The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-12-17

LEON. IOWA, THURSDA
know little of what they really are like
The discipline is strict of course as is
necessary with SO many unframed
youngsters brought together, but they
have many privileges and certainly dc
| have some glorious good times. 1t is
not uncommon at Eldorado for paroled
or discharged boys to return to spend
the 4th of July or other holidays, claim
ing they can have better time there
than anywhere else, and it is little
wonder to one who has ever spent such
day there. Base ball and foot ball
are absorbing sports from early spring
until after Thanksgiving, and every
man, woman and boy on the farm are
enthusiastic over the games. Good
schools are maintained and this is most
important for the large majority of boys
have been truant and are behind in
their studies. Quite a number OF
trades are taught but not all boys learn
trade, for many are too young, and
others are not apt or do not stay long
enough. Many of the boys work on the
farm, and others of the younger ones in
the gardens which are perhaps the
finest in the state; however there are
boys who work at the trades and not a
few have gone out into the world to
earn an honest living by his trade
learned while at school. merit sys-
tenn OF parole is used by which with
strict application and good behavior a
boy may earn his parole in little over
two years time; the average time how
ever is two years or more. When he is
paroled, a boy may return home, or he
placed in home, or at employment
with strangers, as the superintendent
and state agent may determine, and is
re'eased by order Of the Board of Con-
troll on the recommendation of the SUI
perintendent. A paroled boy is under
the supervision of the state agent and
makes monthly reports to him. The
agent is his friend, adviser and helper,
but returns him to the school if he vio-
lates the terms Of his parole. The pop
ulation at Eldora runs at from four to
five hundred boys. They are divided
chiefly according to size into seven
families each family occupying sepa-
rate building but all taking their meals
in congregate dining room in the main
building.
At Mitchellville the average popula-
ton is about 220. The girls are CLASH
fled and divided into four families oc-
cupying as many buildings, although a
new building is nearly completed and
will be ready for occupancy before the
winter is gone. The Larrabee family
composed of the younger girls is in a
building at some distance from the
others. All of the work OF the families
except the laundry and dressmaking is
done in the cottages thus giving the
girls better opportunity to learn the
many phases Of homework. The older
girls have their turn at laundry work,
sewing, cooking and cleaning. They
have excellent schools and there is a
class in stenography. Two bright color
ed girls who were in the stenography
class have used the knowledge acquired
there to work their way through Booker
L. Washington's great school at Tuske-
gee, Ala. Activity is the keynote of
the industrial school, and during all
their waking hours the girls are busily
and happily employed. A strong class
spirit is found among the various fami-
lies which is decidedly helpful as we'll
as interesting. Each family has class
song, as well as colors, shield and pen
nant, and every girl is ready on all oc-
casions to assert that hers is the best
family in the school.
/ think you will remember that under
tire present administration the girls
wear to chapel the college or mortes
board cap. Some of the newspapers
commented adversely when this was
introduced, but the superintendent was
sustained in his position by the board
OF control, that it was not debasing
this time honored emblem of the student,
to place it on the heads of these young
girls who had mostly been unfortunate
in their parents and early surroundings.
and who were now lifted out of that po-
sltion by the beneticent hand of the
state and given a better chance for edu-
cation and training. Perhaps many of
the girls do not understand its full sig
nificance, yet they wear the cap with a
dignified and self-respecting air that is
most pleasing.
Music has an important place in this
institution and is no uncomfortable
item IN maintaining the discipline. The
superintendent, Mr.. F. P. Fitzgerald, ie
fine director as we'll as composer OF
no mean ability. There is an orchestra
of fifty pieces which renders high class
music, while there are so many under.
studies in training that when an orches.
ira girl leaves, her place can be taken
at once by another girl ready for it.
Every girl loves accomplishments and
takes to them as naturally as duck
takes to water, and these indeed serve
useful purpose. "Music, instrumental
and vocal, fancy work, elocutionary
recitations and theatricals, drills, physi
cal training, all tend to broaden the
sphere of girlish interest and save from
the purely physical and emotional lives
many of them have been leading" AL
Of these things our girls get at Mitchell
vile. They give delightful entertain
ments, some are just for themselves
while others are attended by persons
invited by the superintendent. Two
years ago cantata was given and at.
tended by many of the legislators and
their wives and friends. This cantata
was composed by Superintendent Fitz
gerald; and about hundred girls tool
part; the costumes were made by the
girls and were really beautiful.