Melvin Stafford Testimonial

1899.45029 p. 79 of NARA record (#97 in top right corner)

December 1898

Melvin Stafford, Cataragus reservation, New York, has been at the School since July 4th, 1898. Had previously attended school in New York State. When asked what he had to say about the condition of affairs in the Educational Home, he stated that he agreed with what Butler had said. He also stated that he came to the Educational Home for the purpose of getting an education, but their studies did not go beyond addition and fractions; that he was higher than their course before coming here, and that he was now going to the Public School. He stated that there were two teachers at the Home, a Mr. Glass and Captain Leonard. He expressed it as his opinion that Glass and Leonard were not regular teachers; that educated men would not work for the wages given them, which amounts to about twenty dollars a month and board.

Stafford stated that when he came here Glass sent him into the class room. He was much further advanced in his studies, and reported the fact to Given. The latter said he would send Stafford to school, and that if he got an education he would get him a position. The boys who attend the public school have to walk from 49th and Greenway Avenue to 36th and Chestnut Street in the morning, come back at noon, and as they only have an hour and a half between sessions, but fifteen or twenty minutes are given to eat in. Some times, if Leonard did not feel in a good humor, he would not allow the waiters to serve the boys who attended public school, and Stafford said what food they did get was of a very poor quality. When asked how much time the other boys took to eat, he said it all depended on the food they got. The time was supposed to be a half an hour, but when the bell rang they were obliged to stop. When asked if the boys feel they have not enough to eat, what would be the trouble about sending a petition to Mrs. Coxe [sic], he replied that she would get mad, and it would not do any good, and that she would not listen to such a complaint; that she would tell the boys she was running the Institution, and that the boys ought to be thankful for what they are getting. Stafford said she remarked that Colonel Given save three thousand dollars last year.

Document History

• Transcribed by HS 2025-07-27