New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-11
INMATES CRUELTY LASHED
SHOCKING TESTIMONY AT THE INvES-
TIGATION OF A TRENTON SCHOOL.
WITNESSES DECLARE THAT GIRL WAS
BRUTALLY BEATEN AND CONFINED IN
A DUNGEON BY ORDER OF THE
PRINCIPAL. AND FINALLY SENT
To AN INSANE ASYLUM
TO AN INSANE ASYLUM.


Trenton n. j.. Aug. 10 (speciaD-The first
sworn testimony in the investigation Of the
Girls Industrial School is more sensational than
any OF that ELECTED by the Governor in his re-
cent inquiry or that brought out by the many
charges made against the administration OF the
principal. Mrs. Myrtle B. Eyler.
Testimony was taken to-day by John Backus,
attorney, in behalf Of Trustee Fitzgibbon. and it
was the first testimony taken from witnesses
who were not called in behalf OF Mrs. Eyler. or
who were not under her direct control at the in
stitution.
Miss Frances Day. twenty-three years old. OF
Bayonne. agent for the State Board Of Chill
dren's Guardians and the clerk OF the State
Board Of Charities Aid who was a graduate Of
the institution having gone there when she was
thirteen years old and having been made its
clerk at the age Of eighteen which place she
I held until short time after the advent OF
Mrs. Eyer testified 10 startling statements.
She declared that Sadie Wsemon was driven
insane by reason Of cruel and inhuman punish
ment administered by Mrs. Eyler. This punish
ment consisted OF what IVES really starvation
and solitary confinement for six weeks The In
mate six days in the dungeon and was
finally taken 70 the hospital, from which she
was removed 10 an insane asylum. It was also
testified 10 by Miss Day that Louisa Stokes.
colored, refused 10 plant potatoes in the field.
after spending a week in bed. which had re-
suited practically in nervous prostration. For
this she seized by one OF the men employed
on the farm and dragged to an orchard. Mrs.
Eyler beating her numerically every step with
strap.
TESTIMONY OF A FORMER TEACHER.
Mrs. Mary A Miller. former teacher in the
]
years DID, came here voluntarily 70 give her
testimony TO Mr. Backes She and Miss Day
testified under oath She corro roborated in an
affidavit the story told by Miss Day in every
particular.
The testimony taken to-day Is considered as
overwhelmingly against Mrs. Eyler's contnu-
ance as the head Of the school, even II IT stood
alone without the former charges, and many OF
her friends expressed surprise that she had been
guilty Of what was sworn to. 1t is also forcible
in emphasizing the demand for Z renewal OF
the Governors inquiry for brand new in
vestigation by a commission. of the conduct OF
the school Miss Day very positive in her
testimony, but in no part she more so than
in stating that the punishment record at the
school had been falsiied by her at the order Of
Mrs Eyler AS clerk she had 10 copy the
records Of punshments submitted by the teach
ers. But" she said, very often Mrs Eyler
has added 10 the entries made by me. so as COM
petely to change the tenor and meaning OF the
record as originally made by me. The punish
rnent book, and especially the entries made dur
ing the time Il was in my charge about six
| months is not reliable. truthful and accurate
record Of the punishments TO which the children
we're subjected" Among other things, Miss Day
said: Il had to obey Mrs Eylers orders in mat
ters Of punishment resign, and chose the
latter.
BEATEN AND PUT IN CONFINEMENT.
"I make it as 4 general statement. that at no
time while was at the institution, under Mrs.
Evler. was a girl punished by being placed In
dungeon unless az the same time Mrs. Eyler
heat the child with her hand a strap. Dur
ing the nine years that was at the institution
under Mrs McFadden the former matron. l
never saw Mrs McFadden strike or otherwise
nolest any OF the children. After Mrs. Eyler
came she placed straps in the hands OF some
OF the teachers for use. Mrs. Sickel and MISS
Mandever each had one Mrs. Eyler frequently
used hers and her favorite expression while
striking the girls was: You got the devil IN
you. and I'm going to get it out Of you. MIS-
! Eyler's manner in treating the girls was cal
culated to tantalize and annoy them. her
method was 70 grab them by the neckoand or
their dresses and she frequently stated that
this would shut of their wind and they would
be easier subdued."
Miss Dav then took up the case OF SADIE
wisenon "One Sunday afternoon IN APRIL
1897. Mrs Eyer sent for me 20 get a strait
Jacket and a lair N anklets. Sadie Wlsemoh WIS
on the fat Of her back in the upper hall OF the
school With Mrs. Sickel. who weighs IN the
neighborhood Of two hundred pounds sitting on
her abdomen with the girl pinioned 10 the noor.
When I returned Timothy Commit was also
tbarA Mrs Eyler said 10 Commit. Drag her
right upstairs 10 the dungeon Connin ooeyed'
When he got her upstairs was ordered to put
the straitjacket and ankets on her. dld
so while Conniff was holding her. Sadie was in
a great rage and was screaming at Mrs Eyler
and Threatening TO report her to the Board OF
Managers.
ORDERED THE CHILD CHOKED.
Mrs. Eyler was also in a great rage. She had
lost complete control OF herself She ordered
Connif to choke Sadie. While the girl was
talking she said 70 Commit Choke that on
Conni6 obeyed orders; put both his hands
around the girls throat and choked her until
she was black and blue in the face. and until
she could not talk She simply gurgled. Tim
released his hold upon Sadie twice, and each
time was ordered by Mrs. Eyler TO repeat the
treatment. The breath was almost choked out
Of the girl the straitjacket and anklets be-
ing on her during the operation
While the choking vas going on Mrs Eyler
was whipping Sadie with leather strap Sne
struck her at least hundred times ABOUT the
body. and twice in the face Mrs Eyler struck
right and left. and in her fury struck me seS-
eraI ttrnas nv accident The striking across the
face raised welts, and Sadie was black ana olue
from the beating Mrs. Eyler ordered Connl1
70 drag her into the CELL Whlch ne ulu' Hau
cbarge ~ sadie after that She was in con-
hnement for six weeks without square meal
until sbe was taken from the school 70 be taken
70 the innafic ASYLUM. Sadie was In tne dun-