"INHERIT THE WIND"

by Richard C. Jaffeson

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                           F A M E   F O R U M 

                           N E W S L E T T E R

                   N A T I O N A L   W O M E N 'S
          B A S E B A L L   H A L L   O F   F A M E

                    National Syndicated Column
                       (contents are protected)
   Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2003
TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972,
TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893,
TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU151901.
                          Issue Number 00213

__________________________________________
 
Volume VI, Number 07                   Publisher and Author
March 11, 2003                                Richard C. Jaffeson
Washington, DC                              HallFame@usa.com

                 http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame
__________________________________________

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COLUMN:  INHERIT THE WIND
                    by Richard C. Jaffeson

The distant sound from the slow steady beat of a muffled
bass drum kept time for the silently approaching footsteps
and advancing solo strains of a familiar spiritual hymn.
The deep penetrating slightly staccato but precisely stated
words from an unseen vocalist with a mature feminine accent
punctuated the percussion echoes and created a foreboding
dark pensive atmosphere that spawned an unreal sensation
reflective of an ominous and unavoidable gathering storm,
a showdown, a gunfight, a most righteous battle of biblical
proportions as her refrains framed and shadowed the final
appointed steps to the county courthouse.

"Gimme that old-time religion,
 gimme that old-time religion,
 gimme that old-time religion,
 it's good enough for me."

[slow distant drum beat]
"Boom, boom, boom, boom."

"It was good for the Hebrew children,
 it was good for daughters of David,
 it was good for sons of Solomon,
 and it's good enough for me."

[slow distant drum beat]
"Boom, boom, boom, boom."

"It was good for my blessed mother,
 it was good for my honorable father,
 it was good for the worldly family,
 oh, it's good enough for me."

[slow intense drum beat]
"Boom, boom, boom, boom!"

Clearer than a sounding bell it summoned local citizens and
awakened the nation to hear a pending decision that resided
at the center of its soul.  High above the courthouse clock
marked 12:00 Noon, as several among the crowd gazed at its
proclamation and instinctively reached to synchronize their
pocket watches and advanced the winding stems, as was the
custom at such an hour.  They all quickened their paces for
inside it was nearing the anticipated time.

"You media folks understand, I'll remind you again to cease
those telephone calls and turn-off that enunciator device
when I render a decision in this case." the message from the
bench was a stern directive, but stated in a cordial tone.
"Your lucky I'm even letting that new thing in the courtroom.
I don't particularly want my voice heard all over the nation."

He coughed and cleared his throat, adjusted a black bow tie,
took a sip of water, and continued,  "So, take your notes,
but there will be no typewriters and later no transmissions.
I imagine you'll have about a quarter-hour before we're all
settled and ready to commence with these final proceedings."

The presiding hearing officer of Maricopa County attempted
to establish a semblance of order in the courtroom for the
concluding session in this case after reviewing considerable
evidence and listening to nearly three weeks of preliminary
challenges, investigative results, testimonies from expert
witnesses, further explanations, and subsequent rebuttals.

The courtroom would be at its capacity of 200 persons in
a church-like setting of neatly arranged stationary benches
behind a wooden gate which separated the audience from the
proceedings.  Beyond the gate, presumably out of reach of
the crowd were tables for witnesses, and a raised platform
and desk for either judges, justices, or hearing officers
depending upon the nature of the case.  The area usually
reserved for the jury in this instance was vacant of any
individuals sitting in judgement.  Instead the media were
permitted to use that section for their particular purposes.
They had installed their own tables and chairs, but were
limited to a few telephones and one radio microphone with
a cable connection.

The past few weeks had been unseasonably warm and dry, and
and during the long hearings the tall wood-framed windows
were jammed wide open, and to further cool the participants
and circulate the stagnate air the ceiling fans in unison
rotated gradually in a counterclockwise motion beneath their
sentinel-like posts.

"Testing, 1,2,3..." a technician with earphones spoke timidly
into the sparkling new enunciator, and waited for a response
indicating that his connection was operational.  He eventually
smiled and spoke again, "Oh, Mr. Esterbrooke, I have Chicago.
They're receiving us loud and clear, at least for the moment."

Willard Esterbrooke picked up the microphone carefully as if
it was his magic wand to the world, and he looked well beyond
the mouthpiece and into the minds and hearts of many thousand
listeners, as his words would be transmitted and broadcasted
from WGN Chicago to homes and shops throughout the midwest.

"Good afternoon, my radio audience this is Will Esterbrooke
reporting from Maricopa County courthouse in warm and sunny
Arizona Territory.  I expect it will become even hotter today
in this tiny courtroom as the decision is announced regarding
this spectacular hearing after three weeks of testimony in a
case that captured the attention and imagination of America."

"What should be the disposition of Edward James Delahanty?
Will America's baseball hero 'Big Ed' finally rest in peace?"
Esterbrooke posed two primary questions for his listeners
to consider and he continued, "Today the entire nation is
anxious to learn those answers, and through the miracle of
radio I will report the conclusions to you live when those
momentous pronouncements occur."

"As you may recall the facts in this case," Esterbrooke began
to summarize for his audience, "Ed Delahanty's passing early
last July was clouded in considerable controversy.  After his
lifeless body was discovered July 5, it was immediately packed
in ice on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.  But, instead of
being shipped by his widow, Norine Delahanty, to his hometown
of Cleveland for a proper ceremony, his younger brother Frank,
a baseball player from Syracuse, interceded and had him wrapped
in ice and sent on an express train to Arizona Territory for
further treatment.  This intervention and treatment are the
reasons for this controversy and legal proceeding."

"Sports writers everywhere, and this reporter also agrees,
Delahanty was the greatest right-handed hitter that ever lived.
'Big Ed' was called the, 'King of the Batters,' which makes
this case even more bizarre.  Why should this happen to him?"

"Just consider for a moment 'Big Ed's' outstanding record."
Esterbrooke flipped open a small notebook, and recited some
statistics to his audience.  "Three times in his brilliant
16 year baseball career Delahanty hit over .400, including
1899 when he achieved a .410 season.  His lifetime batting
average was calculated at .346, which is another milestone.
During his career he earned batting titles in the National
and American Leagues, and no player has matched that feat
to date.  He was also the only player to hit four homeruns
in one game all inside the park on July 13, 1896."

"Today, however, this true national icon and baseball hero
remains packed in ice inverted in a riveted steel cylinder
filled with the new artificially created gas called nitrogen."
Esterbrooke informed his audience, "Eventually, Delahanty
will be repaired, revived, and restored at some future date,
or so claims the Arizona firm Albacore Eternal Life, which
is the proponent of the self-proclaimed science referred to
as 'Biological Regenerative Repossessive Refrigeration,'
or simply the acronym 'BRRR.'"

"Today, Arizona Territory Hearing Examiner Louis Hector,
will render a decision this afternoon if this process is
considered to be legitimate or a misrepresentation.  Many
notable individuals are in attendance to hear those words.
I have also received numerous telegrams from around the
county, and indeed the world."

"Approaching me now is the person responsible for creating
the idea behind Albacore." interjected Esterbrooke. "Let's
see if he'll say a few words.  Please, standby..."

"Mr. Trask, could you please comment on this refrigeration
process for our audience?"  The announcer's request could
be heard in the background.

"Ladies and gentlemen, here is Adam Trask who developed
the concept of biological refrigeration.  Perhaps, he can
further explain this process." Esterbrooke suggested and
placed the microphone in Trask's hand motioning for him
to stand closer and speak-up.

"Well, thank-you, thank-you very much." Trask expressed
his appreciation.  "You see Will, if may I call you that?"
Esterbrooke nodded and Trask began, "Will, you see I got
this idea from an article I was reading in Gil Grosvenor's
new magazine about a mastodon, which was found frozen in
Siberia, it had been that way for many 1,000's of years.
A mastodon is kinda of an elephant that hasn't lived on
earth for a long while.  Well, the meat was still good,
and sweet as a pork chop.  I kept on reading more about
this topic of refrigeration, and I got to thinking that
you can keep anything good for as long as you want if you
can just get it cold enough.  Even people!  And, that's
why I bought this ice house.  It may be presumptuous,
but I thought I could make a difference, for progress,
or call it whatever you like.  Although, I'm too old to
run the operation myself, that's why I found Dr. Lemur
to actually administer Albacore.  Ah, here he comes now,
perhaps you could ask him more about it..."

"Thanks Mr. Trask that was enlightening." and Esterbrooke
turned to his next guest.  "Please, tell us Dr. Lemur,
do you actually believe your process can repair and revive
deceased and frozen individuals, as stated in this front
page advertisement?"

"Our Albacore scientists in the future should be able to
do amazing things with the human body, if it is preserved
properly as we are currently doing with Edward Delahanty."
Dr. Lemur explained.  "May I use an analogy, for example,
the Model-A automobile that Mr. Ford introduced this year,
if something needs repair the parts are interchangeable.
He can replace wheels, fenders, windshields, even motors;
if need be.  The same should be true for deceased humans.
In one hundred years, say by 2003, our scientists should
be able to replace legs, kidneys, hearts, even brains;
once those skills are learned and applied successfully.
It is just a matter of time and proper refrigeration."

"On the surface, doctor, you make all that appear very
simple." Esterbrooke responded.  "However, how can this
process be applied to a deceased and frozen individual?"

"I have faith in the process and progress." the doctor
calmly stated and quickly departed.

"He can't!" was a harsh rebuke from behind the announcer.

"Excuse me a moment, you can't speak here, this is radio!"
was Esterbrooke's defensive reply.  "Who are you?"

"I am the team doctor from the Washington Senators, his
ball club.  Give me that microphone!  Delahanty suffered
from several aliments with severe kidney and liver damage.
Even if we could replace those organs, and carve him up
like a Thanksgiving turkey, who would breathe the spark
of life back into a deceased body?  The man drowned to
death over Niagara Falls last July!"

"I see your point, especially given the state of today's
medical science," Esterbrooke noted, "but, in the past
we didn't have antiseptics and anesthetics, which should
enable even more complicated operations in the future.
With those advancements, consider how surgery is today
compared to that for our fathers during the Civil War.
However, even with medical advancements," Esterbrooke
continued to reflect, "there may be elements that cannot
be replaced including the mind and spirit."

"Precisely, my son." a quieter and assured voice spoke
from the crowd dressed in an outfit befitting and denoting
he was the Bishop of Santa Fe.  "Our concern is not the
physical, rather the spiritual aspect of this endeavor.
Basically stated, once the spirit is gone and departed
this world, it cannot be restored.  Such claims would be
unfounded and should be subject to challenge, such as in
this case.  I also have with me a personal letter from
Pope Leo XIII, who is now unfortunately close to meeting
our Maker this year.  The Papal Statement reaffirms the
uniqueness of the Lord as the giver and taker of life.
The Pontiff dearly reminds us of our frailty, throughout
life on earth no human has returned from death.  Here
is a copy of the Pope's epistle."  The Bishop handed the
document to Esterbrooke, and searched for a seat in the
courtroom so he could report the findings to the Church
and the Holy See in Rome.

"Although, this reporter does not follow the literal
beliefs of the previous respected and reverend speaker,"
Esterbrooke commented, "it is difficult to counter his
spiritual claim.  Either from a theological or secular
perspective, once an individual is clearly deceased,
it would seem impossible to affect restoration of the
spirit of life, however it may be referred to in one's
personal lexicon and understanding of nature."

"And, if someone does adhere to a concept of heaven,
and most religions consider a hereafter," Esterbrooke
conjectured, "what happens if a deceased individual
was biologically refrigerated and eventually restored,
as claimed by Albacore, do they return from heaven?"

With that thought, Esterbrooke paused a few seconds in
quiet reflection, and then suddenly realized he had an
open microphone and live audience.

"Ladies and gentleman," Esterbrooke announced once more,
"we are honored by another notable person in attendance
this afternoon.  Jack London at this moment has walked
into the courtroom, the author of 'Call of the Wild,'
the popular novel published this year.  I must attempt
to attract his attention.  Please, stand by..."

"Thanks, Will, I've heard your voice many times." was
London's response to the announcer's hail.  "Sure, I'll
add some remarks, because I admired Ed Delahanty, and
saw him play in Philly."

"I'm not one for religion," London proclaimed, "but, you
know I've seen death many times, especially way up north
in winter.  I've watched men and beasts freeze to death,
and it's not a pretty sight when it gets so cold they
no longer move.  Sometimes there is nothing anyone can
do but wait and hope or die."

"In the final moment of death, the last thing that departs,
when this life has ended, is that sparkle within the eyes,
the shine that reflects back from inside, when that's gone
and replaced with a filmy dull glaze, then life has ceased.
Seconds later, as an autonomic response, the kidneys and
stomach no longer contract, and nothing remains."

"There is no way to restore that spark of life, or spirit,
or whatever you want it called.  I could repair a wound,
sew-up a gut, fix a busted arm or leg; but when that spark
is gone all the doctoring in the world makes no difference.
I've seen it close and real too many times."  Jack London
looked Will Esterbrooke in the eyes, and turned to take
his seat in the courtroom.

Realizing that his commentary would be difficult to follow
London's observations, Esterbrooke decided to read several
telegrams sent to his radio station.  As a transition and
introduction, he crumbled several pieces of paper next to
the microphone as a sound effect.

"I have received numerous telegrams regarding this case,
too many to read during this time span, but I will select
several from personages you will surely recognize."

Esterbrooke began to read these messages, including the
texts, names, and cities from which they were transmitted.

"Delahanty was no mollycoddler.  America needs strong
heros as he.  I encourage restoration of his dignity."
--T. Roosevelt, Washington, DC

"It is often reported I said, the only two things certain
in life are death and taxes.  Do not prove me wrong!"
--S. Clemens, Hartford, CT

"I trust in the Lord, the Holy Word, only He has the
power of life.  It is written in Job 1:21, 'The Lord
giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name
of the Lord.'"
--W.J. Bryant, Chicago, IL

"As a progressive educator and medical scientist,
I take exception with the supposition, in particular,
the influence on the circulator system as exposed to
prolonged extreme temperatures, and call to question
the reliability of this so-called new science."
--B.T. Washington, Tuskegee, AL

"Women are the source of life that science cannot
subjugate, a wondrous gift, the only nurturing truth."
--S.B. Anthony, Rochester, NY

Although there were additional telegrams, Esterbrooke
at this point interrupted his presentation, "One moment,
I believe the hearing examiner is about ready to call
the courtroom to order and commence with his findings.
Please, standby..."

The wooden gavel could be heard resounding throughout
the courtroom for Hearing Examiner Louis Hector indeed
was ready with his pronouncements.

"Now I've told you reporters to disconnect those phones,
and Mr. Esterbrooke, please disengage that radio device."
The courtroom, like a dissipating wave upon the shore,
gradually began to reach a state of utter silence with
all eyes focussing on the bench and necks straining to
catch every word.

"I have carefully listened to testimony and reviewed
the documentation submitted in this case over the past
three weeks," Hector prefaced his remarks.

"As you know this is not a court of law, but rather a
formal hearing with binding provisions pertaining to
business practices in the Territory of Arizona.  There
are many facets to this unusual case, not only in terms
of the individual involved, but also the process unto
which his remains were subjected."

"I can comment upon that treatment, because it occurred
within our jurisdiction.  The proceeding intervention is
a separate matter that transpired in another state."

Hector paused to observe that everyone was watching and
listening closely.  He continued.

"If this firm offered a service for deceased persons,
an alternative form of storage after death in lieu of
burial or cremation, that would be one thing.  However,
there are statements and implications that individuals
subjected to this process, at some future date, will be
repaired, revived, and restored to life."

"I cannot address the theological aspects of this for
that is beyond my purview upon this bench, however it
is clear from practical and legal perspectives that
the defendant cannot substantiate this claim."

"The law is clear and must make determinations based
upon existing evidence and what is provable under the
present conditions.  I do not see evidence that any
operation can restore life after an individual clearly
is deceased.  Nor do I entertain the concept that such
can be done in the foreseeable future."

"However, individuals have the right to do whatever they
desire with their remains after death, providing it is
their decision.  I find the defendant may continue this
practice, but as an alternative to burial, as another
form of placement for those deceased, however, without
announcements regarding revivalism or creationism and
related payments for such treatment, and the defendant
will be fined $100 for misleading advertisements."

The crowd was in an uproar with many individuals shouting;
it took several minutes before Hector could regain order.

"Furthermore," he continued, "I note the suspect methods
by which the remains of Edward Delahanty were acquired,
and the fact he did not contract this service or render
payment himself in advance for treatment; it was not by
his own choosing.  Furthermore, regarding establishment
of his current condition, there is evidence in his 1896
Will to the contrary, although that point was debated.
Therefore, the defendant must release existing remains
of individuals whereby they themselves had not directly
contracted for this form of treatment."

With his gavel in hand, Hector automatically stated the
final perfunctory words, "This hearing is now concluded
pending execution of these directives. 'Sine die!'"

Through the courtroom windows, Esterbrooke could see
a large crowd gathering outside for they knew the
decision would soon be announced.  There was almost
a party-like atmosphere similar to a county fair or
town picnic on a long hot summer day.  A mixture of
sounds filtered past the windows and mingled with
the heated discussions inside on the pronouncements
and implications.  And, above the tumult and voices
expressing their perspectives and opinions, there was
the ever-present steady beat of a slow distant drum.

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Note:

For more information on Edward Delahanty and his
fatal accident over Niagara Falls in July 1903,
please see "Mysteries from the Mist," Fame Forum,
Volume V, Number 19, July 1, 2002.  The original
tragedy inspired the novel "The Natural" in 1952
by Bernard Malamud.

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__________________________________________

  NATIONAL WOMEN'S BASEBALL HALL OF FAME
             Richard C. Jaffeson, Executive Director
     PO Box 15282, Chevy Chase, Maryland  20825

                           HallFame@USA.com
                  http://www.eteamz.com/hallfame

         "National Women's Baseball Hall of Fame"
         is a registered trade name with the State
         of Maryland.  MD672265, October 19, 1998.

         Programs, articles, and contents presented
         herein are protected under provisions of the
         U.S. Copyright Office, Library of Congress.
         Fame Forum registrations are listed below:

TXU877085, TXU959430, TXU973266, TXU013972,
TXU986753, TXU949885, TXU004037, TXU022893,
 TXU026161, TXU047111, TXU050230, TXU151901.

       Copyrights(c), NWB Hall of Fame, 1998-2003
___________________________________________