Enraged At One of their Fellows

The following is from The Ypsilanti Daily Press of Thursday, June 15, 1905.

What would border dangerously near hazing, if it were not so palpably imbecillty on the part of the perpetrator of the so-called "practical joker," occurred this week in the science building of the Normal. The victim of the joke, if such it may be called, in Ralph Harlow, familiarly called "Billy Bounce." The perpetrator is a senior of the school who expects to graduate this year, and as his name is known to the members of the faculty, who will probably deal with the case, it is unneccassry to make it public. It is said, however, that the student body is so thoroughly enraged at the incident that they would deal with the senior himself in no very gentle manner if they had the opportunity.

Tuesday afternoon the joker invited his victim to the science building to show him around. Harlow has never had any chemistry, but the senior has taken several courses and besides a slight knowledge of the subject, has an unusual attack of the distemper called "swelled head." Among other sights of the laboratory was a test tube full of heated chlorine and Harlow was told to take a good long breath inhaling the odor. Harlow followed instructions, and was overcome with the fumes, which burned his throut, lungs and indeed all the mucous membrane it touched. Harlow was overcome and lost consciousness, and the senior not being able to resucitate him easily, became frightened and grabbed his possessions and left the building, leaving his victim unconscious. He was found in this state some time later by some one going to the room and help summoned, but it was only after three hours' work that he regained consciousness. As a result he is in bad shape, the powerful fumes of the stuff having burned him in an uncomfortable and serious manner.

The perpetration of such so-called "jokes" is a dangerous and criminal proceeding and deserves rigorous treatment.