New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-22
SECRET SOCIETIES.
VIEWS OF PROF. WILDER OF CORNELL
UNIVERSITY.

THEIR BENEFITS EQUALLY ATTAINABLR WITH
orrr srcREcY-A PROPOSITION TO EXCLUDE So
cIErY MEMBERS FROM COLLEGES.
"a ths Edffor OF The Trt6une.
SIR: THE TRIBUNE for the 18th inst. men
toned the death OF Mortimer NJ. Leggett tson OF the
Commissioner OF PatentsD having occurred during
ceremonies preliminary 20 imitation into tho Kappa
Alpha" Society OF Cornell University, The following
verdict rendered by the COroners jury the even
lug OF the 10Th inst:
The jury being duly. charged and sworn 20 in
wa how ST 's the sa,d Ma ng rTOps Hssst came
10 his death do find that said Mortimer NJ 70 his S
deafh on the night OF OFT TO- s7s between hours OF
9and 10 O'Clock by accidentally falling IRON a fhsca
Tompkins County, Hew-York
The witnesses were the physician who at'enueu 'uo
injured man, professor in the UniversV' "no y
member OF the Society, aud seven students d'So m0"
beers Of the Society.
The evidence that Leggett ana announcer Suuent
to join tine Kappa Alpha Society on inc hSht oi
the accident Before the formal initiation the oandi-
date VAS according CUSTOM to be LED Dndioded 10
lonely spot this Instance nearly mile IRON the
village in the dry bed OF SIX Mile Creek, which could
here he reached by path The blind was to be
then and there removed and the candidate TO renew his
pledge OF desire Join the Society he was then again
10 be budfoldcd and led back 60 the rooms, where the
initiation ceremonies described very impressive and
ENJOYABLE would take place All agree that OF the
premuares consist In taking candidates TO dangerous
places in order to terrify them also that had been
drinking; also that itreatment OF kind was in
tended ofered and that Leggett made opposition
A party OF Kappa Alpha students were TO rendez-
about o'clock in the road which follows the south
bend of Six Mile Creek. point about 100 yards be-
yond the last house In the village and nearly opposite
pine tree stands upon the very brink of the rocky
preeipce which here overhahgs and is about 35 feet
from she turfy bed OF the creek the road fence is
50 feet from the edge of the cliff and the inter
Vennc ground has inclination OF about one foot in
tour or Eve is pretty and clear Of shrubbery
The is five feet in grth. has no low branches ana
euds several large into the bank, one OF them
forming the edge which the fall occurred; there
bushes that side for several yards but to one
alta distance unacquained with the locality, the tops OF
trees 10 the creek bed might appear as such. While
awaiting the arrival OF others, NorthruD bucked black
cloth Leggets eyes Leggett was then helped over
the fence about four feet hgh and left in charge of
WasOn and Lee. neither OF whom had been there
before or had any idea OF the nature Of the bank
The ground which Leggett was to walk had pre-
vously been examined by Flint; but no one else knew
Of this bank. excepting perhaps Northrup
senior and resident OF Ithaca, who, however, did not
appear 10 be familiar with 1T.
important note that all Of the ravines In ithaca
have rule steep banks varying from 10 to 100 feet
high; aud that great care has been exercised in
approaching them that although the University lies be-
tween two of them. but single accident has occurred
IN them.
Wsson tesuhes: When got over the fence Leggett
standing with or two OF the boys; took his
arm aud walked down TO large tree; had some
leaning aganst the tree at that time don't think had
hold OF him before then stood MIN against the tree or
rather against had charge Of him because
better acquainted with him than the other boys;
he was leaning against the tree, ana stood about
FROM him or within reaching distance; In about
three or four minutes saw his body 1ncining 10 one
to a he was on the right sido q the tree or rather on
the south side; thought he was merely falling TO The
gCou1d not down the precipice; moved forward 70
neady him, and In 50 doing stepped on what thought
was limb; believe now 1t was root OF the tree; II
coed 10 doing what intended in supporting him in
attempting 10 save him fell myself; oont Know now
Ieggett to fall his arms were not pinoned IN any
lee tettaes: was in the field between the fence and
the tree WasOn slip and disappear, Leggett
disappearing instant afterward; there was hardly
four feet between them when they FELL was entirely
ignorant that there precipice there was greatly
surprised see them disappear, and imagined they
uust have slipped down bank the idea OF Preepice
me; my natural impulse was TO help them,
and acting upon 1t, ran or moved dagonaly OH the
CIf.
Lee aud Wason were light men, and, though bruised
ana stunned will recover; Legget large and heavy
he died in less than two hours his only stingushabe
words beng. son. don't" and Take 1T off, Of which
various interpretations or perhaps none at ALL may DO
given.
The verdict appears to be satisfactory to the family
OF the deceased aud TO members of his fraternity.
Perhaps ought to be TO all others. have taken sut
Gent interest the to examine the scene Of the
accident attend the important portion of the
inquest and to study the whole evidence together with
tue method of its calculation know nothing of legal
determinations but the verdict Of coroners jury is
presumably Ineligible 10 the common mind. Leggett
voluntarily put himself in charge Ofsthese young men.
From the moment OF his blndfOding he helpless
and irresponsible for his safety an infant more
90 than passenger who enters railway train; and
IL the duty OF those assuming this
charge TO protect him from all ayodable
harm The only causes Of death which they could
not avoid would be earthquake. lightning stroke
the fall OF a tree missile from unseen source
Bat 20 lead him toward ravine, to place him against
allow him 10 stand near, tree upon its very brink,
even at the equal risk Of their safety little
Unsuitable they had laid him railroad whose
existence they had observed had seated him upon
a key OF gunpo wder whose contents unknown 70
Them hut under all the circumstances, presumably
doubtful In their nature. With all the candor and Inn
partiaty at my command, 1 have supposed my dog In
the circumstances OF the young man who was killed,
and 20 nv great regret lind impossible to accept the
verdict an satisfactory. toror possible relative
OF human being who might hereafter meet his death
under similar circumstances must regard the verdict
as Insufficient | hold that blame attaches to all in
greater or degree and that this blame should be in
dicated in the verdict, not in any pdy as punishment to
ne present parties 10 he occurrence, but solemn
icarniHg 10 others hereafter so engaged
It important TO learn all the circumstances in
order convince the public that dangerous cere.
taking place at the time and place OF the
tragedy and as this is proved may look upon the
actors in IL individuals only. But there is another
OF the which is in part apparent In the
dence, bur obvious to spectator OF the inquest
aud perfectly characteristic of society
proceedings The witnesses were charged with
crime the public merely wished to know all the oireum-
stances and they the only of information
The disappearing arising from the haste and
secrecy OF arrangements for sending of the body