Hazers Use Electricity, Victims Serious

1906

Four Students of Winona Technical School Given Treatment

Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 23. — Electricity is the latest in hazing. Murray Robinson, Edward Jones, Charles Fisher and William Marsh, students at the Winona Technical institute, are the first victims. The work was done by upper classmen at noon yesterday. The four young men were subjected to an electrical circuit until they dropped exhausted. All are in a serious condition, but refuse to divulge the names of their tormentors.

When members of the faculty of the school were approached great surprise was expressed. An investigation followed with the finding of Robinson, Marsh, Jones and Fisher in bed. All efforts to get stories from them as to the affair proved fruitless. From other sources, however, the information was gained that the men were seized as they were leaving the building for their rooms, taken to the mechanical department, gagged and bandaged.

A powerful machine then was put in action and wires attached to all parts of the bodies. They were then held until one by one the victims fell to the floor unconscious. When released and revived each was charged not to breathe a word of the hazing under penalty of a more severe dose.

Director Smith says the matter will be investigated and the hazers punished.

"We have a complete electrical equipment," he said, "but I cannot think what apparatus they could have used. All our current is so heavy that it scarcely could be used in such a manner without killing a man or placing him in great jeopardy."

—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Feb. 23, 1906, p. 5.