Virgil Noland

THE EVENING HERALD KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23, 1911

VIRGIL NOLAND VICTIM OF SHOCK

ELECTRICITY KILLS SON OF EX-JUDGE GEORGE NOLAND DIES UNDER TREATMENT TO WORK OUT SORENESS FROM FOOTBALL

Virgil Noland, aged 21 years, a well known young man of Klamath Falls and the only son of ex-judge and Mrs. George Noland, was burned to death by electricity yesterday evening in his room in the Sima Tau fraternity house at the Univeristy of Oregon, at Eugene. He was a member of the football team of the univeristy, and had played in the game with the Washington university team in Portland last Saturday, strenuous work in which had made his body quite sore. In order to relieve the condition he was taking treament by the use of an electric bathrobe, which is a popular method for athletes to work out muscle soreness, having retired to his room in the afternoon to lie down. About 4 o'clock some student friends called at his room, and he seemed to be all right, although he said he was very warm from the electricity. About 5:30 p.m. some more callers saw him, and conditions were about the same as they had been before. About 7:30 p.m. inmates of the house were attracted to young Noland's room by the smell of burning rubber, and those who entered the room found the athlete dead. While at first it was stated that the severity of the electric current was responsible for the death, later word was to the effect that there was some uncertainty on this point, it being thought that possibly the weakened condition of the system made him a victim of the ordinary power of the agency. Mrs. Noland had been with her son in Portland last Saturday the day of the big game, and Sunday Virgil wished to remain with his mother another day but her ambition for him in his college work led to deciding that he return to Eugene Sunday night. Mrs. Noland reached Klamath Falls last evening. A telephone message today from Richard Shore Smith, the Eugene attorney, formerly of this city, stated that there were burns on the body of Virgil Noland which indicate practially beyond a doubt that his death was due to the electric current, the bathrobe having been connected with the electric light socket. William Gitt, the electrician of this city, is understood to have said that the contact of such a garment with any metal on the bed, or even with the plaster on the wall, would cause a ground contact which would be fraught with danger. Mr. Smith telephoned to Alexander Martin, Jr. that the remains would start from Eugene at 12:30 o'clock at night, and would be due here tomorrow evening at 8:15 o'clock while Mrs. Noland's brother, Geroge Goodell from Portland will be on the same train, taking it at the Rose City. H. S. Smith of Eugene, two members of the student body of the Univeristy of Oregon and one member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, of which Nolad was a member, and in whose chapter house he made his home while at college will be among the party accompaning the remains from Eugene to this city where theyu will find their last resting place. Word was today expected from James Noland of Oregon, brother of Judge Noland as to wether he would be able to attend the funeral. The funeral service will be held on Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the famly residence on Pine street, instead of Sunday, it being desired to give the students of the escort ample time to return to Eguene in time to resume their studies on Monday. Rev. Dr. Henry O. Collins, Rector of Grace Episcopal congregation will reside at the funeral services. This afternoon the classes of the state university were suspended and at 3 o'clock a service in memory of the deceased was held, at which the faculty and students were present.

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