The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-04-25
WILL NOT ATTEND.
No. Brookfield Gives
Up the County
Meeting.
BERGEN AFFLICTED.
His Young Son Stricken
Down With Malignant
Diptheria.

North Brookfeld, April 24.-At a
meeting of the North Brookdeld High
School Athletic Association, held this
evening, it was voted not to send a
team to the annual field day of the
Worcester County South Interscholas-
tic Association at Spencer. 1t was
voted to hold an inter-class meet at
Oakland Garden. Brookfield, probably
Nav 20. Fred Tarbell was appointed
marshal. and Brooks Maxwell, William
Rondeau. Fred Walsh and Ward Smith
as aids.
Diphtheria is playing fearful havoc
with the children of North Brookfield
and parents all over town are in a
state of worry lest the dreadful disease
penetrate into their homes and take
off some of their little ones. This morn
ing one of the children of Martin Ber-
gen. the Boston base ball catcher, fell
a victim, giving up its young life but
a few hours after the nature of its ill
ness had been discovered.
The child was William Clifford,
Catcher Bergen's four year old son, a
bright little fellow and great favorite
with his father Saturday afternoon
he was taken for a drive by Mrs Ber-
gen and except for a slight indisposi-
ton, was apparently in good health
He had been ailing slightly for few
weeks past but the mother thought it
was nothing but a childish complaint
and no doctor was called. Yesterday
the boy became deadly i'll and DR..
Thomas j. Garrigan was summoned
but at that time the germs of diph-
Trr-.e
and DR.. Garrigan pronounced the ILL
ness spasmodic Group.
During the night the little sufferer
grew rapidly worse but as no symp-
toms of diphtheria had appeared in the
throat, DR.. Garrigan did not think it
necessary to make another visit. About
o'clock this morning DR.. George r.
Spooner was called and as soon as he
examined the young patient he pro-
nounced the case diphtheria of the most
malignant kind. He tried in vain 10
bring the boy back to health, but about
10 o'clock death put an end to the little
fellows sufferings. DR.. Spooner told
The Spy reporter this afternoon that
it was one of the very worst cases, a
case where it was an utter impossible
ty to do anything to stop the progress
of the disease.
On account Of the infectious nature
of the illness the burial had to take
place at once and the body was inter-
red this afternoon. Catcher Bergen
was In Washington with his team and
was Immediately notified of his child's
death. Much sympathy is manifested
today for the big ball player by his
friends here, as Martin was just start
ing in what gave promise of being the
most successful season of his career as
a ball player.
-The athletes of the st. Joseph c. T. A
Society began training this afternoon
for the dual field day with Spencer c.
1. A., on May 80. The boys took to the
work with an enthusiasm which beto-
kens success, but as nothing but light
preliminary work was done it is i'm
possible to say what form the runners
are in. The one idea uppermost is that
every honest effort must be made to
wrest the victory from Spencer, ana
with this object in view, a steady
course of training will be kept up I'M
til the day Of the meet. The commit
tee of the local society today sent to
Spencer 500 tickets for the meet, which
the Spencer boys will hustle to dispose
OF. If the plans of the local committee
do not misearry. the day will be made
q memorable one for North Brookfield
people
One of the driving wheels Of The ma
ehinery at the Batcheller factory be-
came stubborn this ats Aoon, becom-
ing entangled as it whrled around so
that the power had to be shut or for
an hour. The wheel is about six feet in
diameter, and had to be broken with
sledge hammers before the apparatus
could be put in running order again.
The funeral of Miss Mary Rooney
took place from the home of her sister,
Mrs. Everett Barnes, of Winter street,
this afternoon. The services at the
house were conducted by Rev. John L.
Sewan, pastor of the First Congrega-
ttonal Church. after which the body
was taken to Leicester for interment at
Pine Hill cemetery.
A good sized audience gathered at
town hall tonight to witness the drama
Above the Clouds" given by the sis
terhood. The play was good and
showed the result Of careful prepara-
ton. A big success was also scored in
the farce, Tenants of Ebony Flats in
which the ladies appeared black as
chimney sweeps, to the great delight
Of the audience.
Leroy Foster of Providence, r. L, is
visiting his parents, Addison c. Foster
and wife.
Mortimer z. Howard is still undecid-
ed as to whether he will go to North
Adams for a trial as pitcher Of the pro-
fessional ball team there, but thinks
that he will remain here this season.