Archie Leigh Silver, 1892-1921

SILVER, MILLER

Posted By: Volunteer-Betty Hootman
Date: 5/2/2012 at 14:48:47

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”

IN MEMORIAM

“Flowers have their time to bloom,
An leaves to fall;
But Thou, O Death----
Hast seasons all.”

They tell us that Death’s at the turn of the road---but we seldom think of the Great Event until the shadow has fallen across our pathway and someone we love has gone on that lone, last journey. When the hand of death claimed Arch L. Silver, Sunday October sixteenth, it meant a real genuine loss to his friends and his community. It is not given to us all to live a life of practical service, and when we have known one whose days were spent in scattering sunshine and in loving service our own lives are enriched. Arch Silver lived such a life. He was born and reared on the old Silver homestead, three miles east of Cantril, in Des Moines township. He received his education at Home Prairie county school, at Cantril High School, from which he graduated in 1909 and from two years study at Drake University in Des Moines. Arch grew into manhood carrying with him the same lovable, even, sunshiny disposition that had marked him as a boy. He united with the Christian Church in Cantril at the age of sixteen, under the leadership of Rev. Paul Wright. Arch was a home loving boy, a mother’s boy. When the “old folks” moved to town it was Arch who went with them, to help in the new home. Shortly after his return from Drake University he became assistant cashier of the Cantril Savings bank, of which his father was president. Later he became cashier and was filling this postion when he went into the World War in August, 1917. He was in service until April 1919, having spent six months overseas in France as a member of Battery F, 336 Field Artillery, 87th Division. On February 4, 1918, while on furlough in St. Louis, Mo., he was married to Miss Minnie Miller of Mt. Sterling, Iowa. After his return from the army, he and his wife took up their home with his parent and within a few weeks his father was stricken with paralysis, becoming helpless. Thus it fell to Arch to assume his father’s interests and to nurse and care for him, which was duty he lovingly and willingly performed to the day of his death. He had recently been elected president of the bank. Arch was patient and kind to his invalid father, careful and considerate of his mother, and generous and faithful to his wife. The children loved him. The old people loved him. The community loved him. And he died as he had lived---straight, upright, brave and uncomplaining. Even in those last hours, hours fraught with pain and torture, no word of complaint fell from his parched lips. To the last he tried to scatter sunshine. While his mother and wife frantically wept over his bruised body his last words were, “Don’t worry about me---I’ll be alright.” And we who knew and loved him best know that he is alright, for we can be certain that God in his compassion has whispered to him: “Lo! I am the Life. Thy Soul shall not die!”

Archie Leigh Silver, born March 3, 1892. Died October 16, 1921. Aged 29 years, 7 months and 8 days. Survived by his wife, his father and mother, and three brothers, Jack C. of Stockport, Seth S. and Frank P. of Cantril. His remains were laid to rest in the Cantril cemetery after an impressive military funeral. The pallbearers were young men who had served overseas with him, in the World War: Lawrence RFisher, Dick Langford, Rex Keeler, Major Robertson, Elman Shannon and Grover Clark.
**********

Card of Thanks

We wish to thank our many friends for their kindness, also for the many beautiful flowers given as a token of sympathy in the loss of our son and husband.
Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Silver and family
Mrs. A. L. Silver

***************************
A SHOCKING TRAGEDY EAST OF CANTRIL
-------------------
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