Los Angeles herald., 1890-10-29
A Child Charges a Teacher
With Abuse.
Superintendent of Schools Baker
Fails to Investigate a Case.
An East Side School Girl and Her
Paralyzed Arm.
Her Parents Cannot Get an Investigation.
Is it Because They Are Poor?-The
Statements of All Parties.

Complaint was made to the HERALD
recently of a case of alleged abuse of a
little child by Miss Henderson, the prln-
cipal OF the Chestnut-street school, of
East Los Angeles. A reporter called
yesterday on the child's parents, Mr..
and Mrs. ]. A. Nichols, of 264 North
Walnut street, and got from Mrs. Mich
OILS the following statement:
"On the 14th my little girl g. rgiana
Nichols, who is seven years ,.came
home and complained of her right shoul-
der. She said she was teasing the child
who sat next to her, when Miss Hender-
son came up, and taking hold of both
shoulders, pressed her thumbs into
the flesh and shook her, and
then shut her up in little closet.
The next day the child could not use
her right arm at all. The shoulder was
black and blue and badly swollen.
called in DR.. Carlisle and he treated
her. The second time he came he
brought DIR. Carson. He said he could
not tell exactly what the matter was.
but that he thought the loss of the use
of the arm might be caused by rheuma-
tism in consequence of the bruise. Now
Georgiana can use her hand and fore
arm, but cannot raise her arm above
her shoulder, and, in fact, can make
little use of it,
The child a healthy, handsome seven
year-old girl, was called in and exam
ined She could use her hand and wrist,
but the arm from the elbow
to the shoulder was useless.
1t presented all the appearance
OF a case of partial paralysis
The reporter tried to raise the hand
above the shoulder, but the child suf-
fered such pain that the effort had to be
relinquished.
Georgiana told the same story as her
mother, and recited the statement in a
straightforward manner. 1t was evident
that she was telling the truth, and it
was also evident that her arm was in a
most serious condition.
i reported the case to Superintendent
Baker," said Mr.. Nichols, land he has
never done anything about it; he never
even came to see my little girl. 1 then
reported it to Mr. Morris, one of the
school trustees, and he said he would
give Miss Henderson lecture, but that
won t cure my crippled child"
Miss Henderson was called on by the
reporter. She said, "all there was to it
was that the child was teasing another
child, and made her sit down. l did
not shake her. Yes, | put her in the
closet one day, it might have been the
same day. do not see how could
have hurt her, and l do not believe l
did. Ii 1 have done her any injury
am willing to do all 1 can for her. Her
mother came to see me about it, and Of
fered to hush the matter up for $40. /
told her l would have to think it over.
Yes, she did say it was for the doctors
bill, and the same afternoon she re-
ported the matter to Superintendent
Baker. have taught school in this city
for five years, and am perfectly willing
to stand any investigation of my meth
DDS. saw DR.. Carlisle about it, and he
said the trouble might have been
caused by a bruise, and the child might
have hurt herself
Mr.. and Mrs. Nichols are people in
very moderate circumstances, which
probably accounts for the fact that
Superintendent Baker did not see fit to
investigate the matter. The above are
the facts of the case. The child has a
paralyzed arm and charges it to Miss
Henderson. Miss Henderson denies the
responsibility. Between the two, the
reporter cannot Judge, but the facts are
certainly such as to show. .thatlMr. Baker
should have given them his attention,
or if it is not Mr.. Bakers business it is
certainly some ones