Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-07-02

r@-@71 He first organized effort in this country
ID !. !. !. !. J. !. :.
1881 to deal with the ever complex boy
III M problem" and to solve It was made in
II 81 Boston. The Farm and Trades school
IL Isl on ThomDson's island, Boston harbor,
If Do which recently celebrated its centennial
IT 81 anniversary the result
IL This school has done remarkable
III work and has set the pace for all in
situations of like nature which have
been established in parts Of the country
The first meeting to effect organization for this
school was held on March 81 1914 Boston was then
but town. In it were boys bereft by death Of one
both parents, and outside OF the work carried
by the various charitable organizations, no ade-
quate relief was available
In the beginning the management provided princi
pally shelter and food An asylum was established
In the West end Boys from five to twelve years of
age were gathered there, and were sent to the pub
lie schools for education. Six years later larger
quarters were secured at the North end in the
mer residence Of the colonial governor Sir William
Phipps
AS soon after the age of twelve as was possible
the boys, following the custom of the day. were ap-
prenticed to farmers tradesmen in other parts Of
the state and there the responsibility of the school
for the time ended.
Meanwhile another institution was organized
which conceived it's object to be something more
than providing shelter. It felt the boy, to attain
better results in manhood should receive industrial
training. That was the Boston Farm school, which
in 1882 secured charter. In few months the sum
of $4,000 was raised in Boston for the school and
Thompsons island. containing 157 acres, was bought
for $4,000
Two years later the asylum at the North end sold
its property there, and making union with the
Boston Farm school. removed to Thompsons island
For nearly three-quarters of century the name was
the Boston Asylum and Farm school, and agricul-
ture formed the basis of the educational system
With isolation that made conditions almost
ideal for carrying out its purpose little attention
was attracted to the school, and it quietly pursued
It's unique work private school for worthy BOYS
of limited means
About ten years ago. more truly to describe It's
present functions, the name was changed by the
legislature to the Farm and Trades school.
The school is supported by endowments tut
ton fees and subscriptions. It's vested funds
amount to nearly $250000, but the income from
this source and tuition leaves deficit of nearly
$4,000 year. which is made up by subscrip-
lions. Tuition fees amount to about $4,000 a
year. The annual expenses are about $4,000.
Provision is made for 100 boys whose eligibl-
ity for admission requires them to be between
ten and fourteen years of age, of gcod moral
character, in fair physical condition and vino are
not lower than the sixth grade in grammar school,
Recommendations required from the family
physician, a clergyman and from three or four
persons of recognized standing in the community
Admissions made four times year. Only
boys whose recommendations satisfactory are
admitted and, if on trial. boy proves to be I'M
fitted for the school, he is not allowed to remain
After admission the school furnishes everything
needed fOr the boy-clothng, shelter, subsistence
medical attendance and trade opportunities and
moral discipline.
The school aims to fit the boy for higher pur-
suits and, upon completing the course at school,
to place him either in higher school or in a
position for which he seems adapted
AS the general farm work necessarily in
cluded some instructions in certain trades, and
as carpentering and painting and the island Ioca-
ton permitted practical instruction in the use
and management of boats, the first enrichment Of
the curriculum occurred in 1857, when brass
band organized and has been In existence
since.
It is said to be the oldest boys band in the
country. and is of the distinctive features of
the school.
In 1882 the educational system was greatly
broadened by the erection and equipment of
Gardner hall, which contained a printing office
manual training outfits and woodworking lathes.
Here the first sloyd lessons were given so far
as known, in this country.
Interest in these several branches was greatly
stimulated. and the school course was so changed
as to permit almost daily lessons in carpentry
and printing, while ordinary school work still
continued.
Today instruction is given on the following sub
tects: Preparation of the soil planting of seed,
cultivation harvesting and rotation of crops, cul-
uvation of fruits and care of orchard setting out
and caring for trees and shrubs, testing and Sc
leCttng seed. mixing of chemicals for fertilizers,
meteorology, vocal and instrumental music, sloyd,
mechanical drawing, cabinet work, wood turning,
carpentry, blacksmithing machine work in metal,
printing and binding painting cobblng Office
work the handling of boats and the whole realm
o. household duties
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