Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1898-08-03
SECOND VISIT
To The Reform School. Also a
vlsli 10 the State Capital,
Soldiers Camp. stc.


made my second VISIT To the Reform
School at Prunytown and was quite
as well pleased with the school and
the way IL is conducted IA ! was on
the occasion of my former visit. |
found everything in and around the
institution IN n healthy, ilourishiny
condition. There was change in
the season since was there before.
consequently there was different
work gong on; also different amusc-
ments for the boys. The favonte
game at this time was ball playing,
which Is freely indulged IN by q
large number of the boys. They
have two regularly organized ball
teams, that play every Saturday,
when the weather will permit. Their
names are the ''Yellow Jackets" aud
"Shamrocks." was sorry didn't
have the pleasure of seeing them
play on the afternoon Of the ath of
July on account of the rain aud
storm which came on just at the
time. The school celebrated the 4th
of July in real old patriotic style.
At 10 o'clock of that day the ofli-
GERS of the day and the school as-
scmblcd in the large auditorium
and listened attcntively TO the read
ing of the declaration OF indcpend-
encc by the Superintendent This
was followed by patriotic speeches,
singing of national songs with mu-
sic, both instrumental and vocal,
which was pleasing and inspiring t.
the listener. There were quite
number Of visitors present and all
seemed well pleased with the cxer-
cises and the appearance OF things
in general. As stated before the
buildings and grounds are IN per-
feet order and cleanliness can bc
noted everywhere. The grounds
are covered with closely shavcn
grass and lovely flowers are bloom
ing in great abundance and choice
varieties. The building was decor
ated with flags, large and small 4
and pictures Of great men. The
boys were all orderly aud polite to
visitors, and so far rs could see,
they all looked happy and content
ed, while engaged ia the different
parts of their work or playing the
different games aud plays which
they cheerfully engage IN.
In looking over that large au.
dience of boys ] missed some faces
! became acquainted with last win
ter when was there, but | saw
many new ones who had come 10 fill
the places Of those who had gone
home. was told by one of the
boys that there had been nearly one
hundred boys admitted TO that in
stitution in the past year and about
the same number released or honor
ably discharged. also noticed the
kind. pleasant manner in which the
officers spoke 20 the boys and was
much impressed while sitting IN the
superintendent office talking, with
the way and manner that honorable
gentlemen received the many call.
Of the boys, who often came % his
door and knocked. They were al
ways kindly told 20 come in and when
they had politely made known their
wants, they were granted or given as
kindly as any loving mother could
or would do. One boy wanted
rag and string to tie up little sore
on his finger, another wanted some
salYe or medicine 70 cure his sore
toe, another wanted some money 70
buy candy or other Dick-nacks. All
these requests were heard patiently
and granted willingly.
When ! saw how good and kind
the boys were treated and how we'll
cared for they were IL every way
/ truly felt grateful and thankful TO
Goa that lie had put il into the
hearts Of good people 20 establish !
such Az institution, and best Of All |
that such a kind, fatherly, chrissan
man is the Superintendent who sees
70 and carries out the good work as
was intended I only wish Chat ev.
cry mother whose wayward, disobe- |
dent boy isan inmate Of that school. |
could sec and know for themselves. /
how things are arranged. properly |
kept and cared for are their boys and /
what n suitable place 10 81 for bad
boy ~ learn 90 be- good Their
hearts would cease % ache about
them, but they would be- glad 20
know that the dear ones had been
arrested in their downward career. /
made 10 stop and think and re-
strained from evil ways, till better
thoughts shall have gained lasting
place in their young hearts. wll I
close BY saying that was never
wac more c0urte0usly treated. or
better treated anywhere. than I was
there during my stay and feel Glad /
that ! had the pleasure IL seeing
and knowing for myself that it h IL I
a good place to discipline BOYS and
] avn fully convinced chat a laree 4
per cent. of those boys eill come out /
Of that school with fixed purpose 10 4
DO right and many good. Industrious
men VIII take thuf places in thel