Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-11-26
Expulsion Threatens State
Center High School Boys as
Result of Infraction
BOARD STANDS BY PRINCIPAL
And Sentiment Of the Town Appears to
Be in Favor OF Board Dealing Firm
Iy With caIcitrants-speciaI Meet
ing of Board Called for Friday
Morning to Take Action.

Expulsion from high school, because
of alleged daring infraction Of the
rules governing discipline threatens
pupils of the State Center high school
at special meeting Of the school
board, called for Friday morning.
The trouble has come about over the
Efforts of Principal Charles Nevelen to
enforce discipline for truancy. 1t is
alleged tina. Glen Whitson, one of the
pupils, openly defied the principal in
school, and the latter engaged in per-
sonal combat with the pupil. Others
in the school room, who We're also being
disciplined for playing "hookey," at
tempted to interfere, and the board will
now take {. hand.
Trouble Began Last Friday.
The trouble that has now resolved
itself into question Of whether dis
cipline in the State Center schools
is to be maintained, began last Friday,
when about twenty boys went out at
recess time to practice foot ball, and
did not return when the bell rang.
This fact was reported to the board,
which held a meeting Monday morn
ing The board authorized President
Ralph Buck to appear before the stu
dents, and Mr.. Buck did so. He in
formed the recalcitrants that whatever
action Principal Nevelen took the
board would stand behind him. The
~ until
recesses would be a just punishment
and in this the board sustained him.
Open Ruction Comes.
On Tuesday morning an open rue
ton came. The boys were kept in at
recess, according to the principals or
der. Glen Whitson asked permission
to take a book over to the desk of
young lady, and the principal denied
him the privilege, explaining that he
did not consider the request necessary,
and that WThitson was now being dis
ciplined. It. is then alleged that Whit
sen grew 0bstreperous, slammed the
book down, and started to go over to
the young lady's desk. Principal New
ellen, it is said, grabbed Whitson by the
coat collar with his left hand, and
placed his right hand over the boys
face. In the scuffle Whitson was thrown
to the floor, with the principal on top
Of him. When Whitson arose his nose
was bleeding. - r
Asks Help From Comrades.
1t is also claimed that while Whit
son was down he called upon his
comrades to help him, admonishing
them not to be towards or cutters.
At any rate, it is alleged that Lyle
Engle, son of DR.. Theodore Engle, and
Hans Groth, son of Rev. Mr.. Groth,
pastor of the Lutheran church, left
their seats and came to the point
where the principal and boy were
struggling. Others left their seats and
advanced, but it is not claimed that
any but the two boys, Engle and
Groth, made any attempt to actually
interfere in the scuffle in progress
between Nevelen and Whitson.
Laid Hands on Principal?
1t is claimed that Engle attempted
to pull Nevelen off of Whitson, and
that the boy kicked the principal.
This, however, while affirmed by some,
is denied by others. Nevelen says that
some one was on his back, attempting
to pull him off the boy beneath him,
but he did not see who the person
was, as his entire attention was de-
manded in holding Whitson.
Meeting of Board Called.
AS member of the school board
e. M. Wentworth has called for a
special meeting, to be held Friday
morning, when the cases of the boys
will be considered. 1t is claimed that
the board will stand behind Nevelen.
and that public sentiment favors deal
ing with the boys with a firm hand.