PABST, Fred W. 1885-1918

PABST

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/18/2017 at 08:48:58

Fred Pabst Is Killed In Action In France

Telegram Received Wednesday Afternoon Late Which Settles the Fact of His Death

He Was Killed September 19th[sic]

The Report of His Death Was a Long Time Reaching Relatives Living Here

Just as we are going to press a telegram was received here that Fred Pabst had been killed in action in France September 19th[sic].

A week or two ago a similar announcement was given in the newspapers, but the home address was given then as Grant Center, Iowa.

Fears were entertained at that time by relatives and friends here that it might be our Fred, and yet there was a shadow of hope that possibly it might be a mistake.

Fred Pabst left here April 20th of this year and was sent to Camp Dodge. He leaves a wife and child, father and mother, and several other near relatives.

--The Grundy Republican (Grundy Center, Iowa), 28 November 1918, pg 1

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Mrs. Fred Pabst has received official notice from the government that the body of her husband, Private Fred W. Pabst, who was killed in the Argonne battle September 29, 1918, would arrive at New York Saturday, and later as per request, shipped to Grundy Center. The body is expected here within a short time, and memorial services will be held the day it arrives.

--Grundy County Dispatch (Grundy Center, Iowa), 20 July 1921, pg 1

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Fred Pabst Buried With Military Honors

Body Arrived Early Saturday Morning and Was Escorted to Home of Parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. Pabst, Where It Remained Until Sunday Afternoon

Private Fred Pabst Was Mortally Wounded In Argonne Forest, September 29, 1918, and Died at Charpentry the Same Day

The funeral services over the remains of Private Fred Pabst were held from the First Baptist Church here Sunday afternoon, and was one of the largest attended funerals held in Grundy Center in recent years. It was a strictly military funeral service, Grundy Post of the American Legion being in charge. The pallbearers were Arthur Gravenstein, Harold K. Wilson, Glenn Sanders, Elgin Bienfang, O. E. Holeman and Will Hawse. The Grundy Center band marched at the head of the procession and furnished music appropriate for the occasion. At the church, a male quartette from the German Presbyterian church furnished the music. This quartette was composed of Rev. H. F. Sinning, the pastor of the church; G. D. Harberts, John Plesscher and Sam Ramaker. The pastor of the church, Rev. David Alexander, read the scripture, prayer was offered by Rev. E. E. Heltibridle, pastor of the Alice Church of God, and President W. Bode, of Grundy College, preached the funeral sermon, taking his text from Matthew 10:28.

The following relatives from out of town attended the funeral services: Mrs. Jake Schoeman, of George, Ia.; Will Newald, Cresco, Ia.; Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Brown, Lloyd Brown and Gilbert Brown, of Waterloo; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bertram, Mr. and Mrs. Imming, of Parkersburg; Mr. and Mrs. E. Herwig and Miss Ruth Pabst, of Iowa Falls.

About two weeks ago the government informed Mrs. Fred Pabst that the body of her husband would soon arrive in New York and would be shipped here, if desired. Last week the government sent word that the body would leave New York Thursday. Early Saturday morning the remains reached Grundy Center. The members of the American Legion were at the station to receive it, and took charge of it.

Fred Pabst was a member of Co. B. 137 Inf., the 35th Division. He joined this division in France the middle of June, 1918. Shortly afterwards, he became a reserve to this division, and before long saw actual service. Thrice he was at the front. A comrade writes that they were in the firing line fifteen days the first time, seventeen days the second time, and that after a rest at St. Michel, they were called upon to join the American ranks in the Argonne section, where one of the most severe battles of the war was fought, and Fred as a faithful soldier of his country, did his part faithfully.

In this world renowned Argonne battle, Fred was mortally wounded on the 29th day of September, 1918, at between 5:30 and 6 a.m. He was conscious for some time, and was able to inform his comrades what had happened to him. First aid was given, and then he was removed to Charpentry, where he succumbed to his wounds, having been struck in the head and also in the side. He died the same day, and was buried with some twenty other American soldiers by Chaplain Sullins.

Mr. Pabst was born and reared in this county, entered the service of his country during the late spring of 1918. He leaves to mourn his bereaved wife and daughter; his aged parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. Pabst, of this place; four brothers and two sisters. The last letter from his hand written shortly before the Argonne battle shows that he was a seeker for the truth and he urged all his loved ones to make good use of the church. His parting words, the last lines from his hand, may they be realized: "God be with us, till we meet again."

--The Grundy County Dispatch (Grundy Center, Iowa), 3 August 1921, pg 1