Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-15
THE HART FARM SCHOOL
Promising Results of an Experiment in Re
forming Colored Boys.
Country Life TransformatiOn OF
Street Waits In Charge of the
Children's Guardians.

Superintendent of Charities Lewis and the
officers Of the board of children's guardians
made visit Of inspection last week to.the
Hart Farm school, near Fort Washington,
where the colored boys who are committed
by the courts to the care of the guardians
are domiciled. The officials were accompa-
ried by John Wallace Hutchinson and a
party of ladies who went as guests of Prof.
Hart to meet the lads and give them a
concert.
The examination Of the buildings recently
enlarged and those newly erected for the
use Of the boys developed gratifying and
wholesome cleanliness and neatness. and
the youngsters themselves, who had for
merly been pinched and starved waits of
the streets and alleys, had been transform
ed by a few months of country life into
stout and sturdy urchins.
The officers also visited the garden and
stables and barns, and observed the work
going forward there under the supervision
of the boys instructors.
After the tour of inspection the superin-
tendent of charities and the president of the
board OF children's guardians sat down to
dinner with the boys, and an ample lunch
was spread in the school room for the
other guests. When the lunch was finished
Mr.. Hutchinson and the ladies sang for the
boys, and then the boys sang-as only col
ored boys can sing-a number of songs for
the company, and the whole party returned
to the city the afternoon boat, well
pleased with the trip.
The Objects of the Institution.
The idea of which this school is the ex-
preston was conceived by Herbert W.
Lewis. the superintendent of charities.
whom the little colored boys have dubbed
Daddy Lewis" He found, after the most
thorough examination, that none Of the
sectarian institutions in this city would re-
ceive a destitute colored lad of ten years
Of age, and that the Industrial home for
boys. supported by government funds.
would not admit colored boys, so that only
the doors of the Jail and work house re-
manned open to the little fellows when the
officers brought them into court from the
streets and alleys, without friends or home
or food or raiment.
1t was determined to make a beginning
of some sort In rescuing these lads who had
not entered upon a career of crime from
their slum environments and place them
In q country home, where they might lead
the nor nal life of country boys and be
taught the three RS, industry, providence,
self-help, honestly and independence. The
experiment is as yet but little beyond its
initial stage, but the manner in which these
children have responded to the influences
thus far exerted upon them is beyond the
fondest hope Of those who undertook the
work.
The officers Of the board find it difficult
sojourn in their little community at the
farm schooI.
The District Commissioners requested
Congress to increase the appropriation Of
the board of guardians, SO that the work
could go forward without embarrassment
for want Of means to support 1t: both of
the appropriation committees of Congress
had the matter presented to them in all it's
details. and upon elaboration refused to
grant the requests.
Public Interest.
The committee on charities and correc-
lions Of the board Of trade invited Prof.
Hart, who Is In charge Of the school, to
address them on this work, and when he
had finished his remarks, rendered him a
vote Of thanks and sent its secretary down
there to see the whole thing.
Judge Kimball Of the Police Court and
Major Moore are both deeply interested in
the success Of the farm school, for they
have to deal personally-for the community
with these little folks, and this work is
the only effort made to find a way for
them up and out Of the depths into a useful
and worthy and happy life, such as one
would wish for his own children
Over their log cabin school and home the
little fellows have run up the American
flag as their emblem, and over their door
way Is this motto:
Our Flagi 1t nurtures us as children:
We will defend 1t as men,