Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-21
EMPHATIC IN BELIEF 1IS
son WAS NOT HAZI.D

son WAS NOT uAZIsD
General Nichols presented his report
OF the case in printed form, covering
various testimony, together with let
ters from q. y. Sweet. of Chicago
father OF the young man. from his
mother and grandmother. Mr. Sweet
was emphatic in his statement that he
did not believe his boy had been haZcd
Hugh y. White was present. repre-
scnting the cadets. and X. X. Run, Com
monwcalth's attorney-elcct was also
present. in the interest of the state.
The investigation opened with DR. Nc
Clung, who testified that he had cx-
amined Cadet Sweet on his entrance
and also on his return to V. NJ L. after
desertion. and there were no evidences
of hazing or physical mistreatmcnt Of
any ki"a. His death was due 10
mNelitis, an affection Of the spine,
which WAS not caused by rough treat
ncnt DR.. McClung was in constant
attendance upon the young man while
in the hospital Drs. c. II. Davidson.
Robert Glasgow. Reid White. practic-
ing physicians of Lexington, testified.
corroborating the statement of DR.. Nc
Chung.
l.. II. Gorton. physical director at
' ~ Siiiisi lHSlllute, Salu tnat nG
was present at DR.. McClung's exami-
nation, and found nothing the matter
with Cadet Sweet That same night he
met Cadet Sweet shortly before 1C
o'clock. when he was approaching .hs
officer OF the day. with Il handkerchief et
tied around his hand. He said that he
was going TO the hospital. as he had
Gu; his hand with q piece of glass
Immediately afterward ho told the
officer Of the day that he had cut his
hand with a rusty knife. lie was
sent TO the hospital.
CADETS ARE CONFIDENT
THERE WAS NO HAZING
Cadet Shackclford. Sweets roonmate
said lie was not hazcd. but that he cut
his hand on pulling down his cot
Another roommate. Cadet Drenncn, tes-
tilted that sweet was not haZed while
rooming with him. Other cadets who
testified We're II. y. Campbell. r. H.
BcaSlcy, j. a. Adams and R. y. Bond
All said that Sweet Was not hazcd
Cadet Gillespie. member OF tho first
class. testified that there had been no
haZing 1T the Virginia Military Insti-
tutc this year. according 10 the dcfni-
tion Of hazine.
Miss Hughes. in charge of hospital
testified that Sweet was frequently rx-
amincd by her. and no marks OF any
sort were found on his body.
Washington and Lee students, T. c.
Kicklightcr. NJ. :. Evans. +. -. Davis
and j. w. Whitelaw. testified thai
Cadet Sweet. while at the Morris
House, after deserving the Virginia
Military Institute. showed them his
back, on which were stripes and wclts
caused. he said hy hazing at the Vir-
Einia Military Institute. He told them
that he d.d not intend 10 return
Cadet Il. y. Goodman said that Sweet
told him he did not mean to desert,
but that he went uptown on Saturday
Afternoon and met some Washington
and Lee students, who invited him tC
drink and play poker. and when he
thought Of the time il was after AT
night, so he was afraid to return 10
Virginia Military Institute.
The members of the board present
are X. y. james. George l.. Browning
VI. u. Corsc. Thomas H. Tate. Joseph
Button, w. II. Taylor Il. G. Stcarncs
and General G. j. Anderson