Testimonial of Salem Moses, 1899-08-22

1899.45029, Aug. 22, 1899 Salem Moses Versailles, NY writes of the punishment of some of the boys at the Educational Home, PHL, Ex. 6 (p. 18) 2 page handwritten letter from Salem Moses

Dear Sir:

I will now write to you and do as you requested. Frank Doxtator who is yet at the Home, is also my cousin, was whipped, with 4 or 6 other boys. The only reason why they were whipped was that they were not in the school room to sing with the other boys, they had just got done there work in the kitchen and the super saw them come out so he took them and whip them with a riding whip and cut their legs pretty bad. Thomas and Alex LaFrance were whip on the back of their hand with the same whip and cut Thomas hand all up and also his legs, their hands were pretty swollen. I went down to the place where they have a Ass. [Association?] to Protect Children From Cruelty and reported to Mr. Clew ?

You can go there and ask Mr. ? and ask him to let you see the reports the boys have made and ask him if he had seen the cuts that the whip had made and he will tell you yes.

The Super who is now there carries the riding whip around with him nearly all the time and his assoc. carries a sash cord which is twisted and with a knot at the end and carries this in his pocket ? and at nights they use these to punish the little boys.

Daniel Le France was made to take off his coat, and with only shirt on whipped him across the back with a new whip, which was brought for the same purpose.

I reported this also to Mr. Clew?

And now I will tell you that can swear anywhere that what I say is true.

I got a letter from Mrs. Wood and she said that boys are whipped nearly evry day.

This is all for this time.

Yours truly,

Salem Moses

Document History

• Transcribed by HS 2025-07-27