The Washington times., 1905-12-15
Developments At Academy
Cause Sensation

ANNAPOLIS. Md. Dec. 15.-That the
brutal hazing of Midshipman Jerdone
Pettus Kimbrough. of the fourth class,
Naval Academy viii develop into quite
a sensational case is more than prob
able. The superintendent. Rear Admiral
Sands: Commandant OF Midshipmen
Colvocoresses. and the authorities in
general are highly incensed over the af-
fair. and the board OF inquiry which had
been conducting an investigation some
days before the hazing of young Kim
brough is endeavoring to get at every
midshipman implicated in the matter
The first fruits of this investigation
will probably be the dismissal Of Mid
shipman Trenmon Coffin. OF Carson
City. New. a member of the third class.
and the possible dismissal OF Midship-
man Warren A Van Derveer. of Mt.
Holly. " J.. OF the second class.
The board OF inquiry. appointed by
Superintendent Sands and composed OF
officers OF the Academy. has mass of
evidence against over a dozen other
cadets II is believed that the recon-
mediation for the dismissal of MidshID-
man Coffin and Van Derveer. which was
sent TO the Navy Department by Ad-
miraI Sands IS only the first OF a series
OF similar recommendations TO follow
soon.
Offered to Resign
AS a matter Of fact. IL IS stated,
upon good authority. that Coffin ad-
mitted his part in the hazing. and Of
fered TO resign. but the authorities de
clined to accept the resignation. which
would allow the young man 10 be re-
appointed next year. Van Derveer. how
ever. is making fight 10 ward off dts
missal Bright and early yesterday
morning his father, DR.. @. w. Van Der
veer. OF Mount Holly, y. J.. arrived at
the Academy and had a long talk with
Admiral Sands
Kimbrough Before Board.
Kimbrough was before the board Of
inquiry but just what he told the gem
tlemen regarding haZing IS not known
for the work OF tho body is secret II
Is so secret that Lieut.. Com. Z.
II DureH senior member. would not
even admit that there was such thing
AZ a board or inquiry. though there IS
no doubt about IT, for the other mem
! bers are Lieut.. Com. H. A. Wiley. Lieut..
Com. e. b. McVay. jr.. and Lieut. Ray
mond Stone. recorder
! 1t Is known that fully six or eight
witnesses have been before the gentle
men. but their names are withheld, as
Is also the character OF their testimony.
nected with the case OF young Kim
brough which demonstrates the fact
! that there is considerable hazing going
on a. the Academy.
Hazing Never Abolished.
! In fact. most persons say that hazine
was never abolished. but that the tao
/ ties were changed about "A little IN order
/ that the brutal practice might be ear
J ried out IN "A more degrading and under
hand manner That such was the case
was shown clearly in the court-martial
! OF Midshipman Meriwether when IL was
testified that Branch made Merswethel
hold IA book in his mouth FOR a Ions
I time-possibly an unreasonable length o.
{ time.
Not Easy to Stamp Out
Those who have had experience II
| such AFFAIRS say il will not be easy +,
stamp out the custom; but the board O
inquiry Is vested with about as mucl
power as an ordinary grand jury. anc
| something should be learned that vii
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