The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-13

There is more trouble at the Reform
school, and trouble of a serious nature at
that. If half the present charges are
true the superintendent of that institu-
ton is a brutal man indeed, and has no
business in the position which he occu-
pies.
About o'clock yesterday E. w. JUS
tice, teacher at the institution, came to
the state house. saying that he could en-
dure the situation at the Reform school
no longer
Three weeks ago E. w. Justice ten
dered his resignation, refusing longer to
serve under Hitchcock. The state board
of charities requested him to stay until
the conduct of that institution might be
investigated. Since then Justice says
Hitchcock has made his life miserable.
Yesterday the superintendent issued an
order summarily removing Justice, and
appointed the shoemaker, whose name is
Clark, in his place. Justice came at once
to the city and called upon Governor
Lewelling, Attorney General Little and
other state officers. He made charges of
very serious nature against Superin-
tendent Hitchcock, which the board OF
charities will be asked to consider.
Boys Lashed on Their Bare BACKS.
About four weeks ago, it is charged,
Hitchcock heard little disturbance in
the bath room where four boys ranging
from ten to fifteen years of age were
bathing. He pOunced down on the boys
and with raw hide whipped them I'M
mercifully on their bare bodies. Justice,
who was just outside the room, had heard
no disturbance Large welts were raised
on the backs of the boys by the chastise-
ment A short time afterwards another
boy under Justice whipped in the
same manner.
Another instance of extreme cruelty
is that charged in the case of VIM. Moon
ey. The boy was working in the sewer
on Friday, several weeks ago. Friday
afternoon Mooney went into the tunnel
and hid in the hope of escape. He
stayed there Friday night and all day
Saturday and was discovered and cap
tured Saturday evening by Ed Post, enc
of the teachers. He took Mooney to a
room and was about to give him some
food, as the boy had eaten nothing since
Friday noon. Hitchcock appeared on
the scene about this time and said
angrily mot a bite of food shall he have"
and ordered him locked in the dungeon.
a close, miserable room about 6x12 feet.
Next morning he was given food, but
nothing more until Sunday evening. He
was kept in the dungeon about a week
before he was considered sufficiently
punished for his infraction.
Dec4fvinx the Board.
David Denman is another boy who was
sent to the dungeon after being whipped
by the superintendent When the board
of charities visited the institution, one of
the teachers said, Hitchcock had Den
man taken from the dungeon, dressed
and put among the boys in his class.
After they were gone he was returned to
the place of confinement and kept there
for several days"
A short time ago the superintendent
went to Cherokee county on a few days
visit, and while he was absent Mrs
Hitchcock was in charge. She summoned
the women of the institution and gave
them some orders. Mrs w. w. Wiley,
the wife of one of the teachers. took ex-
ceptiCns to Mrs Hitchcock's manner and
resigned her position of housekeeper in
one of the cottages. When the superin-
tendent returned he gave Mrs. Wiley a
better position The men who are press
ing the charges say that this was done to
court Wiley's favor, in view of the pend
ing investigation
Depends Wholly Force.
A teacher in the institution said:
Hitchcock doesn't use anything but force
and he is ignorant and inhuman. He
never attempts to develop the better ma
ture of the boys. He interferes with the
teachers, and will countermand orders
they make the day after they are made"
If the state board of charities refuses
to remove Hitchcock an investigation
will be demanded of the governor at
once.
The charges have been formulated,
and Noah Allen will appear before the
board of charities today or tomorrow
and demand the removal of Superinten-
dent E. G. Hitchcock
ID Il. Jones. an officer on the Topeka
police force, was discharged by Hitch
COCK some time ago. Jones was the en-
glneer and his wife the laundress. Jones
said Hitchcock was ignorant and cruel
and he will be a party to the charges
presented