Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-11-01
SORROW AT HARVARD
But Accident Will Have No Bearing
On Continuing the Game.

Cambridge, Mass. Oct. 3l.-Deeply re-
GREETED as is the accident to Cadet Byrne
which resulted in his death, there could
be found no foundation for any sentiment
at Harvard tonight that the fatality
would have any effect on the schedule or
the playing of the game at Harvard.
President A. l.. Lowell gave out no state
ment whatever. and President Emeritus
Eliot did not care to be quoted in the
matter. Among the athletic trainers and
football men the sentiment was preva-
lent that the accident would have no eff
feet whatever upon the technique of the
game as played at Harvard, the only pos
sible effect being the insstence of great
er care in removing men from ale game
who were debilitated by injuries or eXer-
ton. That Byrne was in bad shape from
injuries received earlier in the game and
VIC ak and should have been taken out was
the general feeling of those who were di-
rectly interested in the game. The admir-
ing and enthusiastic crowd of undergrad
yates which invariably greets a home
coming Harvard football team flushed
with victory was lacking tonight when
the sorrow-strcken and detected members
of the football squad returned from the
West Point game of yesterday.
None of those who were more directly
engaged in the play in which the fatality
occurred returned with the team. Capt
Hamilton Fish had gone to his home at
n-on-the-1udson. Right Guard
Fisher and Fullback Minot and Manager
Parsons remained in New York. The re-
naming members of the team were eager
ly sought by the Harvard undergraduates
for news of the accident and the deepest
sympathy was expressed on all sides over
the occurrence.
Trainer "Pooch" Donovan and the men,
bers of the team were unanimous in the
depression that the accident was due as
much as anything to the fact that Byrne
had become weakened by previous in
jury in the game for which time had been
taken out until he recovered which rem
dered him unable properly to protect him.
self in such a hard. close scrimmage as
came upon him in the final play which
ended the game.
Trainer Donovan and Right Halfback
Up. d. Smith told the details of the fatal
play agreeing in every detail. According
to them the ball had been snapped to
Fullback Minot to cary. He advanced.
carried by Left Half Leslie and Quarter
back O'Flaherty. Capt. Fish and Right
Guard Fisher going ahead to break down
the interference. The play went outside
the left guard and inside of Tackle Byrne
AS the five almost a unit came to the
army line. Byrne dove head first at the
feet of the moving mass. The men state
that Byrne's head seemed to double back
as the mass went down, tripped up and
impeded by Byrne's body.
None of the Harvard men believe that
Byrne could have received a solar pleNus
blow and are of the opinion that If such
blow caused the injury it must have
been the result of the weight upon his
body from above. crowding him to earth
Graduate Manager w. F. Garcelon re-
fused tonight to make any statement as
to the possible effect of the accident or
the game at Harvard and no definite ex-
pressions along that line were vouchsatec
by any of the members of the athletic
council