The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-04
SCHOOL
BOSTON INSTITUTION WHERE HOME
LESS BOYS ARE TAUGHT.
II Is Not Reform school, Requi-
site for Admission Being IL Good
Character-BOth Work and Play.
Boston Transcript.

Boston Transcript.
'Oh. yes, reform school," is the fire.
quent exclamation when the Boston Farm
School for Boys is mentioned. But it is
nothing of the kind. Candidates for the
school are examined, not by a police court
but by wise board of trustees and a most
careful and efficient superintendent More
than that, the boy who would enter this
truly parental school must have his record
looked up, and IL he has ever been arrested,
ever run away from home, ever done
anything else to which erring boys are
prone, he stands a poor chance to get in.
The fatherless boy who fails TO gain adj
mittance however, is most unfortunate,
for here is where boys are made into good,
strong, self-respectirg men; men who are
well equipped and anxiously ready to do
some good work in the world men who
shall prove what kind of stuff may lie I'M
developed in boys of poor but honest"
parentage. Judging from the tricks some
widows play to get their boys placed here,
it would seem that the word honest is
sometimes superhuous. But, already
stated a boy must give evidence of having
in him the elements of earnest, purposeful
manhood to become q, regular accepted
member of this interesting community
down on Thompson's island.
The requisites for admission, succinctly
stated. are that in order to be admitted to
the farm school a boy must be more than
seven and less than twelve years of age,
of good moral character and in fair phys
ical condition. A physicians examination
is always made, DR.. John Romans being
the medical examiner Bad boys are not
received If accepted, a paper relinquish-
ing the boy TO the school until he is twenty
years old is signed by the parent or
guardian; but if they are able to provide
a decent and proper home for him when he
is fifteen or sixteen years Old, ne may pe
returned to them. Otherwise. the school
finds a good place for the boy ana exercises
q watchful care over him until he is tWen-
fv-one Right here il NAV be allowable TO
say that the superintendent, Charles II.
Bradley, is admirably fitted for his work,
which not only covers the school of enc
hundred boys, but large NUMBER IN Ine
'Out family" Mr.. Bradley not only has
the, benefit of many years. experience mere mere
and in Monson, but ne understands ana
sympathizes with the boy nature as few
principals of schools do. His treatment OF
the boys is at once paternal and traternal:
He studies the character and aptitude or
each boy, and the result is spirit OF honor
and uprightness which is manifest in every
how in the island While in Mrs. Bradley he
has a most efficient helper. Says one of
the teachers, who speaks from twenty years
of experience in school work: Il never saw
such an admirable spirit among boys III
my life Every one of them is put upon
his honor and 1eelS II. EVERY one CL CHtu
seems to feel that ne is personally reSpoh-
sible for the character of the school
MANAGED BY BOYS.
Nothing can be more interesting than
visit to the school, and Thompsons island
nav be reached by taking an electric car to
Marine Park South Boston, and going
from there in a boat. By telephoning
ahead, the little steamer belonging to the
school can meet one This steamer is reg
ularly equipped with an engine which is
managed by the boys, and which gives
them chance TO learn practical engineer
ing. Arrived at the landing-a neatly kept
pier-the approach to the main buildings is
a beautiful one. One passes a barn. which
for completeness in every particular ana
for its almost perfect cleanliness would be
q credit to the best stock farm IN the coun-
try. This same air of neatness and thrift
is noticeable everywhere. The Wnoie
island comprising 157 acres, is laid out like
a park and is kept up like one. Not par
ticle of underbrush is allowed in the lovely
groves; trees are set out every spring (rom
their own nurseries, WIN N'eT 70 ~ ~
turesque effects, and there are about TOUT
miles of excellent driving roads. IN TINS
way the boys are taught not only scientific
farming. but the clements OF landscape
gardening Indeed one of the leading
graduates is to-day holding responsible
position under the park commission.
There is so much to see at this school
that one scarcely knows where TO begin
The house, although an old building, IS
the work learning TO COOK sweep MAKE
beds and do all sorts of necessary house
work. There are accommodations Tor one
hundred boys. in addition TO the supeIIn-
tendent's rooms the library, office, parlors,
schoolrooms ana dining rooms. One would
think that in a community of boys there
would be a perfect babel of noise. But
there is not, not even in play hours. here
are one hundred hoys who actually COM
prehend that noise and fun are not neces-
SarilY synonymous terms. And Stlll they
are the happest- looking boys on the city
The course of study completes the gram
mar school grade, and hereafter diplomas
are to be awarded. The manual training
course includes mechamcal craving, car
pentry. wood turning and wood carving;
and all in turn are employed upon the farm
and perform some part in the household
duties. Boys are selected according to their
capacity to receive instruction in black
smithiug. cobbing, painting, printing and
management of boats and in all the gem
eral repairs. There is most complete
Sloyd department under the care of Charles
+. Ltttleheld. who uses a moullCaIlon OF
Mr.. Larsen's system. The work which
these boys turn out would do credit to the
Mechanic Arts High School graduates, and,
in fact. has been awarded several medals.
In the blacksmithing room the specimens of
wrought-iron work show that the boy who
chooses this as his life work will be we'll
equipped for il. There is nice little
printing office, where the older boys issue
monthly paper called the Beacon under the
guidance of their master. John Clinton An
thony, a graduate of Brown, and young
work of the Beacon is above criticism, and
the text does the boys great credit. They
have earned enough money by job printing
and custom work to buy a new printing
press within the last year making three in
all. The boys brass band, organized be-
fore the war, gives another valuble attain
ment to those having musical talent.
A BUSINESS SCHEME.
The Farm School Bank and Cottage Row
with its government, societies, ETC., furnish
practical business lessons in many ways.
This is a novel means of developing the
business instincts of boys a few years
ago, Mr.. Bradley told one of the boys to
dispose of some old lumber. Shortly after
he discovered a tiny cottage that had been
erected just above the playground. This
suggested a new idea to him. He told the
boys that he would give those who cared
for it sufficient lumber to put up and cover
a cottage. which each owner must line and
furnish for himself. There were several ap-
picants Immediately. and shortly after a
municipal system Of government was
tabushed. There is a town house and a
bdnk, while the cottages vie with each 9TH
er IN taStefulneSS and convenience. Each
boy deposits all his money il the bank, and
has his own check book with which he
makes all DaVmentS. lie bIVS for few