Minonk News Dispatch, July 16, 1936.
People from throughout this territory, who not many months back were cheering the performances of one of Rutland high school's greatest and most beloved athletes, Sunday filled the Rutland Methodist church to pay final tribute to the same youth, ALBERT HARMS, eighteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Harm Harms of north of Rutland.
The life of this brilliant athlete expired at 6:00 o'clock last Thursday evening in the Illinois Research hospital in Chicago, following an illness of nearly six weeks of tuberculosis of the bone. It is thought that the disease was a result of an attack of scarlet fever, which Albert suffered fourteen years ago.
He became ill May 30 with infection in his head and was admitted to the Streator hospital June 2. His condition grew worse and on June 9, he was removed to the Research hospital in Chicago. Infection was drained several times and for a time it was thought that he might overcome the malady. Wednesday of last week however, he took a turn for the worse, and although a blood transfusion was given by his father, he passed away Thursday evening.
The desperate fight against the malady with which he was stricken indicates the courageous character of this beloved lad. Albert died as he had lived, fighting for victory until the last--never giving up, never complaining.
His good sportsmanship on the basketball court, baseball diamond, and in everyday life had won for him a host of friends as was evidenced by the deep sorrow caused by his passing last Thursday.
Albert was an outstanding athlete in basketball, baseball and track. He was a member of the Rutland basketball team for four years, serving the past season as co-captain of the squad. He was noted for his hard fighting game, on many occasions coming through in the closing minutes with the points necessary for victory or making an opening for another....
His performance in track and baseball were equally as brilliant. In baseball, he hurled Rutland to many glorious victories, the most notable, perhaps, being the set back which he handed the powerful and undefeated Toluca nine not many days before he was stricken.
ALBERT RUFUS HARMS, known to his many friends as "Newt", was born April 3, 1918, the fifth son of Mr. and Mrs. Harm Harms, at the farm home one mile north of Rutland. He received his education in the Rutland grade and high school. He was graduated from high school just two days previous to the beginning of his illness. Albert had planned to enter Illinois State Normal University at Normal, this fall.
Besides his grief stricken parents, he is survived by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Harms of Rutland; six brothers and five sisters, Warren, Elmer, Herbert, Willard, Leora, Louise, Ralph, Myra Mae, Wilma Jean, Walter and Wahnita, all at homes.
Rev. C. B. Wagner, pastor of the Wenona Lutheran church, assisted by Rev. J. R. Kesterson, pastor of the Rutland Methodist church, officiated at the funeral services at 2:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Burial was in the Rutland cemetery.
Music was furnished by Yale Kesterson of Dana, Keith McAllister of Wenona, Milford Arndt and M. D. Allen, accompanied by Virgil Vivian. Pallbearers were Prof. Raymond Fricke and the basketball squad of Rutland high school: Ralph Kruger, Wilburt Frederickson, Emmet Heck, Murrel Vinecore and Jack Simpkins. Honorary pallbearers were Harold McBride, Roderick Uphoff and Edd Schmillen.
Flower bearers were members of the graduating class of 1936: Helen Baker, Myrtle Barnes, Pearl Halburg, Friedeborg Helander, Alice Vore, Ruth Foster, Bernice Copp, Elenore Krischel, Velda Heck, Ethelyn Wells, Richard Weiland and Raymond Calvetti and a close friend and neighbor, Dorothy Kruger.
Relatives and friends from a distance attending the funeral were: John Harms and family of Benson; Mr. and Mrs. George Cassidy and daughter, Florence, of Cornell; Mr. and Mrs. Ide and son, Tom, of Graymont; Mrs. Franzen and daughter, Katerine and Augustine, and son, William, George Tucker and son of Flanagan; Mrs. Mary Dove and son, George Ewing, Mrs. Etta Feken and daughter, Marie, and son, Ernest, of Minonk; Mr. and Mrs. George Davis of Wenona; and Harm Decker and family of Long Point.

FROM WHAT WE UNDERSTAND THE NICKNAME "NEWT" WAS SHORT FOR SIR ISACC NEWTON. ALBERT'S INTELLIGENCE WAS AT AN ASTOUNDING LEVEL, EARNING HIM THE NICKNAME. WE ALSO KNOW HE HAD BEEN OFFERED A FULL ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP TO ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY.