of the county, beg
leave 10 report as follows:
The first institution visited by
the committee was the Children's
Home Here we were met by
tie efficient matrou, Miss
who showed us eve
ry department of the Home from
garret 10 cellar. The rooms are
large and airy, and generally very
well adapted 10 the purposes f +
which they were designed.
Everything seemed neat ard
Clean. and so far as the manage
ment of The matron and her help
Is concerned, was certainly very
satisfactory. School was not in
session. consequently we could
not .indge of its condition or OF
the efficiency of The teacher.
We noticed, however, that The
necessary facilities for carrying
on school work successfully and
in accordance with modern meth
DDS were lacking entirely. We
therefore suggest that the school
room lie furHis ed with modern
desks. in place Of he old style
benches without hack that we
saw in it, in order lat the pupils
may be comfortably seated and
taught by improved Methods
We also further suggest that
blackboards be supplied for the
use of both teacher and pupils.
AS 10 text books the committee
take it for granted that the chill
dren are literally supplied with
such as are in general use in
schools of the same grade. "e
do not think, however, that text
books alone are sufficient. We
believe that these chileren should
be provided with other reading
matter suitable to their ages and
advancement, and hence would
suggest that at least one copy of
Youths Companion wide
Awake 'Babyland,' and Our
Little Ones,' or other similar pub
lications, be placed in the hands
of these children by the proper
authorities. We believe that this
place should be made true
home indeed /; one that will in
still in The minds of lis inmates
& love for the useful, the beauti-
ful, the good.
We noticed that one of the
clsferns was in bad condition.
The iron cover is too small and
TIE walls of the cistern are not of
sufficient height above ground to
prevent surface water from flow
ing into it. This should be look
ed after promptly. The Home
is very pleasantly located, but
we think a few shade trees plant
ed in the yarl would not only
enhance the beauty of the place,
but also add greatly to the com
fort of its inmates.
We next proceeded to the In
frmary. and were kindly receiv
ed by the Superintendent, Mr..
Daniel Nixon and his estlmable
wife. (now deceased A close
inspection was made of every de-
partment of the institution and
we are happy 10 say that in our
judgment everything is satislac-
torily managed. We would sug
gest, however. to the authorities,
that we saw one patient there,
who in our judgment should not
be allowed the freedom of the
yards at any time, without being
closely guarded. He is a large
muscular man, possessed Of great
strength, and though apparently
harmless. is liable to be aroused
in moment and commit some
desperate deed before he could
be overcome. The safety of the
other inmates and those in charge
of the institution demand that
prompt attention be given to this
case.
The committee next visited the
County jail and the City Lock
up. The latter was found in good
condition $ TO cleanliness, venti-
lation, &c. and therefore we have
no suggestions or criticisms 10
make with regard to it. As 10
the former, so far as the manage
ment of the Sheriff and his excel
lent lady is concerned, the best
we can say is, that We found eve
rything entirely satisfactory. and
we commend them as faithful
stewards The ventilation Of the
prison department of the build
ing is very defective. This is no
iault of he Sheriff or of those iis
his employ. Tie difficulty is in
the building itself. We suggest
10 those whose business it is 10
take charge Of these matters. hal
a competent architect be en-
ployed 10 examine this depart
meni of Tie Jail and ascertain if
something cannot b. done 10 Sc
cure better, ii Hoi perfect venti-
laiion- To sI:nt criminals Up in
such a place ah,! compe! ;heuG t
iDhaie surii impure air as The
found in lle jail is ii
shame, and ID otiige al s:ijcer 10
risk lis deie!eri"ns effect upOn
he health of himself and his
family is lnsiir:iii@ Il great wrong
n;,on him, and is Il disgrace 30
he county. jus: i'.e o criminals
md officers demands HAT pioaapi
attention i;e given 10 his matter.
ma We llnpc hat ii will soon be
iii,;:;ce; fu'iv 3''i',n;ftel
&. Il. ROCHESTER,.
j.Ynis Z. Bi:iHi:G.
" ~ MORAY, l