Stories of Students Sacrifice

Can I please go home?


The beginning students of Haskell according to the ledgers weren't allowed to go home. As I read a few of the letters from some of the students writing to the superintendent I began to feel sad for them. In the letters they would ask so nice to go home. Some of the children wanted to see there families because they missed them, someone was getting married or a member was getting ready to pass to the next life. The letters of appeal would usually be denied or if they were to respond it would be too late. The only time they got to go home is if they were sent home because of illness.



Sibling Group Part I

This part of the book talks about sisters that arrived at Haskell. One of the sisters passed away in 1987. The other sister finished her term according to the record, however in the ledger it said "dropped." Her death wasn't in her official student record. Like this girl, this incident would happen to many others that their official death would not be recorded in their file to minimize the number of deaths at the school. In this next case about of couple of brothers is quit similar about the letter of appeals. There were two brothers, in one of their ledgers it would say "accidently killed." A young boy would right a letter to the superintendent about the brothers. The young boy claimed he had worked with them and felt responsible for brothers. He wanted to take their remains back to their home for their family. The letter was denied and that young boy would be listed as "deserted," a couple of months later. I wish I could no more about these stories I read through out the book. I get so into reading these letters and stories and then nothing. I'm only left with my imagination to end the story.



Military Atmosphere

The second superintendent, who was a staunch military man, would introduce strictness and discipline. He would have the children wake up every morning at 5:30 a.m. The students would march where ever they go. They'd march to meals, work and to school. The day began with loud bugles playing taps and that’s how their day would end as well. The superindendent would soon replace the guard house for a jail. This jail would remain on campus for twenty two years. This military life would pay off for some of the young men who would join the Army. The author would list five students that later became sergeants. At first I felt wow that is super early to get up in the morning. Then I was happy to see that some of the students adapted to the lifestyle. Even though they didn't have a choice it is good to see that some stuck it out and used their tools given to them to become someone important.