The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-10
SENSATIONAL FAKES
Observation-Disclosures

Every season after the close of the
play the sensational newspapers come
across with formidable looking array
of names of men who have been killed
in football. 1t looks badly and sets
| a lot of non investigating people to
talking and bowling about changes In
the football rules. In times gone by
| these lists have been subjected to in
quiry and they have generally been
found to have been subjected to an
| outrageous amount Of padding and fax
ing. This years list seems to be of
the same class.
An Oregon man took the trouble to
make an investigation of each and
every case reported under the skull
and crossbones heading, and here is
the way a Portland paper tells OF the
results of his labors:
Investigation reveals that the pub
lished list Of twenty-six deaths pur-
ported to have resulted from football
during the season Of 1909 cannot be
accepted as correct; that the list is
flagrantly swelled and padded solely
for sensationalism, and that deaths of
football players that have resulted from
causes foreign to football are untustly
charged UP against violence OF the
game under the 1909 rules. Following
is list Of the misrepresented cases SO
far discovered up to the present writing
as investigated by o. II. Luck. who
used to live in Seattle. but who now
makes his home in Eugene, Ore, one
Of the best posted football men in the
country:
'Iangdon Babcock. Buffalo, NJ. Y.
included in the 1909 casualty list, was
dead three months before the 1909 foot
ball season began. He died of pneu
monia, said to have been contracted
from injuries received in game play
ed under the "old rules" In the year
1905. Unjustly chalked up against
1909 football.
Charles E. Jacks, Denver, Col, in
cluded in 1909 casualty list. Died four
months before the season Of 1909 be-
gan. He was a football player in 1906
and had not played since November.
1905. The 1909 rules were not to blame
for this.
Domestic Define, MassiTlon, O., in
cluded in 1909 casualty list. Died of
FIVE and one-half months
before 1909 football season began. Said
to have contracted consumption during
football season of 1908. Unjustly in
cluded in 1903 list.
Morrill, Ricketts,, Forest, Ill. Died
eight months previous to football sea-
son of 1909. His name is untustly in
cluded in 1909 list.
Charles Becker, Findlay. o. An H.
boy. Was tackled in a back
lot by some schoolboys. The 1909 foot
ball rules are not to be blamed for this.
He died during the season of 1909. IN
justly included.
Samuel Moore, Camden. N. 7. Died
eight months previous to football sea-
son Of 1909. Reports charge that he
died suddenly as the result of being
kicked in the groin on THANKSGIVING
day, 1908; fact is, he died Jan. 81. 1909.
YET his name appears unjustly in the
list for the season Of 1909 which began
in September.
John Macarthur, Wabash. Ind. In
jured at football in 1908. Died five
months before season Of 1909. Unjust
ly recorded in list OF casualties for
season Of 1909.
"A'SA d. LnASSys JE.s 5NlCElmOnd, va. /
football player who died of pneu- |
monia said to have been contracted |
during this season. Violence under
1903 rules not to blame.
Frank Trimble, Bloomington. III. A
football player who died Of blood pois- |
oning resulting from a small scratch |
that was not cared for. The 1909 rules |
not to blame. His name is unjustly in
GUIDED.
Verne Merrill, GAINESVILLE. wis. Died
Of blood poisoning resulting from un-
cared for injury in 1909 football. I'M
Justly chalked up against 1909 rules.
Russell P. Heckel, Pittsburg, Pa
This boy refused to tell how and where
ne was hurt. The coroner's Jury has
charged the injury TO 1909 football,
which is probably correct, but not alb
solutely certain.
"The New York Evening Mail of
Nov. 20, 1909, claims only five victims
IF football during the season OF 1909.
This would be a remarkably low record
'or any sport"
The above shows twelve out of the
deaths not entitled 20 a
1laca in fha list