Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-09-10
DEFIANT TEACHER
BARRED BY POLICE
At SCHOOL DOOR
Miss WEIGH and Sister Make
Several Attempts to
Enter.

Invoking the assistance of Police
Chief William H. Bamford and a
squad of his men, the West Orange
school authorities this morning took
control of the st. Cloud Public School
over the first mountain, where Miss
Laura c. Welch, a deposed instructor
and her sister, Miss K Allison Welch.
have defied the officials since Mon
day. The two women were prevented
by the police from entering the build
ing.
After Chief Bamford and the
school officials had gone away. sup
posing everything would be peaceful,
the Misses Welch left. About l
o'clock they were discovered trying to
get in the back way, having vaulted
a fence in the rear. They were shooed
away by the police. Later they made
another attempt to enter the building
and Chief Bamford was sent for to
see if he could induce them to go
away
The two score children from the
farming section assembled for the
first time this term and are pursuing
their studies under the direction of
Miss Blanche Smith and her assis-
tant. Miss Wilheimina Schmidt.
Inside the school harmony reigns, but
outside the building the Misses Welch
guarded by Police Chancemen Martin
J. Connors and John Freeman are
defiantly holding their ground. under
legal advice, they say. They will re-
main until three o'clock and return
tomorrow morning TO safeguard, they
insist, Miss Laura Welch's rights as
principal"
At the direction of Mayor Samuel
A. Muta, Chief of Police Bamford
and the two chancemen went to the
school bright and early this morning
with Superinta tandent Alton H. Sher-
man and Albert E. Wrensch, seere-
tary of the Board ofEducation. They
patiently awaited the arrival of th'
Misses WEIGH Following their Gus
tom the women went up the noun.
tain on the first Mountain line cal
and soon before o'clock they ar
rived at the school.
A Mr.. Smith, residing in North.
field avenue. volunteered to give ths
pair a ride in his auto, and as they
reached the front of the school prop
erty the women alighted and started
for the steps. Chief Bamford stopped
them and advised that they make nj
effort to enter the school 'sYoul
legal rights will not be affected by
any attempts to get in" the chie1
cautioned them, "but I will not per
init you to enter the building. I an
acting under directions of the schoo
authorities"
The Misses WEIGH replied they were
within their rights in going to the
classrooms and started to walk VI
the steps. Gently but firmly the DO
lice stretched their hands across tht
steps and prevented the women from
going up the steps and they retreatet
to the roadway. as there is no side
walk on the premises.
Soon afterwards Miss Smith anC
Miss Schmidt arrived. and the chill
dren also put in an appearance. anG
the little ones, tingling with excite
ment as result of the two futile at
empts on Monday and Tuesday to gel
them back at their books. went along
some saluting their old teacher and
others hurrying by. looking askanct
at the curious crowd of teachers anC
police. Superintendent Sherman anC
Mr. Wrensch assisted in getting tht
sessions started at o'clock.
Chief Bamford and Mr.. Wrenscf
had a chat, and soon afterward:
Messrs Sherman and Wrensch sought
to serve papers on Miss Laura Welch
notifying her of her suspension Mon.
day night by the Board of Education
Mr. Sherman first approached Mis-!
Continued on Page 2. Column So