Students Caught Blacking Faces, Faculty Meeting Minutes, Vol 3: pages 31-32

Description

In this 1853 meeting, the Faculty discussed a group of students who were exhibiting riotous behavior. One student, Tate, was later found in his room with his face blacked.

Creator

University of Georgia Faculty

Format

.jpg

Language

English

Text

.....
April 17
Peek, Tate, Norton, + ... of the Soph Class + ... of the Junior Class ... to appear before the Faculty. On Saturday night last (15th) about 10 pm the officers disturbed by the ringing of the bell. One of the tutors went to the chapel and found about 20 students engaged in the disturbance. He politely asked them to go to their rooms but the rioters answered him by a shower of stones several which struck him. He approached nearer and repeated the request but was told if he did not retire they would "knock him down." He then went to his room to get a lantern, but the rioters followed him and broke his windows with stones. He then started for assistance from other officers. They still pursued him and again threw stones at him one of which passed very near his head. Several of the officers then visited the rooms and observed the following suspicious circumstances. Peek + ... were found in their rooms but they had been absent when the tutor visited an hour before. When questioned ... said that he had been in Norton's room. Peek seemed confused but finally said that he had been visiting the ladies and had just returned, + that he had also been in Norton's room. Hall + Potts were found in Norton + ...'s room. ... was undressed + Norton in bed with his head covered up. Tate was found in bed covered up in the same manner on examination his face was found blacked. After some time they revisited Norton's room + found Norton up with (some of the Faculty think) his hair brushed very black dirty water was found in his basin. He said however that Mr. Tate had just been washing his face in his (Norton's basin). On being asked if anyone had been in his room Norton + ... affirmed that no one had been there. This question was repeated several times and answered in this ... way.
...
The evidence was not complete except against Tate.
April 19
Faculty met to decide on the case of the rioters. Tate was dismissed. ... on account of the strong suspicion resting on him (the tutor feels quite confident he recognized his voice) and his ... neglected of duties of College as well as his studies was advised to go home.

Original Format

Handwritten Minutes

Citation

University of Georgia Faculty , “Students Caught Blacking Faces, Faculty Meeting Minutes, Vol 3: pages 31-32,” African American Experience in Athens, accessed September 25, 2023, https://digihum.libs.uga.edu/items/show/151.

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