Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-11-12
SPOILED THEIR RAID.
THE CADETS HAD A LAUGH AT THE
OFFICERS EXPENSE.

How a Billiard Table Was Struggled
Into the Barracks ut West Point
and the story of It's Accidental
Discovery.
There are many traditions and sto-
ries of escapades at the Military acade-
my at West Point that are handed
down from class to class. and one of
the most interesting of these is that re-
lating to the billiard table. Shortly
after the civil war the cadets, always
on the alert for some new scheme for
amusement, decided that they would
like to have billiard table and ac-
cordingly organized a billiard club. A
collection was taken up with which to
purchase table, and suitable place
was sought in which to set 1t up Until
the present steam heating apparatus
was installed In the cadet barracks,
Ing was by means of furnaces. The
basement of the sixth division of the
barracks was used for coal bins. the
bins being SO arranged that there was
large one near the center of the
building, which could only be reached
by passing through one of the others.
After considering all available places
this coal bin was finally selected as be-
Ing the place least liable to detection,
for 1t must be remembered the table
was unauthorized
The table was bought in New York
and sent to Garrisons, across the river,
for there was no West Shore railroad
In those days. One cold winter night
1t was hauled by team OF oxen across
the river on the Ice and up the hill and
was safely slowed away in the coal bin
before morning. The table was soon
set up and became n source of great
enjoyment TO the cadets. A keg Of
beer was always kept on tap, and
lamps were hung from the ceiling, CIV
ing the room CHEEKY appearance
The members Of the club used to gath
er there at all hours of the day and
night. when their presence was not re-
qqired elsewhere by their duties, and
sit around smoking, drinking apd tell
ing stories while two of them played
billiards.
The authorities soon became aware
that there was billiard table some
where In the barracks, for they could
hear the balls clicking together. but
they could not find 1t. The cadets con-
tinued TO enjoy the privileges of the
billiard club for more than a year.
Finally one night soon after mid
night, as two officers were returning
from conviylal evening at the mess,
derclothing and dressing gowns,
emerge from the north sallyport and
disappear down the steps to the area
way In front OF the barracks. Instant
| ly the thought of the billiard table
dashed through the minds OF the two
officers and they started quietly after
the cadets, On reaching the basement
doorway of the sixth division the two
| cadets entered. and the officers, arriv.
Ing n moment later. saw them climb
I over a pile OF coal aud enter an open
door. through which came sounds of
| laughter aud conversation aud the
clicking of balls, while the air was In.
den with fragrant tobacco smoke.
The officers paused for moment
and held whispered consultation
Finally deciding that they would tell
the other officers of their discovery and
have all Of them come down the fol
lowing night and enjoy the fun of O
raid On the club they withdrew and
went home, Next day all the officers
at the post were Informed OF the dis