Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1902-05-13
PADDLE
Used at School
For Girls.
Inmates We're Gagged
and Whipped.
A Female Sufferer Tells of Mis-.
treatment.

Marion, o., May 13.-Mrs. B. +. Dell,
of this city, has a daughter in the
Girls Industrial home, at Delaware,
and Is making an endeavor to secure
her release. With that idea in view,
she is securing letters from various
ex-inmates of the home, and among
such letters Is one. addressed to Gov.
Nash, by Miss Ida Kutz, of this city,
who was released from the home about
six months ago. Miss kutz went 10
the home when she was II years old,
her mother being dead and there
being no other means by which she
could be brought up. She writes very
long letter to Gov. Nash, describing in
detail, the methods of punishment in
vogue. She described them as "be-
yond telling "cruel, and even dan
gerous."
Speaking of the straightjacket, in
which Nora Ferris is said to have died,
Miss Kutz says it is made of strong
ticking, that fits closely around the
waist, with sleeves touching the floor.
When a girl is put in. the jacket, it is
laced up tight, her, arms are crossed
behind Der back and bound with a
string that brings a big knot over the
lungs, making breathing difficult.
Governor, was in the straightjack-
ct twice myself. so you know l surely
understand it," said Miss Kutz. often
times little stick is placed in their
mouths between their teeth so they
cannot hollow, and then large rag is
case of poor, unfortunate Nora Ferris.
was in the same family she was and
for long time she had complained of
feeling sick. Miss Myrtle Sellers did
not like Nora for some cause, and ev-
erything she done that didn't suit
her, Miss Sellers would take her up
and paddle her until she would be
black and blue.
Poor little Mabel Thompson, of To-
ledo, received very cruel punishinents.
When she first came there she had
long hair, but as she was colored
girl, Miss Sellers picked on her so much
more, and every time a girl would
comb her hair, If she complained, be-
cause she pulled, Miss Sellers would
walk in and slap her at the side of the
face and then would cut her hair close
to her head. AS soon as it got long
again, If she complained of it, off it
would be cut again. Girls are never
allowed the privilege of going for
water unless accompanied by an otli-
GER, never allowed to change ribbon,
without permission, and if you ask n
girl question or say a few words to
the girl next to you, whether it be
necessary or not, her mouth would
be tied up for a whole day-sometimes
n week."
Miss Kutz tells of the application of
the water, cure" treatment to Ruby
Gregory, declaring. that pouring
buckets of cold water over her head
would do no good; she was .aken to
the ward room, and with her head
under the faucet the water was turn
ed on until the girl almost died. Miss
Kutz says that Capt Stiles helped in
this treatment of the girl.
Closing her letter, Miss Kutz makes
this suggestion to Gov. Nash
IF you make an investigation at the
home, my advice is to go to the girls
and not the officers. If an officer is
with her and she refuses to tell any-I
thing, force her to, for her only excuse
will be that she will be afraid of Sc
we're punishment by the officer after |
wards.