The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-07-04

Ole mile of Lancaster is the county
NCampmeeting' grounds. 1t is a veri-
table city, situated on magnificently
shaded and grassy hill 1t has its streets
and alleys, its water-worlls, gas supply
and sewerage system The 300 or 400
houses are substantial, attractive and
comfortable The hotels are first-class in
every particular, and the livery stables
are filled with the best Hamiltonian
blood
1t is model miniature city, a marvel
city; full of good in itself, with an in
good.
But by far the greatest attraction in
Ohio, and one that reflects credit on its
projectors, is the Boys Industrial
School, four miles west of Lancaster.
This school was founded in 1857, while
The Hon S. P Chase was Governor. 1t
is really the pioneer or parent scion of all
such benefactions in this country; all
other institutions have been fashioned
after it.
Mr.. Isaac Claypool purchased the farm
of 1850 acres at about $40 per acre.
Though it is hilly, and in places rough
and precipitous, the wisdom of his selec-
ton has been fully attested by expert
ence and time.
The superintendent and trustees still
living are Charles Reemlin, John A. Ford
and James d. Dodd. They inaugurated
their good work and then went to dis
tant States to make their homes and
exert the kind influence of their Chris
tian virtues. 1t seems pity that such
men have to die. One is in Conn, the
others are in the West.
Mr.. George e. Home was superinten-
dent for 20 years. His long term of SER
vice attests his fitness for the position
20 years speaks stronger his praise than
all the word painting man can do. He
needs no eulogy
The school buildings are located cen
trally on charming eminence fronting
the sun. The choice in this particular
gives evidence of perfect judgment at the
time and manifests foresight into the
distant future. The buildings are large
and 90 in number. They are constructed
of elegant brick, are three and four stories
high, spacious, conveniently planned and
present great architectural beauty The
grounds are handsome; the walks and
drives are in fine condition-both show
taste and attention. The buildings cost
$1,000 They are heated by steam and
lighted with gas. Holly pressure forces
water from a spring of a mile distant to
tank just in the rear of the lawn. From
this tank water is conveyed over the
left undone to make the place attractive,
comfortable and pleasant-in truth a
home. One need not be told that this is
so-an inspection of the premises will
4 furnish abundant evidence of it.
/ There are ten family buildings which
are named after the principal rivers in
/ the State: Ohio, Hooking, Muskingum,
4 Scioto, Union, Cuyahoga, Huron, Erie,
Miami and Maumee.
Each family building includes dormi-
tories, school-rooms and wash-roOms,
which latter is always in the basement
Each boy has hook for his apparel, a
pair of slippers and towels. On one side
Of this room is large and long cemented
trough not unlike the ones you use in
your well-appointed dairies. About three
feet above this is an iron tube which APP
pears to be about II inches in diameter
This tube is perforated at distances of Il
inches and extends the entire length OF
the room. A key guards the supply OF
water. When opened the water pours
through the first opening and so on un
til it reaches the distal end of the tube
This is utility basin and one admirably
suited to its purpose.
At bedtime the families repair to thei
respective Mushrooms, battle their feet
don their slippers and go up to bed
They have single beds. Their clothes
are deposited in locked rooms and the
boys are locked in the dormitories which
occupy the upper stories of the build
ings.
An opening is left in the wall and al
stated hours during the night the watch
men make their rounds and by means O
this aperature can see that all is right
These buildings are models of neatnes
and comfort.
Husband and wife have charge of eacl
family The boys learn to love them
and the influence they exert for good i
Unreasonable,
F'ifty-two persons are employed t,
supervise. The best medical attention j
given them and it often 50 happens tina
not single death is registered in year
time.
Each family consists of 40 to 60 boys
1t is an impressive sight to see then
march to and from meals, schools AM
workshops. Each morning and after
noon one-half the boys attend school
while the other half is at the shops.
20 minutes recess is given in both school
at a. m and p. III. They ask grace a
every meal, which consists of good, plain
substantial fare On the 4th of July
Thanksgiving day and all other holiday
duu DuDllC OCCdoIoIIS, w ihCyS dI'
many of the delicacies are Furnished
them. Apples, eggs, &C., are given then
in season. They write regularly to thei
homes and in one of the letters writer
this Spring during the egg feast, DO,
wrote that he was glad Mr.. Cleveland
was out; that they had had eggs three
times day since Harrisons election
Even chickens appreciate the home bene
fits of protection; isn't it strange that 81
many people are blind to the truths O
America first and England second p
All criminal boys from 10 to II
years of age are received and kept til
they are 81, unless they show evidenced
reformation.
They are received ON the ''Merits and
Dement'S system. He enters with about
5000 demerits-the magnitude of the of
fence fixing the number, also the class
and grade to which he belongs. The
standard of good department is fixed al
10 merits a day. In addition to this, he
is entitled to ezra merits for specia
faithful study and department. On thls
basis, as soon as he shall have cancelled
all his dermits, he is given a 4 months
parole or leave of absence If he should
t,roya faith fIlI tO the rarIIiraunptc 0f II i,