Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 39

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472

USA > Indiana > Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana > Part 39

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

But the inexperiencedl teacher catinot progress far in the education of the leaf nud ilumab chilit ; and therefore the necessity of organized institutions nuit teachers troiqu'il in the peculiar tuethous of communicating with them. Nothing short of this enn supply anything but a small purt of whint this class of persons need to munko them intelligent und useful citizens. Organ- ized, systemtic ami persistont effort is necessary lo orercomo the obstacles

in the wny of educating leaf mutes. llence the absolute neel of institu- lions lika this.

But without entering further into the discussion of this subject, we will only add that it seems to us the hest thing to be done in this State, for the relief of the institution frum the cruwded condition in which it finds itself, and fryin the ivunt ef more room, is not the establishment of another institu- lion of the kind, but the creation of a separate depurtment in this one for the neceiniodatiun of pupila under twelve years of age.

It slioubl be under the same general ninnagement, bat provided with soparaie buildings and play grounds, apart from ibuse occupied by the elder pupils, It should beconducted somewantafter themanner ef the Kindergarten schools, common in Germany, and occasionally found in this ceantry. By this incons, most of the hail effects, both moral und physical, now so erillent, of associating young children with those of adruncel age, and of subjecting them te lbe salue regime os lo food, tabor, stuly, recreatien noil rest, could be arniled, and in this way coubl be secured all that careful supervision and attention to their hinbils nod fronts they so constantly neeil, and which it is often fewtil next to impossible to secure in an institution the regulations of of which are ulmost entirely udapted lo the trants of children of a larger growilı.

It is proposed lo apply in the eJucatinn of the deaf and dumb the same principles of classificalinn unil gradation so effectively usul in our common scheels, to create n primary deparinient separate from the grammar school and high class ilepartments of the institution, in which can be collected the younger pupils, and where a system of training and instruction better suited to their age can be applied thin is possible with our present arrangements. The subject is respectfully commewlel to the consideration of the Board of Trustees and the General Assembly about to conrene.

FINANCES,

Notwithstanding the iuereasol number of pupils, the appropriations marie by the last Legislature for the support of the institution for the past and current years hare provel sufficient to euble us to ilefray all necessary expenses, and to keep the buildings in a good state of repair.

lu viministering its affairs the utmost ceonomy consistent with the beat interests of the establishment has been constantly kept in view. The Board of Trustees linse met monthly, and carefully scrutinized all expenditures, and no bills hare been paid without their sinction,

All current expeuses, including boarding, salaries, miges, furnishing, repairs and improrements are defrayed out of the legislative appropriations. The expense of clothing inligent pupils is poid out of allowances made by the County Commissioners of the several counties from irhich beneficiaries are sent.

The support of the shops is derived from the profit on work magafac- tured by the pupils.

The sources of revenue for current expenses, clothing and shops ore dis- tinet, and therefore the accounts are kept separate and distinct.

INDIANA HOUSE OF REFUGE, PLAINFIELD, HE'SDRICKS COUNTY.

The General Assembly, by an act approved Murch 8, 1867, authorized Ibe formation of an institution to be known as a "llouse of Refuge for the Correction und Reformation of Juvenile Offenders." To carry out the pro- risinos of this nel, the suyu of $50,000 was appropriated. The general superrision and gorernment of the institutiou is vested in n Board of Con- trol, consisting of three Commissioners, appointed by the Goreruor, by and with the advice noil consent of the Setuile. The members of the first Board held their offices for the respective terms of two, four and six years, and after this, once member of the Board is nppeinted in the same manner every two years, whose term of office confinnes for six years. The following onmed persons constituted the first Board of Control: Charles F. Coffin, Esq., of Wayne County ; llou. A. C. Downey, of Ohio County, and Gen. Josoph Ort, of La Porte County.

The Board held their first meeting in the Governor's rooms in Indian- napolis, April 23, 1867, anil organized by electing Charles F. Coffin President, The Board then resolred to visit and examine the Reform School al Chicago, 111., the House of Refuge at Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Ohio State Refirm School, at Lancaster. After a full examination and consideration of the merits of these institutions for tho reformation of juvenile offenders, the Bonrd noanimously alopted the method known as the " Family System" (in imitation of the Ohio State Reform Scheul) as contra distinguished from the " Congregate Pinn." This system divides the inmates of the institution into families uf fifty boys eneb- ench family having u separale house and proper family officers. The officers to each family are a House Father, who has the immediate charge of the family of boys (but what is a family without a mother ?), assisted by an Elder Brother [ would not a nster, also, he an im- provement?). . All the fumilies are under the jurisdiction of a common Superintendent.

In rien of avoiding the evils of too near proximity to a large city, and other important considerations, Gor. Baker selocted and established a site for the institution three-fourths of a mile south of l'lainfeld, in Hendricks County, on the line of the Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Vandalis & St. Louis Railroad, fourteen miles west of Indianapolis. The site is a very eligible one, being cusr of necess from nil parts of the State.

The farm upon which the institution is located contains two hundred and twenty-five seres, combining beauty of location with fertility of soil, and particularly favored with running streams, nffording an abundant and un- failing supply of water for the use of the institution, and for the needs of the lire stock ou the furm. The site of the buildings is a beautiful plateau. about eighteen feet above the level of the udjacent ralley.

The Bourd, with the npproral of ibe Goreraor, adopted a plan of the gronods nod buildings, with n vieir to the ultimate erectinu of one main building nud eight family houses, besido one house for n reading rootu and hospital, and tiro large shops for mechanical labor, intended to accommodate four hundred boys.

Ou the 27th of August, 1867, the Board, with the approval of the Gov- ernor, appointed Mr. and Mrs. Frank B Ainsivorth Superintendent and Mutron of the institution. They immediately entered upon the ilischarge of their duties, acquitting themselves with great credit buil rindicating the wisdom of their appointment. They still remain in charge of the institution. Ou the Ist of January, ISes, ibree family houses anil one work shop were completed and reuly for occupancy, aud the Governor issued his pro- olaniution declaring the institution ready for the reception of inmutes. In 1869, the main building aud one additional family house were completed.

The plou of tho buililings is that of an elongaled oclagon. . All the family houses frout to the center of the pluten, suro the two ou the east side, which front to the east. The ninin building stanils east of the center and fronts to the east ; it is 64x128 feet in dimensions and three stories bigh above the baseineut. In the basement are the vegetable cellars, laumulry, furnace anil kitchen. On the first floor are the offices, reception room, officers' nud bors' dining rooms, pantry and store roem. On the second floor are the Superin- lendeut's family rooms, prirale offices, und fre dormitorice for offices, etc. On the third floor are the Assistant Superintendent's rooms, n store room and library, and a chapel und hospital. The family houses are uniforia in Blyle anil are Stixas feet in exterund liwensions. The basement contains a furnace room, a store room and n large lash room, irbich is also used as a play roomn in stormy weather. On the first floor are tiro rooms for the House Father and his family, and a school room, which is also used as a sining rootn for the family of bors. On the third floor are the boys' dormitory, a clothes room and a room for the Elder Brother.

Number receiveil each year, 11 42 20 15

Caused by spotteil ferer, 5

23 31 84 341 38 49-232

Caused by spolier fever,

Wludde number of pupils ituring the year, Number dischargeil,

226

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF INDIANA .- CONTINUED.

These buildings have been erected un a plan suggestedl hy un experiencedl reforiner, and seem to be well adapted to the purpose for which they upie di signeil. The first boy way recriveil into the institution from Hendricks County, Jnyunry 28, 1884.

The following, from the Superintendent's report for 18Th, show's the progress inile in welditionnl buildings iluning 1874

The lubr of the boys hins been utilized in a ilirection that hns bren of the giralest practical benefit and economy lo the institution. Tuy neir bnililings, ny gund ny auy ur hure, have been eureled nithin the past year, in which all The unskilled u wik how bren dant exclusively by the bay4, and the stine. Imes completed without cost to the Sinte or to the institution. The brick Ins hern hurheil ob tho form, the necessary leaming hus been done by the hoy#, the innsons, Inick Inyers, carpenters and plostrrers have been nttemled hy tho hoys in the titious stages of the progress of the buildings, and in nll possible directions the boys' Intr Ins been employed. The result is, th it the buiblings hare cost less than half u hat they othernist would, and the cionomy should, in equity. be carried in credit to the insitulian. Innf tho buildings is entirely finished, und ocenpient for mechanical purposes, the building formerly used as n shop being Heis a family hudist, in commoilnl- ing tiro families. This new ship is situated to the sonthirval of the family houses, and necomme Intes The concert chinir shop, the Inilor shop, the shoo rejuur shop, ele. 11 19 idtx 100 feet in dimensions, tun somis Aborr the bastmrht, and ul n luir raluation is worth $9,jam, and should be credited in The istes of the institnhoo af Thal amount. Its oclual coal is not more than $1,000, The dilleience represrols the value of the Inlor of the boys utilized in Ils constructiun. This shop building will afford umple room for all our mechanical nork fur gomr time, awl when extensions hecomr necessary the SAMO plun ron bo fairsued trith tho millitions os with the urigionl strneture. The other building is a family house, erected lu the north of and imme- 'Iintrly next to the muin building. 1 propose to derole it to The incorpora. tion of n ucu feature in reformatory discipline, unknown now, so far ns 1 Louis, In any yhumulur inshention in the country ; lost from the prachenl workings of which I anticipate the best results. The plan in outline is, to inuko of this the home of the Model or Normnl family ; or, speaking in lungunge that umy Ur hettor understood by Those nequoiuled with the geailed system of public schools, this will br, in some respects, the high school or graduation eloss of this institution.

The boibling is 10x90 feet in 'lunensions, three stories in height, and adapted bi the needs of a family of fifty boys. The basement slury contains the kitchen, mesh and faith room, and dining room. The second story con- Inins tho school room, parlor, reception room, libinry uinl sleeping roots for the House Further , while the third floor contains n srl of rooms for the Ils of domestics, the durumtory, bath ridis, closets, ete. As in the former Imildings, so in Ilus, the unskilled Inbor iras all performed by the hoys ; mind while the building is world to the institution $10,000 the actual cost lins oul been more than $6,000.

Into this burbling will be placed n family of boys irhe are nearly ready lo he dischargel from the institution, and lo try again the battle of their lives with Ihr gurld.

I! i may fairpeso to jaure this family in the charge of the mnost skillful und experiruceil officer 1 ran joochre. The internal arrangements of the funily trill he on n somewhat different sinle thno in the other itepariments of The institution. The bers grill ent by themselves, the ufficera and his Isspent & presulting personally at each ineal. They will be surrounded by influences onil miodes of living that ail tewl to refine their habits and instil into thein higher principles of courteous nud gentleminuly ibletourse. The hurry will be prormed with standard und instruefire works. The pailurs 1113 lot opened for periodical encinbles, in which the heys, following the ramnido of the House Father and Ins nssociales, irill mingle ns equals, all he called upon Iv do the honors of tho erening: Iv In, in brief, the husts, and Thy officers of the institution mol others who inny be inriteil, In le their gli alg.

This family will be the eghosnre of The eyes sind hearts of all the boys in the school, and as the jussport in it can only be persistent and faithful good compluet-a reformation so heirly completo font the finishing tonebrs ubare ure needed to fil them far u diraliye From the restmints of the inshintinh -I nubenote that it will prove a stimulus mal un inertitire, the ben 6rml

It is Det the purpose, our uill the daily life of the founly be albirol lo sn detriomile from the roggel tout practical habits of rwhsiry sanght lo he instilled in Ih rither pinerises of refrimilion that this model family en le held justly meneble lo thy criticism that it lewle breroerrote. Keejung simulily in rien the pruhuhle ileshingtian nud hife iraik of the majority of The boys with uluch ue hue to ilval, it is onr pipere, nevertheless, lo make Ilus muils se norgelite nil instructie that it will be ut ubee an incentive lo the best efforts of the troy's isho hare not rel filled thewisphes fur it, ulning their ereiy energy mol desire to becnur members of the sune, ulle it will elseule Ilpose who pass over is outer threshold inly the world far intercomse with the best socwly, hxing in their muurls nudl engrafting While this ulen in n und one in reformatory discipline, in the unity and cum pletent, 9 with which it is proposed in spedy it here, 1 nevertheless entertain the most smugime hopes of the practical result- tu falloir from it, und belieit I will pour a peuverin and in grisurring and impoaring the already rxrel- lehl morale Derhing aff departments in the justilution,

In addition In the buildings here mrotiend, we lune burned und Inid il nalka fully 100,041 hrirks. It will be seen, therefore, thal the Inbor of the boys Ins been mude use nf in the mast practical uny, to the great benefit utal renomy of the institution. As n nintter uf cunresiente, und to give a Plene und coneine Lieu of the unk performed during the past Two years, I wId lo Ite sketch of the new hinildilige erected during the penr n brief an- miry of other improvements moh In the property of tho institution emer Thy Inst report submitted In the Legislature. Thereare a brick milk-louise, INait feet, one htel a half stories in height above the baseineut, with un 1 oxieusion laati Grl. Tho loner stary is used for milk-house purposes, und for pantry nud other purposes.

An icehouse of trood, 21x'I feet, built in the mest approved style, with urulilatien and celural rooms for ments, etc.

Two-story hog.prn of ugn1, 3is III, This premiumplules 120 hogs, amel is whungde lor the present necessities of the institutinu.

Dne sel uf stales, threr tuns' drought, bas been purchased and art ujein n building rsureinlly huilt for their w commodation. These scales were required for entrenivney and sriurity in the Inige prehnses regnired far Ihr institution, hud, it is believed, amie already more than paul fur them. EVIL es.

Tiro erterus, ouv haring n espirdy of 800 burels and the other uf 1,200 barrels These buildings hure heeu huih just ued of the main build- ing, und uill furnish un amiple water supply, In saj wthing of their ralny in MrFre in such n porsible culumify.

Highlevu hundred and serunty roils of fence linee been put up, the prin- cipal portion of the timber being luken from the farm

fine hundred and livenly rods of gravel rund linie been made upon the properly. This mail bus o fridth of Twenty fret, nipl is graded lo uli mi er. age degdh of engineen inches. The grarel has all heen Inken from the bed of the creek running through the farm.

The green house, in process of runstructinn, is GOx26 feet in ihmeuston, and fifteen frel in height, with luo nings running from the north nuil south eils, in n nederly ilirection.

Besides thexp, three millitional privjes bore heen built, und tho main Lilliog, fumity house, form und bain hure been thoroughly overhunled and repaired, Rod nre in good condition.

The nelnel rust of the impri ements monde during 1873 irny $10,-P17.31, noil of Thier inde iluring 1814, $14,6$2.34.

The Girin and garden campise 225 neres, divided as follows: Seventy. eight acres under lillage ; ninelr+fire geres in limber ; twenty-tiro neres in Ihr yards surinunding the Innbling. tirenty.serin acies in ibe ganleo, fruit and greek, und three neres north of the National roul, drinebird from the main lundy of the lanil.

The plan of instrnelion is thul of the most upproreil cainmion school sys- ITm. All the boys attend selinol one-half of euch itny, noil nie ongnged nt soDie ifseful empduyment, either un the farro, or in The garden, or shoe shop, ur tailer shop ur chair shop, or entne other lirision of the domeshe depart- ment, the other half. This discipline is mild amd brot, and eminently ps- reolnl-the lugher sentiments of the boys being appe iled to.

The institution is a success heyout all expectations, mid it has already demostruled ils value to the Stily by coorerting to n life of neefulness anil respectability winny neglected children who would, but for its saving inllu- i'nce, hore hern miserable naifs umjung the sent of soriety.

INDIANA FEMALE PUISON AXU REFORMATORY INDIANAPOLIS

This institution is one of the fruits of the recent ngitation of prison re- forin, noil of the progress Inlely made in thal field. I had ils origin mu thal wise benevolence that having long noteil the defects of the prison system, in ils relation to the manosgrweot and care of female inmales, in 1860 hogon that agitation for reform in this respect, which resulted in altreling con- si lemable allculion In such defects, oml in stimululing philanthropy to lubor for their carrechion. Thr alleulion of Gor Biker uns uttracted to the sub- ject of prison reform, in which he became very much interested , amil to the interest and ihrestignition giren the subject by him, is due the first practical slep laken lowyard realizing the ules of tho present Indinon Female Prison und Reformatory. Tu this end he drafted a hull; and the Legislature in- dorsed the Goreroor's recommendation by giving it the nut horily of n stalule. The following eximets from the net of the Legislainre are here quoted, na hest explaining the nature and ubjeels of the institution

" As soon as the penal .lepartoient of the instilillion created by this act shall be reply far the reception of inmulee, it shall be the duty of the Wurden of enid Sinte Prisen, upon the order of the Gorernor, to transfer anil convey lo the institution created by this act all the female conviels who may theu be confined in sund prison, nud deliver them lo the Superintendent of suid in- stiluliou, with n certifed sinlement in writing, signed by such Warilen, sel- ing forth ile onme of each conviel, The court by which onit Ilw affeuse of and for which the was conruled and sentenced, the date of the sentence, the term of the court at which sentence nas plunonneed, and the terio for which conviel was sentenced, urbich certified sintement in writing shall be sufficient authority for the confinement of such convict in cho institution created by this act, for the portion of the Term of such conviet which may be onil renin noexpired nl the time when she shall be transferred tu smid instilulion as uferesnil."

The provisions with regard to the Reformatory Department ileelare thul : "Whenerrr ,and institution shall have been proclaimed to be open for the reception of girly in the Reformatory Department thereof, it shall be lawful for snill Bo ird of Maungers to receire into their care and innnagement, in the said Reformatory Department, girls under the age of fifteen years, who tuny he coinmilleil lo their custoily, in either of the following modes, lo-vil

First. When committed hy muy Judge of u Cironit Court or l'immon Plens Court, either in lerm time or in sucation, on complaint and duo proof by the parent or guarhan that, br renson of her incorrigible or ricious conduct, she has rendered her control heyonel the power of such parent or guardian, and made it munifesily requisite That from regard to the future irelfure of such infant, and for the protection of society, she should be placed under such guardienahje.

Srennyl. When sneh infant shall he committeil hy such Judge as uforesaid, upon complaint by any citizen, sind ilue proof of such complaint, thut snch infant is n praper subject for the guardianship of said institution, in con- sequence of her vagrancy or mearrigible or vicions conduet, unt Ilint from morat ilepruity or othernise of her parent or gunrilinn, in whose curlody she may be. sneh psichi ar gunrdinn is incapable of unwilling to exercise the pruper care or tisciplino orer such incorrigible or vicious infant.

Thipl. When sneh infiint shall he committed hy sneh Judgo as sforesnidl, on complaint and due proof Thereof by the Ternship Trustee of The full- ship where sneh infant resides, that soch infant is destitute of a suitable Luige aud of wdegunle meaus of obtaining an honest liring, ur that she is in danger of being brought up to lead an idle and immoral life."

By nulburity of The net ereiling the institution, the Governor appointed Hon E. B. Martindale, of Indianapolis ( u ho huy been succeeded hy Inmes M. Itny, of lwlivanpolis, Asbnel D. Stone, of Winchester ( who has heen sneeceded lış Dr Armstrung, of Carroll Cumuly), winl Jaseph I Irwin, of Columbus, & Boiril wf Munngers. These gentlemen sveurw] tho service of Isane Hodgson. of ludianapolis, who draftedl'n plan for the proposed prisou, which isas ne- ceplel; but by reason of the Tiet that the appropriation for The purpose of carrying out the provisions uf The ael amonufeil to only $50,(MM), the entire plan could not be fully carried unt. Another appropriation of $50,000 which quableil the plin to be carried out, was mule in February, 1813.

The lunlling is situated just north of the Deaf and Dumh . Asyluw, he- Tiveen it mul the Arsenal, anil presents quite n comnwinding aparmance when tieweil from the Nationnl rond. Il is a tio-glury brick, will n haseinenl and Mansard roof. I will he lil fert long, and is composed of n monin building willi aide rings, and Iransrere wings at either rol. Tho latter cie to have a length of 100 feet. Standing in front of the central portion of the building is a dwelling house three stories high, with a basement, which will be accu- pied by the Superintendent and officers of The institution, anil connects with the ltrfarulary by a passage way on The fral floor.

A halliling in The rear, and counceling with the Reformulory in the baye- ment aml first story by passage ways, will he occupied by a large boiler roolu and Inth inoms. A brick renl'iluling stnek, serenly feel high, will he located here. The style of architecture is " Utilitirian," and extulals excellent losle on the part of the architeel, nad practical knowledge of the require- ments of such un institution.

On the ith ol September, 1873, ibe institution was so far completeil as Lo Ur rendy far The reception uf inmotes. The Goreinor therenpon issued his proclamation announcing thut Ihr institution would be ready for the recep- lion of imantes from and after the ilth of that month. On The 4th Any of October, 1873, the Gorernor instructed The Warilens of the State Prison South lo Iranster all The femute couriels in their custody nnd delirrr them to tbe Superintendent af the Reformatory institution. This was nrcomplished on the Sth of October.

From the report of the Superintendent for 1874, we extrael the following : The Reformatory has heen beller patronized than we expected, and the majid pragress unde in their alndies by a majority of them prorrs Ihnt it is nal tho low und ignorant nloue that need The restruining influence of the institution. The large number of orphuns lehl humeless and friendless la hillle with The leinplations of life, and the still larger number of hull orphans is a smI retlerlion thal sceond marringes loo unten prove disastrous and throw a large class of girls without nrcessary care and ristraints, for which the

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Indiana, Part 39

Author: Publication date: 1876 Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co. Number of Pages: 472

Author:
Publication date: 1876
Publisher: Baskin, Forster & Co.
Number of Pages: 472