J. Lewis Crew report

3 pp. typewritten report dated Philadelphia, Sept. 29, 1896, Report of J. Lewis Crew to the P.S.P.C.C. Ex. R (NARA 1899.45029, pp. 65-70)

To: The Executive Committee of the Pennsylvania Society to Protect Children from Cruelty (P.S.P.C.C.)

Ladies and Gentleman:

Herewith I beg leave to submit my report of the investigation for the charges made against Mr. George Jackson, Superintendent of the Educational Home, of cruelty to one or more of the Indian boys at said Home, 49th & Greenway Avenue.

On September 16th, 1896, Noble Haigh made a complaint at this office that Francis Cook, Ephraim Budrow, John Bender, Louis LaFrance and Raymond Hooper had been put in the lock-up and afterwards cruelly beaten by the said defendant, and gave as witnesses the above named boys, also Mr. MacLaurey, Engineer, Mario Bioolplo? And John Lawler, baker.

Your Executive Officer placed the matter in the hands of the agents to verify, if possible, any foundation for the allegations. The agents visited Ephraim Budrow at 45 ? Nl. 2nd St., where he works, and were told by him that he had been beaten by the defendant with a strap and had scars all over his back and neck from it.

The Superintendent, Mr. Jackson, was absent on his vacation and could not be seen. They also had an interview with Francis Cook. He said that he had been beaten with a strap, and received ten lashes, and sometime ago he had gotten twenty lashes, and had been put in the lock-up and fed on bread and water.

The agents also saw John Bender. He said that he had not been beaten, but that he did have the revolver spoken of by Complainant, and the Superintendent wanted to take it from him, but he would not let him have it, and a policeman was sent for and took it from him.

Agents saw Mr. Mercer, the Assistant Superintendent. He stated he did not know where the boy, Louis LaFrance was. Also that the boy Raymond Hooper was out in the country and it would take sometime to get him in.

Secretary continued the investigation with the following result. I first visited Ephraim Budrow, who is sixteen years of age, and belongs to the Chippewa Tribe, and is working at 45 N. 2nd St. (giving him to understand that I wished only that which he knew of his own knowledge and what he would be willing to swear to). He gave the statement as marked “No. 1”.

The second witness was Francis Cook, aged between 14 and 15 years, belonging to the Mohawk Tribe. His statement as Marked “No. 2” will show the treatment received by him.

Learning that the Superintendent had returned from his vacation, I visited the Educational Home on Saturday morning, the 19th inst; had an interview with Mrs. J. Bellangee Cox, President of the Home, and George Jackson (Superintendent) and Mr. Mercer (Assistant Supt). After stating to them the object of my visit, I was invited by the President to make a full investigation. I then stated the complaint as made at our rooms. Mr. Jackson said they were substantially true. I asked him if he wished to say anything; he then gave the statement as marked “No. 3”.

Statement of Complainant marked “No. 4.”

Statement of G. Harlow Lampen (former Supt) marked “No. 5.”

The secretary made an examination of the Home and Lock-up. The lock-up is a building taken from part of the stable, and is 10 x 14, about 10 feet high. It is lighted by two gratings in the upper portion ? of the wall. It is close to the stable, and is permeated at times by the offensive odors from the horse stalls. There was no furniture in it; it was cold, gloomy and cheerless.

That which impressed me very forcibly was the servile deportment of the boys as they approached their superiors. I do not mean the stolidity as shown in the Indian character; to me it betokened fear of the man they were addressing.

I have, in my official capacity, visited most of the Reformatories and educational institutions of our city, but never have I heard of such shocking and revolting inhumanity (as I view it) as in the case I have just investigated.

Respectfully,

J.S. Crew

p. 3 of typewritten letter to Exec. Comm. of P.S.P.C.C.

In my original report I asked authority to immediately arrest and prosecute Mr. Jackson. This was stricken out by order of the Committee. Jackson could at that time have readily (been) taken.

Document History

• Transcribed by HS 2025-07-27