The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-06-18
PREJU DICE
SHOWN BY
THEM
WITNESSES ADMIT THEY ARE UN-
FAIR TO SUPT. THOMAS -
AfttavIt Is Presented and Then Null
fled by the Affiant Admitting He
Had Exaggerated"

sclool by the governors committee
was continued this morning, both sides
having procured counsel which gave
legal aspect to the deliberations
and which tended to prolong the TAX
ing OF testimony to a great length.
Only two witnesses were examined
during the entire morning.
Lamont Holmes. employed at the in
stitution as barn instructor In 1908
and 1908, was the first to testify
Holmes was asked regarding an affi-
davit previously signed by him. he
now refused TO swear to. Upon an
objection offered by Attorney Johnson.
the affidavit was ruled out as evidence.
the witness being present to offer his
own testimony.
The witness proved to be most dis
appointing failure for both sides, not
only repudiating his sworn statement
in almost every detail, but doing so
in such weak and evasive mannor as
to bring upon him condemnation.
The following Is the afildavit sworn
to by Holmes:
Lamont Holmes, being first duly
sworn. deposes and says: That he
was employed at the state Industrial
school. In Ogden, Utah, as guard and
steward and in other capacities from
August 4, 1908. until May IL, 1909. at
which time he voluntarily resigned his
position at said institution: that while
SO employed some Of his duties were
to bring the food to the kitchen that
was ordered by the cooks requisition;
that the ice chest OF other places
kept was frequently infested by mice
and reaches, and that the food fur
nished was insufficient to feed the
boys and was insufficient to meet the
actual wants and needs of the inmates
OF said institution, that frequently
when one Of the boys would take more
food, or take II out of his turn. more
than the officer in charge thought
that he was entitled to. that he was
taken from the table and
placed at the bread and water table,
and afterwards made to work until the
next meal on bread and water diet
Af1lant further states that during
his employment at said institution five
head Of Holstein stock, four COWS and
one bull were purchased by Superin-
tendent Thomas and that affiant was
informed by said superintendent at
cost Of 1919. and that afIlant says he
was present at later date when all
Of such stock were examined by health
officers or health inspector, and that
the said cattle were found to be dis.
eased. and to be suffering from tuberc-
ulosis trouble. and af1ant Is informed
and believes and so states the fact Ia
be that the cattle are still at such in
stitution
Affiant further states tina; during
the time he was tncIe, one Of the in
mates, boy by the name of King, es-
capped from the institution and from
atlantis charge. and was recaptured
and returned to the school within
period OF two hours; and when the said
boy was returned, taken into the
presence of Superintendent Thomas,
said superintendent used harsn and
language to said boy
and called him contemplate cur"
and "low down pup" and told him che
had deceived him for the last time"
and said boy was confined In a dark
cell on bread and water from ten to
eleven days. during which time said
boy. by orders Of the superintendent.
had no food except bread and water.
except as such food as this affant
took to his cell against
tne orders Of the superintendent. That
the sanitary conditions Of the cell in
which the boy was confined were
limited TO tin pail. which remained
there all day and was not emptled oft
ener than once day
Afflant further states that the boy,
while so confined, claimed to be sick
and that information was communi-
Gated by afflant to superintendent
Thomas who ordered the boy brought
before him and after questioning the
boy. said Thomas ordered him taken
to the hospital, but before the boy
was sent to the hospital and at said
time the boy was whipped by af1iant
under orders issued by the said super
with strap; afflant further
states that after he had struck the bov
hive times with the strap he refused to
strike him again and handed the strap
to Superintendent Thomas whereupon
the superintendent accused this afflant
of standing in" with the boy King:
alliant further states that when he was
paid his monthly salary by Superinten-
dent Thomas In check of $50. he was
required by said Superintendent Thorn
as to return to him $40 in money. and
the reason assigned by said Superin-
tendent Thomas for demanding the
money from this afliant. is that he
aff1ant. had allowed the boy to escape
from his charge and afflant further
SAYS he received no receipt from Sun.
Thomas for the money so
paid; afhant further states that Mr
Smith. night watchman, was present
when the $40 was paid.
(Signed) LAMONT HOLMES
Subscribed and sworn to before me
this 18th day of june, 1909
Ny commission expires July 8. 1909
OLIN A. KENNEDY, Notary Public
Regarding the language referred TO
as used by Supt. Thomas. the witness
failed to recall anything of the sort
Under severe question by Attorney
Gideon. Holmes finally blurted ont
THAT is what the boy said TO Thorn
as"
Regarding the whipping of King,
Holmes said that he used a small
strap" three and one-half feet long
by one inch In width, and after striking
him five times, he handed the stran
to Thomas, the latter having said
That is enough"
The witness was forced to admit
that the sanitary convenlences Of the
cell In wAich King was confined after