The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-05
Father of the Dead West Point Ca
det Examined at Length, but No
Additional Facts ELECTED.
MRS. Booz ALSO QUESTIONED
SAID HER SON WAS IN GOOD HEALTH
WHEN HE LEFT HOME.
Upper CIassmen mt West Point Called
Bullies-Testimony of Miss Nellie
Bcox, Oscars Sister.

BRISTOL, Pa, Jan. 4.-The house COM
mittee of five congressman. appointed by
Speaker Henderson to investigate the case
of Oscar L. Booz. formerly West Point
cadet. who, it is alleged. died from injuries
received from being hazed by the upper
classmen. two years ago, began its inquiry
here to-day. The committee which con-
sists of Charles Dick, of Ohio, chairman:
Edmund H. briggs, of New York; Irving
P. Wanger, of Pennsylvania; Walter /.
Smith, Of Iowa, and B. F. Clayton. of New
York. arrived here from Philadelphia at
8 o'clock this morning and Immediately
went into session at Pythian Hall, which
place had been selected for the committee
by the borough authorities. Major II. A
Casson, of Ohio, was selected by the COM
nnittee for sergeant-at-arms.
Chairman Dick called the session to order.
A number of witnesses were present but
the committee decided to hear the MEM
bers of the Booz family first. William H
Booz, father of the dead cadet, was the first
witness. He was asked by Chairman Dick
to tell his story of his boys life while at
the military Academy, as far as he knew.
Mr.. Booz then went over the same story he
told before the War Department inquiry
several weeks ago. He said Oscar did noS
complain of "eagling." but spoke more of
the fight and the tobasco sauce incident
Oscar told him he had black and blue
marks on his body as a result of his en-
counter with an upper classman. Oscar
reluctantly told his father that the hot
sauce had been poured down his throat
three times, and that force was used
Mr.. Booz," asked Congressman Wan
ger. was your son absolutely truthfGl?"
Eyes, sir absolutely" was the reply
oscar said he was getting along very
we'll until he received a heart blow which
knocked him out"
Oscar, the father said, never had any
throat or pulmonary troubles previous to
going to West Point. Oscars eyes did not
trouble him before he went TO the academy
Chairman Dick asked numberous ques-
tions of Mr.. Booz to his sons education.
He said his boy was up to the average in
his studies and that he was proficient in
mathematics.
Chairman Dick asked numerous ques-
you not make official complaint 10 the SUI
perintendent of the academy of your sons
treatment?"
"I was really afraid TO do that because
of the upper class men,
"Do you believe that your son died as a
resul. Of hazing at West Point?" Mr.. Booz
was asked.
81 do. firmly" he replied.
'.Then why did you not make official
complaint
81 did not wish to have any publicity
.'why did you not as citizen make CON-
p,aint?''
..I did not know at that time the serious
ness Of the case. and also did not know
there was any redress"
MRS BOOZ wEPT.
Mrs. Sarah Booz. mother OF Oscar, said
her son was in rugged health when he went
tc the academy, but when he left he was
broken in health and never was in good
physical condition afterward. Mrs Booz
wept as she detailed the sufferings OF her
son. She called the West Point cadets bull
lies Mrs. Booz said Oscars health was
good before he went TO West Point She
said Oscar sent letter home each week
In the fourth letter Oscar began TO COM
plain of I'll treatment. He resigned. she
said because OF this i'll treatment. but IN
his resignation paper he gave the weak
condition OF his eyes as the reason for hls
quitting the academy.
Miss Nellie Booz sister OF Oscar. said
she saw in newspaper year ago that
two cadets named Lane and Bender were
expelled from the academy for tampering
with the records. She told Oscar about IL
and he said the academy was we'll rid
of them as they had held his hands on a
galvanic battery. Miss Booz submitted
several letters and extracts OF letters sent
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