The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, July 17, 1898, Page 23

29 THE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, SUNDAY, JULY 17, 1898. + COLLEGE BURNED FOR SPITE BY ONE OF- ITS PROFESSORS STRANGE MENTAL AND MORAL BIAS OF GEORGE HERBERT STEVENS. OF LAFAYETTE COLLEGE AND THE REVENGE HE PLANNED i {s S < AGAINST ITS PRESIDENT. 3 PannEB *HALL, LAFAVETTE CoLLEGP Burnen By PrOP STEPHENS LSt DECEMRER, e GYMRASIUM, THE OHLY k! p B’ulnow& HE M7anT TO SPARE P ) " e SouTH CoLLEGE CHAPEL Was Doomen 7o 3e guamcy MEXT CHRISTMag. great scandal a few years ago. As I stated, I was his favorite at the begin- ning. I was not only kept & year on trial, but re-engaged for the following year, and the year succeeding that. But when Warfield found that I svould not yield to his views and bé wholly dominated by him, obey his whims and fancies, he no longer wanted me in the institution; my services were of no fur- ther use in the classes.” The subject being now opened, the prisoner proceeded to denounce the president with relentless bitterness. He was almost furious in his condemna- tion of the president’s management of the college. It was a strange exhibi- tion, a strange picture of conflicting and contradictory emotions, the rea- sons for his hate and vengeance, illog- ical and unsat tory—almost trivial so far as he explained his actions to- ward the president. Stephens wished, however, to correct a published state- ment. He had never accused the pres- ident of writing letters' to other col- leges, warning them not to engage him, GROVNDS OF LAFAYETTE COLLEGE col- flri went to New York, returned in a $3000. When pressed for payment the d the \‘;v- k, visited the ruins, chuckling over young man did not produce the money the desolation. His deviltry had proved and disappeared. Suddenly, two barns on his father’'s farm mysteriously began a series of desecra- burned. Stephens collected the insur- \”!thralle]ed in the history of col- ance money, deposited it in an Easton Being well known and having bank. Hammet got the money by at- he was able to go about unre- tachment. Again Stephens disappeared t ted. One day he entered the and then Hammet's own barn went up chapel, improvised a nocturne on the in flame. No one could swear who big organ, then proceeded to business. did it. ll_fl threw the chapel Bible and hymn The loss, however, did not prevent books into a well near the door, not to Hammet getting the balance due on spite the Almighty, but to create trou- the note. He had the Stephens home- ble between the president and the stu- stead sold at Sheriff’s sale, bought it veholog] eculation ng to th ary insar setual ¢ dents. He disarranged the organ ma- in, and, to get even with his young but he krew that the president had e chinery and destroyed the historic big Presbyterian friend, deeded it to the worked against him in other directions experibnce vine at the door. First Universalist Church of Towanda. and had driven him out of the Lafay- ‘ Four months later he returned, play- Another allegation said to be at the ette College without justification of metap Detective home, Up on the big hill one of the officers of the college, holding close relations with the president, in substance said: 7The statements Stephens made long ago led us to fear there was a screw ioose in his head. In regard to his story e ’tl“’k)nout Princeton, herehsu'e the tiadc\s: N Te Was a vacanc ere. ‘esiden he came to commit acts not of a high the puklie, slwply to be revenged on ‘‘He souéht me at Princeton, where I “:frflpld visited Dr. !i?au‘r::: hferme_c ago, in the darkness, Stephens was by President Warfield of Lafayetts Col- Minded scholar, but of a degererate. ~ the pres‘dent? was an assistant professor. He had ton in search of a competent man to heard in the building. The watchman lege. Yet, when the man begins to talk, Wich eyes flashing and countenance heard of me, knew what I had been do- take the professorship of moral philoso- slipped up and clubbed him with a A& soon as the Montrose Presbyteri. 0 argue, to reason, to compare, to dark with gnation Stephens eX- ing became my warmest friend until we phy.~ Dr. Patton invited him into his pilece of hosepipe. ans learned that Stephens had aban- make fine distinctions, to draw conclu- rn.'_umw_l. college president is a were intimate. I liked him, too, until p-ivate office and closed the door for In his flight the professor left his key doned the pulpit for a prote sions, the play of his intellect on his hypocrite. I have proof that he is a I discovered his intellectual weaknesses consultation. The young man who door. That little imple- tiey raised a storm. Steph features works a miracle. Sensuality dangerous man, unfit to control a great and the humbug of his methods. I happened to be his private secretary proved Stephens’ undo- Tiained that he was too young, but disappears. = The brutality of the jaw Institution. I shall present a piain mildly protested and by gentle argu- at that time was of an inquiring turn, G preach later. This was accepted is forgotten; the hish W ebsterian brow statement of facts lh(l!.' will condemn ment attempted to show him the fal- with an abnormal development of curi- scme of his backers. and inspired countenance, the flashing hxgp before the country. lacy of some of his teachings. He did osity. He saw no way of overhearing “But Dr. Patton of Princeton wrote e¥es and appealing declamation amaze But what are these facts? Mention not relish it, and seemed envious of me. the conversation except putting his ear and charm the listener. Suspicion van- a single act committed by him that can I had many friends both in college and to the keyhole. This he did. Among ishes and doubt gives way to admira- justify your burning the college build- in the city. I joined the Pomfret Club, other things Dr. Patton said that there nt profes- burg, at Duncannon, where he was evasive In his explanations that for the tion for the persecuted genius. ing. of which he was a member. When hiS was a young professor named Caspar YOUNE about to accept the principalship of the first time the president began to doubt _Alas! Another change comes when Here a cold, foolish smile played in popularity began to wane he withdrew, Wister Hodge, who was then traveling . taking schools of that town, he collapsed. his integrity. you try to pin him down to a definite and out of the milky blue of the pro- intimating that T was to follow. in Europe, and would not return per- logical Sem- He was taken to Easton. In the pres- Stephens is an imposing, athletic Statement of his grievances, to define fessor's eyes. It was an imbeclle exhi- As it was a select club of the best haps for a year. However, he would trial young trustees and a few friends, man, perfectly self-possessed, muscu- Eome of the charges against the presi- bitlon after the eloquence, the blazing men in town, I saw no reason for re- write to him and see how soon he could ssoclate pro- hens conf Never in the his- lar and of great strength. He is near- dent. Inereply, there is only evasive, rhetoric of his introductory remarks. slgning, I remained. From that mo- take the position were it offered him. longer, at $800 a ate insti has there 1y six feet tall and weighs about one vaporous explanation, with an idiotic “I am satisfied,” he said blandly, “to ment President Warfield became my On the following day this secretary, having its startling feat- hundred and ninety pounds. His face smile, a cunning, flippant sparring for let my case rest until the day of trial. enemy. Whether it was jealousy or who by the way was Stephens, arrived ¢ red and his time, succeeded by elaborate, indefinite Then it will be my turn, and the public because of his shallow nature I can- at Lafayette College, bearing he said ed a heavenly symphony on the organ, bottom of all his troubles is that then poured tar Into its machinery, Stephens originally desired to enter the smeared hymn books, Bible and pews Fresbyterian ministry. Rich men vol from the with pitch, and otherwise desecrated unteered to educate him providing nt times. the chapel. their money be returned if he failed to d by order It should be explained that District enter the pulpit. Stephens agreed, went Attorney Fox already had detectives on through Princeton, took a supplemen- > the case. Laborer Messinger guarded tary course at the Theological Semi- s the chapel at night. So a few nights nary, then was engaged as professor Stephe: volumes Lafayette buildip The books have been of the District Attorne Lafayette Colle behind in the ment of br: ing. The janitor recognized it as his ; key. In a room where he had been tem- e case, CON- porarily sleeping they found his valise r of 1863 1d a lot of telltale articles. Later, President Warfield about the matter. Geo when he was arrested, near Harris- Stephens seemed so indifferent and four hundred cost about b. a year Viewed from any standpoint, it is round, his hair a sand ~ : - Steph traordinary. While friends and eves something of a fishy blue. He speech, requiring an hour for one to will hear my side of the story, how this not say. the compliments of Dr. Patton, his theological ienounce the burning of the build- had been described as having a weak hear it to the finish. man has humbugged pupils and profes- “Warfield is a Kentuckian, proud of many good wishes and the suggestion his coll: good men seek excuses for the face and a massive, intellectual brow “At the trial,” said the professor in sors. I shall unmask him—show ex- his blood,” ‘continued the professor, in that perhaps he (Stephens), a highly d refused to aled to the trus cort of degencrate Webster. His jail, “the sad story will be told and the actly what he is, his shallowness, his response-to a question, with a 1ons, educated and gifted professor in ethics ng professor. ; MM b ; 3 : chin is certainly not that of a strong, community surprised when they hear trickery, his incapacity and his dishon- funny, thin smile playing over his fea- and other branches of moral philoso-¢ And other facts are coming to light. te n thousand Tt js alleged that barns have been well balanced man, born to command, all the facts.” esty toward the young !'non"h\: is sup- tures. “Yes, he is a Kentuckian, the phy, could temporarily fill the vacancy e burned under picious circumstances and there is a suggestion of sensual- “But you have already confessed. pos ed to instruct and guide. grandson of a once famous clergyman, in the professor’s chair pending the re- in his home district. A Mr. Hammet at ity—almost brutality—about the mouth What excuse can be made for burning “How md"you come to make his ac- and the nephew of Congressman turn of Professor Hodge from Europe. Hammetsford, Pa., loaned Stephens which tells a story and explains-how a sreat college building belonging to quaintance? Breckinridge, whose name figured in a So smooth was the tale told by young . A A A < A ainm Stephens, so graceful was his bearing, so picturesque and eloquent was his s might be ac- 5 2 ks he was independent and was moved sent it. In the ODERN guns were much used | shot may be said to be a collection of | body is a tube which is also filled with some modification of shape to meet the | tern is still used for purposes of bom- only by a desire to do the institution “would be forced ~ven as recently as our civil war, | missiles in a case, which breaks up either | powder, which is ignited by the fuse at |requirements of alr resistance and so |bardment. 'Lhisis simply a hollow sphere g service. He was beyond mercenar: inage a great in- Say5 an army officer in the New | In the gun or at some point in fiight, thus | the point of the shrapnel, and carries the | canee accuracy. The old round shot Is | filled with powder that is discharged 3t motives, for he had property and P A caih-dealng pactio fire to the main charge. Between 200 and | little used these days on account of the | the proper moment by a time fuse. P York Herald. The improvement "f\(lnfanx:n-ow"{gr . m::, qcaii;’(‘,’kep,?réfifis},, 300 bullets rest upon a diaphragm just | impossibility of firing it straight. The | moderate range this explosive is as ef- income, removing him entirely from the has embraced all calibers, from | trsse’ oamtives eocase, s, Uoken each of | over the powder charge. These are held | conical shot has increased in size until | fective as the larger and heavier shells. POVETty so common to young college that of the small arm firing a projectile | anu sorry d for the man struck | In Place by a matrix of rosin which is a few guns now throw pieces of mgml i ol Bl o % 1od professors. If the president cared to i oot themsy Y1V of hene faiiing wpon | melted and poured upon the bullets when | welghing over half a ton. The force with | Conical shells are made to, explode by engage him on trial, for a year, for the one-third of an inch in dlameter to | by one of them. All of these f: PO | in place. A skeleton case of cast-iron, | Which these awful engines of destruction | concussion and time fuses. At long range [ ovRC % 0 P Tl FOF & FE8% piace 0t Ale Vel SOUNA NI S A | containing receptacles for each bullet, is | tear through brick walls and stone forti- | the conical shell is a most deadly pro- B e T Phillipsburg, just m ton, Decem- after midnight entered Par- the monster which sends a solid plece of cted val- . S 4 -0 | an_irregular oval, whose area varies with | el A ; : jectile. It is capable of They shook hands in Christian fellow- . steel 12 inches through and weighing over B i v sometimes used,instead of the rosin. fications is almost inconceivable. At a |J 3 s capable of tearing though ands in Christian fellow Ty foritu- Sy Gr R n"fy :aw (hfg"fls e | differing conditions. 1t has been found | B0 put on in the same manner | diStance of over three miles an ordinary | Walls ‘of enormous thickness and then Ship, and after a whiff of friendly theo- 1 of fur- that the best point to burst the shrapnel | RAESPEC 50 B o0 o fuse Is inserted | Wall offers no more resistance than a |bursting after it gets on the inside. The logical discussion young Stephens was r Da. Prov but also all their accessories, es- | is about six yards above and fifty in Iront! the projectile is ready for use. piece of paper. g:;l—‘d‘;:gdshsetge}sactmt‘rix:“ ;rl! shapg, made of installed as assistant professor. Nature, PClY prwder of the present has| . Colonel Shrapnel of the British service | . It can readily be scen that one great ob- | The most terrible projectile of modern | of Tha ohimber. It ‘l; 3;94;"“;?33“%;\3 At the end of the year he was en- first invented shrapnel in 1803. This early | jection to the shrapnel is its high cost. | times is that used in the dynamite cruiser | | pecially powder and projectiles. The ! of the enemy. 1 gaged for double that period at $500 per { | s were of . changed the conditions of war almost as | fTS K&pne N erioal ohell | The = fuse alone costs about $2 50. i el Sl G nai for piercing armor at close range and ex- . ; : *3 | form consisted simply of a spherical sheil esuvius. he shell proper is about fif- | g # annum. res joke on TMuch as modern armament. In fact, it |filled with bullets And & bursting charge | Sharpnels fired from a gun a mile away | teen inches In diameter and five fect long. | PIoding by force of concussion at the same {uiitiy e e e Tk absolutely necessary to Improve the | of powder {n the spaces between. This|in one instance, and a mile and _two- |On the after end of it is a trailer about | I3(ant. This ole i the. SIS DERSI 0 Dear ietrans] s- MOpBIcY vigws heifiia. niot Here sty ong with the gun. was a crude invention, which scattered, thirds in the other, were made to strike | ten feet long for the purpose of keeping | S D e L, SUnGULE isedy ShTeN . i T . ng &tep with these advances haye | the fragments too much, and was Hable | a board target one inch thick. The fuses it In a straight course through the air.| Although almost obsolete. the chain theus he S21d that Stephens was not < o nto the pile, X Homs Saada i thai | to go off when not expected, and not to Were set off by the contact and burst | The shell carries several hundred pounds | shot and bar shot are still found in some competent for the position. Though he locked th ed to his hotel, been those made in the various classes of | o so when desired. This form was Im- the projectile into 200 or 300 parts, each of | Of guncotton, that bursts on contact with | magazines. Both work on the principaj Was something of a social favorite with The lack the con- Project Even the smallest’ of these proved upon during our great war, and | Which was capable of dealing death to |any hard substance. This shell is fired | of turning around rapidly at the endpog the students, they did not progress in hardened bullet is far ahead | the modern shrapnel can be considered | 2ny living thing in its path. from a pneumatic gun, and at a distance | a connecting piece and are capable of knowledge beyond a certain point, and flagration fire wa isible from With its n Phillipsbur; R aDhE i . + his ©f the old-fas bul! e | the most dangerous of all life destroying | Besides wit hrapnel type shot |9f two miles can be used with accuracy. | cutti vide sw. & £ = ¥ ; fl-(!“ hll 5 ephens thought his Srche ol qrxfi;h1:‘nett‘i"rl‘egd‘lMmle‘;g:sed T e ioctiiie Tt coiics of Dras et immm_““enmhlmtvl:!eani:so oot 4 | The explosive deals death over a surface | i e N fné‘r‘i".”‘&?i“;“ri";;‘s&“‘“““' the young professor was found inade- mission h d, but was awakened the small arms of thirly years ago. the tube, the base and the head. The kinds that can be fired from a gun. In |Of @ thousand yards, and at Santiago |in‘land engagements ai clos ¥ Sied uate tnhe {ask of craninibie ‘mita- st the bre lay by the glare of the One of the most effective of modern pro- | powder charge is in the base, which is | this respect they have kept pace with | ¥here it has been used recently, the Deo- | are particularly useful and - vajuciy) Phvsics, ethics and other crumbs of burning building. is the shrapnel. It is one of the | firmly attached to the body either by | the gun. ple say it shakes the ground like an earth- | where it is desirable or hecesear v‘?‘“ab[e moral philosophy into their young e ) case shot. The others were the | electric welding or by screwing. Leading | In the solid shot the improvement has | Guake. ammunition. No other shot at the samq- Neads. shioned grape and canister. A case | from the base through the center of the | been principally in the way of size and | In the way of shells the old round pat- ! cost is capable of doing so much damage. 32" SHRAPNEL WITH BURSTING CONICAL SHELL _TO EXPLODE. &Y Fus@ ° CONIGAL, SHELL TO EXPLODE BY CANISTER =N M= N 7\ AN AR BURSTING CHAR AN SO FOTESS AT Zam N 3 A L ; S \ et e A \ e