The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-01
FURTHER TESTIMONY BEFORE BOARD
OF ARMY OFFICERS
TWO CIVILIANS GIVE EVIDENCE
A Brother of Booz Contradicts the
Statement as to the Latter's Coward
ice and Want of Mental Capacity.
Two Cadets From North Carolina
Testify as to the Practice of Hazing.
They Give Their Experience I'm This
Line.

There was an unusually large at
tendance of spectators at both h
morning and afternoon sessions of the
military III OF inquiry at the mill
tary academy today. The fact that
two witnesses from distant points
would be called upon to testify was the
cause of the increased interest. One of
these was Horace c.. Booz. a civil en-
gineer of Buffalo, and P. o. Phillips, of
Cleveland.
The testimony given by the former
was principally a refutation of the
statement made about his brother.
former Cadet Oscar L. BooZ, of Bris-
tol, Pa, who died recently. Several
of the cadet witnesses during the prog
ress of the investigation accused Booz
of having shown cowardice in his fight
with Cadet Keller in August, 1898, and
they also accused him of u~ntruthful-
ness.
Lieutenant Coe, instructor of mathe-
mates, in his testimony last week,
stated that Booz was not possessed of
sufficient mental capacity to pass the
necessary examination at his acade-
my. His brother stated today that this
was not SO, as the manner in which the
former cadet had passed his examina-
tons at the preparatory school at Bus
Teton, Pa, was sufficient to prove that
Oscar. was possessed of sufficient in
tellect. On the other hand he said Os-
car was not untruthful and he was
anything but a coward.
Mr.. Phillips principal reason for ap-
pearing before the court was to show
that he had not visited the academy
in 1898 for the purpose Of saving his
son from being haZed.
Cadet Willis G.. Peace, of North Car
DINA, said he knew former Cadet Breth
and saw him hazed N the tent of ex-
Cadet Beder in camp IN 1897. The wit
ness, after being frequently asked to
describe the, forms of hazing to which
Broth was subjected, replied:
Il cannot exactly describe them in
detail, out I think they were the usual
forms. such as holding out Indian clubs
until 1t became tireSOme. doing WoOde
willie and other things which were In
G at that time. Breth was a very
awkward man and did not seem to be
able to do anything right. He was
subject to and was easily
ratified"
Continuing the witness said: "I got
q TIC ulCIl bItlH dDOul SIX mOnInS
after he left here. In it he tried to ex-
plain his difficulty in doing things
right while at the post here, and said
that he had been suffering from sick
ness all the time he was in camp. He
had hoped to get better in barracks,
but did not"
In reply to General Bates, Cadet
Peace said that whenever a fourth
class man was in trouble or wanted
advice he would come TO an upper-class
man for information and he would in
variably get it.
Peace went on to say that he did not
consider exercising brutal.
Then you don't think that being re-
quired to exert yourself physically
against your will almost to the point
of exhaustion, brutal?" exclaimed
General Bates.
Il was exercised myself, sir, and
did not him 1T was brutal. 1t was I'M
comfortable. but I never knew it to re-
suit in permanent injury"
The witness said there were some
men who used to haze more thar
others, and that some OF them seemed
to be without the faculty of Judging
when a man had enough.
After being closely questioned as to
what he would consider brutality in
hazing he witness replied: "I should
say that if a cadet were hazed to such
a degree that he would be injured OF
had to be helped by his fellows, the
hazing would be brutal"
This answer was given after General
Bates a intimated to the witness
that in case a cadet died from the eff
fects of such a hazing the law would
hold all Of those who took part in il
responsible for the mans death.
Cadet Walter H. Lee. of North Car
olfna, told the court that on one occa.
sion he made a fourth class man do the
"eagling' exercise about three or foul
hundred times at one session.
DO you know the sweating pro.
cesS?" he was asked.
Yes, sir, I went through it. I had to
wear a rain oat and then a blanke;
outside. 1 perspired freely. This was
in my tent in summer time and LASTED
about twenty minutes"
Which would you rather do, on.
hundred and fifty eagles. or the sweat
ing process?" asked General Bates.
Il would take one hundred and fit,
eagles, sir" was the reply.
The adjourned until $50 o'cloel
tomorrow morning.