The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-03-07
GIVEN AN AIR BATH.
College students at Kalamazoo Cut n
Playful Caper.

GIVEN AN AIR BATH.
| College Students at Kalamazoo Cut n
Playful Caper.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. March 4-For years
past it has been the boast of the faculty Of
Kalamazoo college that the youths intrusted
| to their care have been better behaved than
those in other and similar educational insti-
buttons throughout the country. College
pranks were of course occasionally INDUCED
in, but the wild escapades which so often char
acterized life in other universities were un-
known. 1t was matter for frequent COM
ment and self-congratulation among the
grave professors that the young men now in
attendance were even better behaved than
usual, and it was the educators chief pride
that the tutors were invariably treated with
the greaest possible respect.
But, Behold n Change.
Such state of things it seems was too
good to last always and now the faculty
stand aghast in contemplation of an outrage
perpetrated on two of it's most dignified
members, which for boldness Of conception
and successful execution has seldom, If ever,
been equaled by university students any
where. Saturday evening William w. Des
Antels, senior student from Detroit, in
vited Professors Perry F. Trowbridge and
E. p. Ferry to sup with him. The appointed
hour came and went, but the gentlemen
failed to appear. Meals are not delayed at
the college and Mr. Des Antels ate alone.
About half an hour after supper the young
man, in company with a lady friend, started
down to the city, where the professors have
rooms, to ascertain what caused the non
fulfillment of the appointment. He met
them and after a social chat lasting perhaps
half an hour, invited them to participate in
little jollifcation that the students had
prepared at the dormitory.
A Surprise for the Professors.
They accepted the invitation, accom-
panied Mr.. Des Antels and Miss Sabin, his
lady frien I, to the college and spent very
pleasant evening Before departing for
home the professors stopped in Mr.. Des
Anters room to bid him good night. They
had hardly been in the apartment moment
when the door was burst open and in marched
twenty-five students. They were all masked
with the exception of one lank young fellow
named King, whose mask had probably
fallen off in the scramble to get into the
room. The students made rush for the
professors, and without warning threw
them violently to the floor. Two of the
stoutest lads prevented the PROSTATE men
from uttering any cutlery, while their COM
panions bound them securely with stout
cord.
Left Them I'm Cornfield.
Then the unfortunate men were blind
folded and gagged. This proceeding over, a
procession was formed, headed by the
students with guitars A dead march was
then struck up, and the procession moved
slowly along out of the college building by
the rear entrance. Mountain Home ceme-
terry, nearly four miles distant was reached
before the lead r, a stalwart chap, gave the
command to halt. The professors were left
in the center of an immense cornfield, and
without further ceremony the perpetrators
of this cruel joke fastened to their quarters
Cruel Torture of the Bonds.
The night was cold and bleak and the wind
penetrating. The two members of the col
lege faculty were in a deplorable plight.
They knew not where they were and could
not move for fear of some accident. The
men were without even sufficient clothing to
keep them comfortable. For two long hours
they struggled to free themselves. Profess
Trowbridge had penkuifs i'm his trousers
pocket and Professor Ferry finally managed
to secure it, The cords binding their wrists
were cut and in a few moments afterward
they were in happier frame of mind 1t
took the professors nearly half an hour to
get out of the cornfeld, and even then it
was long time before they struck the right
road for home, where they arrived about
o'clock Sunday morning chilled to the mar
row and in anything but n pleasant mood.
The Faculty on the Warpath.
About noontime, Sunday, Professor Ferry
appraised President Wilcox of the devilish
prank the students had played upon his con-
frere and himself. 1t being Sunday no meet
ing of the faculty could be held When it
became bruited through the college that
President Wilcox and Professor Ferry were
closeted together the guilty students were
frightened and hastily gathered for a con-
sultation. 1t was resolved to put on bold
front and deny everything. Professor Ferry
is mad clear through, and called In the help
of Sheriff Dix, who, however, said little
could be done until the names of the culprits
were known. The faculty went into session
last night, al d was still at work at midnight
devisng plans to bring the perpetrators to
books.
What the People Think.
Many citizens who are much exercised
over the affair believe that the students en-
gagged i'm the bazng will he let off mildly.
They seem to accept the story that there was
no preconcertcd move to commit the ofense,
and that Des Antes is entirely innocent;
that the body of students forming the haz-
ing crowd saw the professors out at a later
hour than usual and essayed TO have some
fun ut their expense. But it is feared by the
wise heads that unless Professors Ferry and
Trowbridge of their own accord take up the
defense of the students the faculty can not
do otherwise than expel every one engaged
in the affair.