Pvt. Chris Hanson ?-1918

HANSON, CHRISTIANSEN

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 9/11/2010 at 11:22:18

The Democrat
Emmetsburg, Iowa
27 Nov 1918
Page 1

Chris Hanson Dies in France

We understand that John Hanson, who lives west of Graettinger, received a telegram from the war department Monday evening stating that his son, Chris Hanson, had died of pneumonia in France. We have not been able to learn particulars. This is very sad news to the many citizens of our county.

Graettinger Times
Graettinger, Iowa
29 Nov 1918
Page 1

Chris Hanson Reported Dead

Chris Hanson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hanson, who reside west of Graettinger across the line in Clay county, died in France October 7, a victim of bronchial pneumonia, according to a telegram received from the war department Monday. However, at the present time there appears to be some misunderstanding about the message. On October 4, John Hanson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chris Hanson, died of pneumonia in the service. The telegram received Monday stated that Chris Hanson, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hanson, died of pneumonia on October 7. The young men with the colors are cousins. The reason that relatives have for believing there is an error is that the telegram was sent to Graettinger instead of to Ruthven, the correct post office address of Mr. and Mrs. John Hanson. There is a possibility the error may be the same that occurred in the case of the reported death of Charles Christiansen. In this case it was a Charles E. Christiansen of Granger, Iowa, who was killed instead of Charles E. Christiansen of this place. The telegram was erroneously sent to Graettinger instead of to Granger. We will withhold further particulars until next week and publish them together with any developments that may come up in the meantime.

(Contributor note: Probably owing to ongoing confusion, the promised follow-on article never appeared. - J.C.)