New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-09
FOR HAZING, $4,000.
He SUES ST. STEPHENS.
BrOnr Editor VIII Hare Students
Who ASSAULTED Son arrested.

St Stephens College the Episcopal boys
school at Annandale, Duchess County. n. Y,
of Tire board of trustees Of which Bishop Potter
IS chairman. has been made defendant I'm n suit
for damages account Of hazing, alleged 10
have been perpetrated by eight students Of tn
college on Archer Bedell. eighteen years old,
con Of Bdwin Beden, Of 10. 1917 Clinton-ave.,
The Bronx proprietor of a Bronx newspaper.
The amount esked is $1,000, Mr. Bedell also
declares that he has applied in Dutchess County
for warrants for the arrest Of seven OF the
students on charges OF felonious assault Mr..
Beden says that he took this action only after
Dr. Thomas r.. Harris the warden of the college,
had refused 10 take any satisfactory action in
the matter"
Mr.. Bedeu stated last night AT his home that
his son entered the college in October of last
year When he entered the college he was
slightly hazed by the sophomores. but it did
not affect him and no attention was paid TO II.
There is a society in the college known as
the sKaps'" said Mr.. Beden Archer and his
roommate and chum. William Schroeder. were
asked TO Join the society but for reasons OF
their own refused 10 do so. They were then
cut by the other students ana were made to
feet I'D at ease wherever they went.
'ion the night Of February 81 last the boys
Were dragged from their room by a crowd Of
eight students taken out on the campus and
made TO run the gantlet Iney were HeaIAS
naked. and the eight young iends danced about
them, striking them all over their bodies with
pieces of planking One OF the students had
coal shovel. They tried to force ;heir way out,
but-were rudely pushed back into the circle and
the beating was continued until they fell
hausted 20 the ground. When they We're able
90 get ND they Were beaten again until they fell
When finally the young fiends left them alone
they were half dead. Young Schroeder nearly
lost his life
My boy was black and blue ell over his body,
and was confined to his room for some tine.
when Archer notified me of the outrage
told him 10 make complaint TO DIT. Harris
He did So and Dr. Harris said It
heard OF thing for a student to make such
complaint However, DR.. Harris called meet
ing OF the students. and after hearing the case
they decided that there was no cause for action.
Il wrote personally TO DR.. Harris. and some
time later received letter from him. 3n which
he said that there was cause for complaint.
i then wrote TO the board Of trustees. aud got
answer that the matter had been referred TO DR..
Harris. then received a letter from DR.. Har-
ris IN which he said that he had further investi-
gated the matter and still found no cause for ac-
ton on the part Of the college authorities.
Il then determined to take the matter into my
own hands. I consulted my lawyer, II. s.
Guernsey, and a result have made appli-
cations for warrants for seven of the Students
The eighth l believe led into II by the
others. ana I viii not have him arrested. The
others I will have prosecuted to the full extent
OF e,iaW.
In addition 10 that. 1 have commenced
civil suit against the college for $4,000 dam
eyes. -Four Of the students who were guilty
OF this outrage are employed by the college
and my counsel tells me that is a strong point
They have positions like that OF librarian, or
ganist or clerk They paid by the college
and therefore are agents OF the college al the
same time they are receiving instruction
"A year ago. DR.. Cole, the former warden
got a pledge from the students not TO do any
more hazing. That pledge was signed by the
students. and I shall use the document. They
paid little attention TO the pledge after DR.
Cole left the college
Mr.. BedeI said his son was still at the col
lege.
The boys are making II unpleasant for him."
said Mr.. Beden but his tuition has been paid
and they are obliged TO teach him"