The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-04
MR. BOOZ As A WITNESS
The Congressional Committee Be-
gins It's Hazing Enquiry.
Father OF the Dead Cadet Testifies
Concerning the Fist Fight and
Tabaseo Sauce Incidents.

BRISTOL, Pa, Jan. 4.-The House Com
mittee OF i've appointed to investigate
the case of Oscar l. Booz. formerly a
West Point cadet. who, it is alleged died
from injuries received from being hazed
began its enquiry here this morning. The
committee, which consists Of Represen-
tatiye Dick. Chairman, and Representa-
tives briggs. Wanger. Smith. and Clay
ton, arrived from Philadelphia al O'Clock
this morning and Immediately vent into
session at Pythian Hall. Major h. A
Casson, of Ohio, was selected by the com
mitJee as Ser2eanJ-at-armS.
William H. Bo0z. father Of the dead ex-
cadet at the request Of Chairman Dick,
sketched the boys life while at the Mill
tary Academy, as far as he knew. He
said that Oscar did rot complain Of
'eagling, but spoke more Of his fist
fight with Cadet Keller and the tabasco
sauce that he alleged he was forced 10
take Oscar told him that he had black
and blue marks on his body as a result OF
his encounter With an upper class man.
Oscar reluctantly told MS father that the
hot sauce had been poured down his
throat three times. The boy, the father
said, tried 10 hide the condition Of his
throat after he left the Academy. and
never gave the name of any OF his tor
mentors Oscar had told him that it was
not manly to do so. Mr. Booz declared
that the boy told him physical force was
used when he took the sauce while In
camp.
Mr.. Booz' asked Representative Wan
ger, was your son absolutely truthful p
Yes sir; absolutely" was the reply.
! Oscar told me he waS not in the best
Of physical condition when he entered
the fight at West Point. Oscar also said
/ he was getting along very well until he
/ received q heart blow, which almost
knocked aim out.
IN answer to another question. Mr. Booz
said that there was no hereditary disease
in his family. In what quantities did
your son say he took tabasco sauce?" he
was asked The reply was: oscar said
he had 10 take a spoonful at q time"
How soon after he came home did he
complain about his throat?" was asked
About & month or six weeks said Mr.
Booz
Oscar. the father said. was attended at
different periods by six PHYSICIANS from
the time he resigned at the Academy IN
| I'll his death. He never had any throat
or pulmonary troubles previous to going
TO West Point His eyes did not trouble
him. before he went to the Academy. Nj
Rocz said that he went to West Point aft
CT the hght 10 see his boy He noticed
OF duty IN the company streets which, in
a measure. prevented further bazing.
Chairman Dick asked: why did you
not make Official complaint 10 the Su-
perinteudent of the Academy Of your
sons treatnent?"
7 was really afraid to do that because
OF the upper class men" was the reply
Mrs BOoz next took the stand she
said she went 10 West Point on August
p and STAYED until the fOIlov-5ro Moufav
She introduced herself to Lieutenant
Blakely and complained of Oscars treat
ment- Were you impressed at the time
by the appearance Of your SOM" asked
Chairman Dick
J was seriously concerned about his
heaFt2' she said
Why didn't You complain to the officer
in CHARGE" was the next question
4 was afraid Of the upper class men.
I was afraid they would make it all the
worse for Oscar"
.IUn't you think that as long as you
were there and complained 10 Lieutenant
BIakely- you should have gone 10 the com
handing 0fficeT?" asked Chairman Dick.
yes. but / thought differently then Os-
car was in the hospital July 30 on account
of the tabasco sauce not for fighting"
While she was at West Point. Mrs. BcOZ
talked with some of Oscars classmates
Oscar never tcld the names Of the men
who hazed him, but he referred TO them
as bruJes. DULLES. and tyrants. He never
complained Of anything save The fight and
the tab8sco sauce.
Mrs BOoZ was very nervous during her
examination and was sometimes prompted
By her daughter Her husband often in
terrupted the questions and answers. II
the committee gets through with she wit-
nesses here today il VIII proceed to West
Point.