State Reform School
From birchyHistory
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[[Image:State Reform School2.jpg|400px|right|thumb]] | [[Image:State Reform School2.jpg|400px|right|thumb]] | ||
[[Image:State Reform School Boys Bldg.jpg|400px|right|thumb]] | [[Image:State Reform School Boys Bldg.jpg|400px|right|thumb]] | ||
| − | The '''Reform School''' was established in March of 1893 with the signing of House Bill #184 by the Governor of Montana, the Honorable [[J.E. Rickards]]. At the time, the school was some two miles east of [[Miles City, Montana]]. Now Miles City has grown to include the school as part of it's eastern edge. The school began as the Montana State Reform School, so named because it was believed that the duty of the school was to "reform" the juveniles sent there. The Superintendent's report to the Governor for the year 1900 notes that "We realize that this institution is not maintained for punishment, restraint, or limitation of privileges; but for reformation and the cultivation and development of the good lying dormant in the boys' and girls' natures." | + | The '''Reform School''' was established in March of 1893 with the signing of House Bill #184 (Senate Bill 4) by the Governor of Montana, the Honorable [[J.E. Rickards]]. At the time, the school was some two miles east of [[Miles City, Montana]]. Now Miles City has grown to include the school as part of it's eastern edge. The school began as the Montana State Reform School, so named because it was believed that the duty of the school was to "reform" the juveniles sent there. The Superintendent's report to the Governor for the year 1900 notes that "We realize that this institution is not maintained for punishment, restraint, or limitation of privileges; but for reformation and the cultivation and development of the good lying dormant in the boys' and girls' natures." |
The State Reform School was the first building and institution built under the newly formed State of Montana. A man from Lewis and Clark county had introduced the bill providing for the State Reform School; but he was so careless in writing it that he forgot to mention a place for it's existence. There were very few sites proposed for the Reform School because most towns were more interested in institutions such as the agricultural college. Miles City representatives put up quite a fight for the agricultural college too, but the other representatives felt that the Miles City area was not suitable for growing anything. This theory was to be disputed not only by farmers of the area, but also by the school itself. | The State Reform School was the first building and institution built under the newly formed State of Montana. A man from Lewis and Clark county had introduced the bill providing for the State Reform School; but he was so careless in writing it that he forgot to mention a place for it's existence. There were very few sites proposed for the Reform School because most towns were more interested in institutions such as the agricultural college. Miles City representatives put up quite a fight for the agricultural college too, but the other representatives felt that the Miles City area was not suitable for growing anything. This theory was to be disputed not only by farmers of the area, but also by the school itself. | ||
| − | The [[Yellowstone Journal]] noted in it's [[March 15, 1894]] issue that the Miles City representatives wanted a state institution so badly, that "...a spasm of generosity swept over the house, and its members, counseling among themselves, said 'Let us throw this Reform School bone to the Miles City dog, who is growling at our heels, and so shut his mouth." Upon passing of the bill giving the Reform School to Miles City, a $25,000 appropriation was passed to allow for the start of the school. | + | The [[Yellowstone Journal]] noted in it's [[March 15, 1894]] issue that the Miles City representatives wanted a state institution so badly, that "...a spasm of generosity swept over the house, and its members, counseling among themselves, said 'Let us throw this Reform School bone to the Miles City dog, who is growling at our heels, and so shut his mouth." Upon passing of the bill giving the Reform School to Miles City, a $25,000 appropriation was passed to allow for the start of the school. In a bit of payback, although Miles City got the only institution that wasn't wanted, because it was appropriated separately and first, when the general bill was passed for the other institutions, there wasn't any money left in the budget to build them, so those towns had to wait to build, while Miles City started right away. |
On March 1, 1893, the Governor signed Senate Bill No. 4, commonly known as the Reform School Law, and in four weeks appointed Miles citizens [[J.W. Strevell]], [[C.R. Middleton]], and [[H.B. Wiley]] as the first set of trustees of the school. On April 1, the trustees took their offices, and filed a bond of $10,000 each for performance of their duties. Quite a hefty sum for those days. | On March 1, 1893, the Governor signed Senate Bill No. 4, commonly known as the Reform School Law, and in four weeks appointed Miles citizens [[J.W. Strevell]], [[C.R. Middleton]], and [[H.B. Wiley]] as the first set of trustees of the school. On April 1, the trustees took their offices, and filed a bond of $10,000 each for performance of their duties. Quite a hefty sum for those days. | ||
