State Reform School
From birchyHistory
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A couple of details meetings were held in July, but nothing major occurred with the board until the [[28 Jul 1893]] when the sealed construction bids were opened as follows: | A couple of details meetings were held in July, but nothing major occurred with the board until the [[28 Jul 1893]] when the sealed construction bids were opened as follows: | ||
{| | {| | ||
| − | |[[M. J. McCune]]|$19,100 | + | |[[M. J. McCune]]||$19,100 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | |[[J. W. Shackleton]]|$18,747 | + | |[[J. W. Shackleton]]||$18,747 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | |[[Donovan & Son]]|$18,503 | + | |[[Donovan & Son]]||$18,503 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | |[[Guy & White]]|$17,500 | + | |[[Guy & White]]||$17,500 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | |[[Larsen & Smith]]|$17,010 | + | |[[Larsen & Smith]]||$17,010 |
|- | |- | ||
| − | |[[Maples & Stuart]]|$15,765 (but board had to furnish brick, rough rock and electric wiring) | + | |[[Maples & Stuart]]||$15,765 (but board had to furnish brick, rough rock and electric wiring) |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
On 3 Aug 1893]], the bid was awarded to Larsen & Smith, the board reserving the right to not finish the third floor (a right not exercised), with the proviso that the contractor could be paid monthly up to 85% of each month's completed work (as estimated by the architect). | On 3 Aug 1893]], the bid was awarded to Larsen & Smith, the board reserving the right to not finish the third floor (a right not exercised), with the proviso that the contractor could be paid monthly up to 85% of each month's completed work (as estimated by the architect). | ||
| − | On [[6 Oct 1893]] the subcontractor [[John Leonard]] broke ground and began removing 4000 cu. yards of dirt, creating 50x100 foot 11 foot deep hole. (They would later have trouble keeping water out of the completed basement after irrigation began.) [[O. F. Rogers]] then brought in masons who built a two foot thick foundation wall of stone. Using brick from [[Samuel Stone]] and [[William McMahon]], the outer walls went up. Carpenters added the rest of the structure. By the time cold weather arrived, it was 55 feet higher than the basement floor, the tin shingle roof was done, the doors and windows were in and the heating plant was operational, allowing the plasterers to work. In 90 days, by [[6 Jan 1894]], all but a few finishing touches were done. | + | On [[6 Oct 1893]] the subcontractor [[John Leonard]] broke ground and began removing 4000 cu. yards of dirt, creating 50x100 foot 11 foot deep hole. (They would later have trouble keeping water out of the completed basement after irrigation began.) [[O. F. Rogers]] then brought in masons who built a two foot thick foundation wall of stone. Using brick from [[Samuel Stone]] and [[William McMahon]], the outer walls went up. Carpenters added the rest of the structure. By the time cold weather arrived, it was 55 feet higher than the basement floor, the tin shingle roof was done, the doors and windows were in and the heating plant (5 furnaces, 4 operational; 25 cords of wood, with supplemental coal) was operational, allowing the plasterers to work. In 90 days, by [[6 Jan 1894]], all but a few finishing touches were done. |
On [[18 Oct 1893]] Larsen & Smith received an additional contract to build the barn (brick, 20x24 feet, with 14 foot walls) for $700. It was later reported to be 18x30'. Strevell was directed to enter into an irrigation contract with the ditch company. | On [[18 Oct 1893]] Larsen & Smith received an additional contract to build the barn (brick, 20x24 feet, with 14 foot walls) for $700. It was later reported to be 18x30'. Strevell was directed to enter into an irrigation contract with the ditch company. | ||
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According to the Yellowstone Journal, the building was drawing attention from passers by, and "People began to point with pride to Montana's first state building..." noting "It (was) not fancy in design, but (was) built for durability, comfort, and convenience, being ornamented only enough to relieve monotony." | According to the Yellowstone Journal, the building was drawing attention from passers by, and "People began to point with pride to Montana's first state building..." noting "It (was) not fancy in design, but (was) built for durability, comfort, and convenience, being ornamented only enough to relieve monotony." | ||
| − | The governor signed his proclamation formally declaring the Montana Reform School open for inmates on [[March 14, 1894]]. And on March 15, the State Reform School was dedicated to the people of the state in grand fashion. The | + | Planning for the dedication was performed by the [[Miles City Chamber of Commerce]] with [[H. M. Moran]], [[H. W. McIntire]], [[C. H. Loud]], [[A. T. Campbell]] and [[W. A. Jordan]] in charge of subcommittees. Moran was in charge of invitations and was assisted by [J. B. Collins], [G. W. Allerton], [L. A. Hoffman] and [C. R. Middleton] resulting in 500 engraved invitations sent out over the state. McIntire was in charge of speakers and was assisted by [J. W. Strevell] and [Sam Gordon]. Campbell was in charge of the banquet and was assisted by [C. S. Whitney], [J. S. Truscott], [W. W. Alderson], [F. A. Lisk], [Mrs Whitney], [Mrs. Potter], [Mrs. McIntire], [Mrs. J. S. Towers], [Mrs. Middleton], [Mrs Edgar Campbell], [Miss Bessie Allerton], [Miss Lottie Allerton], [Mrs. McGurk], [Miss Ada M. Bennett], [Mrs. H. B. Wiley] and [Mrs. J. M. Holt]. Jordan was in charge of the ball and was assisted by [Edward Butler], [E. B. Babcock], [Edward Holt] and [Harry Allerton]. (Not sure what Loud was in charge of.) |
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| + | The governor signed his proclamation formally declaring the Montana Reform School open for inmates on [[March 14, 1894]]. And on Wednesday March 15, the State Reform School was dedicated to the people of the state in grand fashion. The event featured a reception, a banquet and a ball. The reception included such important speakers as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. J.W. Strevell, and the Governor himself. Even though the day was anything but nice, having the typical Eastern Montana winter of rain, snow, and mud, about 260 people arrived to take in such talents as the [[Fort Keogh]] fourteen piece band and the [[Billings male quartet]] ([[George M. Hayes]], [[M. G. Mains]], [[Charles Burton]]& [[Harry Allen]]). People began arriving at 7 pm, were allowed into the building at 8pm to chat and tour the building. The dedication was well received, and the Journal noted that "[[Prof. Reichardt]]'s orchestra amused them with dancing until the roosters began to crow - a fitting end to the greatest of Miles City's events." | ||
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| + | At the banquet (which started at 10pm), Toastmast H. W. McIntire announced the blessing by Rev. [[T. Scott Miller]]. The meal included oysters, turkeys, salads, ices, cakes and fruits. It was washed down with [Al Campbell]]'s coffee. Attendees included (from Helena) Gov. and Mrs. Rickards, Secretary [[Rotwitt]], Attorney General [[Haskell]], Col. and Mrs. [[Sanders]], [[E. W. Knight]], Hon. [[Thomas H. Carter]], [[H. M. Parchen]], [[T. A. Marlow]], [[E. B. Wenrick]], [[A. J. Seligman]], ex-Auditor [[Woolman]], [[David Marks]], [[E. W. Bach]], [[Col. Curtis]], [[Henry Klein]], [[R. C. Wallace]] and [[Col. Fiske]]. From Deer Lodge: [[J. B. Losee]] and [[Edward Burke]], legislators that worked on the appropriations bill. From Billings: [[Paul McCormick]], [[J. S. Matheson]], [[E. S. Becker]] plus the quartet. Other areas: [[Doc Hersey]] of the [[Anaconda Standard]], [[Mrs. H. D. O'Brien]] from Custer, [[C. W. Butler]] and [[J. C. Auld]] from [[Glendive]], Hon. [[J. R. McKay]] and his wife from their ranch. From [[Fort Keogh]]: [[Col. Page]], [[Capt. Ketchum]], [[Capt. Webster]], [[Capt. Kell]], [[Lt. Jones]], [[Lt. Godfrey]], [[Lt. Marshall]], [[Lt. Wassell]], [[Lt. Hambright]], [[Lt. Wolfe]], [[Mrs. Wassell]], [[Mrs. Page]], [[Miss Page]] and [[William Page]]. | ||
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| + | The quartet sang the Lord's Prayer after the invocation, "The Old Oaken Bucket" and "Farewell, Soldier" after the Governor's address and "Come Where the Lilies Bloom" after Col. Sander's address. Strevell gave the welcome speech and Tom Carter told jokes trying to segue between the topics of politicians and reform schools. Col. Page added a patriotic session, AG Haskell joked on the topic of the Criminal Class, Col. Sanders reminisced, Judge Milburn wished the new director the best and E. W. Knight Sr. closed with some light comments. Around midnight, the dancing began courtesy of the Fort Keogh band. | ||
On [[April 15, 1894]], the first student arrived at the school. It was expected, according to the 1900 Superintendent's report, that the school have no unactive boys and girls because it was felt "The old adage was never more true than now, 'Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.'" It was also noted in the report that the school supplied "for the boys' and girls' tireless energy, a proper channel for it's development and use." To accomplish this goal, the students were employed in various duties to help with the management of the farm, caring for the buildings and grounds, and the "domestic labor" of the school. A large portion of the boys were kept busy during the spring and summer months planting, hoeing, and caring for the crops; also handling and caring for livestock. The boys also got practical work in laundry, boiler house, and kitchen. | On [[April 15, 1894]], the first student arrived at the school. It was expected, according to the 1900 Superintendent's report, that the school have no unactive boys and girls because it was felt "The old adage was never more true than now, 'Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do.'" It was also noted in the report that the school supplied "for the boys' and girls' tireless energy, a proper channel for it's development and use." To accomplish this goal, the students were employed in various duties to help with the management of the farm, caring for the buildings and grounds, and the "domestic labor" of the school. A large portion of the boys were kept busy during the spring and summer months planting, hoeing, and caring for the crops; also handling and caring for livestock. The boys also got practical work in laundry, boiler house, and kitchen. | ||
| + | At its inaugeration, the planned schedule was: | ||
| + | * 4:45 am (5:30 in the winter) wake up | ||
| + | * 6 am (6:30 in winter) breakfast | ||
| + | * 7 am start work (or school) | ||
| + | * 15 min recess at 9am | ||
| + | * 11 am Lunch | ||
| + | * 1 pm resume work (or school) | ||
| + | * 15 min recess at 3pm | ||
| + | * 5 pm Lunch | ||
| + | * play (weather permitting) until bedtime | ||
| + | * 7:30 pm, bed | ||
| + | ==The main building== | ||
| + | * First Floor: entered by descending a few stairs (due to grading around the building) into a hallway. Workrooms on the left and right. The right workroom contains in the rear a washroom, with hot and cold water. A large force pump was used to fill a large tank in the garrett above the third floor from the artesian well. This was where those who needed discipline were sent to operate the pump. In the rear of the left room was the officer's dining room. At the end of the hall double doors lead into the 50' wide, 25' deep general dining room with 6 tables (10 persons per table). In the SE corner is the kitchen with a 1500 lb range made by [[John Van & Co.[[ of Cincinnatti, OH. The kitchen had a tank and a pump as well. The laundry was south of the kitchen and a two tub bathroom lay between the laundry and the dining room. | ||
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| + | * Second floor: A balcony/porch occupies the front. A hallway opens onto officer's quarters, the first two on the right being the office and private room of the director (and his wife). On the left are three separate rooms for the other officers. At the end of the hall, the back half of floor is a 50'x50' assembly room, lit by windows during the day and 6 groups of 3 lights by night. | ||
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| + | * Third Floor: As below, a hallway offers access to class rooms on the right and left, the south side holding 20 desks for older students, the north side having 30 desks for younger students. Each has a smaller room at the back, for storage, etc. Down the hall is the 50'x50' dormitory, containing 50 beds. | ||
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| + | * The Garrett: planned to contain a workshop, allowed access to the roof, from a cupola, with a flagstaff and a great view of the valley. | ||
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| + | ==Later years== | ||
A Christmas program was performed by all 35 inmates [[25 Dec 1894]] as reported in the [http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86075022/1894-12-27/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1836&index=1&date2=1922&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=A+Hylton+J&proxdistance=50&state=&rows=20&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=a.+j.+hylton&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1 Yellowstone Journal]. | A Christmas program was performed by all 35 inmates [[25 Dec 1894]] as reported in the [http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86075022/1894-12-27/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1836&index=1&date2=1922&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=A+Hylton+J&proxdistance=50&state=&rows=20&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=a.+j.+hylton&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1 Yellowstone Journal]. | ||
