Pioche daily record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1872-1876, 1873-11-18
COLLEGE FOLLY. at
ri. Cha silly Fun that Leads t.
Death.
,rron the El,nira lN. VI Advertiser


rn. G,,astiy Fun that Leads to
Death.
From the Elmira a. " Advertiser.
brief dispatch to the Associated
p,ess on Saturday reads thus: Hg
Mortimer, son of NJ. ID. Leggett, q.
Commissioner of Patents, was killed
last night by falling from cliff near
Ithaca, n. \.
From an informant who was in Ithaca
an saturday we learn that young Leg
att was a member OF the Cornell Uni
Tersity, in the Freshman class, and was
undergoing an initiation into secret
society OF the college, the ceremony tax
ing place at some house in the village
adjacent to the precipitous banks of Six
Mile creek. In the process OF the initia-
tion. II seems the initiated is led through
many devious mazes and over threaten
inc difficulties. one OF which in this case
was the precipitation of young Leggett
off high cliff to the banks Of the creek
below, together with his two attendants.
That the reader may better get an ink
limo of initiation in college societies, we
Clip from Cornell University letter in
the Buffalo Commercial some accounts Of
AN INITIATION.
But, that you may not be wearied by
reneralities, take an example. Gill is a
freshman, a six-footer, with herculean
oirth of shoulders, and always ready for
an exploit. He is approached by soph-
omore. who asks him to join the Omi-
cron Epsilon Society {or some other out
landish title composed of the names of
Greek letters). He promises him an
easy initiation, and tells him what fun it
will be TO see the other candidates initi-
ated. Gill perhaps has heard rumors
about such societies and their doings.
He is itching with curiosity to know all
about them. He may have been eau
toned to keep clear OF them. but curiosi.
ty and the persuasiveness Of the sopho-
mores are too much to be resisted; so he
signs pledge to join the society. The
night of the performance of the rites,
which is usually Friday night, has come
around The members Of the society
meet in secret lodge, in some remote
room in the 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, "when church-yards yawn and
graves give up their dead. = four knights,
incog., appear at his room, blindfold
and plnion 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 except in sepulchral tones.
Having at length ascended flight of
stairs. Gill is now led by unaccountable
wanderings through rooms and halls,
stumbling over chairs, seantling 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 draw mp into another
apartment. He hears the trampling Of
many feet about him. suppressed whis.
pers an stern behests. He is utterly
confused. His escorts now let go of him
and he is compelled to grope alone for a
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 HIMSELF DOWN.
He is Immediately seized and thrown
upon blanket" which is a large cam
vas with strap handles. This is held by
ten hardy fellows, who give it a twitch
and send him into the air as il he were n
foot ball. He is tossed in the blanket"
until it ceases to be fun for the tormen-
tors. Then he is led to damp place,
where he is subjected 70 the process of
squirting some caustic liquid from sy-
rnge into his mouth and between the
back of his neck and neither garments.
Next, after a series of perambulations
aud difficulties, he is halted and made to
take most solemn oath never to divulge
any Of the secrets of the order, on PEN
atty 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 solemn drapery Of death. A huge
green calcium light is kindled, and SIM
ultaneous'y with removing the bandage
from the victims eyes q musket is dis
charged causing fearful report. The
concusslon of sound, the hideous glare,
tne unearthly and demoniac appearance
OF everything around him, together with
ms experience just before, are too much
ior human nature, and Gill swooned.
But they have all been in Prof. Wilder 8
physiology class, and are prepared for
snch 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 rite and cere-
mony OF Initiation into the noble order
and fellowship Of the Omicron Epsilon
society, namely, branding. The opera
uon Is as follows: The clothing is re-
moved from the stomach; heated shovel
IS brought nearly in contact with the
oody until the exposed part is heated
nearly to blister, when suddenly piece
u ice Is clapped on. Atthis the initiated
yells outright. His arms are now loos-
ened, Another sharp report is now
GsM Geard' The lights are e1tinguished, and
ui!i Is left in the cofiin alone. He rises
win wall of despair that has no simil.
.ade In human speech. After shouting
'Wo or three times for assistance, he sees
hght family glimmering through the
erevices OF door which leads from the
I9om ne Is in. But the door is fastened
n ne calls aloud for admission 10 the light
,l Tue door opens slowly and he is met by
.ne doorkeeper, who ushers him in and
PRESENTS him to his new brethren Of the
fraternity.
nut little time is spent in congratula.
uons. Tor there are other candidates to
ne ihitiated. and the new member is al.
io~ed to take part in the further exercises
oi 'he night. The Delta Alpha, society
VI TINS class, initiated twenty-five last
iriday night. Some Of them claim to
nave nave thought it fun, and are trying to ge,
others to join. sef55
raE TRAGEDY. E1LFEy
Young Leggett fell upon his head, 9
Instance OF iorty feet. and suffered death
oy crushing Of the skull. One Of hi.
companions had o clavicle fracture and
.ne other was good deal hurt. They
seemed to have been his conductors dur
sns TINS part Of the ceremony. 1t was a
ntst thought to hush up the intelligenc,
VI VI MS death, but the report getting out
.ne body was taken in charge by the Cor
1aer Just as it was leaving the depot
n'.ef the inquest three classmates tool
H ae remains in charge to escort them I,
MS tltlprfa VaosIo,,.. -