The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-04

John is the "exile" boy of
Gibson county. Judge Claude
Smith ordered him to leave
the county and never come
back when the boy was
brought before him on a
minor theft charge.
John didn't leave soon enough, so
the judge ordered him to the Plain
field school until he reaches his ma
jority, or a term of eight years.
Lad Given Comfort
But John can quit worrying about
Gibson county now. Today the
school trustees assured that John
never will be released from the
school to return there.
John might get out of the Indiana
boys school in eighteen months.
maybe sooner. But when he earns
the required number of merit marks
in the school, he will go to a good
home, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES but
Gibson county.
That's another pledge made by
the trustees in behalf of John today.
In fact, the trustees are incensed
at the Gibson county judge-"that
hick Gibson county iurist." one trus-
tee called him.
Judge Doesn't Appear
They asked Judge Smith to attend
the meeting today to tell them about
John. He didn't appear.
They disputed Judge Smiths
public assertion that the Plainfeld
institution had informed the Judge
that it didn't want John returned
to the Indiana boys school, because
he was incorrigible.
They scoffed at Judge Smiths
allegations that the boy is feeble
minded.
They criticised the procedure I'M
der which the lad was returned to
the institution for a So theft.
The meeting was attended by the
following trustees: Joseph Hime-
lick, Summitville, farmer; Perry
Davis, Lafayette, farmer, and Alfred
B. Snyder, Indianapolis. Frank Self,
Corydon trustee, was absent. o. w.
Negus, Indiana Boys school super
intendent, also was at the session.
After John was brought before the
board to relate the story of his life.
the trustees decided that they could
make no disposition of the case at
present.
Must Earn Parole
The boy has been committed TO
the school, it was pointed out. Under
the schools rules, he must remain
until he earns the required number
OF merit marks for a parole. For a
boy returned while on parole. it
usually requires eighteen months to
earn the merit marks.
However, the trustees said. in
Johns case, if he works hard. they
may parole him sooner, if a good
home is found for him.
Trustee Davis stated that in his
opinion that hick jurist in Gibson
county" did wrong in giving the boy
a new sentence to the school. The
LAD was back home on a parole
from the school. He should have
been returned for parole violation.
Davis said.
Irregularities Are Charged
John is on the school records as
a returned parole violator.
Both Davis and Snyder pointed
out other irregularities in recommit-
ting the boy. For instance. they
asserted, if the judge was sending
him to the school because he was
feeble-minded it should have been
so stated on the commitment papers.
And if he is feeble minded he
shouldn't have been sent to the
school anyway, but to another type
Of institution.
Davis demanded that the Judge
produce a certified copy of any cor
respondence he might possess from
the school saying that John was
not wanted at the Plainfeld school.
The trustees appeared much put
out" because the judge had accused
them Of branding John as a bad
boy, for whom no good could be
done"
On only one chance will John as
a boy, go back to the county from
which he was banished, the trlls-
tees assured. That is If the Judge
wants to change his stand, give the
lad a rehearing and right things. {"
as they expressed it, they viii grant
permission for John to return.
We'll give the judge that on
portunity." Snyder said. Were out
to fool that judge. Wen make a
fine man out of John"
Superintendent Negus said that
John had behaved well since he
has been there the last time.
When brought before the trustees
today, John related how policemen
of Princeton "dogged" his footsteps.
always reminding him that he had
served time" in the boys school,