Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-20
HAzING OF OSCAR BOOB
Court Of Inquiry Appointed by The War
Department Sitting at West Point.
THE TESTIMONY OF CLASSMATES
Cadet Linton of Michigan and
Others Questioned.
HE NEVER KNEW BOOB TO Be ABUSED
Associated Press Dispatch by Special Wires.

Associated Press Dispatch By Special Wires.
West Point, N.Y., Dec. 19.--The examina-
tion OF cadets who we're in the same class
with the late Oscar l.. Booz at the Military
Academy was continued today by the Court
OF Inquiry appointed by the War Del Brt-
nent to probe the allegation that Booz was
brutally hazed two years ago and died two
weeks since at Bristt /, Pa, as a result.
Fourteen of BOOKS classmates, who num-
bered 6S. testified at yesterdays proceed
ings, and each one of them denied that any
brutality was practiced at the academy.
The first Is minutes of today's session
were behind closed dours.
When the open sitting w8s begun, Cadet
Raymond l.. Linton Of Michigan. said that
Booz was not hazed or treated brutally SO far
as he knew.
The witness described "bracing'' as an
exaggerated form Of the position of a
soldier. IL was the drawing In Of the chin
and the throwing back of the shoulders at
the same time.
Capt. Dean, the recorder of the court,
asked: "lfa fourth class man is unpopular,
is he subjected to more 'bracing' and 'eker-
cising' than others?' Et
"On the contrary, sir, a great deal less, -
upper class men and members OF his own
class.
In reply TO questions by Col. Helm, com
mandant OF cadets, the witness said. "There
are positive orders against 'bracing' and
exercising, and cadets have been severely
punished for violating these orders. Cadet
Stephen Abbott of Illinois had been re-
quested, as a fourth class man, to take few
drops of Tabasco sauce off spoon, but
was not forced to do 1t. He took 1t HIM
self, at the order of two upper class men.
1t was hot, but did him no HARM"
did you see Cadet Booz after the fight
with Keller?." asked the recorder.
- Yes. sir his lpft eve yae h1apkenad ~
The witness went on to say that he had
never known Booz to be abused or ILL
treated, and denied that Booz was interfered
with on account of his religious practices.
In reply to Commandant Helm, the wit
ness said that he had known cadets, as we'll
as the commandments of the mess table, to
be severely punished for permitting OF
practicing restraint, I" "braring'' or other
"exercises" on lower class men.
Cadet Albert B. Dockery of Mississippi,
on being questioned by Col. Mills, superin.
tendent of the academy, said Tobasco
asking for 1t. 'Do you know any other
name for it?" asked the superintendent.
After some hesitation, the witness replied
Yes sir, the cadets sometimes call 1t hell
Cadet Charles 81. Ely of Pennsylvania,
not held 10 very high regard by the cadets,
as he had not shown courage in his Aghi
with Keller.
Ely was asked about the hazing which
used to be prevalent, but which. he said,
was discontinued about two years ago. He
described 1t as follows:
"Bracing-An exaggerated form Of a
soldierly position.
Wooden Willie-Continuou gun drill.
"Football-Lying on the back and rails.
ing the legs to perpendicular position and
back again several times probably for siS
or seven minutes. Sd tT
Misunderstanding on the toes.
changing on stretcher--Suspended on
hands from bar, with feet not on floor"