December 10, 2021 • 39 mins
Ohio has no shortage of lore attached to prisons. Our most famous haunted correctional facility, the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, tends to hog the spotlight when it comes to legendary Ohio prisons. However, one institution in the southeastern corner, is often overlooked.
The Boys Industrial School, known today as the Southeastern Correctional Institution in Lancaster, harbors a unique past. Its revolutionary influence on our juvenile justice system remains today.
And, it appears, the spirits of those who once lived and worked there, remain as well. Come hear the tale of one former corrections officer, Mr. Nathan White, and his unexplained encounters while working in the location’s original buildings.
It seems some spirits were never released.
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And as always, keep wondering…
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Unknown (00:03):
Hello and welcome to Ohio folklore. I'm your host
Melissa Davies. Today, we'reexploring an Ohio correctional
institution with the surprisinghistory. Although it now stands
as a medium security prison forOhio's adult population, it was
originally built and designed asa primary juvenile facility. In
(00:26):
1857, our state governmentestablished the Ohio reformed
school.
A plot of land five miles southof the town of Lancaster, was
designated for the project.
Boys within the criminal justicesystem between the ages of eight
and 18 were accepted into theprogram designed to reform and
(00:49):
rebuild their lives. The firstinmates would walk through its
front gate in 1858.
Prior to the creation of thisfacility, juvenile offenders had
been housed alongside adults.
This left already troubled youngman vulnerable to the worst
impulses of hardened criminals.
(01:12):
The Ohio reformed school wasconstructed in hopes of
providing safe haven for thesewayward youth. It embraced an
enlightened view of the juvenilejustice system. Unlike adult
facilities, there were no wallsand no fences around the Open
Campus. Groups of 40 Boys livedin cottages named after major
(01:35):
rivers within Ohio. Staffincluded not only prison guards,
but educators, residentialdirectors, and others.
The whole approach reflected thevillage concept of raising
children.
The hope was that a community ofsupportive adults could guide
(01:56):
these youths. Perhaps they'dfind their way.
This program established justsouth of Lancaster, would in
fact become so successful thatby 1901 28, other states began
emulating Ohio's unique approachto correcting and rehabilitating
juveniles.
(02:18):
The general idea was to providea focus on schooling, as well as
an instruction and a trade. Halfof the boy's days were filled
with typical classroomactivities. The other half
required active work in a trade,like the on campus farm, the
barber shop, the woodworkingshop, among others. Military
(02:40):
Training was also incorporatedinto daily routines. With so
much filling their days and noidle time left for shenanigans.
These young man couldn't helpbut be set on the right path,
right.
I'm talking about the boysIndustrial School, known today
(03:02):
as the southeastern CorrectionalInstitution in Lancaster.
If you go there today, much ofwhat you'll see is what you
would expect from a modernCorrectional Facility, including
high fencing and barbed wirethat encloses large modern
buildings designed forimprisonment.
(03:25):
However, a few of the structuresare original to the juvenile
campus. These buildings standout as examples of 19th century
architecture.
There are remnants of a facilitywhose original design held
elements of hope for those whohad lost their way.
(03:45):
The juvenile facility wasofficially transformed into an
adult correctional institutionin 1980. However, over its long,
122 year history prior to that,the community in and around
Lancaster had developed arelationship with the
institution.
When it came time to close it. Aheartfelt dedication ceremony
(04:09):
was held in the honor of the1000s of staff and over 100,000
juveniles who had passed throughits gates. The Ohio Historical
Society placed the bronze plaqueon the south lawn of what was
once the honor dormitory.
It noted the institution'smission to quote help a boy find
(04:30):
his way.
The first juveniles to enter thefacility, a group of 10 Boys
traveling and open wagons fromCincinnati, finally encountered
a set of crude log cabinsresting in the wooded hills of
Appalachia.
Here, they learn to live off theland, develop a trade and find a
(04:52):
productive path toward adultlife.
Many over the institution'slifespan did just that
that many, of course, did not.
We'll get into more detailsabout that soon. But for now,
let's dig into the fantasticclaims that are attached to this
historic location.
(05:13):
Let me introduce you to Nathanwhite, former corrections
officer at the southeasternCorrectional Institution. He
worked there from 2013 through2015. He offers valuable
insights into those historicbuildings, most of which are not
accessible to the public.
Although we can't go to visitthem in person, we can get to
(05:34):
learn more about them throughhis eyes. Nathan so generously
shares unusual and unexplainableexperiences he had on multiple
occasions, it seems that somelost souls get linger within the
campuses original structures. Infact, it's notable that ghostly
sightings are only reported inthe original structures which
(05:57):
remain there. So let's journeywith Nathan. Beyond the towering
fences, past secured entrypoints and into these haunting
structures. Come hear his story.
So are you originally from thearea?
(06:19):
I was born in Columbus, myfamily, we move to the Baltimore
area, which is about 2030minutes north of the BIS prison.
So I've lived in the area mywhole life, my dad was born and
raised in the Lancaster area. Sosuper familiar with the area.
(06:44):
How would you describe thereputation the place had even
before you went to work there?
You know that it was a stateprison. I knew I knew a little
bit of a history that it used tobe the boys industrial school.
That's where the the name forthe road that it's on actually
(07:06):
comes from. So I knew that ithad been there for years and
years. I never knew it reallyknew that. Some of the dark
aspects of the place I guess,until I actually started working
there and witness and stuff. Andpeople would showed me showed me
a few things. Andit definitely I used to not.
(07:31):
I wasn't like a big believer, Iguess, and spiritual stuff and
working there. I had seen andheard too many things. That
Changed My Mind real quick. Oh,wow. What an experience that
must have been for you. Kind ofTiffany of sorts or something?
(07:53):
Yeah. Yeah. My wife's alwaysbeen pretty in touch with like,
spiritual type stuff, and, youknow, seeing and hearing things.
And then now, ever since workingthere, that definitely opened my
eyes to what there really is outthere.
(08:14):
From what you can recall fromwhen those experiences first
started happening, can you tellthe story of events.
The one main one that alwayssticks out to me is I was
working on the yard, we hadmultiple officers that would
work the yard on third shift,just kind of make sure all the
dorms were secure. Nobody wastrying to escape. And the one
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main thing that I had to do wasthere's a part of the prison
that they call Westgate.
And that is actually the likethe oldest section. They have a
lot of newer buildings that arebuilt, but the West Gate portion
is where majority of theoriginal building from the BIS
(09:03):
is still there.
So I'm doing my checks. I'mwalking around, we had to check,
make sure everything's stillsecure. And I go to start
walking back. And I looked overafter I got done checking a
building that I knew I had justsecured. And I see a light on in
the back. And I'm like, I knowthat wasn't on Well, I just
(09:27):
checked. So I walked back overthat way. And I see this figure
in there walk in with a whiteshirt on. All of all of our
lieutenants and captains all hadwhite shirts on thing and one of
them snuck out here. They'retrying to you know, they would
try to test us make sure we wereactually doing our jobs and
(09:47):
everything was still secure andI'm like what the heck. And the
lieutenant that I thought itwas. He wasn't even working on
shift that night.
So Oh, and I went back in thebuilding, there was nobody in
there. I'm going to turn thelight back off, walk back out,
and then everything was fineafter that. Okay, so I went and
(10:11):
talk with another officer aboutwhat just happened and why, you
know, you're gonna think I'mcrazy. And what happened, and I
told him,and they're like, well, and may
choose to wear white, likeuniforms at the prison. And
like, that's crazy.
(10:33):
So, you know, they told me thatand I'm like, I wonder, you
know, a sell something. Andthey're like, it's possible. I
mean, they had, this officer hadworked there for I think he
said, like, 2021 years. And hehad seen and heard all kinds of
random noises, random figuresaround in the older buildings.
(10:56):
Okay. So he just, he's like, heprobably ended up seeing some
kind of like a spiritual figure.
And that's so interesting. Youknow that you noticed that in
mostly the older buildings,which would have been on the
campus of the boys industrialschool, when it was an
operation. And I've neverexperienced anything in the
(11:19):
newer buildings. And then some,even some of the older
buildings, you would just get,like a heavy feeling come over
you. But I've never actually sawor heard anything. And some of
those. That was really the only,I guess, like figure that I ever
really saw.
I heard a lot of stuff. I mean,I did see. So they had the
(11:43):
wardens mansion, which actuallythe state of Ohio,
they let it go to crap, and ithas kind of deteriorated. So
they decided that they're justgoing to tear it down. Which is
very unfortunate. I mean, it's ait's a beautiful house. But I
did want to I saw a shadow pastpop by a window there one time.
(12:06):
But I never actually, like, wentto check on that. And I'm like,
That building always creeped meout anyways, because nobody ever
hadn't used it, like 10 yearssince I work there. Okay. So I
seen that in this house andlooked like there were some
efforts to try to preserve thatbuilding, and maybe to do a
museum with it. But that allnever really came together. I'm
(12:29):
assuming. Yeah, they, some ofthe older officers that had
worked there. When they hadfirst started, they actually use
the old wardens house. And theyused it for like their training
sessions. Okay, so some of themhad actually been in it before
it got to the point that it's atnow. But they had the training
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all to a different building alittle bit newer. And after they
move that training out of there,as far as I was told, that's
like the last time anybody hadbeen in there, like doing work
or anything like that. But yeah,everything. Everything then was
you know, it's just it's stillstate property, we still had to
make sure the doors were locked.
But other than that, I mean,that was it.
(13:18):
But I know we were always tolddon't go in there. It's full of
black mold. And, you know,floors are caving in feelings.
We're starting to plaster wasfalling off ceilings and walls.
Yeah, it would be such an effortto try to restore it. Which is a
shame, you know, for it to betorn down that.
(13:39):
Oh, yeah. I mean, it's a it's agreat piece of history. But
unfortunately, the state of Ohiodidn't, didn't fail, I guess
that the money was, should beused to restore something like
that. Do you remember any ofyour co workers sharing their
unusual experiences with you?
Yeah, the one it always creepedme out because we have one
(14:02):
dormitory. That was an originalbuilding. And it was called M
dorm. Like the letter M. Andluckily, I never experienced
that. I mean, I I heard noises,but never experienced what they
experienced.
They had what they called wasthe key man. That was a spirit
(14:26):
in this building. You know, wewe had a key ring with a bunch
of keys on it. So like it wouldjingle and the officers would
hear these keys, jingle and likefootsteps with her like you know
all the inmates should beasleep.
There's no real magic here likestopping of like boots going up
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and downstairs. Right? And sothey would hear these keys
jingle everything would havealready been locked up. Because
they had like day rooms andstuff that would have to be
locked at a certain point.
I never want to serve theticular. He said, he went to
check that just do it as normalchecks every 15 to 30 minutes.
(15:09):
And he went to the day room, butthey room door was unlocked,
opened, and the light was turnedon. And he's like, I know for a
fact that I had lockedeverything turned everything off
cut, like, can we had control tolike the power? Or even if he
wouldn't flip the switch on, itwouldn't turn stuff on. And he's
(15:29):
like, I did that, you know, thecertain time that we were
supposed to that night. He'slike, I went back up there, the
light was on. The door was openand unlocked.
Two days, I guess scared. Scaredme. Because that that is the one
dorm that you actually work byyourself. But every other one,
(15:50):
you would have at least oneother officer work with you.
But it was such a smalldormitory that they're like, You
know what, we only need to putone officer in there. Okay, so
having things unlocked, thatshould be locked could be a real
risk. Especially working thereby yourself. Yeah, I mean, just
because like in the day room,that's where they would have
(16:12):
their microwave. And that wasthere. Like, I guess like a
living room kitchen types of Imean, they didn't have access to
knives or anything. But yeah,there was definitely stuff in
there like the you know, theycould have just picked up the
microwave and bang and chuck itdown the stairs or you know,
whatever, whatever crazy stuffthey wanted to do that night. I
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mean, and this happens enoughthat it had a name in terms of
the key man. Yeah, right. Ithappened to multiple officers.
I never had anything unlocked oranything. But there was a couple
instances where I actually heardthe keys jingling. And I would
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always take the keys and I hadthem on the hook on my belt. But
then I would stick the keys inmy pocket. So that they didn't
jingle and you know, wake up theinmates while I was doing my
rounds. And I was sitting at thedesk. And I heard these jingle
probably two or three differenttimes.
But then the hair up on the backof your neck. sort of gives you
(17:18):
goosebumps all over.
Yeah, and when you're there byyourself that's that's even
worse, I would guess. Yeah. Thefirst time I ever heard it, I
actually called for anotherofficer close like, I'm like,
Look, I don't know what's goingon.
In mace got something we need togo through. And that was
(17:38):
actually the first time theytold me the story. They said
they said it was an officer. Idon't know if like the officer
was killed there anything. Theynever told me that. But I mean,
it's just one of those fables,but you know, they pass down?
Yeah. And that was done. Yousaid the end dorm or something?
(17:58):
Yeah, the letter in like inMike. Yeah. So out of the
dormitories. That really is likethe only original building that
they use.
And as also as a deeper element,because I think a lot of people
would have assumed okay, maybean inmate trying to mess with me
or they're shaking somethingthat sounds like keys.
(18:23):
Yeah, so that's why you calledfor another officer. And it was
only then that you learned aboutthe folklore around. You know,
this key man. Yeah. Yeah. Cuzlike, I heard it this faintly at
first, I was like, Okay, what isthis? You know, I'm trying to
run through my mind of whatwould an inmate have that could
(18:44):
make? I mean, that's a verydistinct noise. That's true. And
I'm just trying to run throughmy head, like, what would it
then they have that would makethis noise. And there was
nothing I mean, you know, theyhad stuff, but it was pretty
much all like plastic. And theonly metal that they had was
(19:04):
their bed frame. And they hadlike, foot lockers that were
metal. Okay, you know, that'snot gonna make a key jingling
sound walking around. So, yeah,that's what's much too big and
heavy to imitate keys.
Hmm. So, you know, I can seeit's been a kind of accumulation
of a few experiences, like yousaid,
(19:27):
where you mean, you're not aghost town or you're not out
there with these devices thatblinking on machines.
It's just finding you in a way.
Yeah, yeah. I definitely don'tgo searching for it. I mean, I'm
not I'm not scared of a wholelot, but I'm not going to go
searching for any kind ofspirits, whether good or bad. I
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mean, not just okay. That'susually not my thing. I mean,
I've seen you know, Iexperienced a lot down there and
there'sBeen a couple other places in my
life since, but I've experiencedlike very minor things.
But yeah, that that person downthere just, I don't know there's
(20:10):
something about it, you couldfeel it, it really made an
impression on you. And like yousaid, it's changed the way you
see the world in some ways.
Definitely, definitely opened myeyes to like the spirit world.
The spirit world. It's adimension that fascinates so
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many. Some few individualsthrough no fault of their own,
confront experiences they cannotexplain. These folks are just
going through their dailyroutine, like getting through
another workshift when they findthemselves catching a glimpse of
the other side. And when theseexperiences accumulate, for many
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separate individuals, folkloretakes root. That's the organic
process by which the telling ofstories lays fertile ground for
legendary folk tales.
In my experience, when weidentify a location steeped in
such lore, there's a deeperhistory just under the surface,
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waiting to be revealed. In ourresearch for this episode, I was
fortunate to stumble oncompelling true stories. They
offer insight into why forlornspirits, should they exist, may
yet be imprisoned at thishistoric Ohio location.
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You'll recall from Nathan'sinterview that one of the most
well known legends among thecorrectional staff was that of
the key man. This spiritscallsign was the distinct jingle
of keys, like those suspendedfrom a belt while doing rounds.
Many corrections officersassigned to M dorm, one of the
(21:57):
few original buildings oncampus. Here are this eerie
sound in the dark after inmateshave been secured in their
cells. And on some occasions,this spirit is known to unlock
areas which have just beensecured, turning on lights whose
power had been shut off.
What kind of spirit might theseunexplained experiences
(22:20):
represent?
Just who might have a reason tolinger in this space.
I believe I have a few ideas.
In June of 19 2316 year oldFrederick Mills had been making
plans for an escape from theboys Industrial School. He'd
(22:43):
been in prison for auto theftand carrying concealed weapons
the previous April.
He was bent on returning to hishometown of Akron,
Officer John Kirschner, aveteran prison guard of 24
years, had supervised Mills fromthe time of his arrival, guiding
him in the trade of agriculture.
(23:07):
From his first day there, Millshad been an exemplary inmate on
his best behavior, kind,respectful, and eager to please
authorities like officerkarsner.
This engender to kind of trustto form from the start and
feelings of goodwill toward thetroubled youth.
(23:28):
At the time, each guard wasassigned a group of about 10
inmates to mentor Officerkarsner was well liked among the
inmate community, and was a muchsought after mentor. In addition
to their duties, patrolling andsecuring the facility. Guards
were encouraged to teach theyoung men new traits. For mills.
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This meant learning to raisechickens. That's why he and
Officer karsner often met in thepoultry barn at 4:30pm.
Following the end of karsnershift. There, the officer would
instruct the lab on how to spotchickens who are sick, how to
best clean out their coops, andall the other minute details of
(24:10):
chicken farming.
Mills, for his part, had nointerest in chicken farming. He
hated it in fact, yet he knewthat his best chance for
escaping this mundane life meantfostering a sense of trust with
his captor.
And the few months since he'dbeen incarcerated, the officer
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came to appreciate Mills hisobedience and reliability. He
felt no real threat from the boyand mills knew it.
When Mills spotted anunsupervised wagon parked on
campus. He applied his skills inauto theft and dismantled an 18
inch long iron bar from thebrake system.
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Sliding the blunt object up hissleeve. He went
Get away from the wagon and backto his dormitory.
He'd made plans to use itagainst his mentor when they
were alone in the poultry barnthe next day. In his excitement
to be free, Mills had confidedin a few of his fellow inmates
(25:16):
and told them of his plan.
They discouraged him from eventhinking about it, claiming he'd
never succeed.
He'd soon be spotted in hisprison garb anyway, after
leaving the edges of the OpenCampus.
The boys warnings weighedheavily on Mills when he entered
(25:37):
the poultry barn that afternoon.
Officer karsner was alreadythere, sweeping out one corner
of the coop. His face was towardthe wall when Mills arrived at
the scheduled time.
As he walked toward karsner,with his feet unsteady, and his
palms sweaty, the heavy barslipped through his fingers and
(25:59):
crashed on the wooden floor fora split second. Bills thought
sure his plan was discovered.
With the contraband now exposed,he'd surely be punished.
To a surprise officer karsnerdidn't even turn around. He kept
sweeping and said casually, youall right.
(26:25):
Yeah, was mill soft reply. Andfor a moment he stood there,
listening to the sound of theofficers broom against the
floorboards as he stared at theweapon.
After some time, he stepped awayfrom it, grabbed a basket and
began collecting eggs. All thewhile. inside his mind was a
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heated debate between hisgrowing conscience and his
basest of impulses.
In a flash, an evil force cameover him, focused on his own
self interest. Mills quietly setthe basket down, walk toward the
iron bar snatching it from thefloor. The boys stepped quickly
(27:11):
to the officer, whose back wasstill turned to him.
He struck him from behind on thehead. The first couple of blows,
took the officer to the floor.
He then quickly knockedunconscious, and yet the boy cut
bearing down on his head withthe bar, leading to two
fractures of the skull.
(27:33):
It was later estimated thatMills had struck him in the head
at least eight times after theofficer had fallen unconscious.
When the terrible act was over,Mills removed Kirshner shoes,
socks and trousers. He took offhis prison uniform and put on
the officer's clothes, and thentook karsner his watch and case.
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On leaving, he placed a heavypadlock on the outside door,
which normally signaled that thebuilding had been cleared and
closed by the guard for the day.
No one would suspect thatanything was a mess, as Kershner
had already completed his shift.
Mills was free to wander beyondthe bounds of campus and into
(28:16):
the wooded hills.
Mel's escape may have gonewithout a hitch, were it not for
the heavy consciences of twoinmates who were assigned to his
same dormitory.
They had also been mentored byOfficer karsner and looked up to
him and appreciated his gentledisposition.
(28:39):
They were among the small groupMills had confided in about his
plans.
When 20 minutes had passedbeyond the time, Mills normally
returned from chicken duty. Theworried boys took off for the
poultry barn. Finding the doorlocked. They headed around the
corner to a small window andpeered in. Costner's motionless
(29:00):
body lay there on the floor, apool of blood draining from his
head.
The alarm was soundedimmediately. Superintendent
Boucher called all availablestaff to join and a manhunt for
the assailant.
While the desperate search wenton, and credibly officer karsner
(29:22):
regained a level ofconsciousness while being
treated by the institution staffphysician who'd been called to
karsner side there in thepoultry barn.
He named the inmate who hadattacked him. He described
having been ambushed frombehind.
before losing consciousnessagain. He noticed his watch and
(29:43):
keys had been takento surgeons from Lancaster had
been called in to consult and aprocedure to repair the skull
fractures commenced at 11pm thatnight. Remarkably, he survived
the operationOnly two laps back into
unconsciousness.
(30:04):
He was dead by 230 the nextmorning.
John karsner had never beenmarried or had a family. The
Bachelor from Pickaway Countywas known to view the inmates as
his sons.
Sometime around 830 The nextnight to local police officers
(30:27):
near Hamburg spotted mills inthe moonlight, stopping and
starting alongside the roadtoward Lancaster. Moving closer
to Him, they could see whatlooked like a club in his hands.
Brushing him together on foot,they quickly overcame him and
remove the object. He gave noresistance when they made their
(30:47):
arrest. They returned him to theboys Industrial School.
Along the way, he admitted tohaving left officer karsner for
dead.
He was yet wearing the officersclothes, all except the shirt
which had been too bloodied inthe act. In the end, it wasn't
enough of a disguise to shieldhim from detection by
(31:09):
authoritiesand conducting a full body
search. They found Costner'swatch and keys as well.
A hearing was scheduled withJudge Snyder for 1pm In the
afternoon, charges for murderwere bound over to the grand
jury on a $10,000 bond. Millswas then placed in custody of
(31:31):
Sheriff Sparky and booked intothe county jail awaiting trial.
Disagreement ensued among legalcircles as to whether he could
be tried as an adult, or whetherhe'd need to be remanded to the
boys industrial school until theage of 18. At which time the
prosecutor could file anindictment
(31:52):
many clamored for immediatejustice. Controversy swirls over
the lack of security andsafeguards at the institution.
In the end, Frederick Mills pledguilty to second degree murder
in a Court of Common Pleas andwas sentenced to life in the
Ohio penitentiary. Thisteenager, raised by a poor
(32:17):
single mother had no familymembers there at a sentencing
hearing. Only two courtappointed attorneys stood next
to him as the sentence was read.
At age 16, he would become theyoungest inmate to enter the
Ohio penitentiary under murdercharges.
(32:40):
After serving only 15 years of alife sentence, Frederick mills
would be released on parole onNovember 1 1938. The board had
taken into account his young ageat the time of his offense, and
granted release from hissentence.
(33:01):
This case, among other notablekillings of prison guards
through the years, prompted aproposal to change the age range
for inmates at the boysIndustrial School. In 1939, it
was suggested that the upperlimit be lowered from 18 to 16,
citing that most violentoffenses within the juvenile
(33:21):
justice system were committed byolder teens. The move was
applauded by law enforcementauthorities and civic leaders in
Lancaster. They grown weary ofrepeated escapes from the
institution just down the road.
On some occasions, escapees wereknown to commit violent crimes
there in Lancaster, before theywere re apprehended.
(33:45):
Only four months after theproposal was announced another
guard Alec Strom stead wasbludgeoned to death by 218 year
old inmates, Robert Lee, andWilliam Hart.
And with all that dismal news,you might think the relaxed
reform based approach of theboys industrial school was
(34:06):
doomed.
Nothing could have been furtherfrom the truth.
The age limit would remain as ithad been from ages 10 to 18. By
1950, this first of its kindreform school for juvenile
offenders in the US would growto a campus of 1600 acres,
(34:26):
including 55 buildings, housing632 inmates. The school became
known for academic excellence,and the Ohio National Guard
offered training for recruitswho showed an interest in the
armed forces. Trade programswere robust, including a self
sustaining farm on campus, aswell as workshops for automotive
(34:49):
repair, carpentry, and the like.
reforms in these programsresulted from a thorough
investigation of theinstitution's practices that
Back in 1939.
Changes in staffing and othersafety precautions were
implemented. under mountingpressure from the slayings of
(35:09):
guards. The administrationfollowed the investigations
recommendations.
It was a resounding success.
This reform minded institutionwould go on to operate for
another 30 years under suchprograms.
So just what are we to make ofthe fantastic claims which
(35:31):
brought forth from thesoutheastern Ohio location
nestled within densely woodedhills.
Today, the spot is verypractically used as a medium
security prison housing adultoffenders only.
Although new buildings locatedbehind high fences are decidedly
(35:51):
bland and institutional, one canstill spot older buildings, made
distinct by their character.
With ornate flourishes and tallchimney stacks that tower over
peaked roofs. These buildingsstand out among the rest and
proclaim a history not yetforgotten.
(36:12):
For staff and inmate within suchbuildings, claims of ghostly
sounds and weird electricaloccurrences are common. Some,
like Nathan White, who wasinterviewed earlier, have seen
visions of unexplained figuresand locked and secure buildings.
These figures vanish on closerinspection. What are we to make
(36:35):
of such repeated claims?
If we're believers in the spiritworld, then we may assume that
restless souls still inhabitthis space.
My research indicates asignificant number of guards
were killed on the property,especially before reforms were
made following an investigationin 1939.
(36:57):
I'd like to think that thesemen's deaths helped spur the
development of programs thatconnected with these wayward use
these guards devotion to at riskyouth, their willingness to put
their own lives on the line inhopes of helping others is worth
remembering.
The whole thing could have veryeasily gone another way.
(37:19):
Mounting political pressurecould have forced heavy handed
changes, turning this facilityinto simply a place of
punishment and warehousing ofinmates. In a way, it's
remarkable that this kind ofoutcome didn't happen, given how
such forces can take a life oftheir own.
(37:40):
The story of the boys industrialschool as a whole is a kind of
moral victory. The state and itsresponsibility to reform and
rehabilitate troubled youth didnot abandon the cause, even in
the face of the killings of itsofficers.
It relied on the juvenilejustice system to address these
(38:00):
offenders accordingly, thendoubled down on the mission to
rehabilitate juveniles insteadof simply punish them.
Although the boys industrialschool closed in 1980, the
effects that has had on thehighest juvenile justice system
today are undeniable.
(38:21):
Many family courts now sendtroubled youth to diversion and
community service orientedprograms designed with the goal
of diverting them away from alife of crime on to another
path.
Many juveniles yet today comefrom places of poverty, trauma,
neglect, and abuse. programsmeant to offer support, in
(38:43):
addition to justice served is abenefit to us all.
That's a message the creators ofthe boys industrial school would
likely support perhaps thelonely spirits who still inhabit
this place would want the samefor our youth today.
We can only wonderthis concludes today's episode
(39:08):
on the boys industrial schooland Lancaster. I hope you've
liked it. If so, please ratereview and subscribe to Ohio
folklore on your chosen podcastplatform. You can find Ohio
folklore at Ohio folklore.comAnd on Facebook.
And as always, keep wondering
Hello and welcome to Ohio folklore. I'm your host
Melissa Davies. Today, we'reexploring an Ohio correctional
institution with the surprisinghistory. Although it now stands
as a medium security prison forOhio's adult population, it was
originally built and designed asa primary juvenile facility. In
(00:26):
1857, our state governmentestablished the Ohio reformed
school.
A plot of land five miles southof the town of Lancaster, was
designated for the project.
Boys within the criminal justicesystem between the ages of eight
and 18 were accepted into theprogram designed to reform and
(00:49):
rebuild their lives. The firstinmates would walk through its
front gate in 1858.
Prior to the creation of thisfacility, juvenile offenders had
been housed alongside adults.
This left already troubled youngman vulnerable to the worst
impulses of hardened criminals.
(01:12):
The Ohio reformed school wasconstructed in hopes of
providing safe haven for thesewayward youth. It embraced an
enlightened view of the juvenilejustice system. Unlike adult
facilities, there were no wallsand no fences around the Open
Campus. Groups of 40 Boys livedin cottages named after major
(01:35):
rivers within Ohio. Staffincluded not only prison guards,
but educators, residentialdirectors, and others.
The whole approach reflected thevillage concept of raising
children.
The hope was that a community ofsupportive adults could guide
(01:56):
these youths. Perhaps they'dfind their way.
This program established justsouth of Lancaster, would in
fact become so successful thatby 1901 28, other states began
emulating Ohio's unique approachto correcting and rehabilitating
juveniles.
(02:18):
The general idea was to providea focus on schooling, as well as
an instruction and a trade. Halfof the boy's days were filled
with typical classroomactivities. The other half
required active work in a trade,like the on campus farm, the
barber shop, the woodworkingshop, among others. Military
(02:40):
Training was also incorporatedinto daily routines. With so
much filling their days and noidle time left for shenanigans.
These young man couldn't helpbut be set on the right path,
right.
I'm talking about the boysIndustrial School, known today
(03:02):
as the southeastern CorrectionalInstitution in Lancaster.
If you go there today, much ofwhat you'll see is what you
would expect from a modernCorrectional Facility, including
high fencing and barbed wirethat encloses large modern
buildings designed forimprisonment.
(03:25):
However, a few of the structuresare original to the juvenile
campus. These buildings standout as examples of 19th century
architecture.
There are remnants of a facilitywhose original design held
elements of hope for those whohad lost their way.
(03:45):
The juvenile facility wasofficially transformed into an
adult correctional institutionin 1980. However, over its long,
122 year history prior to that,the community in and around
Lancaster had developed arelationship with the
institution.
When it came time to close it. Aheartfelt dedication ceremony
(04:09):
was held in the honor of the1000s of staff and over 100,000
juveniles who had passed throughits gates. The Ohio Historical
Society placed the bronze plaqueon the south lawn of what was
once the honor dormitory.
It noted the institution'smission to quote help a boy find
(04:30):
his way.
The first juveniles to enter thefacility, a group of 10 Boys
traveling and open wagons fromCincinnati, finally encountered
a set of crude log cabinsresting in the wooded hills of
Appalachia.
Here, they learn to live off theland, develop a trade and find a
(04:52):
productive path toward adultlife.
Many over the institution'slifespan did just that
that many, of course, did not.
We'll get into more detailsabout that soon. But for now,
let's dig into the fantasticclaims that are attached to this
historic location.
(05:13):
Let me introduce you to Nathanwhite, former corrections
officer at the southeasternCorrectional Institution. He
worked there from 2013 through2015. He offers valuable
insights into those historicbuildings, most of which are not
accessible to the public.
Although we can't go to visitthem in person, we can get to
(05:34):
learn more about them throughhis eyes. Nathan so generously
shares unusual and unexplainableexperiences he had on multiple
occasions, it seems that somelost souls get linger within the
campuses original structures. Infact, it's notable that ghostly
sightings are only reported inthe original structures which
(05:57):
remain there. So let's journeywith Nathan. Beyond the towering
fences, past secured entrypoints and into these haunting
structures. Come hear his story.
So are you originally from thearea?
(06:19):
I was born in Columbus, myfamily, we move to the Baltimore
area, which is about 2030minutes north of the BIS prison.
So I've lived in the area mywhole life, my dad was born and
raised in the Lancaster area. Sosuper familiar with the area.
(06:44):
How would you describe thereputation the place had even
before you went to work there?
You know that it was a stateprison. I knew I knew a little
bit of a history that it used tobe the boys industrial school.
That's where the the name forthe road that it's on actually
(07:06):
comes from. So I knew that ithad been there for years and
years. I never knew it reallyknew that. Some of the dark
aspects of the place I guess,until I actually started working
there and witness and stuff. Andpeople would showed me showed me
a few things. Andit definitely I used to not.
(07:31):
I wasn't like a big believer, Iguess, and spiritual stuff and
working there. I had seen andheard too many things. That
Changed My Mind real quick. Oh,wow. What an experience that
must have been for you. Kind ofTiffany of sorts or something?
(07:53):
Yeah. Yeah. My wife's alwaysbeen pretty in touch with like,
spiritual type stuff, and, youknow, seeing and hearing things.
And then now, ever since workingthere, that definitely opened my
eyes to what there really is outthere.
(08:14):
From what you can recall fromwhen those experiences first
started happening, can you tellthe story of events.
The one main one that alwayssticks out to me is I was
working on the yard, we hadmultiple officers that would
work the yard on third shift,just kind of make sure all the
dorms were secure. Nobody wastrying to escape. And the one
(08:41):
main thing that I had to do wasthere's a part of the prison
that they call Westgate.
And that is actually the likethe oldest section. They have a
lot of newer buildings that arebuilt, but the West Gate portion
is where majority of theoriginal building from the BIS
(09:03):
is still there.
So I'm doing my checks. I'mwalking around, we had to check,
make sure everything's stillsecure. And I go to start
walking back. And I looked overafter I got done checking a
building that I knew I had justsecured. And I see a light on in
the back. And I'm like, I knowthat wasn't on Well, I just
(09:27):
checked. So I walked back overthat way. And I see this figure
in there walk in with a whiteshirt on. All of all of our
lieutenants and captains all hadwhite shirts on thing and one of
them snuck out here. They'retrying to you know, they would
try to test us make sure we wereactually doing our jobs and
(09:47):
everything was still secure andI'm like what the heck. And the
lieutenant that I thought itwas. He wasn't even working on
shift that night.
So Oh, and I went back in thebuilding, there was nobody in
there. I'm going to turn thelight back off, walk back out,
and then everything was fineafter that. Okay, so I went and
(10:11):
talk with another officer aboutwhat just happened and why, you
know, you're gonna think I'mcrazy. And what happened, and I
told him,and they're like, well, and may
choose to wear white, likeuniforms at the prison. And
like, that's crazy.
(10:33):
So, you know, they told me thatand I'm like, I wonder, you
know, a sell something. Andthey're like, it's possible. I
mean, they had, this officer hadworked there for I think he
said, like, 2021 years. And hehad seen and heard all kinds of
random noises, random figuresaround in the older buildings.
(10:56):
Okay. So he just, he's like, heprobably ended up seeing some
kind of like a spiritual figure.
And that's so interesting. Youknow that you noticed that in
mostly the older buildings,which would have been on the
campus of the boys industrialschool, when it was an
operation. And I've neverexperienced anything in the
(11:19):
newer buildings. And then some,even some of the older
buildings, you would just get,like a heavy feeling come over
you. But I've never actually sawor heard anything. And some of
those. That was really the only,I guess, like figure that I ever
really saw.
I heard a lot of stuff. I mean,I did see. So they had the
(11:43):
wardens mansion, which actuallythe state of Ohio,
they let it go to crap, and ithas kind of deteriorated. So
they decided that they're justgoing to tear it down. Which is
very unfortunate. I mean, it's ait's a beautiful house. But I
did want to I saw a shadow pastpop by a window there one time.
(12:06):
But I never actually, like, wentto check on that. And I'm like,
That building always creeped meout anyways, because nobody ever
hadn't used it, like 10 yearssince I work there. Okay. So I
seen that in this house andlooked like there were some
efforts to try to preserve thatbuilding, and maybe to do a
museum with it. But that allnever really came together. I'm
(12:29):
assuming. Yeah, they, some ofthe older officers that had
worked there. When they hadfirst started, they actually use
the old wardens house. And theyused it for like their training
sessions. Okay, so some of themhad actually been in it before
it got to the point that it's atnow. But they had the training
(12:53):
all to a different building alittle bit newer. And after they
move that training out of there,as far as I was told, that's
like the last time anybody hadbeen in there, like doing work
or anything like that. But yeah,everything. Everything then was
you know, it's just it's stillstate property, we still had to
make sure the doors were locked.
But other than that, I mean,that was it.
(13:18):
But I know we were always tolddon't go in there. It's full of
black mold. And, you know,floors are caving in feelings.
We're starting to plaster wasfalling off ceilings and walls.
Yeah, it would be such an effortto try to restore it. Which is a
shame, you know, for it to betorn down that.
(13:39):
Oh, yeah. I mean, it's a it's agreat piece of history. But
unfortunately, the state of Ohiodidn't, didn't fail, I guess
that the money was, should beused to restore something like
that. Do you remember any ofyour co workers sharing their
unusual experiences with you?
Yeah, the one it always creepedme out because we have one
(14:02):
dormitory. That was an originalbuilding. And it was called M
dorm. Like the letter M. Andluckily, I never experienced
that. I mean, I I heard noises,but never experienced what they
experienced.
They had what they called wasthe key man. That was a spirit
(14:26):
in this building. You know, wewe had a key ring with a bunch
of keys on it. So like it wouldjingle and the officers would
hear these keys, jingle and likefootsteps with her like you know
all the inmates should beasleep.
There's no real magic here likestopping of like boots going up
(14:48):
and downstairs. Right? And sothey would hear these keys
jingle everything would havealready been locked up. Because
they had like day rooms andstuff that would have to be
locked at a certain point.
I never want to serve theticular. He said, he went to
check that just do it as normalchecks every 15 to 30 minutes.
(15:09):
And he went to the day room, butthey room door was unlocked,
opened, and the light was turnedon. And he's like, I know for a
fact that I had lockedeverything turned everything off
cut, like, can we had control tolike the power? Or even if he
wouldn't flip the switch on, itwouldn't turn stuff on. And he's
(15:29):
like, I did that, you know, thecertain time that we were
supposed to that night. He'slike, I went back up there, the
light was on. The door was openand unlocked.
Two days, I guess scared. Scaredme. Because that that is the one
dorm that you actually work byyourself. But every other one,
(15:50):
you would have at least oneother officer work with you.
But it was such a smalldormitory that they're like, You
know what, we only need to putone officer in there. Okay, so
having things unlocked, thatshould be locked could be a real
risk. Especially working thereby yourself. Yeah, I mean, just
because like in the day room,that's where they would have
(16:12):
their microwave. And that wasthere. Like, I guess like a
living room kitchen types of Imean, they didn't have access to
knives or anything. But yeah,there was definitely stuff in
there like the you know, theycould have just picked up the
microwave and bang and chuck itdown the stairs or you know,
whatever, whatever crazy stuffthey wanted to do that night. I
(16:33):
mean, and this happens enoughthat it had a name in terms of
the key man. Yeah, right. Ithappened to multiple officers.
I never had anything unlocked oranything. But there was a couple
instances where I actually heardthe keys jingling. And I would
(16:54):
always take the keys and I hadthem on the hook on my belt. But
then I would stick the keys inmy pocket. So that they didn't
jingle and you know, wake up theinmates while I was doing my
rounds. And I was sitting at thedesk. And I heard these jingle
probably two or three differenttimes.
But then the hair up on the backof your neck. sort of gives you
(17:18):
goosebumps all over.
Yeah, and when you're there byyourself that's that's even
worse, I would guess. Yeah. Thefirst time I ever heard it, I
actually called for anotherofficer close like, I'm like,
Look, I don't know what's goingon.
In mace got something we need togo through. And that was
(17:38):
actually the first time theytold me the story. They said
they said it was an officer. Idon't know if like the officer
was killed there anything. Theynever told me that. But I mean,
it's just one of those fables,but you know, they pass down?
Yeah. And that was done. Yousaid the end dorm or something?
(17:58):
Yeah, the letter in like inMike. Yeah. So out of the
dormitories. That really is likethe only original building that
they use.
And as also as a deeper element,because I think a lot of people
would have assumed okay, maybean inmate trying to mess with me
or they're shaking somethingthat sounds like keys.
(18:23):
Yeah, so that's why you calledfor another officer. And it was
only then that you learned aboutthe folklore around. You know,
this key man. Yeah. Yeah. Cuzlike, I heard it this faintly at
first, I was like, Okay, what isthis? You know, I'm trying to
run through my mind of whatwould an inmate have that could
(18:44):
make? I mean, that's a verydistinct noise. That's true. And
I'm just trying to run throughmy head, like, what would it
then they have that would makethis noise. And there was
nothing I mean, you know, theyhad stuff, but it was pretty
much all like plastic. And theonly metal that they had was
(19:04):
their bed frame. And they hadlike, foot lockers that were
metal. Okay, you know, that'snot gonna make a key jingling
sound walking around. So, yeah,that's what's much too big and
heavy to imitate keys.
Hmm. So, you know, I can seeit's been a kind of accumulation
of a few experiences, like yousaid,
(19:27):
where you mean, you're not aghost town or you're not out
there with these devices thatblinking on machines.
It's just finding you in a way.
Yeah, yeah. I definitely don'tgo searching for it. I mean, I'm
not I'm not scared of a wholelot, but I'm not going to go
searching for any kind ofspirits, whether good or bad. I
(19:49):
mean, not just okay. That'susually not my thing. I mean,
I've seen you know, Iexperienced a lot down there and
there'sBeen a couple other places in my
life since, but I've experiencedlike very minor things.
But yeah, that that person downthere just, I don't know there's
(20:10):
something about it, you couldfeel it, it really made an
impression on you. And like yousaid, it's changed the way you
see the world in some ways.
Definitely, definitely opened myeyes to like the spirit world.
The spirit world. It's adimension that fascinates so
(20:33):
many. Some few individualsthrough no fault of their own,
confront experiences they cannotexplain. These folks are just
going through their dailyroutine, like getting through
another workshift when they findthemselves catching a glimpse of
the other side. And when theseexperiences accumulate, for many
(20:55):
separate individuals, folkloretakes root. That's the organic
process by which the telling ofstories lays fertile ground for
legendary folk tales.
In my experience, when weidentify a location steeped in
such lore, there's a deeperhistory just under the surface,
(21:16):
waiting to be revealed. In ourresearch for this episode, I was
fortunate to stumble oncompelling true stories. They
offer insight into why forlornspirits, should they exist, may
yet be imprisoned at thishistoric Ohio location.
(21:37):
You'll recall from Nathan'sinterview that one of the most
well known legends among thecorrectional staff was that of
the key man. This spiritscallsign was the distinct jingle
of keys, like those suspendedfrom a belt while doing rounds.
Many corrections officersassigned to M dorm, one of the
(21:57):
few original buildings oncampus. Here are this eerie
sound in the dark after inmateshave been secured in their
cells. And on some occasions,this spirit is known to unlock
areas which have just beensecured, turning on lights whose
power had been shut off.
What kind of spirit might theseunexplained experiences
(22:20):
represent?
Just who might have a reason tolinger in this space.
I believe I have a few ideas.
In June of 19 2316 year oldFrederick Mills had been making
plans for an escape from theboys Industrial School. He'd
(22:43):
been in prison for auto theftand carrying concealed weapons
the previous April.
He was bent on returning to hishometown of Akron,
Officer John Kirschner, aveteran prison guard of 24
years, had supervised Mills fromthe time of his arrival, guiding
him in the trade of agriculture.
(23:07):
From his first day there, Millshad been an exemplary inmate on
his best behavior, kind,respectful, and eager to please
authorities like officerkarsner.
This engender to kind of trustto form from the start and
feelings of goodwill toward thetroubled youth.
(23:28):
At the time, each guard wasassigned a group of about 10
inmates to mentor Officerkarsner was well liked among the
inmate community, and was a muchsought after mentor. In addition
to their duties, patrolling andsecuring the facility. Guards
were encouraged to teach theyoung men new traits. For mills.
(23:50):
This meant learning to raisechickens. That's why he and
Officer karsner often met in thepoultry barn at 4:30pm.
Following the end of karsnershift. There, the officer would
instruct the lab on how to spotchickens who are sick, how to
best clean out their coops, andall the other minute details of
(24:10):
chicken farming.
Mills, for his part, had nointerest in chicken farming. He
hated it in fact, yet he knewthat his best chance for
escaping this mundane life meantfostering a sense of trust with
his captor.
And the few months since he'dbeen incarcerated, the officer
(24:33):
came to appreciate Mills hisobedience and reliability. He
felt no real threat from the boyand mills knew it.
When Mills spotted anunsupervised wagon parked on
campus. He applied his skills inauto theft and dismantled an 18
inch long iron bar from thebrake system.
(24:56):
Sliding the blunt object up hissleeve. He went
Get away from the wagon and backto his dormitory.
He'd made plans to use itagainst his mentor when they
were alone in the poultry barnthe next day. In his excitement
to be free, Mills had confidedin a few of his fellow inmates
(25:16):
and told them of his plan.
They discouraged him from eventhinking about it, claiming he'd
never succeed.
He'd soon be spotted in hisprison garb anyway, after
leaving the edges of the OpenCampus.
The boys warnings weighedheavily on Mills when he entered
(25:37):
the poultry barn that afternoon.
Officer karsner was alreadythere, sweeping out one corner
of the coop. His face was towardthe wall when Mills arrived at
the scheduled time.
As he walked toward karsner,with his feet unsteady, and his
palms sweaty, the heavy barslipped through his fingers and
(25:59):
crashed on the wooden floor fora split second. Bills thought
sure his plan was discovered.
With the contraband now exposed,he'd surely be punished.
To a surprise officer karsnerdidn't even turn around. He kept
sweeping and said casually, youall right.
(26:25):
Yeah, was mill soft reply. Andfor a moment he stood there,
listening to the sound of theofficers broom against the
floorboards as he stared at theweapon.
After some time, he stepped awayfrom it, grabbed a basket and
began collecting eggs. All thewhile. inside his mind was a
(26:48):
heated debate between hisgrowing conscience and his
basest of impulses.
In a flash, an evil force cameover him, focused on his own
self interest. Mills quietly setthe basket down, walk toward the
iron bar snatching it from thefloor. The boys stepped quickly
(27:11):
to the officer, whose back wasstill turned to him.
He struck him from behind on thehead. The first couple of blows,
took the officer to the floor.
He then quickly knockedunconscious, and yet the boy cut
bearing down on his head withthe bar, leading to two
fractures of the skull.
(27:33):
It was later estimated thatMills had struck him in the head
at least eight times after theofficer had fallen unconscious.
When the terrible act was over,Mills removed Kirshner shoes,
socks and trousers. He took offhis prison uniform and put on
the officer's clothes, and thentook karsner his watch and case.
(27:56):
On leaving, he placed a heavypadlock on the outside door,
which normally signaled that thebuilding had been cleared and
closed by the guard for the day.
No one would suspect thatanything was a mess, as Kershner
had already completed his shift.
Mills was free to wander beyondthe bounds of campus and into
(28:16):
the wooded hills.
Mel's escape may have gonewithout a hitch, were it not for
the heavy consciences of twoinmates who were assigned to his
same dormitory.
They had also been mentored byOfficer karsner and looked up to
him and appreciated his gentledisposition.
(28:39):
They were among the small groupMills had confided in about his
plans.
When 20 minutes had passedbeyond the time, Mills normally
returned from chicken duty. Theworried boys took off for the
poultry barn. Finding the doorlocked. They headed around the
corner to a small window andpeered in. Costner's motionless
(29:00):
body lay there on the floor, apool of blood draining from his
head.
The alarm was soundedimmediately. Superintendent
Boucher called all availablestaff to join and a manhunt for
the assailant.
While the desperate search wenton, and credibly officer karsner
(29:22):
regained a level ofconsciousness while being
treated by the institution staffphysician who'd been called to
karsner side there in thepoultry barn.
He named the inmate who hadattacked him. He described
having been ambushed frombehind.
before losing consciousnessagain. He noticed his watch and
(29:43):
keys had been takento surgeons from Lancaster had
been called in to consult and aprocedure to repair the skull
fractures commenced at 11pm thatnight. Remarkably, he survived
the operationOnly two laps back into
unconsciousness.
(30:04):
He was dead by 230 the nextmorning.
John karsner had never beenmarried or had a family. The
Bachelor from Pickaway Countywas known to view the inmates as
his sons.
Sometime around 830 The nextnight to local police officers
(30:27):
near Hamburg spotted mills inthe moonlight, stopping and
starting alongside the roadtoward Lancaster. Moving closer
to Him, they could see whatlooked like a club in his hands.
Brushing him together on foot,they quickly overcame him and
remove the object. He gave noresistance when they made their
(30:47):
arrest. They returned him to theboys Industrial School.
Along the way, he admitted tohaving left officer karsner for
dead.
He was yet wearing the officersclothes, all except the shirt
which had been too bloodied inthe act. In the end, it wasn't
enough of a disguise to shieldhim from detection by
(31:09):
authoritiesand conducting a full body
search. They found Costner'swatch and keys as well.
A hearing was scheduled withJudge Snyder for 1pm In the
afternoon, charges for murderwere bound over to the grand
jury on a $10,000 bond. Millswas then placed in custody of
(31:31):
Sheriff Sparky and booked intothe county jail awaiting trial.
Disagreement ensued among legalcircles as to whether he could
be tried as an adult, or whetherhe'd need to be remanded to the
boys industrial school until theage of 18. At which time the
prosecutor could file anindictment
(31:52):
many clamored for immediatejustice. Controversy swirls over
the lack of security andsafeguards at the institution.
In the end, Frederick Mills pledguilty to second degree murder
in a Court of Common Pleas andwas sentenced to life in the
Ohio penitentiary. Thisteenager, raised by a poor
(32:17):
single mother had no familymembers there at a sentencing
hearing. Only two courtappointed attorneys stood next
to him as the sentence was read.
At age 16, he would become theyoungest inmate to enter the
Ohio penitentiary under murdercharges.
(32:40):
After serving only 15 years of alife sentence, Frederick mills
would be released on parole onNovember 1 1938. The board had
taken into account his young ageat the time of his offense, and
granted release from hissentence.
(33:01):
This case, among other notablekillings of prison guards
through the years, prompted aproposal to change the age range
for inmates at the boysIndustrial School. In 1939, it
was suggested that the upperlimit be lowered from 18 to 16,
citing that most violentoffenses within the juvenile
(33:21):
justice system were committed byolder teens. The move was
applauded by law enforcementauthorities and civic leaders in
Lancaster. They grown weary ofrepeated escapes from the
institution just down the road.
On some occasions, escapees wereknown to commit violent crimes
there in Lancaster, before theywere re apprehended.
(33:45):
Only four months after theproposal was announced another
guard Alec Strom stead wasbludgeoned to death by 218 year
old inmates, Robert Lee, andWilliam Hart.
And with all that dismal news,you might think the relaxed
reform based approach of theboys industrial school was
(34:06):
doomed.
Nothing could have been furtherfrom the truth.
The age limit would remain as ithad been from ages 10 to 18. By
1950, this first of its kindreform school for juvenile
offenders in the US would growto a campus of 1600 acres,
(34:26):
including 55 buildings, housing632 inmates. The school became
known for academic excellence,and the Ohio National Guard
offered training for recruitswho showed an interest in the
armed forces. Trade programswere robust, including a self
sustaining farm on campus, aswell as workshops for automotive
(34:49):
repair, carpentry, and the like.
reforms in these programsresulted from a thorough
investigation of theinstitution's practices that
Back in 1939.
Changes in staffing and othersafety precautions were
implemented. under mountingpressure from the slayings of
(35:09):
guards. The administrationfollowed the investigations
recommendations.
It was a resounding success.
This reform minded institutionwould go on to operate for
another 30 years under suchprograms.
So just what are we to make ofthe fantastic claims which
(35:31):
brought forth from thesoutheastern Ohio location
nestled within densely woodedhills.
Today, the spot is verypractically used as a medium
security prison housing adultoffenders only.
Although new buildings locatedbehind high fences are decidedly
(35:51):
bland and institutional, one canstill spot older buildings, made
distinct by their character.
With ornate flourishes and tallchimney stacks that tower over
peaked roofs. These buildingsstand out among the rest and
proclaim a history not yetforgotten.
(36:12):
For staff and inmate within suchbuildings, claims of ghostly
sounds and weird electricaloccurrences are common. Some,
like Nathan White, who wasinterviewed earlier, have seen
visions of unexplained figuresand locked and secure buildings.
These figures vanish on closerinspection. What are we to make
(36:35):
of such repeated claims?
If we're believers in the spiritworld, then we may assume that
restless souls still inhabitthis space.
My research indicates asignificant number of guards
were killed on the property,especially before reforms were
made following an investigationin 1939.
(36:57):
I'd like to think that thesemen's deaths helped spur the
development of programs thatconnected with these wayward use
these guards devotion to at riskyouth, their willingness to put
their own lives on the line inhopes of helping others is worth
remembering.
The whole thing could have veryeasily gone another way.
(37:19):
Mounting political pressurecould have forced heavy handed
changes, turning this facilityinto simply a place of
punishment and warehousing ofinmates. In a way, it's
remarkable that this kind ofoutcome didn't happen, given how
such forces can take a life oftheir own.
(37:40):
The story of the boys industrialschool as a whole is a kind of
moral victory. The state and itsresponsibility to reform and
rehabilitate troubled youth didnot abandon the cause, even in
the face of the killings of itsofficers.
It relied on the juvenilejustice system to address these
(38:00):
offenders accordingly, thendoubled down on the mission to
rehabilitate juveniles insteadof simply punish them.
Although the boys industrialschool closed in 1980, the
effects that has had on thehighest juvenile justice system
today are undeniable.
(38:21):
Many family courts now sendtroubled youth to diversion and
community service orientedprograms designed with the goal
of diverting them away from alife of crime on to another
path.
Many juveniles yet today comefrom places of poverty, trauma,
neglect, and abuse. programsmeant to offer support, in
(38:43):
addition to justice served is abenefit to us all.
That's a message the creators ofthe boys industrial school would
likely support perhaps thelonely spirits who still inhabit
this place would want the samefor our youth today.
We can only wonderthis concludes today's episode
(39:08):
on the boys industrial schooland Lancaster. I hope you've
liked it. If so, please ratereview and subscribe to Ohio
folklore on your chosen podcastplatform. You can find Ohio
folklore at Ohio folklore.comAnd on Facebook.
And as always, keep wondering
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