The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-06-06
A Tragedy on WashingtOn's Birthday.

The awful consequences of anger
were seen at one of our universities,
on February % last, in tragedy
which will impress upon the mind OF
every one who hears of 1t the lmpOr-
tance. of seIf-control. 1t was at our
new university at Chattanooga, Tenn.
Professors and students were celebrat-
ing Washington's Birthday on the col
lege campus in that comfortable win
ter climate by q game of ball.
Among the players were two TRENDS,
McGill and Johnson. McGill was
chosen umpire. He made decision
which caused discussion, and, as is u.s.
ual in such games, almost every one
had something to say for or against
the decision. McGlll, not certain that
he was right, and being very sensitive,
changed his decision, but became very
angry. When he announced his de-
cision johnson said, rather sarcastical-
ly, "Ben, the first nine bulldozed you
into making that decision" He
quickly said to Johnson, "You are a
liar W johnson, who had quick
temper, went up to McGill, shook his
fist in his face. and said, " You are an.
other one !n' Quick as thought McGill
raised the bat which, as umpire, he
held in his hands, and, bringing II
down with both hands with all his
might. struck Johnson on the head.
The terrible blow was fatal. After a
short time lie became unconscious, re-
naming in that state for six hours,
whe in he died!
These two boys were friends; sat
near each other at meals: Neither in
their sports nor the classes were they
rivals. McGill flew into strong pas
sion and never had murder in his
heart. He is about twenty years OF
age, very fine"looking, magnanimous.
Johnson was twenty-one and very
popular. ION the evening before bis
untimely death he had taken a promi-
nent part in exercises held in the chap
ell that evening, little dreaming what q
few hours wsuld bring forth to him."
At last accounts, McGill, in utter de-
spondency and aimlessness, had fled to
Georgia. The next day there was no
school, and the students were standing
around in groups lamenting the death
of johnson and expressing pity for
McGill.
The body of johnson was taken
home by thetrain, the pall-bearers be-
ing intimate friends chosen from the
literary society of which both he and
McGill were members.
George Washington was marked by
the most extraordinary self-control.
Though naturally of strong passions,
he said, II will control my temper; it
shall not master me-" Such scene
on his anniversary birthday, and as a
part of the celebration, was In fright
full contrast to what should have been
The University was not to blame;
the Professors were not to blame. 1t
was an outburst Of passion.
McGill should be tried, and convict
ed of manslaughter, and punished as a
warning to others but his sentence
should be merciful. He has brought
the brand of Cain upon himself, and
till he dies will be other than he would
have been. The memory of the deed
will cling to him. and thousand
times will he rue the day.
Never-never let temper gain all as
tendency. Neither speak nor act
when under its influence. Stop and
think; walk awhile. 1t is enough to
make us all shudder, when we call up
the times when we have lost self-con-
troll and imagine what we might have
done. "He that ruleth his own spirit
is greater than he that taketh a city,"