The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-02-05


Upon complaint of He ry Toyell,
clerk of school district No. II, Lopez
island, warrants were issued by Justice
Blair last Friday for the arrest of two
sons of VIM. Graham, two sons of
Thos. Graham, and Earl Shirley, all of
Richardson, the boys being charged
with having committed brutal as
sault upon w. B. Hickman, the school
teacher in that district. Mr.. Hickman
came here with Mr.. Towel and told
his story of the assault, which was
committed in the school room during
school hours Thursday. Mr.. Heck
mans face was very badly bruised and
was still much swollen when he was
here, from the effects of the teri ible
equal struggle between the teacher,
who is man of strong physique, and
the infuriated boys continued until
| Mr.. Hastin reached the school house
from a place about a quarter of a
mile away, in response to the call for
help brought to him by one of the
frightened pupils.
The boys were arrested by Sheriff
McCrary and his deputy, g. l.. Carter,
and came here Saturday for hearing.
Many others also came over, including
the victim of the assault, the fathers
of the Graham boys, School Directors
Upston and Gallanger and Clerk Tow
ell.
The parents and friends of the boys,
while not upholding them in what
they did or claiming that there was
any justification for such brutal at
tack, give version of the unfortunate
affair which indicates that the teacher
was far from blameless. 1t is alleged
| that while his government of the
school was for long time so lax that
INSTRUMENTATION was fostered aud the
pupils had practically their own way
it has of late been very severe and that
he has several times administered pun
ishment with heavy stick, or ''club,"
as those who have felt it call it. 1t is
charged that he had just struck one Of
the boys with this stick when, by an
apparently preconcerted arrangement,
the joint attack was made upon him,
one of the participants being posted at
the windows to notify the chief assail
ants of the approach Of anyone COM
ing to the teachers assistance. 1t is
further alleged that Hickman had
called some of the boys names which
no boy or man could be blamed for re-
senting. He is said to be Socialist
and those opposed to HIM say that he
has talked socialism in his school,
These complaints are made by friends
of the boys in partial extenuation of
their action rather than in attempt
ed Justification of it. Whether they
are true or not the officials were suf-
ficiently impressed by them to consent
to q compromise without trial, the
defendants paying all costs, amounting
| to about $45. Had this settlement not
been made, counter complaint would
have been filed against Hickman.
The compromise action was taken by
Heckman's consent and the advice of
the directors, who, though staunch
supporters of the teacher, are anxious
to do everything they can to promote
harmony IN the district, which has
lately incurred a debt of $4,000 for the
erection and equipment Of new school
honse, the completion of which was
celebrated by a dance last Friday
night. 1t seems to he case wherein
the sins of the children are visited
upon the parents, who paid the costs.
The case was dismissed upon motion of
the prosecuting attorney without
prejudice" to the rights of the state.
| The ISLANDER is informed and re-
ahested to state that the boys con-
cerned i'm the affair have been suspend
ell from the school until such time as
the directors may see fit to reinstate
them.