Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-11-25
REPORT ON GIRL 5 RIOT
Polk County Grand Jury Finishes
Investigation Of Mitchellville
Affair and Reports
supt. Miller Largely Responsible
For the Outbreak Board Of
Control Censured.
Whole Business From Janitor to
Magistrate Criticised Some
Sensational Statements.
Special to Times-Republican.

Il
has filed its report on the investigation
of the riot at the girls reform school
at Mitchellville. The character of the
report is quite sensational. The report
finds great deal OF fault with the
whole business and criticises every
body and everything connected with
the school and it's management,
The report in full is as follows:
The industrial school for girls, To-
Gated at Mitchellville, being within the
county of Polk, and there having come
to our notice the outbreak which oc-
Cured on October %, 1885, when some
seventy-five to 100 inmates conducted
themselves in such a riotous and unruly
manner that the officers of the school
were unable to control them; ana that
1T became necessary to summon the
sheriff Of the county to assist in quell-
ing the riot; that he, with his deputies
and other officers, went Immediately
upon call and after properly patrolling
the grounds and buildings succeeded in
quieting the disturbance; that on Mon
day, the 23d day of October 1899, upon
Il
seventy -four of the girls participating
in the riot and destruction of property
We're brought to the Polk county Jail
for safe keeping until necessary repairs
could be made to the buildings or other
disposition made of them; that they
have been held here for this purpose
and for thorough investigation into
the cause of the outbreak and conduct
i .,p t.l,
been conducted under section $3.50 of the
code and under instructions of the
court. After examination of large
number of the inmates Of the school
and other persons who We're made
known to US to have a personal hnowl-
edge of the affair, and after personal
Investigation of the school itself, made
on Tuesday, November IA. 1899, we find
as follows:
That a general uneasiness and rest
lessness existed among large number
of the girls who had been there several
years, We're past the age of is, and had
received practically all the benefits at
4 forded by the school, and because of
the fact that the law compelled them to
remain until they We're 81, the confine-
ment became irksome and they We're
4
a means Of release.
I'm conjunction with the above feel
ing, one of the primary causes of the
outbreak dates back to the time when
the order was promulgated by the state
board of control prohibiting the super
intendent's wife from acting as matron
of the school. and which order COM
PEELED an efficient and thoroughly COM
L 4 NO I'M, toe
spected, to resign as head of the insti-
tuition. AS soon as the fact of his leav-
ing became known to the inmates, muir
murings of what would be the result
We're heard. the elimination to take
place soon after the new man, whoever
he might be, was installed.
THAT upon the LIST day of October
1899, the present superintendent of the
school assumed direct management and
made several changes as to department
managers; and that Immediately there
after the general uneasiness among the
older girls became more apparent and
preparations for a general outbreak
were made, to take place upon the first
opportunity that should present itself;
this opportunity came upon Sunday
October %, when all the girls of what
u
eight or fifty in number, We're put upor
punishment for the disorder of few
at the time of chapel exercises in the
afternoon This we find to be the i'm
mediate cause Of the outbreak, which
began at about O'Clock that evening
; and continued through a greater par
of the night and communicated itsel
!. to other buildings of the school.
t,11t huf ~ hra 4
have been averted had proper judg
ment been used by officers in charge o
No. 2 family in administering punish
. ment on Sunday afternoon.
I'VE find, also, that after the out
break began, insufficient force ant
judgment was used by the superintend
ent in his attempts to control the riot
ers. He could have succeeded. b.
prompt, decisive and proper action OF
his part in directing the assistance tina
came upon call from the town near by
in SURPRISING the riot within a shor
time after the call had been Responded
to.
I'VE believe the order above referred
to. issued by the state board of control
should be revoked. 1t is based upon NJ
plausible foundation as means of bet
ter government and control of the in
mates. In fact, it's Inconsistencies ar
so apparent as applied TO the govern
, ment of a school Of this nature tina
!, further comment is unnecessary.
I'VE deplore the evident intention o
the board to entirely supplant the ole
!. management for new officers and IL
pairing down salaries to minimum
that forbids the acceptance of the posi-
lions by competent teachers and man
; ayers. 1t is false economy that VII
Hover the efficiency of the institution
and work an almost irreparable injury
The girls sent there are sent for tn
purpose of reformation and as wards o
the state should have the best instruc
ton that money can procure.
I'VE find that no care was taken o.
means provided by the board to sepa
rate the more vicious and crimina
class from those who We're young ant
: those not schooled in crime; that in thu
intermingling of the inmates vice wa!
disseminated as disease SO that thos'
who went there comparatively limo
! cent children We're soon initiated int
i the knowledge of all that was vile ant
wicked and taught practices which cal
| not be mentioned here, but of which
. the board is now cognizant. The PEG
= ple of the state of Iowa must hold thu
| board and the legislature responsible
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