Fair board to dedicate brick to the Henry Boys
by Sara Sedlacek · July 08, 2009

With the fair just around the corner and Atalissa Day now behind us, many Atalissa and West Liberty fair-goers are wondering what has become of the Henry Boys.

The 21 men who were taken by the Iowa Department of Human Services five months ago were regulars at the fair and often mingled in the Pavilion, talking to anyone and everyone.

“They loved to hang around and talk to people,” said Muscatine County Fair Manager Lori Gosenberg.

Though attempts are being made to bring the 18 men remaining in Iowa to the fair, Gosenberg said she’s unsure if they’ll be able to make it. She said, however, she and the fair board don’t want people to think the Boys have been forgotten.

“We’re going to put up a poster at the Pavilion in recognition of them and do a brick with their names on it,” she said. “It’s just so people know we haven’t forgotten them.”

The men were removed from the bunkhouse, their home of more than 30 years, in Atalissa Feb. 7. Chris Sparks, a spokesperson with Exceptional Persons Inc. in Waterloo said the guys are doing just fine.

“The guys are doing well. We’re excited about some of the changes they’ve made,” he said. “When they initially came to us, we had to find them housing quickly and they weren’t permanent homes. Now that we’ve gotten to know them, learned their preferences and found out whether they’d be staying with us, we’re moving them into permanent homes. It’s becoming apparent the bulk of them will continue to reside in this area.”

Charles Krogmeier, director of the Iowa Department of Human Services, said in a meeting of the Governor’s Task Force on Dependent Adults Monday, July 6, that three of the men have returned to Texas and a handful of others have also indicated a desire to go back to Texas where they’re originally from. The men were promised by their former employer and caretaker, Henry’s Turkey Service, they would have a ranch in Texas to which they would retire.

The other remaining men are being placed in employment situations or have decided to retire.

“After straightening out some glitches, we’re finding employment for about half the men,” Sparks said. “In the mean time, we’re filling their time with activities.”

Sparks explained the men do a variety of organized activities which have a training aspect.

“The activities are designed to fill their time productively,” he said. “We’re very interested in the guys learning about the community so they can navigate it.”

Though Sparks said he’s unsure whether the men are receiving visitors he said he does know they’ve had a lot of contact with friends in Atalissa. Since the Muscatine County CPC still has legal guardianship over the men, all visitors must be approved through them rather than through Exceptional Persons Inc.

Sparks said the men are very excited to begin working again.

“The work ethic is ingrained deeply in these men,” he said. “They’re eager to work.”

Despite the adversity the men have fought through since their departure from Atalissa, Sparks said the adjustment process has gone far more smoothly than expected.

“Initially, they experienced so much change under difficult circumstances. That would have been hard for anybody,” he said. “I think the guys were wary, happy and excited but wary. It’s been interesting to watch them relax. They’re appearances are different and it’s because they’ve relaxed. We take comfort in the fact that the guys have relaxed and are happy and well-adjusted.”

Sparks said there is still a lot to be seen as far as the long-term status of the men’s guardianship. Sparks was unable to comment on whether or not the men would be able to attend the Muscatine County Fair.