1866 - Cruel Teacher

The citizens of Lenox, Massachusetts, are greatly incensed against a teacher in one of the primary schools there named Frances Williams, who beat a little child in a cruel manner for mispronouncing a word. The child is not quite four years old, and he was pounded on the 18th day of July, with a ruler, so that twelve days afterward his back, shoulder and arms above the elbows plainly showed the marks of the shameful punishment. The school committee very promptly decided that such a teacher was not fit to be trusted with the care of the children, and she has been dismissed. She awaits a trial on a charge of assault and battery.