Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-01-31
WEST POINTS HORRORS.
They are Described by the Last Wit
ness that Appeared Before the Cons
gressiOnaI Committee.

They are Described by the Last Wit
ness that Appeared Before the Cons
gressiOnaI Committee.
Washington, Jan. 25.-The commit
tee which is investigating the hazing
of Cadet Booz had before it yester-
day the last witness who will be
called on to testify. He was f. IL.
Cunningham, a teacher at Hamilton
institute. New York City, who for
merly was cadet at West Point. He
was the teat mate of Cadet MacAr-
thur, who was severely hazed, ac-
cording to the testimony adduced at
West Point, and he also was supposed
to have furnished material for an
article on hazing which appeared in
New York newspaper. Before be-
ginning his testimony Mr.. Cunning
ham stated that it would not be vol
untary, but would be given because
he was summoned. Mr. Cunningham
entered the academy in June, 1898.
He testified that his terminate was
Macarthur. He described the haz-
ing of Macarthur in July, 1898. He
said he reeled into the tent after be-
ing hazed and went into convulsions.
He was writhing and moaning so that
he Cunningham covered him with a
blanket to prevent his moans from
being heard by the officer of the day.
Witness said he would distinctly
class MacArthur's writings as con-
vulsions, not cramps as Macarthur
had testified. Macarthur was
urged to go on sick report next day,
but refused. He was hazed because
he was a son of Gen. Macarthur, al
though he had never exhibited undue
pride in the relationship. The worst
| hazers were Barry, Dockery and Du-
val. Witness said one reason why
he left the academy was his feeling
| that hazing eXerted brutal infu-
ence. Macarthur had said to him
that "another night like that would
make him feel like resigning."
Witness named Cadets Hill, Has
| kelI and Kensel as cadets who suf-
| fered from commissions and needed
medical assistance as result of haz-
! ing. A cadet officer told witness that
a cadet had chicken Kennel to pre-
vent him uttering cries Cadet Crown
| had qualified on prunes,' breaking
| the record by eating 1876. They made
him sick One of the academy in
structors lectured against hazing and
the classes decided against 'hazing,"
etc. AS they left the lecture some
one shouted brace" and every one
"braced" and that ended the agree
ment to stop hazing. Commenting
on statemeEt by Gen. Ludlow that
| college hazing at West Point hazing
were the same. the witness said:
II refute that statement | went
| through college before / went
to West Point, and know there is
nothing in the colleges like hazing at
| West Point"
He described hazing as torture. He
| gave a graphic account of the agony
| suffered in certain forms of hazing,
which sent a shudder through the
| listeners. Men were hung on bars.
| their feet up, so that when they
| dropped from exhaustion the knees
struck on the wooden floor several
| feet below. The fainting man was
again hoisted up and again repeated
| ly dropped.
Cunningham said the object of
| calling out" was to place trained
upper class man against an unframed
| lower class man. The result was
| inevitable. In conducting fight
the purpose was to cut up the face
of the lower class man before knock
ing him out. An upper class man
had said to the witness that GER
tain fight was not correct, as the
lower class mans face was not cut
sufficiently.
When on guard one time Cunning
ham was told by the corporal of the
guard mot to see fight" then about
to occur. Cunningham's testimony
produced a deep impression, and at
| its conclusion the court went into Sc
cret session. The hearings are now
closed and the committee will give its
attention to the report.