Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-01-23
The Cause Of the Death of Cadet
Strang.

Cadet Mont Smith, son or ]. NJ.
Smith, of this city, sends, from the
the naval school at Annapolis, Nd,
the following regarding subject
which is occupying much attention
at the present time:
The investigation by congress INTO the death of
Fred'k s. Strang, Of Oregon, late a cadet at the
U. S. n. A., which is alleged to have resulted
| through violent hazing on the part of fellow
students, has created good deal of talk at the
institution here. /" 1t is simply Ridiculous" re-
marked an officer at the academy to-day, to
suppose for a moment that as serious case of
hazing as that attributed in strang's case could
occur and the participants escape detection. 1t
is disgraceful to charge such condition of affairs
in connection with cadet strangs death simply
on the statement of a person apparently ami
mated by spite because his son had been dis
missed with others; and justly too, for hazing
lower cIassmen while on the cruise. When the
matter is sifted, it will be found that spite work
is at the Bottom OF the whole affair. Capt. F. NJ.
Ramsey. superintendent of the naval academy,
was seen by correspondent to-day, concerning
/ Strongs death, and the causes that led to ii.
! Supt Ramsey agreed with Secretary Chandler
that it was cruel to relatives and friends of the
dead cadet to bring his physical disabilities be-
fore the public, but said he would not object TO
give the status Of the case as presented. de
| Capt. Ramsey said: On the morning of Sept.
27th lie injured himself getting out of his ham
mock, on board the Santee; so he Strans, said.
He had infantry drill en- the afternoon of the Goth,
the day before the accident. He remarked after
the drill that he felt very tired, and had some
pain, but that he had similar pains before. and
that he had been warned by physician in Cal
ifornia not to take any violent exercise, as he
might injure himself if he did. Strang was
placed in the academy hospital, after breakfast
on the 9th 1t was found that he was suffering
with strangulated hernia, and an operation
decided ON as the only means Of saving his life.
The operation was successfully performed, five
physicians being present; but unfortunately the
patient did not rally, and died on the Sd OF Oct.
Strangs physical examination for admission as
cadet was conducted of medical board, COM
posed Of Drs. Walton, Cooke and Whiting. The
latter two recomme nded his condition favorable,
though the senior physician, DR.. Walton, had
serious objections at the time to passing him as
physically sound. 1t is stated that the report
that cadet Strang's death was caused by hazing
originated with the father of ex-cadet Moeller,
who, it is said, has published a pamphlet on the
subject of hazing at the academy and condemn
ing the authorities for allowing it, Young Noel
Ter was dismissed from the academy in Septem-
Der, 1888 for hazing, and ever since, it is stated
he and his father have been working up COM
plants against the institution. The younger
Moeller recently addressed a letter to ex-
cadet at Annapolis, urging him 10 make a state
ment showing that hazing still existed. but the
ex-cadet refused to enter the controversy. Noel
ler's father, it is said, has written some of the
officers that he intends to give the authorities
much trouble as possible over the hazing matter.
This not half the statement but it includes the
most important part, and explains matters quite
| fully.