The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-21
Executive Committee
Indicted With 1t in
Chesterfield.
NAME MINISTER'S
IN COURT PAPER
Mcdaniel, Maclachlan, Waddill
and Lecky. Against Whom
Indictment Is Returned, Will
Close Reformatory and
Send Inmates Back
to Their Homes.

Indictments were returned yester-
day by special grand jury of Chester
neld County against the Virginia Homo
and Industrial School for Girls. on
tho ground that It is a common nuis-
anco, and against Rev. George W. Nc
Daniel. d. D.. pastor OF tho First Bap-
tist Church: Rev. ii. ID. G. Maclachlan,
pastor of the Seventh Street Christian
Church; Samuel T.. Waddill, clerk Of
Henrico County Circuit Court, and Rob
crt Lecky. Jr.. as members Of the exc
cutive committee under which tho in
stitution is conducted.
While this action was not unexpect-
ed, In view OF the determined Dgnl
waged by tho Citizens Association of
Bon Air. announcement was made last
night that the executive committee
would meet to-day to close the estab-
lishmcnt and send tho thirty-nine in
mates back to tho counties and cities
from which they were committed by
tho courts.
Attitude Toward Committee.
Each Indictment contained four
counts. Although twenty five wit
neHses were summoned by the grand
jury. OF which w. e Bryce was fore
man. all were not examined. tho grand
jury holding that II had sufficient cvi-
dence af;cr hearing half that number.
Hobson. OF Chesterfield. who conducted
the case for the prosecution. said last
night that ii was not his purpose or
desire to Geek jamoges from mem
bers OF ;he executive committee. who
were engaged In philanthropic work
The main object" he said, "is TO so
conduct the prosecution that no Ques-
tion TO the courts power TO abatc
the nuisnnce can bo raiscd. In other
home. but In such way that we can be
rid of nuisance. even II the establish
ineHt itself should :emain."
Hon AIR People Protest.
Within the past few months the Vir-
ginia Home and Industrial School for
Girls. located one mile from Bon Air
has figured rather largely in the news.
papers. There was an investigation by
tho state Board OF Charities and Cor
rection, the fact that a negro Beverly
Banks. having been employed as an
orerseer. being sharply criticized
Later there were several outbreaks
Banks was finally relieved and ". IT.
Turpin was put in his place. Mr. Tur-
pin had an experience with the inmates
which caused him 10 resign Mean
while. the Citizens Association OF Bon
Air took the matter up, passed resolu-
uons and directed that the case bc pre-.
sented to Judge Robert c. Southali OF
I,
heard the complaint and ordered spe-
ciai grand jury TO make n sweeping in
vestiGation. The indictments yestcr-
day resulted.
May Order 1t Closed To-Day.
Speaking last night for the cxecu-
tive committee. OF which he Is n mem
Der. Mr.. Lecky said:
AS we have been indicted as a nui-
sance. shall use all OF my influence to
release tho girls at once and dispose
OF the property for the benefit of the
subscribers. We regret that our eff
forts 90 successfully prosecute the one
needed social service institution has
not met with popular favor. and that
tho thirty-nlne girls now In the home
VIII be compelled to return to their
old environments"
AS Mr.. Lecky had previously talked
with DR.. Mcdaniel, Mr.. MaclRchlan and
MT Waddill. it is regarded as certain
that the committee. acting for the
board, Will proceed at once to close
tho institution The girls. however
Will not bc turned loose upon the peo-
plo OF Bon Air. They were sent to the
home from various parts of the State
by tho courts, and they Will be returned
TO the places from which they came
The home property, with improve
ments. Is valued at s27, 1000 and is own
ed by thirty subscribers.
Cast Set for November.
In Chesterfield court yesterday the
case was set for hearing on November
H. but as the refcrmatory Will un-
Questionably be closed by that time
the indictments will be quashcd.
Members of the board are among
the leading citizens of tho State In
addition to DR.. Mcdaniel. Mr.. Maclach-
land. Mr.. Waddill and Mr.. Lecky the
board is composed of John p. Branch
Henry L. Baskerville, John Stewart
Bryan; John j.. Roper. OF Norfolk: Dr.
w. F. Drewry, superintendent of the
Central State Hospital. Petersburg;
Rev. James buchanan. Henry l.. Ca
bell John l.. Schoolfield, OF Danville
and others of equal prominence.
Recognized by the State.
The institution was officially recog-
niZed by the State and put on par
with the boys reformatory at Laurel
conducted by the Prison Association
OF Virginia. under an act Of the Gen.
eral Assembly approved March H.
1910, allowing State compensation to
the Virginia Home and Industrial
School for Girls, for caring for girls
committed to its custody and control
under commitment Of court judge
or Justice.
The act provides that the corpora.
tion, having for its pu pose the care
and training OF incorrigible or vicious
white girls. who are without proper
restraint and training. between the
ages OF eight and eighteen years." be
entitled to the following compensa
tion:
For receiving a person into said
homo when first committed. so cents;
for Keeping and supporting her therein
for each day, so cents; provided that
not more than $4,000 shall be ex-
ponded for this purpose in any one
year"
Financial Statement.
The report of Auditor c. Leo Moore
Continued on Ninth Page.)