Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-10-25
HAZING.
The Leggett Tragedy-The Horrors
OF Initiation.

The Leggett Tragedy-Fhe Horrors
Of InitIatiOn.
Gen. Leggett was at first deceived about
the death of his son. The assurance con-
veyed to him that it was an accident, was
most positive. The Washington Star says:
''A short time before his death, Mortimer,
who was avery duiiful and sffectionate son,
wrote both his father and mother in sepa-
rate letters, telling them that he had re-
ceived the compliment of an Invitation to
join the Kappa Alpha Society, and asking If
they had any objections 10 his becoming
member. He stated the leading principles
of it (among them being abstinence from
the use of tobacco and intoxicating drinks
of all kinds, prohibiting the use of profane
language, etc., and said that most of the
exemplary young men and several of the
Professors belonged to it.
The poor boy was deceived more grossly
than usual. The letter from his parents
giving him permission to join the society,
undoubtedly produced immense sport, and
caused the initiation to be more elaborate
than is customary. The sort of society into
which young Leggett was being initiated
when he was pushed over the precipice and
killed, was decribed by student of Cornell
University, writing to the Buffalo Com
n1erciGl, few days before the tradgedy as
follows: sc
THE MYSTERIES. lr
"Gill is freshman, a six -footer, with
herculean girth of shoulders and always
ready for an exploit. He is approached by
a sophomore, who asks him to join the Omi-
cron Epsilon Society, or some other out
landish title composed of the name Of
Greek letters. He promises an easy initia-
tioD, AMI tells him what fun it will be to
see the other candidates initiated. Gill,
perhaps, has heard rumors. about such so
cieties and their doings. He is itching with
curiosity to know all about them. he may
have been cautioned to keep clear of them,
but curiosity and the persuation of the
sophomores are too much to be resisted; so
he signs pledge 20 join the society. The
night for the performance Of the rites,
which is usually Friday night, has come
around. The members of the society NEE;
in secret lodge, in some remote room in an
upper story, and prepare for the ceremonies.
The candidate sits In his room with much
trepidation as the hours drag by. At the
dead hour Of night, sEhen ciurchyards
yawn and graves give up their dead four
knights, incog., appear at his room,
blindfold and piniOn his arms, and
lead him away. He is conducted
along unknown streets, by-ways,
and winding alleys, over stony ground and
uneven surfaces, and never addressed, save
in sepulchral tones. Having at length as
cended flight of stairs, Gill is now led by
un,ccountable wanderings through rooms
and halls, stumbling over chairs, scantling,
and pieces of wood on the floor, but never
allowed to fall, for two sturdy knights are
at his side with firm hold of his arms.
Next, a rope is fastened around his body,
and he is drawn up into another apart
inert. He hears the trampling of many
feet about him, suppressed whispers, and
stern behests. He is utterly confused. His
escorts now let go of him, and he is com
PEELED to grope alone for awhile, though
never daring to stop for an instant, st the
peril of being punched and pushed and trip
ped, until in his freazy he runs against the
walls and knocks himself down. He is i'm
mediately seized and thrown upon 'blan-
ket,' which is q large canvas with strap han
dies. This is held by ten hardy fellows,
who give it a witch and send him into the
air as if be were football. He is tossed
in the blanket until 1t ceases to be fun to
his tormentors. Then be is led into q
damp place, where he is subjected 10 the
process of squirting some caustic liquid
from syringe into his mouth and between
the back of his neck and neither garments.
Next, after q series of perambula-
tons and difficulties, he is halted and
made to take most solemn oath never to
divulge any of the secrets Of the order, on
penalty of having his heart cut out and his
limbs torn from his body. The members
stand around attired In death head masks,