And indeed it was reported in newspapers outside of Indiana. Further these accounts seem to have exaggerated the events. For example, a 1901 New York Times article was entitled, "Two Students May Die." In another 1904 New York Times article, there was a report of thirty students with injuries such as a broken collar bone, a wrenched spine, internal, head, and chest injuries. Over the years deaths were also reported. One Ohio paper, in 1904, reported five killed. The students, who viewed the Tank Scrap as an honored tradition, had little time for off campus reporters who covered the event and at times exaggerated the violence and injuries. In 1909, one local reporter was confronted by the students who threatened to "mop the earth" with him if he reported the injuries. The students had to be restrained from doing him injury. Injuries occurred every year. As many as thirty students had the wind knocked out of them, black eyes, or sprains. Some were serious. In this particular year concern over injuires were justified.
Cartoon of students fighting in Tank Scrap.
Source: "Two Students May Die," New York Times 51 (Sept 21, 1901): 11. "30 Hurt in Class Rush," New York Times 54 (September 18, 1904): 4. "Second Year Men Place Numerals on Big Reservoir," The Purdue Exponent 21 (September 18, 1909): 2, 8.
