The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-29
BUY. DIES AF ! [ R. l N | TIA I |O N
University Student Succumbs as Result of Excitement at Fraternity Ceremonies, Tuscaloosa Coroner's
 Jury Decides
SUALOOSA BUREAU |
 THE AGE.-HERALD ! Tuscaluosa, Ala, Jan. 2X


 Glenn Kersh, 16, son of City Clerk M. G. Kersh of this city, died this morning between 12 and 1 o'clock from psychic effect of ex- citement following initiation into the Sigma Nu fraternity of the state university, according to the verdict of coroner's jury held this morning. The young man, with 16 others, was initiated into the mys- teries of the fraternity and few minutes after he had taken the initiation, he suddenly expired. Dr. Maxwell Moody and Dr. Maxwell were called, but Kersh was dead on their arrival.
 A number of witnesses were sum- moned before the coroner's jury, several of whom had taken the ini- tiation just previous to Kersh, and their evidence showed that there was nothing done that in any way would have caused death from bodily injuries. According to the evidence before the jury, the ini- tiation ritual was very exciting and was put on in innocent college spirit.
 No Marks of Violence
 gThe medical examination made on the body of Kersh showed absolutely no mark of violence or that he had been roughly treated. Dr. S. T. Hard in, county coronor, stated to a Bir- that the psychic effect from the ex- citement and the probability that Kersh had a weak heart produced death and that there were no other signs to indicate his death was caused otherwise.
 MT. Kersh stated that he placed no blame on any one and has no hard feelings regarding his sons death. He was his only boy and was popular among the students at the university and was highly esteemed by all.
 The Sigma Nu is one of the ex- elusive fraternities at the university and it Is considered an honor o be- come a member of it.
 The funeral was conducted this afternoon a 4 O clock from the family residence on NSeventh street. Dr, l.. o. Dawson, Dr. Charles M. Boyd and Dr. Claude O'Rear, pastors of the three Central churches. conducting the services. President Denny of the university today issued the follow ing statement concerning the death of Glenn Kersh
 Dr. Denny's Statement
 "The university is overwhelmed in view of the death of Glenn Kersh, Tuscaloosa boy and one of the finest students and finest characters in our student body. Along with l6 other boys he. was initiated into the Sigma Nu fraternity last night. There was no physical injury in- flicted in the initiation ceremonies, according to the unanimous testl- mony of those present. No appli- ance, electrical or otherwise, is ever used in mutations at the university. The ceremony was conducted in the manner usual in all colleges. That no physical injury was inAicted is further attested by the fact that none of the other initiates, all of whom passed through precisely the same initiation showed any i'll eff feet whatever
 "The verdict of the coroner, pr. s. T. Hardin, after full investiga- ton of the facts and supported by the three attending physicians. makes clear that fact that death re- suited solely from heart failure due to psychic shock induced by the ex- c;tement of the initiation.
 II have never seen more grief stricken group of boys than the members of the fraternity Glenn Kersh was a particular favorite with them. Indeed. no boy in this com munity stood higher or was more generally beloved and respected. Personally, I feel the matter deeply, as Glenn was an intimate friend of my own son.