Abuses Charged at Preston School of Industry
Citizens of Ione demand removal of superintendent amid flogging allegations
A Sacramento Bee exposé alleged brutal paddle floggings of boys at a California reform school, sparking local outrage and denials from the accused superintendent.
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Mesa Free Press · November 19, 1897 · Page 2
1 min readThe Sacramento Bee publishes a sensational story of abuses which are said to exist at the Preston School of Industry at Ione. Citizens of that place are feverish with excitement, and openly demand the immediate removal of Dr. O'Brien, superintendent. General charges of incompetency are made, and it is also stated that boys in the school are brutally flogged with a paddle made of sole leather. O'Brien denies the charges and refuses to be drawn into a newspaper controversy.
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