Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-10-20
ESPECIAL rrLreRAM TO TIE p1srArcH.i

ROME, N. Y, October 1.-THE career Of
the White Caps has not yet come to an end.
Last winter and spring their infuence was
all potent in the West, and their example
became contagious, until white masked men
terrorized communities on the extreme
boundaries of New England. Gradually
their power waned, and it seemed as though
the very name was forever buried in the OBJ
livion OF the past. Not 50, however, and an
incident that occurred in this community
one night this week calls attention to the
once frequent evil.
Right on one of the principal streets in
this city George Harger, a young man from
Lee. who attends the Rome Free Academy,
was attacked by mob of boys varying
from the ages of II to q, attired as White
Caps.
George Harger, the victim Of this outrage.
is young man of 20 summers. he boards
at q private residence on Elm street, in the
upper and quiet part of the city, and is .
member of the senior class in the academy.
Some few months ago he purchased book
of DR.. A. Wilford hall, of New York,
bearing on hygienic treatment, q system
mucn
Ms.. AKIN TO THE FAITH CURE
fellow members, as he expressed his
Christian science ideas too freely. When
any of the members or their relatives were
sick he always advised them to drop the
antiquated method of drugs and medical
operations and use his faith cure. He was
also prohibitionist, and gave such free
airings to his opinions that he was soon un-
popular among the boys ofthe institution.
AS Mr.. Harger was sitting in his room at
his boarding house the other evening boy
by the name of Vincent called on him.
About 10 o'clock, at the solicitation of Vim
cent, they took a stroll around the city until
they reached Bloomfield street, when Vim
cent left Harger and started on run. 1t is
dark and quiet part of the city and Mr..
Harger had gone only short distance when
he was attacked by a mob of about 15 in
number, attired in old clothes and black and
white masks over their faces. They savagely
took hold of him and forced him against the
fence, where they began beating him with
their fists and whips.
CRY FOR HELP.
Harger, seeing his desperate position,
began to cry for help. His cries were 50
loud that the White Caps thought it best to
leave and run. Mr.. Harger went to his
boarding place, where he told the story of
MS terrible experience Win bne w nlte caps.
Fortunately he only received few bruises.
No doubt the boys at the academy took
this unmanly mode of seeking revenge for
his faith cure attempts. A short time ago
Mr.. Harger went to see small boy, who is
a member Of the academy, and was danger
ously i'll. He tried to influence the boy to
use his hygienic treatment unknown
to his parents. The boy, being only
16 years old and quite inno-
cent Of such matters, finally consented. but
when the parents of the sick boy found it
out it was stopped before he had undergone
his treatment. For this reason, mainly, it
is supposed that the boys made this out
rageous attempt upon Harger.
CERTAIN HE'S RIGHT.
Mr.. Harger was interviewed, and said
that he was quite certain that his assailants
were academy boys. and that they resorted
to the above manner of persecution on &C
count of his freely-expressed ideas on hy-
gienics and prohibition. He denied the
faith-cure part Of the case at first, but finally
admitted its truth. The case is q very pc
culiar one, and it lis said that the boys at the
academy are not through with him yet. No
arrests have been made.