Lester Ward Cretcher, 1893-1921

CRETCHER

Posted By: Volunteer-Betty Hootman
Date: 5/2/2012 at 14:43:20

Milton (IA) Herald
Wednesday, 26 October 1921

IN MEMORIAL
For A. L. Silver, Ward Cretcher, E. F. Franklin and Charles Hyde
“We Sorrow But Revere Their Memory”

LESTER WARD CRETCHER

Lester Ward Cretcher, son of William L. and Mary Cretcher, was born three miles east of Cantril, Van Buren county, Iowa, July 21, 1893. He received his early education in the public schools of Niles and Keosauqua, being graduated from Keosauqua high school June 24, 1912. The following September he entered the State College of Agriculture at Ames. He was soon recognized as a good student and destined to make a mark in the educational world. During the next six years he spent teaching in the public schools and persuing his studies at Ames. One year was spent in teaching at the schools in Riverside, Iowa.

He would have completed his course at the Iowa State College of Agriculture in June 1918, but on April 1918, he was inducted into the service of the United States Army, at Washington, Iowa. On August 16, 1918 he left Camp Mills, Long Island for overseas. He was a corporal in Casual Department 792 in the 88th division, and was in the center sector of the American Expeditionary Forces in the engagement at Haute, Alsace. His last assignment was Co. A, 313 Engineers.

He returned from overseas in 1919, landing in the United States the 6th day of June. He was honorably discharged from the4 service at Camp Dodge, Des Moines, June 16, 1919.

He immediately took up education work again and was graduated fro the Iowa State College of Agriculture, and soon after was elected to a chair in the State Agricultural College3 at Corvallis, Oregon. He was re-elected the following year. At the close of the school year, 1921, he accepted the office of cashier in the Cantril State Bank and entered upon his duties September 1st.

Mr. Cretcher was a young man of good habits and high ideals; but in 1911, while attending high school at Keosauqua, he took a stand in the Christian life, and under the pastorate of Rev. C. A. Fields. United with the Methodist Episcopal church. He was at the time of his death, which occurred Sunday, October 16, 1921, one of the efficient teachers in the Methodist Sunday School at Cantril. He was loved and respected by all who knew him, and a large circle of friends sorrow with the bereaved family.

His father preceded him in death, have passed away Aug. 16, 1919. He leaves the mother and two brothers, William Frazee Cretcher, and George J. Cretcher of Cantril.

Short funeral services were conducted at 11:30 Wednesday morning at the residence by Rev, C. W. Cochran, pastor of the Methodist church, and more extended services were held in the afternoon in the high school grove cponducted by Rev, Cochran and Rev. Hoff, pastor of the Christian church, under the direction of the American Legion. The body was laid to rest in Cantril cemetery.

Mr. Cretcher was a member of the Masonic Order, Eastern Star, and the Iowa State Acacia Fraternity.

He was a student of agricultural engineering, and had a number of charts and bulletins in preparation, some of which had been submitted to authoritative critics in Oregon, North Dakota and Ames. A chart on the agricultural drainage of Van Buren county, and a bulletin on “Agricultural Drainage Organization” was just completed and would have been in the hands of the agricultural department of the Government for publication in a short time.

Just recently he was made a member of the American Society of Agrcultural Engineers.

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Cantril, Ia., Oct. 22, 1921

We desire to extend our thanks to our many friends who have given us expressions of sympathy in tender words, kind acts, and floral offerings, during this our time of great sorrow. We appreciate the kindness of the Amkerican Legion, the Masonic Order, the Eastern Star and all others who helped lighten our burden.
Mrs. Mary Cretcher
William F. Cretcher
George J. Cretcher

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A SHOCKING TRAGEDY EAST OF CANTRIL
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Four Legion Boys Lose life Sunday in Auto Wreck,
Fifth May Recover

One of the most terrible accidents that ever happened in the county took place Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Niles crossing three miles east of Cantril. Five service men of Cantril were returning from the military funeral of a comrade, John Kerr, at Prairie View near Azen, Mo., which was conducted by the Cantril Post, and when their car reached the railroad crossing it was struck by a west bound locomotive, without a train. The auto was hurled through the fence near the cattle-guard, and was turned upside down, with the victims beneath. The gas tank bursted, and almost instantly and almost instantly the car was enveloped in soaring flames. Others returning from the funeral were soon on hand and braved the fire to rescue the boys.

The auto load was composed of Chas. Hyde, Ward Cretchet, A. L. Silver, Elmer Franklin, driver of the car, and Riley Wollam. Hyde was probably instantly killed and his body was taken to Cantril in the locomotive. The other four were taken to Cantril in autos. Cretcher, cashier of the State Bank of Cantril, died shortly after reaching the doctor’s office. Silver, president of Cantril Savings Bank died about midnight and Franklin about 5 o’clock in the morning. Wollam was badly burned about the head and his legs were injured, but may live. Some of the boys were burned beyond recognition. The locomotive driver also received burns in assisting to extricate the bodies from the fire.

The news of the accident was a stunning blow to the people of Cantril and fairly prostrated with grief the members of the families whose loved ones had so ruthlessly been snatched away.

A military funeral was held at Cantril at 2 p.m. Wednesday of this week, at which all the Legion Posts in this section took part.

Note: a handwritten note at the bottom of the page said: “Franklin-age 27, married,” “ Silver-age 29,” “Cretcher-age 28,” “Hyde-age 32.”

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Scrapbook A, page 367, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA