The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-09-19
COURT NOW READY
. TO HEAR CHARGES
Industrial School for Girls Will
Be Investigated by Special
Grand Jury.
BON AIR PEOPLE COMPLAIN
Judge Southall Agrees to Have
Sweeping Inquiry to Get at
Bottom Of Trouble.

Acting at tho request Of Common
wealth's Attorney Haskins Hobson, of
Chesterfield County, Judge Robert c.
Southal, of tho Chesterfield Circuit
Court, has announced that a special
grand jury will be appointed to in
vestigate conditions Mt tho Virginia
Home and Industrial School for Girls,
located near Bon Air. The first request
for the investigation was made by the
Citizens Association of Bon Air. Will
liam NJ. Justis. representing the asso-
citation. joined with MIR. Hobson in
urging Judge Southall to order a
sweeping grand jury inquiry. The peo-
pie of Bon Air demand that the insti-
tuition be removed from that neigh
borhood, the demand being based upon
the recent outbreaks of inmates and on
the ground that the establishment is
obnoxious and Objectionable.
The investigation will be held with
in the next two weeks. 1t was stated
last night by Mr.. Hobson. but the exact
date has not been decided upon. The
next term of tho Chesterfield Circuit
Court, Will not be held until the early
part OF November, but in view of the
insistent demands in the petition. 1t
was decided to conduct the probe with
out unnecessary delay. The investiga-
uon VIII be hcld at Chesterfield Court
house.
Plans Arc Not Given Out.
Just what line OF investigation, or
what witnesses would be summoned
MIR. Hobson would not state, but he and
Judge Southall are determined TO get
at tho bottom of the trouble at the In
stitution. Mr. Hobson was the repre-
sentative of Chesterfield County at the
investigation conducted before the
tons. and while the findings of that
eral outbreaks since It's probe have
been the source of great annoyance
TO the county as we'll as to the cit
liens of Bon Air.
The home is located one mile south
OF Bon Air, and on account Of the un-
pleasant notoriety connected with the
II stitution. the citizens OF that COM
runity met on the night of September
S. at the residence of Polk Miller and
drafted resolutions setting forth their
grievances, objection is taken to the
indis criminate use OF the towns name
in the newspaper accounts OF the fire.
quent outbreaks AT the school. and the
statement is made that the presence of
the home in the vicinity is operating
TO depress property values, and Is me-
nacing the town In other ways which
iiids ne Delter lnOlcdleO imam eN-
pressed.
Claim Home Is Nuisance.
An investigation is demanded under
Section 1929 A, Code OF Virginia, for
the abatement of nuisances The town
demands that the home be removed
from it's Vicinity. even if the State takes
over Its control. This stand Is taken it 8
stated in the resolution, because the
community is growing and has among
It's Inhabitants many children who
might possibly be injuriously affect
ed by its maintenance. The chief bur
den of the disorderly outbreaks, il is
claimed, falls upon this Immediate
community. and that the change should
be so radical in nature that the com
munity would be spared further af-
fiction from the institution, is urged
Bon Air is in no way connected with
tho Virginia Home and Industrial
school for Girls, although the insti-
tuition is within a mile OF its borders.
and is In no way responsible for its
operation. One member of the board
of directors only lives in the village.
The majority OF the others live in
Richmond