The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-04-15

circumstances that have brought Whit
taker into his present pitiabIe plight pre-
sents a state Of facts going to make mp a
curious and startling story.
At roll call at reville this morning
Whitaker failed to respond. As usual,
when q cadet IS absent, the officer Of the
day proceeded to ascertain the cause of
such absence. Going to Whittaker's
room in the cadet barracks he found the
subject OF his inquiry lying on his back
on the floor by the side of his bed, his
feet tied together and securely fastened
to the bedpost, his hands also tied, his
ears bleeding and pillow on which his
head was resting quite bloody. His eyes
were closed and his embrowned face
seemed preternaturally thin and blood
less. Every effort to arouse him was un-
availing. He was to all Appearances ut
terly unconscious. Finding that he was
still breathing, and greatly alarmed at the
dreadful spectacle, the officer summoned
assistance and hurriedly sent for DR.. Al
exander, the post surgeon. Messengers
were at the same time despatched for
| General Schofield aud Colonel Lazelie,
the post corlmandant. These three off,
cials lost no time in repairing to the scene
of the supposed dreadful tragedy. The
news spread like wildfre. The unlocked
for isruption of the daily stereotyped
monotony of military life had occurred.
and the result was a ripple of unwonted
excitement. Other officers came pouring
in from every direction. Cadets pressed
near to catch the full import of the start
! ling news.
Meantime DIR. Alexander was not idle
in his efforts to diagnose the case. "What
is the matter, Whitaker" he asked after
untying his limbs, the fastenings COM
prising strips cut from a waist belt. Re
ceiving no response he gently shook him,
repeating the question. He then shook
him harder, renewing his inquiry. 'I
think he is shamming," said the Doctor,
whose quick professional eyes had by
this time begun to take in the situation.
81 am almost killed." finally gasped
Whitaker. "Where am I?' ''Tell Us
all about it," said the Doctor. ''Here
are General Schofeld and Colonel Laz-
ellie, and they want to know" During
the night" replied Whitaker, ''three
men came into my room, two rather tall
and one short. They each wore mask.
One struck me with that Indian club
(pointing to club near by on which was
stain Of blood. They then clipped my
hair and cutmy ears. ! was also struck
on the nose, causing it to bleed freely
[ knew nothing more until you found
me-" After hearing this brief staten ent
Dr. Alexander had Whitaker taken to
the hospital, or rathor had him walk
there, and then. pursuant to the direction
of General Schofeld, had him stripped
and thoroughly examined. The result of
this examination was that not q bruise
was found on him. It was further ascer-
tanned that his nose had not bled, as he
stated. You are not hurt; you can go
on duty" said the Doctor, and Whittak-
er at once repaired to his quarters and
put in an appearance at the nine o'clock
recitation, and is tonight occupying his
room il The barracks as if nothing had
happened.
Calling on General Schofeld to obtain
his version of the affair the Herald rep
resentative was received with true sol
dierly politeness and the facts in the case
given with frank unreserve. After cor
roborating the story as given above he
said that as far as he knew Whitaker
had not an enemy among the cadets.
$50 you think no cadets had hand in
the natter"
$50 far there is no indication of such
fact" replied the General. ''Every ca
det in the corps has been examined to
day, and they each deny any knowledge
of the affair"
"What do you think could be his mo-
tive?'
"He was admitted to the academy four
years ago next June. a year ago last |
January he was found deficient, and is |
now in the second class. He first roomed |
with Flipper, the colored cadet, who |
graduated, and the latter, who is much |
brighter, helped Whitaker, it is stated, |
a good deal in his studies. He has run |
behind since. AS the next examination |
is next month, and with but little hope !
of his passing, he might, could he have |
brought it about, have been ordered to |
the hospital, and thus excused and OBJ |
tanned another year of grace
"What has been his demeanor and |
treatment by the cadets?"
''He has always behaved himself in q |
quiet, modest way, and the cadets have |
always treated him with kindness"
''Will there be q further examination |
in his case?"
81 am notat liberty to say at present" "
''Should there be, and it is discovered |
that this was his own doing, what will be
the result"
''His dismissal in disgrace Of course" |
''By the way, could not Whitaker have |
given an alarm if what he states is true?" |
''Most certainly; one cadet occupies q |
room adjoining his, and two opposite" |
''Is there any other colored cadet in |
the academy"
''No; L should have mentioned that |
Whitaker showed a note of warning
against an attack of this kind"
In closing the interview General Scho- |
field said he could not give permission |
owing to the lateness OF the hour to see |
Whitaker, but he did not think anv ad- |
dltlonal facts OF interest could be CLEANED |
from him, as he would doubtless adhere |
to the story already given.
William Mitchell, a colored man, who
waits on the officers, tells a story which
throws some additional light OH the mat
ter. He says that Whitaker has been in
the habit of frequently visiting his (Mit-
chell's) father-in-law. On last Sunday
night, while there on visit, Whitaker
showed him a note. He SAYS he remem-
bers the reading of the note, and that If
was as follows: 'sAIr Whittaker-Look
out tonight, they are going to play