Leonard Tagmeyer has made Three Trips Across

Columbia City Post, Whitley County, Indiana ~ February 9, 1918

Leonard Tagmeyer, son of Mrs. Jesse Tagmeyer, of South Whitley, is home at the present time and will be until Monday from the navy. He enlisted about a year ago, before the declaration of war, and he has the distinction of having been back and forth across the Atlantic four times. He declined to make any public statements for the paper, as the men are put on their honor not to talk, but he admitted that ships he was on had been fired upon by submarines but never hit. He says the men get the best of care and he has no patience with the newspaper stories about neglect of the men. He says that U. S. troops are being moved across in immense numbers "pretty fast," as he described it. He is now on shore duty in the naval barracks at Philadelphia.

Arthur Babb (1895-1918)

BABB, ARTHUR--PRIVATE

Son of Alfred F. (deceased) and Mary L. Babb; born June 6, 1895, Warsaw, Kosciusko County, Ind. Moved to Whitley County in 1900. Carpenter. Entered service August 1, 1918, Columbia City, Ind. Sent to Valparaiso University, Ind.; assigned to Company B, Training Detachment. Transferred to Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Penn. Died of pneumonia October 13, 1918, McGee Hospital, Pittsburgh, Penn. Buried, Columbia City, Ind.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 717. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, October 16, 1918

Sunday night at 7:17 a message was received by Miss Ruth Orner of this city from Miss Nellie Babb, at Pittsburg, containing the sad intelligence that another Whitley county soldier had died of pneumonia. The telegram read as follows: Miss Ruth Orner. Columbia City, Ind. “Arthur is dead. Nellie.”

The telegram contained no other information, but it is presumed that death was due to pneumonia which followed Spanish influenza. Friday morning, Mrs. Babb, mother of the young man, received a telegram announcing that he was very sick. She wired back for information as to his condition and whether or not she could see him if she went to camp. The reply was that his condition was critical and that she should come at once. She and her daughter, Miss Nellie Babb, left here Saturday morning at five o’clock. Whether they arrived before the son and brother passed away is not known.

Arthur Babb was a son of Mary L. Babb of this city. He was born June 6th, 1895, at Warsaw, and was 23 years, 4 months and 7 days old at his death. He worked at the carpenter trade here and was sent to Valparaiso August 1st, 1918, to take special training. He remained there just a short time and was then sent to Pittsburg, where he remained until the time of his death. His father preceded him in death several years ago and he is survived by his mother, Mary L. Babb, and his sister, Nellie. News of his untimely death came as a great shock to his friends and associates in this city and county.

James Virgil Brandenburg (1893-1918)

BRANDENBURG, JAMES VIRGIL--PRIVATE

Son of Samuel and Ida Brandenburg; born May 13, 1893, South Whitley, Whitley County, Ind. Elevator manager. Entered service May 24, 1918, Columbia City, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky. Transferred to Camp Sherman, Ohio; assigned to 8th Company, 2nd Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade; then to school for Cooks and Bakers. Died of pneumonia October 6, 1918, Camp Sherman, Ohio. Buried in South Whitley Cemetery. Survived by widow, Margaret Mallock Brandenburg, South Whitley, Ind.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 717. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, October 9, 1918

Private Virgil Brandenburg, of South Whitley, died at Camp Sherman, Chilicothe, Ohio, Sunday, death being due to pneumonia which followed Spanish influenza. He is the second Whitley county man to give up his life because of this disease, Private Ralph Waugh being the first man who died from this cause.

Private Brandenburg wrote his mother last week that he had a bad cold and something like tonsillitis since Sunday, and Tuesday his wife wired to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brandenburg, stating that he had gone to the hospital. During the week several messages were sent by Mrs. Brandenburg relative to her husband’s condition which became more serious each day. Saturday the father received a wire asking him to procure a nurse for the boy and send her to camp. A nurse was procured at Fort Wayne and went to the camp Saturday, but the disease had reached a stage which even the best of care could not combat and the young man’s resistance was overcome and he passed away.

Virgil Brandenburg was born near South Whitley on May 13, 1893, and was 25 years, 4 months and 23 days old at the time of his death. He was very well known at South Whitley, going through the grade schools and the high school there, and while in the high school was prominent in athletic activities, being a member of the basket ball team. He registered under the first draft and was pronounced to be the best man physically examined by the local board up to the time of his examination. He was accepted and sent with the sixth contingent from Whitley county to Camp Taylor, May 25th, 1918, and was transferred from there to Camp Sherman where he has been since June 28th. His wife joined him at Camp Sherman in July and was with him at the time of his death. He was married before he went to camp, to Miss Margaret Mallott, daughter of William S. Mallott who resides on the Kosciusko county line. His wife and parents survive him, as does one sister, Mrs. Ward Combs, of South Whitley.

Virgil Brandenburg was a member of the I.O.O.F Lodge of South Whitley, being noble grand in that order when he left for camp. He was also prominent in Masonic work. He was a manager of the Farmers elevator for several years and was a member of the United Brethren church. He was a young man of fine character, and high and honorable ideals and his untimely death will be deeply deplored by all who knew him.

William E. Burch (1890-1918)

BURCH, WILLIAM ERNEST--PRIVATE

Son of William (deceased) and Melissa Burch (Carrier); born March 9, 1890, Washington Township, Whitley County, Ind. Railroad employe. Entered service May 24, 1918, Columbia City, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky.; assigned to 48th Company, 12th Battalion, 159th Depot Brigade. Embarked for overseas August 22, 1918; assigned to Company F, 114th Engineers, 39th Division. Died of pneumonia September 26, 1918, St. Florent Cher, France. Body returned to U.S. in November, 1920, and buried in Eberhard Cemetery, South Whitley, Ind.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 717. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, November 10, 1920

Due partly to the efforts of the Whitley County Red Cross Society and partly to relatives, the body of William E. Burch, who died of pneumonia in France while in the U. S. army, will arrive in South Whitley Wednesday or Thursday of this week for burial.

Leonard R. Schrader, chairman of the Whitley County Red Cross Society, sent a message Monday to New York City to the Red Cross there inquiring in regard to what disposition had been made of the remains of the deceased, and received an answer Tuesday, dated Nov. 8th, that in response to a telegram from Mrs. Malissa Carrier, of Kendallville, the body had been sent to South Whitley for burial and should reach there within two days.

The young soldier was a son of the late William E. Burch and Mrs. Malissa Carrier, of Kendallville. He was 29 years old on March 9, 1918, and his death occurred in France on September 26th, 1918. He was one of those who died when the pneumonia epidemic swept through the army in France.

He is survived by the following brothers and sisters: Wilbur, James, and Don Burch, of South Whitley; Frank Burch and Mrs. Ben Smith, of Kendallville; Mrs. Ira Eubanks, of Huntington; and Mrs. John Hively, of Fort Wayne.

Funeral services will be arranged when the remains of the young soldier reach South Whitley.

[Note: There was a short article in the Columbia City Post of October 30, 1918 stating that his name had appeared on the casualty lists as being one of those who had died of disease.]

Floyd Estlick (1891-1918)

ESTLICK, FLOYD ARDILIS--PRIVATE

Son of Joseph and Christina Estlick; born September 17, 1891, Noble County, Ind. Moved to Whitley County, 1913. Farmer. Entered service June 15, 1918, Columbia City, Ind. Sent to Chamber of Commerce Training School, Indianapolis. Transferred to Hoboken, N.J. Embarked for overseas September 1, 1918; assigned to 2nd Company, 6th Battalion, Tank Corps. Died of pneumonia October 14, 1918, Mehune, France. Buried in Mehune Sur Yevre, France. Survived by widow, Alice Adair Estlick.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 718. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Saturday, November 9, 1918

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Estlick, of near Lorane, received the very sad news Wednesday morning that their son, Floyd, had passed away in a hospital in England. The news came as a great shock to the parents and to the young wife of the soldier as they knew nothing of his illness until they received the letter Wednesday.

The young man took sick in France with lung fever and was transferred to England where he was placed in a hospital. On Oct. 3rd he started to write a letter to his parents but his condition became worse and he was unable to finish it, and after his death the letter was found by a chaplain who completed it. The chaplain stated that the young man died on October 15th. The letter was mailed from England Oct. 17th. The writer of the letter stated that he expected the parents to be notified by telegram before the letter arrived but the telegram never came. The letter was sent to Noble county to the young man’s mother in care of an aunt and has not yet arrived in this county at this writing.

The young man is the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Estlick and was born in this county 28 years ago the 1st of September. He spent his entire life here and attended the local high school. About a year ago he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Adair of Noble county, and had been residing on the Whitley-Noble county line until called into the service.

He left this city June 5th for Indianapolis where he received special training at the Chamber of Commerce for three months and was then sent to France where he took sick and death followed at the time stated above. The young soldier is survived by his parents and wife and one brother, Clarence Estlick, who has been in France for some time, and two brothers, Russell and Albert, and one sister, Mary, at home.

The young man was an ambitious young farmer who had many friends in this city and county who are greatly shocked by the sad news of his untimely death.

Wiley Bliss Farmer (1892-1918)

FARMER, WILEY BLISS--PRIVATE

Son of James Edward and Ada N. Farmer (Welsheimer); born May 11, 1892, Wolfcreek, Ore. Farmer. Entered service August 26, 1918, Corvallis, Ore. Trained at Camp Lewis, Wash.; assigned to Company E, 76th Infantry, 3rd Division. Died of pneumonia December 23, 1918, Camp Lewis, Wash. While the son was in service the mother moved to Churubusco, Whitley County, Ind., where the son was buried.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 718. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

No Obituary Found.

Roy Jasper Feit (1893-1918)

FEIT, ROY JASPER--PRIVATE

Son of John and Emma Feit; born January 19, 1893, Columbia City, Ind. Living on a homestead claim in Washington, when he was called into service, June 25, 1918, Asotin, Wash. Sent to Camp Lewis, Wash.; assigned to Company H, 159th Infantry. Transferred to Company M, 307th Infantry, 77th Division. Overseas in August, 1918. Participated in Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Killed in action October 13, 1918, near Grand Pre, France. Buried on battlefield where he fell.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 718. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, December 25, 1918

Mr. John Feit, of East Ellsworth street, received a message Monday evening about six o’clock, containing the sad intelligence that his son, Private Roy J. Feit, who was in the infantry, had been killed in action in France on October 13th. The telegram read as follows: Deeply regret to inform you that Private Roy J. Feit, infantry, officially reported killed in action on October 13th. Harris, Adjutant General.

Roy Jasper Feit was a son of John and Emmeline Feit and was born January 19th, 1893, and was 25 years, 8 months and 14 days old at the time of his death. He was born in Columbia City, and went through the grade schools, quitting school after he left the eighth grade. About 1910 he joined his brother, Ralph, in Oregon, and was there for several years. He went from there to Camp Lewis, at Tacoma, Wash., in June of this year for training. He was sent overseas about the middle of August. His brother, Ralph, went across in July, he also being in the service. A letter was received by Mrs. Feit, Monday, from Ralph which was written after the armistice was signed, in which he stated that he hoped Roy was as lucky as he was. It is probable that they were in different fronts and for that reason Ralph had not yet heard of his brother’s misfortune.

The message contained no information as to what sector Roy was in when he fell, but it is probable that he was in the Argonne region where the losses of the Americans were heavy during the last few weeks of the fighting.

Roy is survived by his parents, four brothers and two sisters. They are: Charles, of Trenton, N. J.; Frank, of Anderson, Ind.; John of Kansas city; Walter, of Flint, Mich.; his sisters are Ellen Helt, of Battle Creek, Mich., and Laura Ogden, of Akron, Mich.

Roy was well known in this city and had many friends among the younger generation who greatly regret to learn of his death. The news, coming at this time, when the parents had reason to feel assured that both their sons had come safely through the war, makes it especially hard to bear, but in their grief they have the sympathy of all who know them.

Joseph G. Fiedler (1889-1918)

FIEDLER, JOSEPH G.--PRIVATE

Son of Albert and Dorothy Fegler Fiedler; born November 25, 1889, Gar Creek, Allen County, Ind. Living in Columbia City, Ind., when he entered service May 29, 1918. Trained at Camp Taylor, Ky., and Camp Beauregard, La. Overseas in August, 1918; assigned to Company A, 355th Infantry, 89th Division. Fought in the Meuse-Argonne Drive. Died November 8, 1918, from wounds received in action. Survived by widow, Regina Auer Fiedler, Columbia City, Ind.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 718. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, January 8, 1919

A message was received Saturday morning at the home of Edward Auer, of Washington township, containing the sad information that Private Joseph G. Fiedler had died on November 8th, of wounds received in action in France. The young man was wounded severely November 5th, and succumbed to his injuries a few days later, dying on November 8th, according to the official message. The first message stating that he had been wounded severely in action was received at the Auer home on December 11th, but it was hoped that he would recover. Mr. Fiedler is at present living in Fort Wayne.

The official message received by Mr. Auer read as follows: “Deeply regret to inform you that Private Joseph G. Fiedler, infantry, wounded severely in action November 5th, died of wounds on November 8th. Further details will follow as soon as they are available. Harris. Adjutant General.”

Joseph G. Fiedler was a son of Albert and Dortha (Felger) Fiedler and was born in Garecreek, Milan township, Allen county, November 25, 1889. At the time of his death, he lacked just seventeen days of being 29 years of age. The young man spent his youth in Allen county and a few years ago went to Montana. A year ago last September he came back from the west and worked on a farm in this county until he was sent to Camp Taylor last June. He did not train very long in this country, but was sent overseas in August. His training period was evidently short overseas, because in only two months after he arrived there the young man was sent into battle. He was wounded severely during the fighting which followed and his death took place as stated.

On April 7, 1918, Private Fiedler married Regina Auer, daughter of Edward Auer, of Washington township, who still survives. She is at present making her home in Fort Wayne. Besides his parents the young man is survived by three sisters, Mrs. John Kerch, of Union township, and Bertha and Mary, at home, and five brothers, Edward, Harmon, Will, Martin and Clarence.

The deceased was well known in Washington township and his many friends regret to hear of his death. While it was known that he was wounded severely, it was hoped that the wounds might not prove fatal. The news was a double shock, coming as it did so many days after the armistice was signed, and when the young man’s relatives could but hope that Private Fiedler had come safely through the war.

Ray P. Harrison (1891-1918)

HARRISON, RAY PARKER--CAPTAIN

Son of Joseph R. and Jennie Stough Harrison (deceased); born July 14, 1891, Columbia City, Ind. Graduated from Wabash College in 1915. Served on Mexican Border in 1916. Enlisted in U.S. Regular Army; promoted to Captain. Overseas in June, 1917, with First Division. Fought at Cantigny, Montdider, and Noyon. Killed in action July 18, 1918, battle of Soisson. Buried where he fell. The American Legion Post, Columbia City, Ind., is named in his honor.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 718. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Saturday, November 2, 1918

Capt. Ray Harrison Died a Hero. Was Wounded in Battle and Led Men Into Action After His Wound Was Dressed – Killed by Shell Fire – Father Received Letter From Friend Telling Details of His Death.

Col. Joseph R. Harrison, father of Capt. Ray P. Harrison, who was killed in action in the Soissons region on July 18th, is in receipt of letters from Captain Wm. G. Livesay, a personal friend of Capt. Harrison, which tell of the details of his death. The facts showed that Capt. Harrison died a hero’s death while in action. The statement of Capt. Livesay who was adjutant of the 28th infantry, to which Capt. Harrison belonged, sets out that he was wounded about 3:00 o’clock a.m. on July 18th. He had his wound dressed by a hospital corps man, but instead of returning to the rear went on into action and continued in command of his company until he was killed by shell fire about 6:00 a.m., while leading his company forward. The statement added that he died instantly and without pain.

Mr. Harrison has also received letters from two privates in Ray’s company who are now at Ft. Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa, recovering from wounds received in the same engagement. They are Privates Cartright and Brown and saw Capt. Harrison fall. They stated that he was killed in the Soissons drive. Both remarked that he “sure was nervy and full of courage”.

Captain Rockwold, of the Indiana Guard, now a Y. M. C. A. worker in France, said that he was in the same engagement and that Capt. Harrison was a true leader and a worthy captain. He also wrote that the least he could do was to put a flower on the grave as he knew about where it was.

The statements of the different men follow:
Headquarters 28th Infantry
France, October 1, 1918.
Jos. R. Harrison,
Columbia City, Ind
Dear Sir:

Captain Ray P. Harrison, 28th Infantry was a personal friend of mine during his entire service with the regiment. He was a most excellent officer in every respect and his officers and men had the utmost confidence in him. He was wounded about 3:00 A. M., 18th of July, 1918. After having his wound dressed by a hospital corps man he continued in command of his company until he was killed by shell fire at about 6:00 A. M., while leading his company forward. He died instantly and without pain.
Wm. G. Livesay
Capt. 28th Infantry, Adjt.

Privates Cartright and Brown, who served in the same company with Capt. Ray P. Harrison, and are now at Ft. Dodge, Des Moines, Iowa, hospital recovering from wounds received in same engagement, say that Capt. Harrison was killed in the Soissons drive and that they saw him fall and as they expressed it “We only knew him as our superior officer and he sure was very nervy and full of courage.”

Capt. Rockwold, formerly a captain in the Indiana Guard, now a Y. M. C. A. worker in France, said that he was in the same engagement and that Capt. Harrison was know to him as the big fellow that was at all the guard camps while he was in the service and that he was a true leader and a worthy captain of the finest bunch of fighting men that ever followed a flag. He also said that he expected to do a little traveling a little later in conjunction with is his work and that the least he could do was to put a flower on the grave as he knew about where it was.

Columbia City Post – Saturday, November 16, 1918

Saw Ray Harrison Killed in Action.

Dr. B. Frank Stickler of this city was talking Wednesday with Sergeant Clarence Tanner, of Illinois, brother of Ray Tanner, of Jefferson township, and learned from him that he was a non-commissioned officer in Captain Ray P. Harrison’s company and that he saw him killed in action on the 18th of July in the Soissons drive. The young sergeant was wounded himself in the same action, having his right leg shot off by a shell. The sergeant said that Capt. Harrison was leading his troops in no man’s land and that he had gone over the top and advanced abut a hundred yards when Capt. Harrison was struck by a piece of a shell and went back to the hospital to have the wound dressed. The company had advanced about a half mile further when Ray rejoined them. He had only been with them a few minutes and they were advancing alongside a woods when a shell burst about ten feet in advance of Ray. Ray was struck in the chest by a piece of the shell and fell at once. He had passed away when the men came up to him, having died instantly.

Sergt. Tanner also has an interesting history since he was wounded in the same action. He was taken back to England where his wound was fixed up and he was then brought back to this country. In the county in which he lives he was nominated for clerk and was elected on the democratic ticket, being the only democrat elected in that county. The young man expects to have a deputy do most of the work for him and plans to use the remainder of the money to be educated at Wabash college. He stated that the company in which he was sergeant had been in action several times, he having gone over the top four times.

Harold Gustave Hyre (1900-1918)

HYRE, HAROLD GUSTAVE--STOREKEEPER, U.S.N.

Son of William M. (deceased) and Mary A. Hyre (Easterline); born June 4, 1900, Whitley County, Ind. Enlisted in U.S. Navy October 22, 1915, Ft. Wayne, Ind. Sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Ill.; assigned to the Nevada, 14th Naval Division. Appointed to duty as storekeeper. Died of pneumonia October 21, 1918, on board the Nevada in Bantry Bay, Ireland. Buried near the family home, Thorncreek Township, Whitley County, Ind.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 719. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, October 30, 1918

Mrs. Chester M. Esterline, of the Esterline hotel at Tri Lake, received a message Saturday containing the sad intelligence that their son, seaman Harrold Gustave Hyre, had died at sea from bronchial pneumonia. The telegram read as follows: “Deeply regret to inform you that Seaman Harrold Gustave Hyre, U. S. S. Nevada, died October 24, in foreign waters, from bronchial pneumonia. The body will be returned to this country. Harris. Acting Adjutant.”

The last letter Mrs. Esterline received from her son was about a month ago, and at that time the ship on which he was serving was cruising in Siberian waters some distance out from Vladivostok, and it is thought that it was in this region the young man came to his death.

He is the first Whitley county sailor to die in the service of his country. There are a great many soldiers from Whitley County, but comparatively few sailors.

Harrold Gustave Hyre was the son of William and Mary Hyre, and was born in this county June 4, 1900, being just past eighteen years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Hyre were divorced and later Mrs. Hyre married Chester M. Esterline of the Esterline hotel. The young man’s father still survives, as does the mother, and a brother, Ervin, and sister, Hallie, both at home.

The deceased enlisted in the navy three years ago when he was only a little past fifteen years of age. He was a fine big boy and was easily able to pass the stringent navy examination even at that time. For the past two years he had been in the commissary department and acted as a storekeeper on board the battleship Nevada, where he served from the time of his enlistment. He had made several trips to this county to visit his mother after joining the navy, and was in the best of health the last time he came. News of his death was a great shock to his parents.

The unusual thing about the case is that the remains will be brought to this county for burial. The probability is that the ship was on its way home and the body will be brought to this country for that reason. Mrs. Esterline will be notified when the remains arrive and they will then be forwarded to this county for burial.

The last time he was home he called at this office and his general bearing and modesty were commendable. He had been on many long sea journeys and had seen much of the world and was well informed but his manner and speech were wholly becoming to one of his years and vast experience.

Marshall Kerns (1895-1918)

KERNS, MARSHALL--CORPORAL

Son of Thomas and Katherine Kerns; born April 22, 1895, Columbia Township, Whitley County, Ind. Educated in Wabash College. Chemist, Detroit, Mich. Enlisted in U.S. Regular Army June 2, 1917, Indianapolis, Ind. Sent to Jefferson Barracks, Mo.; assigned to Troop K, 1st Cavalry. Transferred to Ft. Russell, Wyo.; then to Douglas, Ariz. Died of pneumonia February 12, 1918, Ft. Douglas, Ariz. Buried in Columbia City, Ind.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 719. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Saturday, February 16, 1918

The remains of Corporal Marshall Kerns, of Troop K, First U. S. Cavalry, who died at Ft. Douglas, Arizona, Tuesday, will be brought here for interment, and the last sad rites to the memory of Whitley county’s first young man to give his life for his country in the war with Germany will be administered here. The message which brought such untold sorrow to his heartbroken parents and friends here asked for instructions as to the disposition of the remains and the S. J. Peabody Lumber Company, where the father is employed, wired back the request that they be forwarded here at once.

The life of Corporal Kerns will linger long in the memory of his friends in this county. He was of a temperament and disposition to win friends readily and during his school days here and while at Wabash College he took a prominent part in athletics and was a young man of unusual strength and vigor. He graduated with the class of 1913 [sic]. During his school days here he played on the basket ball team and on the base ball team, and he was always one of the stand-bys of the team.

He entered Wabash College in the fall of 1912 and soon became prominent among his fellows through his work in school and in athletics. He played both base ball and basket ball on the varsity team there a part of the time. In the middle of his senior year he was offered a fine position with a Detroit drug company, traveling for them, and he decided to accept it. He worked for them from that time until May, 1917, when he enlisted at Indianapolis in the regular army, in the cavalry. He was sent to Ft. Russell, Wyoming, where his regiment remained until just before Christmas, when they were transferred south.

At the time his regiment was transferred, he had a slight sore throat, but did not say anything about it for fear he might be kept at the hospital and not be permitted to go south with the rest of the men. The trip required five days, and by the time he got to Ft. Douglas he was very sick. He was sent to the base hospital suffering from tonsilar abscesses. His throat had to be lanced and he was very seriously ill. He showed some improvement, but from the time he took sick he was only up once for a short time to write a letter to his mother. He lost weight rapidly, his heart became weakened and on top of it all he contracted pneumonia. Even then his great vitality carried him through the fever, but the strength to sustain his life was not there.

Being one of the first boys from this city to enlist after the declaration of war, his friends naturally followed his career in the army. His promotions were gratifying to his friends and he liked army life and seemed to be enjoying himself when he became sick. The news of his gradual decline was conveyed to this friends and relatives from time to time and all joined in the hope that the worst would not come. But all efforts to prolong his life were of no avail, and although he was in one of the oldest and best hospitals in the army camps, the disease had such a hold on him after the five days spent on the train that medical skill could not overcome it.

Regret was everywhere expressed when the announcement of his death came. He is the first man from Whitley county to go, and though he died not upon the battlefield, his sacrifice and example are none the less impressive. He lived a short life and would have been but twenty-three years of age next April 23rd, yet his memory will be hallowed in this county as the first to give his life in the war against Germany.

Besides the mother and father, there is a surviving brother, Ray Kerns, of Mishawaka. In this hour of their great loss the sympathy of everyone goes out to them.

Harlow Menzie (1883-1918)

MENZIE, HARLOW--PRIVATE

Son of William and Cora Kerr Menzie; born September 20, 1883, Troy Township, Whitley County, Ind. Carpenter. Served on Mexican Border in 1916. Enlisted in U.S. Regular Army March 28, 1917, Ft. Wayne, Ind. Sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky. Overseas in May, 1918; assigned to Company C, 47th Infantry, 4th Division. Killed in action August 10, 1918, near St. Thibaut, France. The Menzie-Reece Post of the American Legion, Pierceton, Ind., is named in his honor.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 719. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, August 28, 1918

Harlow Menzie, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Menzie, of Troy township, was killed in action in France on August 4th, according to a telegram received by the young man’s father from the War Department late Friday afternoon. No details were given, other than those contained in the usual message of that sort. He was a member of the 47th Infantry, U. S. Regular army.

The deceased enlisted in the regular army in July, 1916, at the time of the threatened trouble with Mexico, when the American troops were sent to the border. He was still in the army when war was declared against Germany, but his regiment was not sent overseas until the latter part of May, this year. His relatives heard from him regularly, but he did not give much information concerning his movements in France.

Besides his parents, there are four brothers, John, Max and Bert, at home, and Jess, of Iowa, and one sister, Mrs. Levi Barney, north of Larwill. Had he lived until Sept. 21st, he would have been thirty-five years old.

The death of this young man just impresses on the people of this community more emphatically the fact that the nation is in war and that hundreds of thousands of American soldiers are standing side by side with our allies, stemming the efforts of a heartless and ambitious war lord who is driving his subjects to their death in the hope that he might gain world power and world dominion. Fearful as the price is, it is what must be expected from war and the sympathy of all goes out to those whose hearts are torn by the losses and sacrifices which are being sustained by their own flesh and blood.

Harlow Menzie was a fine young man and his friends and relatives sincerely mourn his death and his memory will be cherished along with the others who are giving their lives on the battle fields of France.

Arthur Burrett Mosher (1889-1918)

MOSHER, ARTHUR BURRETT--PRIVATE

Son of Hiram L. and Sarah Shook Mosher (both deceased); born October 24, 1889, Whitley County, Ind. Employed in Havana, Kan., where he entered service June 1, 1918. Sent to Camp Funston, Kan. Overseas in July, 1918. Assigned to Mail Service, with the American Expeditionary Forces. Died of pneumonia September 19, 1918, Paris, France. Buried in Government Cemetery, near Paris.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 720. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, October 16, 1918

Died of Disease While in Paris. Arthur B. Mosher of this city, died in Hospital in or near Paris – word reached this city Sunday morning.

A telegram was received by Delmer Mosher, of this city, Sunday morning containing the sad intelligence that his brother, Arthur B. Mosher had died of disease in a base hospital in or near Paris, France. The telegram stated that death occurred on September 16th.

The young man wrote a letter to his brother which was received during the latter part of August stating that he had been transferred to the mail service from the army, and that up to that time, he had acted as mail transfer clerk for three to five days. He also mentioned in the letter that he was suffering from a slight cold and bowel trouble. While the message did not explain the cause of his death, it is thought that the bowel trouble became more serious and caused his death. A second letter was received here on Sept. 26th, ten days after the young man died, which stated that he was somewhat improved. No further word was received from the young soldier from the time of the receipt of this letter until his death.

Arthur Mosher entered the army last June, going first to Camp Funston and later to Camp Merritt, from where he was sent overseas, departing from France during the latter part of July or the first week of August. He wrote his brother that he had a good trip overseas and was feeling fine.

The deceased was born October 24, 1889, and was 28 years, 10 months and 22 days old at the time of his death. He was the son of Hiram L. and Sarah (Shook) Mosher. He attended high school here for a few years, but quit in order to enter the civil service. He took an examination and successfully passed, receiving an appointment as mail clerk. He remained at that work for three years and then became interested in the store business, carrying a line of imported teas, coffees and general merchandise in a room where the Liberty Load headquarters were located during the Fourth of July Loan campaign. He left this occupation to open a restaurant in the building where the Nuxall restaurant is now located.

Joseph LeRoy Palmer (1889-1918)

PALMER, JOSEPH LEROY--PRIVATE

Son of Samuel L. and Ellen Palmer; born September 3, 1889, Troy Township, Whitley County, Ind. Farmer. Entered service May 25, 1918, Columbia City, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky. Transferred to Camp Beauregard, La. Embarked for overseas August 6, 1918; assigned to Company C, 127th Infantry, 32nd Division. Fought at Verdun, and Gesnes. Killed in action October 24, 1918, Argonne Forest. (Burial place unknown).

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 720. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, May 14, 1919

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Palmer, of Richland township, after months of suspense, received a message Saturday, from the government stating that their son, Joseph L. Palmer, had died from the wounds received on the 28th day of last October, passing away the same day.

The last letter Mr. and Mrs. Palmer had from their son was dated September 24, 1918, and at that time, although having been in active service, was in good health, but on January 15, 1919, a telegram came from Washington, stating that the young man had been mortally wounded on the 28th day of October. Following this information Mr. Palmer, through many sources, attempted to get into communication with some one who might give them further news. It wasn’t until about four weeks ago that they had a letter from a Mr. A. C. Burnshaw in France, whose duties were to trace missing men for their relatives, and he informed Mr. Palmer that he would make every effort to locate his boy.

Whether the message that came Saturday, announcing the death, was due to Mr. Burnshaw’s efforts or not, the family is not aware, but they still hope to hear more of the details of their son’s passing. The young man was 29 years old and left May 25th, 1918 for training camp, having been sent to France in August and on the 28th day of October was wounded and died. He was one of a family of six, who, with the father and mother are heart broken over his untimely death.

Amos Ephriam Walker (1895-1918)

WALKER, AMOS EPHRIAM--PRIVATE

Son of John and Sarah Walker (deceased); born February 2, 1895, Douglas County, Mo. Moved to Whitley County, Ind. in 1902. Laborer. Entered service September 19, 1917, Columbia City, Ind. Sent to Camp Taylor, Ky.; assigned to Company D, 152nd Infantry. Sent to Camp Shelby, Miss. Overseas in May, 1918; assigned to Company B, 103rd Infantry, 26th Division. Killed in action July 22, 1918, Argonne Forest. (Burial place unknown).

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 720. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Saturday, August 3, 1918

First Columbia City Soldier Falls on Battlefield. Amos E. Walker, son of John Walker, of Brownwood, this city, is the first Columbia City man to give his life for his country while serving at the front. Word was received in this city late Wednesday night by the young man’s father to this effect, coming in the form of a telegram which stated that Amos E. Walker died of wounds on July 22, somewhere in France. The message was sent direct from Adjutant General McCain of the war department at Washington and was as follows:

Washington, D. C.
July 31, 1918
Mr. John Walker

Columbia City, Indiana.

Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that Private Amos E. Walker, Infantry, died July 22, of wound received in action.

McLAIN, Adj. Gen.

The message came to the tower and was telephoned to Mr. Walker and was naturally a terrible shock to him, as such messages must necessarily be to all parents who have sons actively engaged on the battlefield; but at the same time parents are prepared for such news and will be so long as the war lasts. Deaths are inevitable, and at the present time no locality in the entire United States is without its representatives on the fighting lines. No one knows the next home that will be saddened by a telegram from the war department, but wherever the blow may fall, the sympathy of the public in the fullest measure will go to the parents and brothers and sisters of the stricken soldier, just as it is now extended to John Walker and family in the loss of his brave son.

Amos Walker enrolled under the selective conscription law at this city June 5th, 1917, and on September 22nd was sent to Camp Zachary Taylor, near Louisville, Ky., where he received his first military training. He was at that place but a short time and was transferred with a bunch of other Whitley county men to Camp Shelby, near Hattiesburg, Miss. At this place he was placed in Co. D, 152nd Infantry along with many other young men from Northern Indiana. He received intensive training there during the winter and early spring months and was in fine condition for overseas duty.

During the month of March a call came for eight men from this company to do overseas duties and Amos was one of the very first men to volunteer. He was the only Whitley county man that was chosen with this contingent, but he wished to go in the hope that he would be able to meet his brother, Roy, who was over there and is serving with the Rainbow division.

After arriving overseas he was placed in a different company but he still held his old address of Company D, 152nd Infantry, A. E. F. via New York, and his parents received several letters from him after he arrived over there. He had never stated in his letters that he was in active service, and it may be that his company was only recently sent to the firing line. It is customary for the captain of a company in which a man is killed to write to the unfortunate young man’s parents and give the details and Mr. Walker may receive a letter in the near future that will explain how the son received the wounds that terminated in death. It is not known when he was wounded but, owing to that fact that no word had been received that he had been wounded, it is the supposition that he died soon afterwards.

He has a brother Roy, who left Fort Wayne with Battery D last fall, and the members of the battery sailed for France and constituted a part of the famous 42nd, commonly known as the Rainbow division, which is now doing service on the battle lines in Flanders. There is also a half-brother, Verlin Rodgers, who is in the navy and is in active service in foreign waters. Amos is also survived by his father and step-mother and three sisters, namely, Vina Winebrenner, of Churubusco, Frances J. and Martha, at home.

The dead soldier was born in this county, February 2, 1896, and was 22 years, 5 months and 20 days of age at the time of his death. He received a grade school education in this city and then took employment in the onion fields in the county, later working at the Peabody Lumber company. He was particularly brave and loyal and was very anxious to do his bit for his country and has done the utmost that any man can do by giving his life. He was a member of the Odd Fellow lodge of this city and was also affiliated with the United Brethren church and his star on the Service Flag there will be turned to gold. He was an honest, big hearted young man, willing to do anything that was asked of him, and it was this trait of character that made him a friend of all who knew him.

The young man was very well provided with insurance, having a $1,000 policy in the Modern Woodman lodge that is payable to his sisters, and two small policies in the Prudential that will total about $300. He also took out the $10,000 policy provided for by the government and this is payable to his father and will be paid in monthly payments.

There will be four gold stars on the Whitley County Service Flag, representing Charles Warnick, who died at Columbus barracks; Marshall Kerns, at Ft. Douglas; Scott Baker, at San Francisco, and now Amos Walker, who gave up his life in France.

==+==+==+==

Note: His half-brother, Verlin Rogers, died of influenza on board a ship in Cuban waters in January 1919.

Ralph De Witte Waugh (1889-1918)

WAUGH, RALPH DE WITTE--PRIVATE
Son of Joseph M. and Sarah Waugh; born November 4, 1889, Columbia City, Ind. Farmer. Entered service August 5, 1918, Columbia City, Ind. Sent to Camp Syracuse, N.Y.; assigned to 59th Company, 15th Battalion, Provisional Training Corps. Died of pneumonia October 1, 1918, Camp Syracuse, Oswego, N.Y. Buried in Blue River Cemetery, Whitley County, Ind.

Gold Star Honor Roll: A Record of Indiana Men and Women Who Died in The Service of the United States and The Allied Nations in The World War 1914-1918 (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Commission, 1921) Page 721. Contributed by Meredith Thompson.

Columbia City Post ~ Wednesday, October 2, 1918

The very sad news of the death of Private Ralph Waugh reached his father, Joseph Waugh, in this city late Tuesday afternoon. Word was received by the parents Sunday evening that the young man was seriously ill from plural pneumonia and his mother and brother, Bert, made arrangements to go to his bedside and left this city Monday afternoon. It is not known whether they had arrived before the end came or not. It is thought they had not arrived as the messages inquired whether the remains should be sent here or buried at that place. The dispatch state that death occurred at 12:45 Tuesday noon.

Ralph Waugh was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Waugh, of Thorncreek township, and was born November 4, 1889, where his parents now reside. He was a hard working young man and always assisted with the farm work at home and also has a good hand, willing to help out the neighbors at all times. His name appeared in the 1917 draft, but he wished to go in as a volunteer but was unable to pass the examination for general service on the account of his weight. He was taken August 5th as a limited service man and was sent to Syracuse, where he was assigned to duty as a fireman and as a guardsman. He later took the examination again and successfully passed and was sent to Oswego, N. Y., where he was assigned general military service. He was in the supply depot brigade but was expecting to sail in the near future, but as the Spanish influenza epidemic broke out in that place his company was held up.

He is survived by his parents and five brothers, namely, Lee, Bert, William and Paul, of Thorncreek township, and Joe, of California. He was a member of the Odd Fellow lodge in this city and was a faithful attender and a hard lodge worker.