Wagner, Otto S. 1893-1918

WAGNER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/22/2011 at 18:44:25

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
October 11, 1918

FOUR ARE VICTIMS
YOUTHFUL SOLDIERS SUCCUMB TO MALADIES IN CAMP
HOMES IN LE MARS ARE SADDENED
Plymouth County Men in Service for Their Country, Succumb to Prevailing
Epidemic at Four Widely Separated Camps.

A number of homes in LeMars are saddened this week through the exigencies of
war, four young men from this county having laid down their lives of their
country. Their fate was not to die on the battlefield but theirs is the
honor just as much as they died in honorable service to which their country
called them and this will be a cherished consolation to their families and
friends.

Otto S. Wagner died at Fort Riley, Kansas, on Tuesday evening of pneumonia
after a very brief illness. His father, John Wagner, residing at 508 Court
street, was notified of his son’s illness last Saturday and arrived at Fort
Riley on Monday in time to see and converse with his son. Mr. Wagner
returned home yesterday. He said there were many anxious parents at the camp
visiting sons who are sick.

The funeral arrangements have not been completed but are awaiting the
arrival of the body.

Otto Wagner left on September 3 for Ft. Riley having been inducted into the
service for special work. He was born on his father’s farm in Osceola
county on December 31, 1893, and lived in that county and LeMars all his
life. He was employed here for several years with the Mathey Plumbing
company and was a skilled workman and was well liked by all those with whom
he was associated. He will be deeply mourned by his parents and a large
family of brothers and sisters who are: Mrs. R. Frye, of Oakland, Cal.;
Mrs. Frank Sporrer, of Alton; Annie, Dorothy and Catherine, who are all
trained nurses; Nicholas, of Minneapolis; Peter, of Adrian; Matthias, of
Osceola county; Frank, of Ashton; Jake, of Sibley; Lewis and Alfred, at
home. One brother preceded him in death four years ago.