Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1900-03-01
FROM THE SOLDIERS HOME.


The following letter has been sent to
us from an inmate Of the Soldiers
Home at Dodge City. The instance he
gives shows that superstition aud
witchcraft Of the sort believed in 200
years ago are employed in the discipline
Of the institution.
EDITOR GAZETTE: Since the officers
OF the State Soldiers Home have at
last opened their hearts so generously
and made public exhibit Of their true
inwardness, will try to give a true
statement of their last, but not their
most ignorant and ridiculous official
act.
We think this one circumstance will
suffice to show the public what the old
vets with their families who have been
compelled on account of old age, sick.
ness and poverty, to come to this home
to spend what few years left to them
In this life in ease and comfort which
has been haven of rest, under all
other administrations, The particular
circumstance which we propose to call
the attention Of the public to, is but
oae of many equally as ridiculous,
On Wednesday, December 9th, Miss
Cole, one Of the primary teachers in
the Home school, claims TO have lost
her watch, She says she laid it on her
desk at recess in the forenoon while
she took active part in romping play
with the children out side, playing
CoXy's army. She did not miss her
watch till after the children had been
called in from recess, then she was not
sure that she had left ii on the desk,
but after giving the subject few mo-
ments thought, she concluded to close
the door and search the children, which
she did, with the result that she could
find no clue to the watch, Then she
offered reward of one dollar and no
questions or punishment If the watch
was returned by the end of the next
day, the watch did not come
On Tuesday Of the next week an old
half-crazy woman at the Home by the
name Of Parker, who processes to be
the agent for the supreme ruler and
who has gone into the secret detective
business, pointing out thieves and To-
eating stolen property, was employed
by the officers Of the Home to 90 to the
school house during school hours and
point out the thief. Accompanied by
Quartermaster Thomas and Professor
Catlett, Mrs, Parker went into the
school room and took charge Of the
work in hand at the same time boast
ing to the little children what great
powers she possessed saying she had
the power to cause the guilty one to
fall dead and gave them TO understand
that when she pointed out the boy or
girl who had stolen the watch, they had
bOVVVi NVho ny anu CoIllonh VI bub
weuld cause their Instant death and at
the same time telling them they would
90 to hell where they would be in
flames of fire and torment forever.
After getting the children, who are
all small, scared out of their wits, she
brought forth pack of playing cards
which had been sent to her by the
great supreme ruler, then commanded
the children to come forward one at
time and touch the cards with their
hand saying the card will stick to the
hand Of the one who got the watch.
Several of the boys fatty refused to
touch the.cards, zone small boy whose
hand the card stuck to, slung it loose
saying, ~ never got the watch" Mrs.
Parker paid no attention to this cir
cumstance as it appears she had her
cards prepared for particular one and