The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1882-09-07
NAVAL CADETS ar PrsrrcuFPs.
AAa Encounter Near 1fae Washington
Monum2ene-soaaae Other Fights.

w 4sHlNGTON, August 9.--Fist fights at
less frequent at Annapolis than at Yves
Point. 1t is claimed by naval officers tina
the Annapolis cadets are more gentleman
ly than those at West Point, and that few
er tights are necessary. Nevertheless til,
naval cadets sometimes settle their dis
putes by pugilism, and not only in An.
napolis but elsewhere. Recently two cadc
mldsh1pmen had falling out in~this city
Harsh words were exchanged Of a sort
which, under the code of both academies
make fight unavoidable. The two cadets
inquired OF common acquaintance. a resi-
dent OF this city, where they could find a
suitable arena. He asked If they were in
earnest. They assured him they were.
>Very= well, then," he said, "a favorable
battle ground is near the Washington
Monument on the white 1ot have seen
number Of fights there. It-is a secluded
spot, and there is no fear of Interruption
by the police or inquisitive visitors.,'
The cadets thereupon prepared them
selves for the encounter, and, accompan-
led by their friend, went to the retired spot
he had indicated at 2 o'clock in the MORN
ing, and fought till one of the disputants
was satisfied with his punishment.
A very singular meeting occurred at this
spot some time ago between an army Of
hcer and half grown German bow. The
ofti:er and the lad had an alteration al the
Ebbitt House and the boy demanded sayls-
faction. The officer laughed, but the bow
insisted, and at length the officer consent-
ed to meet him on the white lot that nsehf.
Seconds were selected, and the party ;5ent
to the rendezvous. Here the clothing Of
the contestants was searched by the Sec
onds, and it was found that the officer was
armed with pistol and the bow with |
dirk. Both weapons were taken away and
the principals were stripped for the COM
bat. The officer had doubled his fists for
a blow, when the German lad raised his
arm and showed a large stone which he
held in his hand.
"Come on, >" he shouted to his adversary
'sbnt If you bit me in the face I'll knock
your head of with this rock.''
On hearing this defiance, the officer
laughed, put on his coat, and left.
Another ffstic battle ground of the eapi-
al is secluded spot on the bank or the
Potomac river behind the propagating gar
len OF the Agricultural Department..
Fights are frequent there, as the police
'arely visit the locality, and at night it is
Yery retired and dark. One of the most
Interesting fights which ever occurred in /
his place was betWeenn man named ,
rice and 10 Gerhar1t' the noted base ball
'layer. The fight had scarcely begun +
VFen Price got in a blow on GerharGt's +
eek, which knocked him senseless. Ger :
ardt had a fit. The seconds were paral- r
zed with terror, but Price kept his pres d
nee OF mind, and, leaping down the high y
ank, filled his hat with water from the |d
lver, and by showering his antagonist v
nth it succeeded in restoring him to con- {
;iousness.
Fist lighting among naval cadets is in Y
uIged in at sea as we'll as on shore. One n
the most famous Of the younger officers
cur navy, while a cadet, had quarrel
ith fellow midshipman while their class
as on practice cruise. A ring was chalk 9
out on the quarter deck, and the two el
oungsters stripped to the waist and pun1- al
elled each other in the presence Of the g
ip's company. Both were badly bruised, N
I'd were on the sick LIST for q vealr c1