Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-11-20
EVENING CAPITAL NEWS, TUESDAY, NOV. 1e, 1912.

q the institution. In one case It was
claimed that the punishment had
brought on kidney trouble. but fair
consideration Of all the evidence on
that point. to my mind. conclusively
tlisproves the charge. think the evi-
dence on the contrary shows that the
boy left the institution in better physi-
cal condition than when he entered H.
am convinced that charges OF per-
manent injuries are absolutely un-
founded.
About 900 have been committed to
the institution since 1t was organized
some seven or eight years ago. Out
Of this number q very small number
testified either AZ to having received,
or heard Of others receiving, extreme
~ severe and brutal punishment. The
testimony Of these witnesses, however
10 30 manifestly exaggerated that no
fair minded person would candidly
say he believes 1t to be true and when
we consider the testimony Of the
other witnesses who testified concern
ing these same cases, am convinced
that the cases of extremely severe
punishment are very rare, and It is
apparent that the offenses committed
called for some punishment.
Never Complained to t1umphriss.
"There 10 not the slightest evidence
worthy Of credence that the superin-
tendent was ever informed, until
about the time this investigation was
commenced, OF any case Of severe
punishment. and It is worthy of note
that substantially all the inmates re-
garded Mr.. and Mrs. HUMPHREYS as
among their best friends and seemed
certain that II they complained to Mr.
Humphries Of any wrong or unde-
served punishment he would correct
IL; yet none of those whom 1t is
claimed were unduly punished ever
oomr lained to Mr.. HUMPHREYS. From
he testimony Of the inmates them
selves as to the high regard and love
entertained for Mr.. and Mrs. Hum
phries. I am convinced that, should
the. board dismiss these officers. it
would administer to the inmates worse
punishment and do them a greater
injury than was ever inflicted on them
by any officer Of the institution.
Former inmates who were unable
to testify at the Investigation have
expressed themselves in letters to the
board as to the treatment and train
ing received at the institution. This
also appears from the correspondence
between the superintendent and
former inmates. Their feeling toward
the institution is aptly expressed In
the following letter received from
young lady who was for several years
an inmate of the school, but who is
now honorably employed in Louisville.
KY:
Letter Shows Respect.
louisville, KY, Oct. 8, 1870. o.
Haga, Boise, Idaho. My Dear Sir:
Having been an inmate of the Idaho
Industrial Training school for little
more than four years, feel that
should write to you, stating what
know about the school. the pupils, Of
ficers, its work and purpose.
First, I am an orphum and the
school was my only real home. 1t
was there / learned the fundamental
truths Of life, the laws of health and
my duty to God and man. For the Of
ncers ! have the greatest respect, es-
pecially the ladies worked with, Miss
Edith johnson, Miss H. B. Anderson,
Miss M. A. Anderson and Mrs. Lund-
gren. Mr.. and Mrs. HUMPHREYS mean
more to me than any other two people
in the world, for / came to regard them
as l would a father and mother, they
were so good and kind to me always;
what they did for me was always 70
my best interests. found that good
work, good behavior were always we'll
repaid, and that II wished to have
the advantage of learning all that the
school offered and that I was talented
to learn ! must do only my very best
work at all times, also that II wanted
privileges must deserve them.
Living with the girls like I did l
learned to care for them; but most Of
them had to leave and we lost track Of
each other, still I correspond with sew
eral Of our girls and boys now.
THE news Of the trouble at the
school was a shock to me, as when l.
left the school everything was running
along SO nicely.
TN closing let mo ray that II there
is anything that I can do by writing
to other members Of the board or other
state officials. shall gladly do It.
apTv-,,r TN hot oil he all