The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-04-06
TROUBLE AT THE CITADEL.
Cadets Try to Force Sergt. Major Can.
tey, Who Recently Reported Cadets
for Breaking Barracks, 10 Leave
the Institution.


An attempt made by seventy-fve cadets
to force Cadet Cantey to leave the lnstltu-
ton caused an open rebellion at the South
Carolina Military Academy last night
Chief of Police Boyle had to be called on
to protect Cantey and the officers OF the 10
stitution, and for nearly two hours squad
of thirty policemen was stationed IN the
quadrangle to await a general attack, which
was momentarily expected from the boys,
who were wild with excitement: The
shouts and yells from the Academy brought
big crowd of people from the nelghborlnS
streets and houses. Many Of the cadets
were under the influence Of whlskey. This
was admitted By the police and othclats at
tie Citadel. When the police marched IN
the iron doors the cadets hlsSed 'hem
loudly, and during their stay IN The place
the continued talking and shouting made
the walls echo with a sound such as has
never been known in the Academy before.
After midnight the ringleaders appeared
TO grow less boisterous. They were hoarse
from much shouting, and the presence Of
the po,J &c prevented them from carrying
out their plans in regard to Cantey. Short
ly after midnight orders were given for the
police to quietly march out. This brought
on more cries from the boys. squad was
stationed in front of the main entrance to
the building, and at headquarters Chlef
Bovle and his officers remained on duty
until an early hour this morning. What
made matters bad last night was that the
cadets had access to the guns and all OF
them had loaded cartridges.
Trouble leading mp to the crisis last hight
has been brewing since several cadets We're
reported two weeks age for breaking ranks
to attend a dance. Sergt. Major Cantey
reported the affair and FIVE cadets were sus-
pended. At the meeting Of the board OF
visitors last week the boys were taken back
into the institution. A secret plan was
afterwards put on foot to get Cantey out.
Col. Coward heard yesterday that trouo1s
would result, und he asked Chief Boyle TO
have his men in readiness for any emef-
gency which might arise.
At II o'clock last night committee OF
twenty, representing the corps, went to
Cadet Cantey's room. Col. Coward sus-
pacted something and stopped the boys.
When the boys saw that they could not
pass Col. Coward to reach Cantey they
dropped back and the rebellion followed.
in the building. The men on duty were
powerless to stop the row. 1t was feared
that bloodshed would be the end ofs the
general uprising and orders were sent the
police to come in. The first officer IN the
gate was met with volley of Kisses. Some
Of the men were expecting the cadets, in
their wild state of mind. to open fire with
gun. This was expected. It would have
been the signal for bloody battle IN the
quadrangle.
A reporter for the News and Courier
heard Of the trouble on the street and hur-
ried to the building. When he reached
the iron gateway he was halted. but the
boys finding that he was after getting the
story promptly opened the gate and
sneaked him to O reception room. The
leaders would not allow light to be made,
but few minutes later Prof. Parker came
in and requested the reporter to leave. AS
he left fifty boys shouted for him to hear
their side of the affair.
Col. Coward was seen this morning. The
great strain had shown on him, but the re-
spect borne him by the cadets had saved
Cantey. That respect, however, could not
stop the riot. Col. Coward said he regret
ted the affair and he would report 1t this
morning to the chairman of the board.
There can be but one end to the trouble,
the authorities say.
This morning the cadets were still gath
cred on the galleries discussing the riot
and singing songs. They were compara-
lively quiet, but the police remained on
duty outside The crowds were ordered to
leave the green.
The five cadets who were taken back by
the board of visitors were not allowed by
the corps to participate in the movement to
oust Cantey.
The students claim that the whole trou-
bic grew out of the fact that the superln-
tendent, commandant and board of visitors
countenanced Cantey's action in reporting
the cadets This, they say, caused great
indignation in the corps. Resolutions
were drawn up some days ago and sent to
Cantey's father, asking him to withdraw
his son from the institution, but these
proved of no avail. It was after this that
the indignation among them reached such
q point that eighty of their number, repre-
septing every class in the Academy, drew
up resolutions to which they affixed their
names, swearing on honor to force Cantey
TO leave the institution by last night at the
latest. They met at the time appointed to
carry ont their purpose They were di-
vided into squads OF fifteen each, one
squad alone at first being sent to notify
Cantey of the determination reached by his
fellow students. They started for Cantey's
room as quietly as possible, but found the
and the oommanoant, who
had previous knowledge of their purpose,
awaiting them there.
It was then that the trouble ensued, an
account of which has been given. News
and Courier of Tuesday.