Annual Report of the Commission of Soldiers' Orphan Schools 
Off. Doc. No. 15

    Dr. J.S. Waters, Superintendent of the Jumonville School (formerly 
    called the Uniontown school), succeeded in having full harmony and 
    cooperation of the teachers and all others in charge, which resulted 
    in a very successful school year.  Captain George W. Skinner, Super-
    intendent of the Industrial School with the support of his associates, 
    had a very successful year, graduating thirty (30) pupils, the largest 
    class since the organization of the school.  The average of percentage 
    in the marks higher than any former year.  Captain R.H. Holgate, a 
    member of the Commission, in fitting words, awarded the prizes for 
    scholarship at this school (Industrial) to Beatrice Haney, 96; and to 
    William Ashbridge, 95; the average of each for the year.  The Industrial 
    Departments, including printing, tailoring, carpentering, machine, 
    laundry, shoe, bakery, telegraphy, typewriting, and stenography are in 
    charge of competent instructors, and are progressing in a very satis-
    factory manner.  The Industrial School News, issued twice a month by 
    the boys and girls of the schools, continues to be an interesting paper 
    to old soldiers and friends of the school.  At the Jumonville school a 
    course in civil government was taught and a list hung upon the wall in 
    the chapel, headed "Current Events" where the children wrote important 
    events that they read from day to day.  This is similar to the method 
    adopted last year at the Harford School, which proved very useful in 
    teaching the boys and girls National and State Government.  Somewhat 
    similar methods are used at the other schools.  The health of the 
    children during the past year has been very good.  Owing to the vigi-
    lance of the Commission in ordering that all the children and 
    others connected with the schools should be vaccinated, not 
    a single case of small pox occurred in any of the schools, a good 
    record during a year, when small pox was so prevalent.

    Only three (3) deaths occurred, Katie Lewis died August 30, 1901; 
    William Rathburn died October 31, 1901; both at the Jumonville School.  
    Katie Lewis was buried in Washington, Pa., Dr. J.A. Waters, the 
    Superintendent, attending the funeral.  William Rathburn was buried in 
    the lot set apart for that purpose near the school.  Percy Andrews died 
    at Chester Springs School, December 27, 1901; his remains were taken in 
    charge by relatives.  The children at all the schools have regularly 
    assembled twice a day for devotional services, and on Sunday there has 
    been service and sermon in the morning and Sunday school in the after-
    noon.  The comfortable homes at our schools are occupied during vacation 
    by the children who do not have homes to go to.  During the vacation 
    period the children have plenty of time for recreation.  They are only 
    required to keep the grounds in order, and to assist in preparing the 
    meals, etc.  The Industrial Departments at the Scotland School were in 
    operation during the vacation of 1901, excepting two weeks when the 
    instructors were absent on their vacations.  The total number present at 
    all the schools during vacation was 198 in July; and 202 at the end of 
    August.  Excellent truck patches were cultivated at all the schools, and 
    fresh vegetables raised for the children.  Examinations are held quarter-
    ly and children reaching a required percentage are promoted.  The 
    children have access to the libraries at all the schools, under certain 
    rules and regulations.  Periodicals for young readers are supplied, and 
    interesting games are furnished to pass their leisure time advantageously.
    The fire drill at all the schools is well established and in case of fire 
    the military instructors informed me from time to time, that the children 
    could be handled skillfully, and without excitement.  There are fire 
    extinguishers and hose placed at points easy of access.  This is good 
    evidence of the advantage of the fire drill.


    Military drills, which are given regularly for the boys, and calisthenic 
    exercises for the girls have done much to promote their general health; 
    the girls and boys are detailed to work in the different departments of 
    the school, so far as age and strength make them capable.  The girls are 
    employed in the laundry, kitchen, dining room, sewing room and dormi-
    tories, and the boys in the truck patches, lawns, dormitories, kitchens, 
    laundries and the shoemaker's shop.  Military training at the schools 
    develops the habit of attention, as the boy listens from habit, his 
    manners improve.  On being spoken to by his teacher he stands on both 
    feet, and with head up and the "attention of a soldier," gives a 
    distinct answer.  Care is given to personal appearance; shoes must be 
    blackened and polished, hands and nails cleaned, and clothes brushed.  
    It is not long before an awkward boy is changed into a frank, manly 
    fellow under this discipline and training.  The military instructor 
    obtains from the officers and non-commissioned officers of the different 
    companies, quite a good deal of assistance in maintaining discipline 
    among the boys.  Under the code of rules issued by the Commission last 
    year, the superintendents of the schools, have called the teachers and 
    other employees of the schools together frequently during the year, in 
    order that they might have a clear and harmonious understanding as to 
    their special departments.  This new rule has proved very satisfactory 
    at all the schools.



                                  MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

Capt. Geo. W. Skinner, Superintendent 
Soldiers' Orphans' Industrial School
Scotland, Pa :

   Sir: 

   I have the honor to herewith present to you the report of the medical 
   service rendered to the children at the Industrial School during the year 
   that has just closed.  During vacation the health of the children who 
   remained at the school was good; only an occasional illness. The children 
   returned to the school after their summer vacation, with few exceptions, 
   in good health.  When the school opened in September the new hospital was 
   not yet completed; so the former apartments in the farm house were used 
   as a hospital until the new building was ready to be occupied.  Since we 
   have the new hospital my work has been more satisfactory to myself, and 
   more systematized.  It is now equipped fairly well with medicines, instru-
   ments and other hospital supplies.  There are yet some supplies very 
   necessary and others that would be very convenient to have, which I hope 
   the Commission will see fit to get.  Early in the fall, fearful of a 
   return of the epidemic of scarlet fever, which caused so much trouble 
   last year, a number of cases of tonsilitis were isolated until a positive 
   diagnosis was made.  However, five cases of scarlet fever did develop 
   later; they were quarantined for the required length of time; all 
   recovered with no bad effects remaining.  There were no other cases 
   during the year.

   Two boys, Frank Basin and Lucius Lowery, were in the hospital quite a 
   while under treatment for general debility and lung trouble.  Both 
   recovered, returned to their studies and trades, and were able to take 
   all the manual training exercises.  They both returned to their homes at 
   vacation in good physical condition.  Early in September one case of 
   chicken pox developed; it was isolated; no other cases during the year.

   On February 25th, Louis Kifer was taken violently ill with purpura 
   rheumatica accompanied by nephritis.  This proved to be the most trouble-
   some and most serious case of illness that I have treated at the school 
   since I took charge.  For weeks, he lay in such a critical condition that 
   recovery seemed almost impossible, and required constant attention from 
   the nurse.  His recovery is undoubtedly largely due to the faithful 
   nursing which he received at the hands of Miss Sedenger.  His convale-
   scence was slow, but he finally regained strength sufficient to return to 
   school and take moderate exercise.  He continued to improve until 
   vacation when he returned to his home apparently in a very healthy condi-
   tion; only a slight trace of his kidney trouble remaining.  Three cases 
   of malaria in boys whose homes are in malaria districts were treated.  
   One case of Psoriasis was treated and cured.

   One girl with Tinea-Tonsurans was treated; she was very much improved 
   when she went to her home in vacation; medicine was sent with her and 
   instructions how to continue the treatment.  There were a number of 
   accidents occurred during the year; broken fingers while playing ball, 
   sprained angles, elbows and wrists while skating, and probably an even 
   dozen of fractures of elbows and forearms; some of which were bad 
   fractures and troublesome.  One fracture of collar bone in one of the 
   girls.  One bad dislocation of elbow.  All made good recoveries and 
   regained good use of the injured parts.  The only other accident of any 
   importance was that of a colored boy, Harry Minney, while operating a 
   circular saw; he had his left hand injured so badly that it was necessary 
   for me to amputate his index and middle fingers.  The accident occurred 
   on June 12th.  I happened to at the school at the time and gave him 
   immediate attention.  He went to his home June 27th, with member almost 
   well.  It is gratifying to report that no cases were sent away from the 
   school for treatment, that no cases died during the year and when 
   vacation came all who had homes to go to, went away well.

   In closing my report, I want to thank you, the members of the Commission 
   and all who helped to make my work pleasant and effectual.
                                  
                                   Very respectfully,
                                   
                                   W. F. SKINNER, M.D.

  08-15-1902