The herald., 1897-07-09
Quiet Restored and Mutiny
at Whittier Quelled
STATEMENTS OF TRUSTEES
BIG BOYS HAVE DOMINATED
LONG ENOUGH
Recalcitrants Conclude to Go Back to
Work-Twenty Leaders Are
Still Imprisoned

Quiet again reigns at the whittier re-
form school and the hundreds of young
toughs who have for several days past
caused SO much trouble by their rebel
| lion have been thrashed into submission
with stout whip, applied where it
would do the most good, and have re-
turned to their studies and work, cowed
and submissive, at least for the time
being. Twenty Of the ringleaders are
still locked UP, on a. mind-improving diet
of bread and water and will be kept in
confinement until their good behavior
gives assurance that they will conduct
themselves properly if accorded the usu-
al privileges. The trustees have departed
for their homes, the extra guards and
sheriff's deputies have been dismissed
and nothing unusual remains to indi-
cate the fact that there had been an
insurrection.
Captain Brady has assumed command
of Company c, the ringleaders in the
trouble, while Major Thompson, the de-
posed officer, has come to Los Angeles.
After a thorough inspection Of the
|
Mr.. Rowland came to the conclusion
| that their presence was no longer
needed and accordingly left, Mrs. Mitch
ell taking the 4:25 p. M train for Los
Angeles and Mr.. Rowland going to
Puente. The three deputies sent down
by Sheriff Burr also came back to the
city.
From a gentleman who is closely con-
xx-.fl, se. l.,
position to know whereof he speaks,
the following succinct account of the
rebellion and the causes leading UP to
it was yesterday obtained: Under the
old regime, which was supplanted only
two months ago. the school was run in a
loose manner and the virtual rulers were
the big boys of Company c, who had
things about their own way, and did
nearly what pleased them. Major
Thompson and several of the other Off
GERS found it far easier, to allow, the. boys
10 dictate what they would and would
not do than to chastise them and by
keeping eternally at it, curb them.
Some of the worst boys in the school
were in Captain Brady's company, and
when he assumed command they quick
| ~ found they had different person
to deal with than his predecessor. Be
cause of Major Thompsons laxity of
discipline he was favored by the boys
while Captain Brady's methods were too
restrictive for their liking. When the
new management assumed control Ma
jor Thompson was warned not to allow
the inmates to domineer him, but as his
discipline continued lax, some of the
worst boys in his company were trans
ferred to Captain Brady's command.
This caused i'll feeling.
When the anonymous letter threaten
ing a revolt unless Captain Brady was
dismissed was received by Superintend.
ent Van Alstyne, he concluded to make
an example Of the author or authors,
and after casting about decided that
one or more of seven tough characters
had written the epistle. Deciding on
his course of action, he ordered Major
Thompson to arrest the seven suspects,
| and imprison them in the cells. This
command Major Thompson refused to
| obey, and for his refusal was suspend
| ed. Captain Brady was then ordered
TO arrest the offenders and proceeded to
| do So He took one of them named Haw-
kins by the arm and led him to the door
of cell, intending to place him within.
Hawkins attempted to pull away, when
a scuffie ensued, during which both Off
Ger and prisoner fell to the floor
The scene was witnessed by number
of the boys who were out on the parade
ground and they ran to the spot, hoot-
ing and yelling. Capt. Brady's company
remained at their posts. Arriving at the
spot the lads jeered at the captain, who
ordered them to return to their posts
and blew his whistle, which brought the
other officers to the spot They refused
to go to their quarters and cheered for
Major Thompson while kissing and jeer-
ing at Capt. Brady. At this point Major
Thompson offered to induce the boys to
return to their posts and incarcerate the
seven suspects, and did so. Arriving in
their quarters, the prisoners continued
their threatening demeanor and shouted
and yelled all night, cursing Brady anG
cheering for Thompson.
The trustees met at late hour Mon
! day night and continued in session Until
4 o'clock Tuesday morning, A thorough
canvass was made of the situation, and,
finding that Major Thompson's acts had
tended to precipitate the crisis, he was
deposed and. Major oliver elected in his
stead. Wednesday morning when The
boys were called on to go to work they
refused and were held in their quarters
while the trustees continued their inves-
tigation.
The author of the letter was dfscov-
cred and Capt. Brady was suspended
pending the result of the investigation.
Having ascertained the, ringlead,ers, the
next step was as to the punishment to be
administered 1t was decided to fog the
leaders, and as Capt. Brady had not
been found in fault he was reinstated
and put in command of Company c..
Then the whipping was administered
and all the boys concludedlto go to work
| Only the worst nalcontents are held in
imprisonment, and they will not be re-
leased until it is considered that they
have been sufficiently punished and will
| obey orders in the future.
Trustee Harry Patton, who came back
to the city Wednesday evening, was seen
Yesterday and questioned regarding the
trouble and the causes leading up to it.
In response to the question he replied:
"What do I think was the cause of
the insurrection? think the older boys
| at Whittier have been running the
school, During the last administration
those boys controlled things out there.
and they naturally resented the usur-