Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-09-15
pLEBEs AT WEST POINT.
How Embryo warriors Are Made g
Amuse the YearIings at the
Military Academy.

IF the new fourth classmen, or
"plebes,'' as they are most frequently
called, who entered the military acad-
envy at West Point short time ago,
think that on account of the war with
Spain they will not be hazed, their
hopes are bound to be rudely shat
tered. For weeks the yearlings have
been preparing a warm reception for
them. War or no war, the time-hon-
ored custom of double-stepping and
choo-chooing 'p1ebes" will be faith,
fully observed. A cavalry recruit
might just as well hope to escape
blanket tossing as the new 'plebe" to
miss the setting-up exercises, which
Grant, Sherman and Sheridan tried in
vain to dodge.
The "plebe'' who has successfully
passed the entrance examinations first
reports to the adjutant, and, after
registering, is sent to the assembly
room, where cadet officers are on
hand to give him a warm reception
tKnock!" is the advice given by the
tired-looking orderly who showed him
the way, and the new recruit is left to
his own thoughts, The response to
his timid tap is like the roar of the
reveille gun. ''Come in!" echoes from
basement to roof. The tone is like
lions roar. 1t strikes terror deep
down in the heart OF the new soldier
who instinctively recoils, and Cor the
first times wishes himself at home. The
door opens upon a dozen cadets, who
regard him with absolute iRdiffer-
ence. Nobody questions the new ar
rival, and he is forced to introduce
himself.
1t is then only his troubles begin.
He finds that in addressing or an
swering upper classmen he must in
.variabiy use the word ''sir." He also
discovers that all questions. how
ever senseless or ridiculous, must be
answered. Here are few samples:
Where are you from. Mr.. Dumb
john?"
Chicago"
''Say, sir, Chicago, SIR
''How DO you know you are from
Chicago, Mr.. Dumbjohn?"
Il don't know, SIR
''Wel, you are a stupid product,
Mr.. Dumbjohn. Do you know any.
thing?"
Eyes, SIR
What do you know, sir?"
1t is usually at this point that Mr.
Dumbjohn Wits and admits that he
knows nothing. Then a corporal takes
the new arrival in charge and his lot
thenceforward for at least a year is
not happy one. In camp the ''piebe"
guard is usually tackled by ghosts on
dark. stormy nights and tossed into
Fort Clinton's moat. The new fourth
classmen are drilled continuously.
Whether walking through the COM
pany streets or "off duty" on the
plains, the "plebe" must be always at
attention. In his tent work will be
found for him by the "yearlings."
Cleaning guns, making lemonade and
doing general police work leaves little
time for inconsistencies Sitting on q
bayonet or chewing the side of cot
or double stepping by the hour are
some of the things a ''plebe" must do
to amuse the upper classmen.
A new amusement was invented
last summer by '.yearling" who has
since been discharged. He named it
the Sammy" race. Two "plebes" are
blindfolded and each is furnished with
a jug of molasses and spoon. The
command Feed" is then given and
one "plebe'' tries to feed the other
with the molasses. BY the time half
the stuff is exhausted nearly all
the wasps and hornets in camp are
settled on the ''piebes' uniforms
drinking in the surplus sugar deposit
ed there. The recruits are then re-
leased, and no time is lost in trying to
doff the sweetened blouses. He is a
fortunate 'plebe" who manages to es-
cape from this exercise without at
least half-dozen wasp stings.
When a "plebe" is ordered TO laugh.
he usually ''f1ns out" palms Of his
hands to the front, and, with his back
against tree, smiles pleasantly for
an hour. This is regarded as great
amusement by the upper classmen.
Fistic combats may now be looked for
between the ''plebes" and ''yeariings.''
N. Y. Press.