The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-07
LOUD EXPLOSION
SHAKES THE Y. P.L.
Report Reached Here of Ex-
citing Episode at Vir-
ginia's Tech.
STUDENTS TAKE POWDER
AND SET OFF BLAST
Windows Shattered and great Ex-
element Caused-Faculty
May Make Investi-
cation.

" &sCRcfG nave just reached 1tiCn-
mond OF threatened investigation at
the Virginia Polytechnic Institute as
the result of recent raid on the in
stitute arsenal by number of cadets,
Mhen- iha pounds of powder a#a- lve9o
rounds Of ammunition we're carried
on.
The powder. according to reports
received here. was exploded on the
college campus, shattering many win
dows and throwing the institution into
ar uproar, while the ammunition.
which had been furnished by a spe-
cial agent of the Federal government,
has been In part recovered. and this
agent. II Is understood, Ii now con-
templatfng an investigation. not be-
fore the faculty, but before Federal
authorities.
Developments up to date include
ore expulstan by the faculty and the
administering of an oath to every ca
Diet requiring model behavior and OBJ
servance Of all rules during the re-
mainder of the session.
Took the Powder Out.
The raid happened in the middle of
hs
a lot Of young pirates" suffering from
an attack OF spring fever. entered the
arsenal and removed therefrom $50
pounds Of power and 1000 rounds of
ammunition which had been recently
received from the United States gov
ernmenf. -3-s1.
The powder was lugged out to the
campus, where, packed In bags. IL was
piled on the grass. One bag was
opened and an impromptu fuse manu-
featured by pouring 4 trail of some
200 feet long The end OF this trail OF
powder was lighted. then the campus
was deserted. nor was there sound
save the sharp sputter Of the fire as
1t ate Its way to the pile of bags
Their, every window looking out
over that part of the campus crum-
pied u u and eaKed In. the walls
shock to their foundation. stray sen-
ttnel doing gusrd duty was struck In
the middle OF the back by a terrific
blast of air and thrown feadfong to
the ground several feet from where
he had been standing.
Every sleeping professor. instruc-
tor and cadet awoke. Several of the
beds were covered with glass.
There was no more sleep that night,
and the next morning the faculty and
powder and ammunition were missed.
The former was accounted for. as
everyone and everything bore testt-
mony. but where was that ammuni-
ton?
Find Cartridges In Trunk.
Every trunk in the barracks was
searched. Every suit case was exam
med. Every bundle was opened.
Never a cartridge was found.
Over in the college Y. NJ. C.. A.
building. where number OF students
paid for special quarters. none OF the
trunks could he touched, but. seeing
a large trunk In the hall of this build
ing. the government agent asked per-
mission to open IT.
Six hundred rounds OF the missing
ammunition rewarded the request
The owner explained to the faculty
that he had not personally taken 1t.
The faculty replied that he must
tease,-
Later. however. upon second
thought this cadet WAS reinstated. but
-+.,.iy~..ss condition that every man ut
the institute would subscribe to an
oath which bound them To he In their
rooms and in bed at the last bugle
cali; also to attend all drills and to
refrain from all forms OF hitarity
May Make Investigation.
This, however. does not preclude the
which sthe government
agent desires the institute to make
Immediately He Is accountable to
the war Department for every round
of ammunition furnished. and II this
investigation IL called the affair VIII.
Il is understood. pass out OF the hands
of the faculty into those OF the United
states District Court. and those boys
connected with the raid upon the ar
senal will not only be expelled py tne
faculty. but charged by the United
states district attorney with taking
government property.