The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-09
A COLLEGE SCANDAL.
THE PEABODY NORMAL INsTITU TH
IN A TEMPEST.
A Charge That Student Has Been Killed
by overexaction on the Part Of a
Teacher-A Terrible Indictment on q
WALL

which has caused sensation among those
connected with the institution as teachers
or students. On Wednesday morning
there were found painted on the wall, and
running the entire length Of the hall, the
following sentences in big black letters,
written with brush dipped in lamp.
black:
Sentiments OF many"
"Sacred to the memory OF the heartless
tyrant, Julia Sears. One victim is enough."
"He-'AIiss Sears, I'm too i'll to prepare
and stand the examination. "
"She-'But you must il you hold your
scholarship"
lone week later. EIc-'Boys, I'm dy-
ing. She says can't graduate. She has
treated me like dog.
"Died of grief at inability TO work. DR..
Payne is exonerated."
This peculiar memorial found its origin
in the sad death last Monday morning of
student from Kennedy, Ala, named
G. NJ. Geer. A number of the students
were interviewed, and made in substance
the following statement concerning the
sickness and death OF Geer
Geer told Miss Sears that he was unable
TO stand the intermediate examination on
account OF his physical condition; but s1e
would take his scholarship away II he did
not. AS matter OF fact she could
not do this, though by result Of
long connection with the institution
she is vested with very considerable
authority. lie attempted TO stand the cx-
aninaiions but became i'll. While he was
sick he talked nearly all the time about
Miss Scans rs the cause Of his illness, stat
ing the same thing both when rational and
irrational. lie talked Of this 40 much
when first sick that DIR. Payne, DIR. Brund-
age Prof. Lampson and Mrs. Payne all as
surcd him that nc would be all right
in his studies, and need have no
cause for alarm. The faculty saw
that the students were aroused, and DR..
Brunduge said that he noticed il. There
was not in the college a more faithful and
conscientious student than Geer, aud he
WIS in his second year in the senior class.
| TO one who sat up with him Geer said that
lac was willing to die, since he could not
/ graduate. and would lose his scholarship
NJ ~ Sears, the students say. has but lit
/ tie patience with students who do not
i ANlllt UP W llfl fAliNlAAlNunt Nll'l ~ fHlt-
cially hard upon scholarship students, Of
whom there are IA out Of the total OF 200
Wednesday morning, when the chapel
was opened aud this writing on the wall
| discovered, about $50 students collected
before Prof. Lampson's arrival, aud all
stood in the hall discussing the subject
until lac came and saw what was causing
| the excitement. As soon as he realized
the situation he ordered all to their
rooms.
Since the recent developments two pcti.
/ tons have been put in circulation among
the female pupils One Of these was drawn
/ and issued by some OF the teachers and
one was started by n girl student whose
motive and object are questioned. The
one promulgated by teachers reads
"We, the undersigned, realizing the in
! dignity which has been offered in the
! insult written upon the walls OF the col.
lcgc on Wednesday, February 8, do earn
cstly desire, and are willing 10 aid In a
thorough investigation which will expose
the guilty and relieve the innocent from
/ suspicion"
Mrs. Jones, director in the Young la
/ dies Gymnasium, had this petition In
charge, aud obtained the signatures OF q
number OF the girls. The girls stated that
they were 10 sign the petition, and II they
appeared 60 bc reluctant. were then told
| that their failure 90 sign looked suspicious,
/ aud they must know something Of the
/ guilty party or parties, and conse.
qucntly their names would be taken
/ Tor further inquiry. Two or three Of
| the girls cried about being forced, F."
~ they claimed, 10 sign, and said
that they would not have done 10 had they
not been intimiiatci. Others declared
/ that they would not have signed the pcli.
! ton had they known is contents, though
| the contents were 10 broadly written ~ 10
| signify little save an ultimate clearing OF
blame from any and oil OF the college au.
| thorilics.
The petition started this morning by one
Of the girl pupils mentioned was probably
intended for publication, and il similar TO
! the other Not one OF the male pupils has
/ signed such q petition, nor will they
sign. No such instrument has been
presented TO them, because Il Is
we'll known that they will ~.
| fuse. The boys regard the petition
/ forced upon the girls ~ an imposition,
aud an Indignation meeting Is being nc.
! lively canyasscd. Many Of them condemn
the manner Of making the charge, but
they will not sign any paper
which seeks to coudonc or amcliori,c
the substance Of that charge. Tho stu
| dents wish Il understood that Chancellor
| PAYNE Is relieved from every faint oi sus.
| piuiun Of ill.wiIl. All arc convinced that
/ hc WIS both ignorant aud blamclcs- In tho
matter At present II looks o. though
| this subject will not settle itself very
quickly. The first reply made by Miss
Sears to an inquiry was
Really | know nothing about IT,"
Being questioned ~ Ia whether Young
Gccr had asked on account Of illness. 10
be- released from standing examination, she
/ said:
lfso. do not now rccollcct H. The
examination began on Monday Of the
/ previous week, aud the iirst, think, that |
know Of his ever being W was when Il was
/ reported the following Thursday forabout
fourteen years ! have been connected
with the college. This Is the first thing
oi this sort that has ever occurred. did
not know that any pupil bore me malice,
and tbs will doubtless be carried TO con-
/ illusions which will Tx the guilt upon a
certain person. The reputation which
! have established during my connection
with the institution will not, ! think, be
injured 10y a charge rs groundlcs as this:
| n Mr dccr was oyorlaXcd himself and
was too w ~ undertake the examination
] was not aware OF the fact, and had not,
40 far ~ know, been 10 informed by him
OF anyone else"
Dr. stephens stated that death was
caused by malarial fever resulting in con-
gcston Of the liver aud stomach. Toqucs-