Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1907 — FOOTBALLISHARDHIT [ARTICLE]

FOOTBALLISHARDHIT

Dead at Columbus, It Is Declared, Through the Death of Young Riddell. . HIS MOTHER IS INCONSOLABLE Advised to Make Her Life a Crusade Against the Game—lndiana State Miscellany. Columbus, Ind., Nov. 13.—“ You cat live to preach a sermon to every boy with whom you come In contact forever to taboo the game of foot ball and help to pjit It under the ban not only here but all over the country.” This was the answer made by a woman member of the Columbus high schoo; faculty to Mrs. Nannie O. Ruddell, the heart-brokeh widowed mother of Cap tain Earl Ruddell, of the Columbus high school foot ball eleven, who died of a broken neck, caused by the game with North Vernon Saturday. Mrs Ruddell, who Is a trained nurse, is prostrated. She has been working hard for several years to give her two sons George and Earl, every possible educa tlonal advantage and now she says she has nothing for which to live. ‘ He Would Play the Game. Captnin Ruddell played foot ball for four years against his mother’s wisheand two years ago his collar bone was fractured. His mother tried to prevent him from every playing again then but as soon as his shoulder was in shape to bear a strain he was back In the game. George Ruddell. his oldei brother, was in the game with him Saturday afternoon. High School Boys Show Sorrow.

I'ractieally every one of the 300 stu dents of Columbus high school brought money to school. This money wa> counted together and used to pay for a mammoth floral tribute which was sent from the high school to the funer al of Captain Ruddell. His desk wa> decorated with flowers by the boys of the senior class, of which he was a member, and many tears were shed when this tribute was paid to one of the most popular boys in the school. The funeral was held with services at the Ruddell home this afternoon, con ducted by Rev. William Chappell. The pall-bearers were his classmates and members of the foot ball team. Ran on the Game Now. When the life of young Captain Rud dll went out foot ball died in Columbus. His death is the principal topic of conversation in the buslness hofcses and on the streets and there !« no need of any of the officials taking action to preVent another game of foot ball here. At a meeting the Columbus school board put a ban on foot ball that is expected to be permanent.