Arizona republican., 1906-11-06
THE BATTLE LOST
 TOM 0BFRLE DEAD
One of the Most Popular Young Men in the West and An Actor of Rare Talent.

Many people in this city heard yes 1 terday with regret. the news that Tom ! Oberle had died the night before at a sanitarium in Monrovia. CaIif. Tha ! information came in a message to Tom ] Whitney. Exalted Ruler of the FT5s 1 lodge of thic city, and of which the dead man was a member. It announc- ] ed that the body would be taken tq ] the former home of the family in the east for burial
 For about six years Tom Oberle has l been a well known character in the southwest, from Phoenix to Los An geles, and much has been heard of him all over Arizona and California. An actor by profession, and a good one too, he was popular in theatrical 1 circles in New York City. the center of activity for all footlight followers
 He was just entering upon a career of more than ordinary success and had
 already achieved considerable fame in supporting some Of the leading lights
 of the stage. when he was stricken by
 the blighting effect of that dread dis ease, consumption.
 He was sent to Phoenix for his
 health and during his first winter here
 he lived on the desert, making rapid
 improvement. But desert life was too
 slow for one of his accustomed sur roundings, and as he improved SD
 much he began to pine again for the
 wings and the dressing room. He or ganized the Oberle Stock compa0v
 with the help of Ezra Norris and Wal ter Belasco and the second winter was
 devoted. largely to this project. the Held of operations being the Arizona. New Mexico and Western Texas cir cult The venture however. was not e. financial success though in other re- spects 1t was a highly satisfactorily undertaking. After another summer oI renewed efforts to regain Bis health
 which was somewhat impaired again by hard work he felt so well he thought he could again follow his pro- Iession lE mild climate and went 70 Los Angeles.
 Los Angeles met him with open arms and m 3 brief time he became as. pop ular Tavorite as he had previously been here- He was welcomed as a new star In the California Armament and m the winter that followed he con quered the town in a professional way But the effort was too much and a year ago he came back To Phoenix much worse than he had ever been. II, spent last winter here and in a social way, was the same old good naulred. warm hearted bohemian that he had ever been, but the indications of his approaching end were already traced upon his pallid cheek. It might Do, near or far but it was certain he would never be able to work again. Strur- giing through a lonesome winter he returned to California last spring in the hope. but almost a faithless one. that the cooler weather of the coast might be beneficial He was joined there by Mrs. Oberle and the boy. Mrs. ODerle having been previously detained m the east by professional work. be- ing also devoted to the stage. Hc grew little better in the summer ana made another final effort at work bu- IL was no use, and he retired to th,. sanitarium at Monrovia where there ia ! less fog and dampness and where he stayed until the end.
 It is not an idle compliment to say that no one was ever more popular among those who knew him in this community. than Tom Oberle. actor. friend and fellow. For one in his pitt ful condition he was usually cheerful and light hearted. refusing to harbor a truth that he knew was painful to his friends as well as himself and insist ing on an optimistic view of the case whenever it was possible. In his passing there is no surprise for it is the ex pected that has happened The pity of a brilliant career thus unnaturauv shortened, is no less regrettable for 1 that fact and the absence of his cheerv personality will leave a void in many hearts wherever Tom OberJe has lived or ever for a brief season made his home. And to Mrs. OberIe will be ex- tended the sincerest sympathy of many who formed her acquaintance 1 during her short stay in this city.