Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1914-01-01
twenty-five DoLLARS AND
COSTS ASSESSED BY PROBATE
JUDGB FOR BATTERY.
COMPROMISE IS EFFECTED
|eems Teacher Was Little too Severe in
Punishment Of Young Huffman
win Continue Head Of School,

The preliminary examination of c.
W. Drake, the teacher of the Red Rock
chools, who was charged with assault
With intent to do great bodily harm,
vas held before Probate Judge De-
Haven this week, two days being con-
umed in the examination. Late Tues
bay afternoon, through the efforts Of a
humber of the citizens of the school
district in which the trouble occurred,
the charge was dismissed and one of
battery substituted and the defence
bignified willingness to submit the case
without introducing any testimony.
The court found the defendant guilty
and assessed fine of $25 and costs,
the defendant later agreeing to pay half
of the medical bill incurred in treating
the boy. This seems to have been a
sensible way to dispose of the case and
it is hoped by those who were instru-
mental in bringing about the adjust
ment that the school will continue with
out further friction. The settlement
effects only the present case and does
not prevent the bringing of any other
charges which may be preferred before
the board.
The first days testimony was SUBJ
stantially as follows:
The examination Of witnesses covered
the customs of Mr.. Drake in the school
room as to ascertaining the identity of
pupils guilty of violating the rules but
the school appears to be divided as to
whether Leslie Huffman, the boy up
on whom the assault is alleged to have
been committed, was guilty of the
violation at the time the assault is
alleged to have been committed. There
was also some conflict in the testi-
mony as to what was used to administer
the punishment, but the preponderance
Oh the testimony was to the effect that
a desk footrest, hardwood board about
Is inches in length, three inches wide
and from one-half to an inch in
thickness, was used.
From the questions asked on the cross
examination it would appear that the
defense will be made on the ground
that the defendant, his brother and
another boy of the school had con-
spired to give Drake a threshing and
'hat Drake had been apprised of their
pans and when the trouble was start
ed by Leslie Huffman that Drake dealt
with the boy unusually severely as
warning to his fellow conspirators that
'hey should not attempt to carry out
their plans.
Inc testimony showed that Mr..
Drake has been in the habit of calling
the roll when disturbance occurred IN
'ne school room and the pupils were
paced upon their honor to inform upon
themselves. In the case of Leslie Hnff
man, the disturbance occurred on the
aiter loon Of December l2 and while
'nere was some dispute as to who was
'esponsible for the noise the boy agreed
" take the punishment in the event it
would be administered on his hand. A
NUMBER OF witnesses gave testimony to
'ne effect that Drake secured the maple
'oard and struck young Huffman twice
g. me tight hand and the third blow
S''''ed at the boys head. Huffman
u''eesi ard threw up his hand and re-
'''e0 tha blow ON the back of the
n'1'' severe wound resulting. It
s'e,"s tsat Drake paused for moment
~ huffman took his seat but was
'S'h requested to rise and Drake
ncA him several blows on the left
hand
~ ~ y. Stockton who was called to
Ss'ehd the boy stated the blow on the
""' mas resulted in paralysis of the
a, ~ an hand, the boy being able
s1.y 10 move his thumb a little. Tests
~. "s,e made with electricity, hot water
!. 0.aer methods to prove that there
.. 10 feeling in the right hand and Dr..
s'ee1.on ~ testified that there is NO doubt
'ut the paralysis was caused by the