our mr. reed
Burr Oak, Iowa, Sept. 29, 1877
We, A.M. Perry and A.H. Starr, being duly sworn deposes and say. We are residents of Independent District No. 5 in Burr Oak Township Winnishiek County. That William Reed the teacher employed to teach in said Independent District No. 5 is incompetent and unqualified in this:

1. The said Reed is profane.
2. The said Reed is guilty of using vulgar and obscene language in public places acting in a drunken and disorderly manner, singing improper songs and disturbing the quiet of public meetings and imposing upon peaceable strangers.
3. That said Reed has manifested in a public manner and place: disturbing the peace and quiet of the community and leading him to use unjustifiable languate in the control of some of the pupils attending the school.
4. That he is guilty of indecent improper and immoral conduct toward some of the female pupils in attendance at said school. In this: That he did on divers occasions tickle and squeeze the hands and use improper signs and do other immoral acts towards said female pupils by dropping chalk down their backs and during the years 1876 and 1877 at Burr Oak school.

The charges against said Reed... and we believe the same to be true. ... therefore move the Superintendent to revoke said Reed's certificate.

[note: The case was dismissed because no students would testify against him.]
- posted by pioneergirl at 9:48 PM