The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-04
FINE BOYS THESE
A Fine Glass Graduates at the
Naval Academy This
Year.
Some Men From the Northwest Who
Have Won Special At
tention.
New York Sun Special Service.

Chicago, Feb. 4.-William E. Curtis, in
a Washington special to- the Record Her
aid, says: The members of the graduating
class at the naval academy, who have re-
ceived their commissions and have been
given short furloughs SO that they may
visit their homes before going into active
service, include several young men of un-
usual merit, and most of them are from
the west. For the first time in the history
of the academy two cadets are tied for
the first honor, and what makes it more
interesting, they have, been roonamates
and intimate friends from the very first
day they entered. They have, studied to-
gether, have helped each other, sat side
by side in the classroOmS and after their
final examination it was found that their
standing was exactly the same-562.12 out
of a possible $50. These are not very high
marks. Many graduates have stood far
higher, but they are the best the class of
1903 has made, and Midshipmen Battles
and Van Kuren divide the honors. The
professors say that while the class is not
particularly distinguished for scholarship,
it is composed of an unusual number OF
solid, all-around, sensible, competent men
Milshipmen Donald r. Battles was born
| in Erie county, Pa, is the son of coun-
try doctor, was educated at the Erie high
school and appointed to the academy by
mate, Alexander H. Van Kuren, comes
from Howell, Mich, was educated at the
high school of that place, and his APP
pointment by competitive examina tion
over thirteen other contestants.
Another remarkable boy is Midshiprnan
George S. Radford Of Detroit, who won his
appointment in a competitive examination
also, and against sixty-five contestants
He stands No. 1 in his class for conduct
and department., and has the remarkable
record Of receiving but two dement's dur
ing the last year. When it is understood
that demerit marks are given for the
slightest reason, for piece of thread or
a speck Of dust upon the clothing; if a
book or boot is out of place in a room,
If a cadet is noticed to walk carelessIy or
fails to maintain the military posture, or
it his bed is not properly made, or if his
boots are not polished to suit the inspect
or, or if the towel on his washstand is not
properly folded, or if a speck Of dirt is
found upon his floor, or if he fails to give
the exact salute or neglects any Of the
thousand and one little things that are
in his lessons, the extraordinary record OF
Midshipman Radford will be appreciated
| Other cadets from the west who have
distinguished themselves and stand among
honor men are the following:
Midshipman Paul H. Fretz from North
was on the boat crew and has been mana
ger. He played football two seasons
against West Point
Midshipman Webb r. Raudenbush of the
fourth Minnesota congressional district
| won his appointment contest with thirteen
competitors His ancestors served in the
revolutionary and civil wars He was the
pitcher Of the naval academy baseball
nine, and was in the box when the navy
| beat West Point last year.
Midshipman w. Woods Snnyth Of the
! fifth congressional district of Iowa was
| born at Marion, Iowa, was educated at the
| Marion high school and won his appoint
ment against thirty-five competitors. He
rows the stroke oar of the academy shell
crew.
Midshipman Ralph A. Koch, fourth Ne
braska, was born at Fairburg, Neb., anc
won his appointment in a competitive ex
animation. He received his highest mark:
| in mechanics and integral calculus and il
| physics. g.52 a
Midshipman Roy w. Ryden was born a.
| Des Moines, Iowa, won his appointment
| over two competitors. He is a baseball
/ player and a gymnast and stands nine il
| order of athletic merit. He is also ratet
| the strongest man in the academy !.
Midshipman Leo Sahm, third Iowa, wa
| born at Dubuque and educated at it's higl
/ school, and after successful examination
i against twenty competitors he obtained
his best marks in physics and stands No
/ IL in his class.
Midshipman Sah1n has been honored b,
!. being retained at the naval academy a
1 one of the instructors of the fourth class
j Midshipman John S. Abbott of the sec