The Advocate and news., 1898-09-28
TWO STATE INSTITUTIONS.
THE STATE REFORM SCHOOL.
pY Mss NELLIE CHAMBERs.

Union, is situated the Reform School
for Boys" Here 225 as fine looking boys
as ever spun top or robbed birds nest
spend their time growing up into man
hood and citizenship.
A group of fine brick buildings at the
foot of the hills, surrounded by beau
tiful lawn of twenty acres, form a State
home for incorrigible and abandoned
boys.
The farm contains 200 acres Of the
finest Kansas land. This summer we
tramped over the place to its remOtest
corners and never was there farm in
more admirable condition. With its
wOOd-lawn of twenty acres, crossed and
reCrOssed by splendid drives; watered by
a beautiful fountain; covered with the
most stately trees and lovely towering
shrubs, we thought it one of the garden
spots of the State"
Do the boys work? There are twenty
acres of fine Kansas potatoes, five acres
of sweet potatoes, three acres of toma-
toes, 100 bushels Of "snap beans" on the
vine, great quantities of radishes and
lettuce, seVenty-hve acres of corn, be-
side millet, sorghum and grasses, con-
vince your correspondent that idleness is
not cultivated. Grapes, raspberries,
blackberries, currants, cherries and 9th
er fruits load their tables and teach the
boys the value of horticulture.
We are informed that the potatoes
alone. sold at the market price, will run
the institution for the next two months.
The farm will produce $50 hogs during
this year; fifty head Of cattle are kept
on the farm and four teams Of horses do
the work.
Forty employees superintend the ed
ucatiOnal and industrial development OF
these little wards of the State. Strict
discipline, hard work and close confine-
ment to the farm make this an admirable
place for boy.
The boys not only do the outdoor
work, but they also have indoor indus
tries. At one end of the main building
is a large airy room known as the sew
ing room. Here they are taught to make
their own clothes and to do the neces-
sary mending. The work is character
lied by neatness and precision and every
one in the room full Of busy boys does
his task easily and gladly. Some young
man is here serving his apprenticeship
who will perhaps become a successful
tailor.
The laundry is supplied with many
machines to make the work lighter and
more convenient. Any one who sees
the interior of the laundry will perceive
that the process of washing and ironing
in this great institution is very different
from that in private residence. Dur
ing the hot summer months this work is
neither pleasant nor agreeable, yet each
boy does his share cheerfully and will
ingly.
Almost every Kansan has heard Of and
admired the Reform School band, many
of whose members possess real musical
talent. The band renders with success
many of our greatest composers most
difficult pieces Of music Their former
instructor has always aided in and taken
great interest in their prosperity and
good furtune.
All Of the boys receive military train
ing from Major Anderson, and as they
march and drill they exhibit a skill and
precision which excite surprise and ad-
miration. Many of these young men
would make gallant defenders of their
country's flag and brave fighters in the
cause of humanity
The beautiful flower beds and plants
loaded with blossoms are the product Of
two large greenhouses connected with the
institution. The boys have the entire
care of these and they feel that the re-
suits amply repay them for their toll and
trouble.
There are play rooms and large play
ground where the boys spend much Of
their leisure time and where they have
fine times together.
Since the institution has been under
the care of the present Superintendent,
J. M. Hat, there has been practically no
sickness and only one death-the result
of an accident