Connecticut western news., 1873-10-31
The Mysteries of American College Sc
 Cret Societies.

From an informant who was in Ithaca
 we learn that young Leggett was a
 member of the Cornell University, in the Freshman class, and was undergo ing an imitation into secret society of the college, the ceremony taking place at some house in the village adjacent to the precipitous banks of Six Mile creek.
 In the process of the initiation it seems the initiated is led blindfolded through many devious mazes and over threaten ing difficulties, one of which in this case was the precipitation of young Leg gett off high cliff to the banks of the creek below, together with his two at
 tendants. That the reader may better get an inkling of initiation in college so- cieties we clip from 8 Cornell Universi- ty letter in the Buffalo Commercial some account of an initiation.
 But, that you may not be wearied by generalities, take an example. Gill is a freshman, 8 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 Omicron Epsilon Society Cor some other outandish title composed of the names | initiation, and tells him what fun it will l Gill perhaps has heard rumors about such societies and their doings. He is itching with curiosity to know all about l them. He may have been cautioned to | keep clear of them, but curiosity and l the persuasives of the sophomores are too much to be resisted; so he signs a pledge to join the society. The night | for the performance of the ritee, which is usually Friday night, has come arounl. The members of the society meet 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 tue hours drag by. At the dead hour of night, "when chul chyards 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, byways, and winding alleys, over stony ground and uneven surfaces, and never addressed, save in sepulchral tones. Having at length ascended a flight of stairs, Gill is now led by un- accountable wanderings through rooms and halls, stumbling over chairs scant- ling, and pieces of wood on the floor, but never allowed to fall, for two sturdy knights are at his sides with firm hold of his arms. Next rope is fastened around his body and he is drawn up into another apartment. He hears the trampling of many feet about him, SUD- pressed whispers, and stern behests. He is utterly confused. H;sescorts now let go of him, and he is compelled to grope alone for while, though never daring to stop for an instant, at the peril of being punched and pushed and tripped, until in his frenzy he runs against the wall and knocks himsel. down.
 He is immediately seized and thrown upon "blanket," which is large can- vas with strap handles. This is held by ten hardy fellows, who give it twitch and send him into the air as if he were a football. He is "tossed in the blanket'' until it ceases to be fun for the tormentors. Then he is led into a damp place, where he is subjected to the process of squirting some caustic liquid from syringe into h1s mouth and between the back. of his neck and neither garments. Next, after series of perambulations.. 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 deaths-head masks, and weird and fantastic costumes, with war clubs in their hands. A coffin rests near by, wide open, and hung with all the sol emn drapery of death. A huge green calcium light is kindled, and simultane- ously with removing the bandage from the victims eyes, musket is discharg- ed, causing fearful report. The con- cission of sound, the h 4 u g are, the uneaathly and demoniac appearance of everything around him, together with his experience just before, are too much for human nature, and Gill swoons. But they have all been in Prof. Will der's physiology class, and are prepared for such 8 contingency. The patient is soon restored to animation.
 The bandage is again placed over his eyes, and he is laid in the coffin. Gill IS now prepared for the last right and ceremony of initiation into the noble order and fellowship of the Omicron Epsilon Society, namely, branding. The operation is as follows The cloth ing is removed from the stomach heated shovel is brought nearly in con- tact with the body until the exposed part is heated nearly to a blister, when, suddenly, piece of ice is clapped on. At this the initiated yells outright. His arms are now loosened. Another sharp report is heard. The lights are extin- guished, and Gill is left in the coffin alone. He rises with a vail of despair that has no similitude in human speech. After shouting two or three times for assistance, he sees light faintly glim- mering through the crevices of a door which leads from the room he is in, whither he goes and endeavors to rush | in. But the door is fastened. He calls aloud for admission to the light. The door opens slowly, and he is met by the doer-keeper, who ushers him in and presents him to his new brethren of the fraternity.
 But little time is spent in congratu- lations, for there are other candidates to be initiated, and the new member is allowed to take part ir the further ex- ercises of the night. The Delta Alpha, society of this class, initiated twenty five last Friday night. Some of them claim to have thought it fun, and are trying to get others to join.
 Young Leggett fell upon his head a distance of forty feet, and suffered death by crushing of the skull. One of his companions had clavicle frac- ture and the other was good deal hurt. They seem to have been his conductors during this part of the ceremony. It was at first thought to hush up the in- telligence of his death, but the report getting out, the body was taken in charge by the Coroner just as it was leaving the depot. The sudden death and revelation created the most intense impression throughout the University, and everybody about the village talked 1t over with bated breath. A student witness of the sad-resulting ceremonials