The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-11-01
FOOTBALLS
DEATH TOLL
CONTINUED from Page one)

CONTINUED from Page One)
at his bedside. Brave as was the
young soldiers fight against death. it
was hopeless from the start. Buried
beneath a mass OF struggling players
In the Harvard Army game yesterday.
his neck twisted and broken by the
weight Of the crushing pile above him
and he was picked up with every
nerve Of his body except those OF mis-
head and face, helpless to perform
their functions.
Real Cause of Death.
Only the immediate resort to arti-
fetal respiration kept the boy from al
most instant death, for he did not
draw natural breath after receiving
the fatal shock. Surgeons were I'M
able to make complete examination
on account of his critical condition
and opinion varied as to whether q
blow on the spine or on the solar plex-
us caused the paralysis. But x-ray
photographs taken after his death re-
vealed a dislocation between the first
and second cervical vertebras, causing
ward, pressing against and probably
resulting in lesion in those nerve
centers OF the medullae obiongata.
which govern the respiratory muscles.
Byrne's father bore the shock of the
fatality with fortitude. Mrs. Byrne.
mother of the victim left Buffalo early.
yesterday and reached here at $3.50
o'clock yesterday morning.
Bereaved Parents Meet.
The meeting between the bereaved
parents was affecting. Funeral SER.
vices will be held tomorrow in the
Catholic chapel at the post. A cadet
will watch over the body until after
the services tomorrow.
The funeral will be conducted with
full military honors. Mgr. 0. g.
O'Keefe, in charge of the Catholic
chapels in this vicinity, will officiate.
When the cadets corps and The Of
fetal family of the academy had recov-
cred from the first shock of the an
nouncement that Bryne's injuries had
terminated fatally the effect which 1t
might have upon the remainder OF the
football schedule came to mind. The
sentiment hardly had time to crystal
lie today but more than one opinion
was voiced that the casualty would
result in curtailing the remainder Of
the seasons playing, If not the cam
collation. OF the entire schedule inc1ud-
ing the army-navy game.
Accident Was Dramatic.
Official expression on the matter is
meagre. When Col. Hugh L. Scott,
1,
for his opinion he replied:
THAT is a matter / cannot now dis
cuss."
The manner Of young Bryne's injury
witnessed as it was by the father and
the hundreds who gathered here to see
the army struggle against Harvard
was dramatic in the extreme. When
the spectators realized that the shock
was serious, the cheering stands were
hushed as IL by magic. No one spoke
above whisper, A few minutes later
Byrnes was carried unconscious from
the field and the spectators filed silently
down to the station, leaving a deserted
football field where laughter and wav-
ing college pennants had made a gay
picture before the accident changed
the scene.
Taken to the cadet hospital skilled
surgeons, working with relays Of capa-
BILE attendants, labored over Byrne
throughout the night. Conscious at
times, he realized the seriousness of
his condition, as the physicians and
nurses kept at their task and with a
smile and an occasional cheering word
encouraged them in their labors.
R.laL.-Ssa.. -
The reservation has been transform
ed into lodge Of sorrow. Ali social
functions planned, including the long
looked forward hop were cancelled.
There was no parade, the flag was
lowered to half mast and directions
were given that all academic duties be
suspended today.
Young Byrne was only 81 years old
but was veteran of the army football
team and popular with his class mates
and officers. He was acting as captain
Of the eleven and he gave his life too
early perhaps, but as his father wished
1t struggling on the field for the hon
or of the army.
Byrne was injured In a mass tackle,
a play that is common enough in foot
ball and which had been used several
times in the game previous to the ac-
cident. Byrne, standing valiantly as
left tackle for the army. was carried
under the rush Of crimson players and
infaIling must have had his head twist
ed into position where the weight of
the men piling up on him was greater
than the strong ligaments of the verte-
bral column could stand They snap
ped with the pressure and the fatal
lesion resulted.
IF Byrne dies 1t win kill football for
both West Point and Annapolis" was
the frequent remark heard on the
grounds.
Byrne was beloved by all at West
Point, not only because Of his football
ability. but because Of his good fellow
ship.