BATES, Orville Russell 1894 - 1918

BATES, BRADFORD, BRAUN, WEST

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 12/11/2012 at 16:34:48

Printed in The Tekamah, Nebraska, Journal newpaper - no date, but probably Sept. 30 - Oct. 5, 1918, printed the week following the funeral.
He died on Monday, Sept. 23

ORVILLE RUSSELL BATES
MILITARY FUNERAL

All Tekamah turned out last Thursday afternoon to do honor to the memory of one of her young soldiers who died while in the service of his country. Business was practically suspended from one o’clock until four and citizens came from farm, store, shop and office to pay homage to the deceased patriot, Orville Russell BATES, whose death occurred at Great Lakes, Ill., on Monday, September 23, 1918. The immediate cause of his death was the Spanish influenza, so prevalent at the present time in army camps. He had been sick previous to his death and was taken to the camp hospital but recovered and was up and on duty about two weeks when he was again taken ill. The second attack was too severe for him to with stand and after four days of illness he passed away. On account of the nature of the disease his folks were not permitted to be with him nor was the casket opened upon its arrival here, it having been sealed by government officials before being sent here. The body arrived Wednesday afternoon and was at once taken to the Presbyterian church by the Home Guards, and sentries remained on duty constantly until after the funeral.

The services at the Presbyterian church were conducted by Rev. Benj. A. Fye on Thursday afternoon, September 26th, at 2:30 o'clock and long before that time the church was filled to its capacity so that many were unable to obtain admission.

The Home Guards in command of Capt. Anderson, acted as escort to the funeral cortege. The metal lined oak casket covered by the flag of the United States, was placed in the center of the auditorium in front of the pulpit. The pall bearers were L. S. LaRue, P. W. Fischer, Chris Peterson, John Holmes, Roy Wetherall and Wm. Cutler, all in uniform. A choir composed of S. A. Wassum, Jeanette Goodwill, Mrs. James Clark and Murray Quick, sang "Jesus Savior Pilot Me." Rev. Buell gave the prayer and scripture reading. This was followed by the song, "There's a Long, Long, Trail A Winding" by Mrs. James Clark. This was rendered by special request, as was also the text used by the officiating minister.

The sermon was delivered by Rev. Fye, who took for his text, John 15:13 -- Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.: The sermon was appropriately eloquent as the minister blended the admonitions of patriotism and right living with words of comfort and cheer to the mourning relatives. The sermon was divided into three distinct parts. The first dwelling on the thought that love is the greatest force in the world. The second the need of some impelling motives in life and the third, the things worth dying for. Rev. Fye gave a good sermon, taking special pains with the wording of his sermon, as it was the first military funeral ever held here. The singing of "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" ended the services.

The casket was not opened but undertaker, W. F. Hopley had placed a nice enlarged picture of the deceased on the coffin and friends were allowed to pass and see the pictured likeness of their beloved friend.

The body was then conveyed to the cemetery, the procession being led by the band with muffled drum, playing a funeral march. Following came the Home Guards, then the hearse, the pall bearers and armed guards, with the cortege of relatives and friends following. At the grave the burial service was read by Rev. Buell with a prayer by Rev. Fye, and with the flag suspended over the grave the casket was lowered to its final resting place, to await the final "reveille." A firing squad composed of Frank Lundstrom, Noah Marsh, Chas. Jack, Louis Kiefer, Eli Bowden, Oscar Valder, Laban Robinson, and Hugh Whitaker, fired three volleys over the grave and Bugler Penry blew taps as a final military honor.

All honor to Orville Russell BATES. He heard his country call and answered and died in its service as a hero. He was willing to face the hazard of war and was prepared to make the supreme sacrifice upon the battlefield if need be, but his Master called him before such action could take place.

There was a profusion of floral tributes, including appropriately designed pieces from the I.O.O.F. and Rebekah orders, which were present in a body.

The obituary notice as given in the papers last week was not altogether correct, so we give a correction of it herewith. Orville enlisted at Omaha June 29, 1918, as a motor mechanic and was sent to the camp at Great Lakes, Ill., where he was later transferred to Co. O., 15th Regiment New Aviation unit and he was a member of this company at the time of his demise. He was born near Fairfield, Ia., April 13th, 1894, and at the time of death was 24 years, 5 months and 10 days old. He came to Nebraska with his parents in October 1907. He attended school and church here and was loved and respected by all who knew him. That he did not die upon the field of battle was because of lack of opportunity rather than desire. As Rev. Fye said, “May a spirit of self-renunciation, of love for mankind and for country, similar to the one that led this young hero to lay down his life, sieze each one of us, and may we see to it that the cause for which he died be not a lost cause. We commend his spirit to the Father of Love --'Who looketh not at the outward appearance, but rather at what is in the heart of man,’ in the hope that whilst the taps have sounded on earth, that he may hear the reveille in a more propitious clime.”

There remains in the broken family circle the father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. J. (sic - James) K. BATES, three sisters, Mrs. Altha BRADFORD, of Ottumwa, Ia., Mrs. Mabel BRAUN, of Tekamah, Mrs. Marie WEST of Herman and three brothers, Rollo M., Harold and Arthur, Rollo being in France and the latter two yet at home. To these folks the Journal, with other friends, joins in extending condolences. let it be said that America is a land that does not forget its heroes. The name of Orville Russell BATES shall live as among the first to defend justice, freedom and humanity.

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CARD OF THANKS

We wish to thank the many dear friends for their kindness and sympathy extended during the burial of our son and brother; especially do we wish to thank the members of the Tekamah Guards for the military honors paid to his memory.

Mr. and Mrs. J. K. BATES and family

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Admin. note: The above text and photo below were transcribed and contributed for posting by Jane Worley Knapp, a relative, who grants permission to freely copy for private or public use.

Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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