Publisher’s Note: The following article, published in the Jan. 12, 1894 edition of The News Messenger, details an incident at the Amiret school in which a teacher fractured the skull of a student with the end of butt of a rawhide whip. A portion of this article will be featured in the new book: “The Sesquicentennial: Cultivating 150 Years of History in Marshall and Lyon County.” Books can be ordered for $44.95 by calling The Independent or filling out the form included in an advertisement in today’s paper.

(January 12) — Four years of turbulence and turmoil in school District No. 13, and an unmanageable school at Amiret have at last culminated in a real sensation for residents of that community, and as a result the oldest pupil lies on a couch in a precarious condition, with a broken head, and the young man teacher is under arrest for assault with a dangerous weapon.

The broken cranium belongs to Geo. Lord, a young fellow of 23 years, well known in the community, and son of A. D. Lord, of Amiret. The teacher is A. E. Norton, also a young man of about 25 years, and nephew of Mr. I. C. Seeley, prominent in public matters and real estate circles at Minneapolis, and proprietor of the big Brookdale Stock Farm, of Amiret township.

For years, the Amiret school has been recognized as one of the most unruly and unmanageable schools in the county. Attendance has been large for a country school, and some older scholars have taken pride in their insubordination, openly boasting of their ability to oust any teacher before expiration of the term. It is in the winter term attendance is largest, and pupils most ungovernable, and no teacher in late years has had the desire to cope with this element a second term.

The present term began with young Norton as teacher, two months ago. Norton was warned of the school, and entered upon his duties with a full appreciation of the difficulties in the way of a successful term.

Young Lord came to school two weeks ago, and while not studious, or a model example, no trouble was experienced until last Monday. That morning he came at the usual time, but instead of taking his books and commencing to study he began reading a paper.

This passed unnoticed, but finally Norton spoke to him. Lord paid no attention and kept reading. Norton again spoke to him, telling him immediately to take his books and give up the paper. Lord refused and words passed when Norton struck Lord across the shoulders with a rawhide whip. Lord got out of his seat and started to strike Norton, when the latter struck at him again, with the butt of the whip, hitting his head, after which Lord quieted down and returned to his seat, saying he would attend to Norton at recess.

After talking with his seatmate a few minutes, he bent his head forward in his hands on the desk, remaining that way until recess, no attention paid to him as it was thought he was sulking. At recess, the assistant teacher spoke to him, receiving no answer, and on investigation found him unconscious. Failing to arouse him, help was called and Lord was taken to T. H. Webb’s home, where all attempts to bring him to consciousness failed. Norton assisted to carry him to the house, and then telegraphed for Dr. Workman of Tracy, who came up that noon on the freight train.

On examination the doctor found a bruise extending from the left eye, to the top of the ear, and discovered the skull to be fractured. An operation was performed and a small piece of the skull above the ear removed, removing the pressure from the brain, and the victim soon recovered consciousness. The News-Messenger representative found him sleeping, with his head well bandaged up and that side of the face swollen and somewhat discolored. His condition at present is improving and doubtless he will be about again in a few days, though he will carry a sore head for some time.