Clinton Leonard Smith

 

Kentucky Post, Friday, 15 May 1903, page 1

There was quite a commotion at the Newport High School Building on Eighth Street, Newport, Friday morning. It was reported that the male members of the high school were ready to mob H F Pratt, teacher of bookkeeping at the school but were held down by Supt. Burke. The trouble started over the punishment given young Clinton Smith, son of Charles Smith, former President of the School Board. According to the story told by Smith, he was talking in line, going into school and Prof. Pratt grabbed him by the coat and shirt collar and dragged him up stairs.

It is also said that Pratt struck him in the face and kicked him, and that the lad was bleeding from the mouth. At the Smith home where the young man was taken, it was said his neck is badly discolored from the chocking and the boy was unconscious. The father of young Smith was telephoned for and he hurried to the school to make an investigation.

Clinton Smith is 15 and in the second grade in the Newport High School. He admitted he was turned in line talking to one of his classmates when the incident occurred. Prof. Pratt, when seen by a Post reporter, refused to talk about the matter, other than the boy was unruly. When asked what the boy was doing, he replied that "he was out of line and talking." Supt. John Burke refused to say anything. Fred Wilson, of 562 Lexington Avenue, a member of the same class with Clinton Smith said: "I knew nothing about what he (Clint) was doing until he called for help. Prof. Pratt, he said, would raise him roughly up two stories and at the top of the landing Clint fell into a faint."

At this point the parents of Clint Smith were notified and the class went after Prof. Pratt to whip him. They could not find him and chased through the building looking for him and found him in his classroom. Prof. Burker at this time stopped the boys from further trouble. The teachers and pupils were very much excited and some of them were crying. For a long time the remainder of the class of Prof. Pratt's room were with Prof. Burke in his room. The matter will be taken up in the School Board for investigation. Pratt was arrested by Policeman Tocher and released on bond, signed by Sup. of Schools Burke.

*********

Kentucky Post, Saturday, 16 May 1903, page 5

The case of Prof. H F Pratt, Principal at the Eighth Street School in Newport, charged with a breach of the peace in punishing Clinton Smith, a pupil, was called in the Newport Police Court Saturday and continued until Monday.

*********

Kentucky Post, Monday, 18 May 1903, page 5

The case of Clint Smith against H T Pratt, professor in the Newport school, is attracting considerable attention. Judge Moore had the police to impanel a jury. The first witness on the stand was Clint Smith and he told the story of his treatment at the hands of Prof. Pratt. The charge against Prof. Pratt was a breach of the peace for roughly handling Clint Smith at the high school.

 

Return to Newport Citizens Index