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January
1, 1914 - Idaho County Free Press
FINE
FOR THE RED
ROCK
SCHOOL
TEACHER
TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS AND
COSTS ASSESSED BY PROBATE
JUDGE FOR BATTERY
COMPROMISE
IS EFFECTED
Seems
Teacher Was a Little Too Severe in Punishment of Young Huffman—Will
Continue: Head of School.
The
preliminary examination of C. W. Drake, the teacher of the Red Rock
schools, who was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily
harm, was held before Probate Judge DeHaven this week, two days being
consumed in the examination. Late
Tuesday afternoon, through the efforts of a number of the citizens of
the school district in which the trouble occurred, the charge was
dismissed and one of battery substituted and the defense signified
willingness to submit the case without introducing testimony.
The
court found the defendant guilty and assessed a fine of $25 and costs,
the defendant later agreeing to pay half of the medical bill incurred in
treating the boy. This
seems to have been a sensible way to dispose of the case and it is hoped
by those who were instrumental in bringing about the adjustment that the
school will continue without further friction.
The settlement effects only the present case and does not prevent
the bringing of any other charges which may be preferred before the
board.
The
first days testimony was substantially as follows:
The
examination of witnesses covered the customs of Mr. Drake in the school
room as to ascertaining the identity of pupils guilty of violating the
rules but the school appears to be divided as to whether Leslie Huffman,
the boy upon whom the assault is alleged to have been committed, was
guilty of the violation at the time of the assault.
There was also some conflict in the testimony as to what was used
to administer the punishment, but the preponderance of the testimony was
to the effect that a desk footrest, a hardwood board about 18 inches in
length, three inches wide and from one-half to an inch in thickness, was
used.
From
the questions asked on the cross examination it would appear that the
defense will be made on the ground that the defendant, his brother and
another boy of the school had conspired to give Drake a threshing and
that Drake had been apprised of their plans and when the trouble was
started by Leslie Huffman that Drake dealt with the boy unusually
severely as a warning to his fellow conspirators that they should not
attempt to carry out their plans.
The
testimony showed that Mr. Drake has been in the habit of calling the
roll when a disturbance occurred in the school room and the pupils were
placed upon their honor to inform upon themselves.
In the case of Leslie Huffman, the disturbance occurred on the
afternoon of December 12 and while there was some dispute as to who was
responsible for the noise the boy agreed to take the punishment in the
event it would be administered on his hand.
A number of witnesses gave testimony to the effect that Drake
secured the maple board and struck young Huffman twice on the right hand
and the third blow ***** at the boy’s head.
Huffman dodged and threw up his hand and received the blow on the
back of the hand, a severe wound resulting.
It seems that Drake paused for a moment and Huffman took his seat
but was requested to rise and Drake struck him several more blows on the
left hand.
Dr. G.
S. Stockton who was called to attend the boy stated the blows on the
hand has resulted in paralysis of the *** and hand, the boy being able
only to move his thumb a little.
Tests were made with electricity, hot water and other methods to
prove that there is no feeling in the right hand and Dr. Stockton
testified that there is no doubt that the paralysis was caused by the
blows received.
The
testimony of Dr. Stockton was corroborated by Dr. C. W. Slusser, who was
called late into consultation, Dr. Slusser testifying that he had made
tests in his own office and there could be no doubt but the boy had
suffered paralysis on the hand from the blows received.
Submitted
by: Chris Cornett
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