The sun., 1896-07-06
HAzING AT WEST POINT.
CADET PREHTEsS MADE TO DO THE
OUICRsTEP AND SpREAD EAGLE.
Tormented Untn on the Foint OF EEhnus-
t,on by Cadet Foy In Foy'n Tept-Tho
Offender 6eptenced TO Confinement for


Tormented Untn the roint OF EKhnus-
t,on by Cadet Foy In Foy's Tent-Tho
Offender 6eptencea TO Confinement for
One Yenr-A "CInss Insult" Avenged.
WEST POINT. y. Y, July 5.-An epidemic OF
hazing has started at the United States Military
Academy, and Col. Oswald II. Ernst, Supcrln-
tcndent OF West Point, has adopted stern
measures TO suppress IL.
Cadet Foy. a member of the third class, is tho
first victim of Col. Ernsts crusade against this
custom. The "plebes," or :" beasts" as they are
dubbed in West Point nomenclature, re-
ported for duty Mt the Academy two weeks
ago. and went into camp on last We'd
nesday. This was tho signal for tho hah-
ing to begin. Col. Ernst and Capt Par
ker. tho acting commandant, Issued rigid
orders TO all the tactical officers that extreme
vigilance should he exercised to see that tho
new cadets we're not intcrfered with. Despite
tho watchfulness OF the officers the "yearlings'
took every opportunity to torment the "pleoes.'
On last Friday afternoon Lieut.. Dyer chef
instructor IN artillery tactics who was officer in
charge. was walking through the cadet camp.
Whom passing the tent occupied by Cadet Foy
OF Alabama. he heard some unusual noise.
without attracting any attention he entered the
tent.
He found Cadet Foy stretched on the tent
floor. while standing up before him In strict
military attitude, eyes centred on an Imaginary
point, knees close together, and toes pointed at
an angle Of forty-flvc degrees. was Cadet Prem
tiss, his face red as q ball OF fire and reeking
with perspiration. Prentiss had been hazed 80
numerically that when Lieut. Dyer entered he
was spoechless. and in another moment would
have fallen from exhaustion.
Lieut.. Dyer learned that for an hour. almost
without interruption, Foy had made Prentiss
. thn, lyatn t1,n nGf ayh
motion in the tactical manual. 1t consists in
standing erect. shoulders thrown back. and as
rapidly as the drilmaster can shout Hay foot,
straw foot left foot. right foot raise each foot
alternately Just Us high as you can.
When Prentiss from sheer exhaustion could
no longer raise his foot from the ground. Foy
pnt him through the sprsad-nagle movement.
which. in sweltcring day, is more exhnusting
than n double step. 1t is done by placing tho
hands on the hips, and to the command Up,
down." the victim lowers himself on his
launches. each up and down being faster than
tho preceding. Alternating with these two c1-
ercises the poor "plebo" was a sorry looking
spectacle when Lieut.. Dyer entered and inter
rupted Foy's work.
Lieut.. Dyer Immediately placed Foy in arrest
and reported the occurrence to Col. Ernst He
directed that the offonGe be placed in contlne-
ment for one year. bo deprived of all his prlyi-
leges. including his three months furlough
next summer. His punishment also includes
walking a tour OF guard duty every Saturday
after tho cadets return to barracks in the fall
1t Is the scverest sentence ever administered to
a cadet, and is a warning that Col. Ernst will
tolerate no hazing.
During one OF the drills last week Cadet Rhea
exasperated "Plebe" Lurey. and the plebe -
raised his gun and struck Rhea n severe blow
across the temple with tho butt end. 1t Gu.
quite n deep cash.
Rhea. who is q third class man, reported the
fact to the leaders OF his class and the offence
was made class insult. Cadet lleintzelman
was selected to avenge the insult. In n Ave-
round Marquis OF Queensberry bout he pum-
melled the "plebe" until he was unrecogn!1-
abo. Iurey had to be carried 10 tho hospital.
and will be there for several weeks.