The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-04-08
WHITTAKER's WOES.
The Alleged Brutal Hazing at West
Point.
It Is Now Thought He Committed the Out
rage Upon HlmselE-Hls Reasons for
Doing Soils Chlmsrlcal State.
msnt Of the Affair.

New YORK, April 6.-The Herald ha
the following story Of the assault upon tn
colored cadet, Whitaker, at West Point
When the post surgeon, DIR. Alexander
arrived in Whittaker's room, he asked
after untying his limbs, the fastening
comprising strips cut from his waist belt
"What's the matter, Whitaker" Re
ceiving no response, he gently shook him
repeating the question. He then shoOE
him harder, renewing his inquiry. ~
think he is shamming," said the doctor
az am almost killed." finally gasped Whit.
taker, "where am II" "Tell US all about
it." said the doctor, "here are General
schofeld and Col. Lazelle, 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 a club
near by, one end of which was blood
stained). They then clipped my hair and
cut my ears. l wasalso struck on the nose,
causing 1t to bleed freely. I knew moth.
ing more until you found me-"
Alter hearing this statement, DR.. Alex.
derhad, Whitaker taken to the hospital,
or rather had him walk there, and, pur.
suantto directions, Gen. Schotield had him
stripped and thoroughly examined. The
result Of the examination was that not
bruise was found on him. 1t was further
ascertained that his nose had not bled as
stated. "You are not hurt; you can go
on duty" said the Doctor, and Whitaker
repaired to his quarters and put in his
appearance at the 8 o'clock recitation, and
was last night occupying his room in the
barracks as II nothing had happened.
A reporter had talk with Gen, Scho-
field, who said, as far as he knew, Whit
taker had not an enemy among the
cadets.
$50 you think no cadet had hand in
the matter?"
$50 far there Is no indication OF any
such fact" replied the General. every
cadet in the corps has been examined and
they each deny any knowledge Of the af.
fair"
"What do you think could be his mo-
tive?n
"He was admitted to the academy four
years ago next June. A year ago last
June he was found deficient, and is now
in the second class. He first roomed with
Flipper, colored cadet, who graduated,
and the latter, who is much brighter,
helped Whitaker, 1t 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, obtained another year Of
grace"
"What has been his demeanor and treat.
ment by the cadets2"
HE always behaved himself in a quiet
modest way, and the cadets have always
treated him with uniform kindness"
"Will there be further examination in
his case?'
81 am not at liberty to state at present" "
"Should there be any and 1t is discover.
ed that this was his own dong, what will
be the result?"
"His dismissal in disgrace, OF course"
"Could not Whitaker have given an
alarm II what he states Is true?"
"Most certainly. A cadet occupies the
room adjoining his and two opposite"
"Is there any other colored cadet in the
academy"
"No," said the General, ~ should have
mentioned that Whitaker showed me a
note Of warning against an attack Of this
kind"
The colored man who waits on The Off.
GERS says, ~ think as there were cadets
rooming near him, and an officer under
him, and as be had q gun in his room that
II he was visited by persons in masks and
allowed them to beat him and tie him up,
he hasn't a particle OF pluck and Is dis
grace to the colored race"
WEST POINT, April l7.-General Schofield
states to-day, though some Of the evidence
indicates that Cadet Whitaker committed
the outrage on himself, the opinion thus
held Is mere conjecture. He says the fact
that no member OF the corps OF cadets
committed the crime has been fully dem
onstrated. The final result OF the investi'
CATION has not yet been made known.
PoUOuKRRPsIE, April7-This afternoon