Glenn Huddleston (1899-1919)

HUDDLESTON, BURNETT

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 12/7/2015 at 21:22:25

From Nevada Representative March 6, 1919 (Front page)

GLENN CALLED TO HIS REWARD

POPULAR NEVADA BOY DIED IN FRANCE ON EVE OF RETURN TO THE STATE. NEWS OF HIS DEATH A SHOCK.

From blue to gold, turned another service star of the many in Nevada on Monday night when the word came from the War Department of the death pneumonia of Glenn E. Huddlestun the popular young son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Huddlestun. Like a bolt out of the blue came the message, for it was but a few days before in a letter to the home folks that Glenn spoke of his return from Europe, what he planned to do and the happy reunion which would occur when he got back to the States and dear old Iowa.

Like many another hero this young man laid down his life for the principals for which this country stood. True he did not fet into the firing line, he arrived in France too late for that, but he as courageously and as bravely enlisted and hoped to get to the front as did any one in the country. He offered his all to his country and it was taken, he having made the supreme sacrifice which so many young men have been called up to make during the past year and a half. It seems harsh and bitter that arriving in France almost at the close of the fighting, and without the danger of shot and shell, he should be called to his reward but such was his destiny and until the final reckoning comes, none can tell for what reason.

It was with sadness indeed that the news of his untimely death percolated among the folks here at home. Glenn was a popular kid, he was little more, the moving in mans estate. It was only last year that he graduated from the Nevada High School and his smiling face and lively action endeared him to everyone had the pleasure of his acquaintance. he was "rarin" to go in to the service long before he was let, and finally when it was seen that he law would take him anyway did his parents consent. Even then he wanted no fuss or bother made over him. In fact he told the writer one day last summer that he did not want to have fuss made when he went. He just wanted to say goodbye to the folks and slip away letting the rest of the community know about it, after he was far enough away to escape the embarrassment of a leave taking and that is exactly what he did.

During the last of his school work and on Saturday Glenn worked at Flickinger's Hardware and at the close of the school year he continued to work there till he saw a chance to enlist. This was on July 12th when he went to Des Moines in company with Merle Johnson and Lloyd Kinsey and enlisted in the Coast Artillery. Three days later he left for Fort Logan, Colorado being transferred a few days after his arrival to Fort Rosecrans at San Diego, Cal. Here the early training was put in and the young man started in his Great Adventure, October 23d for Camp Meritt, N. J., leaving the United States on October 31st and landing at Brest on November 10th, the day before the Armistice was signed.

Since that time he has been doing military duty in the devastated district serving for a while as a member of the Motor Transport Corps most of the time serving near Chateau Thiery.

In a letter written on January 31st the last letter received by his parents, he spoke of embarking in a couple of days for home. This letter was dated at Haussmont, France.

Next came the word of his death in the following telegram.

Washington D. C. March 3rd
Mr. Harry Huddleston, Nevada

Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that private Glen E. Huddleston, coast artillery corps, died of pneumonia Feb. twentieth.

The Adj. General, Harris

Glen E. Huddlestun, was born March 28th, 1899 in Warren Township eight miles north of Nevada, here he lived with his parents attending country school of the neighborhood, till he had reached the eighth grade. In 1914 he started to attend the schools of Nevada a made his way successfully and smilingly through all the grade left, graduating from the High School last spring. His life since he was born till the news of his untimely death had been one of sunshine and happiness, always trying to make the world brighter to live in and the life of any party in which he found himself. He was an attendant at the Methodist church of this city and found time even in his love of fun for the serious religious duties of life.

He leaves to mourn his loss a sister, Mrs. R. J. Burnett who resides on the home farm in Warren township and his father and mother of this city.

No plans have been made as yet for a memorial service but one will be held when the particulars of the young man's death reach this side. It is expected that his chum and "buddy" Merle Johnson who has been with him ever since his enlistment will write the folks as soon as he can which will be week or two yet.

All who knew them and in fact every citizen of the community will unite in expressing to the bereaved family their most enter sympathy in this their hour of loss and sorrow.