The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-07-18
Clerks Error al Naval Academy
Caused Him TO Breod.-
MARKED AS FAILING TO PASS.
though Mistake Was Corrected The Young
Man Continued 0sspontsat and Finally
Became Violent Health Shattered.

New York. July Is.-It was learned yes
terday that young Harry" Craven's in
sanity. which has been ascribed 10 his
severe hazing at the Annapolis Naval
academy. was really caused by clerical
error or some one conpected with the ex-
aminins board at that institution. BY
mistake. he was marked as having failed
10 pass the examination, and the error
was not discovered for two weeks
Meantime. the youthful aspirant for a
cadetship did not see his name among the
list OF successful applicants and supposed
that he had been unsuccessful. This so
grieyed him that from that day a cloud
seemed 10 settle on his mind
The fond care OF devoted mother and
three sisters failed 90 restore him TO
health. lie grew worse until last Mon
day IL became necessary 10 remove him
10 Bloomingdale asylum. Whether his
reason can be restored Is problematical,
Harry Craven comes OF an illustrious
naval family. His grandfather. Com
mander Il. A. M Craven. met death while
cheering on his men at the battle OF Mo-
bile bay. Commander Craven was I'm
charge OF the monitor Tecumseh OF Far
raguts fleet, and when Confederate
torpedo destroyed his vessel he sank with
Harry Craven. while still a mere boy,
decided that he, too. must distinguish
himself in the navy, and studied with
that end I'm view. encouraged by his fam
lily. particularly by his brother. a naval
OFFICER lie had ever before him the
gallant conduct Of his grandfather at Mo-
He was an untiring student. especially
OF naval history. He went TO Annapolis
In June. 1899, when barely seventeen years
old and there took his examination for
entrance. having received the appoint
ment after the usual competitive exami-
nation In his congressional district.
He passed a brilliant examination but
clerical error OF some kind was made and
he believed he had failed. The strain OF
long study had told on him and he was In
no condition 20 endure the terrible dis
appointment that the clerks mistake had
caused him.
When he took HIS rightful place as a ca
det the early promise OF a notable career
had faded. He had fits of temporary alb
erration. and on Sept. I. 1899. be was
given sick furlough until Sept. 30. but
he returned no better than when he left
On Oct. g. only six days after his return
TO the academy, he was sent away on
prolonged sick leave. and he did not re-
turn until May /. 1900.
Still III. the authorities sent him away
on May g. 1900, until Sept. ]. 1900. and then
again until March ] OF this year. lie
then stayed a week at the academy when
his resignation was accepted and he re-
turned home broken-hearted
He brooded constantly over his failure
at the academy and became so violent
that two trained nurses guarded him.
For two weeks at time he would appear
perfectly rational. Then at other times
he would abuse all persons he met. and
IL was necessary to keep him closely con-
fined.
Because OF his condition his family
moved last May from Yonkers Park 10
Bronxville. where they live now IN
cottage overlooking the Bronx valley.
Finally DR. III. Ernest Schmid. OF White
Plains, advised that he be taken to
Bloomingdale.
Harry Craven Is nephew OF Mrs.
HAckett wife OF the assistant secretary
OF the navy His brother. Thomas. Is
lieutenant i'm the navy. His mother. Mrs.
Fugsnia Craven. IS the daughter OF
Russian nobleman.