The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-03-22

> Henry Weir, Lyra. /
+ w. J. Meredith, Judson. !
+ ]. w. Wilcox, Mankato. /
: j. & y = % = - + = IL = 4. 3 !
Late this afternoon the action
brought by Harold x. Chance
against r. J. Sperry was dismiss.
&c by Judge A. r. Pfau on the
ground that from the evidence
introduced there was nothing to
show malice on the port Of Mr..
sperry toward the plaintiff. When
the defense rested, Attorney S.
3. Wilson made motion for
dismissal ofsthe action. After ar
aument. on the part Of the at
torneys, Judge Pfau granted the
motion. TIE defense did not
place any witnesses on the stand.
District court took on rather a
novel appearance yesterday afternoon
when the doors were thrown open
at two O'Clock, and students of the
local knowledge institutions began
to straggle in to hear the testimony
in the suit for $4,000 by Harold K
Chance against Fred J. Sperry for
alleged SANDER. Representatives OF
the high school, normal school and
a large number of students thronged
the court room until, for a time,
shortly after four o'clock when
school was dismissed, the court had
the appearance OF a place where
higher education is impaired to those
who crave it.
Many Teachers in Attendance.
Numbering among the teachers
present were: Mrs. G. Fl. Traitor.
Professor J. G. Norby, Professor J.
NJ. Mcconnell. President C. H. Coop
err of the normal school, Miss Emma
O'Donnell, Miss Helen Cooper, Miss
Lizzie Lewis, Mrs. Webster, PROBES
sor F. L. Soaring, Mr.. w. w. Frost;
and of the school board the follow.
ing were present: Secretary E. F.
Soaring, Mrs. B. D. Smith, Attorney
John e. Regain and William B. Da,
vies. Judge of Probate Evan
Hughes was downstairs ready at any
moment to appear in the court room
should he be needed. George W.
Scherer was called to Mapleton and
so was not present.
Superintendent F. J. Sperry was
called to the witness stand first by
the plaintiff. He was cross examined
and in his testimony, stated the con.
ditions under which Professor Chance
in ho
Rato high school, and told about the
alleged failure on Mr. Chances part
TO maintain discipline among the
Students. He testified that Mr.
Chance was ponderous in his manner
of imparting knowledge to his
classes.
Some Ponderosity, Etc.
One is, at liberty to draw the in
ference that FIR, Chances ponderosity
caused the students such strenuosity
that they failed to comprehend the
omprehensiveness of the profundity
OF his propagandism, towit: they
could not wise up" to his meaning
Mr. Sperry also testified that he
spoke to Mr.. Chance on several oc'
casions and tried to assist him in
correcting these conditions, but they
gradually grew from bad to worse,
so witness said. At this juncture
short recess was taken, after which
Superintendent Sperry again took the
stand.
Regarding Lack of Discipline.
For some time the witness was
put through series Of questions
concerning what constituted failure
of discipline, and to what extent
congregating in the halls was al
lowed. Superintendent Sperry stat
ed that Professor Norby had spoken
to him several times concerning the
practice of allowing boys to gather
In the halls for boisterous converse
ton. The trouble began in the latter
part of October, and continued dur
ing the month of November, 1911
He said that Mr.. Chance neglected
to obey the orders and regulations
regarding hall duties.
According to testimony Of witness
the discipline was poor and students
were allowed to disobey the rules
The witness was then asked severa
questions concerning his experience
Superintendent Sperry has had a Ions
and varied experience as teacher ane
superintendent, having been teacher
and professor for fifteen years.
Students Were soisterous.
When Mr.. Sperry was questioned
closely about the behavior of the
students, he said that they were
very boisterous at times and that hs
could hear Thorn from the outside
However, he did not go directly tt
Mr.. Chance and take him to tasi
for allowing this condition, as he die
not think it good policy to scold {
teacher before his pupils, and fur
thermore he wanted to give Mr.
Chance an opportunity to better con
ditions, so he testified.
Something Good in Every Man.
Attorney Porter asked Superintend
emit Sperry if he did not find any
thing good about Mr.. Chance, t
which the witness replied that a mai