Polio is Fatal to Olney Player; Cancel Football Schedule

Olney, Ill – (AP) – An infantile paralysis epidemic which already has caused the death of one player probably will force Olney High School to cancel the five North Egypt Conference football games remaining on it’s 1943 schedule, Coach Frank Newton said today.

Newton’s announcement followed the death this morning, in an Effingham hospital of Don Hinterscher 17, senior student and first-string tackle. Two other players, Billy Vail, captain and center, and Gib Miller, first string end, also were suffering from the disease.

One other case of polio and two suspected cases were reported today and J.H. Cherry, Principal of schools, said he was considering stopping all classes until the epidemic has passed.

J. H. Cherry, Principal of schools, said a special nurse will be kept on duty at the schools until the epidemic threat is passed.

The school board had first considered closing the schools, but it has been advised by Dr. J.J. McShane, head of the division of Communicable Diseases, department of public health in Springfield, that schools will be kept open.

Donald Hinterscher is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hinterscher of Noble, rural route 2. He leaves his parents and two sisters.

Funeral services held at the graveside in Haven Hill Cemetery, Olney.

The Decatur Herald (Decatur, IL) – October 9 & 10, 1943

Don Hinterscher,  age 17, Olney Township High School senior and star tackle on the football team this year, last Saturday morning October 9, 1943, became the first local victim of infantile paralysis, when he died at an Effingham hospital.

A transfer from Ingraham High School, Don developed rapidly into a fine football player despite inexperience, and was considered one of the outstanding men in Olney's great line. He was also a popular and excellent student. He was stricken with the strange disease early last Wednesday and after examination taken to the Effingham hospital, where he passed away early Saturday morning.

The youth was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hinterscher of near Ingraham, northeast Clay county.

Graveside services were held at Haven Hill cemetery.

Published in Olney Advocate (IL) ~ October  14, 1943