New York Times, 11 June 1936

17 Boy Vandals 'Licked' By Parents as Penalty

COATESVILLE, Pa., June 10. -- Mayor A.R. Bergstrom told the parents of seventeen boys, arraigned before him on vandalism charges, that if they would "lick 'em right here in the police station" he would not turn them over to county juvenile authorities.

"Fine idea," said the father of one. Police Captain Ralph Williams removed his belt and handed it to the man. The father went to work and the belt was passed along. Every boy got several lashes.

"The funny thing about it," the Mayor commented, "was that the mothers were more severe in the whippings than the fathers."