Victims Recount Reform School Horrors

(CBS)  Several former students at a reform school for boys in the Florida panhandle, now men in their 60s who attended the reform school decades ago, say its manicured gardens and winding paths hid a deep dark secret.

"It was beautiful and it looked like driving onto any college campus in America," said Roger Kiser, who was an orphan and around 12 years old when he was sent to the Florida School for Boys at Marianna.

"I thought nothing could be worse than the orphanage in Jacksonville, Fla., where I lived, Kiser said. "But little did I know that I was jumping out of the fire into the frying pan."

He is still haunted by a building at the school called "The White House," where he says students were beaten and abused.

"This was a concrete and steel building and when you walk in there it is like -- a dungeon," Kiser said. "They beat me so badly, when I came out of the white house and came to the main office, I was beaten so bloody they couldn't tell who I was."

Now 63, Kiser formed a group called "The White House Boys" and revealed another hidden memory of the school's past -- a cemetery.

"It's deep, way back in the Florida woods. Hidden far from public view, has been for many years," Kiser said. "You come up on 32 metal crosses stuck in the ground, no markers, no names, no nothing."

Kiser says a deadly fire took some of the students, while others died from influenza, but he wants to know exactly who is buried there and how they died.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has called for an inquiry into the claims of The White House Boys.

"If there is an opportunity to find out exactly what happened there," Crist said. "We have the duty to do so."

"Where are the records, why was there no names placed on these graves?" Kiser asked. "They were just forgotten."

Kiser and Dick Colon, another man who resided at the Florida School for Boys at Marianna, sat down for an emotional, exclusive interview on The Early Show with co-anchor Maggie Rodriguez. The two men recounted some of the horror stories from their stay in Marianna and urged others to come forward and visit the White House Boys Web site. Kiser and Colon's experiences are being made into a movie by SilverCreek Entertainment. See the interview below

[rroberts777]

This was a better place than others I had been locked down in. Chip saved my life. Greg Woodrum helped me, Greg how's it feel being used by GOD? Yea that crap went down there. There was Ronnie ? played with the Cincinatti Bengals as a guard in Paisano he was a staff member(that was one scary moment in my life Hows it feel being stopped by GOD? Thank you GOD for protecting me(skeeter how's it feel being used by GOD). Rose remember that time I ran away and showed up at your house, your husband and you sent us away with our bellies full? Willie Williams I hope your alive? Remember when Antwan the muscle bound slow kid that they put in 160 unit to curve me from beating the crap out of the occupants got choked. Man did that make me feel bad when it was all said and done. I mean right away I felt bad for him even though he was twice my size, that was some sad stuff. I was not a bad kid just a little on the crazy side, and for all that I punished for the pain my family and the world bestowed on me, please forgive me.

[fritz1164]

I was there from 80 to 82 or so. I remember Chip, Hao, Chris Montanari, Monty, Floyd Brown, Al Davis, J.K. Smith (pervert), James Mayo, Ms. Emma, Ms. Thelma, Rose, Evette (pervert), Percy Brown, etc. If you are from this time...contact me at [e-mail]

[catdaddio]

Yes I knew Scott, Rodney, and Marshall. I left in 1975. I was there for 3 yrs approx. Chances are I knew you. [e-mail]

[FrankCol]

The last thing AJ said to me was, "I trust you, and I believe in you, don't let me down."

I was 16 years old when I promised not to run away or steal anymore cars. Although I gave it no thought these past 36 years. I realize today, Monty was the first person in my life, "up till then", who actually treated me like family, like I mattered. After all, he bailed me out of jail like any good dad would. Punished me, and I rebelled, and like any good dad he knew when to back off. He didn't beat me nor did he put me in harm's way. To tell you the truth, his words have echoed throughout my life and as a result," I survived!"

Here was a man who opened his doors to kids abandoned and abused by their families and then abused more by state mental institutions. His only fault was trusting people to take care of his kids. Some of those staffers were just pure evil, but most were genially good folks.

I still see Stella and Ethel, talking and laughing about something dumb I had said. Those two were my favorite House Parents; they never played head games with me, upfront in your face and real down to earth people!
Those two pulled out the clothes iron and table, made me wash my long hair and then Stella proceeded to iron my hair with a towel and that hot iron, then Ethel would corn roll my hair. I miss those two for sure. They were what my Grandmothers should have been, LOVING!

There was Tim with his rice crispy treats he made from scratch. Rick and Clay, both were Vietnam Veterans, stopped me from beating some kids head into a bumper of a car after he attacked me with a chain. They treated me like I was their little brother.

Of course I cannot forget some of the other kids. Some of us were friends and leaned on each other when needed and some of us fought.

And finally my girlfriend, she guided me into manhood. She took a boy and pointed the way. I joined the Army at seventeen because I thought she would be proud to be with me. I soon found myself very alone again "abandoned". She somehow decided she didn't want a life with a soldier, we never did say goodbye.
She dropped me off at the airport terminal; I stood there watching as she drove away.

That two week leave was the last time I saw her. That was my biggest heartbreak. But I came away a better man because of it, Thank you Cathy "spelled with a C". You kept me alive and hopeful in a time when I thought I was not worthy. Thanks to Cathy, I have a beautiful wife who loves me for who I am. Children I love, "Even when they are angry with me." My grandsons are little and soon will be fishing with me. I look back at it all with a smile. I owe these people thanks.

[FrankCol]

I was at Montanari 74-76. I don't remember anyone getting molested or beaten. As a matter of fact AJ returned 3 of us from a jail in Waynesboro, Miss after we stole a car in Hialeah, at his own expense. There was one houseparent that thought he could intimidate me, then he found himself knocked the hell out. AJ fired the idiot the next day. I remember sneaking to the girl's house late at night and doing the nasty with them in late hours of the evening. Lost my virginity to a girl named Kathy, in one of the school rooms late at night, which was my first and last B&E. I dated Cathy who was AJ's secretary. She picked me up behind the movie theatre, almost every day. That was hush-hush; we went to the beach and sometimes went to her mom and dad's house. It was easy for us to be together. I kept my mouth shut, when other guys were pounding their puds over her. She was cute. I guess my experience at Montanari is the exception. I joined the Army at seventeen; I received mail from Cathy every day while in basic and AIT. She kept me going with the getting married line. I went back to Florida with the intentions of getting married and starting a family. That two week leave was the last I saw of her. She dropped me off at the MIA and I flew to Texas never to see her again. I was told by a house mother named Ethel that Cathy was with Jody all that time I was training. Overall, I have no regrets about being at Montanari, seems to me I was fortunate to have a lot of good folks looking out for me. The only horror I saw was when Tim would make those rice crispy treats.

[chiplennon]

[e-mail], I remember Jodi. I was there about the same time.
It's been so long I dont remember all of the names and the faces. Especially the staff. I tried to avoid them as much as possible. I was in either Miami Springs Jr HS or Miami Springs Sr HS most of the time I was there. I had very little interaction with people at the school. But I was there and the staff that wanted my head on a silver platter usually got their way. Monty was married to the Nun who left the church to be with him and the children. That was strange. He made headline news back in the late 60s early 70s. He came to another school in New Hampshire called Hampshire Country School. There he gave the staff the idea of a PADDED CELL. It got used once. By me. I threw a snowball and hit one of the spych staff and knocked off his toupe' that no one knew he had on. We all thought it was hillarious but I got thrown into the padded cell for 3 long days. It was cruel. I will never forget some of the horrific memories I have of living at either place for about 5 years.
I wish the families prayers as a few were lost at those places and they should have been sued.
Chip

[frankdanna]

i was a teacher there ( first in Tween, later Summerset ) worked there in Education from 72-74 then took over for Doris Crossfield from 75-78. Have worked entire life in Special Ed. I am horrified to think these abuses spoken of here occured without my knowing....i imagine during residential hours.... Frank
aka [e-mail]

[chiplennon]

This is amazing. I was sent to M.C.S. in 70 and 71. I met with The staff and convinced them to allow me to have long hair. As long as I behaved they agreed to let me leave it. There was only one other guy who had a simular agreement.
I went to classes inside of the main building. The teacher was a regular guy to be honest way to nice to be teaching in that envirenment. I later recall watching Welcome Back Cotter the tv program and thinking how simular the situations were.
Later that summer I was informed that I was too advanced for private studies and got approval to go to Miami Springs Jr and later MSH. I excelled in both schools.
I was never around that school. I found being away from the reach and thumb so to speak of the staff the better off I was.
They did punish me one time and sent me to a locked ward where I met Allison Ebert who was a expert and one of the nicest staff members at that place.
I remember so many people and yet so many I have surpressed from my memory because of the pain.
The sadest part was I was so far from my other brothers and sister. I was homesick but they lost a brother. That hurts me more today than the pain and suffering I survived living at places like that in Hialeah.

I was motivated and determined to make something out of my life. I went on to get my HS Diploma as well as some credits in three colleges from business and some other mechanical skills.

I became a firefighter for 21 years and now I am in another field working with the public doing repairs.

Five (5) years I was away at schools for being a bad boy. Did I hate authority during those years? Yes. That was my spychological diagnosis.

Im sure all of the survivors of the two schools I went to could easily write a book and make a movie. It would be so sad and could easily cause officials to take a look at how disturbed children at medicated or cared for. If they had the money and if they had the interest both would last all about 15 minutes.
The world is full of apathetic and self serving spoiled people in the country. And if isn't about or effect them they just don't care.

I'm sure Monty and his wife the Nun who left to be with him or the school are long gone now. They made their fame and fortune doing what they did that will never be revisited in Florida.
However in other parts of the country where they have shipped some of the children that's the ongoing case.
These people who were called STAFF will always hide in a place where the public is knumb to what is going on around their town.

If you the public ever find this and read this I can submit evidence to prove the deaths of children because of neglect and abuse.

[frankdanna]

It sounds as if you went on and excelled in areas of you life- i wonder if the MCS experience weighs heavy on your mind or is it all in the past with no repercussions today? I too am shocked at those who are claiming abuse. I worked there from 72-74 ( Tween Classroom ) then again from 75-78 ( Arts and Crafts in Summerset)
Frank
aka [e-mail]

[rltjr457]

Montanari Clinical School of Hialeah, Fl. was a pedophile oasis. I was 13 when I was sent there in 1970 or 1971. My father was going to Vietnam and my stepmonster was not about to have me living with her while he was away for a year in Vietnam. she had convinced my Father I was a problem child and needed help, I was a kid who wanted his parents back together and didnt like my stepmother. thats all. well my introduction to Montanari was a tour with my dad and stepmother little did I know they were going to leave me there. All I knew I was going to florida with my Dad. I felt he wasnt happy leaving me behind, he gave me his Tape player he bought that I liked and admired along with some cassettes out of guilt i guess. anyway I was put in a locked ward at a hospital nearby and fed thorazine 1000 mcg and valium and anything else that slowed you down all payed by the courtesy of the champus program provided by the government. I had tried several times to escape only to be caught and drugged up some more. I remember getting away once making it all the way up to my grandmothers house, begged her not to send me back, she called my Mom. My Mom called my Dad or stepmother who then called montanari , who then drove up and picked me up. I was to embarassed to tell them the truth as to what they were doing to some of us. it was then I figured I was trapped and had no choice to live with it. know one day it would end. so the sexual abuse kept going on and on and on. I remeber trying to report it once and was told How could I make such lies regarding prominent people. Monty as he was called drove around in this gray lincoln continental I can still picture him and there werekids living in a neighborhood all the doors painted in red (thats how you knew the houses) I remeber the rolling stones song paint it black. each time i hear that song it reminds me of that place. i was there for a few years even after my dad returned from Vietnam. I was abused and I felt used and degrades as well as other kids there. I would see them torment the retarded ones, the one i remember most was george, He loved cadilacs, especially fleetwood cadilacs and it would anger me seeing people go up to him and upset him for fun bashing the one thing he loved. the girls were molested along with the boys. I remember this .principle name Jim who would violantly slam kids into wals and upside the head. todays world these people would be in prison. this man monty would have been in federal prison for fraud of government funds. its been many years thats gone by. but I feel that One day I will get my revenge on each and every ******* who did and forced me to perform the sexual acts and abuse not only to myself bu to the hundreds of other children there, the state should also be responsible for allowing it to happen.

[catdaddio]

I was sent to Montanari on August 18,1972. Everything this article says is true! That particular principle, Jim U. was one of the better ones. After many years I have found that the residents of Montanari are hospitalized, imprisoned, or dead! The only survivor of this place is are two other fellows from my hometown of New Orleans. To this day I am trying to find fellow residents who were there during the same time frame that I was. That was 1972-1975.
It wasn't the head slammings I recieved from Mr.Underhill that I feared so much but, the pedos that were in position of authority! From the houseparents to the supervisors. That place was a nightmare! To this day I often think about those days and, feel for many of my friends that were there and as a result of what happened there have been doomed to horrible lives with little or no chance of success or happiness. We stuck together though and toward the end we didn't take any dung anymore! As a result of my stay there, I am diagnosed with mental and personality disorders. Bipolar and PTSD. But, i'm still here! Hey, if any of the fellows read this article, if it gets posted that is, please contact me [e-mail]. I want to hear from you. Larry N., Paul S., Jerry S., Mark S., Harry S., Perry who was @ Wasserman house and Seacamp and others whose names are not mentioned. God bless you all and take care.

[1kennyg22]

I was lucky, I was only there for a year in 1974.
Did you know S. McGregor, R. Ahart, C. Martin and M. Boozer?
Boozer was kicked by a house parent and lost a tecticle the year before I got there. After that they treated him well, I guess to prevent a law suit or reports to the state.

[LilHwk49]

Yeah, I was there in 65-66. I read Sleepers a few years ago, and then saw the movie, and it reminded me hauntingly of Marianna, and then a couple of months ago, I saw the White House on CNN, and the crosses on the graves, and it just raised up goose bumps...it was the first I heard about all of this. In 1936, they hung a black guy from the corner of the County Courthouse, in Marianna. When they drug the body through town, the town children poked at it with sharp sticks - Troy Tidwell, the one we called The OneArmed Bandit, was about ten, at that time, and law enforcement was riddled with the Klan, in N. Fl.
Adn, you know, I never knew his first name was Troy, until I jumped on Google, after I saw that on CNN. I have done a lot of research, since then, and read the History of children's justice in Fl.
I am sure that sort of treatment, and abuse, was more prevalent Nationwide, than people realize. I 'went down' 14 times, because I pretty much was a 'Grub' the whole time I was there...

[1kennyg22]

Florida is the dong of America and full of skumtastic news.
I think the first mullet was worn there.

[barkwaytoo]

Why do all the weird, freaky, violent, sickening stories (and usually involving children) from the news always turn out to be happening in Florida? What is it with that state?

[vickivb2]

This is all true. Mys dad was there for 18 months in 1957 - 1958. He was beaten so badly that he had to go to the nurse to have his shredded clothes cut off of him and removed surgically. I hope that more people come forward but I know that it will be very difficult for them.