Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1907-10-17
ROMY STORY.

following which has just fallen in
to our hands, clipped from the
University "Tar Heel' is such a
fine tribute to his memory that
we publish it for the benefit of
those near and dear to him in
his native county of Watauga:
"Story is dead' was the mes
sage that was handed from
mouth to mouth Saturday NOR
ming, and a gloom was over the
campus. We knew that the man
was sick with typhoid fever, but
the idea never entered our heads
that Romy Story would die
Story, the great big, gentle, kind
hearted athlete. Reports were
current that he was improving
and the hope was expressed that
he might even come back t h i S
fall to guide his fellows on the
football field-but the message
came and sorrow was upon us.
He died athis home near Blow
ing Rock, N. c., Friday night. the
telegram announcing his death
came Saturday morning and i'm
mediately President Parker, OF
the athletic Association, appoin-
ted q committee to arrange for
the sending OF a floral Offering as
a token OF the respect and admi-
ration of his fellow-students, and
Mr.. Foye Robertson left on the af-
ternoon train to attend the fu-
neral as the representative of the
student body.
A mass meeting was held Sat-
urday night. Amidst a deathly
silence President Parker arose
and in a few impressive and SOL
emn words, announced that the
meeting had been called to pay
respect to our departed friend
and fellow-student. Mr.. Parker
then called upon some OF those
present to say a few words, but
the speeches were without excep-
ton failures from an oratorical
point OF view--the feeling was too
great to find expression in mere
words. Among those who at
tempted tospeak were c. H. Her
ty, Coach Simmons, Mr.. R. S.
Stewart and Mr.. Tom Mcneil.
At the conclusion Mr.. Parker
appointed q committee to draw
up resolutions OF respect. 1t was
suggested that money be taken
from the treasury OF the associa.
tion to pay for the floral offer.
ing and to pay Mr.. Roberson's
expenses, but every man present
felt that he would like to con-
tribute something personally,
and a collection was taken,
Romy Story was born at Biow-
ing Rock Dec. IL, 1882. He was
prepared for college at Watanga
Academy, now Appalachian Trai-
ming School at Boone, N, c., and
while there he was the star base
! ball pitcher, winning many q
hard fought game for his school.
His modesty prevented him from
trying for the Varsity until his
junior year, but when he did f.
nally try, he showed himself to
be one of the best players on the
team.
Story had never seen a foot
ball up to the time he came to
the University, but the gamefas
cinated him, and though he con.
tented himself with playing class
football during his Freshman
year, he demonstrated in h il
Sophomore year that he had in
him the stuff of which football
players are made, and from tber
until the time OF his death, each
season, he was the star player.
Story was avery popular man
he was a much loved man. Mer
loved him for his meekness, hi
. gentleness, his kindness, his man
/, illness, his bravery. He was tn,
idol OF the college. Every inch
gentleman, he scorned the ,ques
, tionable in every game and Il
his private life. The estimation