Charles D. Hyde, 1889-1921

HYDE, LEAVERTON

Posted By: Volunteer-Betty Hootman
Date: 5/2/2012 at 14:46:00

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”

CHARLES D. HYDE

The subject of this sketch, Charles D. Hyde, was the son of W. B. and Sarah L. Hyde of Cantril, Iowa. He was born near Memphis, Scotland county, Missouri, July 20, 1889. He came to Cantril with his parents in the year 1900.

Mr. Hyde voluntarily enlisted in the United States Army December 9, 1917 and inducted into the service at Ottumwa, Iowa. On August 11, 1918 he appointed Corporal in the Casual Department 172. The records show that his last assignment was in Battery D, 5325, Coast Artillery Corp.

He saw much service overseas, but was blessed with good health and never received a scratch.

He left the United States form Camp Fort Winfield Scott, San Francisco, California, June 28, 1918, and was engaged in the American Expeditionary Forces in the battles of Mihiel offensive September 12 to 16, 1918, and in the Meuse-Argonne offensive September 20 to November 11, 1918.

He returned to the United States March 11, 1919, and was honorably discharged at Camp dodge, Des Moines, Iowa, March 29, 1919.

Mr. Hyde was a young man of good character, of a quiet disposition, industrious, held in the highest esteem, and had not an enemy in the word.

He passed from this life Sunday evening, October 16, 1921, and is survived by his father and mother, two brothers, Orville B. Hyde, who resides in Burlington, Iowa and Dewey H. Hyde, of near Unionville, Iowa, and one sister, Mrs. Katherine Leaverton of Pulaski.

Brief funeral services were held at the home Wednesday morning, Oct. 19, conducted by John VanFleet, after which the remains were conveyed to the school grove where services were held at 2 o’clock in conjunction with the services of the other three comrades. These services were under the direction of the American Legion, of which he was a member. Rev. Hoff of the Christian church and Rev. C. W. Cochran, pastor of the Methodist church conducted the platform services. The remains were interred in the Cantril cemetery.

Card of Thanks

We wish to thank the many friends and neighbors whose kind helpfulness, expressions of sympathy and beautiful floral offerings have helped so much to lighten the burden in our sorrow.

Mr. and Mrs. Will Hyde and family

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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