Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-30
.SUSPENDS THE BOYS.
THE FIRE AT LEIGH SCHOOL CAUSES
FOUR OF THE PUPILS TROUBLE.
An Investigation Shows That Lighted
Matches Were Dropped Into Trash
That Was In the Basement.

-Four Of the male pupils of Leigh School,
whose ages range from twelve to fourteen
years. were suspended yesterday by Super
intendent Fox for a very serious offence,
though not committed, IL seems, with any
malicious or criminal intent.
The act was of character that involved
great danger TO life and property, and was
one of many instances where fondness for
fun outweighs prudence and leads to rash
deeds.
The sentence is not for any definite
length Of time. At the next meeting OF the
Board the matter viii bc brought up, and such
final action a. 10 that body may seem proper
viii then be determined upon.
few minutes after 3 o'clock last Tuesday az
ternoon quantity Of trash In the basement OF
the Legh-SchOol building was found In danes.
An alarm was turned In, and the department re-
spending quickly stopped the fire before 1t had
begun good.
that some OF the boys were probably She blame
for the occurrence, and quiet investigation be-
gan.
As o result of what WAS developed, Mr.. Fox
early yesterday morning visited the Mayor, who
IL also president Of tho School Board, and laid
the facts before him. They decided upon an
official investigation, and proceeded 70 the school
10 examine some Of the scholars.
DISPOSITIONS TAKEN.
The first step taken was 10 direct that there
should be no recess given, the object evidently
being TO conclude the inquiry before allowing the
scholars 20 assemble and discuss the subject,
over which there was considerable excitement.
Seven witnesses In all were examined-the four
boys suspected and three others.
The testimony was 20 the effect that about
o'clock Tuesday a group OF boys were talking
about the several large confiagrationa that have
occurred recently and one remarked that II the
school building was set on fire there would be n
big blaze. The matter was talked over, different
suggestions were made and some OF the boys
produced several matches. Two or three were
lighted, and one while burning was dropped INTO
the trash In the cellar through an opening inn
mediately over II.
HOW DISCOVERED.
When school was out that afternoon, Principal
MOrrsette In passing from one room 10 another,
noticed the smell OF smoke. lie summoned tho
ianitor and the two made a search. In the cellar
they found the flames reaching 20 tho loists
which were beginning 20 scorch and take fire.
The principal, without taking the risk Of trying
90 extinguish the fire sent the Ianitor out 90 turn
In an alarm. Two Of the boys to whom suspicion
afterwards pointed are said 20 have been near
by at the time, not having left for their homes.
But for the fact that the trash was damp the
fire would have broken out sooner, when school
was In session, and panic would necessarily
have followed
THEIR SUSPENSION.
After hearing all the evidence yesterday Su-
perintendent Fox, with the sanction OF the presh
dent OF the board, suspended the four boys.
Both Of the officials are convinced that the
boys were not actuated by malice or criminal
intent, but that their idea was 10 have some iun
and excitement without considering the serious
results.