Taylor County WV Archives History - Books .....Taylor County History, 1889
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Connie Burkett TaylorWVusgwArch@gmail.com  August 13, 2008.

The History and Government of West Virginia
By Richard Ellsworth Fast
Professor of American History and Political Science 
in West Virginia University
The Acme Publishing Company, Morgantown. 1901.

Pages 422-423 (The Reform School)

The Reform School. -- In 1889 the Legislature passed an act establishing an 
institution called "The West Virginia Reform School," which was located by a 
commission of five at Pruntytown in Taylor County. Pruntytown was the old 
county seat; and the courthouse and grounds were donated by Taylor County, 
and $5,000 in cash was contributed by citizens of the county. The school is 
designed as a reformatory rather than a penal institution, for male minors 
under sixteen years of age. Boys may be committed to its care in one of the 
four following methods: 

(a) Upon Complaint of incorrigable or vicious conduct on the part of the minor,
    made by his parents, guardian, or next friend. If it appears by proof that 
    the minor is beyond control, and that it is requisite for his morals and 
    future welfare and the peace and order of society, any justice of the peace 
    may make an order committing him the school. 

(b) Upon complaint made by any one, supported by proof, that a minor is a 
    proper subject for the reform school by reason of vagrancy, or of 
    incorrigible or vicious conduct, and that from moral depravity or otherwise 
    his parent or guardian is incapable or unwilling to exercise proper care 
    and discipline, any justice hearing the complaint and proof may make an 
    order of commitment. 

(c) Upon agreement or contract, made between any parent, guardian, or next 
    friend of any minor, and the board of directors, for the support and 
    maintenance of such minor therein for temporary restraint and discipline, 
    he may be received. 

(d) Whenever any male minor under the age of sixteen shall be convicted in any 
    court in this State of a felony or misdemeanor, the judge, in his 
    discretion, may order him removed to the reform school, instead of 
    sentencing him to imprisonment in the penitentiary or county jail, until 
    such minor reforms, or until he arrives at the age of twenty-one years, or 
    is sooner discharged, or bound out as an apprentice, by the board of 
    directors. The school is under the administrative control of a board of 
    seven members appointed by the Governor, not more than five of whom may 
    belong to the same political party. 


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