The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-01-26
SERIOUS SCHOOL TROUBLE.
Prof. B. P. Greene Severely Furnishes a
Bad Scholar and Is Removed. :.
Proceedings In Court fer Assault
with Intent 60 Do Great Bodily
narm-.Dudley Esheimaa
succeeds Greene.

AID is obliged to chronicle recent troubles
which occurred in the public schools Of
this city in which disobedient boy was
severely punished and the teacher was
discharged by the school board, and
brought into court on a criminal charge.
The editor of TIE HERALD was absent
from the city at the time, but he will en-
deavor to give true account Of the I'M
fortunate affair as gathered from some OF
those directly interested.
The boy who was the cause Of the
trouble which has disturbed school cir
cles and given ground for much gossip,
and in some instances hard feeling
throughout the community, and which
all must regret, is Earl Fleming, aged Of.
teen years. He is the son OF G. d. Flem-
ing, the hop grower, and is large and
strongly built lad. weighing between l3C
and lao pounds. The difficulty dates
back two months, when young Fleming
was denoted or set back in his grade by
Prof. Greene, under orders of City Super
intendent Watt. When his class was
called, after being denoted, he remained
in his seat. Greene then made per.
sonal order for him to attend the class,
which he refused to do; whereupon, the
teacher went to him and insisted on his
attendance. only to be resisted and an
swered insultingly. This statement is
from Prof. Greene himself, and is given
as nearly as possible as made. The pro.
lessor then took him by the collar and
endeavored to force him to obey, but was
unable to get him out. Fleming resisted
in every way, and several times threat
ened to kill Greene, who finally hit him
over the back with the blackboard point
er, which broke in two with the blow.
He then made another effort and finally
got young Fleming into the hall, where
he gave HIM good shaking and expelled
him from school. He was taken back,
with the consent Of Mr.. Watt, after max
ing a public apology in the school room
for his language and threats and promis-
ing obedience to the rules of the school.
Week before last was taken up with ex-
aminations, which the boy failed to pass.
and through Greene the present city SUI
perintendent, W. NJ. Heiney, ordered him
set back. Fleming was disobedient in
reference to his assigned lessons in the
new grade, and had been reproved sew
eral times for whispering and disorderly
conduct. About o'clock on Tuesday,
Jan. 18th, the boy had turned completely
around, when Mr.. Greene took his raw
hide riding whip and struck him over the
hand, and told him to behave himself
Fleming few into rage similar to that
he had exhibited on the occasion Of the
previous trouble, and dared Greene to
hit him again. Mr.. Greene says he did
not want to whip the boy, and told him
to pack his books and 60 home. He made
no move, but again dared the teacher to
hit him. Then Greene hit him with the
whip over the right shoulder and down
the back. Fleming jumped out of his
seat and ran to the stove, where he grab
bed up the iron poker, which is about
four feet in length. Greene followed and
as he got near the stove Fleming had the
weapon raised as if to strike. Greene
raised bis whip, which Fleming caught
hold Of, and he in turned grasped the
poker, and after struggling o minute
the teacher gained possession Of both.
Then Fleming made dive toward Greene,
who struck him with the whip on the
right arm and over the bsck. Fleming
ran past him to the door and Greene fol-
lowed, plying the whip over his back.
Fleming had his head bent to escape the
blows, and as he reached the door he
Strengthened up and caught the descend
ing whip over the crown OF his head. He
then passed out of the door, followed by
Greene, and placing his hands over his
face began to scream. Mr.. Greene says
he never struck the boy after he left the
school room, and he unsuccessfully en-
deavored to persuade him to lower his
hands and tell what he was screaming
about; then he sent for DR.. Gum, and
placed the case in his hands. Mr. Greene
claims that at no time did he strike a
blow AT the boys head nor intend to hit
him in any place excepting on the back
and shoulders, and he can only account
for the cuts on the boys face and injury
to his eye by his colliding with the door
or some OF the hooks or other projections
10 his rush into the hall.
Mr.. Greene has been building DWELL
ing house. and, after reporting the whip
ping affair to Prof. Heiney. he was given
leave OF absence, ostensibly for the
purpose of moving. The matter was re-
ported to the directors, who suspended
Mr.. Greene, pending an investigation,
and on Tuesday, the Path inst, discharged
him without hearing. although he had
been requested to make a statement Of
the case and was present with his attor-
ney, Mr.. Fred Parker.
During Mr.. Greene's absence the school
children, who have been under his tute-
lage, met and voted to sustain his action,
and all but two of the thirty-five present
signed petition to the directors asking
that he be retained. Mr.. Greene is not
satisfied with the action of the board,
and has appealed TO the county superin'
tendent, who is the next court Of resort.
On complaint Of c. d. Fleming, Mr..
Gxaana mao avxaataI ~ n.nufy Char;H