The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-07-31
Horrifying Conditions Are Dis
closed in the Home Life of
Valentine BaukoWski, a
Polish Jew.
BEATS HIS FAMILY
WITH LARGE STRAPS.
Thought That Religious Fanat-
icism Largely Governs the
Mans Actions-May Es-
cape Prosecution.

Whether or not it is because of re-
ligious fanaticism or an insatiate de-
sire to be cruel that causes Valentine
Baukowski to abuse his wife and chill
dren, is a problem the police and pro-
scouting attorney are trying to solve.
Baukowski is Polish Jew residing
at South Fourth and E streets. He
was arrested last evening upon war
rant as the result of his treatment of
his family. The police are in possess
ion Of round leather strap about
eighteen inches long that Baukowsh
is said to have used to whip an eigh-
teen months old infant.
Horrifying stories are told in regard
to the manner of living of the Bauk
owski family. The man Is accused of
making circuit of the alleys in tina
residence sections and removing from
swill barrels and garbage cans, fruits,
vegetables and other discarded pro-
visions. It is claimed this material
is carried home in sacks, placed in
the yard and when the water has dis
appeared Is given to members of the
family to eat. Several well known
citizens are authority for the allega-
tion Neighbors say they have seen
the man go home and deposit water
soaked bread that had been taken
from amid indescribable filth on
Nil r>fh T. Id 4
out carry it into the house to be eaten.
Beat His Family.
1t was not the method of living that
attracted the attention of the police
but the complaint of neighbors against
the constant beating of the wife and
children. 1t is claimed the father
knocks the members of his family
about the house and attacks them on
any pretext. 1t is said by neighbors
he seems to show delight in whipping
the six children with straps or strik-
Ing them with his hands or fists. The,
family has been patient in its suffer
ing, however, and it was not through
any complaints from 1t the police were
brought in touch with the case.
Child Religious.
Members of the family were ques-
toned by the prosecutor this morn
ing and the religious fervor display
ed by little girl named Mary, was
remarkable. The child told the pro-
secator the father whips the children
often and severely, but she added.
you know the Bible says that child
ren must be punished You know the
story of Eli, don't you?" Then the
child related to the representative of
the law the Old Testament story of a
man named Eli who refused to punish
his children and the fate that befell
him and how his sons went forth to
battle and We're slain. The child SEEM
ed to know she and her brothers and
sisters had been treated harshly but
she accepted her punishments In a
spirit of faith, believing it to be in
accord with religious principles and
necessary under the doctrines of the
Bible. The children have accepted
their beatings in ignorance and inno-
cense under the impression the father
lis protected by holy writ.
Ignorance The Cause.
The Rev. Father Roell of st. An.
drew's church is friend of Baukow.
SKI and he informed the prosecutor
Soday the mans actions are more the
result of ignorance than intention. II
is apparent the foreigner has not been
aole to recognize the difference in
customs in this country and his ma
tive land. Baukowski is employed al
is cents per hour and works when the
factory has use for him. He is ex
ceedingly frugal and has been sendine
money to his native home to support
MS aged parents. He is devout in his
worship and conducts religious cere
monies at home regularly.
May Not be Prosecuted.
The man is SO accustomed TO ahuse
ana oppression and the custom of his
aoreish iand that he can not desist in
some OF the practices learned earlier
IN HE and common with his race
when at his native home he was EN-
ployed Tor seven cents per day. He
was forced to support himself bv nick
Ing scraps from the cutters or wber
ever he could find them. The amoun,
earned by days labor was less thar
half OF that he earns in one hour a
his present employment and it ha,
been impossible for him to realize hi.
changed condition. He can not be
come convinced of the lack of neces
sity to visit garbage cans and pub1i,
dumps Merchants who have ha,
dealings with him say he pays his bill
faultlessly.
Baukowsh may escape prosecutio,
because OF the extenuating circum
stances, but he win have to desist i,
his mistrsatmeut OF his familx