Comments on: Remains Of Dozier Victims Could Go To Tallahassee

By: 429SCJ

429SCJ — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 04:04:41 +0000

Every effort should be made to investigate allegations of abuse, pertaining to surviving staff members and the former inmates/witnesses of the school.

By gathering depositions and possibly bringing these guards before a grand jury, this would grant some small measure of justice to every boy who passed through the school, those who were fortunate to survive and those who died at the hands of their tormentors.

It is never too late for justice, why leave them to the judgment of Christ and hell.
Lets us examine and punish them in this life.

By: Ashamed Floridian

Ashamed Floridian — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 03:32:34 +0000

Few articles have ever affected me as much as this one. My grandfather and his brother were both homeless orphans living in Jackson County in 1918. My grandfather was lucky enough to get a job working turpentine in the forest. He was 12 years old and my uncle 13. I thank God my granddaddy wasn’t one of the boys living in that hell hole because there were plenty living there that were put there due to life’s circumstances, not because they were bad.
May God bless those poor angels who suffered and died at Dozier.

By: D.

D. — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 22:50:59 +0000

This is such a tragedy, but what i don’t understand is why it took so long for it to be discovered that these boys were dead or missing. Wouldn’t the families wonder where they were or why they never heard from them? Did they not visit their sons?

By: George Puel

George Puel — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 14:55:37 +0000

I am confused. Someone dug up 51 sets of remains at a Florida reform school and without proof of how they died or any evidence to indicate they were abused or beat and for that matter any proof they were even incarcerated at the reform school and now they are going to be interred on the State Capitol grounds with a memorial next to hero soldiers memorials who were killed during U.S. wars.

By: Ddg

Ddg — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 13:48:06 +0000

Bob Baxter, well said sir. I wholeheartedly agree with your post.

By: Kiki

Kiki — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 13:40:38 +0000

I believe that is a wonderful idea! I agree with you @BobBaxter! Maybe these boys were there for rehabilitation but, I think the parents/guardians/adults needed the rehabilitation more than the boys.The boys that died AND the boys that survived did NOT deserve the treatment they received by this school, the local authorities, society, NOR their family. Society is forever trying to make up for slavery, discrimination, AND racism. The LEAST that could be done is to place them in a mausoleum on the capitol grounds as a forever memorial and reminder of what happened and how these boys did not get a chance in life, and how the SYSTEM (and everyone around them) failed them. Especially, since the ones that abused them cannot be held responsible. This should MOST DEFINITELY be put in the book of history! It disturbs me so, that people these days can holler abuse without a mark on them, but these young boys were abused to the point they were MURDERED and the entire NATION barely knows about this. I think this should be on the news in EVERY STATE, and every state should research every school that existed like this. Bet they will find more than they expected!
This is all coming from a sister of a boy that was at Dozier for 7 months at 13yrs of age! I CAN say that there is always more behind the behavior of a child than people want to admit! Every month my brother was there, they sent home a letter requesting more money for “medical care!” (i.e. stitches for a busted lip, broken arm) Isnt it convenient that the paperwork is all gone and none of this can be found documented, nor can be proven?
So, doing MORE THAN RIGHT for the deceased is also doing good for the still living.

By: Carole Davis Ellid

Carole Davis Ellid — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 12:16:04 +0000

I want to thank The State of Florida for listening to our pleas.. I am the daughter of the oldest living Whitehouse Boy ( Neil J Davis) he was in Marianna
In 1942 for 10 months.. My Mother & Father were married 62 years before she died. My Daddy keep her home under hospice care.. … That was 3 1/2 years ago.. We are Daddys caregivers.. I just found out 7 or 8 months ago that my Daddy was sent to The Industrial School for Boys.. I was stunned & couldn’t believe it.. Daddy told me He never told anyone! My Daddy is 90 years old.. Still sharp as a tack but, is slowing down.. He said when he was at that Ugly place that a man used a long thick wooden paddle on the boys!!! My Daddy always had an anger issues but the family didn’t understand why!!! Now We do.. I also want to mention that after his stay at that Ugly Place he went on to get an Honorable Discharge from Army/ AirForce & Marines.. Also 25 years at GTE in Tampa.. I want to thank Ben Montgomery for helping me & Also the WhitHouse Boys Organization.. They know who I am talking about.. My Daddy is 90 but my husband & myself took the time to take Daddy to the Task Force Meeting in Marianna Fl on August 19,2016. I believe We can move forward & continue to come together & get this matter behind not only the young Boys but also The State of Florida that dropped the ball so many years ago.. All the Boys need an apology from the State of Florida & also All the Boys that was sent to that Ugly place.. In my opinion The state should Not use Dozier but The Industrial School for Boys!!! Thank You & May The Lord Bless the State of Florida for doing the right thing after 100 years..

By: randy

randy — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 12:12:35 +0000

Bring to court the criminals who did this at dozier school

By: Bob Baxter

Bob Baxter — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 11:48:09 +0000

The State of Florida should accept the remains of those children and place them in a mausoleum on the capital grounds , It was there failure that caused the body dump site to exist at all. As I have said many times “evil can only exist when good men do nothing” As Jerry Cooper pointed out in one of his statements . The State under the guidance of Governor Scott has closed 23 other facilities since this all started in 2008 . Thank God for that but the history of child abuse that was allowed in Florida must never be forgotten . If this isn’t handled properly and swept under an already dirty rug the state will forever have a big black mark on it’s history . I pray the State has the wisdom to put this in the history books and never allow it to occur again ,
thank you

Bob Baxter USMC Korean Vet and a former ward of the State at The Flotida School for Boys 1950-51

By: Leonard Patrick

Leonard Patrick — Sun, 21 Aug 2016 11:42:20 +0000

Good job to all that has worked to make this happen. Leonard Patrick Okeechobee boy. 64/65