The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1900-11-15
SPOILED THEIR RAID.
THE CADETS HAD A LAUGH AT THE
OFFICERS EXPENSE.


Into the Barracks mt West Point
and the story of Its 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 billiard club.
collection was taken up with which to
purchase n table, and a suitable place
was sought in which to set 1t up. Until
the present steam heating apparatus
was installed in the cadet barracks,
about 80 years or more ago, the heat
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 Garrlsons, across the river,
for there was no West Shore railroad
/ i, Ia n nj iob
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 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 a 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-
quired elsewhere by their duties. and
sit around smoking, drinking and 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 a convivial evening at the mess,
they saw two cadets, clad In their un-
derclothIng and dressing gowns,
emerge from the north sallyport and
J disappear down the steps to the area
way In front Of the barracks. Instant.
ly the thought Of the billiard table
flashed 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 moment later. saw them climb
over a pile of coal and enter an oper
door. through which came sounds Of
| laughter and conversation and the
clicking of balls, while the air was la
den with fragrant tobacco smoke.
The officers paused for a momen
and held whispered consultation
Finally deciding that they would tel
the other officers Of their discovery ant
have all Of them come down the fol
lowing night and enjoy the fun of {
raid on the club, they withdrew ant
went home. Next day all the officers
, at the post were Informed of the dis
covery, and 1t was arranged that thu
raid should occur at midnight.
All might hn.ve gone well, and th
, officers might have had their little fun
, had 1t not been that there were thre
cadets the previous night instead o
: two. The third had forgotten his pip
: and had gone back for 1t, while tn
other two went on and were discover
ed by the officers. The third, coming
along a moment later, saw the officer
and quietly followed them, observing
f all their movements and listening t
their whispered conversation.
, When they withdrew, he went In an
told the members Of the club all he ha
heard and seen. The cadets at ono
J. realized that 1t was all up with tn
club, but they determined to have
laugh at the expense of the officer:
Accordingly all arrangements wer
made before the club adjourned tina
night.
/. The next night the officers met as al
ranged and crept stealthily down tn
areaway and into the sixth division
Hearing no sound of clicking BALL
some became skeptical and conclude
y the whole thing was hoax, but never
/, theless they pushed on and climbe
over the pile of coal. Opening tn
door, they were greeted with glow c
n light. but still no sound. On enterin
they found the room deserted, br
there were the billiard table, an almos
untouched keg Of beer, several pound
of tobacco. some chairs and lastly
note on the table. addressed to the of
GERS on duty at West Point. The not
J. was to the effect that as the officers {
the post had been SO kind as to perm
the club to continue Its existence ft
" more than year It desired to preseI
n. to them (the otficers) the table and a
q. its appurtenances. as II was deeme
=, expedient to wind up the clubs affair
The note was signed "The ExecutiN
Committee"
The officers, of course, were muc
chagrined at being thus outwitted /
. the cadets. Nevertheless the table WI
n removed to the officers mess and a
n eordlng to tradition, is the one still
n use there.-New York Tribune.
Practice.