Brick, Louis 1878-1898

BRICK

Posted By: Linda Ziemann (email)
Date: 8/12/2013 at 21:21:44

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
September 5, 1898

DEATH’S VICTIM
Louis Brick of Company L, Fiftieth Iowa, Succumbs to the Ravages of Disease

The sad news of the death of Louis Brick was the sole topic of conversation on the streets Friday and the tiding of his demise brought sorrow to every loyal heart in LeMars and expressions of grief and condolences were heard from lips on every side.

Mrs. P. L. Brick received a telegram Friday morning from Dr. Brick which briefly stated that Louis was dead. The news came as a shock as the telegrams previously received indicated that the boy’s condition since the arrival of his father at Jacksonville was better and hopes were entertained for his recovery, although it was known that his case was an extremely serious one.

The young man’s death comes as a calamity which is felt by all the residents of our city, as he is the first from our little circle to give up his life in the cause of patriotism, and surely if ever a young man laid down his life for his country, he did.

At the outbreak of the war, he was the first to offer his services and was rejected at Sioux City and at Sheldon by the recruiting officer, as he was under age and had not his parents’ consent to enlist. Finally he succeeded in obtaining their consent and on June 21 he enlisted at Iowa City and two days afterwards left for Jacksonville and became a member of company L in the Fiftieth regiment. He had been sick for a number of weeks and his father left last week to see what he could do for him and in the hopes of saving his life.
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LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
September 8, 1898

FELL FOR HIS FLAG
Obsequies of Louis Brick Attended by Great Crowds
HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTRY
Upwards of Three Thousand People Attend the Funeral Services Over the Dead Body of the First LeMars Soldier to Offer Up His Life on the Altar of Patriotism.

The funeral of Louis Brick which took place on Monday afternoon was attended by hundreds of people who wished to show their sympathy to the relatives of the dead boy and to honor the memory of the soldier who had laid down his young life for patriotism. The funeral cortege began to assemble on Main street in front of the G. A. R. hall long before the appointed hour of two o’clock and for blocks the streets were lined with people and the streets crowded with vehicles of all descriptions. Punctually at two o’clock the procession began to from under the direction of the Marshal, I. T. Martin, and started south on Main street, the LeMars band at the head following the clergy of the city, the city officials, Mower Post G. A. R. Then came the hearse with the six pall bearers marching along side, the friends of his youth and old playmates, Louis Gilbert, Ralph Pope, Ben Clagg, Jake Koenig, George Wilcox and Harry Draper. The militia boys, to the number of twenty, under command of O. L. Loudenslager, came next in uniform and with muskets on shoulders acting as escort. They were followed by the relatives of the deceased and then came the soldier boys who are at home on sick leave. About two hundred carriages then fell in line and hundreds on foot joined the procession which slowly wended its way to the court house grove where the services were held. All the stores were closed during the funeral and the flags on the public buildings floated at half mast.

December 14, 1878—September 1, 1898, are the dates which mark Louis Brick’s sojourn on this earth. Less than twenty years, but these years though few were well spent and Louis made the best of his opportunities. He was born at Parkersburg, Iowa, on December 14, 1878, and came with his parents to LeMars in 1880. His mother died shortly after this and in 1883 Louis went to Burlington and made his home with his grandparents until 1890, when he returned to LeMars, which has since been his home.

He attended school and graduated in the Class of ’97 and after that worked at the profession of stenographer for the Plymouth Roller Mill company and for the firm of Sammis & Scott, where he also read law. He was a youth of studious and quiet nature and possessed a great forcefulness of character for one so young. He was a member of the Y. M. C. U. and a good Christian boy, who lived a clean and righteous life. He enlisted at Iowa City on June 21, in the 50th Iowa and went into camp near Jacksonville. In August he was taken sick and sent to the hospital on the 12th and died on September 1, of virulent typhoid fever. His epitaph, “He gave his life for his country” is sufficient.

BROUGHT HOME
The Remains of the Late Louis Brick Arrive in LeMars and are Met by a Large Cortege of People.

The remains of Louis Brick arrived in LeMars Monday morning on the 6:15 train. Dr. and Mrs. Brick accompanied by Ben Clagg doming in charge of them.

A large number of people were at the depot despite the early hour to await the arrival of the body of the young soldier. The boys who were formerly militiamen, when LeMars boasted a military company, assembled together and under command of O. L. Loudenslager were drawn up in line at the depot. The committees appointed by the City Council and the G. A. R. Mower Post were also there to meet the incoming train and a great number of old soldiers were also present and a great number of private citizens. The coffin containing the body was placed in the hearse and those meeting the train formed in solemn procession and marched to the G. A. R. hall where the coffin was placed under the flag for which he laid down his young life. Many friends took a last look at the face of him who but a few short weeks ago left them in greatest health and highest spirits, but now sadly changed and looking haggard and thin by the ravages of disease.

The funeral takes place this afternoon, the services being held at the court house grove.