Career
On March 7, 1859 ten-year-old Whall refused to say the Ten Commandments as required by Massachusetts law for all public schools. Whall"s father was the school principal. However, member Micah Dyer, a supporter of the Know Nothing Party insisted on strict adherence to state law.
Father Bernardine Wiget had fled Switzerland with other Jesuits in 1847, during the Swiss civil war.
The parishioners passed a resolution recommending that the children be taught not to be ashamed of their religion. Upon Thomas" second refusal, a week later, assistant to the principal McLaurin F. Cooke, beat the boy"s hands with a rattan stick until they were cut and bleeding.
The principal then directed all boys who refused to recite the King James Version to leave, and 100 left. The next day 300 were similarly discharged.
Whall and his father sued Cooke for use of excessive force.
The court"s ruling supported Cooke. The case received widespread attention. Seven Catholic schools sent testimonials of admiration, including the cathedral school of Covington, Kentucky.
The cathedral school of Cincinnati, Ohio sent him a gold hunting-watch case and later a gold-lined goblet.
However, as an adult, he had some difficulty finding employment.
