The New York herald., 1879-03-03
ST. STEPHENS COLLEGE TROUBLE.
STATEMENT OF THE AFFAIR BY THE COLLEGE
AUTHORITIES EMBODIED IN LETTER TO
BISHOP POTTER.

BISHOP POTTER.
PoueHKEEpsIE, March .. 1879.
St. stephens College at Annandale is almost en-
tircly deserted at present and the forced vacation
because of the recent serious troubles among the
students will not ends until Saturday next. Now
that a student of the wickes party and Il. W.
Parkerscn. Of the Parkersen party have given their
version of the college troubles the whole matter
properly put at res. by a statement OF the college
authorities. their views being embodied in letter
to Bishop Potter by the Warden of the col
lege. In substance it represents to the Bishop
that some six weeks ago permission was given
number of the students to go a sleghridc to
Rhinebeck. They went and had supper at the vii
lage and had wine the table, but there was no
drunkenness. Shortly after another party obtained
a like permission and they also went to Rhnebeck
and had supper and had wine upon the table; but 1t
was not such temperate party of pleasure seekers
as was the first. and carousal ensued. but the
ports of it were greatly exaggerated, some say
ing all were drunk. when the fact WIS that
three got very drunk, four consider
ably intoxicated, and the balance, about eight
in all. were sober. The student Wickes, OF Fort
Edward of the party. but he wrote letter to
a graduate in New York telling him OF the whole
affair." with the avowcd hope that the matter would
reach the of the college authorities. and it did
wickes sent his letter. and when they heard of the
latter wickes called before them. He made u
clean breast of the whole affair, acknowledged the
sending of the letter and told the story OF the sleigh
ride he had heard il from the lips of those who
on it, In this statement TO the Warden in
way. shape manner did no refer to Parkerscn or
intimate that the latter had anyhing to do with III
nor was Parkorsen's name mentioned, nor was Par
kersen on the sleghridc.
PAIiKEnl.N's ACTION.
Soon after Wickos' interview with the Warden It's
result became known among the students. and then
IL that Parkcrscn came to the front in uncalc
for, oficious and insolent manner. In fact he was
the leader OF the muss which ended in the present
forced vacation.
IL was he who made the nccndiary address in the
dining hall and IL was lac who set the students OF
his party to put Wickes through the pumping pro-
He was also in the fight with the Canadian up
stairs, and even after the fight he stalked
about with an air OF insolcnce that hardly cndtr
able. The faculty met; they argued il was not de-
srable to expel anybody-to send them away from
college disgraccd. for that would follow them
through life They, therefore. decided TO admonish
all concerned In the affair aud the admonitiou was
In closing the reading of the paper imploring all
like Christian gentlemen, forget the past and
enter with renewed ygor upon their studies. This
did not satisfy the Wckes party, and Wickcs threat
cned to 20 before magistrate and obtain civil war
rant for the arrest OF Parkersen. The authorities
believed that such course would add fuel to the
flame, aud finally prevailed on him not to do il.
Then Parkersen was again called before tho Warden
diploma woIld be awarded to him on cement
day, and he could graduate with the usual honors,
and nothing further would be said about the matter
Pnrkerscn + talk and manner in reply again i'm
piident aud overbcaring and the Warden rotcrrod
II severely, sating TO the Bishop In his letter that
then IL was simply question whether tho student
should give way 10 the college or the college TO the
student. and then Parkersen was dismissed alter