The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-10-25

nau runniug east and west, win front
80 - o,,t,ance ON the South OF the
bau are two family or school-rooHis, eaSa
Furnished with sixty schooi-oesns a1
recitation and assembly seats. Ano Pc"
tit,ou between these rooms Is a'i""eS1
with lifting doors. so poth iooiii9 ~tanoI
thrown into one tor Assembly anu '""'
purposes. -. dining hall
.,,rn,shsd with tables, each seating SIX
boys. The size of the nan 10 10 ~
feet. Nth two
The second floor is taken up with wv
aormitories arranged for sixty boys. Each
dormitorv has convenient closets
me building Is furnished with water
~,om a well by means of wind-mlll anu
tank. Special care has been TAKEN "
lave all the plumbing and sewerage III
the most perfect manner.
PRISON ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA
1be first definite action towards the or.
canization OF the Prison Association ol
Virginia was by a meeting az "hlch thc
following gentlemen were present: Aool-
pbus Blair. John w. Cringan' joseph
Ervan. Robert Stiles, and w. b. VIII
Iiarns. The only business transacted was
an agreement TO form such an assocla-
ton. the appointment of committee TO
nrocure a charter from the Legislature,
and TO secure the passage Of an act per-
uniting the transfer of minors 10 the
custody of the association. Awaiting this
legislation. no other meeting was held
until April, 1890. In the meantime II
was thought advisable TO invite Hon.
Chas Dudley Warner TO visit the city
and deliver an address on the subject or
prison reformation. which was done, and
this gentleman did much towards en-
listing public interest and sympathy In
the enterprise.
Having secured a charter and accom-
panying acts providing for the payment
OF Jail fees. etc. general meeting OF
the members Of the association was held
in the vestry room of ST. PauIs church
at which Major Stiles was elected pres
ident and w. j. Williams secretary and
TREASURER.
Al this meteing Il was decided that the
frst step taken by the association should
be the establishment OF a reformatory
Tor the boys.
THE REFORMATORY OPENED.
To carry out this plan the most i'm
portant measure was IN find man
adapted TO that kind of work and with
some experience I'm that line of business
in this the association was singularly for
tunate in securing the services of Mr.
and Mrs. W c. Sampson. who, besides
a natural adaptabiilty, possessed the
equally great advantage OF long ex-
perience in similar institutions.
The association having received. as
gift. from Mrs. 4. p. Russell. OF tbs
city. a tract OF land in Varina township,
about four miles below Richmond, il
Was thought best 10 make a beginning
by fitting up two old buildings on that
place for temporary use. This was done,
and the work began September !. 1850.
with one boy who was the only inmate
for two months
Being dependent upon voluntary offer
ings for means 10 provide houses. furni-
ture. stock. etc, the association was
greatly hampered for many months. but
through the efficient aid OF the president
and other kind friends. they were ena-
bled 20 purchase a fine piece OF property
Of Laurel station on tho Richmond. Fred
cricksburg and Potomac railroad. and
on January ]. 1901. the school. then num-
herring thirteen, was removed 20 that
place.
The LEGISLATURE OF 80 and % aphronri-
ated $4,000 for the use OF the association
in buildings. This was expended iu en-
larging and approving the old homestead
on the place and IN the erection OF
large workshop. This house has been
occupied partly as a dormtory. but
mainly for the manufacture Of brooms
This Industry. however. has been dis
continued and the house IS now used by
ye.srs J. T. Wright and Stokes. who
are largely engaged in making horse col
lars and employ forty-fve OF the boys
IA that work.
DOING a GOOD WORK.
II Is the design OF the association, as
soon as they are able. 20 enlarge the
HELD OF mechanical omployments and have
a school Of trades. instead OF using tho
labor OF the boys as supplementary
means OF support. which their Insult
cicnt income has 30 far rendered neces-
SarI
At the annual election OF officers in
April 1895. Major Stiles declined a renom-
ination, but accepted the position Of first
vice-presdcnt. and Nr. James Caskie
was unanimously elected president. Mr.
caskie has proved a most valuable officer
and has shown great sagacity and good
sudgmont IN the selection OF members
OF the various committees. Mr. III. A.
Christian. second yicc-prcsident and
chairman OF the Executive Committee
has brought into the work his great
energy and business tact and put the ma
chincry o. the institution In fine working
order
The building tuat completed, though