The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1891-12-09

A Visitor Tells What lie Saw and
Heard There.

A Visitor Tells What He Saw and
Heard There.
Grafton Standard.
Through the courtesy and kind
invitation of Col. J X. Smith, par
ty consisting of James w. Holt, S.
w. Poe, L. NJ. LaFolfette, Leonard
Mallonee, S. l.. Allen, John Doonan
and L. Nj. Wilson visited the Reform
School at Pruntytown last Friday.
The visitors were shown through
the buildings by the Superintcn-
dent, Col. Smith, and everything of
interest pointed out and The details
of the running order of the institu-
ton explained. There are now
about seventy boys cared for at the
school of whom about twelve are
colored. The two races are kept
apart as we'll as the somewhat limit
ed capacity buildings and grounds
will admit and thus the spirit of the
law is conformed to as nearly as
possible. The Davidson building
has been remodeled and thoroughly
fitted and is nearly ready for oc-
cupancy, the furnace fires being
already started up. This building
will be occupied by the white boys
A large and commodious room on
the second and third floors respect
lively will be fitted up as dormito-
ries, well lighted and well ventilated
A large hall on the first floor will
be used as DINING room and the
basement fitted up and set apart
for the culinary department. The
grounds around the new building
are ample and afford an excellent
play ground for the boys, besides
serving to keep the white and color
ed boys effectually apart. The lat
ter contingent will continue to have
their quarters in the old Jail build
ing. The old court house building
will be used for the school room,
workshops, library, necessary offices,
and such apartments as the assist
ants may need. A good tailoring
department has been established
with a first class tailor in charge
and number of the boys engaged
therein, many ofthem making rapid
progress in their new trade. They
are busily engaged on their new
uniforms and soon all the boys will
be decked out in regulation style,
which will add much to the appear
ance of the entire school. A boot,
and shoe department has been added
and a number OF boys are engaged
in learning this useful trade.
Such other trades from time to time
will be introduced and taught as the
growth of the school demands, and
the required means at hand will
permit. The feature most full of
promise is the thorough educatio-
nal training that each boy will re-
ceive. The superintendent and as
sistants are practical teachers and
thorough going school men. The
boys under their tutorage will have
II school training such as to be envi-
ed by those who count themselves
more fortunately situated in receiv-
ing the advantages afforded by our
best public schools. The school will
have the training or Industrial fea
ture and thus an advantage owe the
simply educational course. The in
stitution is just making good be-
ginning, as it were. With the pres
ent progress that it is making, IL
will soon be amply provided to meet
the ends for which it was establish
ed, that is, the better training of jul
yenile offenders and their recIama-
ton from evil courses begun or
likely TO be embarked upon on the
principle that early restraint is less
costly than the punishment of ma
tured crime.
The visitors came away agreeably
surprised with what they had seen
and under many obligations to the
genial superintendent, the gracious
and obliging matron, Mrs. Slime,
and last but not least, the whole
souled and deeply interested Col
Smith who as one of the directors
is doing his utmost to make tie
school u success and an honor TO
the State.