(Third in the series)

As intimated previously, change and the needs of change, were no different in the organization of the B.I.S. than any other human organization. Perhaps it even needs to be said it would be surprising if no changes were ever needed or made. My wife and I wrote a history of a county children’s home here in Lancaster, Ohio, and early in our research we found evidences of discontent, prejudices and other negative vibrations but we chose not to build on that because few of the former superintendents of that 99 year-old institution (Fairfield County Children’s Home) were alive to enable them to have a “last word”. Indeed, change in itself is a fact of life that serves as a guarantee that things will not always be as they seem and this fact alone serves as a relief valve to those of us who find the need to criticize and even condemn the work of others. As in the work of either of these county and state organizations, the work was often left to those whose willingness to help surpassed their abilities or qualifications and further they were often found doing a job that no one else wanted to do. It is almost like children criticizing a parent for the way they were treated, until they became a parent themselves. Leaders are not always able to find or are provided the trained and qualified workers needed.

A JOURNEY BACK IN HISTORY

We have to turn the pages of history back around 153 years to learn about Charles Reemelin’s extended trip visiting reform schools in the United States (but none of those convinced him as being what was needed).

“I wanted a school that was in no way a prison, except for temporary punishment.” His visits abroad took him to reform schools in England, France, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. He was most impressed by an institution in Paris called, “Colony de Mettray.” In his visits there, interviewing boys and staff in that institution, he learned “…boys became good gardeners, fine mechanics and trusty laborers. … I talked with many boys there and found, that, with most of them, being taken there, was in itself a reform, because it effected a liberation from prison aid and discipline.” Charles Reemelin’s enthusiasm was challenged by a German Catholic Bishop who accompanied him to Mettray: “You will never succeed in establishing a Mettray in the United States, because you will not have the requisite persons for the right economical administration, or the right religious education.” The priest went on to caution Mr. Reemelin, “In the United States they have not yet learned the value of especially capable public administration, by servants in the best sense; to-wit: that of well disciplined persons, animated by a stern public spirit, that has its best reward in accomplishing high moral good.”

This bishop’s advice had more truth in it than was pleasant for Charles Reemlin to admit but he hoped the United States would sometime reform their public administration. Many years had to pass before this prophecy of a Catholic bishop began to uncover circumstances and events that were to further challenge the work and mission of such a reform school in America. Fortunately, this experience probably became a benchmark to those whose minds were made up to “make this work” whatever circumstances arose. One thing, or so it seems to this writer, deeply set cultural philosophies are not to be overlooked and what works in one part of the world is no guarantee it will work (forever) in another part of the world. America is constantly changing in its views of values and ways of dealing with societal issues. The following words of Clarence Shepard Day contain the essence of reality in the examination of the beginnings of the B.I.S.,; however, the unfortunate and ultimate closing of this unique boys reform school in Ohio , was a fulfillment of that prophecy made by a Catholic bishop came to pass 150 years later. Again we are reminded of those lyrics from a song, “And nothing stays the same.”

"The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man. Nothing else that he builds ever lasts. Monuments fall; nations perish; civilizations grow old and die out; and, after an era of darkness, new races build others. But in the world of books are volumes that have seen this happen again and again, and yet live on, still young, still as fresh as the day they were written, still telling men's hearts of the hearts of men centuries dead.

— Clarence Shepard Day

In 1939, according to reports made in the previously mentioned book, the current administration at that time worked in cooperation with state appointed survey workers to address problems that existed and the results of that survey were published in 1940. As mentioned earlier it should not surprise anyone that problems (today they are called “issues” as if that would smooth over the “problems”) existed at the institution; what is good about all this is that accomplishments resulted to benefit the organization. Early on in that report, it was stated in some “General Conclusions”: “Fifth, Greater efforts by local communities to care for the delinquent boys at home, should reduce the number of boys sent to the school.” Excuse me, but isn’t that exactly what homes of the Judeo-Christian values have preached for centuries? What new idea is this? Virtuous men and women have valiantly fought for such circumstances and philosophies endlessly and the statement of President Woodrow Wilson attests this is nothing new:

“The sum of the whole matter is this, that our civilization cannot survive materially unless it is redeemed spiritually.”

Woodrow Wilson

Are we then to be surprised when a need is found at a state reform school that problems exist? Even a cursory observation of our society gives a basis for the following quote:

“A happy childhood is poor preparation for human contacts.” Colette French novelist, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette -- January 28, 1873 – August 3, 1954

This observer of life freely announced that idealistic “happiness” is not the total answer either. Finally, it was good that minds could be brought together to find the root of the real problems and they were addressed. Later the school was able to continue, at least until “society” moved in again, making still more “improvements”. Criticisms from on-lookers are not always those that come from the well informed. Again, in our research for the history book, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, we were once told about an occasion where some people drove by a “group of children being made to work in the heat of the day in a garden”; after exclaiming this to be unreasonable work for children, the response of one of the children put the complaint in perspective, “But when we get done we can go swimming!!”

Work and everyday goings on, at an orphanage or a boys’ reform school were not exactly a Sunday school picnic environment. The children at the Fairfield County Children’s Home were there through no fault of their own but they were taught by precept and example that as a result of their labors in the field, in the barn lot, in the poultry houses, there would be food on the table. In other words they were taught individual responsibility is part of the marriage of life where “each and all” become one. Certainly it was not different in principle at the B.I.S. but one distinct fact exists, the boys at the B.I.S. were there because of a crime against society, so why would or should they be treated less propitiously than children at the orphanage? At least, as the thief on the cross was able to see, “we are here because of our crimes, and this man has done no wrong”. How we raise children has been an issue ever since the first child was born.

At least, in whatever era or generation of confinement, in a children’s home or a reform school, attempts were being made to teach young people there are responsibilities for all: shirking responsibilities only makes us further wards or dependents on the community, state or government. If someone finds fault with this, we lose touch with the reality that individuals are responsible and it is not realistic to claim “it’s not my fault” when a person is obviously guilty. Most children we interviewed (as adults who had matured through their residency at the Children’s Home) looked back with appreciation for the home they were given when their homes were ravaged by a turn in societal circumstances. In all honesty, some could not swallow such pride (guiltless individuality) and resented the years they spent at the orphanage. Are we to assume every boy who graduated from the B.I.S. or the Fairfield School for Boys would totally appreciate how they were treated as a resident?

Let’s leave the philosophical arguments and agendas to the historians and look back into those annals of time to see what the “current residents” in 1930’s had to say about the B.I.S. It is good, however, to mention Terry Selby, of Lancaster, Ohio, who has followed these essays since their beginning, related an occasion when he was able to participate in a sporting event at the B.I.S. After being in a boxing match with one of the B.I.S. boys, his remark was, “Boy, some of those boys could fight.” Perspective helps in any examination of facts.

HUMOR NOTES from “Boys’ Industrial School Journal”

Usher: (to cold dignified lady): Are you a friend of the groom?
The Lady: Indeed no! I am the bride’s mother.

The man who laughs at the awkward way his wife parks a car should see himself sewing a button on his shirt.

DEPARMENTAL NEWS ITEMS

THE SHOE SHOP
(written by one of the boys)

”Well, well! Here we are folks, back in this month’s journal. These notes find us working on new shoes and repairing those that need repairing. We have lost a few boys since our last report; also receiving a few new ones.

We still have the same line up on the working outfit. That is Federico, chief line boy and Big Shot-Slim, his helper.
Our enrollment for this month is 17 "all day" boys, 2 A.M. and 4 P.M. boys. All trying hard to keep their positions assigned by Mr. Moore, our instructor.

Crile, our blocker, is busy blocking out soles, heels, and half soles, also insoles. He said that “IF” he had a dime for every time that blocker hit boom on that block he’s be a millionaire and then some.

Mr. Moore, our instructor, has made up his mind at last to to on a vacation that he has been talking about. That leaves us working speedy ahead in our work so as we will not fall back in our work the first or second week he’s gone. We boys up here wish him a happy trip, for he sure deserves it, as he is the coolest, mildest office[r] to work for; just ask the boys up here and they will flood you over telling you the nice things he does for us. Oh, he just now said it is time to sweep, and so is it is so hot, I guess I will play around and then I won’t have to use a broom. I’m kind of a lazy fellow anyhow. The repair boys are the ones that use the broom the most, because they are the ones that make the dirt and now and then one of the other ones sweep out when all the repair boys are not here. Then when the floor is swept each and every boy tries to find some odd work to do until the whistle sounds, and then we close up for the day.”

THE BUTCHER SHOP
(one of the boys reported)

The past month the weather has been very hot and hard on fresh meat, but our cold storage has been working fine.
Temperature is held at 32 to 33 degrees and the meat keeps fine until it goes to the table. The boys will all have a chicken dinner Sunday. We have been busy all morning cutting up chicken ready for the pan.

Among our last lessons have been the several different uses a beef rump can be put to. The many different cuts of pot roast and how to save all the meat on a beef head.

Our spare time lately has been put in cleaning and painting pork barrels, getting them ready for winter. It takes about 60 barrels to take care of our pork. Well, we are through carving chicken and we all have cut fingers. You see we are not used to carving chicken, they don’t want to lay still long enough to get the “ax.”

The people “holler” about it being hot outside and we cry about it being too cold (in the cooler).

More to come from old records of the Boys’ Industrial School once in the Hocking Hills near Lancaster, Ohio.

THE WORDWRIGHT