The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-01

gene A. Byrne of Buffalo fourth wear man at the United States Military acad- emy, died in the cadet hospital at s:s, o'clock this morning. sacrifice 10 foot ball. The army is accustomed 10 death. but not in this deplorabe form: and this tragedy of the gridron has brought such grief to officers and cadets alike that the end of football al West Point and An | napolis is predicted by many
 Young Byrne expired just as the ST was rising over the hills along the Hu son, with his grief-strlcken father. Jo Byrne, Civil war veteran, at his bs side Brave as was the young soldies@ fight against death. it was hopeless frt = the start Buried beneath mass struggling players ia five Harrard- Ar 4 game yesterdas his neck was twist 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 his head and face helpless to perform, their functions Only the immediate re- sort to artificiai respiration kept the boy from almost instant death. Surgeons were unable to make q complete examination last night on account of his critical con dftion, and opinions varied as to whether blow on the spine or solar plexis caused the paralysis. No autopsy was held. aside from the X-ray examination
 Mother Arrives.
 Byrnes father was plainly laboring un- der great mental anguish this afternoon when he came to the little railroad station at the foot of the hill to meet Mrs Rvrne mother of the victim. The meeting be tween the bereayed parents was affecting
 The funeral services will be held tomor- row in the Catholic chapel at the post. where the body was taken this afternoon. cadet guard was posted at the chapel.
 The funeral will be conducted with full military honors. Mgr. c. K. o'Keefe. in charge of the Catholic chapels in this vicinity, will officiate. When the cadet corps and the official family of the academy had recovered from the first shock of the announcement of Byrne's death. the effect which the accident may have upon the remainder of the football schedule immediately came to mind. More than one opinion was voiced that the casualty would result in curtailing the remainer Of the seasons playing If not the conclusion of the entire schedule. in- cluding the Army-Navy game
 Officials Retlcent.
 Official expression on the matter is meagre. Col Hugh T. Scott. the acad- emy superintendent. said:
 That is a matter 1 cannot discuss now The manner of young Byrne's injury was dramatic in the extreme. When the spectators realized that the accident was serious, the cheering stands were hushed as if by magic. few minutes later Byrne was carried unconscious from the field and the spectators filed silently down to the station, leaving a deserted football field, where laughter and waving college pennants had made a gay picture before the accident changed the scene.
 Taken to the cadet hospital, skilled sur geons working with relays of capable at- tendants. labored over Byrne Throughout the night Though conscious onlv at times, he realized the seriousness of his condition and with smile and an oc- casional cheering word encouraged phvsi- cians in their labors.
 Byrne Was Conscious.
 The surgeons realized that they were only working to prolong. not save a life. and Byrne knew 1t. too, before the new day broke. He faced death smilinrlv. only thoughtful for the grief-stricken pa- rents.
 Meanwhile the current of life at tba academy had almost ceased The reser- vation was transformed into a lodge of sorrow. All social functions planned for last night, including the long -looked-for- ward-to hop, were cancelled When morning broke all hopes were crushed by the announcement that death had come. Then came official action ex pressing concreteiy the sense or personal sorrow. felt everywhere. By order ar Colonel Scott. cadet activities for the dey were directed to be only such as vera necessary. There was to be no parad. tonight. the flag was lowered to half-rnaSf and directions were given that all academic duties be suspended tomor- row.
 Was 21 Years Old.
 oYung Byrne was only 2l years old. bn- was veteran Of the army football team and popular with his classmates and of ficers. He was acting as captain of t.,a eleven yesterday. and he gave his life too esri" "A-"""s, but as his fathcr ftshe1 ass ng on the held for the heaut ci tru
 tsfH' lnls ed in mass play on V -' 1~--e--~~-sr- ~-~-~~~~~~~~~~>>>
 tc1NTG0 1l D ON PAGw sl.