OBIT:  BERTRAM, Thomas; 1907; Cambria Cnty., PA

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Cambria Freeman
Ebensburg, Pa.
Friday, 11 Oct 1907
Volume 41, Number 41


Ball Player Now a Corpse
Thomas Bertram of Altoona Fatally Injured in Foot Ball Game 
at Portage Sunday


Thomas Bertram, a member of the A. A. A. Football team of 
Altoona, died at the Brant House in that city Sunday 
evening of injuries received in a game of football at 
Portage Sunday afternoon.

At first it was not believed that the injuries of Bertram 
were of a serious nature and after he had received medical 
treatment at Portage he was placed in a stretcher and 
accompanied his teammates to Altoona.  Midway between 
Portage and Altoona, however, he was taken violently ill on 
the train and died a few minutes after he had been taken 
from the railroad station to the Brant House.

It was in a hot scrimmage in the game between the A. A. A. 
and the Portage Eleven just outside of Portage Sunday 
afternoon that Bertram, who was carrying the ball, was in 
the midst of the scramble.  Bertram fell and his head 
struck a stone just as the entire mass of players piled 
upon him. One knee struck Bertram over the stomach as he 
went down.  When the mass of humanity was untangled it was 
found that Bertram was unconscious.  A physician was at the 
ground and he at once administered to the injured man, who 
regained consciousness and expressed a desire to be taken 
home.  When No. 10 came along the injured man was placed on 
board and the journey to Altoona was begun. After passing 
through the Gallitzin tunnel the injured man became very 
ill and the pallor of death hung over his countenance.

At Altoona a physician was speedily summoned but Bertram 
breathed his last about the time that the physician arrived 
at his bedside. Death is believed to have been due to the 
blow in the stomach and concussion of the brain.

Coroner Blackburn of Blair county was at once notified and 
he got into communication with Coroner Prothero of 
Johnstown with the result that a thorough investigation 
will be made.  This investigation is prompted by the fact 
that Bertram was injured in a Sunday game and those in the 
game may be held responsible for the young man's death. The 
investigation may result in the elimination of all Sunday 
sports of this nature in Cambria county.

Bertram was 21 yeas of age and quite popular in Altoona.  
He was employed by the PRR in that city.

This is said to have been the first fatally of the football 
season, at least in the eastern part of the United States.