in november 1884 amid rumors of an improper relationship with a katherine merrill graydon, a professor of greek at indiana university, moss resigned abruptly as president of indiana university. affidavits were presented to the board of trustees detailing the inappropriate behavior observed between the two by students m. w. fordyce and ed. hall in order to bring charge of "improper and immoral conduct" by moss. the affidavits states the two witnessed moss and graydon kissing and hugging as well graydon sitting on moss' lap in her office. these two were members of a group that called themselves the moss killers along with four fellow students and janitor thomas spicer. the group had drilled a hole in the ceiling of graydon's office in order to observe her and moss. given the resignation of those involved, the board of trustees decided against continuing the investigation of the charges.